A crisp Sunday morning, Winter, Chicagoland

It is a bright day. Sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky.  The air is more than brisk at below zero.  But Monday is around the corner.  I know our culture seems to embrace Friday starting a Wednesday but I would like to challenge you to do a test in your own week to look forward to Monday and what it might bring to you.  Your journey is whatever you create starting with your attitude.  There is a need for much of that type of thinking to take place and I believe we all see something, if we have our eyes open slightly, that there is a phenomenal change taking place globally.  WE can all paint gloom and doom.  And yes it is a bit unsettling for us not to know what to expect, but in reality we NEVER know what the day will bring.  Another point to support embracing every day as if it were your last.  No matter what cautions we take in life, our expectations in a day can change dramatically in a moments notice. 

I ask that you might consider spending today writing what your 20 year vision is of your life.  What can you see far out into the distance based on the world today as it is?  Of course we know very quickly that technology will change drastically and many types of business may have a new face but the reality is it takes a long time to gain skill sets, understand trends, how we might want our living conditions to look and the elements of family and friends, location and price of energy may all have an impact on that plan.  So I challenge you to dream up a vision of at the very least 10 years.  Where you want to be in life and then outline the longer term steps to there.  Next break that down again into the steps to those broader ideas.  Leave a lot of room in between these outlined steps as you continue to fill in the details breaking it down into the requirements you will have to meet along the way.
You can even add dates in pencil  of whent to accomplish those steps by and cross them off as you accomplish these.  There is some pleasure in crossing these off, believe me.  And never feel poorly about the ones you need more time for....life happens.  The best plan has room for adjustments.

I feel I have accomplished much in this approach and I believe it can be extremely personalized to your life.  It seems to do well at keeping one on target, making best decisions to get there along the way and it feels great to be your best coach of encouragement when you cross off the accomplishments along the way.  Discuss it with others and network through the process gathering resources along the way.  Best of life to you.

Good morning Women of Strength....share your story

I was on linked in today after an invitation to look at a group that I have not yet joined....because I have a linked in limit of 50 groups.  My focus of linked in is to create a positive ripple out of all the junk people complain about and try to spin it into an action they can best use their strengths to change....
So I posted my thoughts this morning about creating positive ripples in your community.  No dues and no baggage allowed.  No judgement, no age or rules other than to start a forum at a woman owned restaurant on their slowest night that allows woman to share a personal story when they felt strongest.  Take note and inventory the passions, strengths and opportunities to change the direction of your community. Create the positive ripple.  Be all you can be.  Love what you love to do and use it to improve what you have available.  Open the door to all the women in your area to create a shared vision you can work on together to make a positive impact.  The only rule....Keep all baggage out of the room and focus on moving forward together on what you summarize from your stories as a common opportunity based on the talents and passions that will drive your forward.  Share your stories here!

Woman in Nuclear Region III

Spent the last two day with phenomenal woman within the nuclear industry... smart woman and the need for more women engineers right now is incredible.  My question to anyone currently is to find your passion on the cutting edge of energy or manufacturing industies right now.  Business leadership must be held at every level.  The business model will not include the many layers corporate America has grown over the years to be cost effective and globally competitive.  Be industrious, continue learning and updating skills, keep your reading up to date and bring solutions to your next employer.  There are many many jobs but skill sets in the trades are in shortage.  The trades of today need a more rounded candidate that can make something and manage it profitably.  Lean strategies are a must!
Web designers are needed also from what I can tell!
Have fun finding your next move of passion in your career selection.  Make sure the company is right for you and then go for it!
Good luck ....and write me about your experiences!  Share your perfect job stories.

6 Career Moves

In today’s ever changing job market, not only have the types of jobs offered changed, but so have the individuals who make up the current workforce. Many  workers are opting to continue working instead of retiring. If you’re one of these seasoned professionals, how do you keep your edge and stay fresh and vibrant in today’s fast paced employment atmosphere?


1. Be trendy
Follow job market trends. Keep  your finger on the pulse of the labor force by asking yourself, ‘What jobs are in demand today?’ and by keeping up with today’s technology, particularly computer technology says Deborah Russell, director of the issues agenda for economic security.
2. Get wired
Know your computer. Russell stresses that updating general office skills, especially computer skills, is crucial, “particularly since many employers assume that mature workers lack skills in this area. Having the basic computer skills that allow you to function in the workplace is essential.” That means being comfortable with:

