Pursuing Passion with Purpose

I smiled as I prepared myself to write this blog because the title coincides with a conference that I will be speaking at in a few weeks. So talk about a divine set up by GodJ

But before you continue reading, I would like for you to try and define the 3-P words above in the title of this blog on your own. It is important to understand the definition of words before attempting to believe the words.

The word pursue, in its simplest form, means to seek or obtain. I like to think of passion as something that can be done every day without hesitation. Passion separates a job from a career. It keeps you up at night when everyone else thinks you are wasting your time. Passion causes you to sacrifice shopping at your favorite shoe store just so you can save and manage your money.

Now, purpose has millions of people around the world buying countless books, DVDs and attending yearly events. Purpose is really why something exists. Some people seem to believe that purpose can be purchased and this my friend- is a myth. When God created mankind, he already knew their purpose. However, because He is God, He doesn’t have to find our purpose. Believe it or not, God gave each of us our purpose already. So where is your purpose you ask? Your purpose lives inside of you.

Whenever I talk to people about pursuing my doctorate, I always seem to get excited expressing myself. Until now, I didn’t realize how much I love talking about the advancements in medicine, how patients are cured from diseases and how lifestyle changes can have an effect on us all. The excitement we all seem to encounter when sharing topics of interest is called- passion.

Passion, my friends, is that burning desire that keeps you awake, thinking and planning all day long. Now passion can be a number of things and not just one thing.For example, I am passionate about being a pharmacist; issues surrounding women; young people; HIV and so much more. However, you must sit down with a pen and paper and figure out what you spend the most time doing and investing in. Then whatever is at the top of your list- consider that your passion.

Now, I wish I can say that this all you need to do to be successful in life but it’s not. After you identify your passion, you must strategically set goals on what you want to do next. Since God is the one who placed purpose on the inside of us, it only makes sense for us to go back and pray to Him for instructions. It is also wise to study the word of God and begin to find scriptures to affirm what you want to happen in your life.

After I identified the desire to become a medical professional, I prayed and asked God to show me where He wanted me to go and how to prepare for my profession. It's not healthy for you to just get up every day thinking that God will give you what you need all at once. This train of thought is defeating.The older I get, God starts asking me these questions. “Why should I give you the desire of your heart?” and “What are you going to do with it?”

I know these questions are challenging but when you know why you are doing something, actually doing it becomes easier and life becomes less frustrating. This, my friend, brings you to the place of peace, fulfillment and purpose. When you begin doing what you love, without quitting, complaining or having a sense of entitlement- you have found your purpose in life.

Finally, reach out and ask for help. You cannot develop everything you need in life on your own. As it relates to your passion, I would advise you to do your research, use your networking skills and find a mentor or role model to help you pursue your passion. This can be a loved one or a complete stranger, but find someone to assist you bring your passion to life.

I leave you with this quote from Dr.Myles Munroe’s book, In pursuit of Purpose. “Where purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable.” So make sure you know “why” you want to pursue your passion and then give it all you’ve got until the world says to you- “you are really, passionate about your purpose.”

Successfully Yours,

Lorneka Joseph

Making The Most of TODAY!

Making the Most of TODAY!

Wow, it's a beautiful day, and I'm so excited to be visiting another country in a few hours. Travelling helps me creative juices to flow and inspiration is heightened!!

Most of us pray for better "time management skills" however, the truth of the matter is that we are given 24 hours each day, no more, no less. It's our actions and activities that we need to manage in order to have an effective day.

 

Living effectively takes having a plan, and being intentional with how it is executed.

Positive Thinking= Positive Outputs

Start off the morning with a clear mindset, it's a new day. Remind yourself that there is nothing that can be done to change the past, so do yourself a big favor and LET IT GO! I'm learning that concentrating on the future gives new energy, and pondering on the mistakes of the past, drains my energy.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Get a change of environment and watch your perspective change as well. Try new foods, or take up a new course that will aid in your self development.

The Truth

In reality, we all have goals that we want to achieve, and it often feels like there is not enough time in each day to get everything done. This is an indication that we are finite beings, and we need God's grace to help us to reach our full potential daily.
Try to get the things that are high priority done first. Making task lists work well for me. Try it and see if it's something that you would want to make a daily habit.

