23 Quotes that can change your life

1. December 26, 2014

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1. 
   
2. "We're all born with infinite potential and creativity. We all have it in us. Each and every one of us. That's the only truth" - Deepak Chopra
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4. "The three things you can offer your children to change them: attention, appreciation and affection." - Deepak Chopra
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6. "None of us are imprisoned emotional or mentally unless we allow ourselves to be." -Iyanla Vanzant
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8. "Trade your expectation for appreciation and the world changes for you." -Tony Robbins
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10. "Change your state, change your happiness. We use drugs, sex, eating, smoking, drinking to change our state. You don't need to this." - Tony Robbins
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12. "Wanna keep your marriage in that same state of bliss you felt at the beginning? Then, DO you what you did at the beginning of your relationship -- you gave everything to this person. Do those things again and you will see the change and the reconnection with your partner." --Tony Robbins
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14. "Your story is what blocks you from your breakthrough. We believe the stories we tell ourself over and over again." - Tony Robbins
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16. "We all have our own story. And we stay attached to our story. This can stop us from growing and living. You wanna make your life better? Change your story, change your life."  - Tony Robbins
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18. "When you fail at something, you say you've tried everything cuz that makes you feel better. How have you really tried everything? If you had, you woulda found a solution. Bullshit!" - Tony Robbins
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20. "You get what you tolerate." - Tony Robbins (ONE OF MY FAVORITES OF THE DAY!)
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22. "Success leaves clues. Go figure out what someone who was successful did, and model it. Improve it, but learn their steps. They have knowledge." - Tony Robbins
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24. "No one talks about failure. Let's talk about it. Why did you fail? I always hear 'resources' as the excuse -- not enough time, money, energy, technology. People blame resources as the excuse for failure. It's not the lack of resources that cause failure, it's the lack of resourcefulness that causes failure. Resourcefulness is the cure to failure. Successful people are resourceful and find a way to make it work." - Tony Robbins (MY SECOND-FAVORITE OF THE DAY).
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26. "Decisions and not conditions determine your destiny. Your biography is NOT your destiny. Rather it's your DECISIONS that create your destiny." - Tony Robbins
27. 
    
28. "The path of least resistance is the path with no joy, no growth." - Tony Robbins
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30. "Common sense is not common. If you're not doing it, it's not common." - Tony Robbins 
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32. "Leap and the net will appear." - Oh, I so believe this!!
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34. "How well you manage problems determines how far you go." - Bishop TJ Jakes
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36. "It's the things that go wrong that make you better." - Bishop TJ Jakes
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38. "Act like you know you're golden." - Iyanla Vanzant 
39. 
    
40. "Embrace the truth. Speak the truth. Be the truth. When we welcome the truth, we live our lives like it's golden." - Iyanla Vanzant
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42. "Tell the truth to yourself, about yourself. No one ever died from telling the truth. We often don't tell the truth. You gotta tell the truth as soon as you know it. - Iyanla Vanzant
43. 
    
44. "Tell the truth in a way that's kind." - Iyanla Vanzant
45. 
    
46. "Challenges are there to make you more aware of your inner purpose." -Deepak Chopra

Other posts that may interest you:

17 Acts of Kindness that will Make Someone Happy Today

Words of Affirmation Every Relationship Needs to Hear

Simple Do's and Don't for Using Video Successfully for Small Business Marketing

What Social Media Platform is the Best for your Small Business?

Posted by LizJostes on Dec 17, 2014 in Our Awesome Content, Social Media | 

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Are you new to social media and currently deciding what social media platforms would be best for your small business to use? Or have you been active on social media for a while and feel you’re ready to add a new platform into the mix? Either way, this guide to the 6 most popular social media profiles including reasons to use each, challenges to each platform, and what you will need in order to make that social platform a success, is included below.

As with most things in online marketing – and, well, life in general – there are no absolutes. You’d definitely be able to find some business type that excels on a social media platform where it “shouldn’t” excel, just like you’ll definitely be able to spot a business type that should be kicking butt on a specific social media platform, yet it is struggling.

Assuming all other social media “best practices” are being followed (e.g. consistent activity levels), our guide will be a major resource in helping you navigate through the complicated waters of choosing the (next) best social media platform for your small business.

