Goals: Doing the Math

“When you aim for perfection, you discover it's a moving target.” ~~George Fisher~~

The first quarter of this year is coming to a close today. I spent some time last night reviewing my goals for the year. I’m on track for most of them, but certainly not all. In fact, in an odd turn of events, most of the goals I set up for the first quarter itself have not been achieved, but I’m much further along on my mid-year goals than I thought I would be… And, some of the things I thought would happen by year-end are not even on my radar any longer. It’s time to adjust! My weekly to-do’s have been coming along nicely, and I’m certainly getting things done, so I really have to examine if my to-do’s are in fact in line with my goals. It’s an interesting exercise. If I do A, B and C, will they really help get me closer to where I want to be in a year? Or, should I try A, D, and F instead? Do things actually need to add up to what I had originally expected? Or, are my daily activities leading me down a different path? And, is that a path I could pursue?

I’m giving myself a performance evaluation. It’s been eye-opening so far, and also somewhat cathartic. I highly recommend you give it a try. There’s no better time than today.

“The human story does not always unfold like a mathematical calculation on the principle that two and two make four. Sometimes in life they make five or minus three; and sometimes the blackboard topples down in the middle of the sum and leaves the class in disorder and the pedagogue with a black eye.” ~~Winston Churchill~~

Attitude: A Reflection in the Mirror

“Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different.” ~~Katherine Mansfield~~

I attended a fantastic networking event last night, and spoke with some incredible people. Some I had “known” for several years, even spoken with by phone, but had never actually met, and others I wished I’d met earlier and am grateful to have met now. I also had the opportunity to catch up with people I know quite well, and that’s always a great thing. As a connector* I really enjoy meeting people in general, but there was something in the air last night. Everybody was happy to be there! Everybody had a great, positive attitude. Everybody was asking how they could help someone else and not at all thinking about who was going to help them (at least not outwardly!) The energy in the room was nothing short of spectacular. More than one person said something about the importance of having fun. More than one person believed that anything was possible if you just put your mind to it. More than one person commented on the effects of maintaining a positive attitude. More than one person talked about how critical they felt it was to align your passion with your work. More than one person talked about feeling good about what you do so you can look yourself in the eye in the morning and know you’re going to have a great day. I was reminded how empowering it is to surround yourself with positive people. I felt invigorated; like I was on top of the world. And, I know my own positive energy and focus just added to the mix.

I pass that on to you today. Stay positive. Surround yourself with positive people and positive influences. Believe that anything is possible. Believe that you can do it.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~Winston Churchill


*A quick note to say that this event was the same event, now held monthly, where I discovered that I was a connector, referenced here: http://hireeffect.blogspot.com/2010/12/goals_09.html

Focus: The Courage to Change

"Focus your energy on greatness." ~~David DeNotaris~~

“The power to change comes from your courage within.” ~~Karen Hinds~~


More from the Women in Business Summit as inspired by Karen Hinds*

Karen, when talking about having the courage to change, shared an interesting perspective. When you’re young, you find that risks are easy to take. Your focus is all on what the benefits are in taking that risk. You think about how good it’s going to feel or how much fun you’re going to have. You don’t think about the consequences. You’re only focused on what you’re going to get; not at all focused on what you might lose…

Then the thing we call sensibility sets in. Call it maturity. Call it “growing up”. We find that we’re only focused on the responsibilities we have, and the consequences we might face if we take that risk. We become almost solely focused on what we might lose. The risk might be the same, but we choose to focus on losing. According to Karen, “It’s all in how you frame it.”

Today, I choose to focus on what I’m going to get. I have the courage to change. I have the will to sustain the change. I have a plan. I’m committed to executing that plan. And, I’m putting that negative focus on ICE! (Reference to yesterday’s post: http://hireeffect.blogspot.com/2011/03/preparation-power-to-change.html)

Affirmations from Karen: I am not going back. I’m moving ahead. Change is good.


