Archive for Inspiration
Tis the Season… To Shop? To Invest? To Learn?
Posted by: | Comments| It’s here…
There are officially 25 shopping days until the Christmas Gift Giving holiday… We have a great tradition at my home in Texas. No gifts. We started this tradition years ago after one year, my cousin and I were frantically wrapped presents (everyone asked us to wrap theirs) and we almost missed Christmas dinner. We all realized as a family that we’d forgotten the real meaning of Christmas and one of those is spending quality time with loved ones celebrating the season. I stopped spending money on gifts that were just for the point of giving something. |
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I now give gifts that have meaning and purpose… for example, Jeff & I decided this year to give each other a year-long high level coaching program with a brilliant teacher and marketer that will end up costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s an investment in our own learning and growth and that’s the kind of gift we both want for ourselves and each other. Another thing we are giving ourselves (and the boys) is helping feed homebound seniors on Christmas Eve morning.
It’s well known in marketing that people will find a way to pay (with money or time) for what’s important to them… they will forgo other things. That’s why you see people with fabulous cars or huge big screen televisions while they are living in squalor. Or people who have big dreams whiling away the evenings in front of mindless tv instead of working on their dreams…
What’s important to you..? Shopping for gifts that will be forgotten by January 1 or investing in your own learning (or your childrens) or giving time to people who will truly appreciate it?
That being said, I’ll get off my soapbox for a sec 
& for those of you who will be buying presents (and I will be now that I’m in a home with two young boys!) check this out for free shipping coupons to over 1800 stores. Here’s to stimulating the economy and just being clear on knowing what’s important to you.
Online Biz Show Thanksgiving Twitter Debut
Posted by: | CommentsWe’re so excited to be starting our show today Thanksgiving. We thought of “officially” starting it in the next couple of weeks, but as we were watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, we decided to fire up our flipvideo and start it today by saying Thank You to our teachers, subscribers, students and all the tweeple we’ve come into contact with over the last year… This show will be real, just like this episode… no editing stuff out, no scripts, no do-overs (no makeup even!) … You can even see one of our fancy “soft box” lights for videos in the background…
Some of what we’ll be bringing you 3 times a week starting Monday includes:
- online biz advice
- tech for non-tecchies (like us)
- motivation and inspiration to keep moving forward (even when you face pebbles in the road)
- cool tools that will make your life (& business) easier and better
- behind the scenes in two online businesses that work giving us both more freedom in so many ways
- how to balance life and your business
- and much more
We are so thankful today and everyday and we hope to help you with this show! We’d love to hear from you so leave a comment and we’ll “see” you in Webisode 2 on Monday! Happy Thanksgiving! Jeff & Maritza
I’m Thankful for Love…
Posted by: | CommentsAs we’re approaching the Thanksgiving and holiday season, I’m visiting family in Texas for a “pre-Thanksgiving” celebration with family and friends… I’ve still been working a ton while here, but making sure to take time for loved ones and friends. Yesterday I had a wonderful experience that showed me yet again… the best gifts, the ones that are most appreciated are free to give… love, kindness, understanding and compassion…
When I was about 9 years old, my parents finally started being successful in business after years of study and planning (and counting their pennies every single day) My Mom was the business manager and had to work a TON to get the business actually up and profitable. She made a difficult decision many working moms must face to get help.
Help came in the form of an 18 year old girl named Estella.
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My brother, Estella & I reunited! |
She helped a lot while my Mom and Dad busted their butts to build a business and live their purpose. Each night, I would yell after her, “I Love You Estella!”What I didn’t know at the time was that she had a very difficult childhood and this was the first time she had been given love so freely and frequently.
Yesterday, I saw her again after about 15 years and she told me just how much my love and affection, given so freely, changed her life. Although she had no one in terms of family at the time, it gave her strength to go out and make a life for herself and she says it helped her build her self-esteem. She now has two grown children and grandchildrena and it’s obvious love flows freely in her home. |
During this time of appreciation, I want to challenge you (& me!!) to be more free in giving out these gifts that mean so much… When was the last time you told someone “I love you?” or praised someone for their efforts or showed consideration and patience with a loved one, a student or a stranger… You NEVER know what’s going on in someone’s life and each interaction we have is an opportunity to lift others up or pull them down.
