At Home With Deb

Separating

2011-12-18T08:27:00.002-06:00

Separating -- that's a powerful word, and one that scares many people.

Me - not so much anymore.

One of my goals for 2012 is to focus on business relationships and create powerful marketing. In order to do that, I need somewhere I can post the more personal blog posts I write.

I'm separating business and personal - and returning here for the personal posts!

I'm also separated from my husband, and have been for 3 years. This year, we'll be divorced. Now that was a journey that was much harder to take! (Told you this was the personal side of Deb).

Writers,we need to write. About everything.

Three New Rules

2009-12-29T18:43:00.003-06:00

Cover via Amazon

I love to watch Bill Maher and his New Rules.

These are not those new rules.

2010, twenty ten, two thousand and ten -- is the year of living into our greatness.

Rule Number One
Assume that you are great. It's a given. You are.

Rule Number Two
We are all connected. Talk to people as if you like and respect them.

Rule Number Three
Implement your strategies. Any plan in action is better than a perfect plan on paper.

Now get to work! You have greatness to spread.

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

A Year In Review

2009-12-28T00:05:00.002-06:00

Here's some of my favorite posts from my first year in blogging.

Network Marketing

Three Words for 2010

Month 0 of the year 2010

3 Things a Good Network Marketer Will do

Are You Talking About What Your Customers Want to Hear?

Interviews

Justin Levy

Who Are You Talking To?

Becky McCray

Keith Burtis Wood Turner

Chris Brogan

Blogging

Top 10 Reasons I'm Going to SobCon

Have You Got A Mission Statement?

Iowa

Conversation With the Competition

Questers

Reviews

Hutchinson Kansas Part One

Hutchinson Kansas Part Two

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Three Words for 2010

2009-12-27T07:26:00.005-06:00

Choose three words that tie into goals - and build from there. The thought is resolutions are static and for me, don't really work.

I've been thinking all year what my three words will be for 2010. I'm making a huge shift in my life and there have been days (and weeks) where I wondered where I was going. It appears that the puzzle is beginning to come together.

My three words for business are:

Connect Implement Greatness

Connect: I'm a natural connector, a born networker. I am teaching others how to connect as well. There is great joy in meeting people, finding out what they are good at and then connecting them to others. What's different this year is I'm looking to connect others to me, and my business.

Implement: It's not so hard to dream and make plans. There are books, notebooks, sketchpads and pictures all over my house with dreams and plans. This is the year of living into my greatness - so I'll be implementing the dreams and plans.

Greatness: I believe I am already great and that it is my responsibility to live into that. Every little thing and every big thing is a possibility for greatness. This is the year to shine.

My three words for me personally are: Share Shed Shake

Share: Volunteer your time. Share your knowledge. Help someone out and teach them how to learn and pass on the information. I work with the Franklin County Historical Society and will be sharing their good works with the community.

Shed: I am like a snake and ready to shed my skin. I'm letting go of old ways that did not work. I'm shedding negative opinions of myself and others. I'm shedding excess weight that no longer protects me, but inhibits me. Is there something that does not work anymore? Shed it.

Shake: Rattle and Roll. I'm dancing, having a good time and relaxing a little. I'm getting up and moving - shakin' my bones. I'm shaking and sifting out the bad things - and allowing good to come in.

I work for myself and my company Debworks. That means I don't have an official office I go to. I work from home. Like most of us that work from home, the lines blur between business and personal. We don't go to an office, work 8 hours and come home. We're really good at knitting our work lives with our home lives to build a beautiful tapestry. My three words? They are really six words -- and I'll use them interchangeably throughout the day to create a tapestry that is me and that is beautiful, Deb Brown.

What are your three words? What's calling you to live into your greatness?

Chris Brogan started it in 2006.

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Silent Saturday

2009-12-26T16:51:00.006-06:00

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Who is Deb and What is Debworks?

2009-12-25T18:26:00.009-06:00

I was born and raised in Franklin County Iowa. Luther College educated me and I lived in Chicago for many years. My children and grandchildren are still in Chicago. I've worked as an insurance underwriter, a retail management professional, salesperson, a teacher and a writer.

