Funny thing, FAMILY

Related

Sometimes I wonder if I would 'hang out' with family members if we weren't related.  Kind of an odd thought and yet....I am not sure I would.  Course, I tend to be a loner, so....

Visits from Family

Each time I visit a family member or family comes to visit me, I get to know myself a little bit better.  The older I get ...the less I know about life and the more comfy I get in my own skin. At 45, I am finally able to let my guard down.  Not completely, however more than last year or even 6 months ago.

I have no BIG secrets.  No BIG dramas in my life.  I lead a pretty uncomplicated, simple life and am hopeful I am able to be an example of some sort of grace.  

I have always been one to keep those closest to me at a distance.  FEAR!  Fear they may find out who I really am.  That I am not who I say I am.  Fear that they will see my imperfections....all of them.  That they will find out, I am not the person that my ego likes me to believe at times.  A person who is bigger than life!  ...(I am laughing as I type this, see my ego lies sometimes).

LOVE

When I allow myself to be a member of the human race, no better than, no less than anyone, I am FREE!  I can be transparant.  I can allow others into my world.  I can love freely and unconditionally.  I can see others' imperfections and not judge and criticize them.  I can love myself imperfections and all.  

I am filled with gratitude that I get to have this experience in life.  I get to have relationships with family members that are healthy and they actually want to be around me today.  I get to travel to see family and they travel to see me.  

I get to be perfectly imperfect upon each visit and allow just a little more LOVE to shine in!  

~SUCCESS ~

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

--- inaccurately attributed to

 Ralph Waldo Emerson

Success...What does it mean to you?  Who inspires you?  Do you watch someone and think, how do they do what they do?  Do you feel amazingly upbeat when around a certain person?

Several years ago, I was taking a class and was given an assignment to go to three people that I thought were successful and ask them if I could do a 15-20 minute interview with them on SUCCESS in their life.

So, off I went on my mission.  This was a wonderful process.  We all have a perception of what success means to us.  To hear someone I admired share what success meant to them was very powerful.  None of these three people mentioned money as being part of their success.  They ALL mentioned listening to their heart and the key....following it.  Following their heart and not what others were saying, the nay sayers.  Finding their true calling in life.  Finding the deep down success within.  When they found this calling they were able to find success or a peace and contentment within.  This is when their life and changed for them.

Two of the people I interviewed were, Mariel Hemingway and her boyfriend, Bobby Williams.  I became connected to them because my husband's name is Bobby Williams, and an old friend lived next to Mariel growing up.  So, I asked them to be my friend on Facebook and they said yes.

It was such a wonderful interview we had.  I remember having their home numbers and cell phones as we tried to connect for two weeks.  Finally, we made the connection.  Bobby was on the phone yelling outside to Mariel, 'Mariel Tracy is on the phone!'  I was laughing!  The three of us talked for an hour.  They said most people would never have just asked to talk to them.  They are just people..no better than no less than.  We connected on many issues....mostly the connection to people in life and following your heart ALWAYS!

I encourage you to think about three people that Inspire you.  Three people who's lives seem to me amazing!  Reach out to them and ask them if they would have a discussion with you on their definition of SUCCESS!

Grow your Biz ~ Grow your LIFE!

Do you want your business to thrive?  Do you want your life to change and grow? It is EASY and CHEAP ~ and requires effort on your part.


It is an amazing thing to do,'CONNECT' with others!  I work with business owners all the time that tell me they are not extrovert like me.  Truth be told-I am not a true extrovert!  I am more of a home body-I dislike crowds and get exhausted when talking to others all day.  I have learned TOOLS needed to CONNECT and so can you!  If you decide down the road you HATE doing this-HIRE someone to be the Connector of your business.  However, you may find ways to CONNECT that work for you and your personality.


Your mission is to CONNECT to as many people through out the day as possible.  WHAT you ask, speak to others?!!! CRAZY talk you say! THREE ways to GROW!  Ready-set-GROW!!!


1.  Leave your phone in the car while running errands (I know you are IMPORTANT and need others to be able to reach you 24/7!!) When you don't have your little distraction device with you-you just may have an opportunity to say hello to someone! Imagine accidentally striking up a conversation with someone that turns out to be the Owner of a Company that would be a perfect client for your business!  Imagine accidentally meeting a neighbor that lives 2 doors down from you and finding out that your children attend the same soccer camp?  The words 'hello, how are you today' are so powerful. I used this line often 'you look so familiar, I am Tracy the owner of XXX, have you by chance used our services?'  May sound cheesy....guess what? It WORKS!  I meet more people this way (ask my husband)!