*The WIB Summit is organized by Kisha Samuels, the founder of Events of Joy (http://eventsofjoy.com) and you can find more information about WIB here: http://www.wibsummit.com Keynote speaker: Karen Hinds, Founder and CEO of Workplace Success Group, LLC. http://www.workplacesuccess.com

Preparation: The Power to Change

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ~~Victor Frankl~~

“It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.” ~~W. Edwards Deming~~

I attended the 6th annual Women in Business Summit* this weekend. It was an incredible gathering of professional women, some entrepreneurs and some corporate, and a great opportunity to network and learn. The keynote speaker, in a rather synchronistic turn of events, was not the scheduled speaker, but instead Karen Hinds, Founder and CEO of Workplace Success Group, LLC. http://www.workplacesuccess.com.

The theme for the event, and therefore the topic of the keynote was The Power to Change. I found Karen’s presentation exhilarating, and want to share with you some of the take-a-ways from my perspective.

You need a plan. If you’re going to change you need to actually prepare for that change. You don’t (can’t) change until you’re ready to adopt that change, internalize it, and make it your new reality. Change isn’t real unless it’s sustained. And, you can’t sustain a change until you are ready and prepared to do so…

Karen gave us an acronym, which as the mother of an almost 5 year old boy, I thought was nothing less than brilliant. You need to ICE it.

1. Identify the thing that you want to change
2. Commit to actually changing it
3. Execute the change

We know, and see it all the time, that life’s lessons are repeated until they’re learned. (You may recall my balance issue or my clearing the clutter episodes…)

What lesson are you still trying to learn? And are you prepared to sustain the change?


*The WIB Summit is organized by Kisha Samuels, the founder of Events of Joy (http://eventsofjoy.com) and you can find more information about WIB here: http://www.wibsummit.com

You can follow Kisha on Twitter @WIBSummit and Karen Hinds @worksuccess. Tell them @HireEffect sent you…

Motivation: Finding Your Balance

“Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance." ~~Brian Tracy~~

It makes sense; when you feel balanced, you feel in control. When you lose your balance, you feel out of control. I watched my almost 5 year old on a balance beam last night when I picked him up from daycare. It was cute. He was so proud to be able to walk the beam, arms outstretched, without falling. One of his friends was even able to walk backwards on the beam without as much as a wobble. That balance is hard to find. There are certainly external activities that can help you gain that balance when you feel off center… E.F.T., yoga, meditation, relaxation, affirmations… all things I write about a lot, but sometimes forget to practice. I am looking for balance again. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and a little out of control this week. I discovered yesterday, with the help of my accountability group, that it was really time to regain balance and control. Watching my son on that balance beam helped me see how important that balance really is. I don’t want to fall. I don’t even want to wobble. So today I practice what I preach. E.F.T. (tapping) this morning, music on now, blogging before working to put that balance out to the world, and affirmations coming soon.

What will you practice today to help you find your balance?

Attitude: Lessons From My Kitten

“I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed: and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail and keep trying.” ~~Tom Hopkins~~

Do you have pets? How about children? I think we could all learn something from them… Have you ever noticed how many times they will attempt something before giving up? It’s almost unbelievable.

We got kittens in January. The scenario goes something like this: He jumps up on the counter. I put him down. He jumps up on the counter. I put him down. He jumps up on the counter. I put him down. He follows me in to my office. He jumps up on my desk. I put him down. He jumps up on my desk. I put him down. He jumps up on my desk. I put him down. He goes to lie down on his cat bed next to my desk. It’s comical, but think about it. If we all had the perseverance of a kitten, we’d all be exactly where we want to be in our lives. Because believe me… as soon as I walk out of the room, that kitten is on my desk! Determination, persistence, and a positive attitude… a winning combination! Know you can, and you will.

Another thing I think we could all learn from our pets and/or our kids: it’s all about playing; everything’s a game, so you may as well have some fun.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” ~~Calvin Coolidge

Focus: Acting As If

“He who finds Fortune on his side should go briskly ahead, for she is wont to favor the bold.” ~~Baltasar Gracian~~

Boldness, I’ve been told recently, is actually a rare trait. I was also told that it typically disguises insecurity. That may be true, but even if it is, does it matter? If being bold helps you succeed, then I say, fake it ‘til you make it if you must. If to find your fortune you must focus your thoughts and efforts on “acting as if”, then do so. If you need to perform a little more like a confident, successful business person, then I think that’s great. Practice makes perfect. Isn’t that what we tell our kids? Perform away… nobody knows but you that you’re out of your comfort zone.

