Being Marge

Where I'm Going From Here with My Health and Fitness Plan

2012-01-09T07:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks again to our thoughtful daughter, Liz Brown, for giving me for Christmas a renewal to The Oprah Magazine subscription. As she said, she likes to know we’re reading the same thing each month!

Starting with the cover of the January, 2012 issue, Dr. Oz is quoted as saying, “Every person has the right to look and feel like a million bucks!.” Inside the article, Oprah Talks to Dr. Oz, he says, “We need a wholesale reevaluation of what health feels like. Most people don’t even know what that feels like anymore.”

I know I had become complacent about my health. My cholesterol medication was keeping my numbers in check and most of my clothes still fit. I was satisfied. What I’ve learned in the past year, since becoming a Team Beachbody Coach, is that through improved nutrition and daily workouts, I can feel a whole lot better, control my cholesterol through diet and exercise, and upgrade my wardrobe as I get slimmer and stronger.

My plan for 2012 is to continue to drink Shakeology each day for lunch. I can’t wait to try the new 100% Vegan Tropical Strawberry Shakeology, which will be available as of February 14th.

I’ve made great physical conditioning strides through daily Slim in 6 workouts. By late February, Bruce and I plan to begin the new Team Beachbody Tai Cheng program, a progressive program built on the fundamentals of Tai-Chi and Qi Gong, ancient wellness arts that focus on improved mobility, strength, muscle tone, and balance.

And we can workout wearing the new Team Beachbody apparel!

Thanks to Team Beachbody, every day I’m feeling closer to a million bucks (and it’s also nice to see our bank account growing with our year-old business!). Team Beachbody is fulfilling on its promise to help us get physically and financially fit.

I look forward to inspiring more and more people to experience the feeling of being healthy again. We have a massive course correction to make in our society. It’s well worth the effort, because being physically and financially fit causes more positive ripple effects in all aspects of one’s life.

Thanks, Team Beachbody for allowing me this opportunity to help myself and many others achieve our goals and life happy, fulfilling lives! Let's all feel like a million bucks!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

My Team Beachbody Top 10 List - What I Like Best About This Company!

2012-01-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

The longer I'm involved with Beachbody as a Team Beachbody Coach, the more impressed I am with this company.

Here's my Top 10 List of what I like best about Team Beachbody:

1. Once you reach Emerald status, the company gives you customers. Since joining Team Beachbody in January, 2011, I have been given over 100 customers by the company. They automatically assign these folks to me in my back office and I earn 25% commission on all future orders made by these folks. What other MLM company gives customers to their distributors?

2. I've sampled many Beachbody home fitness programs and nutritional products, such as Shakeology, Slim in 6, P90X Protein bars, and feel I can totally stand behind the quality of their products.

3. As a coach, I have access to extremely high quality third-party tools, including videos, CDs, downloadable audio and text files, training modules, teleconference calls, and social media pages to share with prospects.

4. Team Beachbody attracts high-caliber people who truly want to help people take charge of their nutrition and fitness, from the CEO, Carl Daikeler, his support staff and our fellow team members.

5. Team Beachbody's P90X workout program has an astounding 86% brand recognition due to it popularity and the plethora of infomercials run on all Beachbody's products each week, totally about 240 hours.

6. We can offer our customers the opportunity to receive financial rewards just for working out through The Team Beachbody Challenge. In 2011, Beachbody gave away over $65 million in rewards, trips, and incentives to support its quest to end the trend of obesity.

7. Team Beachbody's Challenge Programs and economical Challenge Packs are designed to support their winning success formula:
Nutrition + Fitness + Peer Support + Financial Rewards = Success.

8. Timing is everything and Team Beachbody is poised with the right products, the right programs, and the right people at the right time to achieve their mission of attracting 1,000,000 coaches in the U.S. in the next 10 years to end the trend of obesity. If something isn't done to stop this growing trend in adults and children, our country will have an out-of-control health care crisis.

9. Team Beachbody provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its products, including agreement to become a Team Beachbody Coach.

10. Last, but not least, we work with a team that support our success. We're lucky to be on the Ultimate Fitness Team in Team Beachbody, the fastest growing MLM team in the company.

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Why Team Beachbody is a Great Fit for My Top 5 Passions!

2011-11-30T08:45:00.000-08:00

Why Team Beachbody is a great fit for my top 5 passions:

1. Loving, creating and having fun with Bruce.

* Bruce and I are soul mates. I love him and I love his commitment to Team Beachbody. We are on this journey together.

* We have different personalities, passions, and skills. Through many years of discovery and practice we have learned to combine our respective talents to create more and more for our community and our family. Team Beachbody is yet another vehicle for us to continue to create together.

* Team Beachbody has brought a new element of fun and enthusiasm to our marriage. We compare our new svelte bodies, encourage each other to keep getting stronger and healthier, and honor each other's personalities in this process. We're getting younger each day!

2. Loving and playing with kids, grandkids, and friends.

* I have made new friends since joining Team Beachbody. These are people who share my passions for getting physically and financially fit. I'm grateful for these new friends and look forward to meeting more like them!

* So far we have enrolled two of our three adult children in our Team Beachbody business. Our daughter and her family love Shakeology and we've worked out with our grandkids! How fun is that! We look forward to leaving a Team Beachbody business as a legacy to our extended family.

* It's important to me to model a healthy lifestyle to others family members and friends who might decide to join us on our Team Beachbody journey when the time is right for them!

3. Enjoying excellent physical, spiritual, emotional and mental health.

* Since becoming a Team Beachbody Coach, I have lost 17 pounds and have stopped taking prescription drugs to lower my cholesterol. I feel great, have plenty of energy, and am looking forward to mastering more demanding physical workouts in 2012.

* Feeling good is the key to achieving all your dreams. When I feel good physically, I notice a positive impact on my mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

* Since I have unlimited potential to feel better and better in all these areas of my life, I intend to enjoy feeling good to a greater and greater extent. That's how I know all my dreams will come true!

4. Living a life of financial freedom and abundance.

* A TBB business offers me unlimited income based on my commitment, consistency, excitement, leadership, being a product of the product, and an unwavering desire to help people.

* A TBB business offers me a flexible lifestyle - the ability to work from anywhere. I'm my own boss and own my own business. We are already creating the lifestyle of our dreams around our Team Beachbody business.

* A TBB business offers me the chance to continue to grow personally and professionally in order to achieve abundance in all areas of my life.

5. Leading and inspiring others to achieve their Why.

* I can use my special gift as a Certified Passion Test Facilitator to help TBB coaches discover their Why and stay connected to their Why as they grow their business.

* Because of my lifelong commitment to personal development, I can help others become more aware of obstacles that are keeping them from their goals, help them focus on what they want, create an action plan, and make their dreams a reality too!

* By following my own passions and achieving my own dreams, I am inspiring others to do the same.

If you want to learn more about the fun and contribution you can make as a Team Beachbody Coach, click here.

Or, watch this cool video -

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This is a Confession

2011-11-22T06:40:00.001-08:00

This is a confession about my 2011 fitness and nutrition transformation.

In January, 2011 when we enrolled as Team Beachbody Coaches, I went along for the ride. We were looking for a new business and were approached at just the right time. (Timing is everything - it' true!)

Bruce has always been the exercise and nutrition fanatic in our family. While I have been supportive of his passion, my enthusiasm did not run as deep as his did.

I always tried to serve our family healthy meals, but didn't shy away from also stocking the cupboards with unhealthy snacks and "feeding" my passion for baking sweet desserts.

My whole life I've enjoyed exercise, but not with daily dedication. I like to walk and swim and did it more as a convenience than a regimen.

So all of a sudden I was a Team Beachbody Coach! What that meant to me was that as a serious business owner I needed to become a role model for our future customers and coaches as we built our business. That requirement translated to drinking Beachbody's Super Food, Shakeology, each day, and committing to completing a daily Beachbody fitness routine and logging it in the Beachbody online gym each day.

Ok, I can do both of those things. The Shakeology drink really simplified our lunch routine because all I had to do was get out the blender, milk, and frozen fruit to mix with a packet of Shakeology. I like efficiency and now I was saving lots of time at lunch and simplifying our grocery shopping. This Team Beachbody thing is working out better than I expected afterall!

The exercise part was not difficult either. Bruce was pushing play on his DVD player in the garage so I did the same in our sun room. What a great way to start each day - getting our energy up and accomplishing something important before we began our official "workday".

The year advances - fast forward to about June. Wow, I've actually lost some weight and people are starting to comment. This feels good! My clothes fit better and I have all the energy I need to meet all my commitments and still take a walk each afternoon. Life is good.

It gets better. In August I go to my doctor for my annual physical. He's so delighted with my weight loss that he gives me a high five, calls in his nurse who game me additional kudos. Then, because my blood tests were so improved, he takes me off the cholesterol lowering medication I've been taking for too many years to count.

This Team Beachbody thing is really working out for me!

Then I started listening to more of the stories from our new Team Beachbody coaches about their own positive health improvements with Shakeology and exercise and now I'm really convinced that Team Beachbody is more than just a new business for us.

My "workday" starts when I push play on my DVD player to do my workout. My body is my business, as they say in the Team Beachbody videos. And I'm more proud of how I look each day.

It's now become a lifestyle - one that we'd like to share with so many others! I've learned more about the "spread" of obesity and diabetes (of course they're related) in this country and how Team Beachbody is on a mission to end this deadly trend. Now I'm on a mission! This is much more exciting and fun than running a "business". We can truly help thousands of people and make a difference in their lives both physically and financially. (Did I mention that we get a deposit in our bank account each Thursday and it was been steadily growing all year as we continue to share the Team Beachbody products and business/mission?)

Those are the highlights of my Team Beachbody journey in 2011. I look forward to getting even more healthy and fit in 2012 and beyond. Not just for me, but for my family. Bruce is committed to live a long, healthy life, and I want to be right there by his side giving him a hard time and enjoying our amazing life together. We have designed the best decade ever and we can't wait to make it a reality. Our fourth grandchild is due in early March, 2012, and you better believe I have a lot of motivation to be the best grandmother I can be to her (yes, we already know it's a her) and our other three beautiful grandchildren.

I can't wait to help more people and to help more of our coaches help more people feel and look better today and in the months and years to come. I hope we're the oldest and longest running Team Beachbody Coaches in the company when we tell our story to our great grandchildren!

Be a Team Beachbody Coach!

Click here to get your Shakeology with its 30-day full refund guarantee.

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31 Days to Network Marketing Mastery

2011-10-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a free excerpt from our latest Kindle ebook, 31 Days to Network Marketing Mastery, by Bruce and Marge Brown

To get all 31 tips, click here.

#1–Your Big Why

Your dreams are precious. It’s no accident that you’ve chosen network marketing as the mechanism to allow you to fulfill your dreams.

Your dream is what surfaces for you when you are quiet and connect with your heart to describe what your life would look like with the full expression of your success. Goals are the stepping stones you need to accomplish to manifest your dream. Marcia Weider, Founder and CEO of Dream University (www.dreamuniversity.com), aptly describes this process as follows: “Put your stake in the ground and then put yourself in a relationship with that stake!”

Start with the end result. Describe what your destination looks like as if you are already there and why you want to arrive there. How will it feel? Put yourself in that place. Focus on what brings you joy, not on what brings you relief. This is a very important distinction to connect to your heart.

Share your dream with your sponsor with positive emotion and paint clear images with your words so you communicate where you are going with your network marketing business. Together you can then create a powerful action plan to make your dream come true. As your business grows, add more specific details to the picture of your end result. Continue to share those with your sponsor.

When you sign up a new distributor, guide them through this same process so you have a clear image of their dream and motivation.

Keep a strong belief that if you have this dream then the means to accomplish it already exists. Your job is to stay in touch with your dream and to stay in action with your business with feelings of joy and service.

To get all 31 tips, click here.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Make Your Body Stronger

2011-09-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

I watched a Tony Robbins video today and in it he reminded me of four important components of success.

First, develop emotional fitness by feeding your mind with personal development programs. Emotional pain and weeds grow automatically if you aren't proactive with this tip.

Second, make your body stronger and take care of it the best you can. The mind and body are connected and you need to care for them both.

Third, find a role model who has succeeded on the path you're following and create a plan of action to meet your goals.

Fourth, help others who are worse off than you to keep your own life in perspective.

As a Team Beachbody Coach, I'm working on all four of these tips from Tony. I have made significant strides in making my body stronger this year with Shakeology and the Slim in 6 workout program from Beachbody.

Bruce has been using P90X from Beachbody. I have seen an amazing transformation in his physique and physical confidence. So much so that I am thinking of trying it myself as soon as I reach my weight loss goal (only a few more pounds to go!).

