Treat Others How You'd Like To Be Treated.

Today's tip: ACT RIGHT! OK that's the shortened version but it's this entire article summed up in that simple phrase. When you are working with others on a project with deadlines and pressures, it can be a challenge. When others are stressed, ill prepared or nervous it can cause tension and strife. Strife promotes anxiety which promotes bad attitudes, short tempers which promotes harsh words. I feel like singing the ankle bones connected to the knee bone the knee bones connected to the...... In any case, as a leader you must avoid the temptation to snap. It is so much easier to get people to corporate with you when you smile, speak calmly, take control of the situation without controlling people. So here are some tips:
Smile
Speak slowly and in a calm tone
Be patient ( you don't know what that person is dealing with at home or in their personal life so be patient)
Always speak respectfully.
Never cuss. ( I can't believe I even have to say this one but I experienced it recently)
If you cuss in front of your employees it shows a complete lack of self control and intelligence in my opinion.
Always be prepared. If you are in control and at ease others will be at ease with you.
Those are some tips for today. People will always be willing to work with you , if you are willing to work with them.

Preparing For a Great Year

Yesterday was a very busy day. I had scheduled professional speakers in 20 minute increments.  The day flew by and I never stopped from the time I arrived until days end.  There were some stress regarding the shoot, technical issues and such but all in all in was a wonderful day.  I am truly grateful to have such talented speakers.  Not only were they "on" performance wise but their attitudes were terrific as well.    In business there are so many choices in companies, products etc;. My philosophy is that life is too short to spend it with people who you don't enjoy.  Regardless of how talented someone is, or number of clients a business has, if they are not enjoyable to work with ...I take my business elsewhere.  If you are in any type of business ultimately you are in service.  When you are serving someone be kind, respectful, professional and prompt. Always remember this phrase I've heard  many times.   Your attitude determines your altitude. If you want to grow to new heights  both professionally and personally , be kind, it pays multiple dividends.

The Climate of Business is Changing

Many people are getting off the corporate ladder.The main reason? They get to the top only to find nothing there. No security , no benefits,  just air. What is the solution? When it comes to the future of small business the climate is definitely changing. The rise of sole proprietorship's and expansion of entrepreneurial education is soaring to new heights. Who are these entrepreneurs? Women, yours truly included, baby boomers, & my favorite term mompreneurs. Many women believe now more than ever we can have it all. The family, happy husbands, children and career, all simultaneously.

If you have a desire to start your own  business your timing is great! There are so many resources to help you.  Of course at Blueberry Baboon start ups is one of our specialties. We look forward to working with  you and get busy creating your dream job, you know the one where you work for yourself!

A Book That Inpired and Helped Me

I'm reading Loral Langemeier's Millionaire Maker, for the second time.  I could go on and on about this book, but I'll just say go to your local library and get it.  Better yet, buy your own copy. I believe you will be encouraged by her book.  She thinks differently than most, probably the reason behind her success.  Even if you don't feel comfortable with everything she suggests I'm sure you will come away with some great ideas.
Enjoy!

So You Want To Start A Business?

