Business Breakups: How They Help You Develop The Ultimate Hustle Muscle

Business relationships. 

Boss to employee. 

Colleague to colleague. 

Entrepreneur to client.

Business relationships can often be as complicated as romantic relationships especially when it's time to breakup. On the plus side, unlike romantic relationships, business breakups are the kind of breakup where you can often really, truly see that things are no longer meant to be. Each party has grown and gained the most that they can from the relationship and staying together won't serve either parties goals.

My first business breakup was with my old boss at an HR consulting company. This boss was a mentor to me and man oh man, was he tough at times. His famous line was: “You’re only as good as your last sale.” 

Back then, at the tender raw age of 23-24, those words were really hard to manage. 

I would often think to myself, "I just busted my rump and jumped through hoops to close this deal. Can't I revel in it for a few moments and celebrate the experience?"

In retrospect now, what he really meant was “Keep hustling. Keep chasing. Don’t ever get too comfortable or settle for less. There is always another opportunity out there so get off your ass and go grab it.” 

I was so torn at the notion of leaving that company. I had it made in terms of telecommuting, traveling, earning commission but I hit a creativity ceiling. The inner artist in me had died and it was time to bring her back to life. To this day, I remember the lesson and have even reframed it to: "Since your last sale was so good, your next sale can be even better!"

The next business break up that followed nearly crushed me! I was consulting for a close friend. At the time, I was a pretty stubborn personality when it came to business since I was so used to doing business a certain way. What I didn’t realize back then (and my friend totally did) was the power of the upsell, the power of selling both a product and a service. I also didn't realize that there are a variety of different ways to achieve success in business and rather than maintaining a position that "I knew it all", that I could lose the ego and truly approach each and every business transaction with an air of "how can I learn to do things differently? To do things better? How can I learn to evolve in business?"

That business break up was by far one of the most difficult. We had mixed business with friendship and there were a lot of boundaries that were blended, out of care! You start sharing opinions, you get into money stories, other friends get involved in the mix and then things just turn into a pressure cooker! The one thing I truly treasure about the experience is that she always (and probably still does to this day) went to work with a smile! She was so good at what she did, she had such a positive energy about her always. Lesson learned: be open to learning new ways of doing things. YOU DON'T AND WON'T EVER KNOW EVERYTHING! Also, if you aren't waking up with a huge smile on your face everyday when it comes to your job, you need a business breakup pronto! 

Professionally, things were great for a few years. The business breakups were minimized. Then last fall came another one. 

As an entrepreneur working with entrepreneurs, you can’t help but get involved and feel like you are a part of your clients company’s and a part of your clients journey. You can feel their joy and their pain which makes moving on even more difficult. 

That said, I had never made it a secret to this client, or to anyone for that matter, that I wanted to launch Startups and Stilettos™, especially as I was completing Marie Forleo's B-school program. My energy shifted, my model was shifting and I no longer wanted to be so consumed with certain day to day social media tasks. My client needed more from me than I had the bandwith to give. That, and her vision had grown. She was pouring herself into her business and needed people who could do the same. 

I looked at her commitment to her brand and company and realized I needed to put that same kind of hustle muscle into my business. The time finally came when my client and I parted ways amicably at one of the tipping points in their business. I was ready to move on, to wish her well and to look ahead but I was so shocked by the tears that came up when we finally said goodbye. 

I had genuinely worked as hard as I could and got things to a point where I had to let go to meet my goals. But it wasn't easy especially when she did thank me for my hard work on taking them to the next level of her brands social media. The journey between us was over and it was very VERY, VERY bittersweet. I am so thankful for that experience particularly for the fact that we both understood we wanted and needed two different things. Lesson learned from this business breakup: it's never going to be easy to walk away. But if you want to move onto bigger and better opportunities, if you want to truly find your destiny, you have to listen to that inner guidance telling you to go! Don't ignore it or you may find yourself unhappy, angry, stagnant and just missing out on all that life has in store for you. 

Now what does all of this advice have to do with YOU?

Is there a job you need to move on from? 

Do you have a client that isn't complimenting your business model anymore? 

Are you ready to break up with corporate america and venture out on your own?

Stop putting it off and do it now. 

Your business breakups aren’t going to be any better than real life break ups. But perhaps they can teach us a lesson or two about love and loss. 

There are plenty of fish in the sea. 

There are plenty of oysters to open and find your pearl. 

Take the beauty in each and every single situation, personal or professional. 

As my close friend (and mediator) Suzanne Schwartz says, "Don’t get bitter, get better!" 

Better as a business person, better as an individual, better as an entrepreneur. Clean slate. 

Maybe my old boss was right in saying "You’re only as good as your last sale!" 

It's a new day and there are plenty of opportunities worth cultivating. Get that hustle muscle going! And trust that the best has yet to come. Let the past go with a grace and ease knowing that you can't even fathom all the success awaiting you on the horizon. And remember, "Since your last sale was so good, your next sale can be even better!"

Do you need some support to help you through your business breakup? Jump on over to Facebook.com/jaclynmullenmedia, say hello and we will gladly offer you any tips or advice as you transition during this time. 

It’s a "Human" Thing: What We Give We Will Get Back In Business

It was a busy Friday. There was nothing “chillax” about the end of the week. 

My to-do list had been surmounting: the resulting of splitting energy and focus between a personal family matter and my professional commitments. The week had been a roller coaster. There were moments of complete satisfaction met with moments of stress—pleading with people on the phone, pondering futuristic thoughts and trying to dodge my involvement in a matter that had nothing and yet everything to do with me. My anxiety level was through the roof.

And then, I discovered it. (I often joke that I am a marketing MacGayver but apparently I am any-life-situation-you-can-throw-at-me-MacGyver). There was a transaction that had gone wrong. I had the best of intentions but I made a slight boo boo and I had to fix it. Only rather than being able to fix it right away (within a day), it would take me 5 days of stressing and worry.

My old boss used to drill in my head, "numbers don’t lie." 

No they don’t, especially if you have the wrong number’s for a direct deposit. To fix things, I start calling, tracking down the money, trying to redirect it. I'm told to "send a fax" and quip to myself, "who the hell sends a fax anymore?" 

Every single day last week, I was calling, calling, calling someone, somewhere. There were operator number’s, delays, compliance. All this "human to human", phone contact can be overwhelming for an online entrepreneur. I was waiting on someone in all day meeting. Of course I laugh some more. "Who attends ALL DAY meetings anymore? Shouldn't this woman be on her computer screen?"

Flash forward to snail mail saving the day. I have a check overnighted to me. It comes, and my faith in humanity is restored thanks to USPS. But my excitement is short lived. The check is rendered to the wrong party. I'm told not to worry, that my big bank will save me.

