Need a digital signature?

Do you have client contracts that need to be signed, you need back fast and you don't have a fax? When I am phone coaching and I might never meet this client face-to-face, but need a signed contract, well EchoSign (www.echosign.com) is the service to use. EchoSign is an Electronic Signature Service and a digital E-Signature Solution. You can sign contracts by e-signature or by fax, either way, you use EchoSign like you would an email. There is nothing to learn or install, you simply click "Send." You fill out a basic webmail form, add who needs to sign, attach the file to be signed by electronic signature and that's it. They track down the e-signatures automatically, send automated reminders until the client signs and automatically store your contract as a PDF and store signed copies of all your contracts at www.echosign.com. You can sign-up to send 5 free contracts a month.

A bit of history about e-signatures is that the modern era of electronic signatures was ushered in by Bill Clinton signing the Federal E-SIGN Act on October 1, 2000. The E-SIGN Act makes online electronic signatures in a commercial transaction equal to a written signature. 

Modular Purse Organizer

Inner Peace for your Inner Purse®

This product is just right for anyone that wants an organized purse. With this product, you can use any style purse and carry all of your essential items in their own special pockets. These pockets  attach to 3 different sized Inner Peace support panels. 

They offer an Essential Set for $24.97 that includes 2 different size support panels and 7 different item pockets (pen, card, phone, lipstick, key, sunglass & zippered mesh pockets).  They also offer an Essential Boutique set which offers a few more items. This purse organizer makes a great gift for yourself or others.  Check out their website for more info: www.innerpurse.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Today was a quiet St. Patrick's Day for me. But in the past I have had many enjoyable St. Patrick's Day experiences. Especially, when I lived in New Jersey and worked in Manhattan. At lunchtime I'd walk to 5th Avenue to be right in the thick of all the action of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.  I'd be clapping, cheering and joining in as the parade marched past St. Patrick's Cathedral. This St. Patrick's Day will mark the 248th consecutive year that the parade has taken place in NYC. 

Although celebrating St. Patrick's Day in NYC was a blast, I must admit that celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Chicago has also been a blast. Having a chance to watch the Chicago River turn green was a phenomenal experience.  Here is a link to a 60 second stop motion video of the greening of the Chicago River by Anthony J Stewart, photographer. Excellent video and website. Hope you enjoyed your St. Patrick's Day!  http://anthonyjstewart.smugmug.com

HAPPY NEWS

With all the bad news being reported right now, to protect and support my spirit and positive nature, I have taken to watching, reading and listening to less news. I am an informed person that wants to stay current with the news of today, but I do not choose to be in a continual state of upset.

Well, I have found a site today called HAPPY NEWS, www.happynews.com that only reports, you guessed it HAPPY NEWS! This site is an alternative to all of the doom and gloom reporting going on today.

On this website, today's top story is about Michael J. Fox's May T.V. special that explores the nature of optimism. You'll also find all different news categories to choose from, happy columns to read from happy columnist and don't forget the happy stories. Their creedo is inspiring and the last enjoyable tidbit is the happy quote.

Just writing about all this happiness has made me really happy! I hope it makes you happy too.

What container is right for you?

Many times, a new client will ask me over the phone, before I have even been to their house is "how many containers they need to buy before hand and what kind?"  

First of all, I have no way of knowing what it is they want containerized or whether they already have suitable containers at home that could be repurposed for their current needs. My first suggestion is for them to de-clutter first, plan and decide where the container will be stored, decide on the style that will work best for each individuals needs and storage space, then purchase the containers last.

The type of container each person might need is varied, based on many factors. The first factor 

would be the purpose of the container, where that container will be stored, whether the person needs to be able to see through the container or wants a container for decorative purposes as well as for containerizing an item or items.  

It is also important to know the maximum size and weight of a full container, and ask yourself whether you will be able to carry that full container all alone or do you need help carrying it? I opt for recommending that my clients purchase containers that they can carry all by themselves. It is also best to purchase a container after you know what needs to be stored in the container to determine the appropriate size of the container.  To determine the correct size of the container, place all of the same type of items you need to containerize on the floor and measure the amount by height and width. It would be helpful to have common measurements of the type of containers you are interested in. On-line shopping will give you dimensions to work from, or when you are next at your favorite discount store, check out their container selection and take measurements. Remember that clear containers (like the one below) make it easier to identify the contents within, especially if you do not label your containers. Buy the style and type that will work for your individual needs and plan before you buy. Happy containerizing!

Creating a habit

I recently had a conversation with one of my clients about creating new behaviors, especially the one to set your mind to start a workout session and keep up that workout regime. My client mentioned that he has connected the act of getting into his workout costume as part of his behavior to go workout. He first read this information from inspiring writings of Steve Pavlina, personal development specialist at: stevepavlina.com.   

This method has worked for me for a long time, way before I ever heard of Steve Pavlina. The behavior that I started was to put on my workout outfit, which gets my mind in gear to go workout with the finishing touch of lacing up my sneakers, grabbing my pocketbook and heading out the door with my car keys in hand. This behavior has now turned into a habit, which supports my need to be physically active on a regular basis. I would rather go to a place where other people are working out, although I also do floor exercises at home to strengthen my core.  

I made a commitment to myself almost 4 years ago when I joined Curves that I would workout at least 3 times a week, even when I travel. In case you want to know more about Curves, their website is: curvesinformation.com. Curves is a great place for me to workout since I want to be around women that are in my age range, give or take 20+ years up or down. I do not like to workout with men around, hence a women's only workout place.

Understand that to create a habit, you must consistently do a certain behavior for 21 to 45 days (60 to 90 days if you are challenged with ADHD). The habit I created was dressing for the workout, grab pocketbook, get into car and go to Curves. Another thing I did was to set a time each night when I would walk my dog Sammy. That time is around 5 p.m. I change my clothes if I need to, put on my sneakers, put on Sammy's leash and head out the door. Here in Austin, I enjoy walking him before the sun sets. It is not as hot in the evening, as it is mid-day. I am not a super early riser, dog walker, so the 5 p.m. time works best for me and Sammy.

A helpful reminder is that when you are creating a new behavior, give yourself the time and patience to make the behavior a habit. Give yourself visual cues like writing the steps to your new behavior on brightly colored Post-it notes, placing those notes in prominent places like your mirror in your bathroom, on the front door, anywhere that will cue you into doing the behavior. Give yourself rewards for achieving that new behavior. Keep a log to keep you on track, naming the log whatever strikes resonance with your brain. Try these methods and see how successful you are at creating a new habit.