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	<title>Lorin Beller Blake - Blog</title>
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	<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog</link>
	<description>Spirited.  Professional.  For Entrepreneurs who Dare to Soar.</description>
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		<title>A Study in Success: Lisa McComb of Legal XtraNet Inc.</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=649</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=649#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:57:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lorin Beller Blake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Business Boot Camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish eStory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ediscovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legal xtranet inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lisa McComb]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[powerful women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful women entrepreneurs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=649</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		

“I look back on my Big Fish application last December and I&#8217;m not the same person &#8212; nor is my company (yeah)!”
- Lisa McComb, President and Chief Operating Officer of Legal XtraNet Inc. (LXI). 
 
One of the favorite parts of my work is the chance to watch the success of Big Fish Nation members, [...]]]></description>
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<blockquote>
<h3><strong><span style="color: #800000;">“I look back on my Big Fish application last December and I&#8217;m not the same person &#8212; nor is my company (yeah)!”</span></strong></h3>
<p><span style="color: #800000;">- Lisa McComb, President and Chief Operating Officer of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.legalxtranet.com" target="_blank">Legal XtraNet Inc</a></span>. (</span><a href="http://www.legalxtranet.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #800000;">LXI</span></a><span style="color: #800000;">). </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"> </span></p></blockquote>
<p>One of the favorite parts of my work is the chance to watch the success of <a href="http://www.bigfishnation.com" target="_blank">Big Fish Nation</a> members, and to see their stories grow and change through the course of the program.  This week I have the honor of sharing Lisa Mc Comb’s story with you.</p>
<p><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Lisa_McComb.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-665" title="Lisa_McComb" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Lisa_McComb-253x300.jpg" alt="" width="253" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>Lisa is one of our Star Fish members, a new <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/big-fish-nation.cfm" target="_blank">Big Fish program</a></span> this year that has morphed into the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/bootcamp.cfm" target="_blank">Big Fish Boot Camp</a></span> for next year.   She is President and COO of <a href="http://www.legalxtranet.com" target="_blank">Legal XtraNet Inc</a>., a multi-million dollar firm providing a powerful  eDiscovery solution for corporate legal departments including customized discovery software and partnerships with professional litigation support teams.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lxilogo.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-653 aligncenter" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; border: 0px;" title="lxilogo" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lxilogo.jpg" alt="Legal Xtranet Inc." width="220" height="88" /></a></p>
<p>Lisa joined Star Fish because she “<span style="color: #800000;">liked the idea of Big Fish &#8212; working on you and your business. I have an MBA. I have gone through Business Development courses with the leaders in my company.  It was all academia based and I was ready for more.</span>”</p>
<p><strong>So how has the Star Fish program worked for Lisa?</strong> Let’s hear it in her own words:</p>
<blockquote><p><span style="color: #800000;">“I have beaten my head against the wall for several years trying to get my team to do what I want them to do using the methods I learned in graduate school and other courses. Big Fish provides a new perspective for me which was immediately noticed by my employees &#8212; a different energy. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;">I look back on my Big Fish application last December and I&#8217;m not the same person nor is my company (yeah)!  Big Fish provided me with the tools and motivation to set goals and actually reach them along with BOLD actions &#8212; thinking big.”</span></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Bottom Line Impact for LXI?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">We are on target to increase our sales by 50% this year.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">Profits are up 45% from December 2009.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">We have added two new clients to our portfolio.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">We are hiring employees.</span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><span style="color: #800000;"><span style="color: #000000;">Lisa explains,</span> &#8220;This year, I focused specifically on goals that were going to impact both my bottom line and developing my team and me to be better leaders. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;">I wanted to create a more sustainable company that functioned well without me so much of the time.  I also wanted to establish a marketing plan that exponentially grew our company. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;">We have done that, we have created a very clear marketing strategy that works for us.  Our marketing strategy has directly impacted our bottom-line positively and I expect next year we will have another amazing growth year.&#8221;</span></p></blockquote>