Navigating the Internet

E-mail and its applications

Word processing

PowerPoint

Excel spreadsheets

3. Go back to school
Fill in the gaps with education. If you lack in any area of demand, especially computer skills, remember it’s never too late for more education. Many instructional courses are offered at your local community college, library or neighborhood association. “Lifelong learning is an important aspect of professional growth. Assessing your skills and determining whether there are any gaps will help identify potential areas for additional education,” Russell says.
4. Opportunity knocks
Take advantage of chances to learn all around you. Besides attending classes, a good way to gain new skills is to be on the lookout for learning opportunities right at work. Is someone going on vacation whose job is outside your normal realm of responsibilities? Perhaps you can volunteer to cover for them and learn a little about what they do. Or volunteer for temporary assignments that you wouldn’t normally handle.
5. Update your résumé
If you are looking to make a change to a new position, you need to get current on the latest résumé trends. Like anything else, résumé styles change over time. The résumé is a vital tool in helping any worker articulate the qualifications and experience they can bring to a potential position. Russell says often “employers are more interested in the skills you bring to a job versus how many years you worked for a particular employer. It gives them a snapshot of your capabilities and if you in fact possess the skills they’re looking for.” So make your résumé skill-driven and results-oriented, showcasing your management skills and sales accomplishments, instead of merely providing a litany of dates, titles and responsibilities from past positions.
6. Bond
Talk to others in your same situation. Don’t despair; there are organizations that offer support groups for older workers to discuss the challenges they’ve faced and learn new strategies to overcome them. The Operation ABLE Network is composed of agencies across the United States that focus on meeting the needs of mid-career workers and job seekers. Check your local phone book for the Operation ABLE chapter in your area.
Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Happy holidays to you

Last night my husband and I was treated to viewing a play at the Lincolnshire Marriot in Lincolnshire, Illinois.  The play, White Christmas was delighful....truly great fun!  There is not a bad seat in the house and this has always been one of my favorite Christmas musicals.  Hope you are able to enjoy a great play this holiday season!

Karen Schultz

What stops you from being a millionaire?

6 Rags-to-Riches Millionaires

By Kiplinger | Power Your Future – Mon, Nov 21, 2011 12:42 PM EST

Provided by

by Andrea N. Browne, John Miley, Susannah Snider and Michael Stratford

From Oprah Winfrey to Steve Jobs to J.K. Rowling, entrepreneurial success stories are the stuff from which American dreams are made. Much like these famous names, the six self-made millionaires we're profiling have one thing in common: Thanks to hard work, determination and sound advice from mentors, friends and family, they've been able to build thriving businesses from the ground up.

The rise to the top can be bumpy. In fact, some of the entrepreneurs we talked to were homeless during the early years of their companies. That's why they all agree that it's important to help others in need. All, including Radio One's Catherine L. Hughes and Life is good co-founder Bert Jacobs, give back to the community by volunteering time, donating to charitable organizations or running their own charities.

Learn how these six diverse entrepreneurs -- from a t-shirt designer to a media mogul -- turned meager beginnings into multimillion-dollar success and what advice they offer to budding business tycoons who hope to follow in their footsteps.

Catherine L. Hughes

Courtesy of Radio One

Age: 64

Occupation: Founder and chairperson, Radio One

Advice to young entrepreneurs: "Sometimes the ones who love you the most will give you the worst business advice."

By conventional standards, Hughes wasn't destined to build a successful multimillion-dollar media company. She was a teen mom by 16 and a high-school dropout. However, she later completed high school, followed by brief stints at area universities in her hometown of Omaha, Neb.

Despite her limited formal education, Hughes, who credits publishing legend John H. Johnson as one of her mentors, worked her way up at Omaha's KOWH radio starting in 1969 before heading to the nation's capital to become a lecturer at Howard University. In 1975, she became general manager for the university's radio station, WHUR-FM. By 1979, she bought her first radio station, WOL-AM in D.C., with her then-husband and founded Radio One a year later.

Those early years were rough. Hughes, who was divorced by then, slept with her son on the floor of her radio station because she couldn't afford to live anywhere else. "My mother tried her best to talk me out of the radio business because of that," Hughes recalls. It's for this reason that she advises young entrepreneurs to be wary about who they divulge their challenges to -- even family. "If I had listened [to my mother], I would be a government employee right now and there would be no Radio One."

Thirty-two years later, in addition to the radio company, Hughes' empire includes her television network TV One and several interactive ventures, including NewsOne.com and HelloBeautiful.com. Her charitable efforts include serving as a board member and the main benefactor for the Piney Woods School, a boarding school located in Piney Woods, Miss., that serves students from financially strapped families.

Bert Jacobs

Courtesy of Life Is Good

Age: 46

Occupation: Co-Founder and CEO, Life is good

Advice to young entrepreneurs: "Try to shoot for a timeless business."

You've probably seen the beret-wearing, smiling face of "Jake," the Life is good logo, on the company's tee shirts and products. Co-founders Bert Jacobs and his brother, John Jacobs, 43, started peddling their tee shirts on the streets of Boston -- going door-to-door at college dorms and sleeping in their van to save money -- in 1989. It would take nearly six years, however, before their shirts finally caught on with consumers, thanks to "Jake."