Facebook

Why Use It: Facebook has the most users of any social media platform. It is a robust platform where you can share links, photos, videos and text about your brand, offers strong advertising opportunities, and has the capability to offer you a forum for your customers with Facebook Groups.

Challenges: As a fan page, you are limited in your interaction capabilities; you have to wait for a customer to come to you in order to engage with them. This limitation is present for Facebook fan pages and LinkedIn Company pages, but no other platform. More importantly, drastic, purposeful changes to Facebook algorithm have resulted in a significant drop on organic reach of updates posted by a fan page. Without an ads budget, Facebook fan pages are little more than digital billboards; the organic publishing component of fan pages has been whittled down to almost 0.

Best Industries for Facebook: B2C companies. Any company that users would feel comfortable interacting with (as page likes, and comments and likes made on status updates, are publicly viewable, and activity that’s often put in the News Feeds of your Facebook Friends).

What You Need for it to be Successful for your Business: A budget for ads. It’s the only way to guarantee any kind of worthwhile Reach (translation: the number of Facebook users shown your update) for your most important updates.

Advertising options? Yes. Facebook Ads are considered a good value for the return.

Are contests allowed? Yes. Click to view Facebook’s Page & Promotion Guidelines.

Twitter

Why Use It: Twitter offers the closest thing to a real-time conversation. It’s great for sharing news, article links, and utilizing hashtags. It allows for several tweets to be posted in 1 day. It’s also easy to localize your efforts to your specific geographic region, or go as broad as your brand reaches.

Challenges: Each tweet is limited to 140 characters. Although Twitter wasn’t image-friendly for a long time, it more recently has made huge strides in incorporating images, too.

Best Industries for Twitter: All companies. Twitter is often seen as the first choice for customer questions and customer service inquiries.

What You Need for it to be Successful for your Business: You need to actively engage those you follow. Talk to people like you’d speak to customers who walked into your store. You won’t get anywhere with Twitter if you use it solely for outgoing messages. You also need to send more than just a handful of tweets a day (whereas you could easily get by with 1 update a day on Facebook).

Advertising options? Yes. Twitter offers Promoted Tweets, Promoted Accounts and Promoted Trends. You only pay for what people click on. Here’s a link to Twitter’s Ad tool.

Are contests allowed? Yes. Here’s a link to Twitter’s Contest rules.

LinkedIn Company Pages

Why Use It: It’s the business form of a LinkedIn profile. You can publish updates about your business or industry.

Challenges: There’s not much that you can do with your LinkedIn Company page. LinkedIn removed the features of customer recommendations and product/service listings. You can’t interact with others as your company page; you are limited to replying only to individuals who left a comment on an update posted by your page.

Best Industries for LinkedIn: B2B companies, and any company that often posts job listings.

What You Need for it to be Successful for your Business: If you are using at least one other social media platform like Facebook, Google+ or Twitter, you can reuse the same content for updates on your Company Page. If not, you can link up blog posts from your business blog and curate industry content to share.

Advertising options? Yes. They are pricier than Facebook ads, but for some industries, LinkedIn Ads are a better targeted option than ads on other platforms. Visit the LinkedIn Ads interface.

Are contests allowed? No.

Pinterest

Why Use It: Pinterest in a major traffic-driver to your website, blog, or online shop. It also provides businesses a place to showcase a broader, deeper view of their brand while appealing to popular interests of their ideal customer base. Pinterest offers a higher-than-average chance of achieving virality with one or more pins.

Challenges: Without a lot of images, and without a lot of website or online catalog links, it’s going to be difficult to be successful on Pinterest. Also, it’s difficult to localize. Pinterest doesn’t currently offer a way to search users by location, and through repins, it’s very easy for someone on the opposite side of the country to repin your local business’ content.

Best Industries for Pinterest: B2C companies. Businesses that have a high percentage of female customers. Businesses that have a natural aesthetic appeal to what they sell (e.g. fashion, makeup/hair, personal style, home decor, entertaining, education, etc.)

What You Need for it to be Successful for your Business: You need a website with a lot of pages, a business blog, or online catalog, and lots of beautiful images.

Advertising options? Yes. Promoted Pins are currently in the test phase, but should be made widely available to all users in 2015.

