Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called “Spark an Idea Thursday”. Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to?grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

Sometime you gotta go with your gut.  There are situations and times when I’m just not sure what decision is best.

What’s your gut telling you?

When I was a new parent, my mother gave me a copy of The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents.  One of the most valuable things I learned from this small book was using your “gut feeling” as a compass when making decisions.  That part of the book was about teaching children to trust their instincts about choices to make good and bad decisions:

Good choice = you feel “good” inside

Bad choice = you feel “bad” inside

I LOVED this simple concept.  I have had this conversation with my young son when he is faced with decisions that could be improved upon.   I think it works well for adults too.

Do you trust the “good” or “bad” feeling when you are faced with a choice?

Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called ?Spark an Idea Thursday?. Each week we?ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to?grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

I’ll bet you’re a blogger; most of us around Sparkplugging are.  I’d also be willing to bet you’ve got some favorite bloggers you like to follow and have learned things from them along the way.   So, I’m going to (somewhat briefly) share some of my favorite bloggers and what I have learned from them.  I’ll also encourage you to do the same thing and link back to this post.  Let’s get a little appreciative link love going on!

The Inspired Room Blog

If you like delicious, luscious interior eye candy, you’ve got to check out The Inspired Room Blog!  The author, Melissa, and I met through an interior redecorating certification program.  We discovered we lived in the same city (back then) and we met for coffee.  I’m happy to say she is a great inspiration, and a wonderful friend.  Not only that, she’s one fantastic blogger!

What I’ve learned: I’ve learned about making a blog post gorgeous and useful at the same time.  I’ve also picked up some various useful html code from her sidebars.  Melissa is also extremely talented in building a strong and thriving community.  I’ve also learned you can be a nice person and still get ahead (yay!).

Problogger’s Darren Rowse

When I started blogging, I ran across Darren’s blog and was astounded at the depth of information it contained.  I had an opportunity to interview and meet him last year at BlogWorld.  It was a huge honor to chat with him, as his blog has been a tremendous help to me.

What I’ve learned: I’ve learned how to make my blog better in a month, how I can see if my enewsletter is really doing well and many techy tricks to numerous to mention.  Darren is great at sharing information on how he does what he does, and putting it out there for the good of all the blogosphere.  He’s a trailblazer, and well known in the blogging and social media arenas.

SimpleMom

I’ve been a fan since the early days!  Tsh, the author, has a keen eye for simple design and lifestyle.  Her approach to simple living and straightforward solutions rock.  (And she’s going to be on our podcast, The O Myth soon!)

What I’ve learned: Simple is better.  I’ve also learned there are many who believe (as I do) that sometimes the simplest things are best.

Sparkplug CEO

You know them: Wendy Piersall and Kelly McCausey.  I used to read Sparkplugging when it was eMomsAtHome.  So, when Wendy gave me the opportunity to write a series of articles for her site, I was star struck and extremely flattered.  I didn’t know it at the time, but it would segue into blogging for Sparkplugging.com!

I “met” Kelly as a fellow author here on Sparkplugging.com.  She’s an inspiration to watch, and one who feels so strongly about doing right by the work-at-home-mom community.

What I’ve learned: If you don’t know it, Wendy is a talented networker.  She’s at the center of the party, and knows everyones’ names.  She is also a fierce businesswoman who knows what she wants and goes after it.  Wendy has showed me that giving for the sake of giving is something that is not only the right thing to do, but it will come back 100-fold.  Wendy’s passion and drive is amazing to watch!

Kelly has taught me about marketing and standing for what you believe in – passionately!  She is an early adopter of podcasting (or “internet radio” back in ‘da day…) and has an incredible knowledge of the medium.  (I LOVED her class at SparkplugU!)  Kelly’s passion and fearless ability to defend her convictions is empowering.

So, what blogger inspires you, and what have you learned?

How could you pay it forward?

Is there something you could do for someone, some small token to make someone’s day?  How about pay for their coffee, dry cleaning or even parking?  Is there a customer or client you could do something special for?  What about a colleague?

What small thing can you do today?

Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called ?Spark an Idea Thursday?. Each week we?ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to?grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

As a small business owner, I travel around and speak to groups.  I happen to love being in front of an audience, sharing a different perspective on the topic at hand.   For me, watching the “light go on” is what I love most about talking with other people in a group setting.  I share a little of myself, what I know and am always surprised at how people respond.

