Real Life Solutions

Have you been searching for a mastermind group that has a great support network of other like-minded solopreneurs, resources for your business learning, helpful and supportive admins who aren’t out solely for their gain, with a website that’s easy to use and navigate? If yes, I want to invite you to come join my mastermind group, Solo Masterminds.

There are so many ways to learn at Solo Masterminds!  The learning resources there are fantastic and often come in written video and/or audio format which is great.  I also learn from the camaraderie among all of the great members there. Its is a wonderful place to be to get resources, help and coaching from people you can trust!

The Solo Masterminds Learning Center is chock full of resources and materials you can use to help your business grow and succeed.   Here are just some of the titles…

Everything About eBooks

Think ebooks are dead? Think again! Nowadays with Kindle, iPads, smart phones and other tablet-style devices, ebooks are a smart way to promote and market your business. Everything About eBooks covers everything from reasons to create an ebook, where to get content from, brainstorming topics, creating the outline, proper formatting, eCovers, opening page and what information it needs to contain, branding opportunities, your bio page, closing call to action, resource list of recommendations, etc.

Creating Better Videos for your Blog with Jendi Pagano

Solo Mastermind’s member, Jendi Pagano, shows us how NOT to vlog (video blog) in a very humorous fashion and then gives some great tips to make your vlogs look and sound professional.

Start Your First Mailing List Webinar & List Building Tips

Kelly McCausey, owner and founder of Solo Masterminds, hosts a webinar which teaches you how to start your first mailing list. She covers everything from why using an email management program is important to what the definition of spam is to who to add to your list and how to get people to subscribe to your list.

Affiliate Marketing

The Affiliate Marketing section includes recordings from Mom’s Affiliate Expo, Using PLR for Niche Affiliate Marketing, ebooks from a wildly successful affiliate marketer, Super Affiliate Strategies, and tons more!

Blogging and Content Management

This section of The Learning Center covers everything you need for your blog as well as some very useful content management resources.

These are just a few of the resources and materials you can have complete access to as part of your membership to Solo Masterminds. As you can see, The Learning Center alone is well worth the cost of membership, not to mention all the other advantages membership to Solo Mastermind’s has to offer.

Click here To Join Solo Masterminds 

PS:  Solo Masterminds understands how difficult it is to make a long-term commitment. If you’re undecided, you can test-drive Solo Masterminds for seven days, for free. During that time, you’ll have full access to the learning center and exclusive online forum. It’s the best way to find out if Solo Masterminds is right for you.

The most effective way to accomplish things you want to do in life is to set goals. Here are some tips to help you achieve what matters most.

1) Write Down Your Goals – Research has shown that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them than those who simply think or talk about them.

2) Choose a Worthy Opponent - Not all goals are worth pursuing. Make a list of all the items you have thought about doing. Take several days to make sure you get as many items on your list as you can think of. Then take a cold, hard look at the list. How many of the items will actually enhance your life? Oh sure, you make want to collect every Harry Potter toy ever made, but will it really make your life better? Are there any goals that are not consistent with your values? Begin by eliminating those from your list.

3) Be Honest About Your Feelings - Acknowledge that some goals will be difficult to accomplish. You will find yourself procrastinating over some items on your list. You will have to work at motivating yourself. Know that this is okay. Don’t beat yourself up for not wanting to clean the garage. Instead, devise strategies that will encourage you to succeed in spite of how you feel.

4) Divide and Conquer – Divide your goal list into three parts: 1) Want to Do 2) Have to Do and 3) Should Do. Make sure you have more Want to Do’s than Have to Do’s and Should Do’s. If you don’t have enough Want to Do’s, think small. Are there any Want to Do’s that don’t take much time? How about playing a new game, calling a friend, reading a magazine article or eating a new kind of food? Add these little goals to your list too.

5) Organize Your List -  Now that your goal list is in categories, it’s time to decide on the order of attack. Begin by writing down a Have to Do. After that, write down a Want to Do. Your next item should be a Should Do. Now it’s time for another Want to Do. Keep writing items down in the order you will do them but make sure you follow this pattern: 1.Have to Do 2. Want to Do 3. Should Do 4.Want to Do. Keep repeating the pattern until you have placed all your goals somewhere on the list.

6) Give Yourself Deadlines -  It is far too easy to put off items that can be done any time you feel like it. Put some helpful pressure on yourself by setting a ‘needs to be completed by’ date. Enlist outside pressure if necessary. Nothing motivates organizing a guest room quite like scheduling houseguests. Garages often get cleaned out faster when a yard sale is looming.