Reminders:

Use your smart phone or laptop for daily reminders of things that need to get done as well. The more successfull we become personally and in business, the busier we will become. Being "busy" and not getting anything done is not where we want to be. Instead, we want to move gracefully, flowing in our purpose and in our gifting. This will help us to naturally get results.

Enjoy each moment of each day. We don't have the option of turning back the hands of time, so move forward in purpose, truth, love and fulfill your assisnment. This will make our world a better place.

Tomorrow we are so excited to feature another guest blogger, Lorneka Joseph, who will be sharing on how to Pursue your Purpose with Passion! I am excited to read her thoughts and encourage you to do the same.

Until next time,
Keep Growing,



Yours In Success,
Sharell

Keep The Momentum Going

Keep Moving!

Happy July!

The month is winding down, and it's ironic that during thes past few weeks, I've finally gained the momentum that I felt was slowing down. Let me assure you that even the most successful CEO has his or her moments, so don't be alarmed- take the slow periods as a time to refresh, regroup, restrategize and gain a new perspective on how to further pursue your dreams.

This time of year is great to analyze the status of your goals. When I ran 13 miles during Marathon Bahamas in January of this year, I decided to use that experience as a benchmark for achieving anything I put my mind to for the rest of this year. I would encourage you to seek new avenues that would foster innovative and creative thinking, as well as give you the required push to keep moving.

 Movement:That is the key. As I hear the voice of my trainer, "Keep going, don't stop Sharell," I realized that those early morning training sessions built more than physical endurance. It really was a mental strategy, and I fell for it, because even though my feet were hurting and my body felt sore during the run, I convinced myself that stopping was not an option and the finish line was my target.

So what is your goal? What do you have in place to keep you focused, and moving in the right direction despite the odds?

Take a moment to think about all the people in your circle who can influence you to be better than you are currently. Surround yourself with those who are constantly achieving their dreams and reaching for higher heights daily.

Stay away from people or things that kill momentum. Some of these include: the voice of discouragement, doubt, fear, dwelling on present lack of resources, distractions, mental roadblocks along with other things.

How then can we continue to build momentum in our business and personal lives?

1. Develop a prayer life: Seeking God's direction on how to navigate through life is crucial to doing the right things at the right time. Timing is still everything and we all desire peace when going after a goal. This actually boosts our confidence when we know that we have the creator of Heaven and Earth backing our efforts!

2. Stay active: Having a healthy mind, body and spirit are essential to success. Momentum is gained when we are feeling energetic and ready to conquer the world. If we lack rest, proper nutrition, and exercise, how will our ideas flourish? So let's get moving today, and make it lifestyle.

3. Read, Read, Read: Did I mention read?  Books fill our world with rich ideas and information. We also travel to far and distant places when we pick up a book, and chat with people we may never physically meet. Reading also stimulates our minds and motivates us to start moving, and that counts!

4. Believe: Once we have faith that we can accomplish that which we set out to do, and put our best foot forward, everything else will fall into place at the right time. Believing helps our minds to connect with out hearts and makes us trust ourselves with the unique and crazy ideas that God blesses us with. Take one step at a time, and eventually you will reach your destination of choice.

5. Join purpose driven groups: Networking is great, however, you want to become involved with a peer mentoring group where meaningful, professional relationships are built. Within these meetings, you are able to vent about some of the issues/roadblocks you are facing and gain varied perspectives on how to overcome them. We each go through different situations to pool those resources together and share share share! Don't forget that iron sharpens iron, and we all need someone sometime!

As you continue to build momentum, set small target goals. Try setting a few per week, achieve those, then make bigger monthly committments, and finally set annual goals that will challenge you to keep moving forward. Lastly, remain accountable to someone else who has your best interest at heart, and will encourage you to be consistent.


Until next time, Keep Growing!