<p>So what about the Star Fish program made such a difference for Lisa (and therefore her company)?  She says,</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">Setting measurable goals and learning a process to obtain them</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">Having support from great women</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">Gaining &#8220;quiet&#8221; in my mind.   I’m trying to say “don&#8217;t worry about stuff you can&#8217;t<br />
change” … and it&#8217;s actually working!  I don&#8217;t wake up at 3:00 a.m. and worry<br />
about &#8220;stuff&#8221; now.   Big  fish has helped me change the energy in myself, my employees, business partner/husband, etc.  I think that helped me get &#8220;quiet.&#8221;</span></li>
</ol>
<p>To learn more about Lisa’s company, visit the <a href="http://www.legalxtranet.com" target="_blank">Legal Xtranet Inc. website </a>at <a href="http://www.legalxtranet.com/">http://www.legalxtranet.com</a>, and feel free to <a href="mailto:lmccomb@legalxtranet.com" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">email Lisa</span> (<span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></a>) to connect directly.</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Lisa,<em> thank you </em>for being an inspiring example for women entrepreneurs!</strong></span></p>
<p>******<br />
<strong><span style="color: #000080;">For more inspiration like this:</span></strong><strong><br />
</strong>- <strong>sign up</strong> for our exclusive newsletter by entering your email at the top of this page<br />
- <strong>follow us</strong> on twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/lorinb" target="_blank">@LorinB</a><br />
- <strong>friend us</strong> on Facebook: Lorin Beller Blake and <a href="http://facebook.com/bigfishnation" target="_blank">Big Fish Nation</a>!</p>
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		<title>If you really want to get something accomplished, Read This Post!</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=632</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=632#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:29:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lorin Beller Blake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Order]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bold action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clutter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mary pankiewicz]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women entrepreneurs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=632</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		
I am a big believer in organization giving me an energy boost to accomplish big clean bold work just as Mary Pankiewicz, Owner of Clutter Free &#38; Organized says in her blog!
And on the opposite end, I also believe that a mess sucks up our energy.  Just as unfinished tasks that we set out [...]]]></description>
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<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">I am a big believer in organization giving me an energy boost</span></strong> to accomplish big clean bold work just as <a href="http://www.clutterfree.biz/about.htm" target="_blank">Mary Pankiewicz</a>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.clutterfree.biz" target="_blank">Owner of Clutter Free &amp; Organized</a></span> says in her <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.clutterfree.biz/blog " target="_blank">blog</a></span>!</p>
<p>And on the opposite end<span style="color: #000000;">, <strong>I also believe that a mess sucks up our energy.</strong> </span> Just as unfinished tasks that we set out to do and do not get accomplished and are hanging over our head suck up our energy.</p>
<p>Yet when we accomplish a big bold task, we get jazzed and do more!  So what cycle are you on today?</p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter">
<dl id="attachment_635" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 227px;"><img class="size-full wp-image-635" title="lorins_desk_before" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/lorins_desk_before.jpg" alt="" width="217" height="288" /></p>
<p>My desk this morning</p>
</dl>
</div>
<p style="text-align: left;">I just invested in a new MAC Book Pro, 15inch!  I am a PC user and switching over, and spent a chunk of time since getting my MAC on organizing my ‘<span style="color: #800000;">Big Mother To Do list!</span>’ (no trademark needed! <img src='http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  ) I feel so empowered.  The stuff is getting done, and checked off and prioritized better than ever!  I feel in charge, details are being held better.</p>
<p>I always have a process that is <strong>what are my top 3 things I am tackling today</strong> list…. And that list is pulled from the<span style="color: #800000;"> ‘Big Mother To Do list’</span> that is always running.</p>
<blockquote><p>Just this past week a Big Fish (someone that is a part of our various programs for Women Business Owners <a href="http://www.bigfishnation.come/">www.bigfishnation.com</a>) said to me, <em>‘just once I would like to feel like the list is complete.’</em> My response to her was, <em>‘that is on your deathbed!  My hope is we all feel that sense of completion then and at the end of every day.  Because at the end of every day, we can only accomplish so much so we have a choice to feel either behind of complete for the day.’</em></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>If you are feeling overwhelmed and as though you are not getting enough accomplished I highly recommend that you do the</strong> <strong><span style="color: #000000;">Big Fish 3 Step!</span></strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li>Identify 3 things tonight that you WILL get accomplished tomorrow.  In other words, before you leave work today, identify the 3 things that you are committing to complete tomorrow.  Be realistic!</li>
