Wow, we’re more than halfway through 2011 already – it has passed by so quickly! I recently carved out some time to check back in with the goals I set in January to see what’s working, what isn’t and how I need to change or adapt (I actually check in pretty regularly with them but figured a mid-year update post would be good and help keep me accountable).

One of my words for 2011 is intentional. I want to focus on productive tasks and not get distracted or bogged down by the unimportant time suckers. I’m still working on this. I am the first to admit I have struggled with being organized or a strong time manager. I’ve just started reading Dan Kennedy’s No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs (affiliate link) and I’m implementing some of his strategies and look forward to being more productive with my time throughout the rest of the year. It’s amazing how little changes can create some big payoffs just by being disciplined and organized.

Another goal was to seek out a small accountability group of likeminded business women to support each other in our spiritual and business walks. This has been so important for me. I’ve joined a women’s bible study this summer and the camaraderie and support has been a tremendous boost to my spiritual walk. When I keep my faith as a priority, everything else seems to fall into place easier. Business support has come through a small coaching group, and also through the Indie Beauty Network Book Club. We meet online each quarter to discuss a business book and implement into our business practices. So far we’ve read The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh and next we’ll be discussing Poke the Box by Seth Godin. (affiliate links). Once again, the community and support that has been developed by being a part of this group has been wonderful, and it has opened the doors to some new opportunities, which I’ll be announcing shortly.

Next was the goal to keep investing in myself. One of the ways I’ve done this is through (love this name!) Rich, Happy and Hot B-School (RHH B-School) – if you’ve not heard of Marie Forleo and Laura Roeder, check them out – they are seriously smart, sassy and accomplished business women who are doing great things online and having a fun time doing it! This course has helped me better understand my customer’s needs and desires which is helping me to reframe some of our offerings to serve you better. It’s also sparked two new websites/offshoot businesses that are currently under development that I’ll be announcing soon. We’ve got a private group on Facebook where the guys & gals regularly ask questions, help each other out and provide support and accountability. As I’ve mentioned before, I work so much better when I commit to a specific task with a deadline and have people help hold my feet to the fire.

I’m excited to head back to Spark & Hustle again this year. Tory Johnson and her group put on such a fabulous conference last year and I’m looking forward to learning from other dynamic entrepreneurs this year and implementing even more ideas to serve you better and more efficiently.

Another word for 2011 has been action, and this has definitely been happening. We launched our Eco Baby Botanicals line which has been incredibly well received. Other product lines are SO close to being finalized, I’m anxiously awaiting when I can announce them! We have some great press coming up this fall and fun partnerships that we’ve been continuing to grow. The days are packed, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It truly is a blessing to do what I do for a living.

Finally, I committed to growing a team this year, and it is happening! We had an intern over the spring semester and in the next six weeks we’ve got three incredibly talented interns joining the team with possibly more coming on board as well. I’m looking forward to introducing them to you soon and am beyond excited about their energy and creativity they’re bringing to the company.

All in all, it has been a great year so far, and I know the second half of the year is going to be even better than I could imagine. There is still a lot of progress to be made, but I am looking forward to my end of the year recap! Thank you again for your continued support of Vintage Body Spa, we are honored to serve you and provide you and your family with our products.

How are you coming along with the goals you set for this year? Leave your update below and let me know how I can cheer you on in reaching your goals – no matter how big or small, business related or not!

“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” – Charles Kingsley

image by lusi

What are you most enthusiastic about? Go out and do that today!

Thanks to Monique, who let me know that this is from Holstee, called their Manifesto Poster. You can bet I’ll be purchasing one to hang full size in my office!

Here’s the phrases typed out for you:

This is your life.
Do what you love, and do it often.
If you don’t like something, change it.
If you don’t like your job, quit.
If you don’t have enough time, stop watching tv.
If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.
Stop over analyzing, life is simple.
All emotions are beautiful
When you eat, appreciate every last bite.
Open your mind, arms and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences.
Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them.
Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself.
Some opportunities only come once, seize them.
Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating.
Life is short. Live your dream and wear your passion.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas A. Edison

