That's right. I was thinking about this and I really am.

Think about it for a moment.  You know those feelings that you get when you are experiencing something new or that certain someone that makes your heart beat faster and makes you blush. Well as I was thinking about this, it dawned on me.  Wouldn't it be a wonderful pursuit to do things that will elicit those same feelings from all areas of life?

This is a year of adventure for me and I invite you on the journey with me.

A year of falling in love with my life. Of being totally released to the opportunities that await me without having any preconceived ideas about what it should be like. There is something amazing that happens when you choose to let go. Choose to allow yourself to start on a ...
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[caption id="attachment_1155" align="alignright" width="260" caption="Mirror, mirror what do I see?"][/caption]

 

Most of us see a distorted view of ourselves which is normally based upon our life experiences, our emotions attached to those experiences as well as the needs and wants that haven’t been yet met.  Taking some time to clarify your vision makes sense and that does not mean looking back at the past but rather pressing yourself to take stock of the present and dream of the future.  Yes, dream.  It's okay to envision the big picture!

Ask yourself what you want from your future and identify what a completely fulfilled life would look like.  What is the inspiration or motivator for your vision?

Check out www.whatsyour72 ...
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I have started this new year tapping into what makes my heart sing and really trying to see my life through fresh eyes. Having the courage to cut off and say no and fully embrace those things that matter most,  and releasing those things that are not serving me in my best interest.

Recently my youngest child was diagnosed with a rare eye condition. We had no idea that for the past 10 years of his life, that he was seeing double every time he tried to read. As a result, he has struggled so much and has had numerous issues with school and of course we were told ADD, learning disorders etc...when all the time it was his actual eyes that were the issue. In just one surgery, his eyes have been repaired and he is now able to see the world crystal clear.

This moment ...
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In a world that continues to move at an alarming rate it is so easy to miss the simple act of encouraging others.  Have you ever thought of someone out of the blue and your heart starts tugging at you to pick up the phone or go and see them?  Listen to that inner voice.  Give yourself the gift of spending time with others to share a conversation, a smile and even a hug.

Who knows, maybe that is the exact encouragement you need. ...
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You were gifted with skills and abilities for a reason. What a shame it would be that each one of us let fear get in the way of fully living by not using our God given talents to inspire, change and impact the world around us.


Are you feeling called to do something? To help someone? All it takes is the courage to act one step at a time.
Don't be afraid but rather embrace that vulnerability and do it anyway for when you choose to share the best of you is when the best of you shines bright and allows you to receive the best of others in return. ...
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Feeling a little blue? Not completely satisfied with life at the moment?
Sometimes it is an absolute necessity to give yourself the gift of a "time out". Having an honest conversation with yourself is essential in answering the questions, "What is it that I truly want out of my life?".
Defining a life journey that is filled with purpose and taking action toward it will results in peace, contentment and joy.We call that LIVING 720. Check out what other people are posting about their idea LIVING 720. www.whatsyour720.com ...
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Life can be challenging.  We make decisions that at the time seem like it is in our best interest or feels good,but in the end it has taken us away from where we are supposed to be. The good news is that each of us has within us the power of choice.  Choice gives us the opportunity to course correct the mistakes that we once might have made and to choose a different direction for the journey ahead.  The good news is that the journey is never in vain as there is always something to learn from every one of life's experiences taken and not taken.The Road Not Taken - Robert FrostTwo roads diverged in a yellow wood,
... And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
...
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More often than not we should remind ourselves that the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today were paid by a very heavy price by others before us. Take a moment of silence today to honour, pray and show gratitude to those men, women and families who sacrifice a more comfortable life for one that is devoted to making sure peace prevails. ...
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… or accidentally?

“The more boundless your vision, the more real you are.”
? Deepak Chopra

[caption id="attachment_1101" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Vision"][/caption]

Are you living your life your way?  Is your career what you want it to be? Do you look forward with pleasure to going to your office each day? Or is it with a feeling of dread, with the knowledge that this is something you have to do only to make money. Are you reaching your personal goals?  Are your relationships all that you’ve dreamed? Are you the one that’s in control of your life?

