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MAGAZINE<br />

DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong><br />

1


Contents<br />

<strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2017</strong><br />

Issue 1<br />

9<br />

4<br />

Interesting facts<br />

about social media<br />

11<br />

Fashion with Emily<br />

8<br />

Inspiration<br />

12<br />

Message from<br />

Carmen<br />

11<br />

2


IN THIS ISSUE…<br />

<strong>UP</strong> WARD<br />

PERFORMANCE<br />

18<br />

29<br />

18<br />

Morning habits<br />

of a successful<br />

person<br />

19<br />

Becoming a<br />

digital savvy<br />

leader<br />

20<br />

Reflection of<br />

your freedom<br />

22 Instagram<br />

following<br />

article<br />

34<br />

30<br />

The Intelligent<br />

Solo Traveler<br />

34<br />

Take the leap<br />

30<br />

35<br />

Get Sexy Fit<br />

36<br />

Moments in<br />

Transition<br />

Join Upward Performance Facebook group<br />

3


10 interesting facts<br />

about social media<br />

Social Media is the combination of the online<br />

communication channels, which are fully applied<br />

to the community-based input, interaction, and<br />

content sharing. It is a future of communication,<br />

which allows people or company to create or share<br />

information, ideas, pictures, videos, and many<br />

other things.<br />

4


1.Social Media improves results<br />

Regarding the recent study, about 62% of<br />

the marketers from separate fields have<br />

reported a positive change in their<br />

marketing campaigns and efforts after<br />

they began to use social media as a<br />

foundation of many of their campaigns.<br />

2.Job offers on Linked In<br />

In actuality, one client joins with<br />

LinkedIn's expert system each minute of a<br />

day. The site is utilized by over 60% of<br />

the general population to look for some<br />

employment, apply to work, or fabricate<br />

5<br />

their expert systems.


