LadyPens » goals

Use SMART Goals to Get Organized in 2011

Janice Russell — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:18:04 +0000

It’s January, 2011. Have you broken your New Year’s Resolutions? Have you given up making New Year’s Resolutions? Full Article

Smart Women Never Quit

Joy Chudacoff — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:42:55 +0000

This article is about why it’s important to never quit as we are on the road to accomplishing our Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals. Although fear and doubt can creep in when we are working toward success, it’s key to stay the course and keep going. There are several things you can do to help you when fear and failure strikes.

Smart Women Know Success Leaves Clues

Joy Chudacoff — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:51:06 +0000

Have you ever wondered what the real secret to success is? Do you ever read articles about women entrepreneurs who’ve accomplished their dreams and think, “Now how did she do that?” I know I have. I’m always in search of better, more effective ways to achieve my goals both personally and professionally and I look to women who’ve walked the path of entrepreneurship before me. The good news is success leaves clues and if you’re open to hearing what other successful women entrepreneurs share about their journey, you can save yourself a lot of time (& money). Full Article

Smart Women, American Girl® and Building Your Brand

Joy Chudacoff — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:00:03 +0000

A few weeks ago, I took a vacation with my family to New York City. While there, we visited the American Girl® store. My daughter Jenna loves this store, and it’s easy to understand why so many girls are attracted to this brand. When you enter the store, the “experience” begins. This got me thinking about how Smart Women could learn from American Girl® how to build a business image or brand that lasts. Full Article

Smart Women, LeBron James and the Need to Be You

Joy Chudacoff — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:29:04 +0000

By now, everyone knows that LeBron James, one of the world’s greatest basketball players, has left the Cleveland Cavaliers after 7 years. He’s finally made a decision to make the Miami Heat his new home where he will continue to exercise his passion, energy and talent for the game. LeBron took a lot of “heat” for his decision to leave his home state. You may be asking yourself, “Why should I care?” As I watched the reaction to his decision, it got me thinking about how Smart Women have similar situations in their life as well. Huh? Full Article

Smart Women Make It Happen

Joy Chudacoff — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:25:59 +0000

A few days ago, I happened to get caught in the typical bumper to bumper LA traffic near the location of my last “job” before I began my journey as a woman entrepreneur. I had some time to reflect on where I was back then and where I am today. As the images of my life passed through my mind much like the scenes in a movie, I asked myself, “How did I go from where I was back then to where I am today?” The answer popped into my mind almost immediately: I took action. Smart Women make their Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals happen. Full Article

Smart Women Have a Good Eye

Joy Chudacoff — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:37:29 +0000

This past weekend, I was sitting in the bleachers at our local park watching my children play little league baseball when I heard the weekly mantra from their coach as each child took their position at bat: Full Article

What To Do At Your Next Networking Event

Ruth Hegarty — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:41:29 +0000

As you gear up to reach your 2010 goals, take advantage of all the wonderful networking opportunities that exist at this time of year. Fear of not knowing the “right” things to do when networking is one of the top reasons people simply don’t participate in this extremely effective business strategy. Here is a brief guide to help you make your next networking event your best networking event. Full Article

Living Your Wealth in the Here and Now

Ruth Hegarty — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:13:32 +0000

As this week’s quotation from the book Daily OM says, “sages of all faiths agree that the current moment is the only thing that really exists.” This is a concept I share with all my clients because it is from our focus on the present moment that we are able to live abundantly and prosperously – no mater what our current circumstances. This is an important point in the Law of Attraction as well as a key aspect of creating effortless success. Why? Let’s start with what happens when we focus on the past. When we focus on the past we can only think, create and act from what we have known. Unless what we have known is abundance and prosperity, then we will only be able to create more of what we have known in the past. What is that for you? If you are excited about the thought of living your wealth in the here and now, then my guess is you have not yet experienced amazing prosperity and abundance. As Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” If your focus is on what you have had in the past, you will only be capable of creating more of the same. Full Article

Smart Women Live A Proactive Life

Joy Chudacoff — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:11:40 +0000

Yesterday, as I was on my way to pick up my kids from school, it occurred to me that I was feeling exhausted—I mean really tired. As I made a mental scan of my day, I realized that I had been in a “reactive” mode most of the day rather than a “proactive” mode. We do need to react to situations that occur in our lives as best we can at that moment, however, Smart Women know that living a “proactive” life where you plan, prepare, and practice conscious living is clearly more rewarding. Full Article

Who Do You Think You Are?

Ruth Hegarty — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:35:34 +0000

I’ve been talking a lot recently with women about connecting with your personal and entrepreneurial vision and image of who you want to be. The more you understand your authentic vision for yourself, the more successful you will be and the more effortless it will feel. Full Article

Taking the Path of Least Resistance

Ruth Hegarty — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:33:13 +0000

One of the things I work with my clients on is creating and implementing systems that automate and simplify getting things done. This creates consistency in your message as well as frees up your time for the BIG thoughts and fun times. The biggest obstacles I encounter when introducing this concept to people is their own resistance to letting go of control. Letting go is an act of faith. Have the confidence in your support team, your technology and yourself to allow others to have a hand in making your life a BIG EASY success. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Full Article

Smart Women, Subways and Asking

Joy Chudacoff — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:05:38 +0000

Recently, our family took a trip to the “Big Apple” where we met up with my parents for a special vacation. It was lots of fun and we created a memorable experience. When traveling to a new city, it’s exciting to think about all of the sights and adventures that you will experience. Knowing what you want to do is never a problem. The challenge is getting to where you want to go without getting lost. On our trip, we found ourselves making sure that we left the hotel with not one but two maps–one for the subway and one for the city. I laughed one afternoon as I looked around our hotel room. We had several maps lying around. It’s clear that we were afraid of getting lost! One of the great benefits of the trip was the people of NY. The locals were happy to help us when we lost our way. This got me thinking about how Smart Women know the value of getting good direction in their lives. Full Article

Oh! What Possibilities!