Google+

Why Use It: Google+ is a Google product, and Google is the King of Search. Google+ has an update style similar to Facebook, but is not limited in interaction capabilities like Facebook is. It’s easy to control who sees each update posted, and has a high capacity for sharing updates. Google+ offers a lot of niche opportunities on the platform itself and within Google+ Communities. Hangouts and Hangouts on Air offer additional video and screen sharing resources for free.

Challenges: It’s a newer social media platform that doesn’t have as many users as some of the other major social media platforms.

Best Industries for Google+: All, though it’s especially beneficial if you have a brick and mortar location with a Google Local listing/Google Place.

What You Need for it to be Successful for your Business: Nothing in particular. Good content of various types works on Google+. Just be consistent and engaging, and you’re set!

Advertising options? Read here about Google+ Ads.

Are contests allowed? No. Read here for information on its Promotions policy.

Instagram*

Why Use It: Instagram is a photo-sharing app that allows you to connect your Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr accounts to it. This social media “platform” comes with an asterisk because Instagram is widely considered a social media platform even though it is housed solely in an app on your smart phone. There are some browser-based programs that will help you to follow and interact with other Instagram accounts, though the initial posting of photos on Instagram still has to begin in the app.

P.S. Instagram recently surpassed Twitter in number of users.

Challenges: If you can’t commit to regularly taking photos to use on Instagram, you aren’t ready to commit to Instagram.

Best Industries for Instagram: All industries that you can feasibly photograph the products or services of, and company employees and/or customers.

What You Need for it to be Successful for your Business: Lots of original photos, and a good handle on how to use and search via hashtags.

Advertising options? Yes. Click to read about Instagram ads.

Are contests allowed? Yes. Click to visit Instagram’s Promotion Guidelines.

– – – – –

If you are still unsure about what the next best platform is for your small business,give us a call! We’re happy to help you decipher what social media platform makes the most sense for your small business.

100 Ways to Make Your Marriage Soar

By: Thomas Signorello December 15, 2014

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1. Write cards and letters
2. Go out on regular date nights
3. Write their name in lipstick on the bathroom mirror
4. Revitalize your romance with intimate dates
5. Pray together
6. Hide notes to each other in secret places
7. Go to bed at the same time
8. Listen to music together, maybe share earbuds
9. Go on a scavenger hunt in the house
10. Buy each other gifts the other will love
11. Hide a treat in their glovebox or desk at work
12. Read the Bible together
13. Wear shirts that tell the world you love your spouse
14. Praise your spouse publicly to other people
15. Let them overhear you
16. Read a marriage devotional
17. Porn-proof your home
18. Be best friends with each other
19. Sleep in his t-shirt
20. Look to each other to make the big decisions 
21. Look to each other to make the small decisions
22. Don’t "nag" at each other
23. Put down the seat, pick up your socks
24. Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
25. Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
26. Fight naked
27. Tell him you like him
28. Receive his compliments
29. Pick your battles
30. Show her you love her and tell him you respect him
31. Go away together at least once a year
32. Frame your wedding vows
33. Her: Read For Women Only
34. Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
35. Kiss in front of your kids
36. Make his favorite dessert
37. Have pictures of just the two of you made
38. Make sex a priority
39. Spend time apart occasionally
40. Learn to enjoy something he loves
41. Surprise each other
42. Meet him at the door
43. Dreamstorm
44. Text each other from across the room
45. Be accountable to each other
46. Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
47. Call him right now and tell him you appreciate him
48. Be affectionate
49. Him: Read For Men Only
50. Leave work and come home early
51. Wash, vacuum her car. Keep it full of gas.
52. Give each other romantic coupons
53. Engage every day in meaningful conversation
54. Compliment each other
55. Touch your spouse several times throughout the day
56. Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
57. Let each other sleep in
58. Be spontaneous!
59. Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
60. Kiss every day
61. Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
62. Forgive quickly
63. Be honest.
64. But not hurtful
65. Get on the same page: plan your budget together
66. Look your best as often as you can
67. Guard your marriage
68. Get out of debt (and stay out)
69. Laugh together
70. Have a date night in
71. When your together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
72. Talk about your favorite memories together
73. Tell him he’s sexy just because
74. Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it
75. Make him breakfast in bed
76. Do her chores for her
77. Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
78. Read a book out loud together
79. Dance together-soft music (alone) or rocking music with the kids
80. Bring her/him a favorite drink during the middle of the day
81. Exercise together-hikes, bike riding, etc
82. Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment
83. Tell him a secret he doesn't know about you
84. Thank your spouse just because, often
85. Sit on the same side of a booth at a restaurant
86. Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
87. Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
88. Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
89. Teach your kids about marriage
90. Stop what you’re doing, look them in the eye and listen to their answer
91. Create art together
92. Support each other’s goals
93. Know when to talk and when to hush
94. Consider counseling (even if there’s not conflict)
95. Doodle his name
96. Bring her flowers (even when she says they are too expensive)
97. Wear something he loves
98. Share furniture-sit in his lap
99. Fight for your marriage
100. Remember your spouse rocks-even when they don’t

