Create what you want to be a part of.

In order to make happiness our business and create greater levels of prosperity, we must. We must create what we want to be a part of because no one will do it for us.

I've just hopped off my Week 2 training call for my international Brand to Success participants and I'm pumped to share more around this 'just do it' subject with you! (Having worked with Nike, I always have that phrase in my mind)

Brand to Success was what I wanted to be a part of AND it was time.

As I write this to you, we are also planning two more MGI Boutique tour stops in London and Amsterdam in June (this will be seven down and five more to go to complete my 12 stop tour to celebrate 12 years in business). It was time AND it's what I wanted to be a part of.

After I write this to you, I will be emailing my editor the ideas I have for the last sample chapter of the How to Be a Walking Momtra book. I couldn't fit the writing into my schedule so…you guessed it, I'm creating what I want to be a part of here too. And, it was time!

She is going to write as much of it as she can for me (she knows my voice well) and then I'll be reviewing that last sample chapter and making any on-brand changes, as I see fit. You see, if I didn't create the opportunity, it would be another pregnant nine months to get this to agents and I just don't want to wait that long :-). It needs to be birthed way sooner than that.

Again…It. was. time. And unless you make the request, unless you put in the time, unless you make the ask…it will not get done.

Your best life will not just come to you…you gotta go out there and get it…and bring her IN.

So, I share all this to say ~> Create what you want to be a part of. And, I also share it to ask you ~ is it your time too?

Is it your time to write that book?

Is it your time to increase your rates?

Is it your time to focus on a more balanced work-life balance?

Is it your time to create more solid boundaries?

Is it your time to hire a mentor?

Is it your time to work on creating a brand that is as exquisite as you?

Is it time to create a brand that matches your integrity and the high-quality work you provide?

Is it your time to automate your business?

Is it your time to hire a VA? Personal assistant? Online Business Manager? Intern? Sales Manager?

Is it your time to move from a one-on-one model to offering group experiences?

It is your time to travel more?

Is it your time to be scared but do it anyway!?

I invite you to take some journaling time right now to answer the above questions and/or create your own top 12 "Is it my time…" questions. You'll know what you authentically need to move on.

Answer them honestly and in the next 30 days (here's the challenge part) choose the top two (2) things you want to tackle.

If it's writing, reach out to the editor or writing partner you need as support along the way. If it's to create your first online program, commit to sending a survey to your list to ask them what they're struggling with most and see how you can create around that.

One foot forward = running in no time!

Take that first step and then commit that by the end of those 30 days, you will have taken the next biggest step you can…so, for example, if it's to write your book and you've already reached out to your editor friend or writing partner, then maybe you write a post on facebook letting your world know that you've just started the book you've been meaning to write for five years (that's pretty major and will get your booty in gear, let me tell you!).

If it's to create your first online program and the survey is back (you received some great feedback/food for thought), the next biggest thing might be to set a date when that program will be written (by you, of course) and let your list know. Tell them you have a surprise for them come X date (knees knocking? Good! You'll feel GREAT).

Be your own fairy godmother and create the opportunity.

And if limiting beliefs are getting in the way, maybe this article I wrote for the Huffington Post will help. Truth is, creating what you want to be a part of is so much easier when what we have on loop is fruitful.

Enjoy reading "We are what we eat? We are what we REPEAT": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelle-ghilotti/mindfulness-practice_b_4373840.htm.

In the comments below, I'd love to hear what your two action items are! I'd love to cheerlead you on your first step to taking the next BIG leap in your business, and therefore, your life!

Until next time, ladies, enjoy your business, enjoy your life!

p.s. Is it your time to get out there and speak? Ladies, in case you missed it in my last newsletter, check it out! You will benefit greatly from my friend (and my speaker trainer) KC Baker's *free* training video series, The 5 Keys to Women's Thought Leadership. She'll help you get clear on what you stand for, help set yourself free to share it, and be known for your ideas. Sign up now for uncommon, unorthodox, and awesome advice from this inspiring TED/TEDx/American Heart Association speaker trainer. —> http://the5keys.kcbaker.com/?orid=100&opid=5  Enjoy!

Do you ever wonder how yogis easily stick a handstand, meditate for long periods of time or effortlessly slide into the splits? Maybe you're one of them and already know the truth: it doesn't happen overnight! Certain principles need to be applied, like focus, discipline, presence, letting go and practice.

More and more people every day are becoming aware of these principles and are seeing the benefits. Here's the exciting news. There is a world-wide movement happening in the business world where owners and management are starting to apply these yogic principles to marketing, sales, and operations AND seeing crazy results. Awesome, right?

I share one very yogic idea with you in this video…you can actually plug this into your iPhone today:

I know that many of you may know, my business is absolutely intertwined with yogic principles, which is why I'm also very happy (and honored) to share with you the following interview series where I will be one of the speakers, along with 20 other successful business owners. The event is called Yogify Your Business!

Check it out (and don't miss my interview on 4/16 where I'll share some off-the-wall tips) for making happiness your business:

I'm excited to share what I've learned along the way so that it may bring awareness to others. Come join us and listen to the some of the tantalizing tips that will help you grow yourself AND your business.

And, you don't have to be a yogi, to get it! But, even yogis can learn how some of today’s most successful entrepreneurs are weaving businesses and yoga together.

So, join me on 4/16 (and all the other speakers!):

I'd love to yogi flow with you and stretch our happiness!

Namaste, couture creation you…enjoy your business, enjoy your life!

p.s. hope you enjoy what I like to call "business yoga" in the upcoming on 4/16 and in the above video!

There is so much to us. And there is so much *more* to us. In a nutshell, this is what I'm reminded of with every brand or purpose session I facilitate.