The logo, which is infused with optimism, was created after a conversation about how the world was slammed with constant negativity. It became an instant hit. Now, the New England-based company has revenues in excess of $100 million, and each year more of it goes toward their charity, Life is good Kids Foundation, which helps children overcome life-threatening challenges.

"In the beginning, we made every business mistake in the book," says Bert. The brothers didn't have a business plan or growth strategy -- a formula for disaster, if you go by what's taught in business school. Bert credits part of their success to listening to their friends and customers as informal focus groups, rather than "experts." He advises budding entrepreneurs to: "Try to shoot for a timeless business that will work through good times and bad."

Ali Brown

Courtesy of Ali Brown

Age: 40

Occupation: Entrepreneur, business consultant and publisher, AliBrown.com

Advice to young entrepreneurs: "It's important you seek out other business owners for information, advice, support and resources."

Fed up with her dead-end job at a New York City ad agency, Brown decided to quit in 1998. Armed with her brother's hand-me-down computer, she launched her first marketing agency, AKB Communications, from her kitchen table.

While having her own business was exciting, the uncertainty of self-employment had its challenges. Brown remembers all too well maxing out credit cards and draining her bank account to stay afloat in the early days. One night in particular, she tried to withdraw $20 from an ATM but was denied because her balance was only $18.56. Thirteen years later, thanks to her hard work and perseverance, Brown has achieved many successes: She earned her first million before the age of 35 and has appeared on ABC's reality show "Secret Millionaire," where she donated money to several organizations. She still actively supports three of them.

When it comes down to deciding if entrepreneurship is the right move for you, Brown says, "Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone. Every definition of entrepreneur I've found includes the word 'risk'." For those who are willing to take the leap of faith, she advises: "It's important that you seek out other business owners for information, advice, support and resources. Today, would-be entrepreneurs have the Internet and social media, and it's a great place to get started learning more about how to grow a business."

Jill Blashack Strahan

Courtesy of Jill Blashack Strahan

Age: 52

Occupation: Founder and CEO, Tastefully Simple

Advice to young entrepreneurs: "Having goals is absolutely critical."

For Strahan, starting her multimillion-dollar company, Tastefully Simple, a direct sales retailer of specialty food products, began with "a dream and a shoestring." She grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota and later started selling gourmet food baskets, which inspired her business.

In the beginning, the entrepreneur fed her fledgling company with $6,000 of her own savings and some loans from a friend and the Small Business Administration. Strahan's first headquarters was a 1,200-square-foot space with a concrete floor and no running water. Early orders were packed on a pool table. Today, the Tastefully Simple offices take up nearly 200,000 square feet on a 79-acre lot.

In addition to running a company that's valued at more than $100 million, Strahan finds time to give back to the community. Tastefully Simple has donated more than $5 million to local causes, and in 2009 teamed up with Share Our Strength, a group that seeks to end childhood hunger in America. If you're an entrepreneur with a good idea, she says to remember that there isn't an easy road to building a profitable business: "The secret to success doesn't involve pixie dust or a magic bullet. Having goals is absolutely critical."

Farrah Gray

Courtesy of Farrah Gray Publishing

Age: 27

Occupation: Founder and CEO, Farrah Gray Publishing

Advice to young entrepreneurs: "Keep your business small . . . niche yourself."

When most 6-year-olds were worried about what time their favorite cartoon came on TV, Gray was already an entrepreneur. He was going door-to-door in his inner-city Chicago neighborhood selling hand-painted rocks as bookends to help his ailing mother make ends meet. "I can remember being very young and my mom having a heart attack. I wondered how we were going to pay the bills and thought to myself, 'I don't want to be poor like this anymore,'" he recalls.

Trying to figure out a way to improve his family's home life sparked something big: By the time he was 17, Gray had founded and operated several businesses, including Kidztel, a prepaid phone card company, and Farr-Out Foods, a food company targeting young adults, which grossed $1.5 million in sales before he sold it. At 20, his first book, "Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich Inside and Out," was published.

Now, Gray's focused on his latest venture, Farrah Gray Publishing, a boutique celebrity book publishing house he started in 2009, which includes titles such as "Transparent" by CNN's Don Lemon. Gray also spends his time contributing to charitable organizations, such as the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Marrow Donor Program. For anyone considering starting a new business, he suggests keeping things small: "A lot of times we get caught up in trying to be the next Facebook or Apple. That isn't necessary -- niche yourself."

Jesse Conners

Courtesy of FirednFabulous/YouTube

Age: 28

Occupation: CEO and founder, PeppermintPark.com

Advice to young entrepreneurs: "There is constantly some fire that you have to put out . . . Don't let it discourage you."

Conners had an unusual childhood: When she was 9, her parents joined a cult and -- believing that the world was about to end -- sold all of their worldly possessions. From then until she was 18, Conners traveled across the U.S. and to Mexico with her family, following the cult's message and searching for work along the way. As unconventional as it was, she says her upbringing spurred the independence she needed to succeed in business.

