A few nights ago, we watched “Mr. Magorium’s Magical Emporium” with Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman. It’s a fun and light family movie with a wonderful message. I won’t give away the plot or ending, however at one point in the movie, Dustin Hoffman (Mr. Magorium) smiled and said to Natalie ... Views: 2747
Yesterday, as I was on my way to pick up my kids from school, it occurred to me that I was feeling exhausted—I mean really tired. As I made a mental scan of my day, I realized that I had been in a “reactive” mode most of the day rather than a “proactive” mode. We do need to react to situations ... Views: 2020
Are you a woman who wants to have it all? Do you have a desire to experience your life and business on your own terms? I've certainly felt that way in the past, however I've come to realize that I have to choose what's most important to me right now in my life. I know that over time, my ... Views: 1803
One of the birthday “traditions” in our family is when a member gets to a certain age, they share one “pearl of wisdom” for each decade they have lived.
Today is my 50th birthday! The five decades behind me were all wonderful and as I reflect on each one of them, I can clearly see how each ... Views: 1634
Have you ever heard the phrase opposites attract? This can be true of my husband Greg and I when we go out for dinner together. I like fine dining with beautiful menus, fine wine and those heavy linen napkins. Greg prefers more casual dining where someone takes your order or you place your ... Views: 1519
My 7 year old daughter Jenna loves to play baseball. In fact, she loves it so much she’s willing to play in a league where over 90% of the players are boys. We are nearing the end of the season and playoffs begin in a few days. She’s struggled to keep up with the team, playing mostly in the ... Views: 1451
I have the good fortune to listen and learn from women all around the globe about their big ideas, dreams and goals and a common theme is women start businesses based on their values and a desire to make a difference in the world. The idea of giving back or helping others is exciting and it gets ... Views: 1343
A few weeks ago, I had surgery to remove one of my healthy kidneys in order to donate that kidney to my husband Greg, whose kidney was failing, so that he would enjoy a more vital, healthy life. On December 1, we both were admitted to UCLA Medical Center. Everything went well regarding the ... Views: 1332
This past weekend, I was sitting in the bleachers at our local park watching my children play little league baseball when I heard the weekly mantra from their coach as each child took their position at bat:
“Wait for the one that’s right for you!”
“Don’t swing at every pitch!”
“Good ... Views: 1306
Within the last week, I've had the opportunity to see the movie "Divergent" not once but twice due to the fact that the movie (and book) is all the rage with girls and my daughter is no exception. It's your typical good versus evil plot but the twist is a young woman named "Tris" who's ... Views: 1273
I recently attended a conference for women business owners and ran into a woman I had not seen for some time. She looked a little unhappy when I approached her. I asked her if everything was going well and she shared with me that she had just lost a big client. In fact, this big client was ... Views: 1263
I have the good fortune to spend meaningful time with a lot of smart women who keep me on track about what’s going on in women’s lives. One topic that resonates with many of these women (and with me) is the idea of busyness. This issue is of great interest in my Women’s Learning Circles. Not ... Views: 1253
One of the questions I’m frequently asked by women entrepreneurs is, “When I meet someone who is a potential referral source and/or ideal client, how do I mention my business without feeling pushy?” Great question! Being able to communicate your marketing message with confidence is key to ... Views: 1226
I was driving down Pacific Coast Highway at 4:30 in the afternoon just a few days before Christmas. My cell phone rang and it was the principal from my daughter's elementary school. My first thought? "Wow, this must be pretty serious if she's calling me during school winter break!" I answered ... Views: 1220
One morning last week, I was helping my 11 year-old son, Jack, get ready for a day of skiing during our family vacation. It was sunny, 55 degrees and gorgeous outside. I handed my son his face mask and he looked at me puzzled and said, "Mom, there is no way I'm going to need this today--have you ... Views: 1203
The other day, while standing in a very long line at my local coffee shop, I struck up a conversation with the woman behind me. We began chatting about everyday topics-the weather, the holiday rush, and then we stumbled on that dreaded topic of the moment-the economy. I asked her a question: ... Views: 1195
As I write this, I'm 690 miles from my office in Los Angeles. Actually, I'm in Park City, Utah enjoying a glass of Pinot and writing to you. I'm here on a family vacation getting some much needed rest and a modified digital detox.