As creative, renaissance women (which I consider all women, by the way) we can do SO many things. But, let's be honest, inside, we'd kill to *really* just do a couple of them. Maybe even one of them to the best of our ability?

For many reasons, however, we don't. We don't often find a way to live + breathe in our genius. We keep doing 'everything' so that everyone is happy. We keep doing it all because, we're invested in this story that no one else can do those pieces like we can. We keep on keeping on because, we think, one day, the one thing we're amazing at will spontaneously emerge and we'll finally have clarity or the business or life we've always wanted.

But nothing comes without us creating what we want to be a part of.

Truth is that we must charge towards (demand) clarity from all that we are…we must make solid sense of our skills, talents, desires, plans, goals and visions. We must do the daring dig as an archaeologist or mad scientist would to come back with the gold; the genius.

If we don't, though we may have times of happiness doing it "all", the detours are long and winding and our value in the world and inside is not felt nearly as much as it could be.

So, questions to ask each morning —

Am I sharing the brand of woman I know myself to be in all that I think, speak and do? Am I thinking, speaking and acting in line with what I say I want?

What is my true genius and how can I live in it more often? [Who else could do this and that task?].

Am I focusing on what I want or on more on what I don't want? [We get what we focus on].

Let these answers support what may feel like a swim upstream or an arduous jump, outside the box. As a change and tastemaker, you will never make everyone happy, regardless of how big or small the thing you do is. Making a Facebook post your blog post won't make people happy. Saying what you say, in the way you say it and living in that genius, will annoy and polarize.

Say and do it.

Creating something in the world that polarizes will always free you up to do the very thing you want to do, moving everything else aside, without nearly as much effort. It will be the clarity you've been searching for.

So, let's add this question ~ this filter ~ to your daily review:

Am I polarizing with this message/project/program/post?

I mean it when I say that happy women will transform the world; that your happiness is a gift to all of woman and humankind. It all starts with that self-worth that searches out your ultimate focus and clarity, even when this means we will not be adored by all.

Video #3 entitled "Putting it all together" in the (free) Brand to Success video training series launched this morning and if you resonate with this and/or are on the path to creating your authentic brand message to grow your business not just this year but this month, I hope you enjoy the series. It will be around until the end of this week.

Much love and here's to working in your genius, couture creation you, [Free Three-Part “Brand to Success” Video Training Series]: www.brandtosuccess.com

When I worked with big boy brands such as Nike, Starbucks, got milk, Hewlett-Packard and Crystal Cruises, I learned a lot. Truly, it's the foundation to the branding part of this "branding, coaching and empowerment agency."

There are five things I want to share with you today…specifically, five "keys" that help me unlock each of my client's brands. Five keys that help me help ladies bring together all their skills and genius to create something that hasn't yet existed in their industry, in their world…

I call the following the five keys to creating a charismatic brand. But before I share them with you, I want to make sure you're already on the list to receive my three free videos! There are two out right now and video #3 launches tomorrow (!) and they are all a part of my free Brand to Success Video Training Series. They are out until the end of this week so soak them up now and ENJOY: video 1 "where are you going?", video 2 "who are you?" and video 3 (launching tomorrow!) "putting it all together.

Now for the Five (5) Keys to Create YOUR Charismatic Brand:

Key #1: Authenticity

Make sure what you do, say and show is in alignment with your values and those of your ideal clients.  Do the work to find out what you and your products/services mean to your audience and how these products and services authentically fit into their lives. If you understand your authenticity (uniqueness) more fully and that of your ideal clients you will create a more powerful and enduring connection.

Key #2: Personality

To make sure you’re creating a brand with personality and charisma, use the brand personality filter below (some of you may have seen it already but are you using it every day?). Each time you do/say/show in your business, ask yourself if that “thing” is authentic, unique and shareable. Pass it ALL through the following filter. Use the filter every day and be personality-rich ~ be uniquely and authentically charismatic.

In the free brand to success video series, I give you an even more specifc

Key #3: Consistency

We’ve heard it before but it seems to be the most difficult to make happen: consistency, consistency, consistency. As the big brands are, be relentless in your consistency with thought (mindset is huge in branding ourselves magnetically), your spoken word, written word and all your visuals. They all help make up your charismatic brand. Be consistent with the personality throughout social media, on stages, in blogs, in your style, at networking events, in work sessions with clients, across your graphics, copy, etc. Consistency increases the trust and excitement your prospects have in how you will “show up” for them if they were to work with you.

Key #4: Happiness

We’re jumping on the happiness train. It’s true. There’s not a successful entrepreneur or business-owner who wouldn’t tell you that doing what you love and selling what you love is key. In fact, charismatic branding is rooted in what lights you up. It works. If you’re happy, it’s that much easier to radiate a charisma that affects and moves others. Get clear on what your genius is. Do a deep dive on the programs and services that really light you up. Which is your favorite and does it need to evolve? Could you pump more energy and life into it? In short, get clear on what you really want to be doing in your business then have a ball communicating it through elements such as hot, on-brand videos and photography.

Key #5: Truth or your Purposeful Why

Knowing and sharing why you’re in business connects with your audience in a way that moves and motivates. Who did you want to help and why? What is burning inside of you? In fact, right now and moving forward, think of your business as a movement or cause. This helps add depth to and humanize your products and services. Check in with and feel the fire of your purpose everyday. In the FREE video series out until later this week, we go deeper into purpose and there's a downloadable purpose worksheet. Getting clear on your purpose and allowing it to guide  every day will help you make all of your business decisions of all kinds become easier.

How's that for taking five?

Until next time, enjoy your business, enjoy your life!

Life is good,

p.s. I love hearing from you so let me know how these five (5) keys found you AND how the FREE Brand to Success videos "aha's" you…much love!