Support For Your Success

Why do some people succeed in reaching their goals while others give up?

Yesterday I was a guest on Janet Taylor’s “Totally Organized” show on Blog Talk Radio talking about what’s really important in supporting your success. You can listen to the show here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/janettaylor.

The conversation covers lots of ground, including:
- how to set the most effective goals
- a chance to rate how well you manifest the traits common to successful people based on recent research
- what’s working for Janet as she pursues her own goals
- a visit with your intuition to check for inner obstacles that will put a crimp in your motivation
- how to set up structures to keep yourself focused, motivated and supported as you move into action.

This visit continued the discussion Janet and I had on her show mid-December about the differences between making New Year’s resolutions and setting goals that included information about how to set goals using the highly effective S.M.A.R.T. goals model. You can find a link to the original radio interview here:
http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/12/resolutions-goals-on-blog-talk-radio.html and you can find details about how to set S.M.A.R.T. goals here:
http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/12/resolutions-and-goals-part-2.html

Richard St. John, who conducted the research into traits that lead to success that I talk about on Janet’s show, interviewed 500 highly successful people to write his book “8 to Be Great: The 8 Traits that Lead to Great Success”. Here’s a link to an entertaining 3 minute video where he boils down his research into 8 words: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/70.

I really enjoyed visiting with Janet again and she has invited me to return. On My next visit I'll talk about how to organize a successful job search soon.

Women & Money

You're invited to a new series:

Women and Money
An interactive, collaborative series of gatherings for successful women and those who want to be.

# 1: What Does Money Represent To Me?

June 5, 4:30-6:00 pm
The Pyramid Club, 1735 Market Street, 52nd Floor, Philadelphia

Refreshments will be served.

Join us as we discover and transform existing views about money. Each event provides a lens to explore an important question about your relationship with money and will include the opportunity to learn more about yourself and share your views with other interesting women.

Hosted by:

Bronwyn L. Martin, financial advisor, Ameriprise Financial associated franchise and winner of the “2008 PA Best 50 Women in Business”.
www.ameripriseadvisors.com/bronwyn.x.martin.

Phyllis Mufson, Catalyst for Growth, is a certified life coach and career consultant who has helped hundreds of women realize their personal and professional dreams.
http://phyllismufson.interfaceias.com

Fee: $20, a portion will be donated to the Maternal Care Coalition

Space is limited, so please reserve early to avoid disappointment.

Call 610-444-8312 to reserve.

Jewelry Sale Coming on April 20th!

If you Drool for Jewels……….....Then you'll be happy to hear about the upcoming online "Appreciation Soiree" at both of my stores: “Personal Treasures”* and “Mufi Jewels.”**

This event is exclusive to the clients clients who have purchased from me in the past. It's my way of saying thank you for enjoying the hand-crafted jewelry I create. . . and to enjoy more with your exclusive 25% reduction on any purchases made between April 20th to May 4th.

Write Appreciation Soiree in the ‘message to seller’ at the check out (or email me) and I will arrange your 25% refund.

Not a previous client? Well, purchase a piece of jewelry between now and April 19 and you'll be eligible for the sale!

Just in time for Mother’s Day.

What will be on sale?

*Everything at Personal Treasures http://personaltreasures.etsy.com, where you’ll find refined handmade gemstone jewelry in silver and gold.
**Everything at Mufi Jewels http://mufi.etsy.com, where you’ll find a variety of casual and romantic styles of gemstone jewelry.
• International shipping is available
• Gift wrap will be available
• New jewelry is being posted to the stores daily

New "Feet to the Fire" program starts May 12

FEET TO THE FIRE – LIVE!

What do you want? Start a new business - or grow an existing one? Refocus your career?

. . . and how about that dream project you've been talking about for so long but keep putting on the back burner? Are you getting bored with listening to your own excuses?

Put your Feet to the Fire right now and know the satisfaction of seeing progress, getting movement where it was once stagnant and creating momentum where you haven't been able to before.

Feet to the Fire is an accountability group designed to keep you focused, motivated and moving towards your objectives. Designed and facilitated by Phyllis Mufson*, the group provides a structure of peer support, networking, brainstorming and accountability to augment your own efforts.

