Create a Master Mind Group

Greetings:

I was so thrilled to have my Master Mind together in Denver. Karen and I live in Denver although we don't spend a lot of time together. Mary Ellen lives in New Mexico. Every month we get together via the telephone and hold our Master Mind meetings. We share what we are up to, get advice, recommendations and reality checks. We have helped each other start businesses, work through grief and make major life changes. When my parents died in 2005 my Master Mind Group was there to support me through the process and keep me focused and sane. When Mary Ellen left a long time Radio career to venture out on her own the Master Mind group helped to strategically plan the success of her new business. And when Karen decided to start a speaking career the Master Mind helped her brainstorm ways to get her message out there to the world.

I was first introduced to the Master Mind concept when I left my corporate job in 1996. I joined an Ali Lassen's Leads group and some of the members had formed a Master Mind group. I was invited to join the group and stayed a member for several years.

The first person I am aware of that talked about the Power of the Master Mind was Napoleon Hill in his amazing book, "Think & Grow Rich." In chapter Ten he outlined the concept of the Master Mind. He wrote that "The Master Mind can be defined as: Coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose." He believed that "No individual may have great power without availing himself of the Master Mind."

According to Hill there are two main characteristics of the Master Mind Principle. One is the economic nature and the other is the psychic. "The economic feature is obvious. Economy advantages may be created by any person who surrounds himself with the advice, counsel, and personal cooperation of a group of men who are willing to lend him wholehearted aid, in a spirit of perfect harmony. This form of cooperative alliance has been the bias of nearly every great fortune. The psychic part of the Master Mind principle is much more difficult to comprehend. You may catch a significant suggestion from this statement, "No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind."

The book Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is now in public domain. If you would like to review chapter 10 Power of the Master Mind or even look at the entire book click here. I would highly recommend you buy the book but this would give you something to study as you are in the process of obtaining the book.

For ways to form and structure your Master Mind Google How to Start a Master Mind Group. You will find tons of helpful information. A few of my favorite are:


Community Unity on the Hill

Speaknet News published a great overview of Mastermind groups and how effective they are.

If you would like to read another account of my Mastermind group from one of the other members, Mary Ellen, check out her blog, ProfitMeister

Please let me know how being in a Mastermind group has supported you and share any tips you have with creating and running a successful one.

Here's to taking action
Rachelle

A great poem for Entrepreneurs

Greetings:

A dear friend and former client Pat Morgan wrote a great poem that has been included in a new book, Heart of Women in Business by Sheryl Roush. The poem is entitled Entrepreneur. It is really good, click here to read.

Here's to taking action
Rachelle

I hope I don't suck

Greetings:

Yesterday the Day for 365 Days of Coaching was about letting go of the fear that you will suck at something and just doing it. It was inspired by a bartender I met at TGIFriday's that was getting ready to compete in the local Bartender's Championship. The winner of the local competition goes on to hopefully end up at the World's Championship to be named the Greatest Bartender in the World.

What I love about this concept is several things. One thing is that it is fun. The Bartenders really get into it and they all seem to enjoy the friendly competition. I also love that the Bartenders are committed to perfecting their skills. They want to be the "best in the world." It means something to them and gives their jobs more meaning.

How could you use this concept in your job? Truly when you think about it being a bartender isn't the most glamorous job in the world. The hours are tough, they have to deal with drunks and they spend a lot of time on their feet. However they have made the job fun, take it seriously and enjoy what they do.

According to the Friday's Bartender's it takes:

Character
Drive
Practice
Determination
Passion
The will to win

To be the best bartender in the world. What does it take to be the best of what you do?

What lessons can you learn from the Friday Bartender's?

I would love to hear from you how you make your job fun?

Here's to taking action

Rachelle

DNC Hits Denver

Greetings:

To be honest I haven't been much into the Democratic Convention although I have heard a lot about what is going on with it. That is mostly because I am in Denver and I have friends that are way into it. However I must say I got hooked the opening night when Ted Kennedy spoke. Whatever you think about his politics it was amazing to see this man get up and give an amazing speech with a brain tumor. He says he will be on the floor in January voting to make change. I sure hope he is right.

I also watched Michelle Obama's speech. Wow she was amazing. And of course the children stole the show.

I think it doesn't matter what party you are with it pays to at least have some idea what is going on. It certainly couldn't hurt in making a more informed decision.

When Christen and I went to the KKZN 760 AM Studio last week to record Live the Day with Rachelle and Christen, we were greeted by two of the conventions attendees. They were made out of cardboard however we got a big kick out of them being in the studio. My guess is this is as close as I am going to get to either of them, at least for awhile, so I was thrilled to have my picture snapped.