So in the spirit of helping those who want to make their bodies stronger, please read on!

The good news is that P90X2, long awaited by many is now available on a pre-order basis. That means you won't be charged for it until it ships, sometime later this year (Beachbody is promising delivery before December 25th for those thinking of holiday gifts).

We don't know how long the overall pre-order period will last because once the pre-order inventory slots are taken, the super deal (free shipping, a savings of about $40) will be gone, plus they company won't promise delivery before next year.

P90X came out in 2004 and has been the best-selling home fitness program ever. This new version includes fitness and nutritional developments that have occurred since 2004 and has been highly anticipated.

Order now to:

Get free shipping
Get two extra workouts included
Get delivery prior to December 25th

The quickest place to order it is on my website: www.MargetheCoach.com.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. This opportunity won't last long.

Thanks, Honey!

2011-08-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Testimonial from the August, 2011 Challenge:

“I like the taste of Shakeology and I found that within three days I had noticeably increased energy. My clothes are also beginning to fit better after just 10 days into the program.”
- Honey Martin

Thank, Honey, for the testimonial you gave as a participant in our 30-Day Healthy, Happy, Hot and Fit Challenge.

This Challenge is designed for anyone who wants to develop more positive nutrition and fitness habits. It doesn't matter where you are on your personal journey; you'll make progress if you decide and commit to the 30-Day Healthy, Happy, Hot and Fit Challenge! We hope you join us!

The deadline for the September, 2011 Challenge is August 25th.

A Map and a Call to Action!

2011-08-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

If this map doesn't get your attention on the rising trend of obesity, then nothing I can say will!

The bad news is that the obesity rates in the U.S. have risen dramatically in the last decade for both adults and children. Obesity is a national epidemic and a major contributor to some of the leading causes of death in the U.S., including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 33.8% of adults are obese and 17% of children ages 2 to 19 are obese. The childhood obesity rates have tripled in one generation!

Beachbody has been recognized as an advocate of the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA), created by the Presidential Council on Fitness.

You'll automatically be issued your Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, issued by the Presidential Lifestyle Council, when you purchase any Beachbody fitness program or Shakeology by August 17th.

Join us and help yourself to a healthier lifestyle!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

How Does Tropical Shakeology Sound?

2011-07-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

How Does Tropical Shakeology Sound? Click here to get the idea.

With this steamy summer weather, it sure sounds good to me! I can't wait to order mine in August!

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Annabel's Got Shakeology!

2011-07-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

I didn't know our 3-year-old granddaughter was such a fan of chocolate Shakeology until her last visit. When I made my lunch shake she insisted on having her fair share!

This photo says it all! It's nice to be sharing Shakeology with three generations in our family.

Click here to get your Shakeology with its 30-day full refund guarantee.

Slim in 6 - It Works!

2011-06-24T07:15:00.001-07:00

In about 2 seconds I was able to list 10 Reasons Why I Like Debbie Siebers' Slim in 6 workout program.

1. First and foremost - It works! You can steer your way through the three phases to gradually build up to a stronger and stronger daily workout. My body is quickly changing as a result of doing the Slim in 6 program six out of seven days per week and drinking Shakeology each day for lunch. On my Slim in 6 "day off" I use my Elliptical machine for 20 minutes of cardio.

2. Debbie features workout partners in her DVDs who are everyday folks just wanting to look and feel better. They are inspiring success models because of their before and after photos and their ability to master all the moves and make it look easy.

3. Debbie is a very encouraging trainer who seems to know just how I feel at various points in the workout and she says just the right thing to keep me going.

4. Slim in 6 is a comprehensive full body workout with cardio, stretching, and light resistance moves to help you burn fat and sculpt your body.

5. Little equipment is needed; the program includes a high quality resistance band and you can start with filled water bottles for weights.

6. The program has upbeat music to keep you moving.

7. There are convenient time and segment trackers so you can monitor your progress during a specific workout.

8. Thankfully, Debbie allows one swift water break about midway through the Ramp it Up! segment. Hopefully she will offer breaks in Burn it Up!

9. I love the way Debbie says, "See you tomorrow," at the end of the workout so you feel obliged to meet her the next day in front of your TV.

10. There's helpful emphasis on diet as well as exercise with this program.

I'm midway through Slim in 6 and probably taking longer than most folks to go through each phase. That's all right with me. Soon I'll be using the third phase, Burn it Up! and I can't wait to get my body to the next level!

Proud to be an American and a Team Beachbody Coach!

2011-06-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Living and working (really playing) as a Team Beachbody Coach is one of the best decisions I've ever made, other than marrying my loving husband, Bruce, and raising our three incredible children to adulthood.

As we're enjoying summer activities in this time between our two powerful patriotic holidays, Memorial Day and Fourth of July, we're also appreciative of the dedication and sacrifices of our military forces and those civilians who also sacrifice personally in order to keep our military forces strong. Our brother-in-law, Bill Crowell, who is in a civilian support role for the military, recently left his family for the summer and deployed to Afghanistan.

Circling back to Team Beachbody, there are two points to this post.

First, over Memorial Day, we had a national coach call with U.S. Army Captain Mike Mullaly, who is serving in Iraq. Mike is successfully growing his Team Beachbody business while deployed with the help of his wife, who is holding down the home fort stateside. Here's the audio link to Mike's inspiring story.

http://click.websitegear.com/track/1636942

As a further testament to Beachbody's support of our military forces, one of the exciting announcements from the recent 2011 Summit is that anyone in the active military can become a Team Beachbody coach and the company will waive the $39.95 Business Starter Kit fee and monthly Business Service Fees for the entire time they are active in the military. If you or anyone you know is eligible for this benefit, please contact me asap.

I'm proud to be an American and a Team Beachbody Coach!

Thank you for this testimonial!

2011-06-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

"Marge hits the nail on the head! I especially like the journal aspect of this book. There are so many good nuggets in this book. Be careful while reading lest your find the entire thing highlighted!"

From Kristen J. Eckstein, Imagine! Studios, ArtsImagine.com, High Point, NC

Get your copy of 31 Days to Create Abundance Through Giving by clicking the book icon below!

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Take 10!

2011-06-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

Watch This!

Invest in Yourself!

Book 1 of the Shakeology Series

2011-06-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

I just completed Book 1 of the Shakeology series by Darin Olien, the ingredient hunter.

Those who know me would not describe me as someone who is interested in agriculture. However, I could not put down this little book!

Darin Olien travels the globe to find the best in class farmers for the 70 nutritious ingredients in Shakeology. Book 1 of the Shakeology series describes the perils and successes of his travels to Peru for Sacha Inchi, to China for Astragalus Root, to Costa Rica for Papain, and to Canada for Wild Grasses.

The book is entertaining and educational. I had never heard of Sacha Inchi, Astragalus Root or Papain before reading this little travel log. Wow, am I even more impressed with the quality of Shakeology and what's it's doing for my daily nutrition!

Best of all...the book is free with Shakeology Home Direct orders. The sequels are coming soon: Book 2 covers Darin's hunt for world class Goji Berries, Maca Root, Quinoa Seed, and includes a section on Beachbody's programs to help local farmers. Book 3 covers Darin's hunt for Chia, Yacon Powder, Cordyceps, and Amaranth.

Thank you Darin and thank you Beachbody for supporting me in my own wellness program and in providing me with the vehicle for helping others as a Team Beachbody Coach.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

No More Oreo Cookies for Me!

2011-06-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

This is a simple message to all those who have an Oreo habit. I'm a chocolate lover from way back and couldn't go through a day without a few Oreo cookies to satisfy my chocolate craving.

In January, 2011, I started having chocolate flavored Shakeology each day for lunch as a meal replacement. Not only did it reduce my cravings for Oreo cookies, but it has pretty much reduced my cravings for sweets altogether. This is a major lifestyle change for me. With the combination of daily Shakeology and a good workout, I'm over half way to my weight loss goal. This is again a major lifestyle improvement for me and I would love for everyone to experience the same benefits.

Shakeology is an amazing super food that tastes delicious and nourishes your body with the equivalent to five trips to a high-end salad bar in one serving.

Click here to get your Shakeology super food and see what craving you're able to eliminate!

There's a 30-day money back guarantee so even if you consume the entire month's supply you can still get your money back! I doubt if you'll want to though!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Networking Event Tips

2011-05-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share the testimonials my husband and business partner, Bruce Brown, received for his business coaching book, 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery.

From Jordan Adler, author of Beach Money and #1 Team Builder and Money Earner in SendOutCards:
" Bruce Brown nails it in this book. Your network is your most valuable asset and this simple book wastes none of your time. Although the principles are foundational, most business people miss their greatest opportunities to meet people and make quality connections. I will recommend Bruce's book to all of my 48,000 networkers.''

From John Milton Fogg, author of The Greatest Networker:
"Bruce Brown knows networking inside and out, and this book will soon become your secret edge in marketing your business. Implement just a handful of the 31 tips in this quick guide and I guarantee you will see better results from your next networking event!"

One more...
From Curtis Lewsey, co-author of Appreciation Marketing:
"31 Days to Networking Event Mastery is a must read, especially in this day and age with so many business professionals in desperate need to reinvent themselves. There are 31 excellent tips that cost little to no money to implement."

Don't attend another business networking event without reading 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery first!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Fun Can Change Human Behavior for the Better

2011-05-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

Fun can change human behavior for the better!

As I was editing my latest book this week, 31 Days to Transform Your Work into Play, I enjoyed rereading examples from Volkswagon's The Fun Theory Project (see the book excerpt below).

Another example of how fun can change human behavior is something I'm enjoying each day - Team Beachbody's online WOWY Gym. Just for working out each day, as a Club Member, I automatically get entered into a sweepstakes for daily and weekly prizes of cash ranging from $300 to $1000 and technology awards, such as DVD Players and iPads. When was the last time your gym entered your name in a sweepstakes just for working out each day? It's definitely a strong incentive to change human behavior for the better.

There are two ways you can enter Team Beachbody's daily sweepstakes. The first is to enter your name each day at this link.

The second way is to join the Beachbody Club and you're automatically entered each day as a club member. All you have to do is to log in your workout.

On the topic of fun changing human behavior for the better - enjoy this tip from my upcoming book!

31 Days to Transform Your Work into Play (excerpt)
# 18 - Learn from the Big Players
I saw an interesting Facebook post about a group of engineers who tackled the challenge of enticing pedestrians to use a set of wide stairs instead of a narrow escalator in the Odenplan subway station in Stockholm, Sweden. During an overnight project, the engineers transformed the traditional staircase into a set of musical stairs that function like a piano keyboard and play a different note as people put pressure on each step. Because they made exiting the subway station more fun, the engineers prompted 66% of the subway riders to get more exercise! They proved their theory that fun can change human behavior for the better.

This project is the brainchild of Volkswagen, which launched a Web site called The Fun Theory (www.thefuntheory.com). The purpose of The Fun Theory project is to elicit more ideas to change life for the better. A standout submission is the Speed Camera Lottery, an idea from an American named Kevin Richardson. Every car passing the speed camera in Stockholm has its speed and registration recorded. Drivers of cars exceeding the speed limit are fined and those abiding by the speed limit are entered into a lottery to receive cash prizes from the collected fines. During the first three days of the Speed Camera Lottery there was a 22% reduction in speed. This successful project changed human behavior for the better.

Look at your business for opportunities to both amuse your customers and change their behavior for the better.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Staying Ahead of the Curve

2011-05-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

Here is the front and the inside of the thank you video card I created for our kids and grandkids for the gifts they sent to me for Mother's Day.

I can't believe how easy it is to make a video card! All you have to do is make your video, upload it to YouTube, upload the YouTube URL to SOC, and then insert the QR code in your card.

I've got to keep our kids and grandkids on their toes by staying ahead of the curve with technology!

If you'd like help creating a SendOutCards video card, just give me a call at 910-431-1508.

You can try it yourself at www.FatCityCards.com.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

My 2011 Team Beachbody Story to Date

2011-05-12T06:48:00.000-07:00

In January, 2011, when my husband, Bruce, and I enrolled as Team Beachbody Coaches, I was 15 pounds overweight. I started to lose weight immediately by taking Shakeology each day for lunch and completing the Shakeology workouts. In May, I switched to the Slim in 6® workouts. I'm looking better and feeling better. I'm impressed with the amazing quality of Shakeology and the Beachbody fitness programs. I'm logging my workouts each day in the online Team Beachbody Club, which keeps me on track (I'm 58% towards my weight goal), and makes me eligible to win daily prizes of cash and personal technology.

