I want to share with you this wonderful new book called “Who’s Got Your Back” by Keith Ferrazzi.  I’m excited to share this with the many solo entrepreneurs that subscribe to my newsletter because I think it will benefit you the most.  We spend so much time working our businesses alone that the idea of having other people’s input is often scary and not something we embrace.

This book dispels that “going it alone mentality” for the powerful idea of creating your own personal board, built with trusted relationships of  peers who have your best interest – your back. The idea of having three people for example, that you can count on all the time for honest feedback, advice and accountability is an idea that can move you personally and professionally ahead to meet and exceed your goals in lightening fast ways you hadn’t imagined.

First you have to be open to the idea of who’s got your back and how lifeline relationships can change your life

2nd-Learn the art of building your dream team of lifeline relationships, create your personal success map and commit   to improvement
3rd-develop the strategies and structures that help you stay on course

“Who’s Got Your Back“  is all about creating your Circle of Strength, I encourage you to pick up this great book at your local store or connect here to Amazon;

Since the death of Senator Ted Kennedy, I thought about his life and legacy and regardless of what any of us thought of his politics, I think we all should admire his total dedication to family.  As I talk about so often, we gain strength and courage from the people we keep in our circle.  Ted Kennedy stepped in as a father figure to the children of Robert and John Kennedy, he kept them connected to the entire Kennedy clan teaching them family was everything.  If you watched any of the funeral service on TV, you saw the family gathered in respect and solidarity for the family patriarch they revered so much.

Each of us has a circle of strength which can be our personal family, our work family, our friendships.  Remember to reach out to your family for strength, encouragement and guidance.

After spending this past week on vacation with my 18 year old stepdaughter I’ve come to wonder if this generation of young people will be able to hold a conversational exchange (verbally that is)  in their future lives.  My daughter is a pretty, fun and a social kind of gal, just finished her freshman year of college and aspires to become a grade school teacher.

I observed all week that all while I was talking, she was texting,  added a few comments, grunts and nods to let me know she was listening but I never got the warm fuzzy feeling she was present in many of my  conversations.  This went on all week in all of our social situations with the exception of my telling her to “leave the phone home” while we went to dinner with friends who invited us to their home.  When I said that you’d thought I just said “leave your right arm at home!”

Now my  daughter isn’t alone in the world of texting and ignoring,  because I obeserved the same behavior in my niece and nephews the same age group. So it got me wondering this week…

Am I a prude and not “hip” to technology and respectful of their generations preferred communication style?

Should I not expect these teenagers to be fully present when in the company of others who are not their peers?

I ask myself am I judging to harshly and should I let go of the notion that the most intimate  communication is verbal and that perhaps nonverbal communication is just as effective?

Should I not expect a teenager to participate in dialougue which requires them asking questions and waiting for an exchange to begin (conversation) ?

I happen to believe that relationships both personally and professionally are built on verbal communication, getting to know one another, paying attention to body language and making eye contact – has this become passe’ or will the coming generation do business and create their personal relationships differently?

Abundance is a concept often debated in spiritual and
entrepreneurial circles.

Entrepreneurs commonly use the catch-phrase “thinking
BIG,” but they really mean the same thing.

Abundance is tough to define because it’s one of those
unique ideas that must be experienced to really be
understood … it can’t just be explained.

Yet the most encouraging part of adopting an abundance
mindset is how it can connect you to people with totally
different set of beliefs and values.

This week I listened to some amazing people talk about abundance, Jack Canfield who spoke about the importance of visioning yourself in the way you want your life to be, he spoke of rituals of visioning such as writing your goals on 3 x 5 cards you carry with you and look at during the day, he talked of building a dream board placing pictures (envisioning tool) of where you see yourself and then feel what ii is to be in that place and he spoke to being grateful for where you are and what you have now in your life.

I listened to Richard Branson, owner or Virgin Atlantic Airlines. Wow, what an interesting guy. He never gave up on his dream of building a better airline even when people told him he was just a old rocker!

One of my favorite set of speakers were David Morelli & Marci Shimoff, they spoke about how you stop focusing on fear insread focus on the path you want to go and “feel” what that is like.  Here are a few tips they offered to raise your abundance thinking;

1. Be Open to receive abundance, breathe deeply and you will become more open physiclaly

2. Create space for new by cleaning out old energy, Marci suggested a simple task of getting rid of 27 items a day for 9 days, things that no longer serve you which tells the universe you are open to receive

3.  Step back out of fear to have the possibility of something else. You can do this by daily meditation and visualizing your negativity and old beliefs leaving your body and being grounded back into the earth or out into the universe

4.  Practice gratitude, every day find things you are grateful for and the many blessings you currently have in your life

5.  Giving – will raise your happiness level, volunteer or give to someone else in need

Where do you get stuck?  Most be people get stuck in “I’ll be happy when……”  instead learn to be happy now, this moment.

I’m learning to change my abundant thinking and I hope you will too.

BY THE WAY, YOU CAN STILL LISTEN TO THE REMAINING SPEAKERS THROUGH JULY 30TH   FOR JUST $1.00, CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW

If you’ve been reading my posts, I have become a huge advocate for KIVA.org because as an entrepreneur myself I have been challenged with financial capital for my business growth.  I truly believe that if you empower a person with the ability to make money then they will become self sufficient and care for their families which ultimately is what we all want.