Only I show up after calling customer service (which says I will have no problem), and the first person I encounter at the branch says they can’t help me. And I panic. And I plead. And then I meet Sue.* 

I explain, I emphasize, I stress to her that this is my fault which is why it has to be fixed. I don’t screw up ANYTHING for my clients, I refuse to screw up for my family. 

Apparently Sue* is a higher level manager than the first woman I encountered. Sue* doesn’t have all the answers yet but she doesn’t turn me away either. We sit down at her desk. I am in a busy branch of the bank off Sunset Blvd. And all of the sudden, it just comes over me. I start to cry. No sobs, no weeping. Just endless tears rolling down my face followed by my body shaking. A part of me is in shock that I started letting it out in a freaking Bank of America of all places. This was the very place people picketed, it's not a therapist's office--IT'S A BANK! 

Sue* doesn’t look at me like I have three heads, she doesn’t say, “Get a grip. This is Bank of America and we don't care about YOUR problem. In case you haven't read the news, we have a ton of customers with challenges.” 

Instead, with the most respect and dignity, she hands me a tissue and says she will be right back. She retrives a bottle of water for me. And then, she proceeds to solve my problem. Big business with small business, not big business vs small business. 

She gets it. 

I am a human being. She is a human being. 

I am struggling and I need help. 

This is what business is all about--being of service, solving problems, supporting one another in our day to day lives. 

It’s not a business thing, it’s a human thing! I wasn't just a dollar sign, Sue* would not stop, she would not be satisfied, until I had a solution and felt better. She went far above and beyond what a damn job training manual instructed her to do. 

I could not stop thanking her for her compassion. I asked for a supervisor or the name of someone to send a letter of recognition to and she declined and simply said, “I’m just happy I could help you.” 

We should ALL be so lucky to do the same for our customers. 

Do the same for them. Do the same. 

There was no glory, no big pay out or a plaque in Sue's* honor. There was one simple gesture bestowed upon me in a time where I needed it most. And it was enough to remind me that it’s not about big vs small, or neighbor vs neighbor or return on investment. If you always strive to give and help and truly pull people up in business, you will get that same respect and honor bestowed upon you when you least expect it but very much so need it.

*name has been changed for the story.

Like this story? Feel free to share it! And for more adventures in entrepreneurship, hop on over to Facebook.com/jaclynmullenmedia or send me a Tweet @jaclynmullen You can even join me on Instagram. 

D is for Decision Making (And Determination)

This is a catch-up post for a month long blog series called "The A to Z Challenge." D was Thursday's letter and on the Jaclyn Of All Trades blog, D stands for Decision Making (and determination to get caught up on this challenge).

I fell asleep early tonight. Long gone are the Saturday evenings where I stay out until 2:00 am and wake up sleep deprived on Sunday. These days and nights, I'm making decisions based upon what will serve my long term goals, not short-term satisfaction. 

Decisions: stay in, get at least 8 hours of sleep, drink plenty of water, workout 4-5 times per week, improve my business daily, blog, have a little fun a long the way while learning to lighten up a little. (I also decided to use my time wisely tonight since I woke up two hours after falling asleep and post this overdue blog!)

What about you? What are some of the decisions you are making for yourself? 

Personally, the thing I love about decision making is that it's an ongoing process, one we all face. So many decisions, so many outcomes. 

I "decided" to launch a business almost four years ago. I called it Momentum Marketing and Consulting because I wanted to convey a sense of urgency and speed around the work I was performing for my clients.

The only trouble was, I had no plan. I had no competitive market analysis. I had no help and I certainly had no idea how to make money. I can admit, I decided that as long as I covered my costs, I was in good shape which, in hindsight, was total business brain fail and that’s a tough pill to swallow!

But what I did learn from that particular decision was so valuable, which is why I am bringing up this topic here. I am frequently approached for advice on decision making especially as it pertains to business.

How do I build my online presence?

How do I make the most of a minimal budget?

How do I make money?

How do I determine who my customers are?

And my answer is that decision making in any facet of your life requires research in a couple of different capacities.

First, for decision making regarding a business, look into the industry you want to have a business in. Who are your competitors? What are their offerings? What are their prices?

This research isn’t a matter of replicating any of the above-mentioned things. It’s a matter of evaluating them to see what choices there are for the consumers. 

Next, decide on an initial budget for yourself. How much money are you working with? What are your top three most pressing needs? As an example, do you need a website? If so, those costs may be graphic design, website hosting and a copy writer. The same process can apply if you are deciding on a new workout routine or to even take a trip. Your budget is critical so clarify it.

Perhaps you can invest in a mastermind or collective group to get input and decision making advice from a diverse array of people.

Most importantly, you want to develop a plan. 

Are you writing a pros and cons list? 

Ultimately, when will you stop paralysis of analysis and move forward with a decision? 

Hold yourself accountable and write these things down on a piece of paper. I’m not saying your plan or approach won’t evolve but the more honest and clear you can be with yourself, the better your decision making process will be in the present and the future.

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Is Being Competitive A Good Characteristic Or A Bad One

C is not for confession (although I am about to share something rather personal here). Here goes: I am a reality TV junkie.

Real Housewives of every city, The Voice, Celebrity Apprentice, Shark Tank. I’m not sure if it’s the crazy theatrics of the characters or the way the producers interweave adrenaline-fueled plot lines, but something has me hooked.

And all this reality TV watching isn’t a complete time drain, I actually do pick up a lot of helpful business insight from Shark Tank. Even Celebrity Apprentice shows me the type of leader I never want to be: unorganized, unfocused, narcicisstic.

No matter how different each of the shows I mentioned above may be from one another, there is a common element that they all share: competition! Who is the best, most dominant, most talented, smartest, wealthiest, most successful individual crossing the finish line first......everytime. 

 

And I must say, I have turned the other away from competition the vast majority of my adult life. The only person I have ever been interested in competing with is myself and that's hard enough thanks to my inner critic. She keeps me moving on to the next, bigger, better challenge constantly. 

So I have to ask, is being competitive a good characteristic or a bad one?

One could argue that the greatest athletes of time are competitive but they are also team players. True? False? 

And if we didn’t have competition in business or blogging, what would be the motivation to provide better service, better content and to stand out from the crowd?

I asked and I hope you answer because I’m having a "competition conflict." On the one hand, I want to be as successful as my life will permit, I want to win awards and be in the best shape of my life with a profitable business, loving relationship and gorgeous residence. Could it be that a lack of competitive nature is thwarting that?

On the other hand, I want to be happy and fulfilled, and grateful for all that I have in this very moment. And if you agree, I'd love to know how you think we can utilize competition to be a benefit, and not a detriment to those objectives. 

A is for Advice; Are You Following Your Own?

 

I know it may sound like a silly question but how often does is it ring true. Are you following your own advice?