As a result of getting connected to the Beachbody Coach network, I'm internalizing more the need to help turn the tide of obesity worldwide because it just creates so many health problems and increasing health care costs as more people become diabetic and experience other health problems.

It's so easy to share Beachbody's mission and products. Their products have 86% brand recognition in the U.S. due to the word-of-mouth advertising from many satisfied customers and their infomercials that run 260 hours per day. This level of brand recognition is unheard of in the network marketing industry. Almost everyone has heard of P90X, Beachbody's premier home fitness program. Coaches have an entire library of professionally made videos about the coaching program and its products to share with anyone who is interested in joining our team. Click here to watch the Introduction to Team Beachbody video.

We're on the fastest growing team in Beachbody, the Ultimate Fitness Team. Think of it like a Super Bowl team of the NFL. Our team was started by Team Beachbody's top money earner, Pete Pena, a former high school principal. Talk about aligning ourselves with success!

Whew! Can you feel the excitement. And we're only starting. When we became Beachbody Coaches I didn't know if I could do this, but just by starting to use the products and feeling better about the way I look and feel it became a natural thing to do to share it with others I care about. Anyone can build a Team Beachbody business with the tools and support we have.

Become a coach today and join our team - just click here!

There's a 30-day money back guarantee for the coaching program and all our products!

Exercise Your Positive Feelings

2011-04-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here's an excerpt from one of my personal development books. If you find it helpful, please click on the Amazon link below.

#3 – Exercise Your Positive Feelings

When you decide what you want in your ideal life, the fastest way to manifest it is to put yourself in a state of “Feeling Good”, as if you are living your ideal life right now.

One would expect any person’s ideal life to generate a lot of positive feelings, such as joy, love, excitement, pleasure, fun, satisfaction, gratitude, happiness, enthusiasm, wonder, expectation, awe, generosity, passion, compassion, enjoyment, and inspiration, just to name a few.

If you’re used to approaching your life from your “mind” rather than from your “heart”, faith in the power of positive feelings might feel like a big stretch.

Before you can make your ideal life a reality, become a master of putting yourself in a “Feeling Good” state. If you consciously practice feeling happy, excited, generous, and ready to receive, then you’ll soon be much more aware when you aren’t in a state of feeling positive.

Track your positive and negative emotions for one day. You’ll probably be amazed at the ratio. If your right brain is willing to give this exercise a try, but your left brain is asking for proof that it’s worth your time, then read Positivity by Barbara L. Fredrickson, PhD, who shares how increasing positive emotions to a 3-to-1 ratio over negative emotions is the key to manifesting with emotion.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Effortless Weight Loss

2011-04-20T12:12:00.001-07:00

Aside from having to drop a few pounds after each pregnancy, I've never focused on my own weight loss as a major project. In January, 2011, I decided it was time to do so, because I was not happy with what I was seeing on the scale. Those 10 pounds that moved in to stay over the past few years were no longer welcome!

With the launch of our new Team Beach Body business, we followed Step 1 of the Success Game Plan and became products of the product. That means we started to use Shakeology each day as a meal replacement for our lunch and we started to use Beach Body's home fitness programs. You can't share products effectively unless you've experienced them yourself - your own testimonial is the most powerful sales tool you have.

I know, after three months, my six pound weight loss is directly related to my daily Shakeology. I really haven't worked up a noticeable sweat with any workouts yet (that day is coming!), but I have enjoyed the effortless weight loss as a result of my daily shake.

Tonight when we attend a local Chamber event, I will wear pants I haven't been able to wear for a few years! Now that's an exciting development. I'm looking forward to wearing a few more pieces of clothing I'd pushed to the back of my closet.

I'm moving on from the 30-minute to the 50-minute Shakeology workout tomorrow. Wish me luck! (I'm taking baby steps, I know, on my way to facing the ultimate home workout, P90X.)

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

What's in Your Greeting Card?

2011-04-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

SendOutCards is exceeding our expectations with new product announcements this year.

First, they introduced the BIG cards, which allow you to create 8.2" x 11.5" custom greeting cards for those BIG occasions when a standard size card is not enough. We've had BIG response from the BIG cards we've sent for special birthdays.

Last week, SendOutCards announced new video cards, which are currently in beta testing and will be available for everyone in a few weeks. This is a very exciting development!

The way the video cards work is that you create your video, post it on the Internet, and then provide a QR (Quick Response) Code, a bar code that is printed in the card and readable by QR Code readers and some camera phones.

If you receive a greeting card with a printed QR Code, you simply scan the code with your camera phone's QR Code Reader application to open the contents of the code. For an informative demo, just log onto the SendOutCards Web site and watch the recent SOCTV broadcast about this new development. Here's the link.

https://www.sendoutcards.com/soc_tv/

Click on "Previous Shows" to find the show from April 12th.

If you're getting excited about the possibilities of creating your own video greeting cards, and you don't already have your SendOutCards account, just go to www.FatCityCards.com and Click on #3, Ways to Get Started. We'd love to have you on our SendOutCards team!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Powerful Steps for Creating Your Visions

2011-04-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

"Billionaires don't care what the odds are. We don't listen to common sense or do what's conventional or expected. We follow our vision, no matter how crazy or idiotic other people think it is." Robert Kiyosaki

I received the above quote from a new friend in Australia (who also sends amazing recipes!). It inspired me to want to write a few words about creating and following your vision.

Some of the most powerful ways I have discovered to actually create your vision include:

1. Connect with your heart and don't listen to your head.
2. Trust that you have connected with the perfect vision for yourself because it
comes from your heart.
3. Write it down in as much detail as possible.
4. Share it with a trusted friend.
5. Add more detail and stay focused on what you want.
6. Watch for signs that it's beginning to manifest.
7. Stay rested so you can be ready for big changes in your life.
8. Add more detail and stay focused on what you want.
9. Stay in a constant state of gratitude for what you have now and what you are manifesting from your vision.
10. Know that it will completely manifest in God's time not in your time.

There is absolutely nothing in this process that has anything to do with what others think of your vision. When you share it with a trusted friend the purpose of that step is to help you get clarification, not to get their opinion of your vision.

If you're in a relationship, it's important to know if your vision is compatible with your partner's, or at least not in competition.

If you want to learn more about manifesting your ideal life, check out my book,
31 Days to Personal Mastery: Manifest Your Ideal Life.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

2011-03-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Tip # 6 Copy Ducks

2011-03-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

Here's a sample tip from my latest book: 31 Days to Personal Mastery: Transform Your Work into Play.

I'm looking for reviewers for this book, so please contact me if you're interested!

Tip #6 Copy Ducks
If you’re like me, you probably don’t look forward to your dentist appointments. However, we all know the importance of being responsible for our dental health, so we make and keep those appointments. There is an absolutely wonderful feature about my current dentist’s office that helps me escape into a world of play, and that’s the duck pond, which patients can view directly through a wall size window right at the base of the dental chair.

As I watch the ducks interact with abandon, I realize they have a lot to teach us about the art of play. First of all, they’re uninhibited in their natural environment and are continuously sliding, jumping, chasing, gliding, diving, preening, and eating.

Imagine if, in your work day, you showed as much non-stop energy and enthusiasm in your work environment! Do you slide into your work space with boundless excitement, jump for joy when you have a win, chase your goals, glide through meetings with poise and professionalism, dive for that big account, preen before a meeting with an important client, and eat well and with others who are supportive of your vision and mission? If not, maybe it’s time you took some lessons from the ducks in your nearest duck pond!

And by the way, I applaud my dentist for locating his practice on a duck pond where he and his staff obviously appreciate the duck playground on a daily basis and transfer some of that lighthearted attitude to their important work and client interactions.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Important Date: Tuesday, April 5th!

2011-03-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Don't miss this opportunity, it's the last time this program will be offered this year and it's free! On April 5th from 6-9PM, Bruce and Marge will be presenting a 3-hour seminar at the Leland Campus of Brunswick Community College. The title of the seminar is "Passions Lead to Profit". This is a hands-on seminar where you will work with information about your business and will leave with a clear understanding of how to focus your business for maximum enjoyment and profitability. This free seminar is sponsored by the state of North Carolina via the Small Business Center of Brunswick Community College. Registration is limited so reserve your seat by calling today 910-755-7378.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

A fun week of card sending

2011-03-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to list the cards I've sent so far this week.

1. BIG birthday card to our younger son.

2. BIG birthday card to our daughter.

3. Five motivational post cards to folks Bruce is coaching to grow their Team
Beach Body business.

4. A thank you card to a business associate in Las Vegas.

5. A SendOutCards prospecting card to a local veterinarian.

6. A SendOutCards prospecting card to a small business marketing specialist.

7. A Welcome to SendOutCards and our team card to the county's District Attorney.

8. A batch of St. Patrick's Day cards to our friends.

9. A birthday/St. Patrick's Day card to a local friend.

10. A thank you card to a local super salesperson who is recommending SendOutCards to her team of sales reps.

Whew! Not bad for a fun week of card sending!

What you put out is what you get back, so be sure to keep the positive energy moving out and be ready to accept it back into your life!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

I'm Hooked on Shakeology!

2011-03-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

I'm now hooked on Shakeology! I never drank shakes as part of my diet.
I decided to give Shakeology a try because I knew I wasn't getting the
high quality nutrition it provides in my usual diet. Wow! I'm now a raving fan
of Shakeology.

Since using it as a meal replacement for lunch about a
month ago, I have more energy, have lost 5 pounds (9 to go), and feel
so proud of myself that I'm feeding my body such a high quality shake each day.

I'd pay twice the price for the benefits of this amazing concoction.
It works out to about $4 per meal and provides the equivalent nutrition
from about $40 worth of fruits and vegetables. I love both the chocolate
and greenberry Shakeology with my favorite frozen fruit and Almond Milk.

This is the biggest diet change of my life and it's a permanent
diet change. I want everyone I know to integrate Shakeology in their daily
diet to gain all the same benefits I'm enjoying.

I'm also using the Shakeology workout 3 times per week in addition to
going for a daily 30-minute walk.

Team Beach Body has already changed my life for the better.

I invite you to join me. Click Here to order your Shakeology today!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

BIG Ideas for BIG Cards

2011-03-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

I chose this topic this week because SendOutCards (we’re independent distributors) just announced a new BIG card feature that’s full of possibilities for helping our clients live more extraordinary lives.

You have to see the SendOutCards announcement page to get the idea!

Here's the link.

Bruce's video testimonial is at the top of the right column on the SendOutCards announcement Web page. He loves the spotlight!

We thought it would be fun to share some ideas on how to use the BIG cards for both personal and business occasions to build more positive relationships and celebrate peoples’ lives in a BIG way – because we all deserve it!

Personal

1. One of the first reasons to use BIG cards for personal occasions is to help those with failing eyesight. Marge’s father and Bruce’s mother were both challenged with poor eyesight and they would have loved receiving BIG cards with big fonts and big photos that they could see without straining or having to use their special readers or glasses. It’s a very thoughtful way to be helpful in a big way!

2. BIG cards are useful when you want to express a positive emotion in a BIG way. If you want some to feel your love, congratulations, thank you, welcome, miss you, apology, encouragement, or appreciation message in a BIG way, then be sure to send a BIG card!

3. If you’re manifesting your ideal life, then you most likely have a vision board. We hope you’re thinking BIG! Take a photo of your vision board and send yourself a BIG card so you can carry your BIG dreams (and the positive feelings they evoke) with you wherever you go.

4. Any BIG occasion warrants a BIG card. Use your special photos from a wedding, baptism, graduation, reunion, or birthday party to capture and share memories in a BIG way!

5. Make someone feel really special and important with a BIG card. Surprise a small child or someone who goes out of their way to give you excellent service with a BIG card to make them feel noticed in a BIG way.

6. Showcase a special creation, such as a photo, piece of artwork, poem, or meal with a BIG card to show off your talents or those of another.

7. Keep memories alive in a BIG way from a special vacation or trip.

8. Express yourself with a signature style and become known for sending BIG cards.

9. Life is full of big announcements that deserve BIG cards, such as a new home, an engagement, a new job or promotion, or a new baby.

10. Give yourself a big pat on the back with a BIG card listing all the things you love about yourself. There’s a great way to boost your self-esteem.

Business

1. When your business launches a new product or service, send a BIG announcement card to your best clients.

2. Use BIG cards to display special menus or lists of services at your place of business.

3. Send a BIG welcome a new employee or colleague with a special BIG card.

4. When someone you work with goes the extra mile, send a BIG recognition card for him or her to proudly display.

5. Offer a BIG thank you to a special/new client or someone who has sent you a BIG referral.

6. When you hear of someone’s notable success in business, send a BIG congratulations card to signify their BIG accomplishment.