A few marketing teachers have questioned the way I sign off on all my emails… I always end with “Love, Maritza” – I may not personally communicate with all subscribers but I do wish them all love and success… and it sure works for me!
Online Business Advice: Teflon Coating Your Heart
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When you decide to take your products, services and business online… you must learn to “Teflon Coat” yourself!
The internet is such an amazing place to:
It also opens you up to criticism, condemnation and negativity from time to time… and people can do it in a completely “anonymous” way which makes them much meaner than they would probably be if speaking to you face to face. |
I didn’t attend Blog World Expo in Las Vegas this year (though next yer, I plan on attending) but I saw lots of people in my Twitterstream talking about what @AnthonyEdwards touched on… and it must have hit a nerve because people were tweeting up a storm about it!
From what I got in my twitterstream, he said “Please be more civil online”. When you interact with people, remember though it can seem a bit “impersonal” sometimes, there are people on both ends of the communication! Let’s pretend that every online interaction is a face to face one.
If you have an issue with someone online, either:
- If you don’t have anything nice to say, Don’t say anything at all. (ancient concept from Grandmothers all over the globe)
- If you do want to bring up a constructive criticism or debate, do so in a civil manner – just like you were standing face to face with the person, looking into their eyes!
Trying to be mean, cruel or “right” in an anonymous way just shows your true colors and is like throwing rocks and running to hide! No courage or personality needed whatsoever…
My advice to anyone who wants to start an online biz or be “visible” online, teflon coat your heart and focus on all the wonderful people out there because thankfully, they outnumber the trolls!
What is a “Troll” you ask…? Here’s a recent blog post from Seth Godin about trolls:
Trolls
Lots of things about work are hard. Dealing with trolls is one of them. Trolls are critics who gain perverse pleasure in relentlessly tearing you and your ideas down. Here’s the thing(s):
1. trolls will always be trolling
2. critics rarely create
3. they live in a tiny echo chamber, ignored by everyone except the trolled and the other trolls
4. professionals (that’s you) get paid to ignore them. It’s part of your job.
“Can’t please everyone,” isn’t just an aphorism, it’s the secret of being remarkable. Here’s his blog)
Sometimes, we all let trolls get to us… but remember when someone upsets you… they are the ones who must live with themselves and that must be a “super sucky” (actual word) place to live…
And don’t ever let anyone stop you from being a Remarkable You!
The Product Creation Hunchback: My Default Halloween Costume
Posted by: | CommentsAy chihuahua! It’s been a couple of weeks since making a blog post! I’ve been busy in the “Product Creation Lab” creating a new course called Social Marketing Blueprint… Jeff & I are so excited about the course and the launch… Last night members got access to their new Member’s Area to rave reviews. But, I have to tell you… Although this is one of the most exciting and fulfilling projects I’ve embarked upon, especially since I know we’ll be helping a lot of amazing people get their websites found… it’s been a lot of W.O.R.K.
I’m never shy to get in and get dirty and work hard. One of the things my family blessed me (a 1st generation American in this case) with is a huge “get-it-done-no-matter-what-MacGyver” work ethic… and I LOVE challenges.
This Halloween, I’ve decided I have no choice but to “dress up” as the Product Creation Hunchback…
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Usually I go as a witch or a devil or something where I can still be girly, but this year my back has let me know that I MUST be a hunchback from bending over the computer for 14 hour days creating this curriculum! And on the preview call with Alex Mandossian, one of my mentors I greatly respect, I got this wonderful comment…
Can you say cool & humbling at the same time…? And although I have a fabulous team surrounding me, Jeff Herring my SMB partner, Tracy Shiflett the head VA extraordinaire, Irene Hachar, Luz Castillo & Kimberly from FIC printing who did a fantastic job with the Diamond Deadline Online Success Planners… Whoever tells you that success is instant and effortless is just dead wrong. |
While it’s true that success can be easier by leveraging the tools of the Internet and now Social Marketing, I don’t believe anyone who creates long term success has done it without W.O.R.K.
W = Willingness to do Whatever it takes.