As you know, I’m also a blogger.  There have been times I have written posts which are extremely personal.  One in particular was a story about how organizing my home office changed my life.  It’s been one of the most popular posts I’ve ever written.  This surprised me, as I was really hesitant to even hit “publish”.  People were surprised and related to my story.

Creating “WOW” by sharing what you know.

I think creating a wow experience can happen when you share something you have learned in your own life or business.  Whether talking with an audience or a client, people resonate with what you have been through.  They relate to you and understand where you are coming from, as they may be in the throws of going through a simliar experence themselves.  When it’s comfortable, even in business, sharing a personal experience connects people and creates a sense of community.

What do you know, and would be willing to share, that would “wow” your community and help someone?

Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called ‘Spark an Idea Thursday’. Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

This week we are talking about “motivating others”.  To be honest, I’m not all that sure I know how to motivate others to go, do or be whatever.  I think we can be part of it, but it has to build.  Let me explain…

I think people motivate themselves.

When we are ready, we get up and get moving.  Whether it’s pants that are too tight or organizing a home office.  There is a switch that has to flip, an internal snap and you finally say, “That’s IT.  It’s time.”

Action sparks motivation.

I also believe that sometimes I just don’t feel motivated.  I don’t.  However, when I get up and do something, it’s pretty common for me to feel motivated.  If I relied on feeling motivated, frankly, I’d never get anything done.  Know what I mean?

What if you really care about someone or something, and you want to help nudge them in the right direction?

I think when you see someone needs help, and you can clearly see the solution, you can definitely be part of the solution.  How?  By being honest, in a way they understand.  If it’s a client that expects you to be firm and straightforward, by all means say something with your good intentions firmly in your mind.  If it’s someone you are close to and you know they are sensitive, things get a little trickier.  So, use your best judgment.

Motivation to change happens one moment at a time.

A friend once said, we are motivated a little at a time.  When there is something deep inside saying it’s time to change, you know it.  You see visual cues, hear little things and notice instances around you that point to it.  No one person or thing makes it happen, it accumlates until you reach the point that it’s time to make it happen.

So, how do you motivate others?  Be part of the little cues along the way.  When it’s time, they may just remember what you did or said.  Then, be there to support them when they make the decision.

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Is there an improvement you want to make in your home office?

Maybe you want a new floor, a new desk or a new laptop.  But, even the small changes can make a big difference.  Here’s some easy improvements you can do in one day on a small budget:

• an inspiring piece of art
• frame and hang your accomplishments
• hang some new fresh summery window treatments
• move your desk to a new wall, or float it in the middle of the room
• paint one office wall in a bright color like red
• clear off your desk and rethink your desktop
• put a slipcover on your chair

What small change can you make in your home office?

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My family and I went on vacation recently. It was a break my husband and I both needed. I promised myself I would NOT work while we were gone. So, how did I prepare and then stay on top of things while we were out of the country? Here’s a few tips if you are going out of town and want to take it easy.

Clean things up before you leave.

Loose ends? Tie them up so you’re not tempted to think about them while you’re supposed to be relaxing. Go on, tale care of it…

Leave the laptop at home.

You heard me. It will be there when you get home.

Easy on the email.

I did take my wifi enabled device so I could keep email from getting out of control. I only checked it once every day or so. (If you have an assistant, skip this step.)

Resist the urge to take work with you.

I thought about it… Take the proposal along, notebook to write some notes, business book I am reading… Then I decided not to. My brain need time away.

Guess what happened? I was able to relax, and take the mental break I needed. You going on vacation soon? Take a break and come back refreshed!

Bon voyage!

My girl Melissa talks about “sweet escapes” on her blog, and they are lovely to look at!  So, I thought I would do a little roundup of some fab office setups.  If you’re feeling stuck or need some inspiration, come on a little inspiration escape with me!

by Jeremy Levine Design on flickr.com

by Fernanda Mancini on flickr.com

by fotographix.ca on flickr.com

Business Gifts for any time of year

Kelly McCausey’s (Sparkplugging’s WAHM Blog) fave recent Sparkplugging picks

5 Things To Love About Business Travel

94 Ways to Keep Kids Busy for the Work At Home Parent (one of my all time faves!)

The Do’s & Don’ts of Promoting Your Business on Twitter

Ten Tips for Hiring a Virtual Assistant

What’s your favorite post on Sparkplugging?