7. Take a BIG card to a networking event or a coffee shop for a conversation opener

8. When you’re prospecting, send a BIG Most Wanted card to a prospective client.

9. When you’re hiring and recruiting, send a BIG Most Wanted card to a prospective employee.

10. If you’re applying for a job or a freelance contract, send a BIG card with all your selling points so your recipients can get to know you in a BIG way.

Bonus - 11.. Send someone in your business network a BIG, unexpected card just because you want to celebrate their life.

Our new service could be the BIG reason for you to open your SendOutCards account this month. We're ready to help you get started. Just follow the link here to sign up today!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Manifest Your Ideal Life - Tip #11

2011-03-07T15:53:00.000-08:00

#11 – Fear vs. Excitement: Similar yet Different

The bigger your dreams, the more apt you are to feel a combination of fear and excitement. It’s important to learn to distinguish between the polar opposite feelings of fear and excitement.

Maintaining positive feelings is a key to manifesting what you want. Negative feelings move you farther away from what you want.

Andrea Conway, one of my favorite coaches (www.SuccessfulSelfEmployment.com), says “The purpose of fear is to show us we are focused in the wrong direction. Without fear to guide us, we could get seriously lost! Fear is your invitation to turn toward security.”

Once I saw a contemporary dance that depicted a young woman in the grasp of “Fear”. She was dressed like an angel and “Fear” was depicted as a dark violet mass that continuously tried to hold her in its grip. Ultimately she prevailed in casting “Fear” out of her space. You could sense her lightness and power at the end of the dance.

Pursuit of your ideal life will take you out of your comfort zone, which can cause fears to arise. If you let them paralyze you, you’re giving up your power to manifest your ideal life.

The next time you feel fear when you’re stepping toward what you want, consciously notice and convert it to excitement. You’ll instantly have more energy to move in the right direction.

I invite you to read all 31 tips in my personal mastery book...just click on the button below.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Got Shakeology?

2011-03-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

No one has ever accused me and Bruce of being too serious about our work. Here's another example. We decided to start a collection of "Got Shakeology" photos from any of our coaches or clients who dare to join our photo gallery.

If you don't know what all the excitement's about, then please check out this amazing shake, that has become our favorite meal of the day.

Here's the link.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

A Win/Win Invitation

2011-03-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

This is the cover of a card I made with SendOutCards. I took a screen shot of one of the Team Beach Body ecards we get as coaches to send to our customers.
Then all I had to do was import the jpeg file to my SendOutCards picture folder and make the card!
Convenient and fun!
Get creative with your cards at our card store.
P.S. If you're intrigued by all the buzz about Shakeology, just go to my Shakeology Web page to learn all about it. Be sure to place your order, which is completely guaranteed with a a 30-day money back policy.
You can't lose (except weight that is) with Shakeology!
Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Fat City Cards Delivers!

2011-02-28T15:51:00.000-08:00

Our SendOutCards distributorship, Fat City Cards (www.FatCityCards.com), delivers what people want!

People Want to:

1. Make Money - With SendOutCards you can create what can become a lucrative side income stream for yourself and your family.

2. Save Money - Send a card with stamp for only $1.04. Stop making trips to the card store and the post office.

3. Save Time - Create and send a personal card with gift in less than one minute.

4. Easy Process - Use the online Contact Database to store all your contact data. Use the campaign card feature to send hundreds of personal cards with a few keystrokes.

5. Feel Good - Experience more feelings of happiness, generosity, well-being, thoughtfulness when you send cards and gifts of appreciation. Never forget a birthday or anniversary again.

6. Smart Decisions - Others will want what you have with SendOutCards.

7. Bigger Network - Join our team and connect to an international company with a culture of teamwork.

8. Popularity - You'll make and keep more friends and clients by sending more personalized cards and gifts.

9. Health - A business and lifestyle based on giving is good for your health.

10. Comfort - Use SendOutCards wherever you have Internet access.

See for yourself at www.FatCityCards.com.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

31 Tips to Master Your Ideal Life

2011-02-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

Here's an excerpt from my first book, 31 Days to Personal Mastery: Manifest Your Ideal Life. For 30 more helpful tips to move you in the direction of your ideal life, go to our 31 Days Books site.

#3 – Exercise Your Positive Feelings
When you decide what you want in your ideal life, the fastest way to manifest it is to put yourself in a state of “Feeling Good”, as if you are living your ideal life right now.
One would expect any person’s ideal life to generate a lot of positive feelings, such as joy, love, excitement, pleasure, fun, satisfaction, gratitude, happiness, enthusiasm, wonder, expectation, awe, generosity, passion, compassion, enjoyment, and inspiration, just to name a few.
If you’re used to approaching your life from your “mind” rather than from your “heart”, faith in the power of positive feelings might feel like a big stretch.
Before you can make your ideal life a reality, become a master of putting yourself in a “Feeling Good” state. If you consciously practice feeling happy, excited, generous, and ready to receive, then you’ll soon be much more aware when you aren’t in a state of feeling positive.
Track your positive and negative emotions for one day. You’ll probably be amazed at the ratio. If your right brain is willing to give this exercise a try, but your left brain is asking for proof that it’s worth your time, then read Positivity by Barbara L. Fredrickson, PhD, who shares how increasing positive emotions to a 3-to-1 ratio over negative emotions is the key to manifesting with emotion.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Get to "Yes"!

2011-02-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

If you answer "Yes" to one of more of these questions, don't waste one more day of your precious life going in the wrong direction and missing out on what could be yours after just two private telephone coaching sessions!

* I would like to be more aware and open to new possibilities.
* I would like more clarity in what's most important to me now.
* I would like to live with more ease, energy, and confidence.
* I would like a tool for better decision-making for the rest of my life.
* I would like more joy in my life.
* I would like to be creating what I want in my life, not what I think I can have.

The Passion Test One-to-One Consultation can get you to "Yes" to all of the above statements.

I would be honored to be your Passion Test Facilitator.

Register here.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

My Favorite Meal of the Day!

2011-02-16T11:44:00.000-08:00

I never thought I would become a shake enthusiast, but here I am, wanting to share my enthusiasm for Shakeology, a delicious and nutritious meal replacement shake.

I just love watching the video with the guy exploring the ends of the earth for all its ingredients.

You can watch it too - just click here.

Our last monthly shipment came with this great cup that has an insert to keep all the fruit pieces on the bottom until you finish the liquid shake. It's a great invention to go with a great shake!

Check it out and pass this on to those you love!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Testimonial from a Passion Test Client

2011-02-11T14:34:00.000-08:00

Here's a heartwarming testimonial I recently received from a client
who completed the Passion Test One to One Consultation.

“Marge, I am so thankful that you are
a part of my life’s journey…

You are GREAT at what you do! I can’t wait
to throw open my arms, and let the Passion in!
I’m excited about the possibilities!

Gratefully,

Sandi Justice”

February is Relationship Month. The Passion Test is a wonderful process
to improve your relationship with yourself and make sure you're on the path to fulfilling your life purpose.

Just this morning my husband and I made an important decision by weighing the factors against each of our top 5 passions. It's so true that if every time you're faced with a decision, a choice or an opportunity you choose in favor of your passions, you will have a passionate, joyous life.

When two people in a relationship complete The Passion Test, it's like receiving a user manual for what is most important to each person. If each person then commits to honoring each other's passions, more relationships will stay intact and thrive!

Please visit my Passion Test Web site to learn more!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

The Ring of Kindness

2011-02-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

The ring of kindness that's created when one greeting card is sent is pretty amazing.

The person who sends the card gets a great feeling. The person who receives the card shares in that feeling. And everyone who observes the act of kindness gets their share of good feelings too.

This latter group can consist of the card designer, printer, mail person, and anyone who sees the card displayed after its opened or just hears about the fact that it was received.

One little piece of paper can have a huge impact in circulating positivity in a negative world.

Do your part and send a card today on me!

Click Here.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Living an Extraordinary Life with Shakeology

2011-02-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

Oh no, the bag's almost empty!!!

In the last few weeks, I've made a complete diet turnaround, and as a result am starting to lose a few pounds! This is all thanks to Shakeology, the most nutritious and delicious meal replacement product you can imagine.

Here's a link to check it out in great detail.

All I can say is that when Bruce and I stared at the bottom of the bag today, we started to plan how we would ration the remaining Shakeology until our next shipment arrives. It's going to be tight!

I need to get on my own monthly home delivery now that we've tried it for a few weeks and are both certain that we want to maintain this new regimen with Shakeology for lunch every day.

This is the biggest improvement we've made to our lifestyle in the last year and we want to share it with everyone we know who wants to eat better and lose a few pounds without any effort.

Check it out and pass this on to those you love!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Improve Your Vocabulary

2011-02-07T13:22:00.001-08:00

If you like this sample vocabulary building tip, then get 30 more in my ebook, 31 Days to Personal Mastery: Improve Your Vocabulary, at our Quantum Results Coaching Bookstore.

SAMPLE TIP

#16 Word Games
For the four decades of our marriage, my husband has only beaten me at Scrabble® three or four times, and when he prevailed he didn’t let me forget his victory! Scrabble is a classic word game developed in 1931 under the name of Lexico. This popular word game combines crosswords and anagrams, and is one of the best ways to have fun and build your vocabulary at the same time. Playing Scrabble on a regular basis can not only help you grow your vocabulary and definitions, but it’s a fun social activity you can play in person, online, in schools and tournaments, and with friends an family of all ages. It can jump start language abilities with youngsters and stimulate brain usage with the elder generation. It’s portable, doesn’t require any batteries, and comes in a variety of languages and board editions. Plus you can buy Scrabble software, video games, playing cards, workbooks, dictionaries, and strategy books. You can create a lifetime career of mastering just this one word game!

While I’m enthusiastic for the unlimited vocabulary building opportunities with Scrabble, there are other equally challenging and fun word games available in a variety of formats – board games, books, videos, software, cards, and periodicals.

The point is to find interesting word games to stretch your vocabulary, even with abstruse words that you only use in game-playing. The language confidence you build in the word game arena will carry over into your reading, writing, and conversation and boost your overall success.

Anagram – a game in which players add or transpose letters to create words

If you like this sample vocabulary building tip, then get 30 more in my ebook, 31 Days to Personal Mastery: Improve Your Vocabulary, at our Quantum Results Coaching Bookstore.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Do Yourself a Favor in February

2011-02-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

Last evening I attended a Business After Hours with our local Chamber of Commerce folks.

During the event one of my Passion Test clients approached me and told me how excited she was that she had taken a bold step in the direction of her passions by enrolling in a Master Gardening class. I was so happy she shared her good news with me and it just reinforced the power of this simple process.

I LOVE coaching people through the Passion Test. Do youself a favor during February, the relationship month, and check out taking the Passion Test either by yourself or with a partner.

You'll be glad you did!

Sending Positive Messages Into a Negative World

2011-02-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

Today I received an email message from a new friend and fellow coach, Jennifer Tinsman (www.QuantumTrackCoaching.com).

"Good Afternoon, Marge and Bruce,

I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful and fun card you send with the lovely Marge and I on the front! I really got a kick out of it."

We love getting messages like these because it motivates us to send out even more positive messages with SendOutCards greeting cards each day.

Over the next 5 years SendOutCards will become an international household name because:

1. It's a product that everyone needs and it costs 1/5 of the conventional retail cost.

2. It's a feel good product for the giver and the receiver.

3. It's fun and easy to use - you can include photos, graphics, and your digital handwriting and signature.

Want to try it yourself?
Be my guest...Click here and let me know what you think of SendOutCards!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Save Time and Calories with Shakelology

2011-02-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

It used to be the case that around lunch time I'd wander into the kitchen to see what to pull together for a quick lunch break. My lunch would usually turn out to be a peanut butter or cold cut sandwich with some fruit and cookies. I'm not a calorie counter but of course I knew I was not having the healthiest lunch possible.

Ever since I started to have a Shakeology drink for lunch each day, I've eliminated all guilt about my lunch diet. In fact, I now consider my Shakeology drink to be my healthiest meal of the day.

The best part for me is choosing which frozen fruit to throw in the blender along with the Shakeology powder - raspberries, bananas, strawberries, blueberries - it's a fun and colorful process!

Lunch takes a lot less time, is way more delicious and nutritious, leaves me with more energy in the middle of the afternoon, has fewer calories, and relieves me of having to invent a meal in the middle of the work day when my mind is on many other things.

I love to cook and can now save my creative efforts for dinner. There are no complaints in our household with this new diet plan. In fact, we are both looking forward to shedding a few more pounds!

This video sums it up for me and I hope for you too!

Click below for a quick testimonial.

What's Shakeology?