7) Report to Your Friends -  Ask your friends to check on how you are doing with your goals. Set up a system to make it easy for you to report your progress. Social media works well for this.

Celebrate Your Success – Each time you complete a goal on your list, make a big deal over it. Treat yourself to a movie, an ice cream cone, a visit with a friend or whatever matters to you. You accomplished a goal! Take time to congratulate yourself and relish your

If you are ready to achieve your goals, why not  schedule a free 20 minute coaching consultation with certified Personal Life Coach Aurelia Williams and start forming your plan of action today!

Sometimes we have projects or tasks ahead of us that we perceive to be overwhelming. Maybe we know it’s going to take a zillion hours to complete, and we fear once we do that, nothing else is going to get accomplished. Perhaps we don’t know where to even begin? Maybe it’s something that we really don’t like doing, but we know it has to get done regardless.

These are the types of projects people end up procrastinating on, and often get stressed that these projects are constantly hanging over their heads.

Anytime I have a project or task ahead of me, no matter how big or vague it is, I start by breaking it down into tiny baby steps.

For instance, if I had to organize a garage, I would begin by visualizing what I’d like the garage to look like. Then, I’d write down some of my ideas. Then, I’d get a set of index cards and start coming up with ‘zones’ (garden zone, sporting equipment zone, car care zone, kids toy zone, etc.

Then I would stick each card to where I would like those zones to be–even if I decide to change those zones later, that’s OK. It’s just a preliminary plan. Then, I’d be sure to have some trash bags or boxes on hand.

Then I’d start clearing out one corner–the sporting goods corner for example. Once that’s done, I would move all sporting goods to that corner. I’d do this for all other zones, and then begin thinking about proper storage for these areas.

You get the point. Each sentence I mentioned above is one tiny step of the process. You could go about your organizing efforts, one sentence at a time each day.

Break your big projects down to the lowest point and then just focus on that one tiny point each day. Once that task is done, you can move onto another, or take a break and do more the next day.

Using this system, before you know it, all of your projects will begin getting started…and completed.

It’s not fun when you’re not feeling well, and staying organized when you’re under the weather can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you be productive, while also taking care of yourself.

1) Sandwich rest time and task time.

It’s very important to get a good night’s sleep AND some naps throughout the day when you’re feeling blah.

If you’re dealing with a nasty cold or another issue that’s not too severe, you can use the ‘sleep a little/ work a little’ philosophy.’

No, you won’t be able to complete everything on your To Do list, but you will get some stuff done. Easy tasks like reading and responding to email, writing out some bill payments, catching on on your reading, or writing thank you notes are all easy tasks that don’t require a whole lot of energy or effort.

If you’re really sick, like with the flu, skip your To Do list altogether and sleep as much as possible. Don’t worry, your To Do list will still be there tomorrow.

 2) Delegate when you can.

It’s important to realize that when you’re not feeling well, delegation is key.

Perhaps your co-workers can help you out with some of your tasks or projects?

Perhaps your family can take on some extra cleaning chores? It’s not too difficult to toss clothes in the washer, or fold clothes out of the dryer.

Just because you always cook at home, doesn’t mean your significant other (or older children) can’t help out with this task.

Easy meal choices like salads, sandwiches, or an easy casserole recipe that you know of in your recipe box can be whipped up by others who live in your house.

If the thought of your spouse and kids in the kitchen freaks you out, they can always get pizza delivery.

Live alone? Get a local restaurant to deliver something to you, or ask a friend to pick up some prepared soup or other meal at the supermarket. Reciprocate when your friend is not feeling well.

3) The Little Things Matter.

Sometimes, the little things can make you feel much better in a jiffy.

I don’t know about you, but if I’m sitting in a dark, drab room, it’s going to take me a whole lot longer to recover. Open your window shades and let the sunshine in. If it’s not freezing outside, crack open the windows and let in some fresh air.

Keep some cinnamon apple cider packets in your house at all times. When you’re not feeling well, this may be the perfect anecdote to boosting your spirits.

Wear something that makes you feel cozy, but not sloppy. Ladies, put on some cosmetics, specifically lipstick! If you look sick, it’s difficult not to feel sick.

Avoid unhealthy foods. Instead, eat foods that are filled with vitamins–fruit, salad, vegetable soup…and drink lots of water.

Watch a comedy on TV or read a funny book. Very often, laughter is the best medicine.

Just doing some of these simple acts can entice you to get through some items on your To Do list.

Stop by Get Organized Now – and check out the amazing collection of 2,175 ideas, tips and techniques for organizing your home, getting rid of clutter, organizing your time, your schedule, your money, your paper, your family and much more!

