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Greetings Friend,
With the arrival of Spring and the birds singing,
flowers blooming, and new growth everywhere, it is
most appropriate that my new book Designing
Your Destiny: Achieving Personal and Professional
Success Through Upside Thinking is finally written, printed, and published. This guide to success is more amazing than I imagined, and I can't wait to share it with others. The official book launch, signing, and launch of my new program, "The Art of Being Extraordinary" will be held in the Fall as a fund/friendraiser for Alternatives to Domestic Violence. It will be an evening of celebration - of the book and the unlimited possibilities that lie before each of us. More details to come...(Because I know many of you are just as excited as I am and have been waiting for the release of this book as well, please click here to order!)
Last month, I wrote about being happy for the success
of others, and I often refer to what is known as the Pay
It Forward model. My monthly stories are meant to
challenge you and make you think. I do my best
to "walk my talk" and want to share an email I received
from one of my friends who blessed me with an
opportunity and used the Pay It Forward model:
"I was so grateful for your kind acknowledgment of
my contribution to your appearance in The Business
Press that I gave the $25 Target gift card that you gave
me to MY sister-in-law, who is now 8 months clean
and sober after more than 30 years as a meth addict.
She lives in a group home, and is slowly getting back
on her feet, has gainful employment and is doing the
best we have ever seen - she wanted to give her
brother what he wanted for his 47th birthday, but
couldn't really afford the Joop! Cologne...the gift card
allowed her to give her brother the gift she wanted to
give him! And, he, of course, was thrilled."
Throughout this month, I encourage you to find
opportunities to "pay it forward" and joyfully repay the
good deeds you've received by doing something good
for someone else. This is not an equal exchange or a
payment for kindness rendered. It is a chance to
freely give to someone else because you have been
blessed by others. Choose to do something you
wouldn't normally do for someone else. May the
kindness you share come back to you 100-fold!
All the best,
Lisa Marie Platske, President
Upside Thinking, Inc.
| Featured Business with an Upside Attitude |
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What's in a Vision?
"For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future. We
must not become the new puritans and reject our
society. We must address and master the future
together."
When I read this quote from Barbara Jordan, the first
African American Texas State Senator (1936-1996),
one word comes to mind. Legacy. Now you may want
to know what does this have to do with business?
Well, as a Marketing Professional, I am often asked
by clients to help them develop a marketing action
plan that starts with branding a logo. Many of these
clients are shocked when I tell them that they don't
need a logo. What they need is to identify and state
their vision.
Most business owners can define their products and
services pretty well. On the other hand, if you ask
them to share their leadership vision, you may or may
not get an answer. Business owners do not fully
understand why this is so important.
Take a look at my vision. It is to provide learning tools
for one million Women Business Owners to grow their
company so they can have more time to spend with
their family, be inspired to give 20% of their profits to
the charity of their choice, and to leave a legacy of
business success for future generations. My vision
drives every aspect of my business. The clients I work
with. The products and services I offer. Even
decisions I make about where and how I conduct
business. It's all driven by my vision. And at the end
of the day, the rewards I receive go far beyond the
profits I earn. That...is my legacy. That is how I
demonstrate an upside attitude!
Cynthia Frazier can be contacted at
ranchodiva@yahoo.com or visit her website at
www.energytourcafe.com
Do you know an upside thinker who is a successful
business professional? If you spot one when you are
out in the community, please let us know. We are
always looking for those that exhibit an upside thinker
attitude. Click here to
send us your suggestions or articles for consideration
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| Upside Quotation Station |
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"You must be the change you wish to see in the
world."
Mahatma Gandhi
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| Leadership Tales and Trivia Corner |
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If your feeling like a strong cup of coffee and a good
book, try Random Acts of Kindness
by Conari Press.
If you're in the mood for popcorn and a
movie, try Pay It Forward.
And, if you're feeling lucky, answer
our April
trivia
question! Who coined the moral philosophy
phrase "Pay It Forward"?
A prize will be awarded to the 1st person who
e-mails the correct answer to us!
2007 Trivia Winners Circle!
January - Mary Sharp, Cookie Lee Jewelry
February - Kevin J. Fleming, Center for Business
Excellence Program
March - Rayba Watson, Customs & Border Protection
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| Upside Offerings! |
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Is your company planning a conference or board
retreat in 2007-2008?