While in high school, she started doing the marketing for her father's chiropractor practice, which eventually led to a job in real estate. At 21, she auditioned for and was cast in the first season of NBC's "The Apprentice." Although Conners didn't win, her stint on national television landed her a job on the real estate speaking circuit. In 2008, she began building PeppermintPark.com, a membership-based fashion and luxury brand online retailer. The Web site has been up and running for a little over a year and has a ten-person staff.

Earlier this year, Conners's "outside the box" approach to business helped her to surpass a $1 million net worth. In addition to running her company, she has offered charitable support to Elephant Human Relations Aid and provides resources to women who are victims of domestic abuse, according to her Web site. Conners advises budding entrepreneurs to be aware that daily obstacles are the norm, not the exception. "There is constantly some fire that you have to put out. That's what running a business is all about," Conners says. "Don't let it discourage you. Try again, start again."

Social Capital Research

http://www.socialcapitalresearch.com/definition.html

Building social capital electronically has its strengths but not knowing the full agendas of who you "connect and move upon an open ended idea" may not be the best use of building social capital.  Research the ideals and values of those that fund the movement, organization or corporation.  You might change your mind on the lead you follow. 

Be a smart consumer of information and what you subscribe toward in life.  The systems have grown with complexity and in some cases with stealth like roots.

Dig deep and feel empowered to take the lead in voicing your own writtten story and its outcome.  WE all have something to contribute to a synergetic best practice.

the Garden "helper"

The garden helper


I believe my systes thinking was born in the wisdom of the gardeners that surrounded me starting with my grandmother and my mother.  The richness of nderstanding gardening is not too far removed from understanding people, organizations and nurture versus "help".  I will be writing more about this transfer of knowledge and the beauty of its understanding.

For now, as the frost takes what we so enjoyed from spring to summer, we can think about the beauty of winter with its cold bitter winds of Chicagoland.

Today's business world

I think we might be getting it or are at least close to getting what is important as business developers.  Business can be a great engine to democracy across the globe.  A few items needed would include passion, direction, values, cause that is front line driven.  WE need profitale companies to insure jobs and productive citizenship.  It is when we loose sight of our purpose, we loose health, spirituality, morals, values, etc. and become mentally, spiritually and physically unwell.  That drives health care costs, that hurts profitability, that causes more government interference in "helping" (I would call it enabling) our citizens.  The truth of the matter is we are a highly intelligent country who can make good decisions but we are driven to do less.  Who drives us?  The helping hand of government who almost has us believing we need them to start up a business, tell us how to treat people, etc.  My believe is we have enough smarts to choose where and who we want ot work beside.  This is not rocket science.  The value of respect for eachother's individuality does not have to insure a diversity program (which comes from the root word divide).  Isn't everyone's drive from the time we are entering school to know where we fit?  And then schools and media want to tell us how wrong we are and what we have to do to change ourselves in order to fit.  But no.  We are unique because we all have a place where we bring what is missing to the table.  The goal should be to strive to be who we are and celebrate our individuality and what that brings to the table to make us whole. We are so connected and so similar in what we want.  What is missing is our realization that what IS different is the missing key to make it GREAT.  So find your passion and align your values, morals and self designed direction with who you want to share your knowledge with and shoot for all you deserve ...and you know what....you deserve great things!  Remember you are in charge of you.  Make you great within your own committed plan of success and do it with everything you have to offer.  You will be an inspriation.  You will gain respect of self and others.  You will be the one to start us all in the right direction.  Yes, you have it within you to do what ever it is you dream of....
Discover yourself and appreciate just who you are and what you offer.  Dream of the vision you want to create a reality from for yourself.  Design the steps and hold yourself accountable and responsible for that plan to produce successful results.  And enjoy those results! 
Write me and tell me your story.  It will keep your compass clearly focused.

I am selling my home and want to share the offer with you Google 18921 Creekview Lane, Mokena, IL

I am selling home.  The housing market has been a strange one at that and forclosures have weakened the pricing in some areas.  I feel there is a point of holding the integrity of the value of one's home and its neighborhood.  The value of Creekview Subdivision or any neighborhood is impacting every person who is a homeowner, in taxes, schools, affordability.  After a few month, I have decided it is up to me as a member of my community to hold the integrity of our price and also support the person who enjoys what our home offers in their purchase.  So if you can qualify for a 323,000.oo mortgage and like the following description, then take note what I am hoping to accomplish in the interest of our community and the buyer.  I am open to hearing what you think, so please send comments!