Kiva has up been micro lending in poverty stricken countries since the organization began. In May they decided to offer the mico lending model in the United States with some opposition, which brings me to the question – Do you believe there is poverty in the US? Well, how does one define poverty is probably coming to your mind.

During the difficult economic crisis of the past year or so, I see many people suffering and having to do without things they never imagined.  Can we compare it to a peasant farmer in South Africa who is trying to buy seeds to plant a field?  I think not, but I also don’t believe that negates the fact that a small business owner in the US is stuggling to keep their business open.

I think this country should put more emphasis on the entrepreneur, the small business owner who took a risk on their dream of business ownership.  We forget the small business owner employs people, they pay taxes and money flows into the economy for their efforts.  So the point I am trying to make is that I am of the belief that we should also find it in our hearts to support American business owners who might need a break right now – those that our banks have shunned – those who work hard to make America great.  So here’s let’s keep an open mind to the mico lending business model, let’s rebuild America one small business at a time!

I have been an ardent supporter of women and believe if we strengthen women we will strengthen our communities.

If you want to join my Kiva Team – Circle of Strength, CLICK HERE for more details.

This past weekend I attended the National Conference on Widowhood in San Diego, CA.  You may be thinking, why would anyone want to gather with a bunch of people who are probably wearing black, morbid and crying all the time.

Well, as a widow myself,  let me demystify the myth of widows/widowers  -  the attendees were primarily women (there was one brave man) ranged from the ages of 25 to about 75, came from 28 states and 6 countries.  There were no black veils or gloves and yes a few tears were shed but the bond of a group that all experienced the same loss of a spouse was incredibly empowering.

The conference sponsored by The Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation provided educational seminars and social gatherings all with the intent to empower, strengthen and provide hope for the future.

This event truly exemplified the mission of Circle of Strength - to  inspire, empower and have more fun.  The buzz around the conversations were about life… about life cut short and a life well lived and about what is yet to come.

The grieving journey is hard, it is painful and it takes time.  But most people on this journey seem equipped to make their life work in meaningful ways.  I have found more optimism among widowed people than most others, because if they lose their worldly possessions it doesn’t compare to the loss of their spouse.

The lesson learned in general was that a group of like-minded or life-experienced people can be powerful, empowering and provide great strength.  Look for a group of like-minded people in your area, check places like Meet-up.com, or a business associations or a business network group in your area.  Check out community education in your area, they offer short classes in many topics from cooking to learning computer skills.  The point is, there are many ways to connect and be empowered by people, no need to feel alone – so broaden your connections and get out and be inspired!

Do you remember how old you were when you became aware that the 4th of July celebration was more than the BBQ with the family and shooting off some fireworks that your Dad picked up at a roadside stand?  I honestly don’t remember how old I was either, but when you’re a kid the idea that our country is having a birthday doesn’t mean much unless you have cake, ice cream and a party with presents.

This got me to thinking, how can I celebrate our countries birthday in a more meaningful way?  So I decided that I would spend more time praying for our leaders that they are guided by our founding fathers who drafted the Constitution designed to “form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings to ourselves…”

and if my prayers aren’t answered within my state then I will contact my local representative or my Governor and if my prayers on a federal level aren’t answered then I will contact my member of Congress or Senator and if they still aren’t answered then I will contact my President.  And if that fails I will go back run my own life, make my own decisions, accept my responsibilities and be happy to live in a democracy where I am allowed to do whatever I darn well please. And if you are a complainer, whiner or general pain in the ass about living in this country and have not contacted any of the afore mentioned elected’s than you are welcome to exercise your freedom to leave anytime.

Happy 233rd Birthday America!  May you have many more!

In following with my goal of sharing inspiration, I thought the following was worth sharing and for you to take a minute to read, kind of puts the day back into a perspective of gratitude for where we are right  now and knowing it is perfect!

Breathe, life is good

Memorial Day is that day we set aside to honor those who have served in our military and died.  Regardless of our political opinions on war and the military, today let us all honor those who had the courage to serve this country with honor.  I thank you.

MY DAD

On this memorial weekend many people honor and pay respects to loved ones who have died.  I accompanied my Dad to visit the graves of my Mom, my grand parents, aunts and uncles.  We reminisced   about fond memories, shared a laugh or two as well as a private reflection.  I smiled as my Dad brushed off the dirt from the headstone where my Mom was laid to rest, pulled a couple of weeds and replaced old flowers with new.  He spoke a few words out loud to her and I was sure she was listening.

As we drove out of the cemetery I was deeply moved by the hundreds of flags I saw waving in the wind honoring those who died in service of our country, and all the beauty of the new flowers brightly adorning a site where someone was remembered.

ME REMEMBERING MOM

Whatever rituals we choose to honor our loved ones who have died, it’s a time to give pause and thanks for those people who have shared your life.

Hi!

I just made a loan to someone in Pakistan using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business – like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent – and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back – and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

Hanifan Amanat ali Group

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Hanifan Amanat ali Group in Pakistan. They still need another $275.00 to complete their loan request of $625.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Hanifan Amanat ali Group too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=110334

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty – using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for. And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a
sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world – one loan at a time.

Thanks!

JoAnne Funch

Circle of Strength – “Strengthening Women, Strengthening Communities”

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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

‘Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.’
– BBC

‘If you’ve got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you’ve now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.’
– CNN Money

‘Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.’
– The Wall Street Journal

‘An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity…All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.’
– Entrepreneur Magazine