Doreen's "Get Radical" Blog

Your Calling Circle

2009-12-23T14:32:00.002-05:00

I use to have a cell phone plan that only allowed me to call a certain group of people at no charge. The company called it my "calling circle". With a limited number of spots, I had to think carefully, and choose wisely, who I would let in.

Who would be worth my coveted free airtime? Family? Friends? A couple of coworkers? And I wasn't the only one making this type of decision. I knew other people who had the same type of plan. Would I make it into their calling circle? Have I fostered enough relationships to be worthy of someone else's talk time?

Fast forward a few years, and most of the plans now allow you to call anybody and everybody at any time. People no longer have to think about who to let in and who to exclude. That's what technology has done to us.

With so much access to people and information available in every possible form, we no longer have defined parameters of deciding who, or what, gets let into our "circle". We get emails from companies we don't remember signing up for. We get "friend requests" from people we barely knew years ago - or don't know at all. We have access to the Internet from just about anywhere. And we have hundreds of television and radio stations vying for our time and attention. No wonder it has become so challenging to manage our circle.

With a New Year just a week away, now might be the best time to become the gatekeeper of your circle again. To evaluate all the things that have infiltrated your circle - the good, the bad, and the complete time waster. Your circle is valuable space and should only be occupied by those people, and things, that contribute to your joy, fulfillment, peace and to the path that leads towards your family, personal, and career goals.

What Will the New Year Bring For You?

2009-12-18T16:38:00.008-05:00

If you're like me, in the midst of all the holiday preparations, you're thinking about 2010 and what the new year will bring.

Knowing some of the things I want to accomplish, I've already become part of a mentor program and have joined a business mastermind group - both of which begin after the new year.

Taking a few steps now to set things up in January is a great way to get your year off to a fantastic start. And if you're looking for a way to set your goals, gain focus and create a practicle plan of action, have I got the program for you!

Check out my brand new self-paced coaching program.

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7 Steps for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life

Are you ready to make changes in your professional or personal life but not sure how?
Do you have goals and aspirations that you have yet to achieve?
Does the thought of doing something different scare you - even though you know you need to make a change?
What would it be like to define success for yourself and then take positive steps to achieve it?
How would your life be different if you reached your goals in your finances, career, health, and/or life balance?

If any of these questions apply to you, now is the time to invest in you with this brand new self-paced coaching program.

This step-by-step coaching program shares how to take bold and courageous action towards achieving your self-defined success. Giving you a blueprint for taking charge of your professional and personal life, you’ll deepen the learning about your passion and purpose and move forward in action to create the life – and the lifestyle - you deserve.

Your 3-CD set and accompanying workbook is not a “one size fits all” solution. I understand that your goals and dreams are just that - yours. Knowing this, the program provides an interactive format that allows you to focus on your unique goals, ambition and aspirations, so that you can design the action steps necessary for your own success - at your own pace.

Being released on January 14, 2010, you can save now by taking advantage of pre-release discouts. Find out more.

RADICAL Holiday Gift

2009-12-15T14:10:00.002-05:00

Are you looking for a unique gift for a special friend, family member, or co-worker? Why not give a gift that keeps on giving.

A 1-year membership to the RADICAL Lifestyle Women's Network is the perfect idea for women who enjoy learning, growing and developing in their professional and personal life - especially in the area of wellness, life balance, career, and business growth.

Their membership includes fantastic benefits that will last all year long, including:

How-to articles that encourage you to take charge of your professional and personal life.
Invitation-only live teleseminars on various topics to help you take bold action.
Audio Learning Library of interviews with top coaches, leaders and executives.
Private, members-only discussion forums where you gain insight from other members.
Expert Audio Interviews: First-hand accounts from people achieving self-defined success.
Discounts on the RADICAL wear line of clothes and products.
Discounts on teleclasses and workshops.

And with new information added weekly, they are sure to enjoy all of these benfits the entire year. To find out more about membership, click here.

Order your gift membership today and you'll receive a beautiful welcome packet to give to the recipient that explains all the benefits of the network. For this gift, we are offering a special discount off the regular annual membership rate until December 22nd. Save $20 when you give this gift at the special discounted price of only $89 (annual membership is normally $109). Order your gift membership today!

P.S. - You can also give this gift to yourself!!!

Don't Be Afraid to B.R.A.G. in 2010

2009-12-13T21:19:00.007-05:00

I've heard many people say they don't make New Year's resolutions. I've even heard some say that resolutions don't mean anything - that it's a waste of energy, effort and time.

Well, I think the majority of the people that make these type of comments are people who haven't been able to stick to their resolutions! And even though I have been one to fail to reach a resolution or two over the years, I still think it's a great motivator to get you moving towards your goals.

Now, I do agree that you can decide to make a change at any time in your life. The moment you make a decision is the moment you have the power to be, do and have something different. It is true that you don't have to wait for January 1st, however, there is something inspiring about a brand new year. There's something exciting about feeling like you have a clean slate. There's something very motivating about the chance to "start over" and do something bigger and better than you have ever done before.

Last week, I conducted a teleseminar called: Jumpstart Your 2010 - RADICAL Goalsetting. This call was designed to help the participants get a headstart on thinking about where they are now and where they want to be at the end of next year. One way to do that is to B.R.A.G.

Whenever I start working with a new client - I always make them B.R.A.G. That simply means to set a Big Radical Audacious Goal. This is the one goal that blows all your other goals out the water. This is the one goal where even your most supportive friend or family member would have their doubts. This is the goal that scares the crap out of you - yet excites you at the same time.

I encouraged the people on the call to do this - and I'm encouraging you as well.

* Declare your B.R.A.G.
* Write it down.
* Break it down.
* And then go for it.

And, if you want some tips on how to set and achieve your B.R.A.G., feel free to take a listen to the teleseminar from last week.

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! For a FREE 30 day membership to the RADICAL Lifestyle Women's Network or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website. Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser and Rhonda Britten, Emmy Winner Life Coach from Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club.

You Gotta Know When to Hold 'Em

2009-12-10T12:48:00.006-05:00

You got to know when to hold 'em,
know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away
And know when to run.

I love the lyrics from The Gambler by Kenny Rogers. At the end of every year, many people, including me, start thinking about and evaluating where they are in life. They take stock of what they have accomplished and what they may want to be different in the upcoming year. One of the best ways to do that is to follow Kenny's instructions!

You got to know when to hold ‘em:
What’s working well in your life? What is it in your relationships, career, business, or finances that’s worth holding on to? These are the things that make you happy, bring you joy, and keep you motivated to keep moving in a positive direction. These are the things you want more of in your life. You want to hold on to the people, processes, and habits that are serving you well and giving you the results you want.

Know when to fold ‘em:
What do you need to just let go of? Is there something – or someone – in your life that you need to say “enough”? It can be hard, emotional, and challenging to release those things that bring you down, drain your energy, and cause you pain and suffering. Maybe it’s a job that’s no longer challenging. Maybe it’s a client that has worn out their welcome. Maybe it’s a friendship that has run its course. Maybe it’s a habit that you have to break once and for all.

Know when to walk away:
I heard a woman say that when she started her business and got a couple of billion dollar companies as clients, everyone thought she’d reached the pinnacle of success. But while the money was good, the clients were wearing her - and her staff - out. So what did she do? She walked away from them and started working with new clients. And she is just as successful and has never looked back. Walking away can be one of the hardest things you will do, but it can also be the thing to give you your life back.

