FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE

By Vernalee

Has this ever happened to you? Have you for unforeseen reasons been attacked? The blows though unmerited came out of no where! When and if that happens, what do you do? Do you avoid the fight and controversy or do you prepare to face a potential attack from the enemy. Certainly, a fight is not the optimal choice. Avoidance is best. Some things are not worth the time or effort. Walking away may be the perfect course. However if a battle cannot be avoided, “fight strategically.“ The first strategic move is to size up and outsmart your opponent. When you walk on the front line, your survival will always depend upon your quick thinking, smartness, preparation, and strategic tactics superseding those of your opponent. Battles are draining; particularly mentally. Please know that these references do not refer to physical fights. My Daddy told me as a teenager, “Smart girls don’t fight!” What invaluable advice! Thus the lesson here is this.

You are much too smart to engage in physical violence of any type. Out thinking your opponent (I.e. a mental beat down) always beats physical force. Be smart; stay prepared! Be a winner with your mind not your fist. That is how you fight fire with fire! Photo Credit: www.nclitigation.com

LIVING FROM CHECK TO CHECK

By Vernalee

Don't raise your hand (nobody is looking), but how many of you live from check to check? No shame ... hey, times are hard! Ain't nobody's business anyway...

"Living paycheck to paycheck simply means you are using most or all of your monthly income to cover your monthly expenses -- with no money left over and no money in savings."

Allow me to share some interesting statistics.

*1/3 of Americans are only one pay check away from homeliness.

*A large percentage (an estimated 78% to be exact) live from check to check.

*There is only a covenant few who are financially stress free.

Now this brings us to another interesting set of circumstances.

Do you regularly hear people complain about their jobs? Are you included in that number? Listen up!

To the complainers who contend that nothing or very little is right at the workplace, the list goes on for miles. Something is always wrong and unfair. This is wrong; that is wrong! The supervisors are unfair; they only give their favorites - the opportunities. The office cafeteria offers horrible tasting food. The drive is too far. The pay is bad; the hours less than desirable. The company only offers 4 paid days off ... and there is no company picnic with free food and beer. Complaints, complaints, complaints!

Having heard these and others, of course, the constant complainers could quit and find another job; right?

Admittedly, some of the complaints may have merit.

You can always take the upside of the situation which is to be thankful that you are gainfully employed. Nothing beats gratitude and a paycheck. Being thankful for what you have outweighs complaining about what you don’t have. Just saying ...

This opinion is just food for thought; just food that the paycheck from the job that you grossly dislike bought! It could be worse. There is a less satisfying alternative – unemployment.

Condemnation is not the answer.

Placing yourself in a better financial position is the goal. Today is the day for all to get started! Photo credit: www.cartoonstock

WERE YOU BORN TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?

By Vernalee

Before you read this lengthy description, please know that I wasn’t born writing blogs, books or marketing plans! Certainly, I wasn’t born talking! I know many of you find the latter hard to believe, but it’s true. I do however believe that I was born to follow my passion and dreams. They placed me in the world of entrepreneurship. I am so glad that I landed there! My parents operated a “Mom and Pop” business in Mississippi. It was not fancy by any stretch of the imagination, but I grew up with a value system which inculcated "strong customer service skills" ... which I didn't realize at the time. Treating people with dignity and respect was a taught skill when it was their dollar bill that helped to feed your family. Unbeknownst, the entrepreneurial spirit was planted inside of me early on. Fast forwarding, I love what I do! I’m happy! I live and breathe the aroma of my daily surroundings. Is this work? Of course, it is! But I'm having so much fun that it doesn't feel like it. Maybe, we might be joined at the hip in this experience if this describes you. Let’s see. Here are “50 habits that born-to-be entrepreneurs can’t help but show. Let's go down the list and see how many you and I possess.

1. You can’t sit still. You’re always itching to come up with something.

2. You’re always coming up with ideas. Good or bad, the flow of ideas never stops.

3. You can pinpoint flaws in other ideas. It comes naturally to you.

4. You marvel at successful business owners. Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Bill Gates are just a few of your heroes.

5. You get excited when you see a successful business in action. Whether it’s a local bar or a supermarket franchise, you can’t help but smile when you see a good business.

6. You constantly think of ways to improve your employer’s business. When you’re at work, you only think about how it could be better.

7. You hate being told what to do. You’re resentful of taking orders

.8. You love to learn new things. How To’s and tutorials are what you’re all about.

9. You take things apart to see how they work. Remotes, toasters, phones — you love to see the inner workings.

10. You dream of wealth. Money isn’t everything, but you can’t help but have it on your mind.

11. You don’t give up easily. You face tough challenges but keep going.

12. You’re disciplined in your habits. You have set routines that don’t get broken easily.

13. You aren’t afraid of hard work. You give everything in your life 100 percent.

14. You have a high threshold for risk. You don’t take blind risks, but you don’t stay complacent either.

15. You meet as many people as you can. You aren’t afraid to branch out and meet new people.

16. You talk to everyone you meet. Strangers aren’t intimidating to you.

17. You bounce back from failure. You’ve experienced crushing failure, but it’s never stopped you from coming back.

18. You like calling the shots. You like the sound of being a director.

19. You set goals for yourself. Big or small, goals fill your life.

20. You help people whenever you can. You’re interested in the greater good.

21. You find challenges in everything you do. You seek out opportunities to challenge yourself.

22. You find ways to inspire people. You’re inspired by inspiration.

23. You plan everything down to the little details. Plans are a prerequisite for any activity.

24. You’re proud of yourself. You like who you are.

25. You help your friends solve their problems. You’re great at problem analysis.

26. You effectively delegate tasks and assign resources. In household chores and business operations alike.

27. You set deadlines for yourself. No excuses.

28. You like telling stories. You love to tell people about your experiences.

29. You’re hyper competitive. You can’t even play a board game without flipping that switch.

30. You get involved with things. You always ask if you can help.

31. You cut out things in your life that don’t work for you. If it’s inefficient or bothersome, it’s gone.

32. You negotiate whatever you can. Flea markets and salaries are just the beginning.

33. You see the potential in people. You don’t see people for who they are. You see them for who they could be.

34. You’re calm in a crisis. When stuff hits the fan, you still think logically.

35. You follow up with people when you want something. You don’t let opportunities go.

36. You avoid things that waste your time. You’re immune to mobile games and idle social-media time.

37. You persuade people to your side. You’re a natural rhetorician.

38. You make rational decisions, not emotional ones. For the most part, you trust your logic over your emotions.

39. You don’t forget people’s emotions. Still, there’s great sympathy in you.

40. You lose track of time when pursuing passion projects. Time seems to fly when you’re heads-down working on something.

41. You frequently start new passion projects. Every week, a new idea is transformed into a hobby.

42. You constantly upgrade your house (or car or anything). There’s always something to tinker with, replace or improve.

43. You’re crazy about new technology. You’re addicted to learning how new technologies can improve your life.

44. You read the news every day. It’s an ingrained habit.

45. You read books voraciously. Every book offers something new.

46. You listen to that internal voice. You trust your instincts.

47. You listen to others’ advice. You make your own decisions, but listen to others’ opinions too.

48. You don’t dwell in the past. When bad things happen, you keep moving forward.

49. You make sacrifices for what you want. You know you have to give things up to see greater success.

50. You never write off your dreams. You take your aspirations seriously. They’re a part of you.

”Welcome to this world if this description fits you! We are playmates at work! Photo credit: www.colourbox.com; Source: www.entrepreneur.com