“If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.” - John D. Rockefeller

photo by Sura Nualpradid

“Nature gave men two ends – one to sit on, and one to think with. Ever since then man’s success or failure has been dependent on the one he used most” – George R. Kirpatrick

image via Wikipedia

As many are wont to do this time of year, blog posts abound on lessoned learned in the past year. This is no exception. I’d reviewed and analyzed my year both personally and professionally and have been working for weeks on my 2011 vision board, goals and plans, though I hadn’t planned on sharing most of my review with the world. As one of my goals is to share more of my personal life with you just as I’d like to learn more about you, my readers and customers, fans and friends, I was inspired by @MichellePippin (a phenomenal coach and inspirational woman – I strongly recommend you read her blog and work with her if you are a business owner) and her honest and direct post on her 2010 and decided to do the same. I hope some of the lessons I learned can encourage you in whatever road you’re traveling in life – many of these lessons can be applied not just to business owners, but anyone working on a goal or dream. So without further ado, here’s a list of some of the things I learned in 2010.

I learned that all work and no play does indeed make me dull – especially when I let my spiritual and physical health falter by being too ‘busy’ with work. This year one of my words is ‘intentional’ – I will be intentional with my work, not wasting time on unimportant, unproductive or ‘busy work’ so that I can devote the time I want to and need to to my faith, my family and my own well-being.

I learned that I wasted too much time trying to ‘convince’ certain people to support me in my business. I won’t do that again – it is not my responsibility to convince others to believe in me – it starts with me and the dream God has placed in my heart, and if I’m the only one on the planet that believes in me (which I’m not) then that is sufficient. I learned that I do have some incredible supporters in my corner, and that I need to reach out to them when I’m faltering or in need of a little boost. I do need and will seek out in 2011 a small accountability group of likeminded business women to support each other in our spiritual and business walks. I need to have their support during tough times and I also need to use my gifts of listening and encouragement to help support sister believers.

I learned that it’s critical to keep investing in myself. The investment of attending Spark & Hustle was the best thing I could do – everything I learned there contributed to the greatest strides in my business to date. I will continue attending this incredible conference for years to come. Coaching is another key to my success which I had let falter – never again – the accountability and feedback are imperative to my success and I won’t be without a coach again.

I learned to give myself credit for the strides that were made in 2010, especially while working another full time job and having a complicated pregnancy and delivery. Consistent action steps, even the smallest of steps lead to big gains both personally and professionally, and ‘action’ is another word of mine for 2011. My work day may not be as long as others’ but it will be just as, if not more productive, as my actions will be intentional and purposeful. Along that vein, I will be growing a team in 2011 to help with the workload and provide greater products and services to our customers. I want to capitalize on my strengths and hire others with different talents to do the tasks that I’m not so skilled at (or have no interest in doing) but are necessary to running a business.

I have many plans for this next year and look forward to all the excitement and blessings it will bring. What are some of the lessons that you learned in 2010, and how will those lessons affect your 2011? Here’s to a wildly successful new year for all of us!

Here’s my motivation/inspiration for Vintage Body Spa and growing this company: my precious children – seen here at a recent trip to the pumpkin patch. Our products are natural and safe for even the youngest of skin – our spa products (including the soon-to-be released baby/kids line) are the only products that have touched our son’s skin (aged 2 weeks in this picture). Creating safe, gentle products for the entire family while showing my children by example the joy that comes from following your dreams makes every day such a blessing. Thank you for letting me do what I love!

What is your motivation and/or inspiration for your dreams? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Is your past one that you wish you had never lived? Is your past something that you want to continue to live and relive? You cannot enter your tomorrow as long as you hold on to your past. ~ Paula White

To me, this is a very powerful quote. I think that people can look at their past in one of three ways:

1) full of regrets and obsessing over what didn’t work out right and using that as an excuse for not moving forward.

2) thinking that the past was their true ‘glory days’ and that life won’t ever get any better than it was back then, and again, using this as an excuse to stay stagnant.

3) I think the past is something to be considered and appreciated because it has gotten you to where you are today, but realize that the best is yet to come! YOU are in control of determining your future path – seize the day and make today, tomorrow and future days the best that they can be! You’ll come to the end of your life happy with what you’ve accomplished, obstacles you’ve overcome and the satisfaction that you took ownership of your life and are responsible for all your successes!

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“Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it”. – Unknown

Just a quick quote for Motivational Monday – here’s to working to make your version of success happen today!