3. Millions of photos on Instagram<br />

As per a current report, more than one<br />

billion photographs were transferred to<br />

Instagram in the year 2012. Not just<br />

that, standard 300 million photos are<br />

moved to this stage making it a sound<br />

stage for picture takers, pros and from<br />

authorities.<br />

4. Small and medium businesses are<br />

benefiting from social media<br />

Small and medium-sized businesses<br />

have started using various social media<br />

platforms to raise their business income,<br />

extend their promoting endeavors, and<br />

find out about their clients. Around 34%<br />

of medium organizations are now<br />

utilizing web-based social networking as<br />

a showcasing apparatus though 27% of<br />

independent companies are<br />

participating.<br />

5.Mobiles makes it more happening<br />

Around 161 million minutes a month are<br />

spent on portable online networking<br />

applications around the globe. Indeed,<br />

according to gossip, individuals have<br />

more cell phones than toothbrushes.<br />

6. Deals on Social Media<br />

We love an unusual arrangement, and<br />

online networking happens to be a<br />

perfect place to discover them. A<br />

current research uncovered that over<br />

67% of Facebook clients like an<br />

organization's page to get a coupon<br />

offering 25% off while 28% offer the<br />

adoration utilizing their online<br />

networking stages.<br />

Upward Performance 6


7. Games to earn money<br />

Often, you don't anticipate that great<br />

pictures will manifest in your brain if<br />

hear some person taking an interest in<br />

online networking amusements.<br />

Nonetheless, a current review<br />

uncovered that over 79% of individuals<br />

who take an interest in web-based social<br />

networking diversions have a<br />

professional education or better and<br />

44% of them win more than $50,00 a<br />

year. On top of it, the greater part of the<br />

players are more than 40 years of age,<br />

and just about 30% of them are hitched<br />

and have kids.<br />

8. Twitter<br />

Almost one million Twitter accounts are<br />

created, and 340 million tweets are<br />

posted daily. Using Twitter can be a very<br />

useful and helpful asset to most<br />

companies.<br />

9. Social media usage differences<br />

It is accounted for that ladies, for the<br />

most part, utilize Pinterest while men,<br />

for the most part, utilize Google+.<br />

Pinterest is an energizing group of which<br />

you can share your thoughts through<br />

pictures while with Google+ you have<br />

more alternatives for sharing your<br />

contemplation, for example, pictures,<br />

recordings, and articles.<br />

10. Facebook remains unsurpassed<br />

One out of at regular intervals spent<br />

online is utilized to surf, remark, offer<br />

and like pictures, presents, and<br />

recordings transferred on Facebook. In<br />

fact, you can triple the traffic to your<br />

website overnight if you can identify<br />

your audience on Facebook and post<br />

things they are interested in.<br />

These were ten interesting facts about<br />

social media that you must know to use<br />

it to your advantage.<br />

7<br />

-Upward Performance Team


Photograph by Eric Froehling<br />

“Women who<br />

invest in<br />

themselves go<br />

further” -unknown<br />

Upward Performance 8


Looking for coauthors!<br />

Text<br />

the word<br />

“BOOK” (845)<br />

421-5095 for<br />

details<br />

9


www.spearmenholdingsllc.com<br />

10


"Fashions fade, style is eternal.“<br />

—Yves Saint Laurent<br />

Model Emily Showard p. 11


10 THINGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME<br />

Carmen R. Loving<br />

When I think of my mom, I think insightful, strong, thoughtful,<br />

creative...all the wonderful things that make up the 'typical Mom’<br />

attributes that others think of when referencing their Mothers. But as I<br />

thought deeper, I never really stood back and played Her “sayings” back<br />

in my head to realize how witty and comical She really is on the<br />

teachings She gave me growing up. Thinking back, and although these<br />

things helped me, the woman was Hilarious! I would like to share some<br />

of them with You. A special tribute to my mom Anita “Chic” Loving…<br />

Enjoy!<br />

1<br />

“Baskin AND Robbins<br />

- 31 Flavors.”<br />

She would tell me that “it takes<br />

All kinds to make this world up”,<br />

meaning there are different kinds<br />

of people around me that I will<br />

probably never understand. We<br />

all are different and if that's what<br />

people like or don't like, if that is<br />

who they are or are not, that it is<br />

their prerogative and I should<br />

never look down on others.<br />

(btw...there are more than 1,000<br />

Flavors of Baskin-Robbins these<br />

days)<br />

© Carmen R Loving 12


“You Just Told on Yourself.”<br />

To just be Honest with myself and not<br />

Perpetuate a Fraud. To lie to myself is one<br />

thing, but to be Hypocritical is just flat-out<br />

confusing. Be sure to Never try to be<br />

something I am not.<br />

2<br />

“Be Nice.”<br />

3<br />

“Sometimes people are not having the<br />