2011-01-30T14:52:00.000-08:00

I didn't expect to start the year with a daily nutrition shake. Now that I'm using Shakeology each day, I'm extremely impressed with this one-of-a-kind nutritious meal replacement

After just about 10 days using Shakeology, I'm now an avid fan and see myself continuing to use it as a convenient, healthy meal replacement shake each day! I feel better and have already lost a pound.

I want to tell all my family and friends!

Check it out!

After watching the video, please contact me to get yourself started on Shakeology today!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Welcome to our SendOutCards team!

2011-01-27T10:24:00.000-08:00

We want to welcome Joan and Mike Loch (far right) to our SendOutCards team. Joan and Mike own the Crescent Moon shop in the Cotton Exchange (www.crescentmoon.com) in downtown Wilmington. Also joining us in the photo taken at The Basics restaurant in Wilmington are Holly Kenney and Linda Thomas who are friends and colleagues in SendOutCards.

And Tom Rechichar, of Pristine Pressure Cleaning (www.pristinepressurecleaning.com) in Southport, NC is our newest SendOutCards customer.

Welcome Joan, Mike and Tom!!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

How to Succeed as a Network Marketing Professional

2011-01-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

Network Marketing is not only here to stay, but it’s here to thrive in the next decade. The current economic conditions have created a perfect storm for unprecedented growth in network marketing businesses, according to Dr. Ray Jewell, founder and senior economist of Highview Management, Ltd.

We have had experience with network marketing in several companies. Here are six key lessons we’ve used to contribute to our success in this relationship-based business.

1. Commit to Personal Development
First, you must establish your “Why” or your big dream for deciding to grow a business with no or few limits. Find a heart-based, compassionate “why”, in order to grow your desire to help hundreds and thousands of people through your leadership.

Commit to reading books, listening to CDs, and watching videos related to personal growth and the network marketing industry. Keep strengthening your self-image as a professional network marketer, i.e. someone whose life is changing for the better and who has the opportunity to help others do the same.

2. Be a Product of Your Product
Whatever product you’re sharing through your network marketing business, be an avid, knowledgeable user of your product. The one caveat here is to not wait to begin prospecting until you know every detail of your product, company facts, and compensation plan. You’ll be most excited right at the beginning of your new venture, so start marketing your product and business opportunity.

Every word you say and thought you think about your company affects your belief in your success and your ability to share the power of your business opportunity to others, keep your thoughts and words about your company positive, even if you have to address an occasional glitch.

3. Be Coachable
The person who sponsored you is not responsible for your success in network marketing. Hopefully that person will be available to get you off the ground and flying in a matter of a few short weeks. Find other company leaders that resonate with you and listen to their training calls for a broader perspective.

No matter how much smarter you think you are than your sponsor and other company leaders, use only those methods that promote duplication. Set reasonable expectations for how long it could take you to achieve a certain team size or level of compensation. Typically, after a three to five year period of marketing, sponsoring, coaching, and leading others, you will enjoy a growing residual income stream.

4. Stay Plugged In
Network marketing company events drive business growth. Attend as many national, regional, and local events as possible. Stay tuned to online forums, video broadcasts, training conference calls, e-mail announcements, blogs, and three-way calls. You’re in business for yourself but not by yourself.

5. Focus on Activities, Not Results
Success in network marketing is more a matter of working consistently than working long hours. The presentation skills you develop in the beginning are the same ones you’ll use when you’ve grown a large team.

Once you start to sponsor others, do not try to manage anyone. Your job is to get folks started; you’re not responsible for their activities. You can only manage yourself.

6. Keep Meeting New People
If your network marketing business is in a slump, the best cure is to go out and meet more new people. That’s the lifeblood of any network marketing business.

Focus on building relationships and listening to people’s dreams, without prejudging. Look for ways to help people, get their contact information, and continue to follow up to educate them on your product and company. Your job is to share and sort people, not to sell or convince anyone. Network marketing is not for everyone; you are looking for the right people.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

How to Guard Your Mindset

2011-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

In her smash #1 New York Times Bestseller (and now smash movie starring Julia Roberts), Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert travels the world to find her life purpose and peace of mind. One of my favorite passages from the book occurs as she recounts her experiences in a meditation ashram in India, where she has finally learned to quiet her mind. She writes, "I repeat this vow about 700 times a day: I will not harbor unhealthy thoughts anymore."

Elizabeth pictures the harbor of her mind as an open bay, which she must protect in order to keep strong. In her mind, she creates strict maritime laws as to who may enter her harbor (her mind) and takes responsibility herself for upholding her new protective laws. I believe we all have a lot to learn from the image of the harbor and its governing laws, as far as guarding our own mindsets with all our personal power. Let's take a look.

Elizabeth's first mindset law: "You may not come here anymore with your hard and abusive thoughts, with your plague ships of thoughts, with your slave ships of thoughts, with your warships of thoughts- all these will be turned away." How often are you at war with yourself in your own mind? Are you ever hard on yourself? What about harboring reoccurring thoughts that weaken your mindset and destroy your healthy thinking.

Elizabeth's second mindset law: "Likewise, any pamphleteers, mutineers and violent assassins, desperate prostitutes, pimps, and seditious stowaways - you may not come here anymore either." Do you let others think for you? Do you screen the "stuff" that affects your thinking each day? Do you allow yourself (your mind) to be bombarded by the negative media, those less consciously aware than you, or information that is simply irrelevant to your life purpose.

Elizabeth's third mindset law: "Cannibalistic thoughts, for obvious reasons, will no longer be received." Ah, yes, it's so easy to doubt ourselves and lose confidence in our ability to hold our thoughts firm on what we want.

Elizabeth's fourth mindset law: "Even missionaries will be screened carefully, for sincerity". Especially be watchful for those who say they have your best interest at heart, when in fact, they have hidden or even not so hidden agendas.

She concludes: "This is a peaceful harbor, the entryway to a fine and proud island that is only now beginning to cultivate tranquility. If you can abide by these new laws, my dear thoughts, then you are welcome in my mind - otherwise, I shall turn you all back toward the sea from whence you came."

Elizabeth Gilbert leaves no doubt that she, and she alone, is in charge of the thoughts that enter and stay moored in the harbor of her mind. Let's all take a clue from this wise woman who traveled the world to learn how to take charge of her mind. (Note: If you read the book, you'll find that as a result of quieting her mind, she is able to connect to her heart and soul to a depth she had never previously experienced.)

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Help, Fun, and Love in 2011!

2011-01-05T14:46:00.000-08:00

On January 1, 2010, we learned a simple New Year's game, which involves selecting three words to describe what you want to create in the New Year. My three words for 2011 are Help, Fun, and Love.

Based on those words, which came from my heart, I hope I have an opportunity to work with a lot more clients this year with the Passion Test One to One Consultation.

This is true for several reasons. First, I'm able to help people move forward in their lives; second, me and my clients have a lot of fun with the process; and third, me and my clients strengthen our love in many directions.

Help People Move Forward

People decide to take the Passion Test for many reasons, including they want to experience something new, they're looking for clarity, they feel stuck, they're tired and want more drive and energy, or they're just generally unhappy and know there is something more for them in life. I love it when people have the courage to reach out and ask for help from me to get reconnected to what's most important to them at this point in their lives.

Have Fun with the Process

Those who know me well know that I like to have fun in whatever I'm doing. While I take my responsibility as a Passion Test Facilitator seriously, I keep the interactions between me and my clients fun and interesting.

Bruce often exclaims that I laugh often and loudly (he loves it!) during my Passion Test phone appointments with my clients, which tells me I'm giving my unique self to my clients and we're both enjoying the process.

Heart Connections or Love

One of my gifts is that I instinctively know when someone is communicating from their head and not from their heart. I can help my clients connect to their hearts very quickly because I'm trained to gently guide them there.

The Passion Test is not therapy, it's a simple, yet powerful process to identify your most important passions and align your life with them going forward. Your passions lie in your heart, the source of all love.

It's a loving process for me to help my clients get clarity on what truly is most important to them and to help them trust that discovery and act on it.

Every time I administer the Passion Test to get a client to that heart connection they've been seeking, I strengthen my own connection to my passions in the process. I'm grateful to my clients for continuing to reinforce my connection to my own heart and to their hearts.

I've been certified as a Passion Test Facilitator for a little over a year now. During the past 14 months, I've had the privilege of administering the Passion Test to dozens of interesting people of both sexes, all ages, and across continents.

What I've found is that the more people I take through the Passion Test, the more I'm motivated to continue this practice. My dream is to create a global reach with my practice as a Passion Test Facilitator, and I'm off to a great start.

I'm ready and willing to work with as many clients as possible in 2011 as their Passion Test Facilitator. That opportunity will make 2011 the best year ever - filled with opportunities to Help, Have Fun, and expand Love!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

The Power of the Unexpected Thank You Card

2010-12-28T06:12:00.000-08:00

In the quiet week between Christmas and New Year's, we received an unexpected thank you card from our friendly neighborhood booksellers at RBR Books in Leland, NC, Clif and Laura Bridgers. The card simply said:

Hi Bruce and Marge, Thanks for stopping by the shop on Sunday! It was good to see you both. All the best to you both! Clif and Laura

The fact is that we often stop in to say hi to Clif and Laura and, when needed, buy our books and games from them.

This card was special to us because of how it made us feel.

We felt honored that Clif and Laura would take the time to send it to us during their extremely busy and important retail season, that they would send it to US - just two of the many happy customers who visit their store, and that they would simply say Thank You to us for being their friends.

It all adds up to our favorite piece of mail yesterday.

Thanks, Clif and Laura, for understanding and acting on the power of the unexpected and heartfelt card. You made us feel appreciated! We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Best Picture Plus 2.0 card!

2010-12-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

I want to congratulate our friend, Maran Banta, for her creativity in using SendOutCards Picture Plus v. 2.0 to create this stunning holiday card!

It's personal, festive, friendly, and attractive. I love the photo on the front and the use of the dark background on the inside to highlight the white text. It's just so well done and gives me ideas on how to design our card for next year.

Thank you, Maran, for your inspiration!!

Happy New Year to you and your family!!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

For This We Are Thankful

2010-11-28T11:09:00.000-08:00

This photo says it all! We had a great Thanksgiving with our older son Rich, and our daughter-in-law, Megan and our younger son, Pete, and his girlfriend, Hailey.

All six of us enjoy cooking so there was no end to the fun in the kitchen!

We love getting together with family...there is no better way to spend our time than this, and yes, we are extremely grateful that we had such a nice Thanksgiving!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

I'm Following My Heart to Financial Freedom

2010-10-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

I'm so grateful to have found a business that's totally in alignment with my passions. Every day I work so hard (just kidding) sending cards and gifts to some of my favorite people! My work has truly transformed into play.

This is what I recently posted on my Facebook wall and it's just the preface to what I want to share on this topic.

First, I'm so grateful to have found a business that's totally in alignment with my passions. SendOutCards is designed to meet two needs: 1) helping people reach out in kindness every day and 2) giving people a vehicle to create financial freedom. Here's how this business is a match for my passions.

My first passion is loving and creating and having fun with Bruce. We do that every day in our relationship and we share the bonus of growing our SendOutCards team together. You grow a large and healthy team in network marketing with a lot of love, creativity, and fun!

My second passion is loving and playing with our kids, grandkids, and friends. One of the ways I build and maintain those important relationships is by regularly sending cards and gifts to our kids, grandkids, and friends.

My third passion is enjoying excellent and balanced physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Among my goals for following this passion is to vibrate high with passion, compassion, excitement, and expectancy. Another goal is to attend at least one personal development seminar per year. I'm happy to share that with SendOutCards I'm always enthusiastic about my activities and I look forward to the annual Treat 'Em Right personal development seminar run by the company's founder and CEO, Kody Bateman. Kody rocks!

My fourth passion is helping millions of people to become senders of cards and for those who wish, to create financial freedom. As our SendOutCards team grows, both of these goals are being realized.

My fifth passion is to live a fun life of financial freedom and abundance. Well I certainly am having fun each day and already enjoy a life with an abundance of love. The financial freedom is in the making with our SendOutCards business.

So this is why I'm grateful to have found a business that's totally in alignment with my passions. Sometimes I just have to pinch myself and revel in the fact that I understand and value the majic of this alignment. It keeps me grateful, focused, and knowing that I will fulfill my destiny.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Six More Ways to Build Your Self-Esteem

2010-10-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

Continued from my last post, here are steps 7 through 12 to Build Your Self Esteem from our Bruce and Marge Live! call on Tuesday, October 12th.

7. Serve – The more you serve others, the higher your self-esteem. Look for ways to be helpful to others each day, either informally or through formal volunteer organizations that you join.