“Organized means you can find what you need in 5 minutes or less.”
Lanna Nakone, from “Organizing For Your Brain Type”

“If you’re not sure why you’re doing something, you can never do enough of it.”
David Allen, from “The Art of Getting Things Done”

“Paper clutter indicates a need for improvement in time management.”
Julie Morgenstern, from “Time Management From The Inside Out“

“Our homes and offices need to be kept orderly so we can spend our time in beautiful spaces that answer all our needs, arranged so that everything is both practical and uplifting.”
Alexandra Stoddard, from “Time Alive”

What are your favorite quotes?

Just did a great interview with Peter Walsh on my podcast/radio show, The O Myth.  If you missed it, no worries because you can still listen to it…

Quote of the show: “The things you have in your home should be beautiful and useful.  What you have in your home should be honored and respected.”

Wanna take a listen?  Here ya go:

Peter Walsh on The O Myth

** You can also see the follow-up notes and enter our contest to win one of Peter’s books HERE.

Marketing = Relationships

Oh yeah.  It’s not paper, logos or collateral that turned my head. This simple little phrase completely changed how I feel about marketing.  (I’m kind of a marketing junkie now!)  Marketing is about building relationships with other people: clients, media, colleagues, referral partners or whatever.  It’s all about building that network around your business.  You can be disciplined about it and keep spreadsheets or you can organically let it happen.  Personally I like to be able to track things as they relate to the bottom line, but well, ya know. 

So, how does one start doing that?  Pick up the phone, have lunch with someone, ask how you can refer business to them or get a Twitter account.  Yes, you heard me right, get a Twitter account if that makes sense for your business.  People want to do business with those they know and trust.  So get out there and socialize and build some relationships.  Be genuinely helpful to people and put out the good vibes.  You might even have fun while you’re doing it!  Yes, I said marketing can be fun.

What’s the best marketing tip you’ve ever received?  Go share it here and enter the contest to win the fabulous prizes! (One of them is a logo designed by Randa Clay, who designed the header of my new site.  She’s fabulous!)

So, I thought it fitting to tell you a few of my favorite things in the home office.  Share your favorites in the comments, or link to your blog post.

Here’s a few of my favorite things…

1. Blue binder by russell+hazel®
2. My old fashioned phone
3. “Lucy” (my side, comfy chair)
4. Wireless keyboard & mouse
5. Rollout drawers in my credenza
6. Jetstream pens
7. New MOO stickers! (check out Wendy’s MOO post here)
8. Hot green tea
9. Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations
10. My Anthropologie candle

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9KwlIHcmq4[/youtube]

Have you ever tried to organize your home office in a weekend, only to find three months later you had the same piles, chaos and overwhelm?  Crash and burn organizing is pretty common, and unfortunately rarely works.  It takes time to train your mind how to handle the flow of a space for long term maintenance.  It is possible, and there are some things to consider.

A few years ago I (race) walked a half marathon.  It was by far one of the most physically & mentally challenging things I’ve ever done (outside childbirth).  It is also one of my proudest achievements.  I still have the shirt and put it on every once in a while.  I am astounded at the mental and physical strength of those who complete a full marathon whether walking, running or otherwise.  It’s quite a feat, and I only had a taste with a half!

This Olympic season, I’ve taken notice of this event: the marathon.  Did you know that the men’s marathon is traditionally the last event of the modern Olympics?  No doubt it is a brutal contest and not for the weak or unprepared.  So, what does competing in a marathon teach about organizing?  Here’s the stages I remember and how I feel they apply to organizing…

1.  The start. At the start of any race, you’re in a sea of other people.  All walks of life, training, different strategies and own perspectives.  Surrounded by all kinds of different thoughts and personal truths, it’s important to remain true to who you are and run your own race.  Don’t be put off or influence by how you “should” be, keep your eye on the road and listen for the gun.

2. Pick your pace. Once the race starts, it’s easy to see someone going ahead of you and try to match their pace.  The truth is that they may slow down in the end or even be at a pace that won’t work for you.  There’s lots of organizing myths out there so being true to who you are can be a challenge.  Trust your instincts, and when you think something will (or won’t) work, you just might be right.  Be true to yourself and nine times out of ten you’ll go far.

