I'M BACK!

What a huge transition my life has taken in the last six months! Today, I find myself working with a new college crowd. New personalities and opportunities abound. As this new environment provides a much different canvas to work on, I am very proud of some of the new work I have already accomplished.

A new portfolio of workshop titles to offer students and clients. (Interested? Email Me!)

• Boosting Your Professional Image: It Starts Now!
• What Does Facebook Say About You- Managing Your Social Networks
• Resume Writing 101-The Basics of Developing a Winning Resume
• Advanced Resume Writing - From Blah To BAM!
• Dressing For Success
• Mastering Your Interview - Tackling the Most Popular Interview Questions
• Balancing Your Busy Life During the Job Hunt
• Attitude is Everything!
• Weathering the Storm: Facing the Job Search in Difficult Times
• Leadership Skills? How Do I Get Those?
• Stress - Be Your Own Therapist?
• Time Management - Managing Your Life in the Time You Have

Baby Saha! Not only am I in the process of adjusting to new work and a new home in Indiana, my husband an I are excited to welcome a new member to the family in February of 2010.

So what accomplishments are you excited to brag about? Tell me about it! I believe that one way to keep your momentum building is to take time to recognize the progress you have already made.

Free Your Mind in 2009

In 1970 a band called Funkadelic told us "Free your mind and your ass will follow" in their wildly popular second album. What a concept? Freeing yourself.

When i sat down to write this January blog entry, I felt the pressure to write something of real substance, something very sincere. Every new year, it seems like we all feel the pressure to make lists and plan out our own personal revolutions. What will i do different this year? How will I make my life better? What bad habits from 2008 will i leave behind? I suppose they are all valid questions, surely all of us have some room for improvement. Many of us could be thinner, kinder, more active in our communities. But what about this idea - what about freeing yourself of of that pressure? Free your mind, and the life you want will follow.

This year I am letting go of trying to reinvent myself. This year, I will learn to love myself and be honest about my shortcomings. I firmly believe that when we spend time learning about our purpose, our strengths, our talents and focusing on our blessings the good life we dream of shines through. Free yourself of the constant appeal to fix your weaknesses, instead, invest some time in developing those characteristics that will make you shine in 2009.

1. Exercises To Kick Off Your New Year
   Start a bucket list. (A list of things you want to accomplish, before you kick the bucket.) It is not imperative that you come up with 100 things quickly. But make a good start, about 25 or so. Next to 4 or 5 items on your list, write 2009. Make those your targets for 2009. Be smart - make sure they are attainable. Don't set yourself up for failure here, AND no pressure.


2. Write in some form or fashion. Whether your blog or write in a good old fashioned paper journal, take the time each week to write down your thoughts. Some write about their deepest emotions privately while others like to share their opinions in a public forum. Either way, its a good release.


3. Pick back up those creative habits you were blessed with. Maybe this will be the year you play that dusty old guitar. Were you the best student in your seventh grade art class? Paint again! Tune up that sewing machine and make your own skirt. Hobbies are a great way to balance your busy life.


4. Make a commitment to stop dieting. Research shows that the dieting mentality only leads to more weight gain. Are there ways to be healthier, active, and more confident - YES. Will weightloss likely occur as a side effect - YES. Don't beat yourself up anymore!

Recommended Reading

Now, Discover Your Strengths - Marcus Buckingham
Intuitive Eating - Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch
The War of Art : Break Through The Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles - Steven Pressfield

The Gainesville Bag - Made of a vintage men's London Fog rain jacket. Image added to front pocket is a beautiful Live Oak tree on the University of Florida campus. This is how I use my creative energy. I hope that you will find yourself as inspired this year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sandwiched somewhere between Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving often doesn't get the attention it so rightfully deserves. In 1621, the pilgrims that survived a terrible drought and famine, came together with their Indian friends to celebrate the wonderful food that the harvest had provided as well as their fellowship together.

This Thanksgiving, maybe it is indeed time for you to reflect on life's bountiful harvest. We too often find ourselves drowning in life's perils and hardships. Focusing on the blessings and gifts that abound rarely takes center stage.

I encourage you to take the time to aknowledge the good things in your life. Instead of the time honored tradition of merely expressing your gratitude around the dinner table, take action. Don't actions speak louder then words? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Remember when your parents loaned you that down payment for your first car? If you haven't paid them back, take this opportunity to surprise them with a small payment. If they refuse your cash, take them out to dinner and let them know all their support was appreciated.


2. Call a friend on Thanksgiving that you don't often see. Let them know that you value their friendship, even though distant and time may be keeping you apart.


3. Send a card to your favorite elementary teacher, let him or her know that they made a difference.


4. Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving.


5. Tip wait staff generously, remember when you were working your way through college? You made it! Pass your good fortune on.


6. Become a foster parent to a shelter animal. If you cannot take on a full time pet, giving some temporary love and comfort to a furry friend can be the most rewarding.


7. Make your Mom's famous pumpkin pie and share it with an elderly neighbor.


8. Volunteer your time and talent to a local boys and girls club or scout troop.


9. Spend more for locally grown produce in your area.


10. Clean out your closet of those interview suits that have gotten a bit snug, donate them to Dress for Success.

Make the list go on an on, share your ideas for expressing gratitude by posting a comment.

6 Ways to Get "Unstuck"

I just loved this article on Oprah.com about mind mapping and creativity.

Tom Kelley, CEO of one of the nation's most successful design firms, IDEO, gives us tips from his point of view. Check them out and get those creative juices flowing.

Getting Unstuck

25 Ways To Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

1. Start your own blog.
2. Get a part time job as a waitor.
3. Read a book that has nothing to do with your career or schoolwork.
4. Attend a new religious service.
5. Try a new ethnic food.
6. Paint a piece of artwork for your home.
7. Wear something crazy to work.
8. Get a new haircut.
9. Try unplugging your television for a week.
10. Leave your cell phone or blackberry at home for the entire weekend.
11. Go back to your public library.
12. Spend time every week volunteering at a local non profit.
13. HIRE A COACH!
14. Try giving hand made gifts this holiday season.
15. Adopt a pet.
16. Grow your own vegetables.
17. Go to a local restaurant and enjoy your meal....alone.
18. See a movie by yourself.
19. Try to avoid buying any new clothing or items for the home for six months. (recycle recycle)
20. Shop at your local farmer's market.
21. Write an editorial in your local newspaper.
22. Join a Meet Up Group.
23. Take lessons (music, pottery, art, cooking)
24. Learn a second language.
25. Keep a journal.

What messages are you sending about yourself? How much do you love yourself?

It takes a bit of honesty and authenticity to love yourself and accept the love of others. If you think you are lacking in this, let's take a look at what's holding you back.

1. Are there things you are not saying (to yourself or others) ? What are you withholding?


2. What are the biggest bumps in the road to loving yourself? What's keeping you from getting there?


3. What don't you like about your appearance? What is the message that you want to send about yourself through your appearance?

Answer these questions and be honest! You might just surprise yourself...