Our home has provided a comforting place where we have raised our children and have worked alongside my husband to enjoy the retreat it provides.  Our home resides in a wonderful neighborhood in a town called Mokena in the state of Illinois.  When we moved here it was a population of 4,000 people and one stop sign.  It was at the beginning of the housing boom.  WE love this home, this neighborhood, this town and its schools.  The town has a volunteer mindset that is amazing.  Why would I leave you ask?  I have become a grandmother of my first grandchild who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and I do not want to miss another moment of him. 

Our home has 5 bedrooms, 3 Baths.  It is a contemporary quad level with arched windows and entry.  The floor plan is very open.  No hallways!  It has a sub basement with a workshop, craft shop and open area.  The family room is approximately 17' x 30', Sunny eat in kitchen open to family room.  Formal dining area is open to front living area.  The five bedrooms are roomy with sizeable closets.  This floor plan offers easy living!  There is attic storage space throughout the house and garage.  Plenty of storage and shelving space throughout basement and garage.  Outside offers a great escape from the day's work.  Several differnt gardens surround the house offering patios and decks.  Flowers, trees and shrubs attract birds and butterflies throughout the year.  There is a tiered garden / koi pond with a waterfall and babbling brook.  WE have enjoyed many great moments enjoying our backyard retreat.

Times are hard for many and we feel strongly about the real estate integrity of our neighborhood.  The house is offered for 323,000.00.  We are offering a 15,000.00 rebate to the buyer if approved and purchase at asking price of 323,000.00.  We are offering 5,000.00 finders fee at time of closing if the home is sold at asking price of 323,000.  WE want someone who loves our home as much as we do to purchase this great living space in a great location. 

There are two trains stations and we are within moments of  major expressway system known as the crossroads of the nation.  WE are within a 40 minute ride to both OHare and Midway Airports.

The network of trails and sidewalks makes it easy to walk, run or bicycle safely around town and to neighboring communities!.

The school district has been very good to our family and hold it with high regard!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to post!  Enjoy your day!

FREE anti depressents and gym membership!!!!!!

Duing my ___ years on earth, there is one activity in life that seems to have positive effects during more challenging times.  Gardening!  I have the privilege of sharing the fruits of gardens with my grandmother, aunts and uncles, mother and father, and friends.  It is one of the most gratifying and challenging activities that bring about good health mentally, spiritually and physically.  What else does that for a human being?  It builds social capital and community in a very easy, natural progression.  It eases stress and probably blood pressure (but I am not a doctor) and can be very satisfying.  Sharing its fruits brings smiles and joy to others. Seriously, it keeps us in shape ( if we are smart about how we work into the activity early in the spring and how much we stress our muscles, etc.  Yes, you must learn how to move about the garden correctly and build muscle to keep your skeletal frame balanced in the activity - so see your physician and discuss what is correct for you prior to each spring activity)  But back to the results of gardening---it is the greatest community activity that can be done for free through sharing during tough times when we need the companionship and discussions that take us from our day's challenges.  Here are some great web sites to grow on!

 

Easy Care Summer Blooming Full Sun Perennials

• Perennials -Easy Care Summer Blooming Full Sun Perennials
  (photo by Dolores Monet) Perennial flowers may be expensive but are worth the investment. Perennial flowers come back year after year and many are low maintenance, easy care plants. Some perennials spread or...

Keep Flowers Blooming From Spring to Fall

• http://hubpages.com/hub/KeepPerennialFlowersBloomingFromMarchUntilNovemberinaTemperate-Climate?done

How to Compost

• Compost - Composting in the Small Garden
  Fall and winter are great times to build a a compost pile to use for soil enrichment in spring. Even a small garden can use a compost pile made of fall plant trimmings and other garden trash that you can turn into wonderful, natural fertilizer for th

Some Handy Weeding Tools

• Buy Weeders Online - Reviews of Products that Keep Your Garden Weed Free
  An attractive, healthy garden should be kept free of weeds. Nuisance plants rob garden soil of nutrients best absorbed by those flowering or vegetable plants that you enjoy. Weeds suck up moisture, depriving...

Gardening Gang - Gardening Site to Share Tips

• Gardening Gang

How About Adding a Pond?

• Pond Basics - How to Plan for a Small Backyard Pond
  A pond provides an exciting addition to any garden, even a small one. The popularity of such a water feature means that the materials and equipment needed to build and maintain a pond are readily available in...

Organic Gardening online magazine

• Organic Gardening - Home Page

How to Take Care of Your Garden

• Garden Design - Plan for Maintenance When Building a Garden
  Designing and building a garden is a lot of fun. Gardening is a healthy activity that gets you outside and generally improves the look and value of your home and property. But the job does not end after you...

Shade Loving Flowering Plants

• http://hubpages.com/hub/ShadeLovingFloweringPlantsforaWoodlandGardenorShadyArea?done

COLLEGE and self investment... a must...but at what age must it happen?