same day as You, Luv. “You never know<br />

what others are going through. Smile,<br />

say Please and Thank You, and to<br />

always treat others the way that You<br />

prefer to be treated in a kind matter<br />

spreading along goodness to others.<br />

You never know how much it can trickle<br />

down in an effect.<br />

She taught me how to “Do the Right<br />

Thing” as far as courtesy, respecting<br />

others and to Always play Fair. But<br />

some people come along in life and are<br />

simply just A**holes! They cheat, rob<br />

and even steal your joy, pushing you<br />

aside to get what want or to get ahead.<br />

That is when all her Good Teachings<br />

turn into “Now You must hang in there<br />

and Fight!” All the good stuff goes out<br />

of the window and Protecting Me<br />

comes in order.<br />

“Everything I Taught You,<br />

now You have to throw it<br />

out the Window.”<br />

13<br />

4


“You Ain't Invented S#!%.”<br />

5<br />

“Don't take things so Personally.”<br />

Things happen to lots of different<br />

people for a lot of different reasons.<br />

Sometimes situations are like others<br />

and some are not, but to know that I<br />

am nowhere near special. She taught<br />

me to not feel as if I am being singled<br />

out and to use my experiences as<br />

lessons to personally learn from.<br />

“Silly Girl!”<br />

She taught me to “Laugh at Myself”<br />

and to not take myself so serious all<br />

the time. To remind myself that we<br />

all make mistakes and that<br />

sometimes just getting through<br />

things and looking at them in a way<br />

of laughing at myself can promote<br />

growth. Besides, it's also the best<br />

medicine, ever!<br />

6<br />

“You’ll Figure It Out.”<br />

7<br />

To think for myself and not rely on<br />

others for consistent help. My life was<br />

given to me for a reason to figure out<br />

and learn from, and along with having<br />

patience, searching my own answers<br />

will only lead to what will be beneficial<br />

to me.<br />

14


“Everybody Don't Have What You Have, Either.”<br />

She taught me to be Grateful for<br />

Everything I have. To be grateful for<br />

my warm heart, my good health, my<br />

and even my small statured frame.<br />

She always reminded me that<br />

comparing myself to others or other<br />

situations could be mentally<br />

dangerous and to practice gratitude<br />

every chance I get. Teaching me that<br />

‘we are all different for a reason’<br />

instilled acceptance of my<br />

uniqueness, keeping my focus on<br />

what is important.<br />

8<br />

9<br />

“What’cha Gonna Do<br />

when it Happens to<br />

You?”<br />

Choices. So, things didn't go my way, or<br />

I hit a brick wall, again? I have a choice<br />

to lay there frustrated and Give Up or<br />

Get up! Things are going to happen for<br />

sure, but I Must decide one way or<br />

another. Complaining about it is not<br />

going to resolve the issue, I am.<br />

Finally, she taught me to explore who I<br />

am and to Never give up on myself. To<br />

know that I am never too old to learn<br />

or discover new things and that there is<br />

a huge Journey ahead for me. She<br />

encouraged me to step into life<br />

Without fear, and with a pursuit of<br />

Happiness and Purpose.<br />

“Keepa’ Livin’!”<br />

10<br />

15


Flawtastic<br />

Living a limitless life<br />

Self<br />

Love<br />

Peace<br />

www.flawtastic.com<br />

Upward Performance 16


Once a year,<br />

go someplace<br />

you’ve never<br />

been before.<br />

-Dalai Lama<br />

Photo credits: Merlin Mimms<br />

Upward Performance 17


Morning habits of highly<br />

On the journey to becoming the very best that you can<br />

possibly be within your own career, it's helpful to take notes<br />

from predecessors about the habits that worked well for<br />

them on their rise to greatness. Review these four morning<br />

habits of highly successful professionals and consider<br />

implementing them into your own career-boosting routine.<br />

Write down goals<br />

Our personal and professional lives are only limited by what<br />

we allow, so if there are specific areas of development that<br />

you wish to improve upon, or if there are goals that you wish<br />

to achieve, write them down. Buy a nice journal and take<br />

some time after waking up to jot down both long-term and<br />

daily goals, as well as a basic game plan for achieving them.<br />

Wake up earlier<br />

If you're normally a night owl and used to staying up late only<br />

to rise later than you should, consider heading to bed an<br />

hour earlier while setting your alarm clock for an hour before<br />

your normal time as well. Aside from sleeping in just<br />

generally being a waste of valuable morning hours,<br />

oversleeping can have the opposite effect you might seek<br />

from your snoozing, and it will leave you tired and hazy.<br />

While one hour may not seem like a large chunk of time,<br />

you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much you can<br />

accomplish within that time frame each morning.<br />

18


successful professionals<br />

Exercise<br />

Beginning a workout routine, especially one that starts first<br />