Enjoy the convention either live or as I will be doing, on television. Soon the Republicans will have their turn.

Here's to taking action
Rachelle

Vote for me for President

Greetings:

The internet is so fun. My friend David Cook sent me a video about him running for president. I knew David would never be so foolish as to do something like that. Who in their right mind would want such a job? And at the end of it all they have to show for it is a lot of gray hair! However just for fun you can create a video of your own that will let your friends and family know you are running for the White House!

You can check it out here. This is my video but you can create your own. It is super easy.

Here's to taking action

Rachelle

What really makes you happy?

Greetings:

You might think you know what really makes you happy but chances are you don't. Check this video out on Ted Talks. You might be really surprised by the answer.

In this video "Dan Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness, challenges the idea that we’ll be miserable if we don’t get what we want. Our "psychological immune system" lets us feel truly happy even when things don’t go as planned." REALLY Dan? Yea really, check the video out and see what Dan has discovered.

If you haven't heard of Ted Talks check it out. There are a lot of great videos by the most amazing people.

Rachelle

Read any good books lately

Greetings:

One of the things I love about being in a book club is I read books I would have never even known about let alone read. This months book club read was Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo. I have to admit I couldn't get through this book, just too dense for me. However the rest of the group loved it. I can say one thing it wasn't a light summer read.

We picked our books for the rest of the year and it sounds like we are going to be reading some pretty interesting ones.

September - The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
October - The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
November - Oil - Upton Sinclair
December - Loving Frank - Nancy Horan

We have even picked books for next year. One of my suggestions got picked which I was thrilled. I suggested The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I haven't read the book just came across the title and it sounded really interesting. I hope it is a good read!

I would highly recommend joining a book club or even starting one. I love reading and I love even more discussing the books I read. It really brings the book to life. For information on how to start a book club I found a couple great articles that will help get you started.

How to start a book club by Erin Collazo Miller

Book Club Resource - How to Start a Book Club

Book Browse - Getting Started

My suggestions would be to invite friends you know love to read and have them invite friends as well. Have a set time for meetings, my book club meets once a month on the third Thursday. Decide what type of books you will read, my club usually sticks with fiction. We rotate our meeting going to a different members home each month. The month a member is hosting they are responsible for serving dinner and two people volunteer to bring the wine, appetizers and dessert. The only "rule" we have in our club is that you have to finish the book even if don't like it. That doesn't always happen but it makes for better conversation.

If you have suggestions for other books our group should read I would love to hear from you. We are always looking for our next good book. Also let me know if you have read any of the books we have selected, I would love to hear what you thought about them.

Rachelle

Summer Fun with Friends

The picture is of me (third from the left) enjoying some girlfriend time at my friend Kathryn Avery's (creator of Tiara Training) new home. Kathryn threw a pampering party where pedicures were being given! My friend Laurie Cameron (author of The Journey from Fear to Love) was there which was a great treat. I haven't seen Laurie in too long of time although we recently caught up over the telephone. Julie Byerlein, far right, is a great friend and I was so glad to see her. She is crazy busy right now with her new business, Dems Do Denver. She has created a great line of buttons for the Democratic Convention that feature local artist. She even got a mention in the New York Times! Go Julie.


I have written several days in 365 Days of Coaching on the health benefits of friends. Research shows that people who have friends tend to have stronger immune systems, live longer, have less health problems in general and have a better outlook on life. If you needed any reasons to have friends I believe those are all good ones.

I am so fortunate to have great friends. I am not sure what I would do without my friends. They are there to support me in good times and in challenging times. They have seen me at my best and at my worst and love me anyway. Oddly enough research shows that family cannot provide the same support, understanding and empathy that friends can.

Friendship does take time. To have friends you have to be a friend. That means staying in touch, making time for your friends and being there for the good and challenging times. Although friendship is an investment in time it is an investment that pays back in many ways.

I have to say that making time for friends isn't alway the easiest thing to do. However I notice when I don't I just don't feel as good. Just a few hours of friend time time will bring me right back to center.

This summer make time for your friends. Even if it is just a simple get together at someone's home, it will be great to connect and enjoy the connection.