Why ask? Recently I interviewed a friend in HR regarding workplace delegation and integrating additional staff. I had pages upon pages of notes with really sound tips! I had so much information that I was able to create a blog post article and share it with the Twitterverse. But a funny thing happened. The very friend I interviewed tweeted me back with a message of thanks followed by a confession of clarity: “Perhaps I should take my own advice.”

I quickly echoed the same sentiments to myself. I have managed a staff of twenty before, I have hired and also fired employees. So, why was it so hard for me to follow my own advice and past experiences regarding building a team?

Haven't you ever noticed how a friend, co-worker or family member comes to us with a challenge and we objectively point out the actions they need to handle it in a matter of minutes? Ok, some scenarios may actually take a few hours to remedy but the point is we (from the outside) see clear, we see cause and effect; we see creative resolution.

Of course, when the tables are turned and we happen to be the ones in the “advice-seeking seat”, it’s hard for us to step back and apply the same approach to our challenges. For some reason, be it subconscious or just a matter of habit, we doubt our own guidance!

Instinctively we come up with a conclusion right away but then, the inner dialog kicks in. “No," we say to ourselves, "that couldn’t be right. Let’s see what Johnny says, what Cathy says, what Oprah says.” (I will admit, Oprah’s advice is usually pretty spot on!)

This can be said for business, exercise, relationships, eating right, following our goals. Then, we go on to collect so many opinions and perspectives that we either come back to our original conclusion or apply a hodge-podge solution derived from everyone else's ideas. But everyone else isn't you, they offer their perspectives based upon their experiences which may or may not fit your scenario.

Sometimes, the very source and problem solver we need lies within.

Inspired by recent events (and the A to Z blog challenge), I write about advice today because I’m a self-help, new age, self-educated junkie! And while I love my Tony Robbins mp3’s and entrepreneurial workshops and inspirational books, I want to remind us (yes, me+you) again that sometimes the very source and problem solver we need lies within.

What areas are you currently seeking advice in? I'll share mine if you share yours, I would love to hear from you!

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The Eve of A To Z (There's So Much Anticipation, I Feel Like It's New Years Eve)

Today is the last day of March, 2012--one of the most life altering months I've undergone during my thirty years on this planet.

For one, I have experienced a huge shift and growth as an entrepreneur. I passed Hubspot's Inbound Marketing exam (it's official, I am a Certified Inbound Marketer, I do work hard to maintain the Jaclyn of All Trades title), I completed a "Build Your Business Online Bootcamp" (thanks Liz Dennery-Sanders), which, similar to exercise oriented bootcamps will need to be reviewed on a frequent basis. Gotta build up that business stamina to make it to Shark Tank someday.

This past month, I even published a few articles on my blog and other sites as a guest blogger. I connected with BizChickBlogs.com through Facebook and within a few days, wrote and published "What It Means To Be A Business Chick". I also signed myself up for a blog challenge I found through Twitter called the A to Z challenge where I will have 26 posts for the month of April, each corresponding with the letters of the alphabet.

Tomorrow, April 1st, is "A day" and I am excited to work my writing muscle. I admit, I'm not sure what I may post about the letter Z (feel free to offer some suggestions) but I'm trying to take it one day and one letter at a time.

My anticipation at the unknown seems to be a common theme for 2012. In addition to all of the professional accomplishments I have outlined here, there have been some personal challenges too. The first week of March, I got a call from my aunt in Florida advising me that my 82 year old grandmother had fallen very ill and was only given a few days to live. Now I must disclose that my relationship with my grandmother was one of the most sacred connections I had in my family. We were more like mother and daughter, best friends, buddies. By Tuesday March 6th, I was on a red eye flight from LAX to PBI (with a brief layover in NY). Grandma had been given four days to live.

I boarded my flight that evening, as I had often done flying, only this time I was in a daze. I drank a glass (or two) of red wine to calm my nerves. Then, at 5:00 in the morning or so, about 40 minutes prior to landing at JFK for my layover, I became increasingly sick to my stomach. Panic took over as I hopped out of my seat and headed to the back of the plane. I managed to tell a stewardess that I felt faint all before I woke up on the floor of the plane! That was the first time I ever fainted on a flight. Talk about perfect comedic material. To recover, I sat in the back of the plane, on the floor, ice pack around my neck, chugging Sprite and eating mini chocolate chip cookies. I kissed the ground when I finally landed in West Palm Beach, FL.

A day later on March 8th, at 9:09 pm, I held my grandmother's hand and watched her take her very last breath. It was a moment that will remain with me for the rest of my life. I felt honored, I felt heartbroken, I felt a new sense of urgency around our time here on earth. Death even took on a new perspective in my mind. It seemed a lot less scary and my fear of dying, along with all the stresses of being self employed, the frustration of being single, the self doubt at my ability to be the success I aspire to be, died too.

As I write this post now, on the eve of April 1st, my grandfather is in his final stages of life. After 66 years of marriage to my grandmother, he cannot go on without her. It has pained me this past three weeks to see him heartbroken yet it has been a privilege for me to wake up with him in the middle of the night, to tuck him in to bed, to watch Dancing With The Stars with him.

And so I dedicate this A to Z challenge to my grandparents, Adriane and Katch. The very two people who taught me as immigrants, entrepreneurs, lovers, role models and grandparents that we should face our challenges daily and rise to the occasion. Right now, the last thing I want to do is push myself, to go on without them, to break out of the awkward shell I've been in this past three weeks watching my loved ones leave this life. But this blog challenge is a great metaphor! I realize that our life stages are like the alphabet. You can't jump from A to D, let alone from A to Z. It just doesn't work that way. There is beauty in the sequence, in the order, in the progression from one letter on to the next.

No two letters are alike, no two lives are alike. And I know that no two blog posts in this challenge will be alike. I may blog about business, I may blog about disappointments in love, I may blog about my personal and professional aspirations. Who knows what will come as I connect my brain -----> to my heart-----> to this keyboard to the alphabet.

So, sit back and relax this April as I take you with me from A to Z. And if you feel so inclined or inspired, take the plunge and go on a 26 day journey from A to Z on your own.

How did your March shape up? I want to know. Post a comment in the section below. If you want to challenge yourself, start your comment with the letter A.

Lost As An Employee; Found As An Entrepreneur

If you would have shown me a magic crystal ball precisely one year ago and told me that 2011 would be one of the happiest, most successful years of my life, I’d have laughed in your face and seriously questioned your sanity. (Especially if you looked like the lady in this picture).

You see, precisely one year ago, I was clutching Kleenex, nursing a broken heart, weeping like a baby not to mention completely lost career wise. I had not even launched my website or consulting business, Jaclyn Mullen Media. I had no plan, I had no path--all I had was a merciless inner critic, buckets of tears and somewhere beneath that, a strong faith that I’d figure out why it all was happening. 

