Marie Kondo Sparks Joy on Netflix

It was over three years ago that I first fell in love with Marie Kondo and her bestselling book,  “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.”

After reading and listening to the audio version of her book,I went on a cleaning rampage.

I got rid of 7 bags of clothing and 2 boxes of books. There was so much more space in my cozy New York City apartment.

Since then I have not only met Marie Kondo, but I’ve also tried to spread the KonMari method to all my friends and family.

It wasn’t, however, until recently that Marie Kondo entered the mainstream. Netflix released a TV show centered around the premise of her book.

She goes into people’s homes and helps them declutter. The show has been a big hit and people have been going cleaning crazy, not unlike myself a few years ago.

Thrift stores have been seeing a huge influx recently thanks to Marie’s method.

The show follows a simple pattern with a family in over their heads in clutter. Marie comes in like a fairy godmother and teaches them her various methods for folding clothes and tidying up.

But most importantly she asks them what ‘sparks joy’ – this is to help people hold on to the important things in their life and cut the fat!

I’m so excited to see Marie fever sweeping the nation having been caught up in it myself!

Following her rules makes getting rid of items so much less overwhelming. Marie encourages you to show gratitude to your items daily, so I started leaving the closet door open so my clothes could get some fresh air and sunlight and my friend and colleague Terri massaged her sweaters.

I think Marie really resonates with people, not just because she’s so sweet, but also because her method is less of a chore and more of a ideology.

Give her method a try or at least watch the Netflix show to give yourself a little inspiration. When I watched the first episode it ended about 10:30pm and I was debating pulling all my clothes out of the closet and starting to tidy! But then I came to my senses and decided I’d pick another day to start.

You can tackle one category at a time – not by room. This is probably very different than you’ve ever done but it’s a very effective way of cleaning.

The one thing I didn’t love about the Netflix show is that it’s a bit repetitive. It’s the same formula over and over again but if you aren’t familiar with the method it’s good to see it done with multiple families.

Did the Netflix show spark you to start cleaning?

Ever Wanted To Give A TEDx Talk?

There isn’t an expert, an author, or entrepreneur I know who wouldn’t love to give a TEDx talk. Or to do more speaking in general.

The problem isn’t opportunity (events alone are more popular than ever–and there are tons of TEDx events happening all over the world, year round).

The problem certainly isn’t passion or desire. You’ve got that in spades.

The problem, for most people, is they aren’t sure what it takes to create or land a TED-worthy talk. And they aren’t sure what to do theirs on.

But I know someone who does know—and she’s going to be sharing it in her first-ever live event.

Terri Trespicio is a brand advisor, award-winning writer and top-rated speaker with two TEDx talks under her belt—one of which has 3.6 million views to date. I met Terri when she worked as a magazine editor and since then we’ve become good friends and business partners! We created Lights Camera Expert together, which helps experts get media attention. Read more

Is Being on TV on Your Bucket List?

No matter who you are or where you’re from, if you’re reading this blog, I can almost guarantee that you’re an expert in something?

Don’t believe me?

Well let me explain. An expert is defined as someone who is “very knowledgeable about or skilful in a particular area”. Too many people think that being an expert means you have to be the best or the most knowledgeable on the earth.

But that’s not true! There’s plenty of space for multiple experts to exist in any given field.

And you could be an expert at a bunch of topics that don’t even have to do with “what you do” for a living.

Take me for instance, I’m a TV producer by day but I’m also a list-making expert. It’s a skill I use as a producer but I’ve perfected my method and teach it to others – like those currently enrolled in my Listful Thinking Masterclass.

What are you an expert in?

Maybe it’s how to pick out the perfect outfit or  brunch spot or raising picky eaters or maybe it’s marine biology or something else.

You have something to say about what you know.  People deserve to hear it. So now what?

My other expertise aside from list making is having a keen eye for talent and who would make a great media feature or guest. I deal with experts all in day in my job as a news producer. I work specifically on health news so I’m always looking for doctors and health professionals to interview. Because of this I have a finely tuned sense for what makes a person ‘media’ ready.

The question I’m asked most often is “How do I get on TV?”

So I created a FREE 3-part video course called “How to Be a Media Magnet” with my friend and colleague Terri Trespicio.  Terri is a former magazine editor for Martha Stewart and brand strategist with a TEDx talk that’s gotten almost 2 million views.

In our FREE 3-part video series, “How to Be a Media Magnet,” you’ll learn:

  • What the media wants and what pitches will grab their attention
  • What mistakes to avoid when approaching the media
  • Overcoming the fear of not being “good enough”
  • How to get spots on TV, radio, and magazines

Don’t wait, because the free course is available for a limited time.

What should you be doing right now?

As you know I am a huge procrastinator. When I have a big deadline looming, that’s normally the exact time I decide cleaning my apartment is super important! Or I’ll spend hours researching a topic to write a post about, instead of just writing it!

The bigger and more demanding a task is, the bigger our reasons for not doing it become. For example, if you want to write a book tidying up your apartment is probably only going to buy you a day or so and then you’re going to have to write that book! Read more

The Secret to Getting on TV

“How do I get on TV?” It’s probably the question I’ve been asked most often in my career.

If you’re new to this blog — shoutout to all my new followers in China, Japan and the Netherlands now that my book has been published there — I’m thrilled to welcome you.  The new readers may not realize that not only am I an author and productivity expert but I’m also a television news producer. That’s my “day job,” and I’ve been doing it for more than 15 years.

I put my producer hat on at the BlogHer16 conference in Los Angeles as a featured speaker this past week.  I was alongside my close friend and colleague Terri Trespicio.  We talked to bloggers in all categories: health, wellness, politics, food, money, etc., about how to take their message and pitch it to the media. We talked about how to become a go-to expert and what really stands out in the eyes of producers and editors.

That’s how Terri and I met after all. I booked her for a TV segment when she was a senior editor for Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Magazine. And years later when I started this blog – I pitched her a related idea it in the magazine. Fun, right?

Since Terri — as a former magazine editor, radio host and now a branding strategist and media coach — gets the same question about being on TV as I do — we’ve decided to team up.

We’re going to release a 4-week online course this September about how to get and keep media attention.

It’s called Lights Camera Expert! It’s designed for entrepreneurs, authors and experts of all kinds. We will be teaching you how to crack the media code, craft the perfect pitch and crush it on air — click here to join our list to be the first to hear all about it.

As a thank you we’ll send you our free ebook called, “5 Things You Should Never Say to a Producer.” We had a lot of fun putting it together.

We are so thrilled to teach something so near and dear to our hearts and help bloggers, authors, entrepreneurs and business owners boost their brand in the media.

I’d love to keep you posted on my newest endeavor Lights Camera Expert — check it out here and please tell anyone you think might be interested as well.  Appreciate your support!