We all end up somewhere in life. A few of us end up somewhere on purpose – those of us with vision.  Life just happens to those without. Vision provides the direc ...
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“Success is never final. Failure is never fatal.
It is courage that counts.”
-- Winston Churchill


[caption id="attachment_1092" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Courage"][/caption]

Contrary to what some of you may believe, courage is not an innate quality, but rather one that can be developed and cultivated.  When we develop courage we arm ourselves with the power and skill to confront problems and deal with adversity head on – a muscle that requires regular work-outs, one that helps us deal with life's challenges.

The first step is to acknowledge and understand that courage is not the absence of fear.  Even the most courageous of us experience fear and trepidation – just ask any soldier who has had to venture into ...
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[caption id="attachment_1086" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Risk and knowing when it's time."][/caption]

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – John F. Kennedy

I guess that depends on what kind of life we want.  When we were children we dared to do it all – eat bugs, jump off high places, and run laughingly into dark places. We called it ‘exploring’. When we got older, we were introduced to the word ‘consequences’ … that horrible bug-bear that hangs over every risk and creates fear. But ‘risk’ is just a label like so many others. Armani – fancy suit. Ferrari – fast car. Nike – running shoes.

In this case, the risk label conjures up imminent danger and stops us f ...
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[caption id="attachment_1079" align="alignright" width="265" caption="The Epitome of a Transformational Leader"][/caption]

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected”. - Steve Jobs

Today, our definition of a transformational leader is a person who simply does the right thing to achieve excellence. Steve Jobs, technology visionary, had a dedication to always getting it right the first time out. He realized life had to be lived to the fullest every day and said once that he used to start each day with the question “is what I’m going to do today, be something that I would want to be doing on the last day of my life?” Perhaps we should all be asking ourselves the same question. He set an example for the world ...
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It can be lonely at the top at times.  As much as some semblance of control feels good, the awesome responsibility of leading others can at times prove to be overwhelming for some.  If you have ever experienced feelings of stress, loneliness, not feeling equipped or maybe you question how well you handle things, then maybe a leadership coach is for you. Someone, who can be there in the shadows as a support and a cheerleader for you as you navigate through the maze of figuring out your own leadership style; what works and what doesn’t work for you.

Can leadership coaching really lead to results?

Our hands on experience and research shows that it really can and does help to improve individual performance.  Think of coaching as four potential gifts you can give t ...
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Utilizing the expertise of an experienced coach is becoming increasingly popular not only individually but corporately as well.  Have you ever considered the importance of growing yourself and your people in who they are as leaders in their own right? That they in turn will have a better chance collectively of building a more engaged internal culture, impact your customers on a more positive level and increase their own personal and department productivity?  Why is that?  Do we not all strive to be happy in what we do? To be validated for our hard work and for the role that we have been entrusted with?  I think deep down, we all desire to.

Let’s chat about the coaching experience for a moment.  They are many that can’t understand the value in investing in a professional coac ...
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For many years now, it amazes me how hundreds of individuals I meet have such limiting beliefs around the idea of their own worthiness and the issue of money.  Here is what I have seen. Most people feel they don’t deserve to be well off, whether that is from generational, religious or even our own punishment mentality and feelings of unworthiness.  I think we put too much emphasis on money and it is interesting that I am writing this presently as recently I realized that I am facing my own pressures with money as I grow my company to the next level and some of these feelings come to light making this a good time to reflect…and share.

Instead of being reactive to the “lack” in your life, I challenge you to let go and embrace what you love.