thing in the morning, is an adjustment for many people.<br />

However, the boost of adrenaline and endorphins right after<br />

waking up combines to craft the perfect cocktail for jump<br />

starting your day on an energetic and clear-headed note.<br />

Exercise increases overall positivity and reduces stress<br />

levels, so it's an ideal addition to the morning of any<br />

professional looking to improve their career performance.<br />

Meditate<br />

When your thoughts start to jumble together and your<br />

workload becomes overwhelming, it's of the utmost<br />

importance to find an outlet for releasing the built-up stress<br />

and tension each day. Whether you deal with anxiety,<br />

depression, or general stress, mediation can put you in a<br />

more enlightened state of mind each morning. Take a few<br />

minutes to sit and reflect quietly in solitude and take note of<br />

everything you're thankful for as well as things you're<br />

looking forward to. Your overall outlook will dramatically<br />

improve and you'll gain a newfound sense of clarity to take<br />

with you to the office.<br />

Jennifer Logan<br />

Founder of Upward Performance, LLC 19<br />

All Rights Reversed ©


A Reflection of Your Freedom<br />

God Bless,<br />

Donnica Crossland<br />

God said your behavior will be a reflection of your<br />

freedom. As sit to write I had a thought of all<br />

that’s going on in the world today. God said to me<br />

your behavior is a reflection of your freedom. As<br />

we walk out our life daily as believers of Christ,<br />

non-believers, citizens of American, non-citizens,<br />

employed, unemployed, etc. our life is developed<br />

through our behavior. I had to stop in my tracks<br />

and think about my behavior in all areas of my<br />

life…. Am I being an example of what I share with<br />

others daily. And I was reminded that my good<br />

outweighs my bad on any given day when I<br />

acknowledge the error of my ways…you’re<br />

probably asking why would I do that…I’m glad you<br />

asked that question. I realize out of all that I’ve<br />

been through the last five years it was all in God’s<br />

plan for my life and my outcome was all in my<br />

behavior and response during my situation!! I had<br />

to recognize that better days couldn’t come if I<br />

focused on the negative of the situation I had to<br />

remember that God would never leave me nor<br />

forsake me but my behavior had to line up with<br />

what I believed God to do in my life. When I look<br />

back over what God has brought me through I<br />

realize I never would have made without Him so<br />

today I encourage you that whatever you’re going<br />

through seek God’s guidance and line up your<br />

behavior with what you’re believing God to do for<br />

you.<br />

20


21


5 key<br />

strategies to<br />

build more<br />

Instagram<br />

followers<br />

Building a big social media following is<br />

crucial for your business in this era of<br />

the internet and mobile devices.<br />

Engaged followers can lead more<br />

people to your website, increase your<br />

sales, or help in growing your overall<br />

brand reach. When it comes to social<br />

media, the best social network for<br />

businesses today is by far Instagram.<br />

Upward Performance 22


Why Instagram, you ask? Well, among all other<br />

social media, studies show that Instagram users<br />

show the highest engagement. Now that we made<br />

that clear, you must be wondering: "If that's so,<br />

how can I grow my Instagram following?" Fear not,<br />

we've got you covered. Here are 5 proven<br />

techniques you can use to grow your Instagram<br />

audience:<br />

Optimize your profile<br />

Use the right hashtags<br />

Post A LOT and AT THE RIGHT<br />

TIME<br />

Don't slack on your post<br />

quality<br />

Utilize your<br />

Competition<br />

-Jenn Logan<br />

Upward Performance 23


Becoming a<br />

stay at home<br />

mom<br />

Can we really have it all… a career, the good life and parenthood? Can parents afford to raise a child on one income? How<br />

can new parents decide whether to work or stay home with the kids?<br />

Kristie Tamsevicius, author of I Love My Life: A Mom’s Guide to Working from Home says that the answer has never<br />

been clearer. Since September 11, 2001, people are going back to basics. Fueled by frustration with their current work<br />

environments, people long to spend more time at home with their families. This desire has led millions of parents to say<br />

“goodbye” to corporate America and “hello” to a work at home career.<br />

One of the toughest decisions you face is whether you will stay at home with the children or go back to work. Financially,<br />

it can be difficult to make the switch to living on one income. Additionally, women often wonder if they are sacrificing<br />

their career by choosing to stay at home.<br />

New parents are overwhelmed with the onslaught of child relating expenses including baby gear, clothing, diapers, and<br />

medical bills. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raising a child from birth to age 2 costs $13,400 a<br />

year. So how can families cut back and survive on less income and endure these added costs?<br />