Pappas has been taking temperatures for nearly 30 years and, as a school nurse, takes as many as 50 per day. But whether it’s one temperature or 100, she maintains that the most important consideration is that it be accurate. While there are many types of thermometers available, Pappas favors the Exergen TemporalScanner because of its proven accuracy and ease-of-use; all it requires is a simple swipe across the forehead.

“Whether it’s a student at my school or a parent at home, I know taking a temperature can be a challenge, especially with young children who may be uncomfortable and fussy,” says Pappas. “What I love about the TemporalScanner is that it’s not invasive like an ear, rectal or oral thermometer. No matter what a student comes to see me for, I’m able to get an accurate reading. It’s so easy to use that you can take someone’s temperature even when they are sleeping and not disturb them.”

To help you prepare and cope throughout the cold and flu season Pappas recommends the following school nurse-approved tips to prevent cold and flu:

1. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water to help prevent the spread of germs, or use hand sanitizer. Many public buildings provide hand sanitizer, so when you see it, use it.

2. Avoid sharing drinks or food with others unless you want to share their germs.

3. Frequently clean commonly touched areas like doorknobs and light switches.

4. Always cover your mouth with your elbow or sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

5. Throw away tissues immediately after use.

6. If you have a fever, monitor your temperature regularly and check with your doctor about taking a fever reducer and an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen.

7. Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

8. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air and help drain congestion.

9. Stay home from work or school if you are sick to avoid spreading germs and make sure your fever is gone for at least 24 hours before you return.

10. Consider speaking with your doctor about getting a flu shot. They are conveniently available in many physicians’ offices, pharmacies and public health centers.

Remember that while a cold is rarely serious, the flu can lead to additional complications, particularly in young children and the elderly. For more information on how to prepare for the cold and flu season, visit www.exergen.com/coldfluseason.

People on the run often choose a cold breakfast or no breakfast at all because it’s the quickest. In the colder months, however, a cold breakfast simply won’t do. Why not try one or more of these nourishing winter breafast ideas  to help you prepare for your day.

Winter breafast idea #1 – A big bowl of hearty oatmeal is a great choice for a cold winter morning. Oatmeal doesn’t have to take a long time to prepare. Get it started before you get dressed and it should be ready to eat when you’re done. Soak dried fruit such as raisins, cherries or cranberries before stirring them into the bowl to add depth of flavor. Cinnamon or nutmeg would also be good as additions.

Winter breafast idea #2 - Whole wheat bread is better for you than bread made with refined flour. Use whole wheat bread to make French toast or whole wheat flour to make pancakes. Instead of syrup to top your French toast or pancakes, warm up apple sauce and spread it over them.

Winter breafast idea #3 – Barley is a grain often used in vegetable soup but it can also be used to make a warm, nourishing breakfast. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil and then add 3/4 cup pearl barley and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Turn the heat down and cover, allowing the barley to cook for 45 minutes. While the barley is cooking, mix together 1/4 cup honey and 1 cup chopped walnuts. Spread the walnut onto a baking sheet and bake them in an oven set at 350F for 10 minutes. When the barley is cooked, add 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup currants. Spoon the walnuts over four bowls of cooked barley.

Winter breafast idea #4 – You can’t find a heartier breakfast than an omelet when it has beans, seeds or nuts added to it. Sauté some onions, then add some precooked black beans and chopped almonds. Beat enough eggs for the number of omelets you’re making and pour that into the onion and bean mixture. Sprinkle fresh herbs and cheese over the top and allow it to finish cooking.

Winter breafast idea #5 – Don’t be afraid to try foods that aren’t traditionally thought of as breakfast foods. A thick, warm rice pudding with fruit can be just the thing you need to fill you up and keep you toasty on the inside. You can also use leftover rice from the night before to make rice with cinnamon and raisins. Heat up the rice in a saucepan and add enough milk to moisten it. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and raisins. Cook this over low heat until its warm and then enjoy it.

Winter breafast idea #6 – Prepare hot chocolate, tea or coffee to finish off your nourishing winter warming breakfast. If you start your winter days with hot food, you’ll provide your body with much needed warmth and give you energy you need for your day.

Using one or many of the great winter breakfast ideas above will be a great way to warm up your mornings and get you off to a great day.

Every woman wants to be considered to be beautiful.  And since so much of this perception is based on their outward appearance, having a clear skin is a priority. While you could spend money on chemical peels, plastic surgery or various skincare products, there are some some key foods for better complexion that you can eat.  You can literally begin eating your way to a better complexion as a way to improve your skin.

