Difference Maker!

Difference Maker!

Taking the risk sometimes can provide you more security.
 
My husband and I could not be more polar opposites.

He is practical.  He can always think of a reason not to do something.   He is a quiet observer and hates going out.
 
On the flip side, he would describe me as impractical, head in the clouds, doesn’t listen, too active, and a social butterfly.
 
My version of his description of me would sound like “I’m a go getter”, “I don’t take no for an answer”, and “I’m a creator, and an active participant in life and in love.”
 
 Much better don’t you think?
 
Either way, we do bring balance to each other. And God, can we make each other laugh. But we also see each other’s potential, even if we are still working on just how far to push each other toward that potential. 
 
We each took a risk on one another, and it has provided us both so much security in so many unexpected ways. 
 
There are other ways that risk taking can ultimately lead to security.   My favorite risk is creating passive income. Last week I mentioned Kristen Biggs, and how much of a difference maker she is in my life and in others’. Kristen also believes in the power of risk leading to security.  Like me, she is a big proponent of passive income through the acquisition of real estate.
 
She is an investor in real estate and in business.
 
The passive income that she earns protects her and her family. She can rest easy knowing she has a cushion to soften the blow in the event that she lose a job, a child goes to college, the family wants to take a vacation, kids play sports – you know, if life happens!

Naturally, you should always do your due diligence when assessing a risk.  But don’t let your adversity to risk, or the societal norms of how money is made stop you from excelling beyond those measures.

Evergreen and Everlasting!

Evergreen and Everlasting!

There is no one-size-fits-all marketing strategy. Regenerating content is not the answer – even if it contains universal truths that pertain to your industry. Sure you can edit generic content to match your branding standards, but canned content should never dominate your marketing strategy.
 
Authenticity is so important, and time spent on your social media marketing plan is also so important. It is the only way to get who you are across to people beyond your existing sphere of influence.
 
You can pull ideas from other creators but do not copywrite. Besides the potential legal repercussions, people will notice, and it’s not a good look.
 
In fact, I know of two shops within a 20-mile radius. Both have the same customer base. Both have been open for a few years. Shop #1 has had the same brand since the start. Shop #2 has recently relocated and rebranded. The revamped logo and shop aesthetic are strikingly similar to Shop #1.   Even if it was unintentional – which I believe it was – DO YOUR MARKET RESEARCH.
 
I myself had to apply my own principle when creating Dandelion.   I did my research and found there  are many other marketing agencies with the word Dandelion in their name. As it turns out, Dandelion is a term often used in marketing because of its expansive reach and its unknown final destination. Yet it grows.
 
Even though there are several “Dandelion” marketing agencies, we vary.   We are located in different states.   And we do not have the same branding imagery, color scheme, or identity.
 
I chose the name because I was very much in love with the name Dandelion, all that stands for beyond marketing, and the beautiful memories I have of them as a little girl.
 
Back to the point:  you can always regenerate content you created. You can sprinkle in similar canned content here and there. Just make sure it doesn’t dominate and wash out the authentic content you have created.

Edible Fact!

Edible Fact!

Being direct is not always a bad thing! I’m not just saying this to defend myself.
 
In fact, at least in my mind, being indirect just makes things worse. It’s like a relationship that just lingers on way too long– one person is totally into it and the other is not. Or like an employee that clearly isn’t working out but keeps his job because the boss doesn’t have the heart to fire him.  In these situations, the outcome is never good. It just wastes peoples’ time.
 
However, I would recommend the following don’ts:
 

  1. Be rude or insensitive with your directness.
  2. Give your unsolicited opinion. This is a big one people need to learn, including myself.
  3. Battle everything and anything.
  4. Excuse knee jerk reactions.

 
We also need to understand, that even when we follow all of the above, there will be those who will still take offense. They will think you demanding, brusque, threatening and even intimidating. But don’t let that deter you. Make the ask. Defend your position. Also adjust your approach.
 
For some, being direct comes easy. It easily slips out like saying yes to piece of chocolate cake. Others have built their directness by building their confidence in what they know and do.
 
However, there are many that it doesn’t come easy. They believe being direct is impolite, so they avoid the hard conversations.
 
No matter what, just remember this… HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY.

 

Sun or Shade?

Sun or Shade?

Have you ever found yourself heading into a meeting, getting ready to face the unknown? Trying to recoup from a conversation that went south?  Or wanting to extend that high from a night out with your friends?
 
What do you lean on?
 
We use this tool to make cooking more fun, push through a workout, or a long drive. We connect and disconnect with this.
 
No, I’m not talking about podcasts, but I do love podcasts (I have mentioned my obsession for Glennon Doyle). I’m talking about music.
 
I know I can’t be the only one who drowns themselves in music at times.
 
It releases more dopamine into our systems, a natural happy pill.
 
It possesses such an immense power over your mind, body, and soul.
 
More importantly, at least for me, it helps with anxiety and stress.
 
We all have stress and stressors in our lives. While we may eliminate the stressors, the stress remains. This too impacts our mind, body, and soul.
 
Stress has a much greater effect on our physical health than we realize. Check out this article from Healthline depicting the effects of stress on the body.
 
So please listen, sing, dance to the tunes that comfort you. We all have stressors and stress in our lives.
 
And if you want to learn more about getting the stress out, I recommend reading Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski.

In the meantime, here are some of my top plays and why:
 
  1. Fight Song by Rachel Platten when I need to face the day.
  2. Morning Song by the Avett Brothers when I need to let go.
  3. Try Everything by Shakira when I need to face my fears.
  4. Me Too by Meghan Trainor when I need that extra boost.
  5. Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya when someone attempts to devalue my worth.
  6. The Sound of Silence by Disturbed when I think about the world around us.
  7. River by Leon Bridges for those moments of relaxation (this one is my favorite). 

I could go on, but more importantly I would love to add to my list. What would be your go-to’s in each scenario?