“There is no strong performance without a little fanaticism in the performer.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Motivation: Know You Can! (many quotes today!)

"The barrier between success is not something which exists in the real world; it is composed purely and simply of doubts about ability." ~~Franklin D. Roosevelt~~

“I am not a has-been. I’m a will-be.” ~~Lauren Bacall~~

“The will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do.” ~~James Allen~~

When you believe you can, you can. When you think you can, maybe you can. Know you can… and you will! You are what you believe you are, and it doesn’t much matter what anyone else thinks.

“When you have decided what you believe, what you feel must be done, have the courage to stand alone and be counted.” ~~Eleanor Roosevelt

Goals: Maybe you should dread success

“I dread success. To have succeeded is to have finished one's business on earth, like the male spider, who is killed by the female the moment he has succeeded in his courtship. I like a state of continual becoming with a goal in front and not behind” ~~George Bernard Shaw~~

Things that make you go, “hmmmmm”…. I don’t think I’d say I dread success, but I certainly agree that success is not the end, and in fact, only the beginning of the rest of the journey. Goals get adjusted. Sights get set even higher. Dreams get dreamier. The more you achieve the more you know you can achieve. It’s a fantastic adventure and one that doesn’t end until, well, until you end. And, since I’m definitely NOT a male spider, I’m continuing my path to success… however I define that today.

Attitude: Time to shout from the rooftop!

“To have a thing is little, if you're not allowed to show it, to know a thing, is nothing unless others know you know it.” ~~Charles Neaves~~

My next quote should be “everything in moderation”, but the point is that it’s OK, and in fact often necessary for you to put yourself out there and strut your stuff. If nobody knows you can do it, nobody will ask you to…

I’m not suggesting that you go around bragging about every accomplishment, and I still think that often it’s more important to listen than it is to speak, but sometimes it’s time to let others know what you know.

I was at a networking event last night and I observed some great conversation. I also observed (and participated in) some missed opportunity. While some (me included) had a tendency to talk too much… others said nothing at all, even when given the chance to shine. I think, at least in some cases it was a function of a lack of confidence. If you want to get noticed, recognized for the things you have done and therefore the things you can do, you have to make a conscious decision to be proud of yourself. You have to choose to be comfortable in your own skin. You have to choose to have a positive attitude and a firm belief that you are capable of so much more. And you have to let people know about it.

Sometimes it’s OK to shout from the rooftop!

Focus: A Path of Discovery

“To the question of your life you are the answer, and to the problems of your life you are the solution.” ~~Joe Cordare~~

Focusing on the negative in our lives is not useful. We know that. Focusing on the solutions to the challenges in our lives is not always easy, especially when we’re not sure what the solutions are. And, discovering the solutions may be a long process…

I was inspired by someone along that path of discovery yesterday… He’s looking for a new opportunity, but hasn’t had to look in a very long time. Knowing the landscape is a bit different than the last time he was looking, he felt lost. Taking the adage that you can’t know how to get there if you don’t know where you’re going into account, he felt even more confused. What he told me he started doing and the reason for his call to me is more than worth sharing.

Intuitively, he did a sort of self-assessment. He took some quiet time and really thought about the things that he was good at. Then he took some more time and thought about the things that he enjoyed doing. And then he looked at where those two lists “met” on the paper. He took the short list and talked about it with his wife and a few friends, and got some external validation about his new proposed path. Then he reached out to me to help him turn that path into an action plan.

I, of course, asked him if he had read Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi the book I wrote about on Monday 3/7, http://hireeffect.blogspot.com/2011/03/preparation-its-just-necessary.html and he had not. I suggested it to him, and told him about the internal review; a self-assessment to figure out where your passion and abilities intersect. I told him that he should be very proud of himself for taking that step, and told him I would happily help him gain focus around the solutions he had just created for himself.