Embrace those ...
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As long as there have been leaders, there have been those who have tried to determine what that secret ingredient is that ensures success. Leadership itself has not evolved, but our understanding of it has.  It is beneficial to understand varying leadership styles and how they can be effective and why the same leadership techniques will not work in every situation or for every leader. Finding out what your best “leadership fit” is will help you create a style of leadership that is unique to you. Think of it as your own personal leadership DNA. Similar to each one of us having our own unique DNA, each one of us has the potential to build, grow and refine our own leadership style and effectiveness. Taking some time to understand who you are and to study various leaders who inspire you will h ...
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If you focus on your people, you will change the focus of your work.

In general, there are many managers who believe they manage their work. They answer is they don’t. The truth is that they are responsible for the work, but in actual fact they get the work done by influencing the people who do the work.

Management and leadership guru Peter F. Drucker highlights the following point. “When you hire a hand, it comes with a head and heart attached. So you must pay attention, lots of attention, to the whole person—head and heart—because you need more than your people’s time and attention”.

Work today consists of more than the need for knowledge.  In addition to knowledge it also insists on judgment, thinking, and decision making just to name a few. ...
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The most effective leaders are those who understand their strengths and weaknesses so they in turn can develop strategies and provide solutions to meet the demands of their environment. Taking time to “get real” with yourself and to truly assess who you are and where there may be cracks in your proverbial leadership foundation is essential in identifying areas of growth or refinement needed.

A leader’s character and how they behave are non-negotiable factors in becoming not just an effective leader but is often the tipping point in becoming an outstanding leader.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

What type of leader do I desire to become?  How do I wish others to see me and what kind of outcomes would I like to be successful in achievin ...
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Ever hear people use the phrase “….on the road of life.”  Well, after pondering this for some time,  I have realized that everyone one of us is on some type of proverbial road to somewhere. You just need to define where you want the road to go.  Consider it the best adventure you have ever been on.  In order to fully embrace the adventure consider adding the word “rhythm” into your journey or adventure - if you want a smooth trip through life you should.  You see I think on the road to pursuing a life a balance, we miss the point of understanding that it is actually a better rhythm of living that we are trying to achieve.  A pendulum effect of sorts.

Here are a few ideas to help you develop a better rhythm while on the road to embracing your life adventure.

Sh ...
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What do see in your reflection?

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Are you happy, sad, content, tired, overworked, fed up, burnt out, frustrated, excited, hopeful or stressed? Do you think of yourself as a uniquely loveable person? Do you view your life as a work of art that is woven with rich life experiences, painted with colourful relationships and sketched with the fine detail that comes from taking notice of the little things? When you look at yourself in the mirror, do you see a true reflection of who you really are?

Getting to know you!

Most of us have a distorted view of ourselves which is based upon our life experiences, emotions as well as the needs and wants that haven’t been met.  Not knowing who you are will distort how y ...
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Overcoming the topic of Image!

Image is everything!  Many of us carry around a self-image that doesn't really jive with the facts. That can be devastating to our careers.  After all, how we look in our mind's eye really determines how successful we can be in dealing with other people. For example, if you have an overly negative self-image - you feel that you're too tall, or overweight, or unattractive in some way - you'll lack confidence, and others will easily catch on. On the other hand, if you have an overly positive image of yourself - you think you look terrific, when in fact you're a sloppy dresser who's badly in need of a haircut - you'll be blinded by a false sense of confidence and make decisions, actions, or statements about yourself that might lead people to ques ...
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Canadian Author, David Bach, has written many books on building wealth.  In his book, Smart Women Finish Rich, I embrace the following in regard to values. He says “Without values, goals rarely get accomplished.”

He goes on to say, “Show me someone who is not reaching his full potential, and I’ll show you someone who missed the importance of designing his life around his values. Values are the key. When you understand them correctly, they will pull you toward your dreams – which is a lot better than having to pull yourself!”

Creating a list of core values in who you are and for your life is essential in understanding yourself. Take time to examine where you currently are.

“You will be recognized by your good fruits”
-Matthew 7:20
< ...
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Leaders guide and teach through their daily actions and practices.