Yours in Success,
Sharell

Hi Everyone, 

The summer heat is on in The Bahamas, and it's a wonderful time to network and connect with friends at local coffee shops and restaurants.
Summer is also a great time to refresh yourself via travel and other forms of vacation. It's important that our minds get some time off....I know this concept is difficult for entrepreneurs, as our minds are always thinking about the next project, launch event, etc., but trust me taking a mental break causes you to get more focused on doing one or a few things well, and this my friends, is key in developing a successful business model.

That's been one of my mantras - focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.
Steve Jobs

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/focus.html#xjGfEls8m0rEeGE6.99

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUADiuMg12Q&list=LL0go-Jy8VvMN2J1g9bcrZpQ&feature=mh_lolz

Today I wanted to remind you that it's great to be jack of all trades, but even better to be ruler in one or a few things.

Your custmomers will become loyal clients when they realize that you are dedicated to producing quality. As your business evolves, you will increase the products and services you offer, but starting out, ensure that you think through carefully what you want your business to be known for.

Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives.
Tony Robbins

Think about it, those who make a decision to do something and focus all their resources and energies into, usually do well. Others who refuse to stick to one thing long enough to see it work often fail before they start. Trying to do more than one thing can also be overwhelming at times.

Don't get me wrong, multi-tasking has its place but let's not abuse it!

Simplicity is also beautiful and life as well as business can flow more naturally. You can have the business success that you desire. The first thing you need to do, is to decide to focus on making that happen.

Give yourself the gift of focus and watch your life produce amazing things! I look forward to hearing the stories! Go and get it!!

Open Your Mind, and Expect The Great!!

5  Lessons Learned from Starting A Business:

You Can Do It!!

It's been a while, and soooo much has transpired in the midst of it all. Well for starters, I recently celebrated my 1st year wedding anniversary and my 27th birthday, and naturally I refelcted deeply on my life, my goals and priorities.
It's a blessing to have life, and I am even more inspired to fullfil my God given purpose with fervor and intensitiy.

SageEden Media Group is certainly growing and this summer, we have been preparing to launch some new services and products to our diverse market. We have been recently providing many organizations with strategic coaching services in the areas of customer service, media, branding, business etiquette and communications.

We have also been forming amazing partnerships, and invite you to look forward to CONSTELLATIONS, (a professional networking event) this November to be the first to hear what we are launching!

Now onto five lessons that I have personally learned from running a business!

1. Know what your business is.

Honestly I think for the most part, people jump into business based on an impulsive desire to transition from employee to employer. Not much time is devoted to planning the intricate details of what the business will entail, and most importantly, how the business will make money, and sustain itself. Furthermore, when I first started my business, I tried to do everything, but quickly learned that outsourcing and delegation was the most efficient way to get things done on time and well.

So I would encourage anyone thinking about going into business to first remember that a business is like a seed that need consistent nurturing and will bring forth fruit in the right season!
Your business will cause you to mature so don't give up on it.

2. Your website.

Before I launched my business I devoted months to developing a website that would be reflective of myself and the company's vision. While I made many changes along the way, and even relaunched the site (www.sageedenmedia.com) I was thankful that I did spend the time on it to ensure that clients around the world could have a snapshot of my business 24 hours a day.
Some people may wonder if a website is a necessary investment at the start of the business. I would dare to say that it truly is. You would be amazed to know how many customers review your website before they contact you for services. So on that note, ensure that it is clear, concise, user friendly and contains key information that your customers may need to make the decision to contract your services.
Allow your website to make a good first impression and then your quality service will do the rest!


3. Your Office Space

A huge problem many face when starting a business is finding the perfect location to work from. Diving right into renting an expensive office space without fully considering the long term costs associated, was one of the major lessons I learned the hard way.

Please understand that you will be required to maintain your rental payments during the great and not so great business months, so if you can create a professional space in an area where you have to incur little to no overhead cost, then by all means, start there!
Some of you may be transitioning from a full time job to your own business like I was a few years ago. Don't assume that your savings will stretch forever....I found out that all of the savings you have can be consumed in a start up business within less than a year. So be wise and allow your funds to be used on the most important things needed to grow your business.