Feet to the Fire will be more than useful to anyone in transition, anyone who works alone, or with a long-unrealized task, including:

• Building a business
• Managing a job search
• Executing the next major move in your career or private life
• Stabilizing shaky self-discipline
• Doing what you want to do instead of what you need to do
• Organizing your time and effort
• Meeting self-imposed deadlines
• Working through fear and discouragement
• Bringing dreams to life.

Don’t think you can do it? Come on, take off your shoes and take on the challenge!
Feet to the Fire begins with an in-person meeting at The Mission Grill, 1835 Arch Street, Philadelphia that includes refreshments, followed by six weekly conference meetings by phone, an in-person ‘Idea Party’, and more. The first meeting will be Monday, May 12th from 6 – 8pm and the program lasts two months.

By taking advantage of this pilot program at $125 a month you’ll save on the regular price of $150 a month and have the opportunity to renew for another two months at the pilot program price.

For more information or to register, contact Phyllis Mufson at 215-545-7259, pmufson@comcast.net.

Kudos for "Resolutions & Goals"

Mid-December I was interviewed by Janet Taylor of Totally Organized on her Blog Talk Radio show about New Years resolutions and how to give them more oomph, the differences between resolutions and goals and some tips on setting goals and staying motivated.

I just heard from Janet that that show is the most listened to segment on Blog Talk Radio and has twice been voted "Most Favorite" by the Blog Talk Radio listeners.

You can find a link to the original radio interview here:
http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/12/resolutions-goals-on-blog-talk-radio.html

And Resolutions & Goals part 2 with more details about setting S.M.A.R.T. goals here:
http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/12/resolutions-and-goals-part-2.html

I'm excited to have gotten such a great response and Janet has invited me back to be a guest on her show a second time on May 19th.

Red Tailed Hawk in Rittenhouse Square

A Red Hawk has taken to hanging out in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square. As you can imagine many people gather to watch it, including my husband Bill. Here's a photo he took today. The hawk's tail is moving but you can see the reddish blur. Bill saw the hawk eating a pigeon a few weeks ago and has been carrying his camera around hoping to see it again.

Here are some other photos Bill took in the Square - http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/12/snow-in-rittenhouse-square.html.

Resolutions and Goals part 2

In a December 17th post I linked to a radio interview about New Years resolutions and how to give them more oomph, the differences between resolutions and goals and some tips on setting goals and staying motivated.

Here's the post with link to the radio interview - http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/12/resolutions-goals-on-blog-talk-radio.html. The interview is around 45 minutes long and you can listen straight through or in bits - just press the pause button you'll find when you click into Blog Talk Radio.

I've heard from many people who'd like more info on the goal setting model I mentioned in the interview. So here's an outline on S.M.A.R.T. Goals.

"Need help staying on track and staying motivated as you take steps to change your life? Consider setting goals and tracking your progress using the S.M.A.R.T. model. The acronym S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bound.

Get Specific. While you might dream of getting in shape, setting a simple, clear, specific goal, i.e. to be able to swim laps for an hour or to be awarded a black belt in karate, points you directly toward the actions to take to reach your goal.

Measurable goals include a way to track your progress. When goals are measurable you know how far you are from achieving them and you know when you’ve reached them. For example, in the Weight Watchers program members track their progress by writing down what they eat, get weighed weekly and win rewards when they reach milestones on the way to their goals.

Attainable goals are goals you believe you can accomplish, that are a realistic stretch. Most people find it difficult to maintain motivation for goals that are set too high – or too low.

Relevant goals are goals that are relevant to you. They are goals that you believe in and that you are willing and able to work toward. When you choose goals that are in line with your values and in service of a vision of your life that has you excited you will be truly motivated.

Time bound means your goal is anchored with a time frame, i.e. “I will have five speaking engagements by September 1st.” Goals without timelines tend to get lost in what’s immediate and urgent in your current life. Commitment to timelines and deadlines helps you focus your efforts and make a priority of doing the actions that are important to realizing your goals."