How about you? Have you taken time to examine your past year? How did it start out? How is it ending? What have been the greatest lessons you've learned along the way? 

As I flash forward to nearly one year later of being self employed, working on a ton of great projects with clients I care about as well as scoring serious professional accomplishments (including moments of giving back to society) matched with new friends and even a whole new relationship with myself, I know my life isn't perfect or all that I’d envision it to be.....yet. But it is progressing and that’s what counts. 

Organized chaos. Lost as an employee yet found as an entrepreneur. Learning to find contentment in imperfection. Do you measure perfection or progression in your life? Why does this even matter? 

I was lost for most of my twenties but I was especially lost last December. Who am I kidding, everyday I am lost but rather than running away from the unknown, rather than running away from the lack of answers, I now embrace uncertainty and use it to challenge myself as an individual and entrepreneur. It wasn’t until my "success and spiritual open heart surgery” as I like to call it (the bad breakup and walking away from my stable salary), that I finally realized my mortality and  allowed myself to truly operate one day at a time. These days, I ask myself “What would Steve Jobs do? Would he be afraid, would he stay stuck? Would he not take a chance?”

I share this with you because it’s important to remember that we really have no clue what the future holds for us. As Steve Jobs even said himself “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something—your gut, your destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down and it has made all the difference in my life.”

Uncertainty. The next time you face it, embrace it. Step into the unknown, dive in with a little faith and trust that the answers will be revealed to you along the way. There was uncertainty for me surrounding why I chose this topic to blog about today. It’s been too long since I last posted and that will change in 2012. Perhaps, like everyone else, I just needed a friendly reminder to step into uncertainty and embrace the many unknown adventures that 2012 will surely bring.

And if that is the case, cheers to entrepreneurship, cheers to one year anniversaries of uncertainty and most importantly, cheers to what "finds" you too!

Do you have a lost and found story to share? Post it in the comments section below.

Flirting With A New Perspective at 30

 “Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.” quote from Captain Corelli's Mandolin

I don’t suppose I ever thought, let alone believed, in “fortunate accidents.” But, looking back, who was I kidding? 

The man that rear-ended me and totaled my vehicle in March of 2010? He allowed my insurance company to provide me with a hefty check and brand new car. The jobs I took (and learned a lot from) that appeared like major, professional detours? Turns out, the knowledge from each allowed me the freedom and confidence to finally launch my own website, my own business. And while it’s still a daily work in progress, it’s mine. 

Fortunate accidents. The majority of my twenties were spent pursuing fortunate accidents.  And in one week, I’ll be thirty. Does that mean the fortunate accidents will be any less? I hope not. Fortunate accidents confirm what Steve Jobs wisely states in his Stanford commencement speech, “you don’t connect the dots looking forward, you connect the dots looking back.” 

I have always lived my life with an appreciation for looking back in the rear view mirror. I’ve pursued a Bachelors of Music Degree, incurred $50,000 worth of student loans from a school I loved (all about “The U”), sang my heart out and evaluated the music industry. All that so I could follow the path of entrepreneurship while giving my father heart burn about my ability to pay my $400 worth of student loans back each month. None of these things make sense as  I pursue them in the moment but I follow my heart and for that, I am fortunate.  (Besides, I really did want to be a pop singer. Hail to Brittney!) 

 
The majority of us don’t live our lives with a blue print anyhow, we live our lives in faith. And my faith is not just some “wish upon a star faith” but the kind of faith that requires you to believe in a purpose beyond yourself. I see faith playing an even larger role in my life in this new decade. I’m flirting with a different perspective on getting older (hey, at least I’m flirting with something).

I should probably remind you that I will “ring in” my thirtieth birthday on 09/11/2011. This year happens to mark the 10^th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. And while the world at large has been affected by 09/11, I had a childhood friend of mine lose her uncle in the World Trade Center while another close friend (who served in the Marine Corps) lost her brother and fiancé in Iraq. 

Do these reasons discourage me from celebrating my birthday, each and every year? Absolutely not. I see 09/11 as a reason to honor my ability to make an impact on this earth. But there is, and perhaps always will be, controversy around celebrating anything on this date. I suppose I hadn’t thought I’d feel such a contradiction of emotions at 29, I certainly didn’t know what to feel on my 20^th birthday as I watched the events unfold on TV. One thing is certain, I feel empowered to share love with as many people as possible. So, I am ringing in my 30^th birthday by raising money and participating in a Birthday Build for Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles. 

The economy continues to take its toll on everyone. People are losing their homes due to foreclosure, acts of mother-nature, or even losing love ones from the war that was triggered as a result of 09/11. There is nothing fortunate about that. 

However, no matter where you are, I hope you’ll celebrate something. Remember--we are lucky…lucky to wake up, lucky to make choices, lucky to dare to have fun or dare to do good. I’m flirting with 30 and it feels a lot more youthful than I had thought. Maybe, just maybe, I’m one step closer to finally making a commitment. So put that extra candle on the cake, I’m ready for more fortunate accidents….as a matter of fact, I’m sure the best has yet to come.

I hope you’ll help me give happiness and love this 09/11. Feel free to donate to my Birthday Build for Habitat for Humanity here. A special heartfelt thanks goes out to those who have already donated. 

All Directions Point West; How To Find Your North, South, East or West on the Journey of Life

I've sat here for the past 4 weeks contemplating which direction to take this blog. North would mean I take the high road aka "professional content" ONLY. None of the spirituality meets business success stuff.

East would mean I take it to the ocean and lay the blog to rest in peace at sea. South would mean I spice it up, and add some personal insight into my love life while starting up a business AND evolving as a person. (This approach was inspired by an awesome, new friend. Self-help love author, Andrea Syrtash). And taking it west would entail a hybrid approach, perhaps the most "me" combining business and life advice with lessons of inspiration, motivation and spirituality. A westward bound I go.

The clock was ticking down between these various directions, and I had to pick one--for my blog and for my life. The process hasn't been easy but I know it's time. The compass and the clock say it's time to pack up the red, over sized suit case (the one that takes up half of my closest in Manhattan) and move back to LA again. It's time to bid the Big Apple a long kiss goodnight. Time to take a mental picture of all the places I've seen, the people that have embraced me as their lifelong friends upon first meeting me, it's time to evolve into another chapter of my life and leave the 29 year old version of Jaclyn Mullen, who is inspired to accomplish her dreams while helping others, here in New York City. As the famous lyrics go, "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, it's up to you, New York, New York."

I finally walked the Brooklyn Bridge. Photo credit: Jaclyn Mullen

Everyone wants to make it in the game of life. To do so, doesn't require that you be a bi-coastal nomad like me. If you are looking for a way to "make it" in your city or in your own heart, I'm here to tell you, you can! The map to self driven success includes spirituality, mental stimulation and facing personal challenges, all managed while possessing a daily attitude of gratitude and moving in the right direction for you. How do these all come together? Allow me to explain.