4. Accounts

In my first two years of business I made the mistake of a) Not paying myself a consistent salary, and b) Not being consistent with using my business account for BUSINESS purposes ONLY! Two huge mistakes and I entreat you not to make the same.
Even if you decide to pay yourself as little as  $100 per week, that is better than nothing at all. You still need to maintain a personal account so that you are able to pay for gas (transportation) lunch, and other miscellaneous items that may come up.
The best advice I would give is to see your business as another person- it is a separate entity and should be treated as so. This means that you should not dip into your business account for things like vacation, shopping, or even emergencies.
Let SageEden Media coach you on how to utilize the Jar System to increase your ability to manage your money, and watch it grow.


5. Networking

May I say that this has been an amazing tool in growing my business from the ground up!!
Please note that if you are an entrepreneur, your business is your baby! Be proud of it no matter what stage it is in. Tell others about it. Be willing to barter goods and services with other partners. Be open minded and go to events where you can be sure to meet other forward thinkers! One conversation can spark a series of profitable events in your company. Trust me on that one!
I also would encourage all of us to invest in attending conferences locally and internationally where you will meet others from diverse cultures. Travelling also allows you to gain inspiration and new ideas.

So get motivated to take your life and your business to the next level, and feel free to share your story with us via facebook or comment on this blog!


Until next time!

Yours In Success
Sharell

Kick back relax and plan a Spa Party!

Have you had a long week at work? Do you need to relax and kick back with the girls without spending a ton of money? Then a Spa Party is just what you need. Check out our step by step guide to creating your own spa party.


 The invitations: To really keep it simple, www.Evite.com has several cute spa party invitations. If you are feeling a little more ambitious, there are many spa-oriented pre-printed invitations or papers you can use to create one on the computer. Slip your invitation into the envelope with a piece of tissue paper you’ve scented with a calming aromatherapy oil. Be sure to state on the invitation which spa services will be included, the cost, and what (if anything) your guests should bring. See below for suggestions.

The setting: Many girlfriend groups like to reserve a block of time in a real spa, bring some bubbly and let girlfriends simply book and pay for the services they desire. This is a simple approach, and you’ll have a blast. If this appeals to you, go for it! But if you have a smaller budget or want the more intimate ambiance of a spa party at home, read on. You really don’t have to do a lot to transform your rooms into spa-dom. Your girlfriends will feel relaxed just being out of their own homes!

Create a spa-like atmosphere with dimmed lights and plenty of candles. Use scented candles or an aromatherapy diffuser to infuse the air with a relaxing scent such as jasmine, lavender, or rose. Play soothing music in the background, fresh flowers here and there, while not absolutely necessary, add some natural beauty. Be sure to have plenty of comfortable seating and a good selection of trashy magazines to make your girlfriends feel like they’re in spa heaven!

Food and drink: Cut off the caffeine and offer light, relaxing beverages such as wine, herbal tea, or juice spritzers. If you’re handy with a blender, you can whip up smoothies for one and all. For simple yet satisfying nibbles, use healthy whole finger foods you can simply purchase at your supermarket and set out in a buffet. Nuts, cheese cubes, a sushi platter, and a fruit plate create a well-rounded snack offering. Squares of dark chocolate are a healthy way to feed everyone’s sweet tooth. With slightly more work you can make chocolate-dipped strawberries for a decadent treat.


Spa services: It’s easy to get your favorite spa services–manicures, facials, massages, even reiki masters– in-home today. Invite your favorite massage therapist to set up a chair for mini massages. Call the local beauty school and ask them to send a team of nail specialists. The cost is usually quite reasonable if split among your guests. Don’t forget to tip the service provider. As the host, you may want to take care of the tip yourself, or you can put out a jar for contributions. The providers generally bring their own supplies, but you’ll probably need to set aside a comfortable, quiet area for the spa services.
Or you can make it even more fun and do it yourself! A great way to bond with your girlfriends and save money would be to do the services yourselves. To supplement the paid-for services, you can provide manicure supplies or have each guest bring her own. Ask each guest to bring a favorite nail color or hand lotion to share, for example. It’s a lot more fun to do your nails surrounded by your girlfriends, laughing over life love and friends, than doing them by yourself in front of the tv.

