Saturday, February 20, 2010

Do you know who you are?

Hi Everyone,

I just read this and wanted to share it with you....



"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am." President Obama.

Bye for now


Gina

Amazing Opportunities in 2010 - Sir Richard Branson

Hi Everyone,

I am leaving for a business trip to Ghana tomorrow. Several meetings have been arranged. I am also attending the 2010 Opportunities Conference http://www.modernghana.com/news2/261204/1/opportunities-2010-conference-the-big-conversation.html where Sir Richard Branson will be speaking! Sir Richard is one of my entrepreneurial role models!

It is the intention of our team going to Ghana, that we meet and talk to Sir Richard, in order to set up a further meeting with him to discuss some amazing business opportunities. So, I am really excited!

I met Sir Richard in 2006 and we had a quick chat. Meeting him was a great moment in my life, not just having the conversation with him, but it also was a real demonstration of what the power of the mind, passion, vision and unwavering belief can achieve!

The details of my journey to meeting and talking with Sir Richard is included in The Amazing Race to Entrepreneurial Freedom.

For those of you who have attended events where I have presented, you will know the story. For those of you who have not....get the book when it comes out! It is a great story!

Who are your role models? What do you admire about them? How are you using their journeys experiences to help you on yours?

Live YOUR Passion

Gina


Saturday, February 13, 2010

Let's All be Coffee

Hi Everyone,

How are you? I am currently working on a business proposal for a NGO to help them develop an operational plan. During my break, I read this and wanted to share it with you.

Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose..

Her mother took her to the kitchen.. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.
In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans . She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however.. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?
Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

What do you need to let go of to move yourself and your business forward? What do you have to change perspective, procrastination, environment in order for you to live a 'coffee' filled life?

What one small step can you take to move towards your Amazing Race to Entrepreneurial Freedom?

Live YOUR Passion

Gina

Friday, February 12, 2010

Take the Shot!

Hi Everyone,

How are you?

I just read this on Joesph McClendon's Facebook page and wanted to share it with you!

'Jay Calaghan says..."People don't fail because they aim to high and miss. They fail because they aim to low and hit." Even when you shoot for the stars, the worst that usually happens is you land in the trees. Having said all of that most people don't take the shot. Ready aim. ready aim, ready aim... TAKE THE FREAKIN SHOT'

What are you doing to take the SHOT?

Live YOUR Passion

Gina

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Opportunities

Hi Everyone,

I really enjoy listening to the BBC World Service on the radio while I driving around town, they have some really interesting interviews. (Growing up, I thought the BBC was boring... funny how perspective change!)

Last week there was a great interview with an American Billionaire called David Murdock, owner of Dole Foods. He has a really interesting story, I thought you might like to hear it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p005zl7n



Bye for now

Gina

Self Confidence

Hi Everyone,

I just read this and thought you would like it.

Tap into your self confidence (yes it is inside you - so stop looking outside of yourself)!

http://www.meditationsforwomen.com/meditations/?p=842

Bye for now

Gina

Are you Ready and Available?

Hi Everyone,

I hope you having or had an amazing weekend!

Today, I went to church for the christening of a dear friend's baby girl.
I must admit, I have not been to church in a while. I remember as a kid, I would not really pay attention to the sermon, but as an adult, when I do go to church, I make a point of really listening and there are some great messages!

Today the priest spoke about 'being ready and available' to do God's work. He said that once we open ourselves up and 'are ready and available' God's grace will help us on that journey. We will acquire what we need, when we need it.

I thought about this in the context of getting ready to start a business. Once you put aside our fear, tap into who you are, connect to your passion, you will be ready and available you we will equipped with what you need to succeed.

The priest when on to say, that when we are ready and available, all we need to say to get started is 'I am Here. The Lord sent me' I thought this was very powerful.

If you have a business idea, that you have been carrying around for a long time, what do you need to do, have in place to be READY and AVAILABLE and have the courage to say ' I AM HERE. THE LORD SENT ME?

I had written down at the beginning of this year during a seminar that I would write a book some day, but I did not really give it much thought. But it seems that I was READY and AVAILABLE, even before I knew I was. When I decided to write The Amazing Race to Entrepreneurial Freedom, it seemed like the most natural thing to do! It feel easy, I accepted the fact that I was ready and available, rather than questioning if I should or got!

Sooooooooooooooooo are you ready and available, if yes, what will you start? Don't fight the feeling, you know the time is now, for your AMAZING RACE TO ENTREPRENEURIAL FREEDOM!

Bye for Now

Gina

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Book Cover Unveiled


Hi Everyone,

How are you?

Well my first book The Amazing Race to Entrepreneurial Freedom is ready. It has been sent for publishing!

This has been a wonderful experience. I was unable to run the marathon physically, but completing this book was a marathon and I enjoyed every mile!

I have great supports from family, friends, editors, book designer, clients, business associates mentors and coaches.

The book will be available in April. I can't wait!!

I wanted to share the cover with you.

I will be making a few chapters available to you shortly.

When you align passion, purpose, vision and actions your dreams become a reality! The completion of my first book is a true demonstration of this.

Live YOUR Passion

Gina

Thursday, February 4, 2010

I had to share this

Hi Everyone,

I am sooooooooooooooooo excited. I am three minor changes away from sending my book The Amazing Race to Entrepreneurial Freedom off to the publishers!!

This is a great day! I can't stop smiling.

Just had to tell you!! I have been dancing around the room!

Bye for now

Gina

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Exciting Business Competition

Hi Everyone,

Do you know any young entrepreneurs? I had a meeting with a Caribbean Programme Coordinator for Young Americas Business Trust, who informed me about the entrepreneurs competition being run by their organisation - Deadline for part 1: 1 March 2010.

www.ticamericas.net

Bye for now

Gina

Income Streams

Hi Everyone,

How are you?

When you have a business or better still when you are designing the business consider creating different streams of income. One of the ways I am starting to generate additional income is through speaking events. I will be speaking about 'The Audacity of Passion' in April on a Cruise. http://www.findingdefinitions.com/momcruise

Once you have different streams of income you are diversifying and therefore not only increasing your potential income, but also spreading your risk, by not putting all your eggs in one basket.

Are you still dreaming about your business or your next business venture or have you started your preparation?

If you have congrats, if not, what is stopping you? What one thing can you do today, to move your business or new venture forward? It does not have to be a big step E.g put your thoughts down, make a call to find out some info, contact a potential client, work out your finances, create a list of your skills that will support the business or venture. One small step!

Bye for now

Gina