Know when to run:
Whether you run towards something or away from something, it can be an exhilarating experience. Know what you want out of life – and then be bold and courageous enough to run after it!

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! For a FREE 30 day membership to the RADICAL Lifestyle Women's Network or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website. Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser and Rhonda Britten, Emmy Winner Life Coach from Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club.

So You Want to Be a...

2009-12-02T13:30:00.004-05:00

Periodically, people contact me to get insight and information about becoming a life coach. They’ll share that they are the ones that all their friends come to for advice. They tell me how they want to help people reach their full potential. They’ll talk about the fact that they know “complainers” and people who are not happy and they want to help them find contentment and satisfaction.

As the conversation continues, the questions they ask begin to revolve around whether they should get certified, how they should market their business to get clients, and how much to charge.

I always tell them that before they do any of that, they should GET a life coach. For many, the thought never occurred to them – and I find it amusing that a person who wants to become a life coach has never thought to get one. But that’s not the kicker! Some of these people who say they want to build a business around coaching others get really quiet when we begin to talk about how much one-on-one coaching can cost.

And that always leads me to ask this question: If you (person who wants to be a coach), don’t see the value in having a coach, how can you expect to convince others of the value of hiring you?

I came across this blog entry the other day, and it sums up my thoughts exactly!
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Watch the money

"How much life insurance do you have?"

Zig Ziglar liked to say that with that one question, you could tell if someone was a successful life insurance agent. If they're not willing to buy it with their own money, how can they honestly persuade someone else to do so?

If you're in the music business but you never buy tickets or downloads, can you really empathize with the people you're selling to?

My favorite: if you work for a non-profit and you don't give money to charity, what exactly are you doing in this job? I've met some incredibly generous people in the charitable world, but I can also report that a huge number of people—even on the fundraising side—would happily cross the street and risk a beating in order to avoid giving $100 to a cause that's not their own. And the shame of it is that this inaction on their part keeps them from experiencing the very emotion that they try so hard to sell.

Money is more than a transfer of value. It's a statement of belief. An ad agency that won't buy ads, a consultant who won't buy consulting, and a waiter who doesn't tip big—it's a sign, and not a good one. Seth's Blog

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From Rags to Riches to Rags to Riches

2009-11-20T12:54:00.037-05:00

Kim's Story:

Twenty years ago, I went to work for a small computer supplies wholesaler. At the time, they were doing about $36 million a year in sales. I was just a few years out of college and started as a clerk in the purchasing department.

Over time, I rose up through the ranks, ultimately reaching the level of senior management. With each promotion came additional responsibilities and pay. Some of that pay came in the form of stock options.

In January 1995 the company went public. By then, they were closing in on $500 million a year in sales and would soon reach a billion. At the moment my employer’s ticker symbol crossed the tape for the very first time, I suddenly had more money than most people dream of having even after a lifetime of work. I was 31 years old.

I knew nothing about investing or taking care of money. In fact, at the time the company went public, I was basically living paycheck to paycheck (albeit a fairly large one) just like everyone else. I had gone to some of the finest schools our country has to offer. I had business law in high school, and I graduated from college with a degree in business. I took several classes in corporate finance. I could do double entry accounting, tell you about supply and demand curves, program a computer, and read a novel in French. But nowhere along the way did anyone ever sit me down and explain the basics of personal finance or investing. Strange, isn’t it?

So, having grown up on television commercials, I did the thing that seemed most reasonable. I went to one of those big brokerage firms and asked them what I should do with the money. They told me they had brokers who would be more than happy to manage that money on my behalf.

Cool! Problem solved. Abdicate responsi—I mean, hire someone else to handle it.

Mind you, I didn’t just pull a name out of a phone book. I got a recommendation from the lead underwriter on our public offering. My broker came highly recommended and worked for the parent company of the investment bank that took our company public. Without naming names, I’ll just say that unless you have lived your whole life under a rock, you know the name of this firm.

In all fairness, I will be the first to admit that I didn’t handle my side very well. I spent a lot of money on really dumb things. In fact, I quit my job and proceeded to have a really good time. That is what you do when you are young and foolish and feeling bulletproof. But you know what? The broker did his fair share of dumb things too.

I didn’t understand what he was doing. Frankly, I didn’t even try to understand what he was doing. After all, he was supposed to be the expert. Whatever he suggested, I agreed to. How could I not? I didn’t have any facts to base a decision on one way or the other. I was like a leaf floating along in the river, going wherever the current might take me. And where it took me was over the falls!

Less than two years later, I was dead broke.

The story might have ended there - except that it didn't.

How did Kim's story end? Find out at the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference where she'll be sharing her rags to riches to rags to riches story along with her financial strategies to not only help you make money - but grow it and keep it!

Save $50 off the regular conference registration price!
Take advantage of our 2 or 3 payment option if you register by Nov. 30th.

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The "Not One" Challenge

2009-11-18T13:40:00.007-05:00

RADICAL Lifestyle Women’s Network Announces the "Not 1" Challenge

The holiday season is upon us and the parties, dinners, work potlucks, and family get togethers will become a staple from now until the end of the year. Well, fitness competitor Tawana Cain (pictured), and a member of the RLWN, has issued a challenge. She has challenged us not to gain one pound between now and January 1st.

Not 1!

While many people view the first of the year as a time to get back on track (or just on track) with their health and fitness goals, this challenge will give you a jumpstart on changing your habits to a healthier lifestyle NOW. And, it will prevent you from starting the New Year with even more weight to lose.

We invite all members of the RLWN to join us with this challenge – especially since you won’t have to do it alone. Each week, I'll be interviewing Tawana and she'll b sharing tips to help you enjoy the holiday season without having to loosen up that belt, as well as taking your questions! Some of her tips will include making holiday dishes healthier, avoiding overeating at the parties, making healthy choices when traveling, and exercise programs that get results.

We also want to support each other. You’ll be able to share your own tips and successes with other members who are participating.

Ready to join us? Members can login to the RADICAL Lifestyle Women’s Network and click on “The Not 1 Challenge”.You can then let us know what your goals are and you can listen to the kickoff interview I did with Tawana where she shared why it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the holidays as well as 3 tips for helping you successfully complete the challenge.

Not a member? No problem. You can still join the challenge with our 30 day FREE membership. For more information, click here.

And don't forget to check out the blog entry from Tawana that started it all!

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Looking For the Easy Way Out

2009-11-16T13:33:00.005-05:00

It's Called Work for a Reason

I love this book by Larry Winget. It highlights the best approach people should take to achieve any goal they have set for themselves - WORK. But sadly, in our world of instant gratification, getting by, or getting over, the concept of work has gotten lost.

Dictionary.com defines work as “exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.” But through my years as an HR Director, a college professor, and life coach, I've come to realize one very important, but disappointing, fact:

Most people don’t want to exert, give effort, labor or toil. They just want results. And they begin to spend more time trying to figure out how to get the results they want with the least amount of effort, instead of putting in the "sweat equity" to produce the desired outcome.

People want to go back to school to finish or advance their education. But then they fail to commit the time necessary to study and learn. Instead, they want to do “just enough” to get by. School is not about getting a piece of paper, it’s about learning and challenging your mind. If you’re in it for the piece of paper, you probably aren’t working that hard.