The common myth is that if both parents work, there will be more income.<br />

But this is not always the case. If you add up the numbers, oftentimes you are not getting ahead financially by working<br />

and paying daycare. When you subtract childcare costs, auto expenses, dry cleaning and other work-related expenses<br />

many find they are not making that much by working outside the home. The truth is that we trap ourselves into thinking<br />

that we need two incomes to survive. Whether it’s keeping up with the Jones’ or buying high tech toys, it seems when you<br />

make more, you spend more. When our income increases, instead of banking the difference, we raise our standard of<br />

living.<br />

The pressures of dual working parents can weigh on a family. Sometimes working mothers feel guilty for wanting to<br />

work away from home. Then there is the issue of balance. Juggling the pressures of work and home can be tough. Trying<br />

to make sure meals are made, the house is clean, and the bills get paid between running kids to soccer practice is trying.<br />

Upward Performance 24


We must ask what we are teaching our kids with our busy lifestyles.<br />

Are we teaching our kids that this pace of life is normal and desirable?<br />

Will daycare teach your kids the values you would?<br />

No one will love and teach your kids the way you do. Daycare will attend to the physical needs of your child, but are they<br />

teaching your kids the values and lessons you would? In situations such as the bullying kid at daycare, or the fight over<br />

toys is the daycare provider shaping your child’s character in the same way you would?<br />

Children reap vast benefits when moms stay at home. Mothers can provide care with love. They are there to discipline and<br />

teach proper behaviors. While spending quality time, mothers can develop a lasting bond with their children. This bond<br />

creates a stronger sense of security and wellbeing within the child.<br />

Kids enjoy other benefits too. Moms can provide a more varied diet and better nutrition. And children receive more<br />

mental stimulation when one on one sharing time with mom.<br />

How can moms learn to live on less and stay at<br />

home with the kids? Shopping smart saves money.<br />

Spending conscious minded moms cut coupons,<br />

look for sales, and buy in bulk to cut costs. Many<br />

families are learning that a simple life beats the<br />

pressures of trying to keep up. By setting a lower<br />

standard of living, you can learn to enjoy the<br />

simple things. You teach your children that wealth<br />

lies not in material possessions, but in the joy of<br />

living.<br />

Working from home can help parents to have the<br />

best of both worlds by having precious family time<br />

and extra income via becoming a mompreneur.<br />

Working from home offers a variety of benefits<br />

including being your own boss, flexibility, the<br />

ultimate office space, no commute, increased<br />

control, time with family, and the sheer joy of<br />

designing your own business and life.<br />

Entrepreneurship offers thrills, stimulation,<br />

challenge, and a new powerful choice-driven reality.<br />

It provides an option for single parents and families<br />

struggling with family and career concerns. It’s<br />

allowing dads to quit the 9-to-5 grind and stay at<br />

home with the kids.<br />

-Upward Performance Staff<br />

© Upward Performance 25


Your Dream is Still There<br />

Vi Jones<br />

“What do you plan on doing when you graduate high<br />

school?” “What do you want to be” my business<br />

correspondence teacher asked? During the time I was in high<br />

school it was a different world. The teachers were actually<br />

educators back then. “I don’t know, maybe a teacher”. I said<br />

that because she was a teacher. I thought to myself, I could be<br />

a musician or an actress, a nurse, even a model. Those are<br />

the only African American role models I had seen.<br />

My world was small then; I had not traveled or experienced<br />

much outside of my immediate community.<br />

I had dreams even then; however those dreams did not<br />

materialize. I became an unwed teen; hopes for dreams<br />

became a nightmare. Needless to say that was a set-back.<br />

But as I have journeyed through life (for years) through two<br />

marriages and three children, my dream is still there. The<br />

dream of accomplishing. Of wanting more. Doing more, not<br />

only for myself, but to serve my community, as well as leave a<br />

legacy to my family that it is possible to see your dream<br />

materialize. I realized that my dream was still there because I<br />

never forgot it.<br />

I can begin again. You can begin again. You may not be able<br />

to ‘go back’ and start over, but you can start today and make a<br />

new ending.<br />

Having some setbacks? Never allow a small setback ruin your<br />

future. You are not alone. No one comes to maturity<br />

unscathed; no one is exempt from trouble; trouble is<br />

inevitable.<br />

The circumstances and events that we view as setbacks are<br />

oftentimes the very things that launch us into periods of<br />

intense spiritual growth.” Charles Stanley<br />

26


Joseph, in the Bible (Gen. 30-50), is one of Jacob’s sons and was obviously<br />

