UP Magazine Dec 2017
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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 />
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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 />
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If you put any effort into your workouts then you’re fatigued<br />
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Personally, I’ve tried many different proteins over the years and<br />
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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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“Opportunity is reserved<br />
for those who knock”<br />
–Jen Logan<br />
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