You wake up in the morning.  You didn’t sleep well the night before as you could only think about that new contract your company just bid on.  Can we really pull that off?  Is there enough time?  You wake restless, your head full of second thoughts – it is a dark and rainy morning and the first thing that pops into your head is, “Maybe I should just go back to bed!”

Well, if you didn’t manage the company, that would probably be a great idea, but then what would you expect of those that report to you if you did the same thing?  As a Leader – you have to rise above the crowd, regardless of the circumstances.

Leaders lead by example.

Being a leader is tough and if you ...
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What do you set your Belief Compass to?

So what do you believe when you hear talk of recessions and depressions in the media? Talk is subjective for sure. Remember the last recession forecasted in 2008 and was expected to be the worst recession ever. Really?

‘Canada is headed into a worse recession than anyone expected, one that could last until almost 2010, said the country's top economists’.....warned CBC News Business blogs back in October of 2008.

November 2008, one month later reports changed to...’While this country can't escape the serious drag from a U.S. recession, there's reason to believe that the slowdown in Canada will be a good deal less serious’, says a new analysis.

A year later the Globe & Mail reports – ‘Can ...
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There is something in the air. You can sense it, but can’t quite put your finger on it.

It is the feeling that something good is about to happen; that feeling that starts in your heart and then seems to radiate throughout your whole being until recognition sets in that it is YOU who is about to be transformed.

So how  would we best describe a “Transformational Leader”: One who is committed to encouraging and guiding valuable, positive results in others. Think of the transformation leader as a conduit; one who enhances the morale, motivation and performance of others by using a variety of mechanisms to help individuals succeed.

The “Transformational Leader” values the individual, not the achievement and has a recognition plan in place to reinforc ...
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Where does the coach in you begin and end? How ‘intimate’ do you get with your pupils? How much of yourself do you share?

Ever seen ‘Good Will Hunting’? If you have, then you’ll remember the plot of discovery between the two main characters focused on peeling away the layers of our ‘hero’ Will as his therapist Sean Maguire attempts to ‘rehabilitate’ him.

For our therapist to have a chance at gaining trust, he needs to open up about himself and his own life. It is only when these boundaries are removed that the characters allow themselves to be vulnerable with one another...allowing the learning and change to take place and the story emerge.

Hopefully, you won’t be assigned such a difficult case, but you will discover as you work with people clos ...
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Here is the fascinating shift that happens. Personal transformation does not come directly from setting your sights on the far off goal, or that 720 as we call it. Personal transformation is derived from the day to day implementation of thoughts, attitudes, actions, behaviors that are designed to achieve your 720.

As you become the artist of your own life, be sure to revisit how to set J-U-I-C-Y goals. If you do, peace will not be far behind.

JUST Say It
Be clear about you what you want. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself or think big, but remember, you must be honest with yourself.

UNCOVER the Why
Always circle back to why this focus and activity is important to moving you forward to your 720.

INTENTIONAL Implemen ...
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Recently, I had the opportunity to wear an outrageous one-of-a-kind design built just for me as a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The experience was so much fun and although it was hard from a vanity point of view to look at this picture of me, I was also reminded that even though I may be worried about my size in the dress, the larger picture is that we brought a smile to 2000 people who attended, raised awareness and also raised a lot of money for the cause.

The designer of this dress is a young entrepreneur named Rebecca MacKenzie, Owner of Lux Industries. Like the dress, Rebecca’s designs are an extension of herself and are meant to highlight the personality of her models and of the event that she designs for. It got me thinking about how as leaders, ofte ...
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Are you ready to take your rightful place in the driver’s seat of your life…to take the leap?

Using visual cues to keep you motivated toward your dream (or your big goal) is a great tool.  Often called a Vision Board or a Mind Map, these visual tools can assist you in more literally feeling and experiencing the emotion around that goal.  Of course, your vision should include all of the positive things that you desire in your life.
Get on board! Make your 720 come to life using this visioning process.