favorite. He was hated by his brothers, not only because he was favored by<br />

his father, but for his dreams, as well. He told his family of the dreams that<br />

he would rule over them. Joseph was sold into slavery because his brothers<br />

were jealous of him. Consequently, he was thrown into prison unfairly.<br />

Would you call those incidents setbacks? Me too. Joseph was a man of<br />

integrity, a man of wisdom and confidence. These are characteristics that<br />

allowed him to survive the pain while most would have failed.<br />

Joseph was betrayed and deserted by his family, exposed to sexual<br />

temptation, and then punished for doing the right thing.<br />

Can you identify with one or more of these hardships that Joseph<br />

experienced? Been betrayed by a family member? Lied on and was punished<br />

for doing the right thing? Helped people and they forget you in your time of<br />

trouble?<br />

Do as Joseph did. Joseph kept a good attitude. That’s what I did although I<br />

was in a negative environment.<br />

This is key: God showed Joseph his destiny in a dream when he was a<br />

teenager which validates the fact that Joseph was destined for greatness; so<br />

are you.<br />

Yes, Joseph suffered many things (as did I), but he was also destined to come<br />

out of them. Dear reader, just know that when you are suffering through a<br />

setback, have a Joseph-like attitude. Yes, there will be pain on your path to<br />

purpose, but you too, are on your way to greatness!<br />

I implore you to do as I did. I talked to myself. I got up off the floor, and told<br />

myself: “let’s go”. Do it now! I have wasted a lot of precious time because I<br />

did not know who I was. Well, I’ve done enough of times, and I’m not doing<br />

that anymore. Do not allow anyone to make you feel insignificant. Surround<br />

yourself with those that are succeeding; those that have been where you<br />

desire to go. Go back and dust off your dream.<br />

“Don’t tell people your dream. Show them.”<br />

Vi Jones<br />

© Vira Jones, <strong>2017</strong> 27


NuYu Photography<br />

nuyuphotographgy@yahoo.com<br />

(210)574-2073<br />

© NuYu Photograpghy 28


NuYu Photography<br />

nuyuphotographgy@yahoo.com<br />

(210)574-2073<br />

© NuYu Photography 29


The Intelligent Solo Traveler<br />

-by Sade Griggs<br />

For some, traveling to the most enchanting, breathtaking places is a dream too far to reach. Others, the<br />

wanderlust individual, take life by its handles and travel far and wide no matter the circumstances. As for<br />

me, I've traveled a plenty of family road trips across America during my childhood. Mainly due to the fact<br />

that my parents and grandparents were much too fearful of getting on any plane or ship but deep inside<br />

I knew there was more to be discovered. Until a few years ago, I took my very first international trip to<br />

Okinawa, Japan. Since then, the need to travel has become an insatiable desire.<br />

Herein lies for what was an issue. I was trapped in quite the dilemma. Not everyone close to me shared<br />

my same desire nor did they have the freedom in their careers and lives or finances to travel. So do I wait<br />

for that friend or family member or do I plan that vacation and go solo? Well, lets just say that now when<br />

I am hungry for that travel thrill, I pack my bags and go!<br />

I know what you may be thinking; A single traveler is sure to pay a more considerable price compared to<br />

traveling in twos, right? Wrong! The single traveler market is exponentially growing. In fact, solo travelers<br />

have been the key trend in <strong>2017</strong>. Responding to the increase demand, cruise lines, tour operators,<br />

hotels, and all inclusive resorts are now accommodating for one-person travelers and even offering<br />

special single deals and incentives. That is incredible news for those curious minds.<br />

Ok, so the big elephant that's sitting here, allow me to get that out of the room. Is traveling solo safe?<br />