Kevin and I returned home to Iowa to care for my elderly parents.

Much to my surprise, the Iowa I remembered was so much more than just a place to raise pigs. Franklin County has a rich prairie heritage, is loaded with historical sites and treasures, welcoming neighbors and good old fashioned entrepreneurial spirit.

It was the perfect place to begin Debworks - combining many years of experience in various fields into my own business.

I'm a fan of the local business and do what I can to help bring them into the world of social media.

Debworks is the umbrella for several ventures.

Networked Communications
-determine your online marketing needs
-finding online media matches
-teaching you how to use social media
-simple websites

Local Franklin County News
-online daily, in print twice a week
-we want to hear what you have to say
-shop local, support those you love

Safer, Healthier Home Solutions
-nontoxic products for you and your home
-less expensive than name brand
-delivered to your door

Work at Home Solutions
-create additional income around your schedule
-part time or full time
-spend an hour and see if this is for you

Networked Communications:

Simple website design - does your business need a simple online presence? Don't want to spend big dollars having someone design it? Here's a few examples of the work I've done for clients.
www.ptrsuchenterprises.com
www.mspremierinvestments.com
www.sitaramunited.com

Client social media solutions - I've worked with local businesses in Franklin County to find new and innovative ways to bring their business to more and more clients. Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Franklin County Historical Society are two of my clients. You can find the Chamber online at www.facebook.com Just look for Hampton Iowa. Their website is www.hamptoniowa.org and I'm involved in updating their information. The Historical Society has a piece of property, The Old Stone House. You can see what we've done for them at www.oldstonehouse.org

Iowa Valley Continuing Education - IVCE opened their doors to me and brought me on board to teach classes. I've taught how to green your home, Facebook for Small Business, Twitter for Small Business and Blogging for Small Business. We will be having more classes again starting in the spring. I highly recommend getting involved with your local community college - you can learn many useful things!

Blogging -- You can find me at www.debworks.com I blog about network marketing, reviews, interviews, God, Iowa and social media.

Facebook, Twitter, Linked In -- www.facebook.com/debworks www.twitter.com/debworks www.linkedin.com/debworks There's a good branding tip -- be consistent! As you set up your social media accounts for your small business - be consistent.

Photos - Flickr http://debworks.dotphoto.com

Articles, Conferences and Mentions - Blog for Profit -iblog Conference -Recruiters Lounge -Top Follow Friday -Rural Telecom -Small Biz Survival

Local Franklin County News

It started when a dear friend and I realized we needed another avenue for advertising our businesses. The local paper, while covering area news, didn't suit what we were looking for. So we created Hampton Today....Who Knew? We posted the local calendar, accepted ads, wrote about events around town and what businesses were doing. Over the two years it has expanded online at www.readhampton.com , we've started a bi monthly Spanish version and the Chamber of Commerce is taking over production. I'll still be the editor and will continue to write articles and well, edit. The local paper, Hampton Publishing, will be doing the printing.

We work with the local schools, businesses, non-profits, Public Health office, Extension office and word of mouth to create our calendar. Each edition (twice a week) we feature three local businesses. Articles have a wide range of topics. The name has changed to Franklin County News Today. We've got lots of exciting plans for 2010!

Safer, Healthier Home and Work at Home Solutions

I believe in living as green as possible. We are exposed to toxins every where we go, our home and our bodies should be as toxic free as possible! I can show you have to set up your own private membership with a 25 year old United States company and you'll receive your own safer products. No no, I don't sell products. I simply refer people to the company, spend a little time showing them how to shop for safer, affordable products and if they wish, how to earn additional income doing the same thing. www.debthinksgreen.com - see where toxins lurk in your home.

Contact Me

Deb Brown

deb@debworks.com
home office 641-458-1114
cell phone 641-580-0103

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

All Alone on Christmas Day

2009-12-24T16:42:00.004-06:00

This Christmas I'm spending alone.

My hubby and kids and grandkids are in Chicago, I did see them last week. My parents, brother and family and nieces and kids are all at their own homes. We are all iced and snowed in.

I'm EXCITED about spending Christmas alone!

I'll cook and eat what I want. I'm thinking taco surprise is on the menu. I might make green beans and some mashed potatoes too. For breakfast.