Though sometimes I wish there were three of me and all had taken a different route of life, the plan I had planned and lived out happened right after I made all the plans to graduate early from high school and get through college early in life.  I met a young man of 20 that changed all of that in an instant if he would agree to take turns in life with careers.  That began a journey I will always look back on with a grin...and say...I actually had balance and had it all....OH Yes...and I am far from through doing all I have planned in life.  Do men play a most important role in all of this? Absolutely...right beside all the woman.  Every person placed in my life has played a most important role and I am convinced it is all about paying attention and sticking to the plan without fear.....life is a walk of faith!  Everyone who knows me knows how important continuing education and art are to me, along with teaching people to fish and then letting them know that understanding  hunger every once in a while is extremely important to the complete story of success.  Know hunger and then you learn how never to be hungry again...IF YOU CHOOSE!  And life is about a series of choices starting with the one you wake up with....it is all about you!  Worrying about others, feeling you can "help" and fearful about what YOU are able to accomplish is about control, ego and making excuses.  And yes, there is room for improvement in every day!  YOU are a wonderful gift to this world.  Pay attention to where your values, interests, passions and how they align with the abundance put in your journey everyday and then make the choice to use it....YOU WILL KNOW Success.  And it will be a success that fits you like no one else!  As it should.  Tell me what you are thinking RIGHT NOW!  comment to teach or email me direct.

Outlining the plan early in your life can make it easier for woman to have it all. ..this is great information who are struggling with the balance choices

The Happiest Working Mothers Don't Always "Have It All"

By Lynn Hall
New Research Reveals Different Approaches to Working Motherhood
Why does society expect working moms to find happiness in having it all?  There are 16 million working moms in the United States with different motivations and constraints.  Is it possible that working moms find happiness in different ways and that “having it right” is better than “having it all”?
A new study, called The PRIMARY DILEMMA, investigates the choices that drive working-mother behaviors.  The results of the research reveal five distinct approaches to work-family balance.  Most interestingly, the study finds that working mothers who report the greatest happiness also report contentment with “not having it all”.

 Gallery: The 10 Best Jobs For New Moms

 Gallery: America's Top 20 Cities For Working Mothers

  Video: Top 3 Cities For Working Moms

The happiest moms adopt an identity, a working-mother method, such as a primary parent, primary career or something in between.  The method guides them through the choices and trade-offs of working motherhood and affords them permission to say “no” and let some things go.  A wonderful quote from the study captures this idea.  “I don’t worry about missing any of my child’s firsts.  If it is the first time that I see it, then as far as I am concerned it is the first time it happened.”  These women don’t punish themselves for what they don’t do.  They measure their success by what they do well.
Acknowledgement of working mother differences can help women, their husbands/partners and their employers to better plan and communicate.  It can help women to stop comparing themselves to one another or to an unrealistic ideal of success.  It can help working couples better define their roles and responsibilities.  And finally, it can help employers better manage working mother talent.
“Rather than approaching working moms with a one-size-fits-all approach to flex-time and career tracks, (this) analytical approach helps crystallize what is important to the different work choices facing moms with different demands,”  said Cynthia Rowland.
The working-mother methods defined by the study include:
1. Fully Loaded (8% of respondents): Is a single parent.  She is solely responsible for the balance of work and family.  Of note, a higher percentage of respondents reported to be single parents but acknowledged co-parenting with someone else.
2. Workable (23% of respondents): Is the primary career in her family.  She spends more physical time working than childcare, but she maintains high emotional engagement with her kids.  The Workable is enabled by someone else providing primary childcare.  The following quote was shared by a Workable.

Sara (Lawyer): I adore my boys but my choice is career because I have the greatest earning power and a commitment to corporate law.  My husband takes care of things that my friends who are mothers handle:  school lunches, doctors’ appointments…”

1. Equalizer (20% of respondents): Is actively engaged in work and parenting.  She carefully coordinates childcare and household responsibilities with an equal partner.   This person has the opportunity to be a primary career and a primary parent, just not simultaneously.

Carolyn (Human Resources): “I was surprised by the level of involvement that my husband wanted to have in raising our daughter. So we share in caring for her.  He has enabled me to maintain my work with the peace of mind that our daughter is always in good care.”

1. Obliged (24% of respondents): Is the primary physical parent who also supplies a required second income.  The greatest dissatisfaction with balance was expressed among survey respondents in this group.
2. Parentess (24% of respondents): Is the primary physical parent.  She supplies a discretionary second income for her family.  Part-time or flexible work index highest for this method.  In addition, the Parentess frequently recognizes her method as transitional.