What are your road signs?
Blogging, business and breaking through plateaus--these have been the recurring themes I've dealt with day to day. I've often looked back at the past 9 months of twists and turns life has presented to me, each which have been amazing but challenging as well. I mean so amazing that I had NO idea that these things were options on my horizon when I think back to last year. Instead, I've allowed each opportunity to be it's own blank canvas--one where I don't know the outcome, but I paint the experiences, new places and faces plus the way my soul feels (some days found, other days lost) upon my blank canvas to create a new masterpiece rich with emotions of gratitude, humbleness and happiness.

"That's great Jaclyn," you must be thinking and "what the heck does that mean?"

Often times, friends or business associates will ask me how I "do it." It being challenge myself, have a laser focused drive while truly living the life I want to lead. First, you have to look at the signs. Not the stop signs or names of street signs, the signs of the universe such as not getting the job you had hoped for, feeling unpleasant in the pit of your stomach about getting up everyday or dealing with a co-worker. Ignoring what seem to be coincidences as far as people, places or things. When I look back on the past 8 months of this journey, hindsight is of course 20-20. I can see the signs CLEAR as day from Googling the term "co-working in NYC" to coming across the Wix Lounge in Chelsea to, 6 months later, having a close friend from LA move a block away from the Wix Lounge in Chelsea (proving I had come full circle). Big co-relation? All directions point West, for me. There have constantly been recurring signs of LA in NYC.

What are your signs? Look back then look forward. Write down any signs or experiences that brought you to where you are today. And start paying attention for the future!

Business and Blogs--The meaning of life
Once you start paying attention to the compass of your life, and begin to follow it's direction, your real test of faith begins. I can assure you, it is not always easy to walk in faith. To trust that, by taking chances or stepping away from what you consciously know is best for you, requires a lot of faith in something. In nature, in Starbucks or in my case, god. We don't always have the answers for our lives (or our blogs for that matter), plain and simple. I cite my blog to say that I have been stuck in a paralysis of analysis as I contemplate whether people reading this want more social media, entrepreneurial advice or a blend of life advice, inspiration and business acumen. I have opted for the last direction and I'm doing so with a daily dose of faith by my side.

Mental Stimulation
I often joke that the Internet allows us to obtain our own MBA but it's quite true. There is an abundance of information online, it's never been easier to access books, so what are you waiting for? I make it a point to read 1-2 books per quarter and you should too. Information allows your thinking to evolve, information often stimulates inspiration. If you want to move forward, you must expand your comprehension and understanding. Pick up (or download) a book. Reading can often take you places you've never been before without requiring you to leave your town.


The Way To Work A Compass--Facing Personal Challenges
So, you've picked the direction you want your life to go. You're looking for a new job, getting out of an unhealthy relationship, perhaps you want to start planning a family or even launch your own business. Whatever your goals are, whichever direction you choose, just remember. If you get to a certain destination and it's not working for you, change directions. Grab that compass, close your eyes, take a deep breath in and see which direction it points to next.

Personally, I started off heading east, half way through the year, I went west. Then south, back north and now I'm heading west again--for business and my blog. Follow the signs, have faith, then buckle up for the ride.

That's what I set out to do in writing this blog post this morning. I hope I've taken you on another journey, safely.

Now, if you wish to help me on my journey, please let me know what you would like for me to continue blogging about. Oh, and one last thing, I'm doing a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity LA for my 30th birthday. Feel free to donate here.

Shifting Gears To Get Back On Track After Dealing With Writers Block

This will be a short post (I hope). 

I started this blog back in November of last year. I started my own business in January 2011. And for a while, I was able to manage my business and the blog as well as my hopes and aspirations of inspiring people, generating income and creating compelling content when all of the sudden it happened. Fear crashed into me like a tidal wave and I began to shift my focus from creative writing to the panic ridden action of treading water. 

 

I abandoned my blog due to frustration and writers block and began generating proposals without a clear vision with regard to my ideal client. I began abandoning my own strategy and advice for visibility and let my brand become less of a priority to me. I took all the meetings I could even if my gut said, "This is not a part of your vision." My focus became fear and I wore fear every single day as if it were a perfume.

What were my fears? Fear of failure. Fear of losing money. Fear of remaining stagnant and not growing.  So I did what anyone else in my situation may have done, I grabbed onto the steering wheel, revved up the engine and shifted gears.

Shifting gears is not necessarily a bad thing. We need to be able to move forward at different speeds. The only challenge is when we are in fifth gear going full speed ahead with no destination in sight. As a result of feeding my "fear fuel", there have been some good things that have happened (the glass is always half full in my book). I've been able to diversify the types of projects I am working on and my client roster has grown to now include:

Give to Get Jobs

Financially Wise Women http://www.financiallywisewomen.com

As well as a new beauty site which unites women in conversation and beauty products called  Is That Odd

I've also learned that my creative channels are extremely important to me. Never again will I go without blogging, dancing or acting. A lot of times, when I explain to people what it is that I do, they're often as confused as me, how's that for some brutal honesty. I never sought out to be a singing, dancing, comedic business development person who can tell you about your Alexa rank and keywords while doing the moonwalk--it just happened, it's just who I am and there is a title for it: Entrepreneur. 

An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and is accountable for the inherent risks and the outcome. 

And I am learning that a part managing risks and outcomes is being able to downshift gears and find peace, while doing the moonwalk and talking blog strategy. When we only have one speed, there's no room for silence, stillness and the other presence of mind that allows for us to be creative. As business people, artists, teachers, financial analysts, Jaclyn of All Trades, it's important to be creative so that we can uncover solutions. Creativity refers to the phenomenon whereby a person creates something new (a product, a solution, a work of art etc.) that has some kind of value.

So, the moral of my blog post here is you just have to do it. Do something. Move from a place of inaction and step forward, or take a step back. I am slowing down the Jaclyn Mullen Media ship so that I can keep my eyes on the land ahead, be it the skyscrapers of Manhattan or the palm trees of Los Angeles. 

But enough about me, how about you? How has this past six months been going? Are you moving in the direction that you would like or is there some sort of obstacle on your path holding you back from your true desires? Are you making enough time to eat right, exercise and inspire yourself? 

In my case, taking a step back allowed me to banish my writers block and publish this blog post today. While I have been proud of many previous posts, I have to say this one takes the cake. Not because it's "so compelling" nor because it's my best writing yet. This post means I took a step forward to get back on track while facing my fears and pursuing what matters to me. It isn't perfect, but it is progress and that's what counts.

"Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person." Dr. David M. Burns

Getting Back Up On The Horse

Balance.

We all strive to obtain it. But what balance means for some may very well differ for another. Think about it. Have you ever observed "those" people who seem to be in the midst of chaos but despite all the swarming activity around them, they're utterly content because they exercise, eat right and still make time for the movies? How could that be possible; how can one "go, go, go" and still maintain serenity?

The truth is that balance comes from within. As my father would say, it is up to YOU; it's your primary responsibility to ensure you take care of yourself with regard to exercise, diet and proper rest.
 
So, how do you know when you are spending your life in direct proportions or spending life in excess? Do you experience a sense of peace and relief when all is in order or undergo a sense of chaos and stress when things aren't? Could you possibly be unaware of the imbalances in your life?

Perhaps......if you ignore the little voice inside your heart. 

I don't think there is a right or a wrong answer and yet I do think as human beings, we can all relate to feelings of imbalance and the resulting havoc they can wreck on our day to day activities. Whether you are a new business owner, in a new relationship or possibly exploring a new career, feeling grounded (which results from being balanced) is quite essential.

Balance for me requires (1) blogging (2) running and (3) resting. That's a lot of ----ings, right? One of the questions I often hear from friends, clients and business associates alike is, "how do I make time for it all? How do I have a social life, market my business, maintain my clients and manage to sleep?"

I wish I had the magic answer. All I can say is it happens to the best of us. I am finally getting back up on the blogging horse after a nearly three weak hiatus due to an imbalance of life. My first steps forward into a more balanced state involved forgiveness.

It is very common for us to get frustrated with ourselves when our life feels disproportionate. Personally, I needed to forgive myself for stepping away from my computer and for shifting my focus. I needed to immerse myself back into a "live" learning environment to get the dendrites in my brain actively flowing again. I needed to walk (50 New York City blocks) to move stagnant energy and tension out of my body. All of these things required an energy shift from sitting behind a computer to getting out and experiencing more spontaneity in life and less routine.

So let's get some dialog going. What do you do when you start to feel frazzled?
How have you managed transitions in career, relationships or geography? What are your top three tips for getting back up on the horse and riding off into the sunset of harmonious life bliss?

I want to know and I'm sure others do as well so please be sure to comment.

I will be back to blogging this month. You can also keep current with my social media and brand consulting work through the new Jaclyn Mullen Media Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jaclynmullenmedia

In closing, I want to thank you for your patience while I have not been blogging. I want to thank you for your continued support and encouragement of this blog. And if there is a topic you would like for me to address, I'd be more than happy to write about it! Simply email me at info@jaclynmullenmedia.com

Signing off this successful Sunday,

The Jaclyn of All Trades

Jaclyn Mullen has spent the past ten years immersed in consumer behavior, online media, and business development for several companies. As a graduate of the University of Miami, Jaclyn first developed her online expertise while studying the emergence of digital downloads on the music industry. She is dedicated to developing branding strategies and social media plans that ensure her clients and work stand out within their respective marketplace and generate consumer loyalty. She was recently recognized as a finalist of American Airlines 30th Anniversary campaign. 

Prescription for a "Make it Count" Monday: Coffee and Aspirin with Dee Anna David

It's Monday. The week has just started out and you are almost done with your first day back at work. 

The pressure is on to make this week "the week"....the one where you actually finish that project you've been delaying, the one where you ask your boss for the raise you feel you are long overdue, the one where you finally book the trip you've been working hard towards (you know, the one you are saving for by sacrificing your Starbucks).

OR on the other hand, it could be just another Monday where time flies by and before you know it, Friday rolls around and you feel as though you have nothing to show for the past 7,200 minutes of your life. The choice is yours.

MAKE MONDAY COUNT! 

To help make this Monday different from the last, we have a little prescription courtesy of Dee Anna David. What's her remedy for making Mondays count?

Coffee and Aspirin. Learn more about Dee Anna and the role Coffee and Aspirin play in her daily life.

BLOG: http://coffeeandaspirin.tumblr.com/

Who: I'm Dee Anna, a ten-year lifestyle media professional and writer paying rent in Los Angeles. Over the past decade I've traveled all over the country, made a lot of friends, and have had a lot of fun. I could tell stories from behind the proverbial velvet rope all day but now I'm on a mission to change the world, one socialite at a time, and teach people what I had to learn the hard way: The most important thing in life is not to count your blessings, but to share them.

I've finally been convinced to open up and share this behind-the-scenes look at life as I know it: travel, media, events, fashion, nightlife, my "deetours," and the projects and charities my friends and I are taking on in 2011 to fight poverty, AIDS, support disaster relief and most importantly initiate change by engaging the lifestyle and nightlife industry to join in our mission.
 
What: cof·fee \and\ as·pi·rin
Noun - A perfectly adequate substitute for sleep when a more than full-time profession in lifestyle media, wild travel schedule, ten-item new year resolution list and unbreakable love of nightlife doesn't allow much time for naps.

How it all got started: I am a very, very lucky girl.
Over the years, I have held an amazing career in lifestyle media, that has shuffled me all over the country, lead me to experiences many people will never have, see things many will never see, and make so many amazing friends all over the place. Everyone thinks their friends are amazing, but mine really are.

When my beyond perfect life suddenly fell apart at the end of 2008, I was at no shortage of support to turn to and help me put the pieces back together, a process that more than two years later is still in progress, but I’m getting there. And, when in the end of 2010 with my 30th birthday approaching, I decided to do a $5k fund-raising campaign for charity: water to fund a dedicated clean water well in the Central African Republic, the rush of support surprised even me.

My inner circle, my family, my mentor and my “best friend” in each of the four states I’ve at one point had my mail forwarded to, came through right away. But thanks to the overwhelming love and support from business associates, co-workers, every ex-boyfriend/old flame that ever meant anything to me except one (don’t judge him, we’re in a weird place), long lost friends and even a few surprise social media followers, I was able to shelve marketing tactics I had originally planned to use,  the goal was met ahead of schedule and turned out to be the first of many more charity projects to come … which leads me to, the list.

The Resolutions aka "The List": New year’s resolutions are important to me, partly because, I was born on New Year’s day. I’ve always had a doubly perspective that each year is a new chance to achieve anything and everything a person wants out of life. This year, I told myself that I would set goals that didn’t just have to do with my career path. I’ve already exceeded all of those. This year, my extensive list of goals would focus on happiness and fulfillment outside of just my career.
 

1. I will commit at least 5% of my take home earnings next year to charity and aim for 10%.

2. I will do at least 3 more charity projects this year. At least one will involve giving time, not just money. Projects I am contracted and paid for will not count.

I will not be a victim of my vices

3. I will get back on mint.com and use it daily to manage my spending and saving.

4. I am holding myself to a strict policy of how much clothes I am allowed to have at any time. When I am over my limit, I must donate some. I will not sell or consign any clothing or accessories this year unless it is for charity.

