It's time to turn Oprah off!
There’s no doubt that Oprah’s become the icon of women and influence. We can’t argue with that, can we? Riveting guests, great stories, attention drawn to phenomenal causes and a shining example of a woman who stands on her own, she’s paved a way in history for the influential woman. Want to know a secret, though?
I think I need to stop watching her show.
Working for myself offers me the blessing of flexibility and access to a television each day when “Oprah’s on!” It’s been a regular thing that I tune in for an hour and offer myself a reprieve from the day when Oprah’s on. It’s been my little break. I’m sharing with you today why that’s going to stop – and it’s got little to do with Oprah herself!
Reason #1 I’m Turning Oprah Off: Because I’ve been spending an hour tuning into to someone else’s thoughts other than my own. If I took that hour and went for a walk, meditated, called a friend…whatever I choose, that hour would better enrich my life because I’m tuning in to ME.
Reason #2 I’m Turning Oprah Off: Whatever she or her guests can do, I can do, too. And in many cases, I already do. I volunteer in the community, I’ve written a book and I have a career that helps people build a fulfilling life. The difference between Oprah and me? I have less press 
And that’s OK. I think I’d like to continue doing what I’m doing and with whom I’m doing it and skip the prime time coverage!
Reason # 3 I’m Turning Oprah Off: Mobility. If I’m stuck in front of the TV or within earshot, how can I really give myself the freedom to do what I want or need to do at any given time during the day? By untethering myself from the tube, I can go anywhere, talk to anyone, send emails, prepare presentations and (gasp) even run to the grocery store. Life is boundless if I unplug from the gleaming glass screen.
Reason #4 I’m Turning Oprah Off: My clients. They inspire me each and every day in more ways than any TV show could. Their stories, hopes, dreams and desires are fuel enough for me to know I’ve chosen the right path in life. While Oprah’s stories are great, yours are better.
So there you go! I hate to say farewell to Oprah and I’m sure I’ll catch her every now and then, but I’m happy with my decision. Women and influence – it begins with US. We don’t need to tune in to a TV show to see it and live it. I’m glad to live a life devoted to women and influence, and even happier that my electric bill might be a little lighter after taking out 20 hours a month! Now, I love being wrong, but I think I’m pretty spot-on about this one…
Business finance strategies shouldn't make your balance sheet match your lipstick...
We’ve talked about ways to grow your money, but let’s face it – it’s EASY to spend money! Whether online or in the store, there are things peeking out from around every corner saying, “You neeeeeeeed me!” I’d venture to guess that half the time, the expenditures are necessary. The other half of the time, we’re doing more harm to our balance sheet than good. If you find your balance sheet in the red month after month, it’s time to stop matching it to your lipstick and begin matching it to that favorite pair of black go-anywhere shoes.
Business finance doesn’t have to be a headache. Here are five simple ideas for getting your finances in-line quickly and with as little spending as possible!
- Establish a filing system – When you need receipts or answers, wouldn’t it be great to know where to find them? Not only find them, but actually have a system for filing them. That means a personal deadline for scanning or recording receipts following the date of purchase or payment. One simple idea is to establish an “inbox” on your desk and every Friday morning, begin your day by recording the week’s receipts and filing them. Nothing like starting the weekend with a clean desk (Mondays will be MUCH more pleasant!).
- Hire a CPA – Pay someone to manage your money and think about your money for you. You’d be surprised what $500 per year can do for your bottom line. Just like the guy we call to deal with a plumbing problem or to repair the brakes on the car, financial expertise has its place. A good CPA is more than just a “tax man.” He or she is a business strategist who will help you structure your finances and expenditures in the most favorable means possible.
- Make a purchase delay – If you feel compelled to purchase something for your business (or simply for yourself), establish a self-imposed purchase delay. This isn’t about depriving yourself – it’s about giving you the time to think. Say your self-imposed purchase delay is 24 hours and a day later, you decide to go through with the purchase. Then do it! This is a good way to minimize those impulse buys that look great at the time but do nothing but detract from your bottom line.
To truly influence and maximize the power within your grasp, you need to become “one with it.” Huh? Let me tell you a story.
A few years ago, I took an off ramp, circling around to a huge overpass when I hit black ice. Now, most of you reading who live where there’s snow understand what black ice is. It’s ice that is basically invisible.
Well, I hit this invisible ice going about 60 mph when my SUV fish-tailed almost to a 90 degree angle with the road. Going over the side of the road wasn’t an option since it was a 150 foot drop. Cars slowed down and dropped way back behind me. My arms were suddenly sore, even numb, from maneuvering the steering wheel back and forth to keep from rolling the truck.
Then it hit me. I needed to become “one” with the truck. I let myself relax, breathe, and feel the sway and momentum of the vehicle. I moved with it instead of against it. All of a sudden, it became controllable. I was keeping it on the road bringing it into alignment.
Become one with yourself.
Why do I tell you this? Was I scared? You bet! I talk about this because becoming one with whatever is causing anxiety, alarm or discomfort is when you take back your power. Being one with yourself is akin to not only listening to but also hearing your female voice, your intuition. Hearing the message that will allow you to carry forward through whatever is distressing you.
After you are one with yourself, then become one with the other. Now, the other can be another person, an idea or a situation. I became one with the situation caused by the black ice. It happened in a split second. Becoming one with “it” means you need to respect, not agree or approve, with “it.” You seek a way to bring about favorable change or outcome.
For instance, if you are having a bad argument with your lover, become one with him or her, the words he or she is using, and the idea he or she is stating. This brings about a different approach to listening or relating. It will change the outcome simply because you decided to influence it by becoming one with it. The argument is no longer an argument to win but to understand. Not a discussion to force but a conversation to express.
Influence through your inner fluency – your intuition.
When you have pain, emotional or physical, connect with it – become one with it. Use your internal energy to be it. We’ve all read where people have survived enormous hardship by being in concert with it. Be aware of what is in your control while allowing your energy, emotions and being to join with the pain, thereby knowing what is needed to overcome or change it.
Out of this comes your greatest asset – using your intuition, power and favor with becoming one with whatever is there. You can do it – you may already do it but not know it. Bring it fully into your consciousness. Surrender to your natural ability to influence through your intuition or “inner fluency.”
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