I'll get my own presents. I'll be shopping online tomorrow. Why? Because I can.

I'll take some pictures of the foot of snow we are supposed to have. I'll make a snow angel. I might even create my own labyrinth. I will dress up in my Christmas finery and take my own picture.

I'll continue to plan the conference I'm hosting this year. I'll work on plans for 2010. I'll work, my work. Now that's fun!

No, the plans were not to be alone. The weather is interjecting a major storm and the smart thing to do is stay home. This is the year (month zero of 2010 right now) to revel in the goodness in life. The year to step into greatness. So Christmas Day, I'll think of baby Jesus and be thankful. I'll be great.

What will you be doing?

picture taken by me last Christmas, my great nephew shoveling snow

2010 The Year of Living Into Our Greatness

2009-12-23T17:48:00.003-06:00

Image by onelastsunrise via Flickr

I propose:
we know fear
we know delay
we know anxiety
we know excuses

There is no longer a need to keep practicing. We already know how to do these things.

I propose:
that we are already great
that we know all we need to know
that if we don't, we know how to get the answers
that the only thing stopping us, is us.

2010 is the year of living into our greatness.

Shut up, stop whining, stop with the excuses.

Take action. Start early - I have.

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Month Zero Update

2009-12-21T19:45:00.003-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Remember that this is month 0 of year 2010?

I've been planning and thinking about goals and objectives for 2010.

Some of them are:

designing websites for individuals that involve history
attending conferences and speaking at a few
reaching out to the local community and using social media to deliver the message

Here's what I've accomplished in December:

Got a contract for a website for a house - built by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright
Working with some incredible people in the Midwest to develop our own conference
Had a successful event for www.oldstonehouse.org

How about that - December, month zero, has proven to be a successful starting point for the new year. And I still have a couple of weeks left!

What are you planning on for 2010?

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

20 Items on My Dream Board

2009-12-21T07:27:00.002-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Do you have a dream board? I like to think of it as my Christmas wish list - and I can celebrate year round.

My dream board is more than just a dream. It's a visualization of the things I want. Its' something I look at every day and say "this is why I do this work."

Here's some things I'm working towards.

Business:

4 new clients a month for my Melaleuca business
3 new clients a month for Debworks
upgrade blog to Wordpress
notebook computer for the road
flip
video editing software and a trainer to teach me
Droid
Mac desktop
attend SobCon, SXSW
speak at 6 events this year

Personal:

Wii and assorted games
a trip to Antiparos
a trip to Paris
take my mom for a spa w/e
new clothes (cause mine are too big)
complete homeopathic treatment and be well
new car for me paid off
tweet ups with friends I've made online
ipod and an itunes account
new lawn furniture

What's wrong with these lists? Can you really "see" what I want? The perfect thing to have on your dream board is an actual picture of your items. See it, achieve it.

Genius is just attention to a subject. It is just attention to something specific. That's all it is. Law of Attraction makes it happen, and so anyone who gives attention to any subject for a period of time will evolve in the direction of that understanding.
- Abraham-Hicks

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

10 Bookmarks You Want

2009-12-19T07:54:00.004-06:00

Image by occhiovivo via Flickr

I'm organizing my bookmarks and have several I thought you might use and enjoy as well.

35 Online Tools to Make Your Freelance Career Easier

Inspiring and Supporting Women to Make the Most of Midlife

Meditations

31 Blog Post Ideas for Small Business

Blogs by Women

Neenz

All You Ever Need To Know

Hungry? You Will Be

Broganized in 50 Steps

Blurring the Line Between Company and Customer

This is really just the tip of the iceberg - Enjoy the Ten!

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Getting Lost

2009-12-17T20:55:00.003-06:00

Image by llemanie via Flickr

A story in real life. (Best read out loud and kinda fast like I talk)

Kev and I were driving today from 168th and Kedzie in Chicago Heights IL, where we were for a job. Kev wanted to go to Indiana (yes, state) to get a pack of cigarettes (right? He should quit) and save $2.00. They cost $8 in Chicago and out there they run around $5. So he drove across 162nd St. It changed to 165th St. Then it changed to 168th St. Then it went back to 162nd and-- dead ended by the overpass.