People want to advance on their job – be rewarded for their efforts through position and salary. Yet, they are looking to do just enough to meet the minimum requirements – all the while waiting for that big promotion to come through. What would it be like if you showed up on time, gave 100%, became a real team player, shared ideas, paid attention to details, refused to let a customer go unsatisfied, or never allowed your reports, presentations, or any product to leave your desk without your full confidence that it was the absolute best you could do?

People want to lose weight – so they take pills, drink teas, get shots, or try to get through 7 days of the latest celebrity diet. They are looking for that quick fix without exerting, giving effort, laboring or toiling. They don’t want to consistently exercise. They don’t want to focus on nutrition and balanced meals in the correct portion size. They don’t want to do the work.

Finally, people want a successful business. They have big dreams of doing what they enjoy and getting paid for it. They have visions of providing for their family, taking grand vacations and giving to others. They talk to anyone who will listen about their big ideas. Yet, they only give minimum effort to writing their business plan, sticking to a daily work schedule, networking, managing their money, giving good customer service and following up on potential leads.

So, if you are wondering why you aren’t getting the results you really want, maybe you should check you level of exertion, effort, labor and toil.

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! For a FREE 30 day membership to the RADICAL Lifestyle Women's Network or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website. Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser and Rhonda Britten, Emmy Winner Life Coach from Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

2009-11-09T23:28:00.002-05:00

Recently, someone asked me: "What does it mean to be successful?"

After sharing my thoughts, I wrote this article using the word "SUCCESS" to highlight how I answered his question.

S - See Your Future
Success is very personal. The definition of success is not the same for every person. It's important that you define and decide what success looks like for you. You do this by taking the time to see your future. What does it look like? Who's in it? What are you doing? How are you spending your time? Answering these questions provides a complete understanding of how you want your life to be.

U - Use Your Gifts and Talents
Becoming successful means that you have found a place where you are living a purposeful and passionate life. That purpose and passion is found in your gifts and talents. Tapping into those gifts and talents provides the tools that you will use to design the life you want. It's the basis upon which you will build. Not sure of your gifts and talents? Ask yourself: What are you good at? What do you love to do? How do you spend your time? What are you curious about? What do you want to learn more about? What are your hobbies? What do other people admire about you?

C - Create a Vision
How will you use your passion and purpose to create your successful future? That is your vision statement. Your vision should connect your gifts and talents with your future. However, you don't just want to create a vision and keep it in your head. You want to write it down, put it where you can see it everyday and share it with others. Having a vision is the foundation from which you make every future decision. If you are not sure whether to do something or not, just ask yourself if it moves you closer to your vision or takes you further away.

C - Constantly Take Action Towards Your Goals
Nothing happens until something happens. What are you doing right now to bring you closer to your future? What skills are you developing, what connections are you making, and how much time are you devoting to your goals? If you are writing a book, how many pages a day? If you are going to school, how much study time a week? If you are starting a business, what marketing and promotion ideas are you working on? If you are seeking help, are you contacting people and networking with them? Action is critical to transforming your vision to reality.

E - Emulate Those Who Reflect Your Values
There are many successful people out there that you can imitate, but the list of successful people who share your values and are successful may be significantly smaller. Once you fully understand your values, seek out those people who use their success in a meaningful way - a way that lines up with what's important to you. Watch and learn from them. Get advice from them. Learn from their experiences - both good and bad.

S - Stand Firm Against Challenges and Adversity
Life will not always go your way. There will be failures, disappointments, setbacks, difficulty, fears, losses, hard times, apprehension, bad decisions, wasted time, wasted money, and wasted effort. But no one who lives a life of purpose and passion gets there without dealing with challenges and adversity. The key is not to focus on what has happened to you, but to decide how you are going to move past it.

S - Share Your Success with Others
Your success is not for you. You get the benefit of it, but success is ultimately designed to be shared with others. Don't be stingy with your money, knowledge, or ideas. Be an example that others will follow. Be that person that someone who is looking for their own success can emulate.

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What If...

2009-11-06T23:21:00.009-05:00

1. What if you were an overweight kid - and am now one of the most recognizable fitness trainers in the country?

2. What if you had more money than most people dream of at 31 years old - only to be broke 2 years later - and then gain financial freedom again?

3. What if you lived in fear for decades after watching your father kill your mother and then turn the gun on himself - and now teach millions how to live a fearless life?

4. What if people looked at you and only saw beauty - but no brains - and now you're a top entertainment attorney teaching women how to excel in the boardroom?

5. What if you were so focused on proving yourself and being an overachiever that you pushed yourself to accomplish incredible success, but wasn't enjoying the journey - only to now share with the world how to live a life of balance.

What if you attended an event that would inform, inspire, motivate and educate you to design the life you want - and also help you become bold and courageous enough to make it happen?

What if you attended the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference and gained success tools, strategies and insight from:

Woman #1:
Jillian Michaels from NBC's The Biggest Loser

Woman #2:
Kim Snider, Owner, Snider Financial

Woman #3:
Rhonda Britten, Emmy Winning Life Coach from the hit TV show Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club

Woman #4:
Marshawn Evans, Miss America Finalist, Entertainment Attorney, author of SKIRTS in the Boardroom, and former contestant on The Apprentice

Woman #5:
Valorie Burton, Life Strategist and bestselling author of How Did I Get So Busy?

What if...
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General and VIP registration is now open with early bird pricing. Find out more: Get RADICAL Women's Conference.

Plugging Your Leaks

2009-10-28T15:39:00.012-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, my hubby noticed a stain on our basement ceiling. After a closer inspection, we realized it was water. And for any homeowner that sees water in places other than the sink, toilet, or tub, your stomach automatically begins to twist into knots. When the plumber arrived, he told us the toilet in the bathroom on the floor above the basement was leaking down into the ceiling.

As he wrote up the estimate, I stood at the bathroom door and thought back to the first time I thought the toilet felt a little loose. At least 6 months ago. Then I thought back to when I thought I heard a few drips as I touched up my makeup before going out - at least 4 months ago.

After handing me the bill, he explained that when the leak first started, it made a wet spot underneath it. Then, it spread to the floor, saturating it underneath. Finally, completely soaked, it began to creep through the floor, creating a water drip in the basement ceiling. Only after seeing the damage in the basement did we finally take action. Now, instead of dealing with just a leak, we are dealing with a leak, replacing the bathroom floor, and fixing the drywall in the basement ceiling.

What question did I asked myself as I handed over my credit card? "How much could I have avoided if I had taken action and called the plumber the very first time it felt loose or when I heard the first drip?"

What about you? What signs are you ignoring? What could you have taken care of at the "first drip", but instead, you continue to look the other way or brush it off?

In your business:
Are you avoiding making the necessary tough decisions as a result of the economy?

In your job:
Are you facing the reality that your company may be in trouble and doing what's necessary to show yourself an asset and a superstar or actively getting your resume out there?

In your finances:
Are you spending beyond your means, carrying credit card debt, or avoiding talking to your spouse about your financial future hoping that it will somehow work itself out?

In your relationship: Is it time to have a difficult conversation or deal with problems or challenges that you've been letting slide because "you're just not ready to talk about it"?

Unfortunately, as I learned today, avoiding the warning signs can only lead to one thing: a bigger issue that could end up costing you much more in the end.

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! For a FREE 30 day membership to RadicalLifestyle.com or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website. Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser and Rhonda Britten, Emmy Winner Life Coach from Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club.