It is amazing that diet can play such an important part in not only your physical health but also in how you look. If you have a tendency to eat the typical Standard American Diet (SAD) full of processed foods, too many sweets and too many fats, it will show up in the way your complexion looks. Changing your diet to include fresh and raw foods with specific vitamins and minerals can greatly improve the condition of your skin.

Here are some foods for better complexion that you can eat that are nutrient-dense:

* Red and purple fruits and vegetables contain anthocyanins which are important antioxidants. They are found in fruits such as cherries, blueberries and blood oranges. You can also find them in red cabbage. Anthocyanins are necessary to maintain healthy blood flow to the skin and protect it against ultraviolet (UV) damage.

* Whole grain foods help balance insulin and blood sugar. These foods include whole wheat and brown rice and are important because clinical studies have indicated too much sugar in your system can increase acne. Having excess sugar in your system can also cause collagen not to form properly. Why is collagen important? It works along with keratin to increase the skin’s strength, flexibility and resilience which means it keeps your skin youthful and healthy.

* Tomatoes are another foods for better complexion that you’ll want to add to your diet. Eating them fresh is best because there are more nutrients, but you can get some benefit eating them cooked. The nutrient that’s important in tomatoes is lycopene. This is another antioxidant and having enough of this in your system will help reduce the hormones which lead to acne. They have also been found to lead to smoother skin in some studies.

* Green tea has many healthful benefits. One of them is that it can lower the production of the hormone DHT which causes acne.

* Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish is believed to reduce the chemicals which produce sebum or oily skin and it is one of the top foods for better complexion.

* Vitamin C-rich fruits such as lemon and kiwi – both higher in vitamin C than oranges – are believed to help reduce wrinkles. These fruits also help detoxify the system which can lead to a clearer complexion.

* Water may not seem like it’s important to healthy skin but it is. In fact, if you’re not staying hydrated your skin can look dull and listless.

If you’re hoping to improve your skin, try eating your way to a better complexion. A high-fiber diet is important for adults with acne. You’ll also want to include lean meat, whole grains, seafood and fish.   Try any or all of theses foods for better complexion.  All of these can help improve acne. You may also notice an improvement in your complexion if you avoid high-sugar foods and beverages.

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With all the T.V. shows, computer programs, and video games available now, it’s hard to get kids up and moving anymore. That’s one big reason why childhood obesity is becoming more and more prevalent. Getting your child in shape doesn’t have to be a fight; you just have to find activities they enjoy that are good for them as well. Here are some great workouts that will entertain your kids at the same time.

Below are some fun cardio exercises for kids:

Tennis. If your child isn’t into traditional team sport, then tennis is a great alternative. It gives a great cardio workout while also working various muscle groups and improving hand-eye and overall coordination. Plus, even though your child isn’t necessarily working on a team, tennis is a great way to meet and socialize with other kids.

Hacky sack. This is a simple cheap way to get your kids up and moving. It also teaches coordination, balance, and helps your kids socialize and work together in a group to accomplish something. Plus, unlike most group sports, there are no teams so children are trying to beat their old records instead of trying to win.

Dance. Sure, you can enroll your child in dance classes, or you could just turn on the radio a couple times a week and make up silly dances to go along with the songs. This not only encourages movement, balance, and coordination, it also work out kid’s brains by getting them to be imaginative.

Video games. These have gotten a bad rap in the past few years, physical video games have come a long way since the original Nintendo. Now there are tons of products available that get your child to stand up and move. One popular game series is Dance Dance Revolution. There are also games on the new Nintendo Wii system that encourage physical movement. These are a fun entertaining way for your kids to get a workout while they play video games. And trust me; these are just as addictive as other video games.

Soccer. There’s a reason there are so many soccer mom’s around; because these moms know that soccer is a great way for children to get their heart rate up, improve their footwork skills, learn teamwork, and have fun at the same time. Plus, if you’re worried about the problem of intense competition, there are many areas with leagues that don’t keep score. This has been and still is a great way for your kids to stay in shape.

Swimming. Doing laps is a great way to get an aerobic workout without causing a lot of wear and tear on your child’s growing bones and joints. It’s fantastic and increasing endurance and stamina. Plus, a pool is a great place for them to hang out, play, and meet new kids in the neighborhood during the summer.

Jumping rope. This is a great workout whether it’s done the traditional way, or the newer more faced paced version. This can help your child meet new people, and some areas even have it as a competitive sport.

So why not include some of these fun cardio exercises for kids into your home? You could even get a workout yourself by joining them or just helping them practice regularly.