It was so great to have a conversation with someone who, without complaining about his lot in life, was taking action. I found this inspirational. I hope you do too.

“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” ~Henry David Thoreau

Preparation: Making Room

The Lorax: "They say I'm old-fashioned, and live in the past, but sometimes I think progress progresses too fast!"

Do you have multiple, uncompleted projects? Do you have a list of “to-do’s” that are
half-way-there; a bunch of stuff you’ve started, but not actually finished? I do right now, and I don’t like it. I feel a bit “all over the map” when I get too many of these going. I man multi-tasking is one thing, but really? I feel like I’m out of control!

I know for me, that when I recognize something in my work life, I can also typically find it showing up in my personal life. This was true here as well. So, in preparation for completing much of the “almost done” in my business, I decided yesterday to get stuff done at home. What a day! I did laundry, mailed a few cards to people (just because) that I had bought kind of a long time ago and always *meant* to send, finished some work for the Brookfield Education Foundation*, spent some time prepping the yard for Spring, and finished up some other household tasks that just never made it to the *high-priority* list. It felt great! All the while, mostly because I chose not to make this a “chore” so we were all in really great moods, we also had a ton of fun. We had our son outside doing yard work with us, and pretended that we were working with the Lorax** and speaking for the trees as we cut strangling vines down. It was a great day! And, although I spent my Sunday “working”, by the time I sat down and really was able to fully relax, I realized I *was* relaxed… due in part, I’m sure, to getting so much done!

I know that by getting things done on the personal side, I have made room for completion everywhere else, and I am so looking forward to reaping the results! What can you make room for?

*The mission of the Brookfield Education Foundation (BEF) is to marshal and provide resources for lifelong learning by Brookfield residents of all ages. For more information or to offer your support, please visit http://brookfieldeducationfoundation.org/.

** Per Wikipedia: The Lorax is a children's book, written by Dr. Seuss and first published in 1971. It chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lorax

Motivation: Today is the day

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.” ~~Alan Alda~~

Be proud of who you are, and honor who you believe you will become. Trust your instincts and let them guide you down the path of discovery. Do what you do with all your heart, and know that anything is possible. Rely on your network, get input from your friends and family, build your support system, and let them help you. Believe in yourself. Today is the day.

Goals: Taking a Detour

“Establishing goals is all right if you don't let them deprive you of interesting detours.” ~~Doug Larson~~

I obviously believe in the power and necessity of goal setting. That’s not news. But I also have recently (read: yesterday - Thanks to Stephanie Dalfonzo!) agreed to free myself of the guilt associated with not accomplishing everything on my list.

Here’s the general scenario: I’d set a goal, something unplanned came up, and I’d feel guilty for not achieving the goal. Sound familiar? Apparently, I’m not alone in this scenario. Life happens. But it didn’t seem to matter if the unplanned thing was really, really positive and helped me to be successful in some other way; I still felt like I failed in some way. Now, I am specifically referring to shorter term goals here, not my 10-year plan, but that actually made it even harder, because it was happening a lot… I’d plan to get something done, would have to take a detour which often actually led to an even better place, and while I was thrilled about it, I’d still feel overwhelmed and sometimes downright rotten for not getting everything accomplished. Today, I continue my quest for personal freedom from guilt and will allow room for interesting detours. Are you in?

For more information on Stephanie Dalfonzo, visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniedalfonzo or http://stephaniedalfonzo.com/

Attitude: An Invincible Summer

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” ~Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays~

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~Winston Churchill

Affirmations help. Believing what you say is a huge step. I know I can. I know I’m capable. I know it’s possible. I know I will. I’m off to find my summer. Are you coming with me?

Focus: The Organization Correlation

“Whenever your mind is totally absorbed in whatever activities you are performing, your mind will remain calm and content.” ~~Chin-Ning Chu~~

Being able to focus, actually minimizing or ignoring distractions, and seeing something through to completion, is a valuable ability. Whether you’re researching, writing, or even talking with someone, that ability to be present and be fully engrossed by the task at hand is a skill. Is there a direct correlation between that kind of intentional focus and being organized?

