This weekend I hosted six clients at an MGI brand shoot. Though MGI is known for creative, out-of-the-box authentic shoots, FUN was also at the top of my list. And we definitely had plenty of that. True success. Between music, laughs and many hilarious bloopers, we all made happiness our business!

Each of my client's brought their A-game which of course only helped the results, as you can see below! Be sure to stay tuned as MGI is coming out with a program to help you get AH-MAZING results with your brand photos; photos that tell a story and that have people leaning in for more…to learn more about you, your genius, talent and offerings.

Here's a tip: working with a brand expert AND photographer that really understands branding is key. It's one thing getting beautiful photos of yourself and another entirely when you can tell a story…when you can tell a story with your brand and your photography, everything changes.

Last weekend, I also had my own shoot and I will share one of those shots with you below as well. There is a lot NEW coming up for MGI that I'll be very excited to share. After the photography program, I also have a program coming out for moms in business for themselves ~ be on the lookout for that as well.

You'll also be seeing even more of my crazy antic-filled shots as I share them in the coming weeks and months!

Here are just a few of my clients' shots:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bottom line is this…if you play it right, your photo shoots (and really, your branding or re-brand) don't have to be nerve-wracking. If anything, the process and that which is produced can make you feel uber comfortable in your own skin; make you feel playful.

That's what creating an authentic life and brand are all about and success to me is knowing my client's feel and felt that way.

To end, here's a shot showing how I ended my own personal shoot…at the beach in a fancy (and very bright) dress. Again, stay tuned for more!

Thank you to my amazing photographer
Hillary Newbery of Sun Valley, Idaho!

Enjoy your business, enjoy your life, ladies!

Life is good,

I am often asked by clients and friends how I get “it” all done. Today, I was inspired to share a little bit of my recent life and business happenings with you so that I could also share part of the answer too. The hope? –>That it inspires you to get after the “I want more” tug I know you're feeling in your life!
 
I’m going to tell you what I have going (it will help illustrate my point) and then share three (3) passionate productivity tips with you (psst, soar).
 
First, if you follow me on facebook (or live in Europe and have received one of my newsletters recently), you’ve seen me talking around the brand tour I’m on. I’m very happy to be continuing to flow, city to city. I’m actually headed across the pond soon to host stops #6 and 7 of the Branding Tour to Brand You in Amsterdam and Europe in June (www.mgibrandtour.com).
 
It seems apropos that I celebrate 12 years in business ~ six of those living abroad with my baby and my business ~ with a 12-city tour. This is just one of the things I'm jazzed about lately.
 
That said, pop the bubbly.

But, beyond that, there’s more happening too…

There's more to what my life as a mom, sister journeying through the grief of losing a beloved brother unexpectedly and of a business woman has brought me. Here's a look at what Michelle Ghilotti and MGI have had going on lately:
 
• Leading 45+ ladies in my Brand to Success program (ends May 30^th!).
• Meeting with a healer every week (if you’re interested in reading more around my healing journey, head to my personal facebook page "Michelle Ghilotti Mandel").
• About to start leading the Success Mastermind group of ladies in June.
• Never missing a yoga class (also good for healing).
• Working privately with clients every week (good for healing because I help others "heal").
• Working out with my husband five days a week (good for healing).
• Completing the How to Be a Walking Momtra book proposal (ready to send
to agents by mid July before my guys and I leave to celebrate my 40^th birthday and renew our vows in Machu Picchu).
• Hiring another team member which will make four.
• Planning to launched my Photography to Success program July 1^st.
• Planning a new mom-inspired program that will launch in a few months (stay tuned, mamas.)
• Visiting my parents more since the loss of my 22 year old brother (you guessed it, also extremely healing).
• Shooting videos for the mom-inspired program end of July (note to self: must begin writing the theme/story arc and scripts for those four videos while on the flight to London and Amsterdam.)
• Daily tickling of Nolan, my eight year old son (VERY healing).
• Brainstorming with a well-known yoga teacher in the US around a yoga + brand experience (to launch Fall 2014). If you're a yoga teacher and want to grow your business, stay tuned!
• Going on field trips and volunteering at school (healing + fun…I never miss a trip or a volunteering opportunity so I can be with my son, Nolan, which, at this point, he still really enjoys ;-)).
• Finalizing a studio photo shoot for eight clients coming up here on May 30^th.
• Making time for sisterhood and friends; tomorrow night is my next dinner with a couple entrepreneurial friends (this is also very healing).
• Finalizing the props for my new outdoor shoot on May 31^st .
• And, the most recent addition to the fun…flushing out a TV pitch for an August AM Northwest TV appearance. I just received the email yesterday that they're interested. Exciting stuff.
 