Here are 7 easy steps to building a vision board unique to you:

STEP 1:  The Board - Choose a canvas on which your vision will come to life. (Some ideas are bristol board, cork board, paint a wall, cardstock paper etc.)

STEP 2: ...
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What are you waiting for? Be direct and don’t hold back. Are you listening to your gut, taking chances? Are you constantly standing on the curb waiting for the proverbial green light, only to be held back by the blinking “Don’t Walk” sign?

An excerpt from my interview with Seth Godin about budding authors and his newest thought-provoking book, Poke the Box - airing this Friday, March 25th at 12pm EST on Unleashed for Impact radio:

“It’s simple. Abandon the tyranny of being picked – PICK YOURSELF.

Do not wait. The internet has handed you a microphone, it is ridiculous and wrong…immoral for you to wait for someone to pick you. That what you ought to do is make it into a PDF and just share it relentlessly….Put it in the world and watch it spread.”< ...
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It was a big wake up call for me one day only a few years ago when an esteemed business colleague asked me to sit down so he could understand what I do as a company.  Are you kidding me?, I thought to myself. I was running a very successful company and had served hundreds of clients and yet this wonderfully skilled and bright business person was unsure what our company did.

He was very aware that we had made impact in the community and that we had a very good reputation. He knew our people were top notch and that I, as the Owner, had enthusiasm and a passion for helping people succeed.  However, he still didn’t understand what we offered.

That question was a gift on that day. Here I was specializing in sales and marketing and helping clients build a stronger b ...
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A new year often brings about a mindset of renewal; the proverbial “fresh start”. A new year’s resolution is a lot like starting a new personal relationship. It’s exciting…with many sleepless nights thinking about that person, wanting to experience more time with him/her. In time though, if we don’t continue to spend time with him/her and work on growing the relationship, the connection will eventually fizzle away. The same applies with reaching success for any resolution we set.

For true and lasting behavorial change to occur, there needs to not only be a resolution named, but more importantly that we’re willing to do the work in achieving it. If this resolve is not accepted, why waste the time and energy in the first place - as failure will most likely ensue.

...
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Has it ever occurred to you that when it comes to the concept of work-life balance that most people have this perfectionist attitude toward it? Perfectionist, meaning that we have this ideal picture in our head that in order to have perfect balance, we need to have every area of our life equal to the other. If this doesn’t happen, it only exacerbates our feelings of failure.

Here is what I think. Balance should be treated as a ‘bad word’ to be avoided since it represents a state or effect that is not humanly possible.

There is so much emphasis placed on achieving work-life balance that we have now added the stress of pursuing a state of being that one will never achieve; especially if we analyze it on a daily basis. Really, how can one be in a perfect state of ...
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As a leader, there is always room for growth; one of which is the continued refinement of our communication skills.

Peter F. Drucker commented that more than 60% of all management problems result from a breakdown in communication. In addition, a study by the Rockefeller Foundation found that 68% of the customers who quit buying from their regular suppliers do so because employees fail to communicate effectively. Efficiency experts claim that at least 40% of the average worker's time is spent doing tasks that are either unnecessary or have to be done over because they were not done according to instructions.

Some of the best ways to empower our people to move towards a unified goal are to:

Communicate the vision clearly and often; assess whether ...
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Do you desire to work in an organization that value its people over its product; a company that continues to grow and build a loyal, talented workforce?

A sensational workplace should focus on behavior-based performance management. Behavior-based performance management insists on the organization’s leaders recognizing that people work best when expectations are clear. As leaders, we want our team to contribute to the overall vision, while exhibiting a positive outlook and passion for the work they do every day.

Really, why would we want to lead with any other outcome than this?

This is why strong leadership in any organization is critical. A company’s rate of growth is generally in line with how motivated their people are in bringing the vision ...
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How do you build a business with employees who love going to work each day, every day? What are those secret ingredients to finding and keeping the right people on your team?