<li>At the beginning of the day focus on JUST THOSE 3 things!  Get them complete before you open mail, check your voice mail, facebook, twitter, etc.</li>
<li>REPEAT for today and again tomorrow!</li>
</ol>
<p>You see, when you set out to do something that does not get accomplished you feel deflated, defeated and lower your confidence.  So it is time to change that cycle.  <strong><span style="color: #008000;">GO BOLD AND BE BOLD!</span></strong></p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter">
<dl id="attachment_636" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/lorins_desk_after.jpg"><span style="color: #000000;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-636" title="lorins_desk_after" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/lorins_desk_after-300x226.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="226" /></span></a></p>
<p>My desk after a much needed clean up today, which is more empowering?</p>
</dl>
</div>
<p>Mary P. aren’t you proud?  Mary is a Big Fish in one of the Big Fish programs.  She is a very successful professional organizer taking her business to new heights!  See more about her business at <a href="mhtml:{791CE8A5-E13D-43C7-983E-F0C7E00E6CFC}mid://00000077/!x-usc:http://www.clutterfree.biz/">http://www.clutterfree.biz/</a>.</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">******</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #000080;">For more inspiration like this:</span><br />
</strong><span style="color: #000080;">- </span>sign up for our exclusive newsletter by entering your email at the top of this page<br />
- follow us on twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/lorinb" target="_blank">@LorinB</a><br />
- friend us on Facebook: Lorin Beller Blake and <a href="http://facebook.com/bigfishnation" target="_blank">Big Fish Nation</a>!</p>
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		<title>The Story of a Big Fish:  Dr. Tererai Trent</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=616</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=616#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:52:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lorin Beller Blake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Business Boot Camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish eStory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barbara Bencini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dr. Tererai Trent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gail Benmosche]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lisa McComb]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LuAnn Tarter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oprah]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rachael Bender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starfish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women Enterpreneurs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=616</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		
This year at Big Fish, we launched our Star Fish program. We set out with a vision and the program grew in a way that was not really expected. We had one participant, whose story I would like to share (with her permission).
First, let me tell you how we met… I always DVR Oprah shows. [...]]]></description>
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<p>This year at Big Fish, we launched our Star Fish program. We set out with a vision and the program grew in a way that was not really expected. We had one participant, whose story I would like to share (with her permission).</p>
<p>First, let me tell you how we met… I always DVR Oprah shows. Last year, I got very behind in watching the shows. The DVR machine ran out of space, so I had to watch them in order to keep recording! So in January 2010 this year, I was watching October 2009 shows!!</p>
<p>This one particular show was about women achieving their goals…. The show featured a woman named Tererai Trent who was born and raised in rural Africa where sexism and poverty have kept women and girls in a disadvantaged position. As Tererai explains, “I always wanted to go to school and was denied the opportunity due to poverty which has created gender inequity in most of rural Africa.”</p>
<p>Her story was extraordinary in that she was a young girl from Africa, married off to a man, she had 5 children with him but she also had goals and dreams. She wrote them down on a piece of paper (one of our Big Fish basic tools!). She put that paper in a plastic bag in a can and buried it under a rock. Tererai wanted to get an education in the United Ststates for herself and her kids. Her long, beautiful story very short, she did just that, she not only got just a basic education, last year in December 2009, she received her Doctorate degree and became Dr. Tererai Trent. Give yourself a treat and watch her short Oprah Video: <a href="http://www.oprah.com/world/Tererai-Trent-Returns-to-Zimbabwe-to-Share-Her-Story-Video" target="_blank">http://www.oprah.com/world/Tererai-Trent-Returns-to-Zimbabwe-to-Share-Her-Story-Video</a></p>
<p>I was so moved by her story; tears running down my face, as I wrote down her name so that I could call her. Yes, I called her (Big Fish basic tool = Bold Action)! I picked up the phone the next night and called her. She was gracious enough to take my call. I invited her to be a participant in our first ever, Star Fish program that was starting the next week! We got her a plane ticket to Austin where the first retreat was being held.</p>
<p>She was a light for our group, bringing so much gratitude, wisdom, humbleness, and desire to grow even more.<br />