When presenting social media tools to be used for job search, the number one complaint I hear is that there is too much noise online. People state that they get too many emails, there’s too much activity on LinkedIn and it takes too long to read through it all to determine what is valuable. There are too many people on Twitter still telling the world that they’re eating breakfast or walking their dog. And, don’t even get them started on Facebook. They’re so surprised when I show them how to turn off the email that floods their “real” inbox from LinkedIn, how to manage the content that shows up on their homepage, how to create Twitter lists and use an application like Hootsuite** to manage what they see… It’s pretty eye-opening. They CAN actually focus on what’s important to them by simply getting organized.

If I take that a step further and I think about the “clearing the clutter” phase I just went through, I realize that I too can stay more focused when I am organized. There are fewer physical distractions, fewer “other” things to do, when my workspace is clear and things are put away. This may seem like “common sense” to you, but it’s not something I’ve ever really thought about… What is the correlation between organization and focus? Does it work that way for you too?

**To sign up for Hootsuite (FREE!!!!) click here: http://hootsuite.com/p_4061

Preparation: It's just necessary!

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." ~G.B. Shaw, Mrs. Warren's Profession, 1893~~


I’m re-reading Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi (with Tahl Raz). It’s a fantastic book in which tips and tactics on building a great network abound. I’m at the part in Chapter Three about conducting an internal review; a self-assessment to figure out where your passion and abilities intersect. It’s an exciting preparation for goal setting and I’m really looking forward to the journey.

Preparation comes in many forms…It’s not always pleasant, and it’s not always easy, but it’s always helpful. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying that it’s always necessary. We may not understand it. We may not like it. We may not want to do it. But when we do, and we’re prepared for anything and everything, there’s no stopping us!

What are some ways you prepare?

Motivation: Are you an egg?

“Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold - but so does a hard-boiled egg.” ~~Author Unknown~~

What do I intend to do today? That’s a very different question, I think, than what *will* I do today? Intentions are important, and they certainly guide me through planning, but what really matters is the action I take. Intending to take action doesn’t cut it. Get up! Get moving! Get Going! Get It Done! The energy I get from taking action is incredibly motivating and drives me to do even more. So, yes, I am motivated by my intentions, but they can also be de-motivating… One of the things I’m learning through participation in my accountability group is that I over-plan my day. I *intend* to do too much, and when I don’t get it done, I feel like I’ve let myself down. My new intention then, is to be more realistic in knowing what I can accomplish in a day, or in a week. We’ll see how that works out… Either way, I am taking action, both in getting things done today, and in adjusting my behavior! Do your actions match your intentions?

Goals: Beyond the Vision

“We are limited, not by our abilities, but by our vision.” ~~Author Unknown~~

Vision; it’s an interesting concept. I had a great conversation yesterday about the importance of corporate vision and I began to ponder the definition of the word. Vision can refer to sight, as in what you actually see. It can refer to perception, another topic that was discussed in depth yesterday. It can refer to something more metaphysical or spiritual, as in “I had a vision.” It can refer to something amazing, as in “What a vision!” And of course, it can refer to a corporate vision which is a statement about what an organization intends to become. (Intention just may be the topic of my next post!)

What I was pondering was the common thread, or really my bizarre train of thought, in all of these definitions of vision. I “see” things based on my experience and my perception. I may not even notice things that are outside my frame of reference. My perceptions define my reality. My perceptions will also undoubtedly be the framework for any visions of the future I may have, and I would certainly hope that these visions would be of something amazing. And wouldn’t I want my corporate vision and intention of the future of my business to be equally as amazing? Of course I would! But following the above logic (if you can call it that), my visions for my business would be limited by my previous experience and any preconceived perceptions… Hmmmm…

How can I stretch beyond my experience? How can I create a vision for myself that is not limited to what I already know? And then it came to me! Goals! When I set my long term goals high enough, I am destined to stretch beyond my comfort zone to achieve them. My vision, my experience, my perceptions and my intentions, mixed with excellent follow up, focus and determination will absolutely get me there!