Here's to taking action
Rachelle

Join in on the fun

I had no idea the Daily Action Power Process Success Camps were going to be so successful. I had a request to launch a daytime Camp for those that can't meet in the evening. So, here I go again. I will be launching the third and last live Success Camp for this year Monday, August 25th starting at 1:00 pm MT. The Camp will run for 12 weeks and focus on creating a strong finish for the end of the year. If you want to stay on track and motivated to reach your goals or you need some motivation to get on track you will want to take part in the Camp. For all the details click here.

http://www.365daysofcoaching.com/dapp.htm

If you would like to listen to a free preview call to get an idea of the power of Success Camp, click here.

http://www.365daysofcoaching.com/dapp_sneak_preview_1.htm

Create a Complaint Free World

Greetings:

Will Bowen, Author of A Compliant Free World (hopefully you heard the interview Christen and I did on Live the Day) is working to get the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to be declared Complaint Free Day in America. I can't think of anything better to bring awareness to the benefits of not complaining.

I have been wearing my Complaint Free Bracelet for months now, no haven't made it to 21 days without complaining. In fact my bracelet is so worn I might just have to replace it soon. However making myself aware of complaining has made a tremendous difference in the way I feel and how I treat other people. And when I do start complaining I catch myself and stop.

Please follow the instructions below and ask your congressperson to support the bill. You can also find out more about Will Bowen, the book A Compliant Free World and this bill by going to the Compliant Free Website.

Here's to taking action

Rachelle


This is a copy of the email that I received from Will Bowen.

WE NEED YOUR HELP !

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The United States to Proclaim
the day before Thanksgiving

"Complaint Free Wednesday"


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri has introduced House Resolution H.CON.RES.404 to officially declare the day before Thanksgiving "Complaint Free Wednesday" in the United States of America.


For this to become a reality, we need you to contact your congressional representative and ask him or her to become a Co-Sponsor of this bill. For it to pass, this bill needs 50 members of congress to act as co-sponsors.


To read the bill click HERE. Or, cut and paste: http://acomplaintfreeworld.org/GRAVES_053_xml.pdf into your web browser.


Together we can help the people of the United States stop complaining about problems and begin to focus on solutions.


* * * Here's what To Do * * *

1. Click Here

(Or copy and paste: http://www.house.gov/writerep/)into your web browser)

You will be directed to The U.S. House of

Representatives web site. Enter your STATE and ZIP CODE. This will launch a window so you can send an email directly to your congressional representative.


2. Email the following Text You can copy and paste it from this email: Be sure and insert your representative's name at the Top and your name and town at the Bottom)

Dear Representative ___________,

As you know, the attitude of a society plays a critical role in the well being and prosperity of its citizens.

The United States has long been the can-do optimist capital of the world, and I urge you to please CO-Sponsor and support H.Con.Res 404, which reminds Americans that a positive attitude and avoiding complaints can have a profound impact on our society.

This bill, entitled "Supporting the goals and ideals of Complaint Free Wednesday" was introduced by Congressman Sam Graves (MO-6) on July 31, 2008, and encourages each person in the United States to participate in a day free from complaining on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day to prepare for our national day of gratitude.

Thank you in advance for your support of this legislation.

Sincerely,

__________ (Your Name)
______, ___ (Your Town, State)


Thank you!


A Complaint Free World
13 NW Barry Rd. ~ Suite 209 ~ Kansas City, MO 64155

A Complaint Free World is a non-profit corporation

"Complaint Free" and purple bracelets with "Complaint Free" are trademarks of Lamplighter, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Summer Time Fun

So many people tell me how difficult it is to stay focused during the Summer. It is a challenge when the weather is calling us outside and there are so many tempting and fun activities to do.

The key here is it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Balance is the key. Make time for the fun summer activities, even scheduling fun into your calendar. This way you will have fun planned in along with the other things you have to do and the fun won't get lost.

Don't over commit. You can do it all but you don't have to do it all at once. Make sure that you manage your time so that you can fit in what you need to do and what you want to do along with some open time. You don't want to have so much to do that the fun becomes just another task on the to-do list.

Use your vacation time. You don't have to take a whole week off to have fun. Schedule in a few long weekends or even a day off during the week. You also don't have to get out of town to have fun. There is plenty to do right where you are. Visit the local zoo, museum or the amusement park. Pick up a guide for things to do in your area and try something new.

Dine out, outside that is. Take advantage of the great weather, the fresh air and the great light food available during the summer. Fire up the grill and have grilled vegetables. For dessert cut several peaches in half, lay the cut side down on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes. Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream. Yummy.

Enjoy the summer and take in all the pleasures it has to offer.

Leave a comment on the blog and let me know how you fit in fun during the summer.

Here's to taking action

Rachelle

Guilt - the gift that keeps on giving

Greetings:

I love the quote by Erma Bombeck, "Guilt - the gift that keeps on giving." I recently wrote a day for 365 Days of Coaching entitled "Guilt - leave home without it." So often guilt is carried around. When you are at work you feel guilty about being away from your family and when you are with the family you feel guilty for not working. It is a vicious cycle that needs to be broke.