So by now the sun is starting to go down and we are in this old neighborhood where steel mill workers used to live. Back in the 50’s it was state of the art, everyone wanted to live there.

Tonight there were 3 kids in the middle of the street, one with no coat (and it’s in the 20’s) looking like they were going to fight. I mean there was shouting, running back and forth, fist shaking - But they were like 5 years old. Funny as all get out. We went around them (I was hoping the little so and so’s didn’t have a gun), did a U turn and went back by them. They flipped us the bird and I almost pee’d my pants laughing so hard.

Kev drove for about ½ hour (seriously – and it felt like we were going into darker and darker territory – like walking on the moon) and next thing you know, we are in some factory right on the lake. The security guard would have let us go through, she wasn’t paying any attention. A skinny young woman wearing a flannel shirt and a hard hat. Didn’t want to come out of her little booth (we might be burglars or murderers or something).

There was no one there. No cars were parked. No lights were on. No fires burning. Nothing. It’s almost dark. Old old tall funky looking machines and buildings. Like we were in Transformers or something. We had to get out of there. So we turned around – and two blocks down the cops had Cline Avenue closed. So now we have to try and figure out where is North – and how to get back home.

But wait – Kev still hasn’t found a place to buy cigarettes and he’s starting to Jones. He’s getting louder and louder and saying" WTF WTF?" A lot. He’s pounding the steering wheel. Loudly saying “I’m not mad at you. I’m not mad at you”. I’m thinking “Yes you are, you just can’t say so. I don’t want the damn cigarettes – you do”.

I’m also starting to wonder if these big machines are going to turn into something alive and I’ll have to find Siah LeBouf and figure out how to fight them. My feet hurt, I’ve been walking around Wal-Mart’s and Meijer’s all day and I just want to go home. Not fight big buildings. Jees.

Finally we run up on Indianapolis Blvd. Kev starts to singing an old blues song. He’s happy. Kev gets his cigarettes. We go home. All is right with the world.

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Tips For Exercise

2009-12-17T06:10:00.003-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

I work at a desk, by a phone, near the tv. I listen to music in the background most of the day, sitting at my computer and talking on the phone. Once and awhile I get up and walk to the bathroom or the kitchen. Sometimes I go outside and see that everything is ok on the farm.

I don't exercise enough. I know that in my head. I'm a little adverse to the word exercise frankly. It sounds too much like work. There's no immediate gratification in it. Boring.

This week I am helping my husband at his job. He's a merchandiser. We are doing a freshness audit of beverages. In great big stores like Walmart and Meijer. We have to find every single Coke and Pepsi product in the store and write down information. We have to walk all over the place. For at least 8 hours a day. Exercise.

I'm tired. Out of shape. Have sore muscles. There is some light at the end of the tunnel. I have slept really good this week. I'm spending some serious one on one time with the hubby. My leg muscles are starting to tone up (yeah, in three days).

I'm working on my 2010 plan. There was no exercise in the plan. That is changing. I ought to be able to dedicate one hour a day to my health. Now I'm looking for ideas on how to make exercise fun. I do like walking - and that will be on the plan starting in spring. Winter in Iowa on the farm is brutal - there are no leisurely walks. There's no mall I can go to that is closer than 40 miles away. A treadmill is not on my list of things to buy right away.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Wiz's Wonderful Weekend Workshop

2009-12-14T12:39:00.004-06:00

I conducted a one on one weekend workshop for a fellow network marketer. We locked ourselves in for 2 days and got in action. Here's the nuts and bolts of the information. (I charge for these workshops - you are receiving it free. Merry Christmas.)

I propose that:

you know what you need to know
you know how to find out what you don't know
it's no big deal

What if you looked at what you do as an opportunity to create possibilities for you clients?

You believe in your product/opportunity/business/skills. If you don't, stop reading now and go find something you do believe in.

Your client maybe believes, maybe wants to believe, maybe has forgotten how to believe, maybe doesn't trust themselves to believe.

Believe in them, for them. Until they learn how to believe in themselves.

Your job? Create possibilities for your clients. Remember, you know what you need to know (or to find out what you don't). This is no big deal.