So here I am pictured with Chuck Schwab. How did I arrive in this photo with the owner and CEO of one of the largest investment companies in the world? The same way I arrived at every other place in my life, one step at a time. This photo was taken on a gig where I performed and sang for the anniversary of his elite golf club..The Stockton Club. This should never have happened....why? Well because for starters I really couldn't sing (when I was a girl ) just ask my mom. Off pitch and terrible. Secondly I was raised in a middle to low income section of Michigan...again doomed to fail by proxy of my environment. Lastly I'm a college drop out who traveled the road like a gypsy singing in rock bands. " Yes Lisa, but here you are singing at the Stockton Club next to Charles Schwab" ,......one step at a time.
I'm writing this article because as I look back over my long career in music I'm realizing that although not famous ( I laid that dream down for ministry) I've had and still do have, an amazing career in music. All this from a girl who couldn't really sing:) Funny I know. Of course I practiced ,performed in bands throughout the years and learned my craft.
I'm about to embark on a new project. As I do I'm realizing I have much of my Father in me. Not my earthly Father, but my heavenly Father. I often think back to the first day of creation as God stood gazing at the abyss and wonder..What would have happened if God looked at the darkness , instead of saying "light be" he said "Wow it's dark. Whew! What am I going to do. No one's ever done this before. Woah this is really scary !, I'm alone and there is nothing out there......hellooooooooooooo.....(nothing answers back) Jeesh nothing there. what am I gonna do , what will I do?" To me the visual of God trippin is pretty funny yet we're created in HIS image and we trip all the time. " I HAVE A DREAM," we say. Then we flip out when we see all that it takes to accomplish that dream. Present company included. So after studying the many facets of my new endeavor which by the way is designing my new line of children's couture clothes, I've come to a conclusion and here it is.
There are millions of ways to accomplish a single task. Each person has a completely different approach. You can ask 10 different people, you'll receive 10 different answers. Should I pay attention to what I read and learn from those who have blazed the trail before me? Absolutely. Should I follow there every move blindly like sheep? NO, NO, and again NO. I'm a sheep to one man and that's Jesus. That's it. I also have decided I want to be just like my Father. He is the maker of the whole Universes and everything in it. He is Unique. He is Creative. He has thoughts that come from heaven.......so I say "Me too!. Me too! Me too! :) That means He can show me and you whatever your dream may be a unique way and a path paved with wisdom from Heaven to help you achieve your goals. I'll end with this quick tale. I had a dirt bike years ago. I rode with people much more experienced than myself ( of course they had more experience I had none:) But because I didn't know you could end up flying in the air with your legs out behind you, and because I didn't know you couldn't take your bike straight up the hill that it would stall, and because I didn't know that you would slide halfway down a slate rock and slip on gravel.......well I tried things that quite frankly I was too naive to know I couldn't. So this is what I think...sometimes when you hear the naysayers noise and you can see all the obstacles that are standing between you and your dream...you begin to think, " I'll never...I'm not smart enough, I don't have enough money"...."they" say it has to be done like this.....BA LOGNA! Blaze your own trail! Of course learn what you can but sometimes ignorance is bliss. Have a "can do " attitude not a "can't do" attitude and remember this cute story. I've heard this before there are diverse theories surrounding this story but I love in anyway. They say aerodynamically it is physically impossible for the bumble bee to fly. But yet there he flutters flower after flower without even breaking a sweat. Perhaps someone forgot to tell the Bumble Bee he can't fly:) The morale of the story is clear, God is the Dream Giver and He made you. He put His life in you therefore you can make your dreams come true too. Anyone can say you can't. It takes strength and courage to look into the face of obstacles and say I can! Now go make your dream happen. Kick down , step on, move aside, , climb over , around , or through any obstacle that dares to block your way. YOU CAN DO IT!! AND ME TOO :)

Are You a Success if Your Life is a Mess?

There is a pattern that I follow in my own life. "What does it profit a man (or woman) if he gains the whole world yet looses his soul?" Many philosophers have said this statement many ways. No matter which way you spin the phrase it lands the same...it is possible to have everything yet nothing at the same time. If you have a business that is thriving and successful , yet your children don't recognize you when you come through the door...you are not a success. If you drive the most expensive sports cars and are the envy at the boys club yet you come home to a cold bed...again , that is not success.

I walked into a boutique store a while back while doing some research. I went in to learn about my studied topic yet instead spent my time listening to the owner and what he was going through. His wife had left him for another man and he was devastated. They had started this business together but through the pressures, anxieties, and expectations somehow lost their way. Here sat this man with a boutique, merchandise all around him yet his heart was as poor as it could be. I would encourage anyone in business keep your priorities straight. Don't be deceived into thinking "I'm making a better life for my children", "this is so my wife can buy what she wants". The best gift you can give your family is you. If you want to have a successful business than you must also have a strong personal life. Anything that goes on at home or in your heart will transcend into business. So be prosperous, have an amazing business, great deals but don't forget make sure your rich in your personal life as well.