Now, I share this list with you to say one thing: we ALL have a lot on our entrepreneurial plates but is it the right stuff? And, let me challenge us a little and also say…you can fit more in. But it's not what you think. I don't mean add more quantity, I mean work to add more as far as quality is concerned…

Let me explain…

Though it may seem like a lot (and there is a lot going on at MGI HQ), it doesn't feel like a lot for a few reasons…everything mentioned falls directly in line with my vision, purpose, my genius AND I have support. I'll highlight three of these here to help you feel like you too can add more…
 
So here goes…

You can fit more in, if and only if, you’re working in and with the projects and people you truly want to be working with. In other words, if you’re working in your genius and if you’re working with those that make your days genius.
 
The goal is NOT to drive yourself batty (self-care is business-care), however, it IS to soar; to be in action and, as importantly, to getting the support you need to make the greatest vision of ourselves happen.
 
I have big genius project goals and have equally as big of goals for the support I need as well. Let me repeat that…I have equally as big of goals for the support I need as well…
 
So, let's break it down. How does one do it, especially when there’s a family, kids and other responsibilities outside your beloved business that need nurturing?
 
Three (3) Passionate Productivity Tips (psst, soar):
 
#1: Know your purpose. (this comes as part of the archaeological dig that is the branding process)
 
#2:  Know your genius.  (“    “    “)
 
#3: Know what you’re not genius at and delegate the rest. (“    “    “)
 
These are the key answers to why I can get after all these projects basically all in one to two months and why I also have adequate time to grieve a very real and tragic loss. In essence, this is why all of the above doesn’t seem overwhelming to me.
 
• So, first thing first, know your purpose (WHY). You are not enrolling people into a program or into a VIP day, you are enrolling them into your vision; into your movement. That said, knowing your greater purpose beyond making money will help you clear any cobwebs that are making you spin your wheels and stay both confused and unhappy. (In other words, what is the feeling you want to give to the world? What feeling do you think is still missing from it? Answer that and it will lead you to your purpose statement!). It will also help you clear any projects off your plate that don’t align. This last part is key. Clear any projects OFF your plate and list that don't align with your purpose!
 
• Next, get clear on your genius, or, in other words, gain clarity on the unique thing you were born with and infuse more of it into your work, everyday (note: a talent is learned, your genius is what you’re born with). What is that thing you were born with that you could do with your eyes closed? What do people comment on that genius you makes look SO easy? Review your list of to-do’s…what are you doing that falls outside of your genius? 30, 50, 70% of what is there? Massage the list until you are working 80% in your genius. You will feel time (and laser-focused to-do lists) and your productivity soar! For a great book on the subject, check out Gay Hendrick's The Big Leap.
 
It's like this…when you know the real reason for why your business exists and know what you’re crazy good at, you enter into a flow where work seems like play. You’re so happy and so in your grace and gift that this yogi flow helps you work faster and more efficiently. You know the phrase “Need something done, ask a busy person?” They were talking about people in flow; people living and breathing in their genius AND also working on purpose. 🙂 I'm convinced (pass it on).
 
• Lastly, knowing what you’re genius at will allow you to (drum roll please) delegate the rest. Once you get that clarity, there's no turning back. You soar if you give up the rest that you're NOT genius at to others. Yup, delegate the rest.

Here’s a new business mantra for you: "The less I do, the more I make. (repeat 3x)." I promise it works like magic and guess what? I'm a hopeless romantic as well as a realist. This is just how it is. And just what you're going to need to do if you’re interested in building a movement, an empire and want to make a real difference in the lives of your clients. You simply can’t do it while still sending your own invoices, you can’t do it when you’re exhausted, you can’t do it while you're still spending three hours every day working on the lay out of your newsletter or banners. Live in your genius, delegate as fast as you can and say hello to that next level of success.
 
Does it take some $$ to delegate…sure, to start. But that time you get back in life and business, you can use it to focus on $$$-making activities (or to nurture yourself if you need time). In the long run, you will make more, trust me.