Similarly, as an employee, what can you do to love your job more when in actual fact you don’t? What is the tipping point that can move you from whining to winning at work?

Can humor really become a recognized asset in the workplace?

Fortune 500 companies such as Southwest Airlines, IBM, AT&T, Bank of America, Kodak, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, Bank of America, and many others have adopted 'humor' into their workplaces as a tool to improve morale and increase their bottom line.

I think there are some fundamental reasons why humor is not only imp ...
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A “720” is your fulfilled life - your way. It’s success and happiness, on your own terms. And LIVING 720 is you, actively taking that journey towards your dream; pursuing a life that has passion and purpose. Really, a life that is Unleashed for Impact.

After a fabulous interview with Richard St. John, author of "8 to be Great", here is what I found out about the common traits of success people:

1. LOVE WHAT YOU DO: Find your passion, follow your heart and the money will follow.

2. GIVE IT YOUR ALL: Hard work is really the key in moving yourself forward.

3. PICK a LANE: Get on the road that is right for you and focus on becoming great at one thing.

4. PUSH through SHYNESS: Just because you lack self-confidence on the ...
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As a new year begins and as new resolutions are made, how many of us will really keep our commitments? Work-life balance is a topic that continues to dominate the life of many working professionals.

Does life seem to fly by faster and faster or is it just that our choices are increasing and we want it all now?

Matthew 7:20 says that, "You will be recognized by your good fruit." Simple, but so true.

I truly believe that if you are pursuing things in your life that you love, you will be fulfilled and happy, and in turn, you will attract others around you that are seeking the same.

As you take time to dream about what the potential is for your year ahead, consider the following:

Take a moment to review your life (What ...
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All I have to say is what a fabulous year I have just experienced. Filled with some ups and downs, it was challenging and exhilarating all at the same time. The year kicked off on the heels on the bestselling book I had the good fortune to be a part of. Overcomers Inc. went to #1 on Amazon in not just one, but there different categories and the stories shared have made a difference to many lives to which I am thankful.

My theme for 2010 was Dare to be Different and I sure did try to live that philosophy. I had a great year touring with the Entrepreneurship Expo and spoke at a number of Women in Business Symposiums. I must say that the energy and enthusiasm of women entrepreneurs never ceases to amaze me. I was fortunate to travel to numerous places this year, ...
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Somewhere in the midst of Central Asia, there lies a country called Kyrgyzstan.

A small country that has endured financial, political and social collapse. In the midst of all of this upheaval, there lives a population of people whose lives were completely disrupted. The Kyrgyz Republic is one of the six independent Turkic states together with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and People's Republic of China to the east.

"Kyrgyz", is believed to have been derived from the Turkic word for "forty", in reference to the forty clans of Manas, a legendary hero who united forty regional clans again ...
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This week I had the pleasure of attending a three day 'Dream Festival' built around the concept: if you can dream it, you can live it. The kick off to the event was a three hour line up of speakers including, Sir Richard Branson, Kevin O'Leary and Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes.

Although I took something away from all of the speakers, it was the humble and effervescent Clara Hughes who brightened my day and stirred my spirit. In sharing her twenty year journey of being an athelete, Clara passionately shared the importance of not the win, but the mission.

For her, the mission is to skate beautifully. This resonated with me completely as my mission has become my life's work. My mission has always been to increase human potential by helping others become better t ...
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Today was a really neat day for me. I was speaking at an Entrepreneurship Expo and shared an adventure that my husband and I took 14 years ago where we pretended to be people other than ourselves. Just telling the story of the "Adventures of Cal and Chanel" and how we took the Dominican by storm made me shake my head in amazement; first, because we had the audacity to be bold and live big as two fictitious people for a week and secondly, in realizing that this was truly a transformational experience for us.