8. Receive - Ask your significant others to list 10 things they love about you. Be open to accepting all the good things they have to say about you.

9. Follow Your Bliss or Your Passions – If you’re committed to following your passions and fulfilling your life destiny, then you will naturally think more of yourself for having the courage to do what 80% of the world’s population avoids.

10. Tolerate less – Decide that you won’t put up with things from yourself or from others that take your energy. Example of such things can include negative conversations, a dripping faucet, a dirty car, a messy office, poor diet and sleep habits, low income, a friend who is always late, and overdue library books. Make a list of 25 tolerations that you need to fix and one by one get them handled. You’ll be amazed at what this can do for your self-esteem.

11. Smile – Here’s a widely known secret. Smile. You will feel better almost instantly and you will actually feel better about yourself.

12. Edify Others – In the spirit of giving what you wish to gain and being of service to others, practice sincere edification. This technique is possibly the most powerful of all 12 items listed, and, like many powerful tools, it needs to be used with caution. The reason for caution is that if used insincerely, edification makes other people feel bad and will rebound on you, too. Here’s the cool part. You don’t edify others for them to immediately parrot something back to you, in fact that is pretty lame. Just know that, when you edify, or build up, someone else, it helps that person’s self-esteem and helping others self esteem raises your own. But don’t do this one if you can’t do it sincerely – and even then don’t do it too often.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Six Ways to Build Your Self-Esteem

2010-10-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last night Bruce and I covered 12 Ways to Build Your Self-Esteem on our weekly Bruce and Marge Live! FREE coaching teleseminar.

Here are the first six tips we discussed.

1. Raise your self awareness– Commit to learning and loving as much as possible in gratitude for the gift of life. Participate in your life fully. Vitalize those around you. Be ready for the good times waiting to happen but be present in the now. Let go of the past. It does not serve you in your quest to live consciously on life’s journey. Never measure your progress against others – only compare today to the day before and up your efforts to boost your self awareness.

2. Choose to believe in yourself – Take charge of your own beliefs and own the fact that you can accomplish anything you can imagine that you want to do. You might need coaching, training and practice in whatever it is, but if you can imagine it then you can achieve it. If you believe that something is possible than you’ll do what’s necessary to bring it about. Throw your knapsack over the fence and then jump to follow your dream. Begin. Get into action to make your dream come true. Have a sense of urgency. Be open to those invisible hands that will guide you, unexpected doors to open, and people who show up to help you.

3. Focus on your successes of the past to boost your confidence that you will have more successes in the future. Convince yourself that you’re a successful person. You’ll then make more attempts and boost your chances of future success. Many famous sports figures like Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth were notorious for taking the most shots, missing the most attempts, and also breaking all time records. Don’t be afraid of making errors. Go with the flow and always see yourself as successful.

4. Jack Canfield’s mirror exercise – Jack Canfield, the famous success guru, recommends giving yourself daily acknowledgement by making eye contact with yourself in a mirror and talking to yourself with great sincerity about all the small things you appreciate about yourself each day. This helps to crowd out all your negative self-talk.

5. Be authentic – This means tell the truth. If you think you’re protecting others’ feelings by not coming forth with the truth, then you’re hiding from your own feelings. The more you get in the habit of telling the truth the more free you become.

6. Keep your commitments – This is so important because ultimately the commitments we make to others are commitments to ourselves. These include big and large commitments. For example, if you tell your kids that you’ll fund their college education, then do it. If you tell someone you’ll meet them at a coffee shop at 10:00 a.m., then be there. Every time you keep a commitment, you’re growing your self-esteem.

To be continued in the next post...

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Bruce and Marge Live! Call Archive

2010-10-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, October 9th, I received an email from a client telling me how one of our recorded teleseminars helped her and her husband get back on track with their passion lists.

" My husband and I just got through listening to your teleseminar on being aligned with your passions. Enlightening indeed. I am redoing my passion list and my husband said he needs to read some more in the book and then do his list. I enjoyed hearing the dialogue between you two because it not only gives a man/woman approach, but it also gives different types of personalities.

Thanks Marge for the link to the teleseminar and the encouragement we felt from listening to it. You two are making a difference in this world and thank you for making a positive difference in our lives."

Here's a list of our previously recorded teleseminars that are FREE to all.
Bruce and Marge Live!
Passionate Life Teleseminars
Recorded Calls

1. You CAN Do Business Video and Why You Should
(original call date August 3, 2010)
2. Passions Lead to Profit – the Formula in Action
(original call date August 5, 2010)
3. Making the Most of Live Networking Events
(original call date August 10, 2010)
4. Manifest Your Ideal Life
(original call date August 12, 2010)
5. Essential Social Media for Entrepreneurs
(original call date August 17, 2010)
6. GAR – Gratitude, Attitude, and Readiness
(original call date August 19, 2010)
7. Ask Bruce and Marge (submitted Q and A)
(original call date August 24, 2010)
8. Authentic Goal Setting
(original call date August 26, 2010)
9. Transform Your Work into Play
(original call date September 7, 2010)
10. Tips on Working with Your Spouse
(original call date September 14, 2010)
11. Business Social Media Strategy
(original call date September 21, 2010)
12. De-Mystifying Self-Hypnosis, A Tool Everyone Can Use
(original call date September 28, 2010)
13. How to Stay Aligned with Your Passions
(original call date October 5, 2010)

The full set of Bruce and Marge Live! Passionate Life Teleseminar calls is available to subscribers to Bruce and Marge at the Edge, our free, weekly business and personal development newsletter.

To get access to this teleseminar library, our ezine, and free book, just go to
this link.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Review of Connect, Communicate, and Profit!

2010-10-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

You know you’re in the hands of a master networker, when you read the strategies and tips for making both in person and on line connections to grow your business in D’Vorah Lansky’s first book, Connect, Communicate, and Profit!

D’Vorah skillfully pulls you into her world of building and maintaining relationships through numerous techniques, from sending greeting cards to launching a world blog tour! Many authors excel in either the world of in person networking or online networking. D’Vorah has not only mastered both, but she uses her gift as an educator to explain exactly what to do to expand your dual networks and to encourage entrepreneurs at any skill level to work effectively in both arenas.

If you feel you’re at a crossroads and need help developing and integrating a complete in person and online networking strategy to take your business to the next level, this is the book for you. Connecting is the first step, and D’Vorah will help you increase your connections through many channels. How you use those connections to effectively communicate your message and learn to give and take with your growing community is D’Vorah’s unique area of expertise, which she willingly shares in this clear, concise guide.

I can’t wait to see what D’Vorah has in store for us all in her next book; it’s sure to be helpful for entrepreneurs like me looking for the most expert helping hands they can find to successfully navigate this fast-paced world of making and growing interpersonal connections in both the real and virtual worlds we inhabit today.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Bruce and Marge Live! Passionate Life Teleseminars

2010-10-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

This week's teleseminar topic is
How to Stay Aligned with Your Passions.

This will be a good one, with tips and secrets on how to
stay true to what you know you really want in life.

But first, some news from us.

There's a lot going on this week and we are excited
to share it with you.

The first news is that, as of this week, and through the
remainder of 2010, our Bruce and Marge Live!
Passionate Life Teleseminars will be absolutely free.

That's right. No charge for our seminars for the rest of the year,
with a new topic each week (see www.BruceandMargeLive.com
for the list) and no charge for the recordings of past seminars!

The seminars, both new and recorded won't actually
be free to everyone, just to people who subscribe to our
Bruce and Marge at the Edge newsletter. (Like you,
otherwise you wouldn't be getting this email.)

You also may have noticed that we've changed the name
for the teleseminars, slightly.

Before:
Bruce and Marge Live! Coaching Teleseminars

Now:
Bruce and Marge Live! Passionate Life Teleseminars

There are several reasons for the change.

* First, to emphasize our focus on living in alignment
with one's passions.
* Second, the teleseminars, even though we allow and
encourage email questions on each week's topic
before and during the calls, aren't really coaching.
* Third, we will continue to offer group coaching, but
only to clients who have completed The Passion Test
(more on group coaching in another email).

So this week's call will be focused on one of the core issues
for people who have (or have not) taken The Passion Test.

How to Stay Aligned With Your Passions

It's a great topic because lots of folks know (or think they
know) what their passions are, but the tricky part is to
stay true to them. And we'll talk about that. We'll talk about:

* Various techniques to stay in alignment.
* Exactly how we use them to stay in alignment.
* How you can do it, too.

So we're looking forward to the call.

Here's the phone number for the call:
1-712-432-3030

and here's the access code:

592232

Remember, all calls are recorded and the download link
will be emailed the following day.

Next week's powerful topic is:

October 12- Twelve Ways to Build Your Self-Esteem (Power)

We look forward to having you join us for Bruce and Marge Live!

We would like to have lots of folks on the call, so please feel free
to pass the link, www.BruceandMargeLive.com, for people to
sign up for the calls and for our newsletter.

As a continuing bonus for newsletter subscribers, everyone also
gets a download link for Marge's book:
31 Days to Create Abundance Through Giving.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Be a Fun Catalyst for your Clients

2010-09-29T10:45:00.001-07:00

When you deliver your products and services to your clients, you have an opportunity to make each transaction more fun for both you and your clients. Here are a few examples of unexpected fun that I’ve experienced as a client:
• A golf pro invites a musician to follow his students around the course to keep them relaxed;
• A dentist offers complimentary pedicures to his patients while they’re getting their teeth cleaned;
• A bookstore offers a voucher for a free cup of coffee at the adjacent coffee shop with each purchase of $10 or more;
• A realtor sends a new prospect a dozen brownies with a note of appreciation;
• A coach offers a client a free enrollment in a group coaching program;
• A retailer asks clients to record spontaneous testimonials on his video camera in exchange for a $5 gift certificate;
• A restaurant gives a complimentary free dessert to all patrons to celebrate their anniversary;
• A talk show host gives away a free cruise to everyone in the audience. (Yes, my daughter and I cruised to Belize and Cozumel, thanks to Rosie O’Donnell when she was on The View.

These experiences have a lot in common. The business owner or donor set their fun meter on high and thought of a fun and unexpected gift or experience to share with their clients. The value of these examples ranges from five to thousands of dollars, so it’s not the cost that’s important. These gifts and experiences allowed both the business owner or donor and the clients to enjoy themselves together. That’s the key word – together. Fun experiences strengthen your connection to others, not only in business, but in life. Keep your fun meter set to HIGH!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Do You Have 12-minutes?

2010-09-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

With the card season about to roll in, you might want to take 12-minutes and listen to this prerecorded message about the most unique greeting card and gift service in the world.

Just call 212-990-6793 and sit back and relax. Let me know what you think of the message and if you're ready to set up your own greeting card and gift business.

Even if you don't want a new income stream, everyone needs a convenient greeting card and gift service to stay connected to their personal and business contacts.

You can learn more at our Web site, www.fatcitycards.com.
I look forward to helping you decide on the best account for your needs!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Article Marketing

2010-09-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

I finally took the plunge this week and immersed myself in learning how to start an article marketing campaign. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

I highly recommend checking out www.ezinearticles.com as a premier article marketing service. Their editorial guidelines got me started and in two days I had already submitted two articles!

If you want to get more Internet exposure for your expertise, then follow this tried and true path for allowing prospects to find you through their key word searches that lead to your articles.

Good luck!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Create Abundance Through Giving

2010-09-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

Here's an excerpt from my book, 31 Days to Personal Mastery: Create Abundance Through Giving.

If you like this tip, you can get the whole book for FREE at www.AskMargeBrown.com!

#12 Play Big
Are you a gifted woodworker, organizer, potter, writer, singer, barista, parent, bridge player, tax preparer, car restorer, or tri athlete? There are people who aspire to have a fraction of your talent or want to know more about what you do best, and you can find way to give to them. You don’t have to be a world-class expert at something to be open to sharing your gift – a willingness to give is all it takes.

Many schools are looking for experts to participate in career days to educate and inspire their students. Most senior centers and large residential communities have program directors that are looking for experts to conduct workshops for their members. These types of activities require little time, and you’ll boost your confidence and make new friends in the process of giving.

You can take your expertise to your recipients or have them come to you. For example, if you’re a veteran tri athlete with a list of tips and slide show, you can easily share your expertise in many settings. If you’re an experienced potter with your own kiln and studio, then you’ll need to invite others into your space for a presentation and tour.

It wasn’t until I had aptitude testing through the Johnson O’Conner Research Foundation (http://www.jocrf.org/) in my early thirties that I became aware that I have the gift of ideaphoria, the ability to generate a lot of ideas at a rapid rate. The realization that not everyone has this aptitude to the same degree (I scored off their charts!) definitely motivated me to want to develop my natural gift through my writing. When you enthusiastically and willingly share your expertise, you’re giving away your unique self.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Do You Have a 2011 Business Plan Worthy of Your Greatness?