2. Ok..Social Media.  My passion and Business.  You get so tired of reading the negatives and the politics.  So....reach out to 4 people a day and 4 businesses a day.  This is the key.  Go to friends or new friends profiles and read what they are up to.  Then on their WALL ask them a question about their life.  You are guaranteed to get a response -I bet they start watching you.  I love the nay sayers!  I spend more time with them - speaking POSITIVE talk-being an example.  Whether they change or not, I always feel better being a positive example!


FOUR business Connections a day.  Go to your Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or any Social Media site.  Pick 4 businesses a day to ENGAGE with CONNECT with!  Promote that business on your page, ask that business a question, LIKE that business's posts, REtweet others OFTEN! Do the 4 friends and 4 business Connection for 30 days!  I guarantee you a LIFE CHANGING experience!


3. Reach out to your COMPETITION! Yup! Just do it!  LIKE their Social Media info!  Talk to them-ask how you may be able to help one another.  I dare you to try this one, as I know many of you will not!  This is powerful!!! There are many clients that will not fit my personality.  I want to have somewhere, someone I can refer them to, and I do! I have a whole pile of businesses that do exactly what I do COACH!  I keep in touch with many of these Coaches - I share their info on my Social sites, I email them, I watch them to make sure they are a good referral fit for me.  I even have 'Referral' fees in place.  Yes, you can get a percentage for referring people back and forth.  Hey you may even learn your competition is not really your direct competition.  They offer services that you do not...nor do you want to offer them.  This is a powerful tool! USE it!


I would love to hear from you in 30 days.  I would love to hear how your LIFE your BUSINESS has GROWN! Please share!  If you don't share with me-SHARE with someone!!!


Happy Growing!


Alaska Tracy here to Inspire and Teach you tools to GROW your LIFE!

Head Chatter

When Your Head is CRAZY Talking

What do you do?  Thoughts zooming by so fast you can barely keep up with them. Negative, positive, more than you can handle tasks.  Thought after thought, making you unfocused and drained.

Several things to DO to STOP the Chatter at once!

• Call someone you know is having a tough time ~ ask them how they are doing and listen to them
• Put on your running shoes and grab your dog ~ get outside!  Breath in nature, exhale out mindless chatter!  
• Some form of EXERCISE 
• Take a hot bath.
• Doodle with colored pens or pencils.  Doodle positive words, thoughts, pictures.
• Get OFF the computer for 20-45 minutes.
• Listen to fun upbeat music-dance and sing.
• Spend time with an animal...brushing, loving, walking....doing something with that critter.
• Write a GRATITUDE list! (Pen and Paper)
• Clean out the refrigerator.
• Read a FUN book.  Something that makes you smile and is uplifting.
• Clean your Closet -not your desk or office!
• GET away from your desk and your office for 20-45 minutes.
• Visit a neighbor or business near your office.  Ask them how they are doing.  Do not discuss your business.
• Take lunch to someone or a snack.
• Do Yoga or meditate.

Better?  

Self Chatter can limit your beliefs and be exhausting.  Use these tools often to 'clear your mind' and move forward with your day, your life!

Your Home's Soul

What feelings do you have when walking through your front door?

My perception growing up was to always look good on the outside-regardless of what is happening on the inside.


Like I said, this is only my perception.  Sometimes I feel my perception was not always the truth.   However....it is my feelings and I have learned to honor them and not always believe them.

As the years continue to pass, I realize more and more it is what is behind the door that really matters.  Many times I get angry at my husband as I feel we have too much clutter.  He always tells me 'if this is our biggest problem, we are blessed.'  That is the truth!

So...I am going to describe what lies behind our Red door today.  Funny, even as I type I am wanting to describe the outside....

Through our red door...you enter into a home that has been remodeled.  It is an 80s Alaska Split level.  That means the upstairs pretty much mirrors the downstairs.  2 bedrooms up and 2 down.  Tiny little entry way looking up and down stairs.

Three years ago, we knocked down walls and created an open living space upstairs.  From the entryway you can see the living, dining and kitchen areas offering a welcoming space.  Tile and hard wood go up the both stairs. Mismatched oak hardwood floors and warm yellow lighting on wrought iron is in these areas.  A tiled gas fireplace is in the living space and warms the whole upstairs. Silver sage paint with thick white trim is the theme. The upstairs bath is painted a Sea foam blue with white.  The master looks out catching a glimpse of the mountains.  Downstairs a warm shaggy carpet in an earthy tone about 3 shades lighter than this font is over the entire area. That is the 'look' of the home.