If you're focusing more and more more on your genius AND on money-making opportunities, you'll make more and, equally so, if you're nurturing the master mind of the operation (you!), you will make more as well. Sounds counter-intuitive but it also works.

And it can come by hiring an intern at first (for credits) or a VA for just an hour a week…start somewhere and I promise you will go far. Because when we start we can't go back.

When we know our purpose, our genius and when we know what we can delegate, we can never ignore them again…and that's a GREAT gift.
 
In short, what happens? All of the sudden, the list that once looked like a mountain all of the sudden feels doable, exciting and adds to your energy vs. depletes it.
 
And, let me circle back around to this very important piece as well…if you’re in a season of “life happens” as I am having lost my brother in a very unexpected way 12 months ago, you will have time built in to nurture yourself.
 
When we are ON purpose, IN our genius and when we have give ourselves permission to allow a golden circle of support into our lives, our businesses truly end up supporting us, both financially and emotionally…
 
Honor yourself and find out, once and for all what your purpose and genius are AND honor how others can support you.
 
And enjoy…

p.s. if you live in Europe, I'd be honored to help you gain clarity on your unique brand personality (purpose and genius) in London or Amsterdam in June! If you're busy making lists, you should also know that in addition to the ticket for the four-hour event, you will also receive my Photography to Success program as well as a 30-minute session as bonuses (genius!). Learn more or register here: www.mgibrandtour.com. Cheers, ladies…to your success!

[Amsterdam and London Registration Open] Two nights ago as Nolan was in the middle of doing his homework, I got the gypsy bug and yelled, "Let's get on your scooter and go around the block!" His response (naturally): "Right now???"

Huge smile on my face, "Yes, right now. Let's go!"

The excited look on his face was the gift, as was the wind in my hair. So we did just that. Round and round. No plan; feeling the flight of fancy.

The first shot here is of us having just returned from our bike and scooter tour around the block. Short but powerful. Just like Nolan.

Everything about the minutes turned moment reminded of what keeps it all interesting: spontaneity and really LIVING this amazing life and *feeling* alive in my business.

www.mgibrandtour.com

The other day in my The Startup Sessions interview with Michael Knouse, he asked what other cities, beyond Amsterdam and London I had on my list (they are stops 6 & 7 on the 12-city brand tour).

I smiled and said a version of what I might say to Nolan tomorrow.."I don't know! I'll do a gut check and decide where to go when it's time…I'll know when it's time…". As a creative woman with gypsyette tendencies, I must leave room. If there's no room, how can the BIG things fit in it?

When I started my business 12 years ago, this is what I wanted. Everything that the scooter and bike ride was about two nights ago: freedom…freedom to travel, to make decisions in this rich and inspired way and to have loads of time for the people (and places) I loved. Which is exactly what I got.

Of course, there's a fine little nook for planning (my business would not thrive without it), however, making way more for surprise, spontaneity and even anonymity (one of my favorite parts of extensive travel) feeds not only the idea machine that keeps entrepreneurs and businesses alive and kicking, but feeds the founder, which, well, without her, there's really nothing.

For any of you in Amsterdam or London, this very bug I speak of is bringing me to you in June! And, purposeful planning brings you this:

Boutique Brand Tour to Brand You, AMSTERDAM & LONDON EDITION
June 17 & June 19, 2014
1-5pm
Hotel tbd in AMSTERDAM & Flemings in LONDON

www.mgibrandtour.com

What you'll leave the boutique experience with: Your Brand Personality & Your Brand Plan, to keep it short and sweet.

Whipped cream & cherry (which translates to champagne at the end our time together): The steps I'll be taking you through during the MGI boutique experience…Step 1: Brand Assessment, Step 2: Purpose/Manifesto, Step 3: Brand Personality, Step 4: Tagline/Elevator Pitch and Step 5: Brand Plan/Marketing. With ample room for fun, but of course.

To learn even more about the experience or to register for one of the 15 spots at either location (the first four will receive 30-minute strategy session): www.mgibrandtour.com.

Registration closes at the end of the month. In case you're wondering, yes, there will be a lot of time during the event for individual coaching on your brand and business.

Here's to making happiness your business! You *can* have success, a life and a magnetic brand, all on your terms. Hope to see you in Amsterdam or London!

As always, enjoy your business, enjoy your life!

xx

p.s. The first four ladies are able to receive a 30-minute brand strategy session. To learn more about the event or to register for one of these bonus sessions: www.mgibrandtour.com.