Usage of the anacronym "S.M.A.R.T." with goals is not my invention. It's a model in common usage and if you're interested in learning more you can find various presentations of the concept by Googling "S.M.A.R.T. Goals."

Cat's Paw Artifacts by Judy Richards

Judy Richards, the lampwork bead artist / jeweler with Etsy shop http://catldy99.etsy.com lives on the US 'left coast' in Portland, Oregon. Judy is inspired by nature and has some very sensitive and charming naturalistic animal, flower and figurative beads in her store, but says she loves abstract lampwork most of all. As that is also my favorite, Judy's abstract work will be the focus of this article.

The image header is of one of Judy's bracelets with great, cheerful color and detailed lampwork beads in profusion. It includes a sterling silver 'prayer' box charm, and another sterling charm with a kanji, which is a Chinese character that is used in modern Japanese writing. Perhaps a blog reader who understands Japanese will let us know what it means. The image above shows a choker necklace where Judy strings her lampwork lentil-shaped beads with semi-precious Turquoise. She also made the pendant which combines silver PMC and lampwork glass, a technical feat I haven't seen before. Precious Metal Clay (PMC) consists of microscopic particles of silver or gold suspended in a pliable material with a consistency similar to modeling clay. It can be worked to create a vast range of forms and surfaces. When heated to a high temperature, the binder burns away and the metal particles fuse to form solid metal that can be sanded, soldered, colored and polished like fine silver or gold. You can also purchase individual beads and matching bead sets from Judy. Here's a beauty with rich blues and some silver foil and would make a lovely pendant.

Judy says in the Profile section of her store that her dream buyer is the Sundance catalog. Are you listening, Robert Redford?And here's another bracelet where Judy's vibrantly colored and textured beads are set off with Turquoise and Swarovski crystal.

Judy is a member of the Portland Bead Society, the ORBS (Oregon Regional Beadmakers Society) and the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers).

Judy is also one of the members of the "90 Features in 90 Days Challenge" and you can read her reviews of the other members at http://www.catldy99.wordpress.com.

Signature Sterling - “Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.”*

Signature Sterling is the Etsy shop of Sue, a soccer mom, jewelry making, Buckeye fan - http://signaturesterling.etsy.com. The shop features well-crafted sterling silver beaded jewelry, including some attractive, wire-wrapped rings like the "Berries and Cream" ring pictured above, crafted of Rubies, Swarovski crystal pearls and sterling. This "Dots of Fun" bracelet features black and white, handmade lampwork glass beads highlighted by sterling beads from Bali and Swarovski crystals. And here's some matching earrings. Sue also has a "HOPE" breast cancer survivor awareness bracelet at the shop, with $5.00 of each bracelet's sale going directly to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. You can see it in the "Gifts that Give Twice article on this blog at http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/11/give-gifts-that-give-twice-holiday.html.

* The headline quote by Ruth Ann Schabacker is the motto of Sue's store and blog. She is one of the participants in the "90 Features in 90 Days Challenge" and you can read her profiles of Etsy artists and artisans at http://signature-sterling.blogspot.com.

Resolutions & Goals - On Blog Talk Radio

The average person only keeps their New Year's Resolutions for 12 days... which can sound pretty discouraging.

But before you decide not to set resolutions this year listen to the radio interview below and get tips on how to turn your resolutions into goals you will really achieve....

Janet Taylor, President of Totally Organized and radio host on Blog Talk Radio interviewed me on this topic tonight. Here's the link to listen: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Janettaylor

To make it easier to follow along with the the interactive activity for beginning to develop life goals here are the areas of life mentioned:

 Mental - the functions of your find - memory, learning, creativity.
 Physical - health and fitness, energy.
 Family - your relationships with those closest to you.
 Social - your relationships with your friends.
 Service - what you contribute to the community.
 Spiritual - your relationship with the absolute - however you define it.
 Career - your involvement in your chosen field.
 Environment - your physical surroundings.
 Financial - your management of your financial resources and obligations.