O = Overcoming your own intertia AND Overcoming the pebbles that will get in the way
R = Reasons why you want to create this (Add value to others, to yourself, your family, creating a legacy… what is your compelling Reason Why?)
K = Kindness to yourself & others when things done work out “perfectly”… one of my biggest mottos I remind myself about over and over and over again… It’s all about “Progress & not about Perfection” Cut yourself a break and do the absolute best you can and be kind when it isn’t exactly as you imagined.
Well after midnight last night, when I crawled into bed… I finished reading Gary Vaynerchuck’s book Crush It! and my biggest takeaway is that when you combine passion with hustle… you don’t even notice when you turn into a Hunchback because you are having so much darn fun, so appreciative of all the new students, so excited to create a fabulous commmunity with them…
And Jeff & I will be starting a video blog show about Online Biz Meets Real Life with free tips, inspiration and showing the “hustle behind the scenes”. I’ve never been happier and felt more fulfilled… even if I do look like an Igor…
As always, I’d love to hear from you and share what you’ll be dressing as for Halloween!
Inspirational Video: Dr Randy Pausch – 7 Tips for Living an Inspired Life
Posted by: | CommentsThis is a fabulous video to watch when you’re acting like Eeyore (which we all do sometimes!) Some tips from this great video when Dr Pausch appeared on the Oprah show:
1. Always be dreaming… never lose that spirit. “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted”
2. The brick walls that are in our way are there for a reason, to let us prove how badly we want things.
3. Remember the importance of People vs. Things
4. Decide if you’re a Tigger or an Eeyore. Never underestimate the power of having fun.
5. Work & Play well with others.
6. Show gratitude.
7. Don’t complain, just work harder…
If you lead your life the right way… the dreams will come to you.
[Video] Top Ten Ways People Disempower Themselves…
Posted by: | CommentsWow! I’m in the middle of creating a video series with Jeff Herring about how business has transformed over the last 12 months… and I came across this video from last Fall… I am completely bowled over by the difference in video quality compared to the high definition videos I’m now producing!
The content of this video still applies though, it’s theTop Ten Ways People Disempower themselves (personally & professionally)!
When you;re done watching the video, I’d love to ask you to fill out a quick survey to help Jeff & I with our upcoming (high-definition, schmanty, information-packed and fun) video series…
Click Here to Take The Short Survey!
Thank You in advance!
Tonight’s the Night! (and it’s gonna be much more more than alright…)
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With apologies to Rod Stewart “Tonight’s the Night!” and it is gonna be much more than alright!
What the heck am I a talking about?
The Bridging Heart and Marketing Virtual Conference begins tonight at 9 pm ET and I really want you to be there with me!
Just a quick look at what you get:
- 15 cutting edge business building sessions
- Top Notch Speakers – Tracy Repchuk – Jeff Herring – Lisa Cherney – Mark Widawer – Jill Lubin – Adam Urbanski – Cathy Perkins – Andrew Colyer & Melanie Buzek – Bret Ridgeway – and Judith & Jim of course (please notice something about this speaker line-up that is rare and MUCH NEEDED – Do you see it? Half of the speakers are women - you should come on board just to support that feature alone!)
- Virtual Conference – Save on travel, hotel and food (the bathrooms are down the hall and all your favorite snacks are in the ‘fridge)
- 3 very affordable price points for registration – $67 – $197 – $297
- Get the full story here
Any one of the 15 sessions are worth the price of registration, and you won’t know which one will give you the “keys to the kingdom” until you have been a part of them all!
Go here now to come on board and join us tonight!
I’ll see you tonight!
Maritza
P.S. – Full disclosure nod to the FTC – No I do not get an affiliate commission for this conference, but I have taken a soft sell copywriting course from Judith & Jim who are great teachers who show you how to market with authenticity & integrity!
P.P.S. – And when you come on board thru me I’ll have Jeff Herring send you absolutely FREE his 2 Module Mini-TeleCourse on Resource Box Secrets complete with Resource Box Templates! This course helped me fix my “Resource Box Issues” so now I get a higher percentage of people clicking through my articles to my websites… invaluable stuff… so what are you waiting for?!
