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10 Life Lessons for Reinventing Yourself

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Annie Galvin Teich is a wise woman, whom I’ve known for over a decade. She’s be a friend, a business colleague, and an advisor. In the past two years, she has changed paths and joined us on the Internet. I’ve asked her to share some of what she’s learned in that extraordinary transition.

10 Life Lessons for Reinventing Yourself
by Annie Galvin Teich

Two years ago I was suddenly faced with an opportunity to change the course of my life and career. I’ve launched two businesses and three websites with varying degrees of success. These are some of the things that I’ve learned:

  • People don’t do business with companies. They do business with people they like. You can and will be surprised by how much support you’ll find in your personal circle – business colleagues, industry acquaintances and, of course, friends and family.
  • It’s all about connections. Your definition of success will morph and change as you meet and learn from others. The opportunities that appear along the way are usually a function of who you know.
  • We are stronger than we think we are. When you have passion, conviction and determination, you can bounce back off the mat. Sometimes all it takes is a hot bath, a cup of tea or a nap and you’re ready to go another round.
  • People are kinder than we think they are. Don’t make assumptions about people. Sometimes they are just waiting to be asked to help. Be nice.
  • You don’t have to imagine your future in detail to create it. Many of us stop ourselves from taking a gamble because we don’t have what we think we need to be successful. It really is okay to move forward without these things as long as you understand that the destination can change.
  • Getting up every day to work hard at moving forward creates its own momentum. It is impossible to work 10-12 hours a day for 6 months or 2 years without getting somewhere. You may end up somewhere you didn’t plan, but that is usually okay.
  • Friends keep you honest. They know you; they love you; they support you; they pick you up when you’re discouraged; and they keep your ego in check.
  • If you think you understand how much work is involved, triple it. Click your heels together three times and repeat after me!
  • Backing up to go forward is often a wise thing. Sometimes you find that you’ve gone off on a tangent that, as compelling as it was, is not taking you in the right direction. Part of this new learning is realizing that you are not always going to make the right decisions. As the GPS navigators say, “recalculate.”
  • Being able to laugh in general and at yourself in particular is good medicine. This new landscape you’re creating is exhilarating and scary. But you have to keep it in cosmic perspective. Laughter is good for you. Don’t take yourself or your learning moments so seriously that you can’t have a good chuckle. Life is too short.

It has been a remarkable journey.

You’ll find Annie at The Teich Group, New Publishing, and Crazy 4 Kids Books.

Thanks, Annie! You still inspire me with what you take from life!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Happiness and Success

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Recently, as part of “switch” among fellow bloggers, I wrote post for LinkedIntelligence, called How My Blog Turbo Powers My LinkedIn Connections. Now Liz Fuller, from Business and Blogging, has graciously offered one on success for us here. I’ll let Liz explain further. . .

b5media is mixing things up this month by creating a “blog scramble”. Bloggers are writing guest posts for fellow b5media bloggers. I was excited that I was matched up with Liz Strauss’ Successful blog. I’m a big fan. And this opportunity gives me a chance to write about a different passion than my usual posts on Business and Blogging.

Happiness and Success
by Liz Fuller

When I’m not blogging or working, I’m pursuing a PhD in organizational psychology. One of my favorite areas of study is positive psychology and the research that has been done by Ed Diener on the linkages between success and happiness.

Now, you may be thinking – big surprise – “people who are successful are happy”.

But wait! The research shows that the order is actually reversed – people who are happy tend to become more successful!!

For the sake of this research, success is defined as having good relationships, good health and earning an above average income!

Researchers are not sure of the reason for the relationship, but it appears that people who are happy tend to draw positive people and experiences to them.

The secret to success then may be to focus first on being happy.

I try to do this by remembering on most days to:

  • take time to be grateful for everything I already have in my life
  • enjoy time with my family and friends
  • give myself a break when it comes to my own faults and foibles
  • listen to music, read for pleasure and watch the sun rise
  • learn something new every day
  • help someone else, even if it is simply taking the time to listen

What about you? What do you do to increase the happiness in your life? Do you think it is possible to consciously make yourself happier? Do you agree that the secret to success in life is to first be happy?

–Liz Fuller writes for Business and Blogging

Thanks, Liz!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

5 Simple Rules for Getting Great Guest Posts for Your Blog

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An Email

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A call came. Actually it was an email, it asked whether I might have time to help a blogger who needed a guest post on his blog. The request was honest and cordial.

I got that email. I had time, and I agreed.

I’m always intrigued by the opportunity to write for a new audience about new ideas. Mashing my ideas with a new venue is fun. It brings back the risk and the thrill of blogging. Guest posting always seems to inspire a blog post I wish I wrote for here — which is a good thing. Please check out the blog post I wrote.

Are you wondering why I wrote that post for him and not for you?

5 Simple Rules for Getting Great Guest Posts for Your Blog

So you might be wondering would the same technique work for you? Well, it might. If you want increase your chances of getting me or another blogger to guest post on your blog, follow these simple rules.

  • Ask with a smile. It’s an honor to be asked. It’s not nice to be ordered. Give a blogger a chance to be generous. People like to be generous.
  • Be yourself. Don’t pretend. Make the request in your own voice as you might invite someone to an event you’re planning. If you’re asking a blogger who doesn’t know you, explain why you’re asking. A honest statement of your thoughts is impressive. Don’t sell the idea or exaggerate your esteem. Bloggers can tell if you actually read their blog or just say you do.
  • Offer some ideas. You know your audience better than anyone who is guesting ever will. You know the best place where your guest might make the best contribution.
  • Allow time. Bloggers are busy people. If you offer enough to time do a good job, any blogger is more likely to say “yes,” to you offer.

    • Be gracious. If for some reason, the blogger can’t say “yes,” be pleased that he or she took the time to consider your request seriously. Your response to a “no,” could the first step in a great relationship. It lets the blogger know that you can see things from his or her point view.

As I write this, I’m about to ask a select group if they will consider a guest post on my blog in the near future. You can bet that those are exactly the things I’m going to do.

Have I left some key points of this list? Feel free to add them.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!