One of the benefits I've experienced since leaving the office ... Views: 1190
This week I'm writing to you from my childhood home in Charleston, West Virginia where I'm caring for my aging parents who are health challenged at the moment. Today, I'm going to share my best tips for running a business when traveling. With all the new gadgets and apps available to ... Views: 1189
I'm in Park City, Utah on a family vacation having a wonderful time. Guess what? I initially didn't want to get away for a family vacation. I mean it's not that I didn't want to go to Park City. I love Park City. It is a peaceful, cozy town nestled between some magnificent mountains. It's not ... Views: 1180
Commitment. It’s a powerful word that conjures up a mix of emotions and can be a scary thought– especially in business. Being committed to something means you’re choosing not to be committed to something else – sounds simple, right? In essence, you’re pledging or engaging in a relationship to ... Views: 1161
One of the biggest challenges I see people struggle with is making decisions. There's this burning need inside of us to avoid making a mistake when it comes to choosing one over the other. They key is to know when a decision really matters ("should I marry this guy?") or is it a mere blip on the ... Views: 1153
Remember the Alice Cooper song, "School's Out"? The lyrics are running through my mind as I write this article. The last bell rang, the kids are running through the house at all hours of the day and their summer camps are spread all across town. My schedule has become a mere shadow of the nice, ... Views: 1152
Have you ever felt "stuck" when it comes to making decisions or stalled on a project that needs to move forward? It's an unsettling feeling that can prevent you from realizing your big ideas, dreams and goals. I'm working on my first book for Smart Women and recently, I've been feeling stuck on ... Views: 1145
When I travel, the first thing I do when I reach my destination is scope out the coffee situation. I’m an early morning gal and I enjoy a hot cup of strong black coffee when I wake up to greet the day. When we arrived in Park City for our family vacation, I noticed the coffee pot in the kitchen ... Views: 1139
Do you know what one of the most effective list building tools might be? Your email signature line. The area where you can add your name and other details below email messages is valuable marketing real estate that you can use to create awareness about your business and attract potential ... Views: 1136
Last week, I had the good fortune to speak to an amazing group of smart women at the Success Summit and Expo here in Los Angeles. As a speaker, you hope to present an idea or concept that will provide value to a group, although you never really know until you actually see how the audience reacts ... Views: 1134
There’s one slight shift you can make in your daily habits that could reap BIG rewards. In fact, this habit has been linked to better decision-making, creativity, health and even weight-loss. Do you know what it is? Sleep.
Making a commitment (experts say seven to eight hours is preferable) ... Views: 1128
At the end of each year, I take an inventory of my life and business to shine a light on what proved to be most effective.
Here are my top nine timely tips for women entrepreneurs who are ready to make a big leap in 2013:
1. Trust Your Instincts - It's essential that you hone your ... Views: 1120
At the end of each year, I take an inventory of my life and business to shine a light on what proved to be most effective for me.
Here are my top nine timely tips for women entrepreneurs who are ready to make a Big Leap in 2014:
1. Exercise Empathy - If you have a dream of making a ... Views: 1105
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend the day strategizing with a group of smart women entrepreneurs from different parts of the world. It was an energizing day focused on topics such as effective marketing, clear messaging to attract your ideal client, time management and money.
At one ... Views: 1104
My 8 year-old daughter Jenna never met a sport she couldn’t master - until last week. Whether it’s soccer, baseball, basketball or skateboarding, Jenna typically does well right away. Yesterday was a very different story.