The MGI Brand Tour continues…save the date:
Amsterdam, June 17th and London June 19th
(web page coming soon)

The proof: If a metal bird can stay in the air, you, couture creation, can design the life, love and business you want. As I sit here planning my next two events (see the graphic above and save the date!), this is what comes to mind.

Truth is, there are no limitations to what we can all do, only those limitations we set for ourselves. Specifically, the ones we tell ourselves over and over again…specifically, the ones that are on repeat or on loop in that cheeky mind of ours.

What is it that you want to do this year? REALLY accomplish? What is it that you've been putting off that you know if you put it off any longer, will never get done…and will never be added to your happiness account?

I had a client the other day ask me how I do my workshops and that she "could never do that". I challenged her and told her she could and told her how…

She had also mentioned that in order for me to accomplish this 12-city tour (see above graphic and save the date!) I must "know people everywhere" and that that's what it takes to accomplish and to sell them out. I told her that I didn't necessarily know a ton of people everywhere, but that I was determined to celebrate 12 years in busines that way and that I created a strategy around how to get it done; to make happiness my business, to do as I said in last week's post, "create what I want to be a part of" (no one will do it for you). I shared with her that if she was determined to really do that thing (insert her kind of dance here) then she would also find a way.

But here's the thing: the HOW never shows itself until you make the first step on the WHAT.

We could say then that the ONLY difference between the person to the left of you in aisle 23 on that metal bird in the sky is just that…that she moves forward despite not knowing all the pieces; when she only knows a bit of the WHAT and not the HOW. She doesn't wait for all to be revealed (or she'd be waiting forever).

How could you move forward in faith so that all can be revealed to you as you walk…run?

Here's something ~ some say, you are what you eat and I like to say we are what we REPEAT. Here's an article I wrote for the Huffington Post that you might enjoy on the subject.

If you feel that your limiting beliefs or what you have on REPEAT is keeping you from really soaring, here are five tips on how to quiet the noise in a big way:

1. Read and start practicing what's laid out in my Huffington Post blog article.

2. Each day, especially when you're feeling it can't happen for you, open up Think and Grow Rich to whatever page lies there and take just a minute or three to read that ONE page. It's hard to stay in limited thinking when you're reading about the abundance we are capable of!

3. Start a gratitude practice. Every morning, write down five things you're grateful for that ARE growing. At night, repeat the practice. Do this for at least two weeks. It's hard not to believe you can do the thing you want to do if you are constantly being reminded of all that IS growing in your business (and in YOU). Take more note of what is working than what is not working and you'll be opening up in you a success mindset that you once maybe never thought possible.

4. Join a mastermind group. Two participants in my Brand to Success Program group asked me during Week 2 how they could get out of negative self-talk. One of the tips I said was "Get support…create what you want to be a part of and create your own mastermind if one doesn't already exist that you can invest in." Because it's true, we are not meant to live or work in a vacuum and we were not meant to toil away on our own…this is truly a recipe for negative self-talk and growing a lack mentality. Why? Well, because, in short, you ARE in lack. You are in lack of having a sisterhood, a team, a support group that will help you feel, even on the tougest days, that all will be well. So, connect with people on a daily or weekly basis and connect with your possibility and power! It's been there all along.

5. Make the first move on that next big thing…write the email, send the proposal, do it! Get out there and prove to yourself with that first movement on the "what" that everything else will follow. But you have to make that first move…the first move is the first step before your run and before your soaring to new heights.

So get out there…sink your teeth into the what, into those first steps (as well as tune into the tips mentioned above, every day) and I promise the HOW will reveal itself. It has and does for me every time. And you are NO less special. At MGI we believe in your greatness and create authentic brands from that very unique greatness every single day…

Your brand of woman IS greatness, plain and simple. I'll toast to that!

As always, enjoy your business, enjoy your life!

p.s. If you are in Amsterdam or London June 17 and June 19th, I'd love to see you at one of my boutique brand workshops! I'll be coming to you from the City of Angels and would love to help you get final clarity on your brand (I know you've wanted it for a long time). ***You will leave with your brand personality and brand plan DOWN.**** The web page with the fab details is coming soon but for now please save the date. You may also email peggy@michelleghilotti.com if you know you'd like to hold one of the 15 spots that are available for each city. She will be happy to give you more information on the workshop in that email, as well. Here's to making happiness your business!