Stop stressing and get to work. Go out and create possibilities for people.

Thanks for the read! How much poison is in your house? www.debthinksgreen.com

How's Your Health?

2009-12-10T08:12:00.003-06:00

Image by Nomads: will create via Flickr

How's your health?

We social media network marketing types (and frankly, that's most of us in network marketing) spend a lot of time running around. We start early in the day checking our online accounts, answering emails, setting up appointments. Some of us go to work for 8 hours. Night involves appointments, in homes, phone calls, trainings and you're often up until midnight.

There's a lot of things you have no control over. How many people answer the phone, how many people stand you up, how many emails go unanswered. These are all things you're prepared for: it's just the law of numbers. 100 phone calls, 40 answer, 20 make appointments, 10 show up, 2 enroll.

Let's get back to; how's your health?

Dedication is a wonderful thing. Put in the hours, do the legwork, build the business.

I propose you be just as dedicated about your health. Take your vitamins, eat regular meals with light snacks in between, get enough sleep. Those rules are easy too.

It's the gray areas that are worth exploring. I have spent this week sick on the couch. It started last Friday - but I had to be well enough to be outside all weekend working the Historical Tour of Homes. So I ignored the coughing and told myself I could collapse on Monday. Which I did.

I figured it's just another case of sinusitis. Then I got to thinking, this is the 5th time this year! Something is wrong with this picture. So I went to my twitter account and looked up the times I talked about being sick with sinusitis. 5 times. And all 5 times I had been physically working in the Old Stone House.

You can read about my passion for the old stone house at www.oldstonehouse.org. Suffice to say, I spend a lot of volunteer hours on the project. That includes cleaning and working inside the house. Which is old, and has mold in it. Apparently, I'm allergic to mold. It acts like sinusitis on me - post nasal drip, serious cough and major tiredness.

If I had been paying attention, I would have noticed this much earlier. I was more concerned with burning the candle at both ends and not noticing that my own health was suffering. I'm still volunteering at the old stone house -- I'm just not doing it inside the house! It's ironic - my business involves showing people how to remove toxins from their environment.

The great news is, this experience with my health has taught me to look at ALL the clues - and to teach others to do the same.

How's your health?

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Jim Rohn Quotes

2009-12-06T08:12:00.004-06:00

Image by TheScream via Flickr

Jim Rohn passed away yesterday after a battle with lung disease. He was one of the first motivational mentors I paid attention to. Never known to utter an unkind word, Jim Rohn led with faith, passion and believe. He's a great role model to copy. I leave you with some of his quotes.

Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion.

Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don't to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won't laugh at you.

Character isn't something you were born with and can't change, like your fingerprints. It's something you weren't born with and must take responsibility for forming.

Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it.

Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better.

Either you run the day, or the day runs you.

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.

If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree.

Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you.

Safe journey Jim - we will miss you.

Have Some Fun with It

2009-12-05T00:36:00.002-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Jon started it first. He suggested December could be the precursor to 2010 and a jumping off point. An extra month in 2010. I thought that was a great idea and called it month 0 of 2010.

Then Jon, in his wisdom, got it that people were freaking out because here we are on day 4 and haven't done a thing! Will the month go by and we've done nothing? Deep breath. Another deep breath. Not what this month is all about. All you type A's out there -- s l o w d o w n.

I'm super excited to know that I have this extra month to dream, think, plan and try something out. It doesn't work? Who cares! It's the trial month.

Just today I talked to Susan Murphy (@suzemuse) who is involved with TedX in Ottawa Canada this weekend. HOW COOL!!! Ted, ideas worth spreading, and she is doing the Tedx.

Allan Isfan, @isfan, who wrote their proposal to Ted, has agreed to mentor me in planning a Tedx in my neck of the woods. We will talk more in January. See where it goes.

I told you it was a time to dream, to plan. Get excited. Stop worrying. Have some serious fun with it.

Month 0 of 2010. What are you dreaming about?

5 Strategies to Send Overwhelm Packing

2009-12-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

It's pretty crazy around this weekend - I'm neck deep in the planning and execution of the Historical Tour of Homes (see info here). Lucky for me, Vicky White has stepped in with the most appropriate post! Now - if you can't come to the tour, we'd sure love it if you could donate!