I'm a Lil' Bit Country

2009-10-20T09:47:00.006-04:00

We all have one. That one reality show that we would never admit that we watch, but would never miss an episode. For me, that show started it's 4th season just a couple of weeks ago.

As a life long Dallas Cowboys fan, I've cheered for them when they've won Superbowls (all 5 of them) and I've stood by their side (and shed a few tears) when their 1989 season record was 1-15 (at least we beat the Washington Redskins!). And of course, as a teenager with my white shorts and vest, I had big dreams of being a Dallas Cowboy's Cheerleader.

Imagine my surprise when I'm flipping channels a couple of years ago and came across a reality show called: Making the Team where they were selecting Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for the upcoming football season. As I watched, and seriously pondered, just how small a pair of shorts could get (those shorts are TINY), I began to understand the process for making the squad.

Now, I have to admit, I was thinking - how hard could it be? You do a few dance moves, swing your hair around, and perfect the ability to smile for hours while wearing boots and the job is yours. WRONG!

Let me tell you the steps it takes to make the squad and how some of these women prepare for auditions:

They recommend you take their dance prep classes BEFORE auditions begin. Sometimes for a year!
Preliminary auditions are first, sometimes with over 1,000 showing up.
If you make the first cut, you'll go to semi-final auditions where you'll learn a routine and that famous kickline.
Made it to final auditions? Great, now it's time for your interview with football and current event questions.
Made it through finals? That only means you're invited to training camp.

Training camp is 90 days. Yes - that's 3 months - and guess what? That's no guarantee that you'll make the squad.

Now, here's my question to you. If this is the work, commitment, dedication and effort it takes to make a cheerleading squad - shouldn't it take AT LEAST that much work, commitment, dedication and effort to get what you say you want?

One of the things that has gotten lost in this microwave society we live in is good ol' fashion hard work:

Blood. Sweat. Tears. Commitmemt (some of these women audition year after year - and never make it).

So, I want to take this moment to remind you that anything worth having takes hard work, commitment, dedication and effort. How else will you:

Get that promotion
Earn that degree
Fix that relationship
Get healthy
Start and build a successful business
Raise a family
Make the cheerleading squad

One last thing...I LOVE the theme song from Making the Team. It challenges you to decide how bad you want what you say you want. It's courtesy of country music star Tim McGraw. Think about what it is you say you want and then ask yourself the words from his song:

Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
Is it a fire that burns you up inside?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line

I especially love the last line - it speaks to whatever you want to accomplish - "You've got to lay it all on the line".

Oh yeah, I'll be heading to that incredible billion dollar stadium on November 22nd. I'll be in the stands to cheer my team on as they beat the Washington Redskins.

2009 DCC Training Camp Candidates

Go Cowboys!

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! For a FREE 30 day membership to RadicalLifestyle.com or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website. Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser and Rhonda Britten, Emmy Winner Life Coach from Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club.

Innovation Trumps Recession

2009-10-14T17:29:00.015-04:00

No one would argue that our economy tanked and people have been severely affected - both in their personal lives and in their business. But some companies have worked hard to recreate, redesign, refocus and review their current business practices and products to maintain cash flow, keep themselves competitive, and yes - even increase revenues and profits.

If you're an entrepreneur - or an aspiring entrepreneur - the number one rule of business still applies: Find a need and fill it. Here are some stories of innovative thinkers who did just that and are beating the odds by being open to changing directions. I found these inspiring stories in one of my favorite magazines: Fortune Small Business.

Johnny Dela Valdene & Travis Hollman
Founders of ViB in Dallas

The Problem: In 2008, Valdene and Hollman were running a toy company that sold $6 million in marshmallow shooters every year. At a trade fair in New York City they saw an attendee collapsing from what looked like a heart attack. Paramedics later told them that the man had in fact suffered an anxiety attack -- brought on by too many caffeinated energy drinks.

The Moment: They decided that the world needed the opposite of an energy drink: a relaxation drink made from soothing, natural ingredients. With the help of a food scientist they created a drink with theanine, an amino acid found in green tea; B vitamins; and L-threonine, a natural antidepressant. They enlisted six grad students to test the drink.

The Payoff: Three months later Valdene (now 42) and Hollman (40) launched ViB (pronounced Vibe). Today ViB sells through 68 West Coast distributors. Sales are expected to hit $5 million this year.

Innovation Tip: Don't hang on to your vision too tightly. Hollman planned to name the drink "Vacation in a Bottle." After being that told it wouldn't be legal to hand out glass bottle samples in most public places, they switched to cans. Then 7-Eleven told them they didn't want the drink in a can because it looked too much like an energy drink, so ViB adopted aluminum bottles.
"You have to be flexible," says Hollman. "You know what your outcome is. It's all the little things along the way that can change." -Jennifer Alsever

Joanna Van Vleck
Founder of Trunk Club in Oregon

The Problem: Van Vleck knew that many guys hated shopping for clothes in retail stores, so she decided to create a line of personal shopping outlets. She recruited investors to open retail storefronts across the country where men could go for personal shopping sessions. But when the market crashed in late 2008, her funding disappeared.

The Moment: When a potential investor in San Francisco asked Van Vleck to meet with him via Webcam, she initially balked at the idea. "I don't do Webcams," says Van Vleck, 25. But a lot of men she knew seemed to feel more comfortable talking on them, which suggested the Webcam as an ideal forum for personal shopping with men. Her consultants could select and mail clothes to a client based on his lifestyle, budget or career and then talk him through the garments as he modeled them on the Webcam. No retail stores or investors needed.

The Payoff: Van Vleck's 21 style consultants now work with 2,500 customers across the country. The company, Trunk Club, expects $2 million in sales this year.

Innovation Tip: Sometimes inexperience drives innovation. If Van Vleck had ever worked in the retail world, she would have known that merchandise is typically ordered in bulk up to six months in advance. By contrast, her business model is based on ordering small lots of clothing from wholesalers each week. "I didn't fall into the trap of 'We can't do that,'" she says. "We broke all the rules." -Jennifer Alsever

Mark Konjevod
Founder of WIN Products in New York City

The Problem: In 2000, Konjevod was running marathons and working as the business development director at Cox Enterprises. He noticed that his moisture-wicking running clothes were stinking up the house even after he washed them. No matter what the detergent or how much he used, a sweaty odor lingered.

The Moment: Konjevod started asking athlete friends if they had the same problem. The answer: an overwhelming yes. He used his connections to find an experienced chemist who mixed up a special concoction to fight lingering bacteria that get caught inside the high-tech fibers used in performance sporting apparel. In 2005, Konjevod sent the detergent to friends at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. The athletes loved it.

The Payoff: Konjevod's business, Win Products, posted $5 million in sales last year. Win detergent earned endorsements from the U.S. Olympic Training Centers and Nike, which now recommends the soap to callers on its toll-free consumer phone line. The detergent will be sold in 20,000 grocery stores this year.

Innovation Tip: Just because big companies dominate a market doesn't mean there isn't room for a niche product or service. Konjevod, 39, had no background in detergents or chemistry, but he decided he could compete with Procter & Gamble by selling through gyms and athletic stores and catering to the $15 billion performance fabrics market. -Jennifer Alsever

David and Stuart Pikoff
Games2U - Austin, TX

They want to see your kids spending more time outdoors... playing Halo, Guitar Hero 3 and laser tag. The brothers' two-year-old Austin company, Games2U, brings truck-mounted video game theaters and laser tag gear to birthday parties. Last year Games2U started selling franchises; the Pikoffs project revenues of $15 million to $20 million this year.

