​Those of you who interact with me regularly are aware I can be very blunt and I am not overly concerned with other people's feelings when talking shop. I am not afraid to hear the ugly truth from someone else so if you ask my opinion I am not likely to sugar coat it. (I do not have a future in politics.)

I am not a person who craves outside validation (My favorite song is I Am a Rock by Simon and Garfunkel). I do not need people to tell me I am doing a good job to stay motivated. I have been blessed with an inner conviction that I can really do any task I put my mind to (except wear shoes) and that keeps me positive when life throws me curve balls. Once in a while however, someone does say something to me that makes me all warm and tingly inside.

A while back I was told by a woman I had not had a chance to get to know well that she was really looking forward to my participation in an upcoming media panel. She told me she likes my “The only magic marketing pills are strategy and hard work.” attitude. I do not know why that compliment resonated so deeply with me at the time, but it did and I still smile from it when it crosses my mind.

I am not fishing for compliments here. (I am a rock after all.) I am telling you to take a few minutes to think about a few people you appreciate for the tiniest reasons and tell them why you respect them. Who would not welcome a phone call from a friend (or colleague) telling them they are appreciated because they are always on time to meetings?

Sometimes our souls need to have their tanks topped off and when we need that (whether we know we need it or not) those off-hand, kind words hit the bulls eye. So go out and try to top off a few soul tanks every chance you get.

Until next time...

Have a great day,
Susanne

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I try to go to a family reunion each August to connect with extended family I just do not communicate with otherwise. My grown children do not have an interest in going but I attempt to drag them along every year.

The year before last it was me, the three kids and their dad. On the return trip the alternator went out on the truck and we ended up spending the night in a hotel approximately two hour’s drive from home.

Last year it was me and the three kids (I was trying to give their dad a break). On the return trip, we got about an hour from home and I had to open my mouth. "At least we made it past the town we broke down in last year." I should know better by now because the universe likes to laugh at me when I make statements like that out loud.

Not five miles later the engine starts making horrible noises and we have to pull over. An almost $400 tow bill later I am thinking there is not any chance I am getting anyone to go again because they have all decided the truck is allergic to Nebraska (or perhaps just to me seeing my family).

That old truck (which I loved) gave up the ghost and we had to get a new one (that I do not love so much). The new truck made the trip this year without any issues and a good time was had by me and the baby (the rest of my family just tolerates the trip).

Occasionally in your business it will feel like the universe is conspiring against you: the power goes out in the middle of a big sale, a check gets lost in the mail, your significant other does not understand why you are not profiting thousands of dollars per month two months after you start your business… feel free to insert your hurdle here.

This is when it is most important to keep a positive attitude. I had a good time on each of those three trips because I chose to. The other adults involved chose to think it would be a chore and it was.

Your plans will not always go as planned and it is up to you to decide the result. Sometimes the answer will be to abandon that plan. Just because the projection looks pretty on paper does not mean it can be implemented in the real world. Other times you need to adjust your time line.

I am writing a book I expected to have finished by now however I am still recovering from an illness that kicked my butt. It drained me physically and creatively and last week was the first time I worked on it for about eight weeks. This project is important to me so I adjusted my time line. I am now planning to finish in December and if holiday extras push it back to January I am okay with that.

The universe may be conspiring against my book, but I can fight back.

Until next time...

Have a great day,
Susanne

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