5. I will spend no more than half of what I spent in 2010 on clothing and accessories (baby steps).

6. I will cut down my caffeine intake. I am a huge coffee and Red Bull addict with a daily routine of one Starbucks and three Red Bulls each day. That will cut to half by summer and no more than an average of 1.5 per day by year’s end.

7. I will cut back on my drinking. I don’t drink as often as it looks like I do anyway. In my industry, I’ve had to learn to go out to all hours and stay sober. But when I do, I can overdo it. I have a small frame and a Mexican tolerance. Dangerous combination. I haven’t figured out how to make that quantitative yet.

I have spent the last several years in flight mode. When I go to sleep on New Year’s Eve 2011, I will know that I am where I belong.

8. I will get over my fear of driving and learn how to drive again (this ties to the beginning of what happened to me in 2008).

9. I will get over the past, my fears of hurt and let myself be open. Stop seeking out men with inherent flaws and stop pushing away the others. (Already this year I have failed at this one disastrously.)

10. The biggie. I will determine and settle in the city I see myself in long term. That place may or may not be Los Angeles. It most likely will not be Phoenix. Las Vegas, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and New York are all possibilities.

Bonus ongoing resolution: To every year, no matter what, always find a way to go to at least one, new locale to which I’ve never been and have one experience I’ve never experienced.

The Jaclyn of All Trades asked Dee Anna for some words of encouragement/wisdom with regard to shifting perspectives. Here's what she recommends.

"The most important thing in life is not to count your blessings, but to share them. I believe in karma and if you don't pay it forward, you will pay it back, but even more important than that, we are all here to share. 

In today's world, financial security is an immense blessing but if it isn't that then maybe it is time, or wisdom or love. We all have something to share to help improve the lives of others. Sharing your gift with others, not only makes them feel good, but it will always immediately benefit you as well. Sharing your gift is a good way to grow upon it. 

For me, it was a ten year experience in marketing as part of a team that helped me achieve my goal for charity: water, realize that I was capable of managing and succeeding in such a marketing campaign on my own, and this even lead me to a couple new friends I never would've met otherwise."

As you can see, Dee Anna is living proof of her wise words. She plans on launching another campaign for charity: water, a few weekends ago she ran as part of an ASU alumni team in support of the Pat Tillman foundation (www.patsrun.com) and her next stop will be a project in support of an organization called European Disasters Volunteers (http://www.edvolunteers.org)

See? Told you I have the perfect "make it count" Monday remedy. Now, how are you going to make life count this week, next week and the many more weeks to come?

Share your comments, your tips, share your stories here. 

And for daily inspiration, reflections on life and some pretty phenomenal photos, be sure to check out Dee Anna's blog http://coffeeandaspirin.tumblr.com/

Until we meet again,

The Jaclyn of All Trades

P.S---We made this Monday count by distributing an amazing startup story! Please check out the press release for GivetoGetJobs.com, a job board, featuring careers in the corporate social responsibility and social enterprise sectors, that is launching next week, Monday May 2nd.

Entrepreneurial, Empire State of Mind Thanks To The Wix Lounge

Starting a new business is tough. And traveling to a distant city to expand a new business is downright terrifying especially when your main goal is to make new contacts.

As I discovered, trying to find a place to power up your laptop (aka "the true lifeline and soul source of potential revenue") for a start up business while in the Big Apple is nearly impossible.

Ask any entrepreneur, freelancer or business traveler what their opinion is with regard to working from coffee shops, big and small, in Manhattan and they will back me up on this--you either need to be grandfathered into your little nook or be willing to sit on the floor and swap your laptop batteries out every few hours.  One major coffee chain (that a lot of entrepreneurs have supported these past few years) is now covering their power outlets so that they can't be used by anyone. As if starting your business and paying $4.00 for coffee wasn't already stressful, right?

Affordable, self employment workspace in New York City is almost unheard of.....that was until the Wix Lounge came along and provided it...FOR FREE.

In addition to this FREE office space is FREE wireless Internet FREE hot coffee and FREE networking. And because of the Wix Lounge, I have connected with other dream chasers trying to take over the Empire State, one start up at a time.

Thanks to Wix--the online, flash website building platform which sponsors the space, the process of starting a business in this challenged economy has become less intimidating and even more inspiring in the Big Apple.



Working at the Wix Lounge where the Empire State Building is within plain sight
My maternal grandparents immigrated to New York City in the early '60s while I often joke that I immigrated to New York City in 2011. Manhattan is an entirely different animal compared to the hills of Hollywood by which I came. But the American dream evolved in this city; the city that never sleeps. And I want to be where my dreams can come true. Apparently, I am not alone.

Eager and anxious to slay the concrete jungle with my success, I took to the Internet to find a place where I could work and keep myself any one of these three things: motivated, grounded, focused. With the help of Google, I came across the Wix Lounge located at 10 West 18th Street centrally located near the Flatiron, Union Square and Chelsea. The website site said they provided free workspace. Unsure of what that really meant, let alone, what I should expect, I jumped on the crowded six train from uptown and headed towards the Empire State Building--the true symbol of success, power and style representative of New York's "make it anywhere" motto.

 Photo by: Jaclyn Mullen

What I found turned out to be more than I could have ever imagined, even for a girl coming to NYC from the land of motion pictures.

Entrepreneurs engage and encourage each other while working at the Wix
Working at the Wix Lounge has proven to be a breeze. There are a variety of start up companies within the walls, each mapping out their 5 year plans for success. People with their laptops type in unison while sitting at desks or on comfortable couches.

And talk about the people; tons of people frequent the lounge and work really hard. Week one, I met Victoria Monsul, the manager of Wix Lounge, and Rodney Williams Itier, Photographer for Getty Images. Week two, I met Julius D.C. Bryant, of Damien Christopher Model Agency. Week three, I met Zachary Held from Open Action, Mike from Holstee and Joshua Manley, founder of Idea Pinata.

Since my first visit nearly 10 weeks ago, I have flown back to LA to recharge and upon return to NYC, I continue to work from "the Wix."

At the Wix Lounge, I am never alone. Sure, as a solopreneur, I may be the only one putting the blood, sweat and tears into my company but while I do so, my working Wix friends are by my side simultaneously putting blood, sweat and tears into their companies too.

As a matter of fact, my "working at the Wix" crew now entails Charlie from ServedFreshMedia.net, Andre Wagner (a photographer/fashion designer from Omaha, NE) and Raeven Western, founder of the blog PushyDreamers.com

New York, the Big Apple, the Empire State. It may be known for breeding tough business people but the Wix Lounge proves that when the start up industry gets tough in Manhattan, the tough go to Wix and get to work. I hope to see you there soon.