We were in Park City, Utah on a family ski vacation and this was ... Views: 1097
By now, everyone knows that LeBron James, one of the world’s greatest basketball players, has left the Cleveland Cavaliers after 7 years. He’s finally made a decision to make the Miami Heat his new home where he will continue to exercise his passion, energy and talent for the game. LeBron took ... Views: 1089
Did you hear about “Carmageddon?” Several weeks ago, the 405 freeway (noted to be one of the busiest freeways in the nation) that runs through Los Angeles closed for a weekend period of 53 hours for repairs. This created a frenzy here in Los Angeles called “Carmageddon” which forced residents to ... Views: 1086
Remember Lucy Van Pelt in the comic strip Charlie Brown? I woke this morning thinking about one of her famous lines, “I told you so, you blockhead!” Lucy was known for setting up a psychiatric booth in the neighborhood offering advice to her friends for five cents per person. Clearly she caught ... Views: 1084
A few days each week I exercise with a few Smart Women in a park near my home that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It's a beautiful setting that lends itself to taking your mind off the muscle pain and exhaustion from the workout! We are surrounded by magnificent sycamore and oak trees that stand ... Views: 1077
The one question I get asked over and over from women entrepreneurs is, "How do you know what to delegate to an assistant?" I love this question because it tells me you realize that you can't (and shouldn't) try to do it all in your business and your ready to get the support you need.
Nearly ... Views: 1073
I was watching the holiday classic, "The Polar Express" with my children recently and in the movie, Tom Hanks, who plays the role of conductor, said to Billy as he exited the train, "It's not as important to know where the train is going as it is to make a decision to get on the train." Very ... Views: 1072
Conference season for women entrepreneurs is in full swing! Over the next few weeks, I’m attending multiple events as a keynote speaker, as well as an attendee. This time of year is perfect to get out of the office and connect with potential business resources and new clients. The key is to be ... Views: 1068
I'm sure you're aware of the old term, "spring cleaning"? Mother nature reminds us that before you add more to your life, it's always a good idea to let go of what no longer serves you. Like the leaves that fall from trees in autumn, room is made for the new growth that occurs every spring.
... Views: 1067
My favorite quote by Einstein is "Vision without execution is merely hallucination." The first time I read this I was surprised at the glaring truth to this simple statement. At the same time, I realized it's sometimes easier said than done.
Goal setting, New Year’s resolutions, dreams, and ... Views: 1067
A few days ago, I contacted a friend to ask for a referral recommendation for a big project I’m working on. My referral source responded quickly providing me with the information I needed. I was so excited to speak with this potential resource. I immediately and eagerly reached out by email. No ... Views: 1066
Women are the most creative beings on earth. You have inspiring ideas and daring dreams, however it can sometimes be a challenge to get the dreams out of your head and onto paper so you can design a plan to make it happen. Most likely, your “to-do” list is overflowing and your Big Idea hasn’t ... Views: 1064
I was feeling a bit out of sorts. My creative self felt like it was moving at a crawl and my decision-making at a snails pace. Something was off but I couldn't put my finger on it until I started to reflect over the last eight weeks. I had traveled two times in 30 days to the East Coast to see ... Views: 1060
I'm finding that many women entrepreneurs are reflecting on their year and a question that seems to be on the minds of many is: "What are tools and strategies I need for my business to take a big leap in the New Year?" As I reflect on this question, I realize the answer is two-fold. If you are ... Views: 1055
I have the opportunity to speak with scores of women around the globe about smart ways to grow a successful business. One of the best ways to grow your business and collapse your time frame is through joint ventures. A joint venture is where you and another business owner come together for an ... Views: 1054
A few days ago, my 7 year old daughter came home with what I thought was a challenging school project---designing and creating her own game from scratch. Jenna was stumped at first. She came up with a few ideas but then quickly gave up as she found some “glitches” in her plan. This got me ... Views: 1054
I struggled a bit this week on what I wanted to share with you. I place a high value on making sure I give you timely information that you can use right away to take your life and your business to the next level of fulfillment, happiness and success. On the one hand, I wanted to write about June ... Views: 1051
Recently, I attended a surprise 50th birthday party for a good friend from college. I had a fantastic time reconnecting with old friends and discovering new ones as well. One of the biggest Aha’s for me during the weekend festivities was the realization that most of my time is spent with ... Views: 1049
I was sitting in a park recently watching my children play with their grandparents and all at once I heard this deep, booming voice from a distance say, “You must make contact if you want to stay in the game.” I turned to my left and saw a coach working with a girl’s softball team – instructing ... Views: 1046
A few days ago, I was visiting my daughter’s second grade class and the teacher started a discussion about Martin Luther King and the importance of having dreams. The children’s ideas about dreams were interesting, “Being able to make your own decisions,” “Peace in the world, no war,” “Stop ... Views: 1046