MInd mapping

I can't focus on my presentation that's due in one month. What can I do to get it done? What would be a good strategy for helping me to unblock my brain and start the creative process? I want to suggest one approach that might work. 

First, how do I come up with this presentation? I am sitting in front of my computer trying to create an outline based on the steps that have to be taken to research, write, practice and deliver my presentation to an audience. There are many different ways to setup an outline. Which method would work best for the way your brain works? Do you see a bunch of ideas popping up all over the place? Then mind mapping might be a method that can work for you. A mind map is a diagram representing ideas, words, pictures and other images linked to a primary idea or significant word. The parts of the mind map are arranged based on the way you think as you are creating it. You can designate different areas of the mind map according to the importance or priority of the information presented.

Mind maps are used by those that present their ideas in a non-linear way. It is a form of visually brainstorming on paper to help organize and plan a task. Mind mapping is a great way to take notes and support creative problem solving too. Here are a few sites to check out that offer mind mapping/visual information management. http://www.thebrain.com offers a free download to try that supports Mac OS X, Windows and Linux/Unix.  

The other software to check out is http://www.imindmap.comYou can download a free trial and the software also supports Mac

 OS X, Windows and Linux/Unix.

The Economy of Love

THE ECONOMY OF LOVE

By Suzanne Evans, Helping Profession Expert

We live in an abundant universe.  All the resources, support, and direction we need is all around.  Failure is not an option in creating and growing your business - you may choose to quit, but failure is not possible with the economy of love. The Webster's definition of economy is the correct and effective use of available resources.  And that is all building, marketing, and growing a business is - the effective use of your available resources.

We often attach a negative idea to resources.... what words come up for you?  Money, time, man power, ideas.....all the stuff that feels and seems hard!  What if I shared that your most precious and abundant resource is within you right now.  It is forever present, it is the most powerful marketing tool, and it is free.  LOVE.

The economy of love in your business is what you can share with those you want to help, heal, support, inspire, and serve.  The truth is - this is what your clients and customers want the most of anyway.  They want to feel heard, nurtured, embraced, and celebrated. 

Here are three ways the economy of love is used in my business

and you can tweak it for yours, as well.

#1 Be more interested than interesting:

I am all for "tooting your own horn"- actually that is a form of love, but our clients come to us in pain or need.  You will always be of higher service and greater good if you can listen to them in a deeply meaningful way.  I always ask in the first session what my client's life will be like when they reach their business goal or launch their business or meet the next money goal.  I ask for two reasons.... 1)  I am so deeply interested.  I love hearing those moments because they are their real stories.  In those dreams are the opportunities to change the world.  2) That really is the story they WANT to share.  The hardship and hard times are what might be most on their mind, but they want to share the victory and the vision.  Compassionate curiosity is the economy of love.

#2 Stay in touch:

Some weeks it is not easy to write this newsletter.  My assistants are always fussing at me for being a little late or behind.  I want to share good ideas and I can often get caught up in perfectionism, but it always gets done because I care about you.  I can't hold on to the ideas or information.  It is almost too painful for me.  I want to get it to you so that you can share it and change the world.  I write weekly because I treat you like I would treat a good friend.  I want to stay in constant touch and I want to give you support in a timely way.  Staying in touch is the economy of love.

#3 Bless them and let them go:

This one is hard.  In the beginning of my business when a client left or changed their mind it would really pain me.  What did I do wrong?  What did I mess up?  Why would they do that?  It is never easy to lose a client - it means a loss of income and change.  Change is hard.  Those clients leave for a reason.  That change happens for a higher purpose.  So, now I bless them and let them go.  It feels so much better and I believe it shows myself more self love.  Nothing is wrong.  Nothing is bad.  It just is.  So, begin to let people go when the time is right.   Letting go is the economy of love.

The resource is there right now and it is abundant.  What if we all used love as our greatest marketing strategy?  What would our world look like?  What would our business look like?  And remember LOVE is not all soft... and yes... and quiet.  Love can be compassionate accountability, telling the truth, and some tough honesty with your clients.  

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love."  -  

Mother Teresa

Easter Fish Fry

This Easter we had the opportunity to spend our time with our neighbors down the street. We had a "good ole" Louisiana fish fry. The fish de-jour was speckled trout. This was the first time I ever had this kind of fish and it was great. The speckled trout is an important game fish in the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Specks are a coastal saltwater species of the Louisiana coast and can be caught year round. I have done a little bit of research on these fish and found that they start spawning in May. Speckled trout have elongated bodies with spots and can grow to a maximum size of 16 pounds, but the average size is 1 pound. Speckled trout caught in the surf will run up to 2 to 4 pounds, then walk to the backside of the same island and catch smaller 1 pound specks. They are a sweet, pleasant tasting fish, and now that I have had them, I look forward to having more at future fish frys. Check out www.thejump.net for more fishing info.

coffeeyogurt: therrapy thursday

coffeeyogurt: therrapy thursday

Saving Money in Tight Times

In any economy, learning how to prioritize your spending and manage your money are important lessons to learn and implement in your daily life.

I have mentioned this product to a few clients that are dedicated coupon clippers and coupon downloaders. The product is the Couponizer, great for all of you serious shoppers and savers. I suggest that once you clip out your coupons and organize them into the Couponizer, keep this product in you car, van or SUV, where you will benefit from its use. Check in out at www.couponizer.com

You can also print out lots & lots of coupons from the internet. I suggest that you only print out or clip out coupons of products that you already use. The store you are shopping in might also have specials that you can take advantage of. Check out all of your options before you head out the door to shop. Remember that it is always better to shop from a list, not count on your memory to shop. This is how runaway shopping and spending happens. Take control of your shopping and your spending by preplanning each of your shopping trips and use your shopping list. Place your list in a central location in your kitchen and have your family get into the habit of marking down the products that they use up on the grocery list, so that you always have a current record of the products and items you need to replenish. I also ask my husband if there is anything else he needs that I can add to the list before I walk out the door (in case there is a last minute need I was not aware of).  I want to wish you happy shopping and saving!

Central Texas Gardening-Hydrangea (not meant for Central TX gardens)

To keep it simple it is all about planting perennials here in Central Texas. I want to keep my perennial garden growing nicely in these drought fraught times and for that reason it is important to keep the gardens well mulched with shredded cedar, shredded tree trimmings or partly composted material. The mulch keeps the ground cool and moist in the summer and warm in the winter. Many of my plants were cut back in February, most of them down to the ground, with a few of them cut back only to where the topmost growth was. 

Last Mother's Day, during a northern garden nostalgic moment I bought and planted a Hydrangea in a shaded area to see what would happen with this non-Texas native plant. It is not a plant that survives well in our harsh Central Texas weather and needs a lot of water. Planting none-Texas native plants is not the plan for our drought resistant gardens, although I made an exception for this plant. The Hydrangea looked like it was a goner by the end of the summer, but I cut it back to the ground in February and so far it has started to grow back beautifully. Let's see what will happen to the Hydrangea this summer. Let me know what your gardening experiences are here in Central Texas.