Samantha (College Administrator):  “I gave up a career working in a demanding position in our court system.  So in essence, I gave up my career for my children.  But it has led me down another path of working at a college where I have real purpose.  So to me, I was originally resentful, but life had a way of putting me on the path that I should be on.”
For many women, the dilemma of working motherhood creates fulfillment and frustration.  In the study, 83% of women indicated career satisfaction, but 55% reported slower career progress because of parenthood.  And 61% of mothers reported a positive impact from work on their parenting experience, despite often feeling overwhelmed.  Finding balance in working motherhood requires thoughtful choices.  The choices may not be perfect or appealing.  The choices may require giving something up to gain something more meaningful.  And the choices may just help working moms find happiness in “not having it all.”




Lynn Hall is the founder of the PRIMARY DILEMMA LLC, which creates tools to help working mothers (parents) discover professional and parenting satisfaction.  These tools can also assist employers in creating workplace programs and vocabulary to support work and family balance.  She is a proud mom of 4 children, lives on a farm in New Jersey with her kids and husband and works full-time.

Share your personal story ...when you felt you made a difference in business or society

Realize the circle of influence...the ripple of your actions....when did you make a difference in business or society?  Share your story here!

Today We Are All Americans ....visit Strengthening Brand America to follow

Today We Are All Americans

I was attending an executive seminar on brand building with my colleagues at Procter & Gamble when America was attacked.  I will never forget the emotions of that day.  Like many people, it was a defining moment in my life.  The words of a French woman interviewed by a reporter still make me emotional when I reflect on that day – “Aujourd’hui, nous sommes tous Americains” (Today we are all Americans).
Today’s post is about remembering.  Please visit the 9/11 Memorial Website, the Flight 93 Memorial, and/or the Pentagon Memorial.
“Turn your wounds into wisdom”. Oprah Winfrey
On 9/11/2001, Brand America was wounded. We continue to seek the wisdom from the tragedy that touched the world.  On this day, “We are all American”.
If you have a memory or reflection to share, take a moment and leave a comment.  Let’s share thoughts on the wisdom we can/should glean from the wounds created on 9/11/2001.
Please note, political statements will be screened.

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1. Karen Schultz

   September 11, 2011
   
   Thank you, Ed. I remember I had just retruned home from taking my son to his first day of college in Savannah, GA. My husband called me from his golf course outing and told me to sit down and turn on television. My daughter called me up from work and asked me to go get her brother and bring him home. It was quite a moment. It felt surreal. Watching the new reports, seemed like a movie. Disbelief and denial of the moment was a first reaction.
   This definitely was a time to use our wounds into wisdom.
   I am reminded of this day with every moment of violence in our country as a terrorist condition against citizens of this country whether in the drug war, the fear of neighborhoods run by gangs, and attacks proposed on our freedoms to speak about our faith publicly. Anyone who is hungry or unemployed due to the lack of knowledge of who are community members are and their pain left unsupported. It was an awakening and shaking up of our citizens from a drunken stupor to realize the importance of responsible and accountable citizenship and freedoms seriously. WE need each of us to reach out to one another, make a difference in business and society and rebuild the brand of America…the US as a beacon of hope and dreams in our world.
   

Starbucks CEO Calls for a Boycott on Campaign Donations...YES!!!!

Starbucks CEO Calls for a Boycott on Campaign Donations

By Brad Tuttle | @bradrtuttle | August 15, 2011 | 5 Comments

Kevin P. Casey / Bloomberg / Getty Images

Howard Schultz, president and chief executive officer of Starbucks Corp.

Like many Americans, Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, is disgusted with politics—the bickering, the astounding inability to get things done, the blatant self-interest in every carefully calculated decision. Now Schultz is trying to start a movement that’ll force politicians to stop putting “partisan agendas before the people’s agenda,” in his words. How might everyday Americans make politicians put the interests of the people and the nation first, rather than focusing on reelection bids and partisan politics? Schultz suggests that we all stop giving them money.
A week ago, Schultz sent out an email to Starbucks employees, as well as 50 business leaders. The message was titled “Leading Through Uncertain Times.” While most of the message was about company business, Schultz also voiced a sentiment undoubtedly shared by millions over the past few months:

I found myself growing more and more frustrated at the lack of cooperation and irresponsibility among elected officials as they have put partisan agendas before the people’s agenda. This is not the leadership we have come to expect, nor deserve.

(MORE: No Joke: Walmart Coffee Tastes As Good As Starbucks)
Even before sending the message, Schultz had an idea for transforming the way politics works today. After receiving an overwhelmingly positive response to the political passages in his e-mail, Schultz made the idea public over the weekend with the help of New York Times’ columnist Joe Nocera. Because politicians seem to make nearly all of their decisions based on what’ll help their reelection campaigns, and because, as Schultz says, “the lifeblood of their reelection campaigns is political contributions,” his idea is to simply cut them off. As Nocera writes:

Schultz wants his countrymen — big donors and small; corporations and unions — to stop making political contributions in presidential and Congressional campaigns. Simple as that.