Guilt serves no purpose but to keep you stuck right where you are. Guilt is an unreal emotion that is made up in your mind. It is actually a learned emotion. You might have been made to feel guilty as a child and that learned behavior has carried over.

I was reading an article in the most recent issue of The Sedona Method ezine and there was a great line "guilt is an IOU for punishment." Doesn't that just sum up the entire concept of guilt. It is an IOU you are giving yourself to punish yourself, make yourself feel bad and beat yourself up. It is time to rip up the IOU and let go of guilt forever. It just doesn't have a place in your life.

Here's to taking action

Rachelle

Dems do Denver

new button from the talented Katie Taft




Greetings:

My friend and art lover friend Julie Byerlein has developed great artistic buttons with local Denver artist for the upcoming Democratic Convention in Denver at the end of the month. Check out her website at DemsdoDenver.com

Check out Julie's blog, you won't believe who is wearing the buttons!

Julie decided this was a great idea and is passionate about the arts so she took action. She didn't worry about the "How" she simply took the next step.

Here's to taking action,

Rachelle

Daily Action Power Process Success Camp starts tomorrow

Daily Action Power Process
DAPP Success Camp starts tomorrow, Tuesday, August 5th!

Greetings,

If you didn't get a chance to listen to the DAPP Success Camp Preview call you are in luck. The FREE recording is still up for your listening pleasure. Tune in and discover how you can tap into the Power of Daily Action, how doing a little will get you a lot, when the best time to take action is and the secret weapon to success. If you want to have a strong finish for the end of the year you will want to listen to this call.

http://www.365daysofcoaching.com/dapp_sneak_preview_1.htm

If you want to create a strong finish for the year and make it the most productive year ever you don't want to miss this opportunity to participate in the DAPP Success Camp. Campers from the first camp are telling me they are amazed at the results they have obtained and how much further along they are on their goals. What I know for sure is action is the only way to achieve what you want, and daily action will help you get there faster with less stress and less struggle.

Anything worth doing is worth doing with someone. Don't go it alone. It is easier and just more fun when you work with others to achieve your goals. You will have a team supporting you along the way and a Coach that will keep you on track to your goals.

http://www.365daysofcoaching.com/dapp.htm

In the 90-Day Success Camp (August 5th through Nov. 3rd) you will learn how to:

* Set Value Based Goals - Go for what you really want
* How to tweak - not retreat
* Create Powerful Focus
* How to do a little and gain a lot
* The power of Accountability
* The Secret Weapon of Success
* The power of keeping track
* How to keep the momentum going
* Why rewards are essential to the process

In addition to the weekly group calls, I will have monthly open Coaching times when you can call me directly and receive fifteen minutes of focused coaching. This time will be spent focused on you and helping you move forward and achieve your goals. (This will be done on a first come first served basis.)

You will also have access to me through e-mail. I know things will come up between coaching calls that will cause you to need extra support. Because I want you to get the most out of this Success Camp as possible, I want you to have the support when you need it.

In addition, you will receive two 20-minute scheduled coaching sessions that will allow you private time with me as your coach helping you create the best strategy to achieving your goals.

And you will receive a Campers Manual (a workbook on the Daily Action Power Process) that will assist you with staying on track and accountable.

http://www.365daysofcoaching.com/dapp.htm

I have made the investment affordable. You even have the choice to make three easy payments, so there is simply no excuse not to attend.

I truly hope I hear you in success camp. I want you to finish the year with a lot to celebrate!

Here's to taking action

Rachelle

PS - If, after the first week of Success Camp, you don't feel like it is for you, I will refund your money and you will get to keep the Camp Manual as my gift to you. Now you really don't have a reason not to sign up right now!

http://www.365daysofcoaching.com/dapp.htm

Make Friendship A Priority

Sunday August 3 was International Friendship Day.

Many people have mentioned to me that this is the year they are going to focus on friendships. Some intend to create new ones while others want to work on the ones they have. Friendship is vital to our well being and, unfortunately in this hurry up and do more world, creating and maintaining friends can be challenging. If you are serious about having more and better friendships then the key is to make your friendships a priority.

If you want to make new friends, one thing for certain is you can't do that by sitting at home in front of the television. You need to get out and mingle. Join a book club, a fitness club, or volunteer for a charity. Doing things that interest you will connect you will people that have common interest.

If you want to work on the friendships that you have, begin by contacting your friend(s) and setting up a time to get together. You might create a regular time to meet, or commit to talking on the telephone at least once a week, or e-mailing each other regularly. It takes time, energy and commitment to be a friend and have healthy friendships. If that is your intention prepare to work at being the kind of friend you want to have.