Ruth Hegarty — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:46:02 +0000

Well, since I am on a self-care break this week, I thought, rather than recommend tasks in my article today, I’d gently suggest that you consider all the wild and amazing things you can do in your life. I truly believe that you are glorious and amazingly talented so keep that in mind as you contemplate what is possible for you. Here are a couple of questions to get your possibility juices flowing… Full Article

Smart Women Celebrate Their Independence

Joy Chudacoff — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:50:28 +0000

A few days each week I exercise with a few Smart Women in a park near my home that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It’s a beautiful setting that lends itself to taking your mind off the muscle pain and exhaustion from the workout! We are surrounded by magnificent sycamore and oak trees that stand strong and tall. The trees were planted and spaced apart in a very methodical way; however over time, they grew into their own independent and unique natural form with branches and limbs flowing in many different directions. This got me thinking about how Smart Women have the opportunity to stand tall and strong. You are independently unique from every other living thing on the planet; but are you making decisions and choices that reflect the independent you? Full Article

Planning & Goal Setting

Ruth Hegarty — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:49:05 +0000

How can you achieve your goals without a plan? Most people know what they want but have no plan to achieve it except by sheer hard work. Your yearly plan should be reviewed daily and reset as your achievements are met. Successful people make lists constantly. It enables them to stay on top of priorities and remain flexible to changing priorities. This should be done for both personal and business goals. Full Article

Smart Women “Live into and Find the Flow”

Joy Chudacoff — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:38:13 +0000

A few days ago, I was sitting with my good friend and Smart Woman, Suzanne, in her backyard and I was complementing her on how well the yard was laid out from the play area, pool area, and lounge area. Everything flows so well in accessing the home and the backyard. Suzanne shared with me that the backyard was not designed this way when they first moved into the home. When they bought the house initially, the backyard looked a lot different. She shared that after they had lived in the house for awhile and found their flow as a family, she and her husband created a vision on how the backyard might better serve their needs. This got me thinking about how Smart Women need to “live into their Big ideas, dreams and goals finding their flow along the way”. Full Article

Commitment: Your First Step in ANY Successful Endeavor

Ruth Hegarty — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:54:52 +0000

Whenever you embark on a project, relationship, action, etc.., first ask yourself, on a scale of 1 to 10, what is my level of commitment to the success of this project, relationship, action, etc.? If the answer is less than level 10 commitment, you simply aren’t committed enough to success to make getting started worthwhile. That doesn’t mean that your plan isn’t viable and isn’t a great idea, it simply means you aren’t ready YET to get started. What do you do? Say, for example, that you’ve assessed your current level of commitment as a 7. Ask yourself, what do you need to do/have/believe in order to raise that 7 to a 10 (or you can go from 7 to 8, from 8 to 9 and then from 9 to 10). Keep doing what you need to do to get your commitment level up to 10 even if it’s simply to sit with the idea for a while without taking any interim action. If you can’t get to 10, ask yourself why you thought you wanted this project, relationship, etc. Perhaps you only think you “should” do this to succeed but it isn’t the right thing for you or now is not the right time. Full Article

Are You Looking for A New Start in 2009?

Ruth Hegarty — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:28:16 +0000

Now that many of the resolutions you made in the initial frenzy of the New Year may have fallen away, it’s the perfect tie to really evaluate what you want this year to mean for you. What do you want to be, do and have in 2009? Full Article

Smart Women Get an “Entrepreneurial” Checkup

Joy Chudacoff — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:39:13 +0000

When we get sick, have the flu or some other ailment that we can’t seem to cure on our own, we go to the doctor for a checkup. The same is true in our businesses. If you feel like your business is not growing the way you had envisioned, maybe it’s time for an “entrepreneurial” checkup. This week, I’m going to share some simple, easy solutions that you can use to give your business a “checkup” to ensure healthy success. Full Article

Smart Women Get a â€œPersonalâ€ Check-Up

Joy Chudacoff — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:02:32 +0000

Recently, my husband Greg was in the hospital for a health issue. He started in the emergency room and was eventually admitted to the hospital. This experience created a lot of thought and reflection for me on many levels. One that I think might be helpful to you is how Smart Women occasionally need a personal or business check-up if they are to truly realize their Big Idea, Dreams, and Goals. Iâ€™m going to offer you some solutions for your own â€œpersonalâ€ checkup. Full Article

Smart Women Are On the Slopes!

Joy Chudacoff — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:11:17 +0000

Recently, while on a family vacation in Park City, Utah, I was helping my 8-year-old son, Jack, get ready for a day of skiing.Â It was sunny, 35 degrees and gorgeous outside.Â I handed my son his face mask and he looked at me puzzled and said, “Mom, there is no way I’m going to need this today–have you looked outside?” Full Article

Smart Women Face Their Fear

Joy Chudacoff — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:42:07 +0000

A few days ago, I was cleaning out a backpack that my daughter used last summer when we were in Park City, Utah on vacation. This backpack was one that she wore every day to her skateboarding class. At the bottom of the backpack, I found a piece of crumpled paper and pulled it out. It was an evaluation form from her skateboarding instructor, Drew, with these comments: â€œLearn to relax and face fear. Trust in Yourself.â€ This got me thinking about how Smart Women learn to face their own fears. Full Article