2010-09-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's time to be looking forward to the next calendar year and stretch your thinking to design a business you'll love to operate in 2011.

We have just the ticket for you! Grab a ride on our rocket ship and you'll be glad you joined our exclusive group coaching program. We're committed to help each participant complete the program with a powerful 2011 business plan in hand and ready to launch!

Here's the link for your consideration.

We'll be sure your plan is in alignment with your passions, which is the most important step for any successful entrepreneur. We'll also help you turn up your personal power to full throttle and make sure you have all the resources and plans in place to build and maintain prospect and client relationships - your route to profitability!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Our Favorite Spaghetti Sauce

2010-09-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

This recipe arrived from our daughter, and it has become one of our family favorites!

Put 2 T. olive oil in a large pot. Crush 6 cloves of garlic, add to oil over medium heat. When garlic is simmering, add 1/1/4# ground meat (85/15) and 1 pkg. Johnson's Mild Italian sausage. Break up the meat in the pan.

When the meat is brown, add the following:
1 29-oz. can tomato sauce
1 29-oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 29-oz. can peeled tomatoes

Mix all ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste, 1 T. oregano, and 3 T. sugar.

Simmer for 3 hours. Split into 4 containers and freeze what you're not going to use that day!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Do You Know the Secret to Using Your Personal Power to Develop Your Unique Self?

2010-09-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

Imagine wanting to get to a life-fulfilling
destination, but not having a map, compass,
or any gas in your engine!

Now imagine the same journey where
you have absolute confidence that you're
headed to the right place, you have an
up-to-date map, you're aimed in the
accurate direction, and you have an
unlimited fuel supply.

The unlimited fuel supply is your personal power
that will transport you to developing your
uniqueness, once you've uncovered your destiny.

Even famous personal development leaders like
Jack Canfield, author of The Success Principles,
continue to consult their map for the best route
to their destiny.

The last time Jack checked he thought he had
already fulfilled his destiny, but he found that
he was missing a global association of personal
development leaders like himself, so he founded
The Transformational Leadership Council
(www.transformationalleadershipcouncil.com),
that's now a Who's Who organization in his field.

One of our clients, a stay-at-home Mom, worked
with us to uncover her career plan once her children
were all in school.

She wanted to plan ahead and found that once
her entrepreneurial direction became clear,
she felt extremely powerful to stay on her
current path and start her bookkeeping business
in a few years. In the meantime, she can be preparing
at a relatively slow pace that works with the demands
of her family.

You have unlimited personal power, just like
everyone else. The secret to a joyous life is
directing that power to fulfilling your unique destiny.

Why waste your power going in the wrong direction
with an unclear map and a nagging feeling of uncertainty?

Life can be so much better than that!

If you haven't completely identified your destiny,
if you have no clue as to what it is, or if you just want
reassurance that you're on the right path, we can help
with a simple process called
The Passion Test One to One Consultation.

We invite you to join our group of powerful and
satisfied clients who have completed the process with us.

You can meet many of them at our Passion Test Enrollment Web page.

Give yourself this priceless gift and your life will never be the same!

It will just continue to get better and better!

Enroll for The Passion Test One to One Consultation today at
www.BrucetheCoach.com or www.MargetheCoach.com.

We look forward to working with you by phone and e-mail
to help you use your unlimited supply of personal power
to develop your unique self.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

We are so blessed!

2010-09-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

This might look like a professional photograph of a family on the beach, but it's an amateur photo taken of our daughter, Liz, our son-in-love, Conor, and their three beautiful children, Seamus, Annabel, and baby Libby on the occasion of Libby's baptism. The background is the coast of York, Maine, the same scene on the header of my blog.

We are so blessed!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Simplify!

2010-09-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

Simplification has a lot to do with making your work life more fun. The more complicated your products, services, and processes, the more they weigh you down and leave little room for lightness.

Start with your products and services. Put yourself in your prospects' shoes and look at what you're offering in terms of how clearly you present what you're providing, the benefits to your clients, your pricing structure, and your guarantees. The confused mind says, "No." Find ways to simplify your product portfolio, service structure, related pricing schedules, and guarantees. The result will be a more streamlined sales process for you and an easier buying process for your clients.

The easier you make the overall buying process for your prospects, the more business you will acquire. For example, look at your Web site and be sure your product and service descriptions are well organized and that the "Buy" buttons are large and displayed at the top, middle, and bottom of your sales pages. It's more fun to go through the Speed Checkout with a few buying decisions than managing a cart load of purchases. Simplify your clients' interface with you as much as possible, and you'll both enjoy doing business together.

Many of the processes you use in your work environment are probably home grown. Reviewing internal processes to bring more fun into your work day is not a glamorous proposition. However, the rewards can be long-term and instantly noticeable on your work fun meter. For example, develop a sales reward board for yourself that shows the exact things you will earn for specific sales levels achieved, such as a bottle of expensive perfume, a new set of Egyptian cotton sheets, or a new surf board. Your sales meetings will be more fun when you focus on your goals instead of focusing on sales obstacles.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Don't Give Up Your Goals!

2010-08-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

Don't give up your goals! Once you know your passions and you've set your authentic goals, you will meet obstacles as you put your personal power behind achieving those goals.

What are the biggest obstacles to setting and achieving authentic goals?
1. Not knowing your passions
2. Setting goals that are too small or too large
3. Lack of clarity
4. Limiting beliefs to achieve your goals

What are the best ways to overcome those obstacles?
1. Don’t throw out your goal – instead look for a detour.

2. Don’t question whether or not you’re worthy of your goal – if you desire it
from your heart then it desires you too!

3. Make sure your decision and commitment are firm. Will you and can you do
what it takes to reach your goal? This is what separates the true goal
seekers from the wannabees – this is where limiting beliefs step in. They
keep you from being committed. If you overcome your limiting beliefs then
there is nothing that can stop you.

4. Check your preparation. If things are falling apart go back to the drawing
board and get your thinking and your plans straightened out again.

5. Check your ability to trust the process. You can’t be in charge of all the
ways your goal will become reality. You have to trust that it will unfold
perfectly, no matter how you envisioned it.

6. Are you willing to ask for help when needed? And from the right sources? –
If you continue to meet one obstacle after another then clearly you’re doing
things the hard way. Find the help you need to clear your path. Getting the
right support at the right time increases your personal power exponentially.
Teamwork is ok. It’s also another measure of your commitment and willingness
to put your ego aside. Are your goals so imperative that you’ll do
whatever it takes? If they aren’t, then you aren’t dreaming big enough.

7. Are you willing to change your plan as needed? Don’t be more attached to
your plan than you are to your goal.

8. Are you aware of when your goal is beginning to manifest?
Are you picking up the clues?

9. Convince yourself that it’s ok if life got a whole lot easier.

10. Be willing to be comfortable outside your comfort zone! You won’t know
everything you’ll encounter along the path in advance so you might as well
get used to that idea.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

New Ebook Available!

2010-08-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty excited to announce that I have a new ebook available, 31 Days to Personal Mastery: Improve Your Vocabulary!

It's a fun book of many things you might never have thought of to grow your vocabulary, such as creating edible words. If you want to learn more, you're going to have to buy it for $9.97.

Just email me if you'd like a copy, and I'll send you a Pay Pal invoice and the ebook.

I look forward to helping all our clients and friends grow their vocabularies. It's one of the most important things you can do to increase your success no matter what your goals.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

40 Years Ago Today

2010-08-25T06:37:00.001-07:00

Forty years ago today I was very excited about my upcoming wedding day on August 29th. I was actually living with my future in-laws since my parents had moved out of state. They were flying into Connecticut from Michigan a few days before the wedding. My Mother was bringing one bridesmaids dress which she bought, which had to match the second bridesmaid dress that my Mother-in-law sewed. They shared the design via sketches in the mail (there was no Internet then!) Due to their amazing seamstress skills, the dresses were a perfect match, which was a big load off my mind at that point in the week leading up to our wedding day.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Thicker Chile

2010-08-23T13:07:00.001-07:00

I just made a new batch of our favorite chile recipe and it's too good not to share.

Thicker Chile

1/4 C. olive oil
1 1/2 C. chopped onion
2 t. garlic
2 lbs. ground meat or ground turkey
2 - 1 lb. 12 oz. cans pear shaped peeled tomatoes
2 - 1 lb. cans kidney beans, undrained
2 C. water
1 1/2 T. chile powder
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
1 t. sugar
1 t. salt

Soften onion and garlic in olive oil on low heat. Brown meat and add to the onion mix. Add remaining ingredients. Stir to break up the tomatoes. Simmer for about 1 hour.

Enjoy!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Mango in Leland

2010-08-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

We stopped in the new furniture store in Leland today. Check out Mango next to the Harris Teeter.

Rumor has it that Pia is going to be cooking up a storm to serve Mango flavored treats at the store's ribbon cutting next week. We can't wait!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Connect, Communicate, and Profit

2010-08-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

My friend, D'Vorah Lansky, has a new book about to be published. I am so proud of her and her big accomplishment!

Click here to get a free chapter of her new book.

And, she's throwing a teleseminar party to celebrate her book launch. You're invited, so just click here for details.

See you at the party!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

AskMargeBrown

2010-08-17T08:11:00.001-07:00

Free Hugs
Create Abundance Through Giving
Secret Agent L
Fat City Cards

These headlines have a lot in common.

If you're curious, then go to
www.AskMargeBrown.com

Discover the connection
Get a free gift
Put yourself in the positive giving flow

Do something nice for someone today - the more unexpected the better!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Poolside

2010-08-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

Mid August is about the time when outside pool visits start to wind down. It's been another terrific season here at the Brunswick Forest Wellness Center. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to swim in the early morning in this beautiful pool.

If you're looking to grow yourself and/or your business, pack a 31 Days Mastery book when you go to the pool or the beach!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Peter and Hailey

2010-08-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

We had a super time with our youngest son, Peter, and his girlfriend, Hailey, who just visited us for a few days. They live in Dallas, where it's hotter than in Wilmington. We had fun showing them downtown Wilmington, historic Fort Fisher, Mayfaire, and the place they loved the most - Wrightsville Beach! We couldn't get them out of the water! They had a ball surfing and playing in our warm Atlantic waves.

This was our first opportunity to meet Hailey, and now we know why Peter followed her from San Francisco to Dallas! They are a great pair and we're so glad they came to Wilmington to play with us for a few days. We enjoyed our break too!

Peter, is our son with the graphics design talent who designed our book covers. We are grateful for and so proud of his contribution, which you can see at www.31DaysBooks.com.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Mom's Sour Cream Coffee Cake

2010-08-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ellen and Curt Clifford loved Mom's Sour Cream Coffee Cake that we served after Dancing with the Brunswick Stars. So here is the recipe, which is being passed from generation to generation by me and my three sisters.

1 stick butter or margarine
1 C. sugar
2 eggs
2 C. flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 C. sour cream
1 t. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs with mixer until blended. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, until mixture is doughy. Add sour cream and vanilla until creamy.

Topping:
1 1/2 C. chopped pecans
2 T. flour
5 T. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 stick cold butter chopped

Place dough in well-greased and floured tube baking pan. Sprinkle topping evenly. Using a knife, push topping down into dough until none remains on top.

Bake 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Just Do It!

2010-08-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

This is me with Ellen Clifford at the Dancing with the Brunswick Stars event on Aug. 6th. I want to give major kudos to Ellen and her husband, Curt, for agreeing to go to the event when we called at the last minute to invite them. Our son, Peter, and his girlfriend, Hailey, were supposed to go with us and at the last minute their plane was delayed coming from Dallas due to summer storms. So we appreciate Ellen and Curt saying yes, getting all dressed up, and driving me to the Brunswick Community College campus so we could all provide support to Bruce for his dancing debut. He totally appreciated their can do attitude!

Curt and I discovered that we attended the same Catholic parochial school in Westport, CT and the same Catholic high school in Norwalk, CT a few decades ago! It was a bonus to find that commonality during our car ride!

Thanks again to Ellen and Curt for being willing to Just Do It!

Ellen also generously gave her time to review my first book. 31 Days to Personal Mastery: Manifest Your Ideal Life, for which I thank her once again!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Dancing with the Brunswick County Stars

2010-08-07T09:34:00.000-07:00

The common denominator with all the couples in the Dancing with the Brunswick Stars event last night was a willingness to get out of their comfort zones, have a lot of fun, be entertaining, and contribute in a big way to Brunswick Community College. Does a fundraiser of almost $275,000 catch your attention! Well that's what these folks were able to do with their individual, dance couple, and group energy to help their community.