3. The Wall. Everyone hits it: The Wall.  For the half marathon, it was a pathetic 8 miles for me.  Could it have been that I had only gone that far in a race … ever?  Maybe.  But at that moment, I hated that race, I resented the heat, my legs hurt, I had righteous blisters on both heels, I was nauseated from the performance nutrition “goo” I ate and I was totally sure I was not going to make it the 5+ miles I still had to go.  Yeah, it sucked, but I kept going.  Sitting down and quitting was not an option.  If you’re an Olympic marathoner, where’s the wall?  Mile 20?  What if you’re organizing?  Where’s the wall?  Where do you want to quit?  The point is not where it is, but that you push through it.  Some might call it a “pain tunnel”, but no matter what you call it it’s there.  So know it, prepare to stick with it and get to the other side.

4. The Finish Line. When you’re ending the race you see the finish line coming, sometimes quite a ways in the distance.  It will take 80% of your strength and sheer will to get there!  Organizing is the same, and somehow those small details can get lost in the end.  Make a list and a plan so it all gets done in the end.  You’ll be happier for it.

5. Taking care after the finish line. It’s just as important to recover, if not more.  No plan can lead to a rash of bad, bad things so be prepared.  Once you’ve organized and put your room together, know what your next course of action is.  Use your systems, re-evaluate when needed (like that heavy feeling in your stomach), keep up with things and take time out when needed.  I go through times when I know things are out of whack, and that’s when it’s time to step out and take time to pull it all together again.  Pull it together, and charge full speed ahead again.

Maybe you don’t want to run a marathon… I’m not sure I even want to walk one.  Maybe you don’t want to overhaul your home office.  I’ll tell you, neither one are for those who will “try” it.  You have to commit to get it done.  I’m not saying you have to drink the koolaid, but you do have to commit in your heart and mind.  Then, follow through and get it done.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the “Olympic Wisdom” journey.  I’m fascinated by these outstanding athletes and what they accomplish.  There’s so much to learn and too many stories to tell in one breath (or blog post).  It’s like a collection of hope, dreams, drive and commitment in a smorgasbord of sporting events.  The human spirit, life and all its lessons played out on a world stage.  It takes courage to step out and live your dreams, and we can all learn something from those who do.

So, here’s to you Olympians of the world: may all your dreams be golden!

In the first “Olympic Wisdom” post, we took at look at lessons about goal setting from an Olympian.  In this post, it’s all about coaches and “cheerleaders”.   Are you looking to succeed or make a change in your life or home office?  Who is cheering you on and helping you move forward?

You might know some of these names: Mary Lou Retton, Kerry Walsh & Misty May, Michael Phelps, Michelle Kwan, Kerri Strug or Carl Lewis.  Know one thing they all have in common?  Someone who was in their corner coaching and cheering them on.   Michael Phelps’ mother recognized a need for her son to channel his boundless energy, and has been by his side cheering him on ever since.  Phelps’ coach knows what fuels the flames of his desire to win.  Kerry Strug was carried to the gold medal stand by her coach, Bela Karolyi, in a moment we’ll never forget. Kerri Walsh’s father is in the stands watching her every move, and giving constructive criticism to help her improve.   I’ve noticed and taken to heart that every champion has someone helping push them forward to be better, faster or sharper than they were yesterday.

Making the most of coaching.

Coaching (and cheerleading for that matter) isn’t just a sports phenomenon.  Business coaches, personal coaches, consultants and mentors are all committed to helping people move forward.  I’ve been working with a coach for well over a  year, and I can tell you its the best decision I ever made.  Are you ready to move forward?  Do you have a coach or someone in your corner?  How can you get the best out of what they are giving you?  Here’s a few tips:

1. Make sure there is trust. If you know that your coach has your best interest at heart, you are most likely to trust their advice and actually use it.  Check them out and make sure you are entrusting your success and growth to someone you know is worthy of it.
2. Really listen. Have you ever tried to give some advice to a friend or loved one, only to have them politely nod and completely ignore your words of wisdom?  Frustrating, right?  When your coach or cheerleader talks, at least listen and consider their advice.
3. Accept their help when they offer. A relationship with a coach is pointless if you don’t actually apply what they are offering.  Kerri Strug would have had a difficult time making it onto that medal stand without her coach carrying her there.
4. Ask questions, over and over and over… Maybe you just don’t “get” what they are saying the first time or what they asked you to do doesn’t make sense.  Ask them about it, and then trust their guidance.
5. They’ve been there. A coach usually has been where you are or has helped others through it.   Take their wisdom and lessons learned to decrease your learning curve.  What do you have to lose?