There is a lot of research coming out that backs up the need for friends. Not only does friendship help to reduce stress and lower risks for other aliments, friendship can help you lose or maintain a healthy weight. Now that is a great reason to make and keep friends. But even if weight isn't a concern, friendship is a good bet to increase the overall enjoyment of life.

The challenge is friendships don't just happen. They need to be nurtured and managed. If you want to increase the number of friends you have or increase the depth of your current friendships, the key is to focus on your friends. You have to make a commitment to make friendship a priority and create opportunities for your friendships to prosper.

Here's to taking action

Rachelle

If you can think it you can do it

Greetings:

I am all about taking action. However until you can conceive it you can't do anything about it. If you can't even think something is possible taking the action wouldn't be anything in your realm of reality. It just couldn't happen.

I just listened to a great recorded telegathering hosted by Cheryl Richardson. Her guest was Louise Hay, one of the founders of the Personal Growth movement. I would encourage you to listen to the interview as Louise has amazing insight to share. Just go to Cheryl Richardson's website and you can listen to it from there or download it onto your IPod.

In the interview Louise talks about the power of affirmations and how much they can support a person in making changes in their life. Recently I have been told that affirmations don't work because they conflict with your logical mind and actually can cause just the opposite of what you want to happen. First with affirmations you are not talking to your logical mind, which in my opinion will get you in more trouble than you can imagine, you are talking to your subconscious. That is the part of your mind that takes whatever you tell it and works to make it true. Maybe you can't tell yourself far out things like "I am going to build a set of wings and fly to the moon" however some people think telling themselves "I am capable of taking care of myself" is just as far out. The idea here is to feed yourself positive thoughts so that eventually you can believe them.

I went through a period of time when I was being stalked. I found myself being frightened even when I couldn't see any danger around me. I could simply feel it. I started saying the affirmation, "I am safe wherever I am and whoever I am with." I used this affirmation for years and it worked to calm me down and allowed me not to live in fear. Although I no longer feel a sense of fear every once in a while I have a sense of not feeling safe and I use that affirmation. For me it is better than any drug I could take. It works like a charm.

Affirmations are the prelude to taking action. They will support you in getting into action. You first have to be able to conceive a concept, to think it in your mind. Once you are able to do that you can create an affirmation that will support you in believing what you are thinking. When you create an affirmation and begin to repeat it you are planting seeds and drawing what you want to you. This is The Law of Attraction at it's best. However once you draw what you want to you it is time for action. I call this inspired action and it is the key to The Law of Action, the Law that makes the Law of Attraction work. You might get an intuitive hit to call a friend or go a certain way home from work or read a certain book. Then what happens is your friend gives you a piece of information your were looking for, or you come across something you needed to see on your way home or the book is just the resource you needed.

According to Louise Hay "Everything you think and say is an affirmation." I so believe that. My mother lived in fear of dying of cancer and she thought about it and talked about it for years. I bet you can guess what my Mother died from.

If you want to tap into the power of your mind and use it to create what you want in your life and not just accept what you create by default, begin using the power of affirmations. If your not sure how to create an affirmation visit Louise Hay's website, she provides a new affirmation every day.

Here's to taking action

Rachelle

Take a day off without the guilt

Me at the Continental Divide



Greetings:

I have to admit I love my job and I most likely spend more time doing it than some of the guru's would suggest. Because I love my job so much it is difficult to tell sometimes when I am working and when I'm not. Which I think is a great sign.

On Thursday one of my dear friends Jill and I, co-book club member and long time subscriber to 365 Days of Coaching, went up to the mountains to visit another long time subscriber to 365 Days of Coaching, Mary Ann. Mary Ann happens to be Jill's sister-in-law. I have met Mary Ann one time before. Mary Ann has been wanting Jill and I to come up to her place in the mountains and snow shoe. Something I haven't done yet. So we decided not to wait for winter and simply go up on a nice summer day.

Jill and I at the Continental Divide


Although I had a great time there were moments where I found myself thinking about work. I had to remind myself that I can work anytime, which I often do, and it is all about being in the present moment.

How often do you miss the moment by being mentally somewhere else? For me I had to let go of the guilt thinking I "should" be doing something else and enjoy what I was doing.

Jill and I picking fresh Spinach out of Mary Ann's garden - a first for me!


I am reminded of the quote, "The work will rise to meet you." There will always be work to do. The moments that you can spend with friends connecting and enjoying their company isn't always going to be there. I have learned this the hard way. Give yourself a break and enjoy the moments you are gifted with.

Jill, Mary Ann and I in Mary Ann's Talk Shop


Here's to taking action

Rachelle