One can conclude that traveling in pairs or groups are obviously much safer. However, traveling solo can<br />

be as well if simple, common sense precautions are utilized. They include, but not limited to, avoiding to<br />

appear like a tourist, staying in open, well lit areas, limiting alcohol intake, keeping family and friends<br />

informed of your whereabouts, planning your stays ahead of time, and researching the area of your<br />

destination for the latest news, events and information on locals.<br />

30


Now, let's take a quick escapade through my first solo adventure, which happened to be a trip across the<br />

country. Whew, what a drive that was but one experience that was amazing and life changing, to say the<br />

least. As I packed my house to be shipped by freight, I sought to put some miles on my Acura and trek<br />

the road from Los Angeles, California to Charlotte, North Carolina alone. Weeks before, I planned my<br />

route, researched destinations and activities in each state, and budgeted my expenses based on gas<br />

mileage, hotel costs, and expenses for activities and food along the route. I got my car fully serviced to<br />

ensure no major car issues ensued. I informed family and friends of my plans to travel alone. On my<br />

phone, I downloaded the best recommended apps for traveling long distances that also had special<br />

features that alerted family and friends on my exact location (Waze road trippers). I was all geared up.<br />

Off I went, out of California heading straight to the historical, scenic Route 66. Depending on my<br />

destination and activity for the day, I would alternatively take Highway 40. The route crossed over in to<br />

Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee spending a day or two in each state site<br />

seeing, participating in activities and events, meeting new people, trying favorite dishes and popular<br />

restaurants, and experiencing the culture in its entirety.<br />

31


If you are that someone who desires to travel alone but<br />

concerned of its safety, that you will be lonely or not<br />

have as much fun, I highly encourage you to face that<br />

fear and go. Go somewhere, anywhere. Instead of<br />

buying the new pair of shoes or spending money to keep<br />

up with the next fad, your money could be used on<br />

experiences, something that you can never put a price<br />

tag on. The stigma that traveling alone will leave you<br />

lonely at heart is a thing of the past. More travelers are<br />

choosing to see the world on their own terms than ever<br />

before.<br />

Take that leap and when you are ready for that next<br />

vacation and travel adventure, book with me as your<br />

personal travel agent atwww.sadegriggs.inteletravel.com<br />

or contact me at sadenichole@gmail.com for exclusive<br />

rates and deals. And if we are lucky enough, I'll catch you<br />

on a flight, cruise, or even at a gas station!<br />

The Intelligent Solo Traveler<br />

Go Global with Sade<br />

© Sade Griggs 32


Dragon Fly Counseling Services<br />

Yolanda Lucas, LMSW<br />

(631) 569-5022<br />

33


Photograph by: Warren Wong<br />

Discover your untapped potential by taking the leap.<br />

-Jenn Logan<br />

34


Coach Champ<br />

After every workout I recover with Rebuild Strength post<br />

workout shake. Post recover shake is essential to anyone that’s<br />

working out and serious about achieving better results. There<br />

seems to be a belief that either women or women that’s trying<br />

to lose weight shouldn’t use a post recovery shake and that’s<br />

only for those that’s trying to bulk. I’m here to tell you that’s<br />

FALSE!!! If you paid for a membership, putting in the work,<br />

eating right then play full out and get the right workout<br />

supplements to assist in your results.<br />

If you put any effort into your workouts then you’re fatigued<br />

after each workout! If not, then we need to discussed your<br />

workout plan and routine. Post Recover drinks promotes muscle<br />

repair, replenish glycogen level back to a normal range and<br />

decrease protein breakdown.<br />

Personally, I’ve tried many different proteins over the years and<br />

Herbalife Rebuild Strength hands down has been the best<br />

tasting and most effective recovery product for me. All Post<br />

Recovery Work. However, Rebuild Strength has worked best for<br />

me.<br />

If you would like to learn more about post recovery drinks or<br />

different supplements to help you achieve S<strong>UP</strong>ERIOR results,<br />

contact me on my website http://www.monricko.com/<br />

35


MOMENTS OF TRANISITION<br />

Has there ever been a time in your life where it seem as if everything was being turned upside down?<br />