Having someone in your corner not only helps keep you mentally sharp, but can help far exceed your own abilities.  A good coach will test limits and push you farther than you’d ever go on your own.  Who knows?  You just might end up on a medal stand of your own. 

“So, can you tell me what products I should be using?”  This is a question I get a lot.  I’m no Olympic coach, but this question is like a fledgling athlete asking his new coach what swimsuit he should wear on the first day in the pool.  Um, learning how to swim might be the first thing he needs to worry about. 

Olympic fever has gripped many of us these past two weeks, causing many of us to lose sleep, stare in amazement and cheer for a realized dream.  How do these people run so far without collapsing, swim faster than some marine life and jump so darned high?  What does it take to be a champion?  We’ll take a look at the advice of a former Olympian, the merits of setting yourself up to win and the lessons that lie within the traditional grand finale of the Olympiad: the marathon.  There are many roads to the top, different passions we all carry and much to learn along the way.  No matter who you are or what you do, you can achieve greatness. Take a look at what these amazing athletes are doing, and hopefully you will find a piece of wisdom to carry toward your own goals.

First up is this video from Olympian and IOC Member, Rania Elwani:

Here’s what I’m taking away from this video:

1.  Visualize a dream:  Take small steps each day toward the goal, because nothing big is ever accomplished in a day.  It takes days, weeks, months and even years to train, work at and develop any path in work or life.  Take a small step today, keeping your dream in front of you.

2.  There’s always something to work on:  When my laptop nearly crashed the other day, I couldn’t work on some things I really needed to.  I started to get wildly irritated when I realized I wouldn’t have it for two days while it was being repaired.  Then, I took a deep breath and looked around my office, and spotted a book I’d put aside several weeks prior.  So, I took my son outside to play and dove into the book.  Guess what?  I picked up something that was so timely it gave me chills.  (Thanks evil blue error screen.)

3.  Focus on small steps: Ever looked at a goal and been gripped with fear?  Sometimes the sheer size of a goal can paralyze you, so take a step back.  I have experienced this many times with clients, where piles of paper have accumulated for many reasons like a fear of success or just making some scary decisions.  A plan breaks down the steps needed, and makes the end result seem much more reachable.  The next action is to take the first step.

What did you learn from this video?

Let the Games begin!

This month the world is watching as our passionate, talented and hopeful athletes gather for the Summer Olympics.  Despite the protests, strong feelings about its location, surrounding world events and unimaginable tragedy at the Games, it’s quite a thing to watch!  I love watching the Games, and bearing witness to its realized dreams.  For many of these athletes, it will set the scene for the rest of their lives, good and bad.

While there is so much to take in, it’s not hard to see the life lessons when I watch the Olympics:

1. Nothing replaces hard work.  Anything in life that is worth having isn’t easy.  It takes dedication and commitment, sometimes in the face of impossible odds.
2. Winning with your friends around rocks. The best stories are when two fierce competitors strike up a friendship.  The reality is, however, that one of them will win and one will lose.  What warms my soul is a heartfelt hug and “congratulations” from the one without a medal.
3. Life isn’t always fair. Thru the whole saga of the Games one moment, one move, one look the wrong way and you lose.  Welcome to life.  Losing makes winning sweeter and focus sharper.
4. Everyone has a story. One of the “oldest” Olympians in history, the kid whose mother put him in swimming because she knew he needed an outlet for his boundless energy or the swimmer who was disqualified four years ago and came back to win gold.  These personalities and stories bring tears for a loss and unbridled cheers for a win.
5. We really can all get along. I was a Rotary exchange student in high school in Japan.  Like many  before me and many yet to come, it was an eye-opening experience.  I left part of my heart in Nemuro, Hokkaido and carry part of its spirit with me today.  The truth is, no matter where we are from or what we look like, we’re essentially all the same.  The Olympic Games represent so many different people working toward a common dream:  to be the best.  Isn’t that really what we’re all doing?