Games2U has signed up 38 franchisees to handle 113 territories in 16 states. New franchisees pay the Pikoffs a $35,000 fee up front and a 6% royalty on sales. For each territory, a franchisee must also buy a branded Games2U trailer or vehicle from the Pikoffs, bringing the startup cost to between $89,000 and $200,000. Each Games2U unit is outfitted with screens and video-game consoles that allow 12 to 24 gamers to compete at once. Clients typically pay a flat fee of $300 to $350 for a two-hour party appearance.

"I wouldn't be so bold as to say we're recession-proof," says David Pikoff, 42. "But franchisees are hearing that while people aren't purchasing big houses or cars, they won't cheat their kids out of a childhood memory for a few hundred bucks."

So, what needs have you noticed that people have? With passion, dedication, and focus, you can design an innovative business that gives you success - even in a recession.

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! For a FREE 30 day membership to RadicalLifestyle.com or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website. Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser and Rhonda Britten, Emmy Winner Life Coach from Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club.

How To Ask For a Raise

2009-10-04T14:29:00.018-04:00

One of the greatest skills you can obtain is the skill of negotiation. Understanding how to present your position and persuading others to your way of thinking serves you well in both your professional and personal life.

Working in HR, I was always surprised when candidates for a job accepted our first offer. I was also surprised when we promoted someone and they didn't negotiate a higher salary. I have also been surprised when companies would say "no raises this year" and employees wouldn't question their own pay. But the greatest surprise of all? When people would ask for a raise in a way that demonstrated they had no idea how to position themselves to get the answer they wanted.

Now, this is not to say that you will always get a higher starting salary, more money when you get promoted, an increase when the company says there's no money, and a raise when you ask. But, I do believe you must always ASK. And more importantly, you must ask RIGHT.

I was talking to a friend last week and she shared that she was told that she was up for a promotion. My response? "Great, with a heads up, it gives you time to prepare your salary negotiation." You would have thought I grew wings. She had no idea that promotions were "negotiable." Well, I'm here to tell you - everything is negotiable.

So, here are my tips for asking for a raise:

1. Make Sure You Deserve One.
Tenure is not a reason for getting a raise. Doing your job well is not a reason for getting a raise (you already get something for that - it's called a paycheck). Take the time to write out, specifically, what you have done that deserves an increase. What additional projects have you taken on? Have you taken over duties from someone who is no longer there? Has your job expanded beyond its current responsibilities? Are you now managing more people? If you can't articulate why you deserve a raise, then maybe you don't.

2. Know the Market.
What is your job worth? Notice, I didn't say what are YOU worth. Just because you are the best receptionist the company has ever had doesn't mean they will pay you $100k to answer their phones.

Research salary surveys and find out what the market is paying for your job. There are industry surveys, non-profit surveys, and surveys by location. You can even hire someone to do a market study on your position - this is especially helpful when your job is Director, VP or C-level. Once you have the survey data, you can add to that number based on your past performance and future contribution. By doing this, when you give them your number, you'll be able to back it up.

3. Timing is Everything
Patience is definitely a virtue in business. You have to know the "vibe" of your boss to know when to talk money. Make sure that you'll have uninterrupted time to discuss it. Nothing is worse that making your pitch and having your boss distracted by email, phone calls, or having to go to another meeting.

4. Be Professional and Methodical
Lay all of your cards on the table. Be bold, courageous, professional and methodical. This is not the time to let emotions get the best of you.

I like to open with something like "I'm her to talk to you about a raise." Then, begin with why you deserve one (refer to #1) and be specific. Then, move to your research. You could start with "Based on market data for this industry and location, salaries for my position are...). You can even suggest ways the budget could cover your raise (reducing spending in certain areas). Finally, end with what you want (5%, 10%, $10,000, $15,000).

Then, SHUT UP!

Wait for a response. No matter how long it takes, do not say another word. Let the next words that fill the air belong to your boss. It might just be "okay".

4. Don't Leave Unless You Have an Answer Other Than No.
If you don't get an "okay", don't take "no" for an answer. The reality is, very few bosses can make that decision on the spot (and even if they can, they won't). Ask for a time frame for an answer. Ask what the process is for getting an answer. Then, thank them and reiterate your commitment to the organization.

When the times comes for your boss to get back to you and if you don't hear anything, don't get mad, take the initiative to ask for another meeting. Be ready - you may have to negotiate again.
Possible outcomes:

You get what you want! (Yea!)
You get less than you want, but more than if you had never asked. (Not bad!)
You get a delayed yes - you agree to revisit it in 30, 60, 90 days. (Follow up)
You get a "no" - which means you are no worse off than you were before you asked. (Revisit at review time)

5. Continue to Be a Star
No matter what the answer, no matter how long the process takes, work hard and continue to give your best. Don't let your pay dictate your contribution. You can stay at your job, you can look for another, but you should never do less than your best.

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL!
For a FREE 30 day membership to RadicalLifestyle.com or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website.
Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser.

Living Up to YOUR Personal Brand Promise

2009-09-29T20:28:00.009-04:00

Throughout my HR career, I've interviewed many people who loved to sit across from me and talk about their experience, skills and education - and all they could bring to the job. They had ideas, information and suggestions on how they could come into our organization and improve processes, procedures, and the bottom line. They made it clear that if we hired them, they would give 110% every day.

Yea..well...it all sounds good.

While many of the new employees did just what they were hired to do, and some even did more, there were also those who failed to live up to their own hype. They didn't meet the expectations they set about their work performance. There were days when we would love to see them give just 50%. In the end, they failed to live up to their personal brand promise.

Your personal brand promise is being who you say you are...whether it's related to work, your own business, or your personal life. So, of course, I have to ask: Do you live up to your Personal Brand Promise?

At work, do you deliver on the promises you made when you were hired? Are you dependable? Do you focus on doing your best? What does your reputation say about you? Would your peers and leaders say your give 110%, or at least 100%?

Dan Schawbel , personal branding expert, says branding is crucial for a corporate employee:
"If you work for a company, and enjoy doing so, then personal branding becomes the cornerstone for how you move up the hierarchy and become recognized as a leader."

And if you're an entrepreneur, branding yourself, and your company, is crucial to your success. Would your clients say you live up to your brochure? To your marketing? To the expectations you set? Would people who have done business with you refer you to others?

There's nothing more disappointing than deciding to do business with someone and having them NOT live up to their brand promise.

And there's also nothing more disappointing than dealing with individuals, whether they be a friend, coworker, boss, employee, or family member, who doesn't live up to their personal brand promise.

Remember, if you're all hype, with no substance, you'll eventually be found out...and you could lose your job, your client, or worse - your self-respect!

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL!

For a FREE 30 day membership to RadicalLifestyle.com or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website.

Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser.

Persistence or Stupidity

2009-09-19T10:03:00.015-04:00

Regardless of what book you read about success or what successful person you listen to, they will always talk about the characteristic of persistence. The idea that you should never give up, keep going, don't get sidelined, and don't ever stop, is a prevalent theme when it comes to going after your goals.

We've all heard sayings like: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. But is there ever a time when you shouldn't try again? When you should - dare I say it - give up? Should you ever consider letting it go, changing course, pursuing a new direction or simply stopping.

