HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A HEART OF GRATITUDE

What a precious season to take time and give thanks for the many blessings of our lives!  As I sit here awaiting the homemade Thanksgiving dinner prepared by my 10 & 11 year olds, I am still questioning how, on earth, I landed such a sweet deal this year.  Here I am, not lifting a finger, and my kids are scurrying around in the kitchen making what should be the dinner of a lifetime! I see recipes that I wouldn’t even attempt and enough chocolate to dip a turkey!  Dear me, what have I agreed to?

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You Are Destined To INNOVATE

The Ultimate Entrepreneur

Have you ever thought about what it must have been like to have such clarity of vision that despite sitting in the presence of absolute darkness, void, and emptiness, still the creative energy that flows within you is like an UNSTOPPABLE storm about to change the landscape of the future as we know it?

Can you imagine believing in your vision so much that you speak to it, hover over it, meditate on it till eventually it is manifested into reality?

This morning during my devotion, I was meditating on Genesis 1 when the pages came to life as if in a 4D movie.  Absolute darkness, complete emptiness, zero reflection, total silence and YET……astronomical entrepreneurial energy!

GOD IS THE ULTIMATE ENTREPRENEUR.

Let’s look at the first known creation in Genesis 1.   It says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void and darkness covered the face of the deep.  AND YET…The Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters, over the darkness, and over what seemed like NOTHING!

At this very early stage of the Ultimate Entrepreneurial venture, there was nothing but the vision of God.   There was NO SIGN that would dictate his plan would work, nothing to even make is seem possible.  There was no proof that such a world of systems could work.  Even though the Bible says, “In the beginning WAS….the heavens and earth”, they did not even exist yet!  They were nothing but a plan, an idea, an entrepreneurial vision of GOD to make SOMETHING out of NOTHING.

Point #1:   Every entrepreneurial vision begins with the hope of something that has not yet been created.

Point #2:  Every great entrepreneur does not let current reality define their ultimate destiny.   No matter where you are right now or what your current circumstances may be, you are the incubator of greatness.  Your current reality is nothing more than preparation for your ultimate destiny.

Point #3:  Darkness, silence, emptiness and even loneliness are the perfect pH balance for miracles to happen.  They were the soil for God’s creation to be manifest.  The darkness, void, and empty moments of your life could very well be the time when you are to begin speaking to your creation, hovering over it and start expecting it like never before to appear before your very eyes.

Expectancy is the breeding ground for miracles.

Point #4:  God SPOKE to his vision, “Let there be light.”   The bible says light appeared, even though it was eleven scriptures later (vs.11) when the stars, sun and light were actually made reality.   You must believe in and speak to the vision in your heart even before it is a reality.  Call it into being.  Prepare for it.  Make way for it’s arrival and then wait with earnest expectation and faith.

When God innovates, He does so in the midst of the most uncommon, unnatural and seemingly impossible climates.   With David, He saw a king when others saw a sheperd.  With Mary, He saw the womb of the Savior when others saw a little girl.  With Jesus, He saw ULTIMATE REDEMPTION when others saw a carpenter.

When God looks at you, He sees so much more than the world around you could ever see in you.  Do NOT be despised by small beginnings.  Do not be disheartened when those around you see your dream as small or insignificant.  Do not be swayed by only what is seen.  For it is that which is UNSEEN awaiting birth that will be the greatest inventions of our future.

“Oh the creative, entrepreneurial energy that surrounds us!   Even in the midst of the Garden of Eden, little did Adam know that a chair existed in the tree.  Tomorrow’s greatest ideas, inventions, businesses, and discoveries are resting in the things that already surround us today.  The catch is…..will you see them?   Will you be the ONE to bring them out of the tree and into the world as we know it?

Point #5:  NOW is the time.   THIS is the place.  And YOU are the one to bring into reality that which has never been done, never been heard and never been conceived.  You are the Sons and Daughters of GOD, created in HIS image.

CREATE - INNOVATE – BELIEVE!

Bend And Don’t Break

Recently, I received a call from a dear friend that said, “Staci, my precious, darling, seemingly perfect daughter (17 months old) has become a whiny, strong-willed, child that throws temper tantrums in the grocery store! I’ve told her ‘no’ and used every “Super Nanny” trick in the book, but it hasn’t helped. I feel like I am about to snap under the pressure.”

Have you ever faced adversity that sends you spiraling and wondering if you can ever bounce back? Have you ever faced a season of life that challenges your patience and ability to “keep your cool”?

When I listened to this desperate mommy, part of me wanted to chuckle, remembering those wearing and challenging days when my kids, too, were developing their will and testing their personal boundaries. Life seemed unpredictable and offered so many curve balls when I least expected it.

I specifically remember being at the grocery store when my precious son decided to throw his first tantrum. I told him he could not have the candy he felt he so desperately needed, and he threw his body down as if he had been hit by a torpedo and proceeded to pound the floor — wailing incessantly.