Overwhelm stops you living the life you're here to live. It stops you stepping into your unique brilliance. It blocks your creativity, your intuition, your inspiration, your very life force. It keeps you distracted from what's most important - and makes you feel there's not enough time to do what you want to do, not enough time for yourself.

Luckily our friend overwhelm makes himself (herself?) known pretty fast so you can send him packing.

Take a deep breath! These 5 strategies will help you do just that.

1. Be intentional about your life: Starting with the assumption that there is no end to the things on your to-do list..... what are your priorities? What is most important to you in the coming year, this month, and today?

One of the most important things I do each morning in my ME time is to set an intention for the day, and decide what my 3 most important tasks are. Tasks are bite sized pieces of my most important goals for the week - things I can accomplish in one sitting - for me that's anything up to a two hour stint. And then I schedule those blocks of time in. That means I'm focused on what's most imporant and I'm not sitting there wondering what to do next, and deciding it's more fun to check email yet again....

Having a specific block of time to accomplish something ensures it gets done in less time. When I feel I've got all day, guess what? It takes all day.

The days I handle one of these tasks before I even open my email are the days I accomplish the most and feel most satisfied.

Then - I get my yellow highligher and put a line through them as I complete them - very satisfying.

2. Set boundaries around time, space, energy, email: you have the same amount of time as anyone else. Where do you choose to spend it?

Everything is a choice. If you hear yourself thinking or saying, you 'have' to do something or you 'should' do something, that's a red flag. You don't 'have' to do anything. Before you bite my head off over that statement - let me explain.

This is your life and you do have choice. There are always consequences to those choices however. So taking into account the consequences, what do you choose to do? Asking this question puts you in a position of power. It's no longer some outside person or force making you do something. So listening to your heart and taking into account your priorities and energy available, what do you choose to do?

Most likely you'll need to say 'no' to some things - some activities others might be used to you doing. If you say 'yes' to everything, that's a sure recipe for overwhelm, resentment, health consequences and not getting to live the life you're here to live.

What's one thing you're thinking you 'have' to do today? Can you find a good reason to choose to do it, or is it something you'd like to let go of? (letting go of 'shoulds' and 'have to's' is a great way to get things crossed off your to-do list fast!)

3. Take time for yourself: This may be a little counter-intuitive. Here you are feeling overwhelmed, and I'm suggesting you take time for yourself! What's that about?

Women are designed to create life and shape lives. And women wait to do things for themselves. Wait for the right time, wait till everything else is done, wait for permission, wait till everyone else is taken care of. I'm sure men can relate to some of this too.

You cannot keep giving out. As I said earlier, there is no end of things on your to-list. You will never be done with them. Never!

First thing in the morning take some time for yourself. If you need to get up earlier to grab some minutes for yourself, do it. Make this appointment with yourself and keep it - it's important. You'll find you get more done in the rest of the day.

If you're feeling overwhelmed it's a sign you're out of integrity with yourself. Step away from the scene of the crime, take a few deep breaths and spend a few minutes in silence, in nature, in a different part of your home or office. You'll shift your energy and see things more clearly.

4. Be in integrity: Clutter represents who you used to be and if you're surrounded by who you used to be, you're sending the Universe mixed messages. On the one hand you're asking for what you want and stating your intention for who you wish to be, and on the other hand your environment is filled with things that do not represent that.

Definition of clutter: anything unfinished, unused, unresolved, tolerated or disorganized.

Clutter will make you feel overwhelmed, will stop you expressing your purpose and connecting with your spirit.

This is where to start: what's bugging you the most? Handle that one first.

5. Take baby steps - remember 20 minutes is your friend. Even with your most challenging task, the one you've been procrastinating over, setting a timer for 20 minutes will make it less daunting. Twenty minutes a day will add up and once you start, you'll most likely want to continue because it feel so good to finally be tackling this thing.

Save this article and next time you're feeling overwhelmed, take some of these steps. And even better, put some of these strategies into practice now and you'll likely avoid overwhelm all together.