It really doesn't matter how it looks as to how it feels.  It feels warm and peaceful.  I know this because I feel it when walking thru the door....and others have told me when they have walked thru our door.  When I come home from a trip, a long day at work, or anywhere I feel a calmness upon entering.

We have created a space filled with love, laughter, contant singing and dancing.  We do not raise our voices or have knock down drag out arguments.  There is an occasional swear word that comes out, however mostly we do not speak that way.  We invite others in to our home often that may be in a tough patch of their lives.  Many time staying with us until they are back on their feet. Though we have never discussed this, my hope is to inspire them, fill them with peace, love and a full belly.  Give them hope!

I sell real estate and see many homes.  Some our empty, some still have people living in them.  Many times there is an odd feeling in the home.  It always amazes me. It is as if the home has a 'soul.'  I believe buyers sense the feelings as well.  I believe homes that were or are filled with love and peace sell faster.  The energy with inthe walls is amazing!

Are you happy with your home's 'soul?'  If not, what can you do to create a positive loving environment?

Stupid NO MORE!

Years ago, I knew I wanted to be a business owner, however I had always thought of myself as 'stupid.'  


When it came to academics, I struggled! I used creativity and a bubbly personality (which was often exhausting) to help me through challenging times like High School, College and Trade Schools.  When it came to learning out of a book or a class room I had all I could do to get by with a C.  Often times Ds and Fs were it for me.  I cheated and often leaned into friends and teachers that I thought could help me.   I felt 'less than' and hopeless.  


I was determined to go into business for myself.  I was unsure how or where to start the process.  A good friend suggested that I seek help from a Business Development Career Counselor, David Goodenough.   With a name like Goodenough,  I knew he was going to be helpful! 


Off I went to meet David at his office in Seattle, WA.  A miracle happened for me that day!  David did a few quick writing tests with me and said I probably have a learning disability, Dyslexia.  Growing up in the 70s and 80s this was not a common word, neither was learning disability.  I started crying.  


David told me of many others that share this disability including the late Albert Einstein.  I learned there are all different degrees of Dyslexia.  I could finally stop BEATING myself up and that there are people that can help me learn 'differently.'   The CRAZY self chatter could stop! I could begin to share with others that too may struggle with a learning disability that there is Hope!  My Creative side could finally be embraced and unleashed!  I could finally stop being that EXTROVERT performer that was so exhausting.  I finally could honor who I really am!  It was a life changing experience for me!  I continued to see David for many years off and on and will forever be filled with Gratitude for the gift he gave me!


I did become a business owner owning and selling one and still the owner of the 2 other businesses.  I never sought out a school for  Dyslexia however I have thought of it and know how to find them.  I have a kind and loving partner in life that knows how my brain works and helps me tremendously.  He GOT IT one day while showing me a picture Tee shirt

I could not understand why he was showing me this...then he said 'what do you see'....I said I Love Dyslexia!  He said look again...I could not see what it said until he showed me.  He GOT IT!  So often times I ask him to explain an article or something that I read.  Directions are often difficult - which was interesting for my employees of a Mobile Dog Grooming Business.   

I ask for help often and do not take myself so serious often which creates much laughter!

3 Posting 'Oopsie's'

Think about your Audience before you post ~

I have never been know to hold back my thoughts or opinions..and often this has resulted in loss of friendships as well as other unpleasantries in life.  I like to think that in my mid 40s I have learned a few great lessons, although I am still no where's near perfect.  Darn it!!!!

As I continue to learn Social Media and teach to others, I observe many people often cringing when  reading a posting. As I small child my mother taught me 3 important rules of etiquete that I struggled all my life to follow!  However, I take them to heart in my Social Promoting.  

I will always have opinions, that is part of being human, however certain opinions and beliefs I share only with those closest to my life.  I have a LARGE demographic of potential and current clients and do not want to single out a particular group by my opinions.  I also am not in a career that I need to let the world know certain opinions I have, example;  I am not a politician or Religious leader.  I understand other people are in careers that behove them to let the world know their opinions and beliefs.   So as I post these 3 Oopsie's remember only you know your AUDIENCE!!! 

I keep all my own opinions and beliefs of:

*Religion

*Politics

*Money

.....to myself!  There have been many many MANY times I have wanted to interject my thoughts on one of these topics.  I have had to shut my computer down many nights to 'get away from making an oopsy posting!.'  I remain true to my business mission.  My opinions of these 3 topics have no place in my business.

You may not agree with my opinion on this,  and that is ok.  Again, we ALL get to have opinions!  That is the wonderful part of Social Media!  We all get to create our own Digital Foot Print...and for that I am grateful!

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