While Schultz leans Democratic, the boycott he’s suggesting would be completely bipartisan. The country as a whole would basically go on strike against all politicians, and the money flow would remain dammed up until our leaders “put their feet in the shoes of working Americans,” as Schultz says, and start coming up with bipartisan solutions to help those Americans—first and foremost, through job creation.
On the one hand, the boycott is brilliant: What better way to demonstrate the frustration being felt around the country? On the other, it seems naïve to think that corporations, lobbyists, and groups on the far right or left will simply stop writing checks to politicians. These organizations donate money mainly so that politicians will fight for and make decisions based on the interests of their groups, not necessarily what’s good for the nation as a whole.
In any event, most people will agree with Schultz when he has this to say about politicians: “It is a sad state of affairs that the only thing they’ll listen to is money.”
They sure seem to listen to the money that’s donated to them. Perhaps they’ll also listen when the donations dry up.
(MORE: 5 Ways to Keep the Economic Crisis From Driving You Crazy)
Brad Tuttle is a reporter at TIME. Find him on Twitter at @bradrtuttle. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.

Read other related stories about this:

• Boycott Campaign Donations! The New York Times
• Starbucks' Schultz Urges Fellow CEOs to Boycott Campaign Giving Bloomberg
• Starbucks CEO: Hold Back Donations to D.C. Pols CBS News

Related Topics: boycott, campaign donations, Howard Schultz, Joe Nocera, politics, Starbucks, Economics & Policy, Job Markets, The Economy

Read more: http://moneyland.time.com/2011/08/15/starbucks-ceo-calls-for-a-boycott-on-campaign-donations/#ixzz1XKWpQ02y

8 Reasons Your Employees Don’t Care

By Jeff Haden | September 6, 2011

Pay only goes so far. Higher salaries are like the bigger house syndrome: Move into a bigger house and initially it feels roomier, but after awhile larger becomes the new normal.

Employees don’t automatically perform at higher levels if wages are higher because commitment, dedication, and motivation are not based on pay. No matter how high the salary, if you treat employees poorly they won’t care — about their jobs or your business.

Here are eight reasons employees don’t care:

1. No freedom. Best practices are definitely important, but not every task deserves a best practice or micro-managed approach. Autonomy breeds engagement and satisfaction. Autonomy also breeds innovation. Even manufacturing and heavily process-oriented positions have room for different approaches or paths. Decide which process battles are worth fighting; otherwise, let employees have some amount of freedom to work they way they work best.
2. No targets. Goals are fun. (I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t at least a little bit competitive.) Targets create a sense of purpose and add meaning to even the most repetitive tasks. Without a goal to shoot for, work is just work.
3. No sense of mission. We all like to feel a part of something bigger. Striving to be worthy of words like “best” or “largest” or “fastest” or “highest quality” provides a sense of purpose. Let employees know what you want the business to achieve; how can they care about your dreams if they don’t know your dreams?
4. No clear expectations. While every job should include decision-making latitude, every job also has basic expectations regarding the way certain situations should be handled. Criticize an employee for providing a refund today even though last week refunds were standard procedure and you’ve lost the employee.  (How can I do a good job when I don’t know what doing a good job means?) When standards change, always communicate those changes first — then stick with them. And when you don’t, explain why this particular situation is different.
5. No input. Everyone wants to be smart. How do I show I’m smart? By offering suggestions and ideas. (Otherwise no matter how hard I work I just feel like a robot.) Deny me the opportunity to make suggestions, or shoot my suggestions down without consideration, and I’m just a robot — and robots don’t care. Make it easy for employees to present ideas and when an idea doesn’t have merit take the time to explain why. You can’t implement every idea, but you can make employees feel good every time they make a suggestion.
6. No connection. The company provides the paycheck, but employees work for people. A kind word, a short discussion about family, a brief check-in to see if they need anything… person-to-person moments are much more important than meetings or formal evaluations. Employees want to be seen as people, not numbers. Numbers don’t care. People care — especially when you care about them first.
7. No consistency. Most employees can deal with a boss who is demanding and quick to criticize… as long as she treats every employee the same way. (Think of it as the Vince Lombardi effect.) While it’s okay — in fact necessary — to treat employees differently, all employees must be treated fairly. Similar achievements should result in similar praise and rewards. Similar offenses should result in similar disciplinary actions. The key to maintaining consistency is to communicate; the more employees understand why a decision was made, the less likely they are to assume favoritism or unfair treatment.
8. No future. Every job should have the potential to lead to something better, either within or outside the company. I worked my way through college at a manufacturing plant. I had no future with the  company because everyone understood I would only stay until I graduated. One day my boss said, “Hey, let me show you how we set up the job scheduling board.” I looked at him oddly; why show me instead of someone else? In response he said, “Someday, somewhere, you’ll be in charge of production. Might as well start learning now.” Take the time to develop employees for jobs they hope to fill — even if those positions are outside your company. They will care about your business because they know you care about them.