Other posts that you might enjoy:

 Words of Affirmation Every Relationship Needs to Hear

17 Acts of Kindness that will Make Someone Happy Today

Words of Affirmation Every Relationship Needs to Hear

JANUARY 27, 2014 BY TINA M 

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My husband just left to go back to work (he came home for lunch today). But as he walked in the door today, he did two very awesome things: He told me I was beautiful and he thanked me for doing the dishes that we were both too tired to do last night.

He’s winning today. 

I recently read an article going around Facebook titled The Questions That Will Save Your Relationships. I loved it. It talked about the power of asking the right questions. Rather than asking, “how was your day?“, a better question to ask would be “when did you feel loved today?” or “What can I do to help you?”

Going right along with asking the right questions, praising each other with the encouraging, complimenting, and beautiful words will add a similar boost of power to a relationship. I’ve made a list of words of affirmation that every husband or wife wants to hear, but many of these also work for boosting your relationship with family and friends as well. Give them a try.

Ladies first

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION YOUR WIFE WANTS TO HEAR:

1. You are Beautiful (in a world that is telling woman so many things about their appearance, this one is my absolute favorite).
2. Thank you for preparing that meal (And if you really liked it, you should let her know).
3. You are a great mother
4. Look how much our kids love you!
5. You are doing a fantastic job
6. Thank You for..
7. You inspired me when….
8. I love your smile
9. I’m so thankful to be married to
10. I love to get ideas from you
11. How are you so creative?
12. You never cease to amaze me
13. You are so good to me!
14. You look really good in that
15. You’ve made our house a home
16. You are so kind
17. I love to watch you interact with other people
18. You make life rich
19. I’ll never stop loving you
20. I definitely married up!
21. I’m so proud of you
22. You are so smart
23. I’m one lucky man!
24. You are FUN
25. How do you do that?
26. You make everything wonderful
27. You are incredible
28. I love the way you…
29. I admire your ability to…
30. I LOVE you
31. You’ve got this!
32. You empower me
33. I would love to help out
34. I’m grateful to have you as a best friend
35. Your ideas are fantastic
36. Keep doing what you’re doing
37. Thank you for your support
38. I thought about you today when…
39. I am so impressed
40. Don’t worry, tomorrow is a new day
41. Let’s get something to eat (100% success rate on me)
42. I love to being with you
43. Let’s talk about something
44. You’re really good at that
45. I love coming home
46. I’m going to make it up to you
47. Kiss me
48. You are such a great wife
49. Please keep being awesome
50. I would love to

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION YOUR HUSBAND WANTS TO HEAR:

1. Thank you for working so hard
2. There’s my man!
3. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
4. You are wonderful
5. Thank you for listening
6. That’s a fabulous idea!
7. Thank you for caring
8. I admire your strength
9. I trust you completely
10. You make things happen
11. Thanks for fixing that
12. How can I Help?
13. I admire your faith
14. You are an amazing father
15. I love to watch you be a dad
16. What a gentleman you are!
17. The day goes by 10 times faster when you’re home!
18. How are you so handsome?!
19. I can’t stop looking at you
20. Wow! Thank You
21. Thanks for all your help around the house
22. Thank you for leading, directing and protecting our family!
23. I trust you with everything
24. You did amazing
25. Thanks for doing that
26. I’m so happy
27. That was really kind of you
28. You are incredible
29. I like the way you think
30. You always have the best suggestions
31. Is there anything you can’t do?!
32. I love being with you
33. You are a genius!
34. You conquered today!
35. You are an amazing husband
36. I’m lucky to have you
37. I’m grateful I married you
38. Just hold me
39. I respect you for that
40. You are too good to me
41. That was so meaningful to me
42. Thank you for your sacrifice
43. You know exactly what I need!
44. I love it when you…
45. I am thrilled!
46. What would be a fun date night for you?
47. You are so funny
48. I’m in love with you
49. You will do great!
50. I’ve never known you not to succeed

