I Spent My Weekend With Oprah!

Me and MomAs soon as tickets for “Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend” went on sale – I snagged two tickets for my mother and me. I knew we had to be in the audience and I’m still beaming from our experience. The tour visits eight cities including Newark, NJ, which is where we were this past weekend. We were given workbooks, which you know I love! And special bracelets that lit up with inspiration. The tour included Oprah and her handpicked trailblazers: Mark Nepo, (who btw also published a book with my publisher, Viva Editions!) Rob Bell, Elizabeth Gilbert (remember Eat, Pray, Love?) and Iyanla Vanzant. Stedman and Gayle were there too of course. Read more

Need More Friend Time? Unique Ways to Catch up

photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When you were younger spending time with your friends was as easy as going to their house after school. But now coordinating schedules with our friends becomes more of a challenge. Making time for them is important not just because they make you happy, but friends can also provide positive encouragement and hold you accountable to reach your goals.

Here’s a unique list of ways you can spend more quality time with your friends:

Start a wine club – A wine club is basically an excuse to get drunk with friends, but with better PR. An invite to a “Wine Club” sounds far more sophisticated and professional than just inviting someone over for drinks. Other than the wine, organizing a monthly club has many additional benefits. Setting aside a particular date every month gives friends a chance to block that day out on their calendars in advance.

Plus, even if people have to skip a few months here and there, you’ll probably still see them more regularly than if you tried to arrange separate events. I got this idea from my new favorite podcast, Glambition Radio with Ali Brown. She spoke to the CEO of a group called Women of the Vine, which highlights women wine makers. They have a wine club with More Magazine called More Uncorked. All the wine is made by women. Love that! Read more

5 Ways to Boost Your Confidence Instantly

confidenceEven the best ideas can sometimes fall apart when they are presented with doubt and anxiety. In fact, a confident presentation style can sometimes be just as important as the ideas being presented. While believing in yourself and in your plans is easier said then done, luckily there are ways to trick yourself into feeling more confident.

1. How You Stand – At a recent TED talk, Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist, suggested that standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain.  it might even have an impact on our chances for success. Stand in a power pose, with your hands on your hips to feel more in command of a situation. Read more

Things to Bring, S#!t to Do!

Your List as Your Memoir

BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

I recently spoke with Karen Rizzo, author of “Things to Bring, S#!t to Do.” As far as we’re aware we are not related, but since Karen’s first book is a memoir told entirely in lists, we might well be! List making might be in our blood because like me, Karen inherited her list-making tendencies from her father.

Our Lists Reveal Our Personalities 

Our lists are usually very personal.  The lists I write probably say a lot about who I am.  Karen explained to me that this was the idea behind her book. She had been asked to write some words of wisdom for a new mother, and as she sat with the blank paper in front of her, all she could think of were things she needed to do. This spark of inspiration became the central theme of her book. Read more

What’s a ‘Listicle’ Anyway?

ListiclesThe word listicle, a combination of the words list and article, has officially made it onto OxfordDictionaries.com. It is defined as ‘An article on the Internet presented in the form of a numbered or bullet-pointed list.’ While it may have only recently come into common use, I’ve been writing listicles on this blog for years now. So to celebrate the new dictionary entry I’m making a listicle of my favorite listicles from ListProducer.com!

1. 10 Gluten Free Grains For Everyone – I spoke with Leslie Cerier from ‘The Organic Gourmet’  and she gave me list of grains everyone should try. This is one of my most popular lists, especially as more and more people are going gluten free. Read more