Today, I was returned to a time where we dreamed about the future, where we set out crazy plans and a vision for what we could become. What was so neat about today, was that in sharing the journey of Cal and Chanel to an audience of strangers, I realized how far we have c ...
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My photographer friend Holly Howe recently took this picture of me and it really sums up how much I am loving my life right now. This is one of my favourite weeks of the year. I love the rush of Small Business Week when I can spend time around so many small business owners. The energy and enthusiasm of entrepreneurs is contagious. I know, because I am one. Constant ideas, planning and connecting. In 2009, Canada saw 37,000 new businesses open their doors, over 730 billion dollars were paid out in wages and benefits and as of today, there are 73 days left in 2010. I though it was interesting the many 3's and 7's happening although I have no idea what that would mean in numerology, I just think it is neat. This week I continue speaking about my theme of the year, which is to challenge busin ...
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Dan and I recently travelled to Pompano Beach, to the OC Media Studio, to tape a segment on The Balancing Act for Lifetime Television Network. We were greeted by such a great team of staff on the set of of this daily women's morning show. I was being interviewed about my experience as an entrepreneur and how the whole work-life balance fits in.

In pondering that, it just comes down to the fact that it isn't easy. I don't know if it consistently gets easier or rather it just takes focused decision making and the willingness to commit to your family and say no to things that don't honour that commitment.

Everybody needs 'me' time, but the 'we' time of family goes so fast. Before you know it, they are leaving home and you pine for the days when you could return t ...
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What a whirwind of a year for me. My theme for this year was 'Dare to be Different' and in stepping out into the unknown, it is amazing the opportunities that have come.

There has been so much travelling and motion since the beginning of summer, I find myself reflecting and sitting here amazed. My company JumpStart 720 has realized fantastic growth and after moving moving to a new location in June, we are finding ourselves cramped for space already.

My family and I spent a much needed break and set off on an adventure to visit family for nearly the whole month of July. I witnessed the strength and resilience of my father who had to have half of his leg amputated and and my mother who kept on going when the going gets tough.

Upon arriving back fr ...
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[caption id="attachment_213" align="alignright" width="225" caption="National Payroll Week"][/caption]

What a fun week celebrating National Payroll Week once again this year with the Canadian Payroll Association. This is my second year speaking to their delegates and this year I was fortunate to tour my home Province of Ontario. 5 cities in 5 days and so many flights. This year's theme was Communicate, Collaborate and Connect and I love speaking about this topic as communication is the key to everything. There is so much I continually have to refine when communicating with others and being effective is a skill that is never truly mastered. What a great thrill I had to be able to have my family attend in both London and Waterloo, Ontario. Here is a picture of my Aunt Marlene ...
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My team and I are thrilled to announce that JumpStart 720 has been nominated for a 2010 Excellence Award for the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce.
JumpStart 720 is a national coaching firm focused on business and leadership development. To date our firm has delivered programs and services regionally, nationally and internationally. ...
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[caption id="attachment_197" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Paula at the Adair Wilderness Lodge"][/caption]

Seven phenomenal women entrepreneurs joined me at the Adair Wilderness Resort near Sussex, New Brunswick in late August, where it was my privilege to lead them through another JumpStart 720 Executive Coaching Retreat.
I enjoyed meeting these energetic business women from all walks of life and I loved helping them focus on their business and personal goals. These 2 day events are only the introduction to a challenging and deeply personal journey. Thankfully, the hard work is interspersed with great food and chatter, rugged outdoor activities and plenty of laughter.
The spontaneous moments of life are often the most memorable, and for some of the pa ...
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There are times in your life when you meet people that just leave an imprint. This is one of those times for me. Over the past month, I have been travelling to a number of locations for the Entrepreneurship Expo. During this time, I have had the pleasure of sharing the main stage with Richard St. John, a self-made millionaire and Owner of the St. John Group, a world class marketing company in Toronto, Ontario.