Obviously every relationship is different, so not all of these will be your favorite…but you know your spouse best! Work with their love language and put these affirmations to work!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE WORDS OF AFFIRMATION? Would you add any to the list?

Other posts that you might like:

100 Ways to Make Your Marriage Soar

10 Ways to Promote Your Small Business Offline

17 acts of kindness that will make someone happy today

10 Ways to Promote Your Small Business Offline

By: Yvonne A. Jones, CPS December 5, 2014

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Many small businesses and entrepreneurs find it challenging to get the word out about their business in their local community because they may be operating on a shoestring budget. They may not be able to invest in large promotions and take advantage of advertising channels like running newspaper ads and radio promotions.

The good news is that your message can reach others by far less expensive methods. The following are just 10 ways to promote your small business offline.These are tried and true methods that are still being used effectively by many.

The reality is that even if you're an Internet Marketer, with a highly-optimized online presence, there is value in sharing what you do with other businesses in your local area. So the methods mentioned should not be considered as being limited to local businesses with a brick and mortar businesses.

• An effective way to get more exposure for your business is to sponsor local events. This can be as simple as donating money to a local Cause. Or you might be at a point where you could provide shirts for one of the local children’s Sports Team.
• If sponsoring is not in your budget, then try helping out by raising funds or awareness for a local Cause or project. Is there a local charity that is always in need of funds or supplies? You may be able to participate in that, or just help advertise a local event.
• Tradeshows and even local fairs can be great ways for small businesses to connect with the local community. You can rent a table or booth and promote your products or services.
• Meetups are great for exposure. In the first place you can become known through your attendance and building relationships with other business owners at Meetups organized by other people. Another option is to create a Meetup group of your own in your area. This allows you to determine the format and build your own platform and following.
• There are seasonal events and events that may be connected to popular holidays in the community. Find some way to get involved so that your business can be listed as a sponsor at the event, or even as a contributor.
• Using signs and logos on your vehicle. This can help draw attention to your business and get more visitors to your store. Having a well-placed phone number will allow people to contact you even if your business does not have a physical store.
• Small business Flyers still work; otherwise your mail box wouldn't be filled with them each week. Try to use this idea and come up with a concept that will make your Flyer stand out more.
• A good practice is to suggest to your customers that they sign up to your mailing list once you have a way for them to do so, on your website. This way they can get your Flyer, or Newsletter, delivered electronically. This also builds a mailing list that which can use when you come out with new products, run a special offer or have something that you want to share with your customers.
• Many Chambers of Commerce offer buckets or packages for visitors. Getting your Flyers and marketing materials in those packages would be a good way to get the word out about your business.
• How about creating opportunities to help visitors while promoting your business at the same time? An example of this would be to create a local map that depicts places to visit, local restaurants, taxi services and other helpful resources. At the bottom of the Flyer or map you want to have a “Provided By” section with your address, phone number and website.

You now have 10 ways to market your small business offline. Which of these will you use? Perhaps you’re already using one or more of these methods. Which one/s have worked and given you great results?

Yvonne A Jones is an Online Marketing Strategist | Speaker | Business Mentor and Coach. Her clients call her “The Queen of Business Breakthroughs” because she helps them get clarity in their marketing message so they attract their ideal clients and build strong business relationships to retain the customers and clients they attract. Visit her at www.YvonneAJones.com to schedule a complimentary Breakthrough Strategy Session. You can read more of her articles at www.YvonneAJones.com/blog.

Other posts that may interest you:

17 acts of kindness that will make someone happy today

Simple Do's and Don't for Using Video Successfully for Small Business Marketing

9 Ways to Improve Social Sharing on Business Videos