If someone were to ask what it meant to be persistence, it would be fairly easy to give a definition. We may even admire certain people because of their ability to fight through any circumstance to ultimately get what they want.

Persistence has probably shown up in our own lives. Maybe it was sheer persistence that got you through school. Or maybe it was what allowed you to find a way/make a way to buy something you really wanted. Or perhaps it was the way you finally got the man or woman of your dreams.

But in reading Mentored By a Millionaire, by Steven K. Scott, he addresses the ugly side of persistence. The side where there is continued loss no matter how hard the effort. Loss of time, loss of money, loss of motivation, loss of family, loss of friends, or even a loss of self-confidence.

The question is, how do you know when you've ventured over into a level of persistence that is actually more detrimental to your well being? How do you determine when there is really no chance of you getting what you want?

Scott helps us figure it out by defining the critical distinction between what persistence is and what persistence is not.

What Persistence is Not: When failure is contemplated, persistence is not simply a matter of staying the course no matter what. When failure is experienced, persistence is not simply refusing to give up and then trying the same thing over and over again, but with more effort, intensity or frequency.

What Persistence Is: When failure is contemplated, true persistence makes the necessary mid-course corrections to reduce risk, and increase the possibility of success. When failure is experienced, true persistence analyzes various elements or factors that may have caused or contributed to that failure and then design and tries creative alternatives that might result in significant improvement and ultimate success.

In other words, he says successful people should approach each important project or goal expecting problems, setbacks and potential failure to block their path to success. Then utilize their partnering skills to draw on the creative input and resources of others to creatively persist through each problem until they succeed one way or another. If, after all of that, they discover that a project is a "three legged horse", they should "shoot it" rather than race it.

I love that last sentence. It means that you have to really analyze your situation to see if the path you're on will render you the results you want. And while some will say that you still shouldn't give up, you have to make the choice for yourself. For if you are relentlessly pursuing a goal that's a "three legged horse", it can be freeing to give yourself permission to "shoot it" and let it go.

That doesn't make you a failure. It makes you smart.

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL!
For a FREE 30 day membership to RadicalLifestyle.com or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website.
Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Training from The Biggest Loser.

2nd Annual Get RADICAL Women's Conference

2009-09-15T21:30:00.029-04:00

It's that time of year and I'm so excited!

Registration is now open for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference taking place on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, VA - just outside of Washington, DC.

Last year's conference was incredible! There was so much energy in the room as each speaker shared their strategies for getting ahead - and staying ahead - at work and in life. Women came from all over the country to learn, grow, network and get RADICAL!

I met women from California, Florida, Boston, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Chicago - just to name a few. And of course, the Washington, DC area was well represented. As a matter of fact, we have already outgrown the hotel we used!

We are planning an awesome conference this year and would love for you to join us. Some of our speakers are returning with fresh insights and strategies that will build upon what they shared last year - including Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer and Life Coach from NBC's hit TV show, The Biggest Loser.
However, we also have some new speakers that will be joining us as well. They will be announced in the coming months so stay tuned!

If you came last year, I would LOVE to see you again. If this will be your first year joining us, I look forward to meeting you. With the caliber of speakers we have, this will be a career enhancing, life enriching experience that will impact your professional and personal life.

Early registration, which gives a discount off the regular registration fee, is now open for both general registration and VIP registration. A VIP registration gets you up close and personal with Jillian in our exclusive VIP luncheon. There's also front section seating and a few other great perks. These special registrations are limited so don't delay! There's even a 2 payment option.

Why "Get RADICAL"?

“Get Radical” is a Call!
A call for women to become bold and courageous enough to depart from the usual, expected or ordinary in order to take charge of their professional and personal life. A call for women to live with purpose and passion in all that they do. A call for women to experience fulfillment and contentment in their family life and in the business world. A call for women to enjoy the fruits of their hard work and reward themselves with fun!

“Get Radical” is a Challenge!
A challenge for women to step out of their comfort zone and explore new possibilities. A challenge for women to get the skills, education, and information they need to make smart choices when going after their goals. A challenge for women to set aside fear and replace it with faith and courage. A challenge for women to step out of doubt, uncertainty and hesitation and onto the path to success!

“Get Radical” is a Lifestyle!
A lifestyle dedicated to continuous improvement in finances, career, relationships, health and wellness, and fun! A lifestyle that understand the importance of investing in one’s self to continually learn and grow. A lifestyle that embraces the philosophy of selflessness – being willing to share with others by giving back!

In planning this day for you, we focused on gathering women who are experts in their field and have overcome challenges, difficulties, and adversities to achieve amazing success.

They'll share entertaining, informative, and poignant stories about the lessons they've learned, all the while inspiring you to take your goals and dreams and put them into action.

Don't miss this opportunity to laugh, learn, grow, connect with others, enhance your career and change your life.

See what a couple of our attendees said about last year's conference:

"This conference was an amazing, life changing experience. I would recommend it to anyone who is eager to learn, grow and take their life to another level of consciousness. It was a truly inspirational event."

"I ventured out of this comfort zone and traveled 7 hours to this conference on my own! Never have done(or would have done)something like that before...so glad I did. Left feeling empowered, and ready to create my dream life!"

How Do You Handle the Heat?

2009-09-12T19:18:00.013-04:00

It was June. It was Las Vegas. And it was HOT!!

Several years ago, I took a trip to Sin City to spend 48 hours with a speaking coach. But not just any speaking coach. This was Patricia Fripp. She has coached and trained speakers around the world and Meetings and Conventions Magazine calls her, "One of the 10 most electrifying speakers in North America". You know what I call her? One of the most terrifying speaking coaches in North America!

I'd been in the audience several times when she gave presentations about the art of speaking. Obviously, she was an outstanding speaker, but what I really loved about her was her honesty, frankness and candor as she talked about the skills it takes to be a great speaker. She emphasized the fact that you not only have to have the knowledge and information for solid content, but you have to be able to deliver it in a way that can hold the attention of the listener, and make them remember you - and what you said - long after your speech is over.

Impressed, I decided to take the trip to Vegas to spend some personal time with her. I am a firm believer that no matter what your profession, you should want to get around people who are the best at it and this was my opportunity. She was offering one-on-one coaching for a very small group of people and I jumped at the chance.

The process was simple. I would send her the outline of one of my speeches in advance, show up, present about 10 minutes of it in front of her, get her feedback, rework my speech that night incorporating her suggestions, and then present it again to her the next day.

I think that one of the biggest hindrances to people stepping out of their comfort zone and putting themselves "out there" is the fear of criticism.

What if they don't like it?" (whoever they are)
What if I fail?
What will they think about me?
What will they say about me?
What if I make a fool of myself?
What if they laugh?
What if I'm wrong?

And you know what? People won't like it. Not only will some people not like it, they will not be shy about telling you they don't like it and why. But if you want to be great - you've got to be ready for it. The good news is, criticism, when considered without emotions attached to it, can lead you to grow, develop, and become better at what you are trying to do.

Just think of any well known person. For the hundreds, thousands, or millions of people who admire, look up to, think highly of, respect, or hold them in high regard, there are probably just as many people who don't like them, don't respect them, and don't hold them in high regard.

Don't believe me? Think of someone you admire. Now google their name. There's a 99% chance you'll find something negative about them. As a matter of fact, there are entire blogs dedicated to criticizing certain people.