Here are links to the resources I mention in the interview:

Online support group for people setting and achieving goals. The Bulletin Boards at BarbaraSher.com - http://www.barbarasher.com/boards/

Resources for finding a coach:
The Coach Training Institute - Find a Coach - http://www.coactivenetwork.com/webx?ctiFindACoach@@
International Coach Federation - Find a Coach - http://www.coachfederation.org/ICF/For+Coaching+Clients/Find+a+Coach/

My coaching website Catalyst for Growth - http://PhyllisMufson.interfaceias.com

Janet Taylor's Totally Organized website where you can sign up to hear about upcoming interviews - http://www.totallyorganized.biz/

***After posting "Resolutions and Goals" I heard from many people who wanted more info on S.M.A.R.T. Goals, the goal setting model I describe in the interview so I've written part 2 with that info. You can find it here: http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/12/resolutions-and-goals-part-2.html

Knuckletoes / Revinylized

And the cover photo today is..........STOP .............. Before you read any further I want you to make a guess - and it would be great if you'd write your guess in the comments below.

The item above is from http://revinylized.etsy.com and it's by Katie from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, a self-described "smalltime, jewelry, clothing and purse maker who wants to share her style with the world!"

Her "Village People LP Tote Bag" is made from a recycled LP, set into strong black recycled fabric, with a very appropriate pink cotton lining. The record has been coated in plastic to increase lifespan. At Revinylized you'll also find a Jane Fonda CD organizer, and a Saturday Night Fever sketchbook. You're too late to buy the ABBA CD organizer, it's already sold. So hurry on over to see many more of your favorite icons made into purses, note books and CD organizers.

At Katie's other shop, Knuckletoes http://knuckletoes.etsy.com you'll find PMS Apology Cards. Ever yelled at your family or significant other because you hurt so bad? Ever thrown the remote control or possibly the cat at someone's face when they offered you ice cream? Here's your way to say sorry! The card is $3.50, the sentiment is priceless. Custom cards with your choice of words or picture can be ordered for $1 extra. Katie also offers a selection of simple, mostly bright and happy summery clothes in her shop. This isn't what I'm thinking about right now, but maybe you're reading this in Hawaii, you lucky thing.

Summing up and quoting Katie again, "I was born in the late 80's, to a pretty normal family, and have been having fun ever since."

Katie is one of the members of the "90 Features in 90 Days Challenge." You can read her articles about Etsy artists and designers (including me) at http://knuckletoes.blogspot.com.

Mineral Magic Cosmetics - Hand Crafted Beauty Products

I must admit, when I think of hand crafting, makeup is not the first product that comes to mind. But it is the brilliant idea that came to licensed aesthetition Kellie Peterson.

Kellie is the creator of Mineral Magic Cosmetics, a thriving and extensive line of products at http://MINERALMAGIC.etsy.com. Kellie has designed offerings with a wide variety of colors in tones for a wide range of skin colors and formulations for people with sensitive skin and vegans. She even carries Kosher products.

Here is how Kellie describes her products, "I take great pride in my makeup line and guarantee 100% satisfaction. Mineral makeup is pure, crushed minerals from the earth, that improves your skin condition. It provides an SPF (sun protection factor) of up to 20, depending on how much you apply. It is an anti-inflammatory for your skin, as well. Since these minerals are 100% pure, bacteria cannot be supported and there is no expiration date. There is also virtually no allergy risk. It won't clog your pores and is used as a mineral supplement for your skin."

Pictured above is Kellie's "Full Handbag" mineral makeup sampler set (in your choice of eye, blush and foundation colors) including a carry bag and makeup brushes. A color chart is below: At the Mineral Magic website you'll find foundation, gifts and kits, selections of makeup brushes and tools, sample kits, bath and body fragrances. Kellie recently added a group of creative bath and body products made by her son, Timmy and labelled "Made by Timmy" to the store. He's nine, and has autism - high-functioning. She is working with him in the store to teach him about business and how to manage his money. Above is a scented glycerine soap with toys inside, made by Timmy.

Kellie is a member of the "90 Features in 90 Days Challenge" and writes articles introducing talented Etsy artists and designers at http://mineralmagic.blogspot.com/.