Contact Lisa Marie for one of her
amazing, motivational seminars.
You won't be disappointed!
Interested in learning about the benefits of
leadership
coaching?
Contact Lisa Marie today to find out about her
new "Circle of Success" group coaching plan!
Guaranteed results!
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| About Lisa Marie |
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As the President and Chief Excellence Officer of
Upside Thinking, Inc., Lisa Marie brings enthusiasm
and passion to
her work every day. Committed to transforming
organizations through individual development, Ms.
Platske believes lasting success in organizations
comes from recognizing that people have intrinsic
value and deserve respect, regardless of where they
are in the organizational chart. UTI's leadership
coaching and training programs teach individuals how
to develop their leadership ability, increase their
sphere of influence and strengthen their earning
potential.
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| In the News |
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In January, Lisa Marie was recognized for her
vision, creativity, and service to others by the
National Association of Female Executives (NAFE)
and presented with a Woman of Excellence award.
In addition Lisa Marie has recently been featured in
the San Bernardino Sun, Press Enterprise,
TheBizPress.com and the monthly NAWBO newsletter.
To read the TheBizPress.com article, click
here.
Check out more of Lisa Marie's articles at
ezineartilces.com.
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Every Moment Counts |
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The American Heritage Dictionary defines time as:
"A non-spatial continuum in which events occur in
apparently irreversible succession from the past
through the present to the future." The word
irreversible stands out as I read and re-read
this
definition, and I'd like to have you think about that -
what that word means.
The reality is that while most people can tell you what
time it is, they can't necessarily tell you what time is. I
suppose it is because the concept of time is a
paradox. And yet , we speak in minutes, hours, days,
and years, so what is it that we are measuring?
Regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, social status,
etc., etc., time is the same for everyone; we all get the
same days in a year, hours in a day, and minutes in
an hour.
It's rare to attend a business conference or work
retreat and not hear the words "Time Management"
mentioned. My last three requests from meeting
planners for future speaking engagements have been
for a portion of my leadership presentation to include
the management of time. Why? Because every
moment counts in life and some people know how to
make time work for them. Throughout my life, my
friends would often comment on how I was able to
accomplish so much during the week...work
assignments, household responsibilities, community
functions, family gatherings and much, much more. It
was as if they thought I had a magic formula or was
blessed with more time in my life rather than the ability
to manage and leverage what we all are given - 24
hours.
I do believe there are a few "secrets".
First, remember that whether you're at hard at work or
hard at play, you are producing something. Be aware
of what your product looks like to others.
Secondly, you are also exchanging a piece of your life
for something. The exchange can be likened to a
purchase. If this were Home Depot, Nordstrom's, or
your favorite store, would this be something that you
would freely buy with your last dollar? If it isn't, then
why are you investing your time in that particular
activity?
One of my clients was telling me about how every time
she volunteered for a particular organization, she felt
unappreciated. Why did she keep going back? She
believed in their mission and had deep a sense of
obligation. For some of us, the answer would've been
that we're hoping for the payoff in the future or we're in
a rut. Whatever the reason, remember your time is an
exchange and what you do becomes who you are.
Lastly, I'd like to go back to the word "irreversible". We
cannot plead, beg, borrow, or steal more time.
Irreversible means we can't change what has
happened in the past. While I do not believe that the
past determines your future, I do believe that thinking
about and understanding the consequences
of "irreversible" enable us to make better choices in
our lives.
Remember, time doesn't stand still for anyone. Make
every moment count!
Did you know?
In 2002, English writer Danny Wallace started the Join
Me movement. With over 12,000 members
or "Joinees" of the movement today, their purpose is
to perform random acts of kindness (RAoK).
Originally, the group which is sometimes referred to
as the Karma Army, performed these RAoK only on
Fridays but are now encouraged whenever the
opportunity presents itself.
The Free Hugs Campaign began in 2004 but was
widely publicized through You Tube in late 2006. This
Internet phenomenon involves individuals who offer
hugs to strangers in public settings. Holding a large
sign painted with the words, "FREE HUGS", the
campaign is an example of a random act of kindness,
not to get names, phone numbers, or dates!
Find out more....
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