You might have experienced a layoff at work? A financial setback in your business? Or even a closing of a<br />

business? Most would consider these events to be failures. Well, they’re not! These are moments of<br />

TRANSITION. Transitions are not moments of failure, but moments to discover and experience a<br />

GREATER YOU. I figured this out as I was experienced a tremendously painful transition in my business<br />

and professional life. Here’s just a brief insight on what took place. My partners and I had built a<br />

seemingly successful Non-emergency medical transportation company. We had just crossed over the<br />

five year mark, feeling greatly accomplished, we began to strategically plan out the next five years. Then<br />

the bomb dropped. We had expanded the business too soon and the cost of it all began to take its toll.<br />

We needed to do some fast restructuring. We started downsizing our offices by eliminating three out of<br />

five locations. But looking deeper into the situations, the forecast showed that closing those locations<br />

had a greater impact on our bottom line. Therefore, we had to shut our doors completely. Our five years<br />

had just end; now, what do we do? Transition!!!!!<br />

When we are desiring a change within ourselves, business, or an organization transition is necessary.<br />

Through a transitional period the process may seem very murky and uncertain. Someone once told me<br />

that continuing to do the same things over and over and expecting different results it’s called, INSANITY!<br />

We have to change our positions in life in order to obtain new purpose, new territory and a new YOU.<br />

But many times, we look upon the transitioning process as failure, instead of an opportunity to discover<br />

untapped potential, untapped opportunity, or even undeveloped ideas. That is exactly what we had<br />

experienced in our transitional period.<br />

Here’s three tips that I am going to share that can help you through a transitional period in life. If you<br />

only applied one, I believe you will come out on the other side greater than before. Are You READY!?<br />

© Moments of Transition,<br />

Aspiring Coaching, LLC. 36


Tip 1. Focus your attention. Instead of focusing on what happened, shift your<br />

thinking to focusing your attention on what’s happening in you. What does<br />

this mean? In transition, you have to do in introspective look at your<br />

situation and recognize the “learning moments”. In every problem there lays<br />

the solution to that problem. As a leader you have to dig within the problem<br />

to extract the answer. By doing so, you have just turned your transition in to<br />

a transformation! Now, you’ve gain new insight and abilities to carry you into<br />

your next venture for greater success.<br />

Tip 2. Be aware of your conversations. One of the greatest books of wisdom<br />

says, “Death and life is in the power of the tongue…..” In our transitional<br />

moments we have to be extremely careful how we express our thoughts,<br />

emotions and concerns. You have to even take it one step further, be<br />

cautious of the people you share your transition with. Every one doesn’t<br />

have the perspective of a leader to give you the necessary insight to deal with<br />

the situation in the consciousness of a leader. As a leader we always<br />

transition to transform to…..GREATER!!!<br />

Tip 3. Monitor you thinking. In the moments of transition our ability to think<br />

clearly is highly necessary. I once heard a mentor say, “what you focus on you<br />

empower”. Those words always ring loud to me when I’m experiencing a<br />

transition. During a transition, you have to focus on the process of the<br />

transition and not the transition. However there should be equal time<br />

thinking about how this transition will be used to bring you into new<br />

opportunities, new territories, and new relationships and a new YOU! Your<br />

ability to use the POWER OF THINKING can take what seems to be a failure<br />

and transform it into a catalyst that can change lives and make millions of<br />

dollars. Proper thinking can turn messes into life changing messages. As a<br />

leader we understand that failure is the part of the success system process<br />

for Transformation!<br />

So next time when you find yourself in a transition, get excited. There’s<br />

greater opportunities waiting on the other side along with a NEW AND<br />

GREATER YOU!<br />

Transition Well,<br />

Anthony D. Cherry, Sr.,<br />

Aspiring Coaching, LLC.<br />

37


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career.<br />

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“Opportunity is reserved<br />

for those who knock”<br />

–Jen Logan<br />

We are excepting<br />

article contributors.<br />

Send your article for<br />

consideration to:<br />

Jenlogan@upwardperformance.com<br />

39


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Upward Performance 40

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