Attitude: It's All in the Salt

“The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” ~~Author Unknown~~

Have you heard about Himalayan rock salt lamps? When seeking out the perfect birthday present for my cousin recently, I encountered them for the first time. Upon looking them up online, here’s what I read:

“Science offers a solid basis for the unanimous claims by lamp owners around the world about the positive effects which salt lamps and salt crystal bring to us through soothing light and color, the cleansing effect it provides for indoor air, and with powerful negative ions which have been studied enough to be known as beneficial, in a myriad of ways.” (http://bit.ly/eo8Ff0)

Of course, the pitch goes on and describes all the benefits, which are not exactly the point of this, so I won’t write them all here – feel free to check the link to a vendor selling these lamps, above. What the point IS, is the conversation that ensued… and I shall leave with whom I had the conversation out to protect the innocent…

Her: “Does it work?”
Me: “I choose to believe that it works. Does it matter?”
Her: “Yes.”
Me: “Why? If you believe that it works, isn’t that enough? If you believe that you will feel better, that the negative energy around you will be absorbed; if you trust in the renowned therapeutic effects, won’t you feel better? Is ‘psychosomatic’ really a ‘bad’ thing?”

Hmmm…

From Wikipedia:

Psychosomatic medicine is an interdisciplinary medical field studying the relationships of social, psychological, and behavioral factors on bodily processes and well-being in humans and animals. The influence that the mind has over physical processes — including (and I choose to read, “but not limited to”) the manifestations of physical disabilities that are based on intellectual infirmities, rather than actual injuries or physical limitations — is manifested in treatment by phrases such as the power of suggestion, the use of "positive thinking" and concepts like "mind over matter".

Hmmm….

I think I’m going to buy a few lamps…

Focus: Clarity and Direction

"Clarity affords focus." ~~Thomas Leonard ~~

Have you ever noticed that when you’re introduced to something you had never noticed before, that you notice it all the time? (If not, you will now! ) In all seriousness… it happens to me a lot. I’ll not have ever heard of something, and then I’ll hear it referenced five or six times in relatively rapid succession. Or, I’ll never have seen something, and then all of a sudden it’s all around me… I feel like it’s a message. I choose to believe that when this happens, it’s happening for a reason, and it’s something I need to pay attention to. Well, the thing that has been coming up a lot for me lately is “clarity”. I wrote recently about clearing the clutter. A number of people told me I was making room for new things (figuratively speaking, of course… who needs more clutter???) And a surprisingly large number of people told me that I was “clearing” to get ready for “clarity”; to be completely clear on where I was going, why I was going there, and possibly even more importantly, on how I was going to get there. “Clarity”, as a term, was not one I had used often, and was not one I frankly had heard often until recently. Very shortly after my clearing clutter conversations, a colleague was talking to me about how they really needed clarity, and how they needed to understand on which direction they should focus. That felt familiar to me. I’ve been saying for no less than two years that I really needed to understand more about who my target audience was and how to market to them. The very next day a client was asking me about how to get clarity (and used the word!) in their job search and again, figure out who to target as a prospective employer. I found myself coaching around clarity. And I found I was pretty right on… It was kind of ironic... I was right back to my “physician, heal thyself” post. So I did. Thanks in part to my amazing accountability group, and thanks in part to a few other great listeners and advisors, I feel like I really got clarity. I have a renewed focus. I even redrafted my LinkedIn profile! (Check it out here: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferscott) It was quite the accomplishment, and I feel really good about it! Then yesterday I had yet another conversation on getting clear on direction. This time it was with another entrepreneur who was working on choosing a line of business on which to direct her focus first… It could have been me talking. This time I could really give some great, step-by-step tips on getting clarity. And, I am so happy that I chose to focus on that! I am committed to listening to what the Universe is telling me. When these things come up, I will pay attention to them. I know I have lessons to learn, and I am once again excited by the possibilities!