This post is merely the beginning of more "Working at the Wix" start up stories. If you would like to gain personal exposure for your startup and blog, email victoria@wix.com

She will be hand selecting a new "Working at the Wix" story to feature each week in the newsletter.

In closing, be sure to leave a comment in this post with your name, website and Twitter handle so we can all continue to connect amongst the concrete jungle.

Signing off ,

The Jaclyn of All Trades 

Founder of JaclynMullenMedia.com

Do you have a start up story to tell? The Jaclyn of All Trades is compiling a series and we want your tips! In need of some social media help? Email info@jaclynmullenmedia.com or follow me on Twitter @jaclynmullen 

You can also follow @WixLounge on Twitter too

Motivational Monday's "Secrets of Adulthood"

At the tender age of twenty-nine, I think I am finally grasping the concept of adulthood. Add to that the concept of not worrying; of being happy. Happy like the song, "Don't Worry Be Happy." Happy like the book, "The Happiness Project" inspires.

Just how have I made this transition? Below are my personal secrets of adulthood.

1. You're never too old to enjoy some childlike fun whether that be playing a video game, a round of mini golf or watching cartoons. 
2. "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." One of many great quotes from Randy Pausch. 
3. There is a legitimate reason why you should be at the airport two hours before your flight. Prepare for the unexpected. As they say, it is ALWAYS better to be early than late.
4. To add to that, bring a cell phone charger and back up battery no matter where you go.
5. Keep up with reading. Just as we exercise our bodies, we need to exercise our brains too and reading is mental exercise. 
6. Try to always take the high road. Notice the word "try." Sure, it may be hard but two wrongs never make a right. Work on being the bigger person, the universe will reward you for it. 
7. YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR LIFE BY MAKING NEW CHOICES OR REMAINING WHERE YOU ARE. Read that again. 
8. Money can't buy you happiness but it can help you get out of an unhappy situation so be sure to spend smart and save. 
9. You will see who is really there for you when you go through a tough time. Keep these people close to you and be there for them when they need you too. 
10. Always have a stash of napkins in your glove compartment just in case of an emergency spill. This may sound silly (until you spill something in your car and can't wipe it up!)
11. Every now and then, you will need to cry and that is ok. 
12. If you're on time, you are late. If you are five minutes early, you are on time. 
13. Spend time with children. They'll remind you to stay patient and inquisitive; to keep your dreams alive. 
14. You are what you eat and drink so choose wisely. 
15. There is no need (nor is there any room) to compete with anyone other than yourself. 
16. If at first you don't succeed, pick yourself back up. Dust yourself off. And then, try again.
17. Keep an open mind. Just because something doesn't interest you initially, doesn't mean it won't interest you ever. Expand your horizons and evolve.
18. Plan, execute, evaluate. Then plan again.
19. Vitamin C, oil of oregano and Culturelle probiotics are my recipe for supreme health. 
20. A cup of coffee can make life just a little bit easier.

Please feel free to add your own Secrets of Adulthood. We can always learn from one another.

Feel free to share these as well. All in all, I just want to say that I sincerely thank you for reading my blog and I hope you feel empowered this Motivational Monday. Make it count!

Signing off,

The Jaclyn of All Trades

Motivational Mondays "Best Week Ever" Edition

"Imagine a new stack of crisp white paper. It's just waiting for you to start writing the pages of your story. No one else will have a story like yours. So fill those pages however you wish, and sign your story with a flourish." Anonymous

It's Monday (or as I like to refer to it, Motivational Monday) and THIS WEEK IS GOING TO BE YOUR BEST WEEK EVER! Yep, I said it and I meant it. Best Week Ever--funny, over the top, just like the hysterical TV show on Vh1. 

Monday signifies the time to start fresh; the time to look ahead. But old folklore often says, "you won't know where you are going if you don't know where you have come from." Want to know why? Often when we begin a new endeavor, we set out to reach new heights, we set new goals. The emphasis is on doing things that have not done been before---not on looking back at what we are leaving behind. 

As you start a new week, do you ever stop and reflect on your personal victories from the week before?  

Are you able to keep things in perspective or is there a demand to continue and become a better you without giving yourself a big, old pat on the back?

Recaps. Gotta have them. Especially if you want to maintain some momentum towards your goals. Noting the tasks you have accomplished adds fuel to your spirit. Identifying areas where you fell short helps you improve and carve out time to work on your weaknesses. Acknowledging the success of your past week allows you to express gratitude for people that have helped you along the way. 

So, tell me. How did your week go? 

What did you accomplish? Where did you fall short? What are your goals for this week?

I must admit, as excited as I am for the next few days, last week was truly the best week ever. I fulfilled my "Michael Jordan moment" by performing a 5 minute stand up comedy routine in front of 200 plus people. 90% of those people were strangers. 

 A few folks are missing...here are some of my friends from comedy class.

I was the gracious recipient of a delicious meal--Mario Batali pizza and two glasses of red wine, from a guy named Guy who happened to bring his friends and family to my comedy show a few days later! There I was, first time on stage at a huge comedy venue jam packed with people and I look straight out into the crowd and see my new friend Guy sitting there, smiling. It calmed my nerves tremendously to see him in the audience. Talk about a random act of kindness (treating me to a meal and participating in the support of my comedy show). Guy's actions meant so much to me that I will be telling my grandchildren the story someday.

To add to my week, I had over 20 people come out to see me perform Wednesday night. The attendance of the show was incredible and I cannot thank everyone enough for their support and feedback. I even received a gorgeous bouquet of good luck flowers from a friend who is afar.

Then to top it all off, this past Saturday night, I was gifted tickets to check out Lisa Loeb in concert. I sang her songs all throughout middle school, Lisa Loeb will never ever be too old school for me.

Here is my video of Lisa singing "Stay, I Missed You." Go ahead, sing along. 

And so, it is time; time to make this week the best week ever for me and for you. (A special thanks to Chuck Nice for his portrayal of R.Kelly in the video clip at the top, courtesy of BestWeekEver.TV)

This Motivational Monday, spend your time wisely. Re-read the quote at the top of this blog post. Note your success from the previous weeks, challenge yourself to meet your goals these next few days. No matter how far fetched, if you want something, you can and will make it happen. 

Trust me, I am the last person that people would initially perceive as a stand up comic and yet, I refused to let that deter me from going for it. I will continue to do stand up because I want to.

Lastly, share some motivation this Monday. Congratulate a friend on a recent milestone they've achieved. Perform a random act of kindness. Comment on this article with your tips for "making it" through Monday.

And keep on keeping on. March is almost over and in less than two weeks, quarter one of 2011 will be done. Work hard but don't forget to have fun in the process.

Signing off, 

The Jaclyn of All Trades