Do-it-yourself affirmation cards: Here’s a good activity for your girlfriends to do after a massage, when they are feeling relaxed and reflective, but before doing their nails. Give each guest a stack of blank cards you’ve cut from colored card stock. Have them write a positive affirmation and copy it onto enough cards so each girlfriend can have one. Ideally, they should use an affirmation that has meaning for them, or that has helped them in some way. You may want to provide some examples to get them started..

Party favors: There are many possibilities for simple, inexpensive party favors that let your girlfriends take home a little spa relaxation. Tie an aromatherapy votive candle up in some tulle with a ribbon. Create a relaxation CD and copy it for all your friends. Wrap up a natural soap and a loofah or bath scrubbie. Feeling crafty? Make your own bath salts and give each girlfriend a small jar or even a plastic bagful.

How to Tweet to the beat

Hey everyone! Here are a few tips to help you Tweet your way to success in your personal and business life!

 

1. Above All, Keep It Personal

Although Twitterers like CNN breaking news  have been very successful, generally, corporate Twitter accounts are a mistake. Twitter is about person-to-person communication and not a broadcast tool for faceless corporations. To use it in that way is to miss the potential of Twitter.

Does that mean you cannot have a Twitter account for your organization? Not at all. They should include personal content and a dialogue with followers.
This is important because it enables you to make a connection with your followers. An open and honest relationship with followers is very powerful. It builds trust, loyalty and engagement. It encourages repeat traffic and word-of-mouth recommendation.

2. Learn From Others

I have learned a lot about Twitter just by reading the tweets of those I admire. I personally enjoy tweets from Nick Cannon and Kim Kardashian. The way that that they add a personal touch and humor to their tweets makes it more user friendly.

3. Get A Good Desktop Client

Without a shadow of doubt, the most powerful Twitter client currently available is TweetDeck This application not only runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, but also provides a range of superb tools for managing your life on Twitter.

With TweetDeck, you can create groups, filter tweets, monitor certain subjects as well as post tweets, replies and retweets. In fact, it is so powerful that it can be somewhat intimidating at first. Don’t let that put you off. Check out this shoial on TweetDeck’s core features, and you’ll be up and running in no time.

4. Use Twitter On The Road

If your Twitter account is going to be personal as well as professional, then you will almost certainly want to use it on the road. One option is simply to use Twitters mobile website. However, if you are fortunate enough to have an iPhone, then there is a wealth of Twitter clients available to you.

5. Tracking The Results

TweetStats is just the tip of the statistical iceberg. There is an ever-growing number of tools you can use to track your activity on Twitter. However, the ones that really interest me are those that track click-throughs. What I really want to know is, if I post a link on Twitter, how many people click through?

So stay on track with who is interested in what you have to say in order to track your progress. You will be glad you did.

6. Follow And Be Followed

Always remember that Twitter is a two-way conversation. A big part of successful tweeting is replying to those who tweet you. Twitter is not just about who follows you, either. It is also about who you follow. So keep up with your followers and those who you follow in order to stay afloat in the Twitterverse.

7. Integrate Whenever Possible

If you intend to use Twitter for anything other than personal use, it needs to be incorporated in the rest of your Web strategy. That means it needs to link to your other online activity, including your website and other social networks. There is no shortage of tools to help you do this, from the basic Twitter site to a  tool for sending your tweets to facebook.

One tool that caught my attention is called Twitter feed. It posts content from an RSS feed to Twitter, which is a convenient way to update your followers on new posts. However, use any tool that automatically posts to Twitter with caution. It can easily become annoying if used too much. Also, it lacks the friendliness of a personal post.

8. Don’t Over-Think It

Of course, the problem with all these tools, statistics and analysis is that they can suck the spontaneity and personality from your tweets. While some of those late-night awkward tweets are best left behind, you want to avoid making your tweets too sterile.
Let me elaborate I am a fairly good speaker but when I am forced to think to hard on what I am about to say I freeze.  But view Twitter as your avenue to express yourself in any way you see fit and you will be a success!

Tweet on fellow Twitter-lovers!! Good luck!