What inspires you about the Olympic Games?

(photo by denis collette, on Flickr.com)

Ready, Set, Refresh!

Today I thought I would share some things I recently found and added to my home office.  One of the things I love about working from home is the ability to let your imagination run wild!  So, I’ll share some stuff that really gets me going and then some tips on how to get going in your own space.

I had the distinct pleasure of going to a fun event called the Barn House Flea Market.  I’m a country girl at heart, and this event was downright inspirational & fun!  I found a few things like this chair…

I have been looking for a fun vintage chair like this for about two years (seriously, I’m picky).  I knew when I laid my eyes on it that it was the one for me.  She needs a little love, new fabric and a cute name, like Lucy or MaryLou…

How I’ll use it: My peaceful productivity corner awaaaay from the laptop.  This fall I’m giving my home office a little refresher makeover (yippee!), and this little lovely is going to occupy an empty corner in my office.  It will be a place I will have a cup of tea, read over my To Do list, make calls or whatever.  It’ll be my little corner to escape but still be on task within my home office.

I also went to Staples today and found these clips from their “M” line…

How I’ll use it: For client information packets.  How cute are these?  I have a slight infatuation with vintage typewriters (just ask my O Myth co-host Krista) so these are right up my alley!  These are fun and will really add some personality to anything I put them with!

I also purchased this darling cup…

How I’ll use it: I haven’t decided if I will drink out of it or put pens in it.  Either way, it makes me happy and brightens up my office (which I’ll need soon as the rain clouds start rolling in come end of September…)

Inspiration and things you love matter in the home office.

As most of us know, working in the home office can be very challenging.  It’s important to have things around you which inspire you, keep you on task and help you get to work.   These days, box stores are coming out with some great vintage-inspired and designer supplies.  I also love cruising antique shops and shows for things I can use (I’m on the look out for a wire/locker basket at the next Barn House Sale for my Action Paper Desktop File).  Think outside the box and how you can use things you love in your home office.  You might be surprised at what you find.  Use what you love to get stuff done!

What inspires you?

When I became an organizer (professionally) three years ago, I felt woefully inadequate. There are some masters of organization out there, and for some reason, I felt like I had to “measure up” and be just like them (anyone know what I’m talking about?). I got some wonderful advice from a friend; she said, “You don’t have to be ‘uber-organizer’, just be who you are.” This was some great advice from someone I greatly respected. It was a turning point for me in the work I do.

Maybe you’ve felt the same way? You look at lifestyle magazine spread and think, “I could never be that organized.” (Reality check: you probably don’t have three assistants either.) You might hate working in your home office and play a mental guilt trip in your head about it every morning. Say it with me: energy vampire. Whatever your intentions were when you decided you were going to work from home, I bet it wasn’t because you wanted to give yourself a guilt trip everyday, right? Yuck, nobody wants that.

What “Organized” Really Means For You

If your home office isn’t a catalyst to help you go out and change your corner of the world, it might be time for an internal shift about what “organized” means for you. It’s time to embrace who you are, and work with it. So, let’s get one thing straight: “organized” means you can find most anything you need in 5 minutes or less. That’s it. What “organized” physically looks like is different for everyone. Cool, huh? Use whatever you need to make that happen. If that means you need to hang 10 baskets above your desk on the wall to “see” everything, use index cards for your to do list, or hang a hook above your doorknob so you don’t forget your keys, then do that. If you need beautiful surroundings, pictures of your family and loved ones to feel motivated and inspired in your home office, do that. Also, organization products don’t always have to come from an office supply store. They can come from an antique shop, garage sale, garden shed or your kindergartener’s art project.

Embrace who you are and use what works for you in your home office. You have to work there, so make it your own. You are unique, and your home office should reflect who you are, and help you with the important work you have to do in this life.

Write Your Own Story & Sing Your Own Song

I wanted to share this video with you. It is about a female violinist named Miri Ben-Ari (saw her on The Big Idea last night). You might think of the violin in a classical music, Mozart, formal gown and symphony hall kinda way. Not this gal; she’s a Hip Hop Violinist.  (Say what?)  This is her story, and how she embraced her uniqueness and made it work for her.  (I especially like her quote at the end. )  You go, girl!