But the key is not to let the negativity stop you. I believe you should consider the criticism to see if it's valid, and if it is, make the necessary adjustments. But if it's not valid, you have got to be able to get over it, forget it and move on.

Now, back to Vegas!

There are 6 people in this coaching session and the few people that go ahead of me, while pretty good speakers, were completely picked apart by Patricia. Being no fool, I paid close attention to the feedback Patricia was giving and made mental adjustments in my head to make my presentation better when it was my turn.

Then, she called my name.

As I took my place in the front of the room, I knew the presentation would not exactly match what I had originally sent her, but I believed it to be for the better, as I had now incorporated the feedback she had given to other speakers. As I finished up my 10 minutes, I braced myself for what she had to say. And it was a good thing I did - as I'll never forget the first words out of her mouth. It went a little something like this:

Well, I see that you've done something completely different from what you sent in. And thank goodness because what you sent was quite dreadful. At least what you did today was better - but just barely.

Now, I had a choice, I could put my defenses up, argue with her, try to explain why she was wrong or simply shut down. But instead, I took a deep breath, relaxed my face and simply said - or should I say begged - "Help me!!!"

And help me she did. Everything from how I stand, to how I move, to what I do with my hands, to the cadence of my voice, to engaging the audience, to improving the layout of my speech, to developing better content, to staying true to the message and topic that I am so passionate about (helping people live a radical life).

What about you? If you want to go for greatness, you've got to be prepared to feel the heat. The heat of someone criticizing you. The heat of someone not liking what you're trying to do. The heat of failure. The heat of disappointments. The heat of someone really wanting to help you if you would only let them.

I thank Patricia for her honesty, her expertise, and her desire to help make me great. I got 200% better at my profession having spent those 2 days with her. And looking back, I'm really proud of myself. For that was the day I realized that yes - I can handle the heat.

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL!

For a FREE 30 day membership to RadicalLifestyle.com or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website.

Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Training from The Biggest Loser.

Overcoming Incredible Odds

2009-09-04T22:59:00.013-04:00

I've just started reading a book called Mentored By a Millionaire by Steven K. Scott. And while I haven't finished it (so I'm not fully recommending it!!), the beginning of the book shares stories of some of the challenges successful people have had to overcome to reach their goals. Here a couple of examples from the book, along with a couple of my own.

After graduating number 299 out of 301 students, this man went on to flunk out of college after getting a track scholarship. Challenged by his mom's several suicide attempts, many had written him off as someone who wouldn't amount to much. Yet, this man went on to become one of the most successful actor, writer, and director in the history of television. Who is it? Michael Landon.

After dropping out of school in the 8th grade, he never got to read the school physic books that said it was impossible to make a radio small enough to fit into a car. He went on to invent the first car radio, the autopilot system, the 8-track recording cartridge, and proved the experts wrong when they said it was no market for small corporate jets - and he made a lot of money proving them wrong. Ever hear of Lear Jets? That would all be due to the man who did all of this: Bill Lear.

What about the boy who followed in his father's professional footsteps? After graduating with honors from Princeton University and the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he received his MD, he returned home to the University of Colorado for his residency in Internal Medicine. Then, in a move that shocked patients and parents alike, he quit his job as a doctor and moved out to Hollywood to pursue stand up comedy. He has never looked back. After lots of success on the comedy circuit, he's now the "Go To Guy" as a host on the #1 show on the Style Network - Clean House. He also hosts a spin-off show called Clean House Comes Clean that is the #2 show on the network. Who is it? Matt Iseman.

A young woman was born to drug addicted parents who were both HIV positive. When her mother died when she was 16, her father moved to a homeless shelter, leaving her alone and homeless. Starting high school later than most students, she remained without a stable home while supporting herself and her sister. Overcoming incredible odds, she received a scholarship from the New York Times to Harvard University. She is now a successful speaker and workshop leader and has been featured on ABC News 20/20, Good Morning America, the Today Show, CNN, and written up in The New York Times, People magazine as well as numerous other media outlets. She has authored advice columns in the New York Times Upfront Magazine. Who is she? Liz Murray

So what about you? What incredible odds do you need to overcome to make your goals and dreams a reality? Have people written you off ? Are you in a career that's not your true calling? Have you had to deal with financial troubles, lack of education, a career change, toxic relationships, bad marriage, abusive parents, or fear? Whatever the obstacle, why not find a way around it, over it, or through it - dealing with it once and for all?

Because just the like the people above, you CAN overcome incredible odds.

Going Through the Motions

2009-08-31T21:10:00.020-04:00

I listened to a song today that I've heard many times over the last several months, yet I never really paid attention to the words. Until today. One of the lines really stuck out to me:

"What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?"

What a great question!

I once heard Oprah say that many people are living an unconscious life. That's what "going through the motions" means to me. Day in and day out. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year. All of it runs together. Have we gotten into such a routine, such a rut, that we look up one day and wonder "where did my life go?"

Of course we have dreams. Of course we have goals. Of course we have things we want to accomplish. Of course we make plans to do things that make us feel alive. Of course we want to experience all that life has to offer. But then comes work, long commutes, paying bills, and plain old lack of energy.

But "what if you give everything instead of going through the motions?"

If you are feeling that you are just going through the motions...the good news is that you can make a change. Just imagine.

Imagine if you went to work with a renewed excitement to do your job better. To focus on fostering relationships with other coworkers and being more engaged. To do what it takes to get ahead, make a real contribution, and have a serious impact on the success of your company. Imagine if you look for other opportunities - both inside and out of your company - that's more in line with what you ultimately want to do with your career.

Imagine what life could be like if you stopped being on automatic pilot when you got home in the evening - cooking dinner, dealing with the kids and watching TV. What if you tried a new recipe, spent quality time with your children - refusing to give in to video games, the Internet, or the TV (several years ago, we got rid of every TV in the house for almost a year).

Imagine if you set fear aside and did the things that you long to do. What could your life be like if you let your heart pound and your hands get sweaty, but went ahead and did it anyway (whatever your "it" is).

Imagine if you made your health, and the health of your family, your number one priority. Refusing to be swayed by easy, cheap meals or unhealthy snacks. Imagine if you went to bed early so you could exercise in the morning. Imagine if you skipped the local sandwich shop for lunch and went for a walk instead.

Imagine if you cut out time wasting activities and reconnected with your hobbies - the very things that bring you pure joy. Those hobbies where you lose track of time because you are truly loving what you are doing. Is it crafts, scrapbooking, baking, sewing, photography, collecting wine, doing home improvement projects, fishing, gardening, painting, or writing?

In this day and age, it takes a real effort to give everything and NOT just go through the motions. But what if you didn't just imagine what life could be - but you actually begin living it.

Here's hoping that you do!

Another RADICAL Moment - In the Sky

2009-08-23T15:20:00.031-04:00

As someone who promotes living a RADICAL lifestyle, it's no secret that I don't mind stepping outside of my comfort zone. Adventurous and curious by nature, I love to learn and experience new things.

Knowing this, my hubby planned a secret adventure for me today. Without a clue as to where we were headed, I was surprised, when after an hour of driving, our car turned into a private airport in Leesburg, VA. Getting out the car, I figured we were going to do an aerial tour of the Washington, DC area. Imagine my shock when after we checked in, the woman behind the desk asked which of us would be flying the plane today!

That's when my hubby pointed to me.