What struck me about Mr. St. John was not his status, but rather his ability to remain humble. His new book, "8 to be Great" focuses on the 8 great traits that 500 of the world's most successful individuals have. His goal was to share with others how simple it can be to overcome and gain success in one's life. He spent 10 years conducting interviews all over the globe ...
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What a wonderful luncheon event I attended on March 8th celebrating International Women's Day. It was a real honor to be surrounded by so many talented and professional women who inspire me in so many ways. Prior to the event, I joined some of my colleagues and friends for a coffee at Starbucks.

The ladies I was sitting with asked me if I had a speech prepared as they believed I was going to win the 2010 Award for Phenomenal Woman of the Year. I didn’t have one because it didn’t really dawn on me that I was going to have to say anything, so in a moment of silliness, I held up my Starbucks coffee and took off the cup holder ripped it into four and stated that I was going to build my speech from there. And so I did. Here goes with my “light roast’ speech dedica ...
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Mission Possible: Haiti Day Planned for February 26th



Moncton, NB – Advance Savings Credit Union, JumpStart720, Sun Life Financial, and the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce have just announced Mission Possible: Haiti, which includes a city-wide sale of Mission Possible: Haiti t-shirts and a benefit concert being held at the Wesleyan Celebration Centre on February 26 at 7:00 p.m. The Mission Possible Haiti benefit concert includes the musical talent of ECMA winners and 2010 nominees for Entertainer of the Year, The Divorcees, ECMA winner and 2010 nominee for Pop Recording of the Year, Stephanie Mainville and ECMA winner, Chris Colepaugh.

"Our community is overwhelmed by the situation in Haiti and many have expressed a deep desire to help," sa ...
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You didn’t need the alarm to buzz at six am Monday, because your eyes snapped open at five. Sadly, you only sleep well on Fridays.

All morning at work, you knew that report wasn’t going to be ready in time. Your heart was beating faster, your blood pressure was climbing, and sweat was making two ugly spots on your freshly-pressed oxford by 10:30. Just before noon, your boss barked at you because of that unsatisfactory report/long-awaited brilliant idea/solution to a difficult client relationship, and after lunch, you crunched a few antacid tablets to settle your stomach.

Lately, your allergies have been acting up and your immune system has been down. It’s just a matter of time before you catch the latest virus. The only good thing about being s ...
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I love working with people who desire vision and clarity in their lives. For the past 14 weeks, I have been able to watch a group of fantastic women grow, learn and inspire one another toward brighter futures. My company is proud to partner with the Pregnancy Resource Centre to deliver a 14 week employability skills training program for women under the age of 30 who are facing barriers to entry or re-entry into the workforce after having children.

This initiative has been so exciting on many different levels, including the enthusiasm of the participants, the 30 plus women in business who have volunteered their time as guest speakers, mentors or as job interview sites. One of the endeavours that the group had to accomplish was to plan and implement a community project. I am s ...
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What resulted in saying yes, was a summer of dealing with emotions that I thought had dealt with years before. It was like I took one last layer off and was finally released from a piece of history that still had a piece of me. Whether it has been released or not, the realization dawned on me that my journey matters....all of it!

I should be proud of who I am, where I have come from and it is from those personal and one of a kind experiences that make up my life that makes me the person I am today.

There is something empowering in realizing this. I work with hundreds of people a year and the majority of the time we are focused forward, moving intentionally toward achieving powerful results while allowing ourselves to "let go" of the past.
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Never in my life and in my travels have I met hundreds of children at one time who wanted nothing but an opportunity to smile with you.

In May of 2009, I joined an incredible team of seven strangers and we set out as an International Relief Team on a Mission to Liberia, Africa with Samaritan's Purse Canada. The goal of the trip was to view many capacity building projects in the country as it continues to rebuild after years of strife and civil war. We arrived just before raining season was about to set in and spent most of our time in Foya District near the border of Sierra Leone and Guinea.

I am amazed and humbled by the level of joy and appreciation that I felt from the hundreds of people that we were able to spend time with but much of my ad ...
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