Let me know how you do with them. I'd love to hear. You were born for greatness, not overwhelm.

Any thoughts or questions? Please come share them on my blog.

©2009 All Rights Reserved - Vicky White

Vicky White, The Feng Shui Coach. Get Vicky White's FREE "5 Biggest Attraction Mistakes " report and her FREE articles to boost your creativity and your bottom line, at: www.LifeDesignStrategies.com

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Social Media Morning

2009-12-03T06:53:00.005-06:00

This morning I read an article in Entrepreneur that featured my friend Becky McCray. I had a conversation with a lawyer friend, Grant, about the service we receive from retail establishments, and how nice it would be if that service extended throughout the year. A lively conversation about hope - and whether it is evil and destructive or not - ensued after reading a blog post by another friend, Stephen.

I found out that Denise who just had cancer surgery is doing well and will need shots for the rest of her life. Deanne told me she has enough decorations for all the cars in the lighted parade tonight. Kerri is loading baby pigs and needs some sleep. My neice in Colorado is apparently moving back East after the baby is born. And merrybee's has sold out of tickets for the Historical Tour - and needs more.

All of this happened in the time span of half an hour. I didn't pick up the phone and talk to anyone -- I sat down at my computer.

Twitter is a source of news and discussion for me. My day begins with a cup of coffee, Melaleuca meal replacement bar and my computer. I catch up with my friends with news, what they are writing about, what plans they have for the day - and if they need my help. That's twitter for me.

Then I wander over to facebook to see who is doing what today and who did what yesterday. Facebook is my local source of news that I can use.

I tell you, social media is so much more interactive, quicker, useful and fun than the old media used to be.

How are you using it?

picture of Becky McCray taken from the Entrepreneur article found here -- I suggest you read it! This blog post is NOT a paid for post by anyone - it is my opinion only. Many thanks to Entrepreneur for talking about things that matter.

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Month 0 of Year 2010

2009-12-01T06:26:00.003-06:00

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Happy New Year!

Today is month zero of 2010. This year, we have 13 months. I'm spending this first month of the new year preparing, planning and acting for the new year.

Instead of wondering why December is so hard for network marketers, pulling teeth to have people look at my business presentation, complaining to my partners -- I'll be the happy one making preparations for 2010.

I'll still be giving presentations, sharing the wonderful news of safer, better, affordable products. I'll still be showing people how to earn extra income right from home. And .... I'll be working on my plan for all of 2010.

About.com gave some great advice to career planning for those challenged at mid-life. I'll be looking for those individuals who may have these traits:

Their work has little connection to the things they really care about. Work is a barrier rather than a path to fulfillment.

While they may be doing something they’re good at, it isn’t something they want to do.

They have never made a long-term plan to guide them toward a more fulfilling vocational life.
They tend to set short-term goals, or set no goals at all.

As they reach mid-life and understand the need for meaning, they turn to their current workplace as a source of what’s missing. . and don't find it.

Do you see yourself in any of those statements?

Most of us are in a position where we can't just walk away from a job. We're scared - where will the money come from? How will I pay bills? We were taught you don't leave one job before you have another job.

I thought that way too. Still do. There's a difference for me though. I looked at a business I could start in my own home, right around what I was doing for a job.

Did it mean I worked a little harder for myself? Did it mean I had to sacrifice some of my favorite tv shows? Did it mean I had to step out of my comfort zone? You betcha.

Let me tell what my work looks like now. I was able to start my own networked communications business. I help businesses start on the social media path. I speak to groups of people who want to know how to build community. I love what I do! I am a representative for a wellness manufacturing company. I introduce people to the company and get paid for those referrals. I also volunteer at the Historical Society, take care of my elderly parents and write.

I'm able to work in my field of interests, because I took the time to look at a business that allows me to do other things. In fact, encourages me to do the things that move me. A company that

doesn't want me to leave my work, that believes in being fiscally responsible.
that offers work that means something, the chance to change people's lives.
A business that allows me to follow my own heart,
wants me to set long term goals,
demands I have a vision bigger than myself.

Does your work provide that for you?