After a short lesson on using the instruments and going through the pre-flight checklist, I settled into the cockpit of a 4-seater plane with my co-pilot, Kelly (pictured on the right). In minutes, we were headed for the runway!

With my hubby in the back row, we hit the throttle and headed skyward.

Let me tell you, the takeoff was shaky! I thought I was going to hyperventilate as I tried to control the nose of the plane, but Kelly remained calm and talked me through it. After about 10 minutes, I was able to somewhat, kinda, sorta, relax as we flew out to West Virginia. But just when I thought I had gotten into the swing of things, Kelly asked if I wanted to turn upside down. Now, there's RADICAL, and then there's stupid. I told her unless she wanted to see me throw up, we need to stay upright. However, I did do a 360 turn with the plan almost on its side. That was enough tricks for me.

After almost an hour in the air, we headed back. Thankfully, Kelly handled the landing.

So what about you? What RADICAL adventures are you having in life? Are you flying high with advancing your career, furthering your education, taking that vacation of a lifetime, going scuba diving, starting your own business, asking for a raise, leaving your dead-end job, or simply getting in the cockpit of a plane?

Whatever you do...make it RADICAL.

Tips for Starting a Consulting Practice

2009-08-20T10:25:00.007-04:00

I can't take credit for the following information. I came across it on the consultant's discussion forum on SHRM. I think it's great advice for anyone looking to start their own consulting practice (or coaching, training, etc).

This was written by D. Kevin Berchelmann, President, CEO and principal consultant at Triangle Performance (with a little help from other posters). A highly acclaimed strategist and thought leader in executive and organization performance, he focuses on executive teambuilding, strategy development and compensation, individualized coaching, performance improvement, and retention.

Let me know if you agree, disagree, or have more to add.

Tips for Starting a Consulting Business

1. Clients first. Nothing else matters until you've got revenue. Hold off on spending any money on anything else until you have ONE paying client. The rest of this advice is for AFTER that client is on board.

2. Web presence. Ditch the local Internet provider, AOL, or Yahoo as your e-mail address and get your own domain. Purchase and hosting will cost less than a month on AOL. Besides, you can't sell professionalism from "consultant@yahoo.com." You just can't. Start with a simple web page or two, then build over time, as expertise, comfort and business builds.

3. Paper. Buy the BEST business cards and letterhead you can afford. Scrimp somewhere else, not here. It matters. Don't print them on your computer, and don't design them yourself. Hire a designer and have them professionally printed. Trust me, it does matter.

4. Network. Contact everyone you know -- even slightly -- and tell them what you are doing. No need to sell THEM, they now know; ask them for help, to refer someone they know who might need your services. And when you go talk to that person, ask them the same question. Networking is dynamic and iterative. You have to stay on it incessantly.

5. Be prepared to tell people "what you do." I'm not a believer in this "elevator speech" business, but you do need to be able to explain to someone who asks what you do, without taking 10 minutes to do it. Say your piece as quickly as possible, then ask about THEM, with lots of follow-up questions, since...

6. ...Remember, "it ain't about you." No one really cares about your background, credentials, prior VP jobs, or Mensa membership. They care about WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM. That's it. The rest may -- later -- help with credibility when selling big dollars, but it won't get you in the dance to begin with.

7. Invest in technology. Laptops, smartphones/blackberry, good cellphones/service, reliable ISPs, etc. If you look and act cheap, you will be cheap. Can't separate the two; and you’ll need the additional help that effective technology provides independent consultants.

8. Write. Articles, books, white papers, surveys. Do it all the time; always have one or more in the works. Research (learn and use Google constantly), interviews, and put YOUR OWN STUFF in there so potential clients can get a feel for "who you are." A reality -- you cannot be all things to all people, so don't even try. Make it clear who you are and why you're different. Be a contrarian, over-principled, contra-culture, whatever... just take real stands on things that matter to potential markets.

9. Meet other consultants, and help them freely whenever possible.

10. Self assess constantly. Consulting is hard work, but potentially lucrative financially, personally, and professionally. But it's not for everyone, and you need to make sure it's "for you." No shame if not, but considering the diverse effort it takes to be successful, it would be folly to try if you weren't having fun.

11. Remember that consulting is the means to an end. You are a unique individual who consults, not a consultant who has other interests. Make sure that consulting is not your "whole life."

12. Too many consultants work too hard and charge too little. Don't be afraid to raise your fees. You're delivering a service that hopefully has far-reaching value for the client. It's important to help them see it. Besides, it's not good to be known as the "cheap alternative to xxx."

13. Work with clients that are interesting and challenging. Don't take on a difficult client because you need the cash. It's a recipe for disaster.

14. Another note on networking...speak to every community group that will have you. Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, etc. all have weekly or monthly meetings and are scratching to fill speaker slots.

15. SWOT yourself every year. Assess the environmental factors to figure out what you should be doing that you're not doing and what you need to stop doing. Another step in the self-development path.

16. Don't be afraid to take risks. The worst that can happen is you might lose some money and have a little embarrassment. So what? Risk-taking is what will propel you to the next level of success.

17. Have an informal board of advisers or some other entity or group of individuals that you can call on for advice, whether as a group or individually. Sometimes when you're in the thick of something, it's hard to see all the angles and make sound decisions.

18. Be gracious, generous and full of gratitude. Allow other people to make soft landings when they err. Be generous in praise for others. Give generously to your favorite charities, both with time and money. Express gratitude to those who have helped you become successful and who have been supportive of your endeavors.

19. And you can't say this enough.... Have fun, do good things, and make money. Done correctly – and successfully -- consulting is a great way of life.

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Doreen Rainey is a Professional Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! To subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter and receive 7 RADICAL Tips, visit her website. For a FREE 30-day membership to her RadicalLifestyle.com coaching program, click here.

De-Motivate Yourself

2009-08-18T20:38:00.015-04:00

As someone who likes to see the glass half full and believes that dreams can come true, I couldn't help but laugh at those who insist on giving me a dose of reality! I hope you enjoy these "motivational" posters as much as I did!

Bumpy Ride or Smooth Sailing?

2009-08-17T16:50:00.014-04:00

Is your life a smooth ride or a bit bumpy? One way to find out is to complete the Wheel of Life.

This is one of the initial exercises I ask my clients to complete when we begin coaching. While it's a short exercise, it’s a powerful way to give you a visual snapshot of how satisfied you are with where you are. The results give you a vivid visual representation of the way your life is currently, compared with the way you would ideally like it to be.

You'll be asked to rate 8 areas of your life:

Career
Money
Health
Friends/Family
Significant Other/Relationship
Personal Growth
Fun/Recreation
Physical Environment

If you want to see how bumpy or smooth your life ride is right now, do the exercise. But remember, the key is to be 100% honest with yourself and rate your level of satisfaction, right now, with where you are today and NOT where you want to be.

The information from this short exercise provides a wealth of information. It helps you see where you are and prioritize what you want to change. You can see where you may be out of balance or areas of your life you have been ignoring for one reason or another. Using this information, my clients and I decide what area(s) we want to focus on first.

So go ahead...take a few minutes and complete the wheel. Once done, you can see how smooth, or bumpy, your wheel is. You'll also get some tips on how to deal with the areas that need your attention.

Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you learned!

Wheel Of Life Exercise

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Doreen Rainey is a Professional Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! To subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter and receive 7 RADICAL Tips, visit her website. For a FREE 30-day membership to her RadicalLifestyle.com coaching program, click here.