Wealthy Bag Lady Blog

Showing Up and Italy

Here’s a great showing up story:

I attended an event Palm Springs California. At this event, some of the women from the For You Network, a local affiliate of the National Assn. of Female Entrepreneurs started talking about Italy.

One thing led to another, and someone decided to rent a villa and put together an Italian travel package.

I just returned from a week in Tuscany, where I got to experience the bonds of sisterhood, great food, breathtaking art and the beauty of Italy. 

Check out the photo of me and Ronni, one of the dogs at the villa and with my friends, Susie and Sarah in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

I have memories that will last me a lifetime. All because I decided to show up.

3 Ways to Get the Most Out of Showing Up

1. Wear something that people can comment about.
   
   Many of you have met me at live events and know that I wear a shopping cart lapel pin. Everyone said, “Wealthy Bag Lady, where’s your shopping cart”, so I bought a shopping cart refrigerator magnet, put my logo on it and turned it into a lapel pin. This is great because when people ask about it, I tell them about my business. I’ve seen a woman who fixes computers show up wearing a white lab coat. One of my favorite speakers, Mimi Donaldson, always wears pink. That way, when she does her follow-up, she says, “Remember me, I was the one in the pink outfit?” Get creative and don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.
   
   
2. Make your own badge.
   
   Instead of those cheesy little badges they give you at the event, make your own at the local copy or office supply store. You can get creative and put a photo, logo or business tag line along with your name on your own custom name badge.
   
   
3. Have a networking plan.
   
   Many of you have a business plan and marketing plan, but what about a networking plan? Most people attend events without clear goals for why they’re showing up. Your plan could include meeting at least 3 potential clients or referral sources. If so, don’t just leave the business cards you collect on your desk collecting dust. Follow up on those connections with a phone call or quick email.

Advice for Rihanna

Rihanna and Chris Brown are bringing the ugly specter of domestic abuse into the spotlight. They show us that domestic violence happens no matter how rich, young or talented you are.

As a survivor of domestic abuse, I want to tell Rihanna to leave him after the first violent incident. I know that he is sorry and feels terrible about himself, but some distance and therapy are needed here if Rihanna and Chris Brown are ever going to repair their relationship and their careers.

How to Fight for Your Dreams

I finally did my vision board!
Thank you so much for all of your great suggestions.

While I was putting it together, I saw a photo in a magazine of a woman with boxing gloves and I was immediately drawn to it.

This summarized my theme for this year:
Fight for Your Dreams

To fight for your dreams doesn't mean constant struggle. It means that if you stay on your path, you'll skyrocket the trajectory of your success.

This does not contradict the Law of Attraction. John Assaraf, one of the teachers in The Secret movie, was on the verge of being a street thug. He had to fight for his dreams every day.

How to Fight for Your Dreams

1. Use the Parking Lot of Ideas. Focus single-mindedly on one goal at a time and put the other ideas in the the "Parking Lot". The Parking Lot is a list of other projects that you'll get to in order of priority.
2. Know that business isn't always romantic. Just because you love your business, doesn't mean that you love everything about it. From time to time, you'll need to do something that doesn't inspire your passion, but it's a necessary action to fight for your dreams.
3. Do at least 3 things every day toward your dreams. It could be contacting people on your success team, updating your web site, attending seminars or reading articles. Remember to do your feared thing first. Then you'll have a great feeling of accomplishment all day.

How are you fighting for your dreams?

Please give me your comments.