I’ll be honest…..there was a part of me that just wanted to walk away and act as if he belonged to the lady behind me. Another part wanted to look at him and say, “Who are you and what have you done with my precious little boy?” I was embarrassed, upset, and ready to call the 1-800-moms help line!

It was around that time that I became extremely interested in the study of neuroscience – the study of how God created our brains, how they develop, and how we have been given the power to change our actions and reactions at any course in life, no matter how long we have been conditioned.

Instead of getting stressed by the storms of life, whether they be a crying child or a ranting boss, BEND AND DON’T BREAK. I know that in the middle of a “grocery story” crisis or during “on the job” stress, it can be pretty difficult to be flexible, but, trust me….even those times of pressure serve a bigger purpose for your development…and theirs..

As I listened to this first time mommy in distress telling me about her daughter, I realized it was time for her to learn to the art of “bending” in the midst of adversity. Doing so would be a vital key to turning stress into an opportunity for sweet growth.

Here are three little tips you can use today to turn your stress around. (Note: Did you know that stressed spelled backwards is DESSERTS? Hmmmm.)

1. SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE - Begin to seek the blessing in the midst of the drama.

When I was a child, I was a very vocal SCREAMER! My mother tried everything to get me to use my “inside voice” to no avail. Then one day, she decided to seize the day and teach me to use that screaming voice to hit high pitches. Little did she know that a few years later I would be singing on stage before millions with a 5 1/2 octave voice. Sometimes the very things we try to escape are not fighting against our destiny, but fighting for it!

2. BELIEVE THE BEST – Choose to believe the BEST in others even when their worst is displayed. Speak words of hope, affirmation, encouragement, love, support, and kindness. Instead of getting bitter, get better! Don’t let the emotions of the moment cause you to demean others by speaking words of anger, negativity, or defeat. Those things you say today will be apparent in attitudes you see in them tomorrow! Sow words of affirmation and love!

3. BEND AND DON’T BREAK! Recently I heard Pastor Danny Chambers, Oasis Church, Nashville, TN speak about the importance of being flexible in adversity. He explained how the palm tree is known as one of the most resilient trees in the world because of its ability to bend in the midst of great adversity, and yet, not break. Faced by hurricane force winds, a palm tree can take an onslaught of opposition, and yet, bend with the wind and bounce back even stronger.

When faced with incredible opposition, whether it is emotional stress, physical pain, relational challenges, or even a child expressing his will,BEND AND DON’T BREAK! Your ability to ride out this season will determine the results you see in the aftermath of the storm.

Take it from a mom and leader who has faced her own seasons of great adversity. This, too, will pass and if you don’t let it break you down, it will build you UP!

After all, this is just a season that will soon pass, and like me, you’ll look back on these times and be thankful for your ability to cope, bend, and be a strong and loving leader and mentor to those who you love the most.

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Love it or not, social media’s here to stay

Have you read “Crush It” by Garay Vaynerchuk. Great book for social media beginners. Watch his video for more social media buzz……

Gary Vaynerchuk is a New York Times bestselling author and American businessman who eschewed the traditional media tools he had relied on when building his retail wine store, turning instead to the social web. Gary’s first business book, entitled Crush It! Why Now is the Time to Cash in on your Passion, was released in the Fall of 2009 and debuted as a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. In this clip, Gary discusses why we create social boundaries for ourselves when adopting new trends, specifically social media.

via the video at this link: Love it or hate it, social media’s here to stay.

Big News At Home And Work!

Staci has accepted the position of Vice President of Corporate Development on Oct. 1, 2010 with FirstFitness, a 21 year old health and wellness corporation dedicated to transforming lives, restoring hope, and fulfilling dreams!  Watch this video!

Click here to listen to our corporate update and official announcement!

http://www.firstfitness.com/company/soundstreamer/confcall_mp3/firfit20100803.mp3

Cinderella, There Is Greatness In You!

Watch as Staci Wallace speaks at the Empowering Women’s “EMerge” Conference and sings her best selling song, “Cinderella, There Is Greatness In You”.  This message of hope and purpose will help you recognize why YOUR BRAND, your message, and your life have the potential of leaving a monumental imprint on this world. Next Emerge Conference will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Aprill 24, 2010.

The Branding of You, Inc.

The Branding of You, Inc.

When you see a commercial with a red and white bullseye and pretty people jumping across the screen, what store do you think of?  TARGET.   When you see golden arches in the horizon its easy to discern what fast food restaurant is close by.  McDONALDS.

When you walk into Walmart and see an elderly person there with a Walmart smock ready to greet you with a smile you may not think they add immediate bottom line profits to the massive conglomerate, but in the long run….it is all a part of their brand and it ALL leads to profits.

Much like that precious woman or man greeting you at Walmart’s door, your initial efforts in personal branding or your social media awakening may not seem to equate into IMMEDIATE dollars.   However, in time, it all adds up and leads to profitability if done strategically with the end consumer in mind.