Silent Sunday - We Decorated The Tree

2009-11-29T19:35:00.003-06:00

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Live a Bigger Life

2009-11-27T09:30:00.002-06:00

Go get a cup of coffee or tea. Sit down for 20 minutes and watch Jill Bolte Taylor speak at TED. By the end of it, you'll realize that you can live a bigger life.

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Cleaning by Leafblower

2009-11-26T07:10:00.004-06:00

This week we are getting the Old Stone House ready for the Historical Tour of Homes.

That means cleaning it inside. Normally, a group of ten to twenty ladies from the Historical Society show up with buckets, rags, shop vacs and loads of energy. We usually clean it every spring when it's a little warmer. The bugs come in when it starts to get colder and die off in the winter. It's ready for a good cleaning by spring.

This year we had two days notice and three of us showed up. All with our heads covered, rags and buckets in hand. We also brought the new shop vac.

Jeff had a better idea. He proposed we use the Stihl leafblower and just blow out the bugs and dirt. NO NO NO!!!! We decided there were too many bugs! Instead, he used the industrial leaf blower (still a Stihl) to pick up the piles of bugs Keri and I swept. That worked very well.

Still, the Stihl wanted a better workout. Jeff was itching to try it out. And frankly, I wondered what would happen? There were still some bugs in the rugs. Dust everywhere (we re-pointed the exterior this fall and it created a ton of dust). What did we have to lose? Either way we had to clean it.

So we went ahead and did. (if you can't see the video below, try this link)

It worked!

Now - if you're in the area, buy a ticket for the Historical Tour and come see the fruits of our labor!

(This is not a sponsored post for Stihl. We used a Stihl leafblower. Did we wonder if they have a foundation that supports learning for children, or restoration of historical sites? You betcha.)

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Make A Difference

2009-11-24T08:53:00.007-06:00

The Old Stone House is one of the featured homes on the Historical Tour of Homes for the Hollydazzle Celebration. (read about it here) .

That means we need to decorate for Christmas. The Geneva United Methodist Church Sunday School has agreed, gladly, to make the decorations and hang them.

The little ones made green and red chain rings and it was serious business! A little bit of glue was eaten, a lot was put on the tables and some even made it onto the construction paper!

The older kids made apple chains. We brought out the old fashioned apple peelers and the Pampered Chef ones too. They peeled long strips of apple that are drying - when Christmas is over, they come off the tree and go outside into the big trees to feed the birds.

We're stringing cranberries and popcorn this week too. A couple of us will go out and chop down some scrub cedar trees, put them in a bucket of sand and add water. The Old Stone House will smell like cedar! After the holidays, we can saw them into cedar pieces and put those pieces around the house and in drawers to keep things fresh.

Next Sunday, November 29th, the entire Sunday School will take the 2 mile trip to the Old Stone House and decorate. The Hampton Chronicle photographer will meet us out there and take pictures - we're going to be in the paper

It's exciting here in Franklin County Iowa. The kids are having a great time decorating and learning a little history along the way. They are also seeing practical ways they can recycle. The adults are thrilled to see their children so happy. We're making a difference!

You can make a difference too. Chip In. Help us restore the Old Stone House and create a living history home - that all can use.

Thanks for the read! Take a tour of the green home - see where you can make your home safer too. www.debthinksgreen.com

Life Gets in the Way

2009-11-23T06:37:00.006-06:00

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My company has a different promotion each month. It's a great way to motivate you to conduct business from home in a bigger way. Often the promotions are for those of us building a business, but also for the customer.

This month - I did not pursue the promotion. It was a month filled with parents with huge medical dilemmas, a farm sale, new clients at my other business and well, life.

What I did not do: Completely stop my business and allow life to make me nuts.

What I did do was: make sure my team had all the updates and supported them in pursuing the promotion, stayed involved with the team calls each week, kept my business partners informed of what was going on in my life. Because I've learned the basics and work my business around my life, I even enrolled a new team member this month!

I have no guilt over stepping back into a part time position this month. I've learned how to do the day to day right around my schedule. I made a decision based on the events occurring at the time. I stepped down my plan for this month. I was still accountable.

Takeaways:
Learn the basics so they become rote
Have a plan and work the plan
Make a decision - step it up or step it down
Be accountable and keep your team accountable