I was so proud of my mate, Bruce, for his new tap dancing skills that were brought forth through the patient training of his professional dance partner, Kim Boggs. Way to go Bruce and Kim!

Let's all take a clue from these unselfish community spirits who showed us how it's done last night - from their big dance steps to their big hearts in promoting educational opportunities in Brunswick County!

Bruce and Marge Live! Were You There?

2010-08-04T05:19:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday evening, August 3rd, we launched our Bruce and Marge Live! August Coaching Marathon series. Bruce provided oodles of valuable content to help any entrepreneur get started making business videos. This is the technology that you have to add to your toolkit now or you will be left in the dust.

I want to thank one of our participants, Dawn Lee Wakefield, for her hearty endorsement: "Guaranteed to help you focus on becoming who you want to be. This team is long on experience, deep in wisdom, and major in enthusiasm. Highly recommend to people sitting in those LaZBoy Recliners who need to be propelled into joy and pursuing their dreams."

So join us for the rest of the month...just go to www.BruceandMargeLive.com for details!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Eliminate Boundaries Between Work and Play

2010-07-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

Dr. Joe Vitale, the internationally famous Hypnotic Marketing Coach and Author, knows how to show his coaching clients a good time! He offers them an opportunity to be coached by him while riding in his Rolls Royce Phantom, where they can present any business or coaching challenge for his input. His program is called the Rolls Royce Phantom Master Mind, and you can read all about it at www.mrfire.com/phantom.

Maybe you don't have a Rolls Royce, but there is a lesson to be learned here. Joe is clearly combining what he loves, luxury cars and coaching, to connect with his clients in a unique and fun way. I know if I were to ride shotgun with Joe Vitale in his Rolls Royce, I would open myself more to the idea that anything is possible in my life!

Here is how I leveraged this concept for our business, Quantum Results Coaching (www.quantumresultscoaching.com). We live across the Cape Fear River bridge from Historic Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, which is a popular tourist destination for its Southern charm and beautiful setting along the riverfront. We don't own a Rolls Royce, but we do have access to the horsedrawn carriage and trolley service in Wilmington with narrated tours through the lovely historic district. We also don't have office space downtown, but there is a new shared office complex called BuenaSpace (www.buena.com/buenaspace) right in the heart of downtown Wilmington that's perfect for short-term needs. Our new product is a full-day coaching master mind session, which will include the use of the BuenaSpace conference room, a ride in the horsedrawn carriage, and dinner at one of Wilmington's finest downtown restaurants. We're excited about combining our coaching work with our love of downtown Wilmington!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Fun with Marge and Bruce by the Pool

2010-07-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

Bruce and I had a lot of fun shooting videos Sunday by the pool. We were making short clips for our upcoming Bruce and Marge Live! teleseminar series.

We're really pumped about our August teleseminar series and while we only have 96 slots open with our current conference call system, we easily can add more if needed.

While we were making the videos each of us appeared in the background of the other's shot. It wasn't planned that way, but it turned out to be pretty funny - for us anyway.

For more info on our August Teleseminar Series, please go to:
Bruce and Marge Live!

RBR Book Signing Was a Success!

2010-07-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

We had fun at the book signing at RBR Books in Leland, NC on Sat., July 17th!
Clif Bridgers was very supportive. We met a lot of interesting folks and literally smelled the beautiful roses brought by Clif's mother-in-law, Linda Knerr.
It was a fun afternoon!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

AHHH!

2010-07-16T13:29:00.000-07:00

Early morning (7:00 a.m.)...the Brunswick Forest Wellness Center pool all to myself...heaven!

What I Did On My Summer Vacation!

2010-07-11T09:47:00.001-07:00

Our daughter, Liz, son-in-law, Conor, and their three children just visited "Carolina", as Annabel like to call Wilmington. Seamus is now 4 1/2, Annabel 2/1, and baby Libby is just 3 months old. We had a ball playing with them at the pool, at the beach, downtown, and at our place. It was hard to say goodbye until we see them all again soon!

Playing at the pool with Annabel!

Making cupcakes with Seamus and Annabel!

Visiting Kilwins before lunch!

Get Attention with the Unexpected

2010-07-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

At an Internet marketing seminar a business video expert taught that the most important ingredients in a business video that gets results are unexpected elements to jar the viewers’ attention. The presenter demonstrated with some comparisons of short videos where the first clip was a predictable presentation and the second clip contained unexpected sound and visual effects. The second video was more lively, entertaining, and kept our attention.

Here are two examples of getting attention with the unexpected in business settings.

First, at an Internet conference, a group of attendees word t-shirts advertising their affiliate partners who were attending the same conference. Internet marketers thrive on affiliate partnerships and they’re always looking for strong alliances. The folks who wore the testimonial t-shirts grabbed the attention of everyone they passed, they had a lot of fun as a result of their creativity, and they gave a big boost to their affiliate partners – all for about $12! They met a lot of new people themselves because it was easy to strike up a conversation with them.

Second, as an independent distributor for a network marketing company, I traveled to their corporate office after I achieved a first-level promotion. To my surprise, when our bus of advancing distributors arrived at the office, we were greeted by a live band and every single employee was applauding for us on the front steps. They had balloons decorating a beautiful spread of food and drink, a professional photographer, and even Miss California! This company certainly got my attention with the unexpected fanfare and recognition of their distributors.

Take the challenge to build the unexpected into your work to get noticed and improve your results.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Copy Ducks

2010-06-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

If you’re like me, you probably don’t look forward to your dentist appointments. However, we all know the importance of being responsible for our dental health, so we make and keep those appointments. There is an absolutely wonderful feature about my current dentist’s office that helps me escape into a world of play, and that’s the duck pond, which patients can view directly through a wall size window right at the base of the dental chair.

As I watch the ducks interact with abandon, I realize they have a lot to teach us about the art of play. First of all, they’re uninhibited in their natural environment and are continuously sliding, jumping, chasing, gliding, diving, preening, and eating.

Imagine if, in your work day, you showed as much non-stop energy and enthusiasm in your work environment! Do you slide into your work space with boundless excitement, jump for joy when you have a win, chase your goals, glide through meetings with poise and professionalism, dive for that big account, preen before meeting with an important client, and eat well and with others who are supportive of your vision and mission? If not, maybe it’s time you took some lessons from the ducks in your nearest duck pond!

And by the way, I applaud my dentist for locating his practice on a duck pond where he and his staff obviously appreciate the duck playground on a daily basis and definitely do transfer some of that light hearted attitude to their important work and client interactions.

Unorthodox Networking

2010-06-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

In my experience, the most fun business networking events are a bit unpredictable, create connections faster, and raise the participants’ energy so they’re more engaged in the process. Here are a few examples of memorable networking scenarios I’ve enjoyed:

1. During an early morning networking meeting, we routinely played Frisbee inside the room to make sure everyone was awake, ready for action, and smiling at the early hour;

2. At a few local speed networking events, which are pattered on speed dating events, business people rotate around six tables where they make their 60-second presentations;

3. One networking group wrote numerous networking tips on a beach ball and threw it around the group as part of their networking education segment;

4. Another networking group wrote a song about themselves and their businesses, performed it together, and posted it on YouTube for more exposure;

5. A small music group that’s looking for more bookings routinely plays for free at networking meetings to demonstrate their talent.

6. A creative networking group runs their weekly meeting like a radio broadcast and each member broadcasts commercials and news about their business.

7. Each member of the networking group received a fortune cookie and had to incorporate their fortune in their 60-second presentation.

People lose interest when networking events become stale and predictable. Abundance comes through other people and most people like to have fun, so networking events are great places to start to play more and work less to help people connect faster through shared, entertaining experiences.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Are They Serious?

2010-06-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when you have a serious business problem, a playful solution is most effective.

When I first spotted the billboards with the “Do It Downtown” campaign for downtown Wilmington, NC, my reaction was, “Are they serious?” The business owners downtown were completely serious when they adopted this marketing slogan, but they were smart to adopt a flirty image for their desired results.

What I read into the slogan was “Downtown is a Place to Play”. The campaign was sponsored by many downtown retail stores, galleries, theaters, restaurants, and tourist attractions – a strong collective of venues for unlimited fun. St. Charles, IL is another city that has adopted the same slogan. You can read lists of Things to Do in Downtown “X”, but that sort of message appeals to the head, while “Do it Downtown” appeals to the heart, at least to my heart!

Just that small twist to convert an important marketing campaign into a playful message has had huge ramifications for Downtown Wilmington, As a result of pulling people into the movement with a spirit of play, numerous committees have formed to enhance the campaign with a Web site, marketing materials, Downtown Ambassadors, a speakers’ bureau, education programs for downtown employees, and frequent town hall style meetings.

I don’t live or work in Downtown Wilmington, but I have always liked to play there and have enjoyed the river walk, restaurants, theater, shops, and general tourist hubbub. I found myself swept into the positive energy of the Do It Downtown campaign by joining the speakers’ bureau to help spread the word about all that Downtown Wilmington has to offer. The campaign work is actually play, which just emphasizes the overall fun times I associate with Downtown Wilmington.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Will it Be Fish or Ducks?

2010-06-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a tip for transforming your work into play!

If you have to travel on business, find a hotel with an entertaining twist. Here are two examples.

After a long flight to Salt Lake City from Charlotte, NC, we were relieved to arrive at the boutique downtown Hotel Monaco. The first thing we noticed was an oversized, bone-shaped chalk board on the registration desk that invited guests to enter their dog’s name so the staff could keep track of canine as well as human guests. Our first reaction was “Oh, Pepper would have loved it here! And of course, that made us miss her even more.” We discovered an unexpected consolation prize in our room. There was a card suggesting that we reserve our own, free goldfish delivered to our room for our entire stay! Of course we ordered it immediately and enjoyed having a borrowed pet for our four days in Salt Lake City.

The Peabody is another hotel has a unique selling proposition along these same lines. In its Memphis, Orlando, and Little Rock locations, you’ll find The Peabody Ducks, a group of five mallards who ceremoniously march from their penthouse enclosure at 11:00 a.m. each day to the fountain lobby via elevator, and then at 5:00 p.m. they repeat their march in reverse. Each hotel has a Duck Master who leads the ducks on their daily march to the strains of King Cotton March by John Phillip Sousa. This ritual, called the Peabody Duck March, has been in place since the 1930’s, or possibly even earlier.

I haven’t stayed at the Peabody, but would definitely choose to play with their ducks.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Brunswick Forest Summer Concerts

2010-06-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Last Friday evening we returned to the scene of my favorite event in Brunswick Forest - the summer concert series. This is a fun, relaxing event, which is held about four times each summer. It draws music-lovers from in and around Leland to just chill in Annsdale Park, see old friends, and make new acquaintances. Bruce and I are obviously enjoying ourselves, and I also met up with Ellen Clifford and Joan Papp. I can't wait for the next Friday night concert!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Happy Flag Day!

2010-06-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

Today has a special significance for us. Both Bruce's and my parents were married on Flag Day in 1941, right before our Dads shipped out to serve in WWII. It was unusual that they shared this wedding day because it was a Sunday, but there were many exceptions made during that time. We're proud to share that both sets of our parents celebrated more than 50 years of marriage! We celebrate this day in honor of them - Roy and Ginni Brown, and John and Jean L'Estrange.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Dancing with the Brunswick Stars

2010-06-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here's Bruce with his dance instructor, Kimberly Boggs. They're not meditating, but they'll do anything to try to throw people off about the actual dance routine they're performing in early August.

I've had a chance to watch Bruce go through his actual routine (and am sworn to secrecy), and I can tell you it's going to be a lot of fun!

If you want to vote for Bruce and Kimberly and/or check out how to get tickets to the event, go to www.BeingBruceBrown.com for details.

The good news is that Bruce, Kimberly, and the others doing dance routines in the big event, will be raising thousands of dollars for Brunswick Community College.

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Transform Your Work into Play

2010-06-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

My next book is about blurring the lines between work and play. The goal is to create a life where your work is your play.

I'd love to hear any ideas from my subscribers as to what they would consider an example of their "work" actually being their "play"

Thanks for playing!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com

Have a Nice Summer!

2010-06-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

These two beach bums are our daughter, Liz, and grandson, Seamus. They were enjoying a fun day at Wrightsville Beach last summer. This is a cover of a card we sent them to keep the memories alive during the cold New England winter.

Now that they live on the ocean beach in New England, they're more excited about spending time at the beautiful pool in the Brunswick Forest Wellness Center. They'll be here soon and we can't wait!

Check out our 31 Days Mastery Books on Amazon.com