We are still in the early stages of many people’s awakening to the FACT that social media is the future of marketing.   And for those of you getting your feet wet by setting up a facebook page, a personal blog, twitter account or other form of social media connection, be patient!  Results take time.  You may not see a sale immediately.  It may take time before you increase your “stickiness” (the rate to which people follow you and truly WANT what you have to offer).  Don’t give up too soon on what can and WILL be the future of your business, your brand, and your inevitable way of life.

Unlike a tv commercial that FORCES its way into your favorite show, social media allows you to make “connections” with people of common interest.  You have the opportunity to step into other people’s space, find out what they like, and create relationships based on common interests.   Imagine it like going to a baseball game and chatting with the person on the bench beside you while you both watch your kids play little league.  You hang out.  Tell stories.  Celebrate together and eventually make a connection.

You, Inc.

Do you realize that the GREATEST brand you will ever represent on earth is YOU, Inc.?   The way you dress, the parfume you wear, the car you drive, the church you attend, the words you choose, the books you read, all speak of YOU.  Branding yourself properly to the world around you is crucial to your success.  As it relates to your personal brand through social media, it is VITAL to the success of your business.  We live in an age where people want to know your secrets. They want to know where you shop, what kind of cereal you eat, and what you are doing that might be of interest to them.

You can think that is odd, weird, or just plane rediculous, but IT IS the way the world is revolving so get used to it!!!  You may not think that you have a personal brand right now, but EVERYONE brands themselves everyday. You just might have been terrible about making your brand work for you.

Branding yourself in the world of social media is much like the mom who shows up at EVERY little league game with a t-shirt that reads “BOBBY’S MOM”.   It doesn’t take long before you know what she is about and where her interest lies.  In the same way, social media allows the world to not only know the facts of your life, it also enables them to get a closer look at the BENEFITS of being connected to you.

I remember a young woman who emailed me saying that she wanted to come and intern for one of our non-profit organizations.  She seemed so sweet in her interviews and sent us a lovely letter of interest.  What she didn’t know, however, was that WE DO OUR HOMEWORK!   First, I googled her name to see what I would find.  Not much.  Then, I did a search for her in facebook.  BINGO!   There before my very eyes was that sweet little angel holding a beer, sticking out her tongue, while her other hand was holding a private part of her body!!!!

Now, consider the “BRAND” she was allowing the world to see.  Instead of branding her self on social media as a responsible, yet fun loving lady, she made herself look like an irreverent party girl.   Personal branding works both ways.  It can build your brand to a place of excellence and value, or it can bring you to a place of utter shame.

Here are 3 Big “DO’s” In Personal Branding

DO….OBSERVE the 90/10 rule. Make 90% of your communication about others, offering ideas to help others, or even promoting others.  Reserve 10% to share you personal goods and information.   You may think, “But what’s the point of spending all that time on the internet if I am just talking about others?”   Because you are building a tribe.  What is a tribe you may ask?  (More on that in another blog….)   I love how Seth Godin states it in his book TRIBES, “A tribe is a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader, or connected to an idea.”

People long to belong to something bigger than themselves, but they repel the thought of being led by an egosentric, self endulging mouthpiece.  Recognize that everyone you know has their OWN goals, objectives, and passions.   Helping THEM reach a place of success will bring you greater acclaim than shouting your knowledge from the roof tops.  As you build others, people will recognize that you “know your stuff” and that you don’t need to impress them.  Let them see that you are truly a giving and caring person who doesn’t need attention but is willing to lead them to success.   Zig Ziglar once said, “You can have everything in life you want if you will help enough other people get what they want.”

DO…. GIVE free information. I had a dream one night about a boomerang.  In the dream I heard a voice saying, “Give and it will come back to you.”   There is a spiritual principle of giving and receiving that works equally as great in the world of social media as it does in the church.  People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Let them know you by offering them FREE access to your best.

DO…. FOCUS your brand on what you LOVE to do. If you are in a dead end job and tired of the rat race, my goodness, DON’T WAIST YOUR TIME blogging or chatting about it.  Instead, think about what you are most passionate about.  It could be anything.  It could be as simple as a love for Yorkies.  The more you begin to brand yourself as the “Yorkie Queen”, the more you will begin to have other Yorkie lovers follow you and want to hear what you have to say.  Suddenly, you could have a secondary income on providing great Yorkie photos,  Yorkie clothing, or something that brings you absolute joy.   Your personal brand should be so exciting to you that you could spend hours on the internet chatting about it and never even feel like it is work at all.

I love what Gary Vaynerchuk says in his book, “Crush it!”, a MUST READ for anyone wanting to cash in on your personal brand through social media.  He says, “Your DNA dictates your passion – whatever it is you were born to do; being authentic, and being perceived as such to your audience, relies on your ability to ensure that every decision you make when it comes to your business is rooted in being true to yourself.”

So whether you are seeking to build a tribe of Yorkie lovers or create a brand that leads to your company’s products, remember:  The greatest brand you will ever represent in the world is YOU, inc.  I pray that your brand brings light, hope, and joy to the people you connect with daily.

I would love to hear about YOUR brand!   Share it with us all.