What has happened thus far in the program, is all the participants from the program rolled up their sleeves not only to accomplish their own goals but to be vulnerable and share their struggles, their visions, their goals and successes. And most of all, share themselves. All of them, realizing just 6 months into the program (with another 6 months to go) that they are truly more alike than different no matter if they are from a wealthy family here in the United States or a humble community in Tanzania, Africa. (And this year Dr. Trent just launched her own company: <a title="Tererai Trent" href="http://tinogona-consulting.com/" target="_blank">http://tinogona-consulting.com/</a> !! We are all so excited for her! She is an awesome speaker, trainer and evaluation expert. )</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/tererai_clinton.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-617" title="tererai_clinton" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/tererai_clinton-211x300.jpg" alt="" width="211" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>A true sisterhood has been formed. The women cry together, celebrate together, accomplish together and support each other in ways that continue to amaze me. They share their money, they share their homes, they share their families, they share their wisdom, they share their knowledge, they share their experiences and the sharing does not stop. What I realize is that when women come together to accomplish their visions every vision includes supporting others in big ways. That is a Star Fish.</p>
<p>We are filling our 2011 <a href="http://www.bigfishnation.com" target="_blank">Star Fish program </a>now! For more information call Lorin at 858.794.7299 or <a href="mailto:lorin@bigfishnation.com" target="_blank">lorin@bigfishnation.com</a></p>
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		<title>Turn Up the Volume!</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=568</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=568#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:29:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lorin Beller Blake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vision]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[powerful women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful entrepreneur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women business owners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women leader]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=568</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		
**************
Summer can be a tough time to make progress on our goals.

 
Summer vacations mean we are often travelling, schedules are inconsistent, and our attention is more naturally focused on things other than goals.   Don’t get me wrong – it is definitely important (critical!) to take these breaks… but we still must remember  to return to [...]]]></description>
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<p>**************</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Summer can be a tough time to make progress on our goals.</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #008000;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sierra_swinging.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-584" title="sierra_swinging" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sierra_swinging-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #008000;"> </span></strong></p>
<p>Summer vacations mean we are often travelling, schedules are inconsistent, and our attention is more naturally focused on things other than goals.   Don’t get me wrong <strong>– it is definitely important (critical!) to take these breaks… <em>but <span style="color: #000080;">we still must remember  to return to our goals.</span></em></strong>   </p>
<p>We have a little more than one quarter of the year remaining, <span style="color: #000080;">so we really need t<a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/turn_up_the_volume_2_by_zortje_crop.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-580" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="turn_up_the_volume_2_by_zortje_crop" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/turn_up_the_volume_2_by_zortje_crop-300x209.jpg" alt="" width="108" height="75" /></a>o energetically pick up speed so we can reach the goals we set for 2010. </span> Or to put it another way, if your goals were a sound system, <strong><span style="color: #008000;">let’s get back up to surround sound, <em>then turn up the volume for WILD success!</em> </span></strong>  </p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Here are some <strong>tips to help you “dial it up” to ACHIEVE  your goals:</strong> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Change your exercise routine: </span> </strong>If you are in a rut with your exercise, or not exercising at all, your energy may be low.  Try changing it up a little to bring up your energy levels and give you more excitement toward achieving your goals.  <span style="color: #000080;">The body/mind connection is important.</span></li>
<li> <strong><span style="color: #000080;">Take a realistic inventory of your goals and adjust (or not) accordingly:</span></strong>  <span style="color: #000080;">Do you have enough time left in the year to achieve each goal?</span>  <span style="color: #000080;">Are each of your goals still important toward making your vision a reality?</span>  If so, fantastic – keep moving forward!  If not, consider revising goals to make them achievable this year <em>and </em>in line with your current vision.   <span style="color: #000080;">Just make sure your revised goals keep you stretching</span> to accomplish what will make you proud and successful! </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Post your written goals where you can see them each day</span>:</strong>   <span style="color: #008000;"> </span>  If you stop noticing your goals after a while, move them to a different spot wh<span style="color: #008000;"><span style="color: #000080;">When we keep our goals visible, it is easier to remember what we are working towards.</span></span>ere they will catch your attention again. </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Read your vision story every Monday morning:</span></strong>  <span style="color: #000080;">Our vision story is meant to be a motivating tool, not just something we write then put away.</span>  Many Big Fish (myself included!) report getting energized by reading their vision story because it reminds them of the exciting big picture of their future.   <span style="color: #000080;">When our vision is fresh in our minds, each goal feels more meaningful and reachable. </span></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Tell someone else your goals:</span></strong>  <span style="color: #008000;"><span style="color: #000080;">Accountability is an amazing motivator</span> </span>– just ask any Big Fish!   Sharing our goals with someone else makes it a lot harder to ignore those “stretch” goals, and helps hold our “feet to the fire.”   It also gives us someone else to celebrate with when we reach each goal! </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Sign up for a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/big-fish-nation.cfm" target="_blank">Big Fish program</a></span></span></strong>:  <span style="color: #008000;"><span style="color: #000080;">If you are struggling to set and reach your goals each year, you might need the extra learning, support, accountability, and energy you can get from the </span><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/big-fish-nation.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000080;">Big Fish programs</span></a>.</span>  Plan to attend the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/goalsetting.cfm" target="_blank">annual goal-setting teleclass</a></span> in December, and read about the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/big-fish-nation.cfm" target="_blank">available Big Fish programs</a></span> to see which one might fit you best for next year.    <span style="color: #000080;"><strong>We are here to help!</strong></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/volume_up.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-572 alignleft" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="volume_up" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/volume_up.jpg" alt="" width="68" height="68" /></a>Are <em>you</em> ready to turn up the volume???</strong>  </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;">Let us know in a comment below!<strong>  </strong></span></p>
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		<title>Finding Less “Solo” in “Solopreneur”</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=554</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=554#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:49:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Starla J King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Power of Intention]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interdependence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[powerful women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solopreneur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful women entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women supporting women]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=554</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		
****************
(post by guest-blogger Starla J. King, Big Fish 2009-10)
I usually love being a solopreneur.    
Except for those times when the solo feels more like alone and less like independent, strong, on my own, and free.
I’m in one of those times right now.   After longing  for more alone time to focus on the work of my [...]]]></description>
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<p>****************<br />
<em><span style="color: #008000;">(post by guest-blogger </span></em><a href="http://starlajking.wordpress.com/contact/" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: #008000;">Starla J. King</span></em></a><em><span style="color: #008000;">, Big Fish 2009-10)</span></em></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">I usually love being a solopreneur.</span></strong>    </p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/solo.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-561" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="solo" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/solo-300x237.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="190" /></a></span>Except for those times when the <em>solo</em> feels more like <em>alone</em> and less like <em>independent</em>, <em>strong</em>, <em>on my own</em>, and <em>free</em>.</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;">I’m in one of those times right now.  </span> After longing  for more alone time to focus on the work of my heart/soul, I finally have it… and I feel… well… <em>alone</em>. </p>
<p>Quick background:  I co-created, co-own, and co-manage a small-scale <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.signaturegardenscapes.com" target="_blank">landscaping business</a></span> with my business/life partner.  This year, she and I also worked side by side (literally!) for 5 months, fulltime.  Now that it’s summer season, a slow time for landscaping, I have switched my focus to my solopreneur work and business, and my partner is back to consulting in the corporate world. </p>
<p><strong>This is what I wanted… <em>really really wanted</em>… so why am I not bursting-at-the-seams energized??</strong></p>
<p><strong>Part of it is that I physically spend most of my day alone.</strong> (The cats, in this case, don’t count.  Their respect for my entrepreneurial vision is lacking, to say the least. )   As a writer (and borderline introvert), <span style="color: #000000;">I often <em>need</em> to have alone time, but at some point the solitude becomes a risk of diminishing returns. </span></p>
<p><strong>Part of it is that the vision for my new business, OutWrite Living, is still being formed </strong>so it’s mostly <em>my</em> vision – not a shared vision yet.</p>
<p><strong>Part of it is that I get lost in To Do list tasks</strong>, hoping to find satisfaction and validation in checking off “accomplishments”  while my collaborative thirst stays unquenched.</p>
<p><em><strong><span style="color: #008000;">So&#8230; what to do?</span></strong> </em></p>
<p>If I had a session with my Big Fish business coach (<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/nancy-duncan.cfm" target="_blank">Nancy Duncan</a></span>) scheduled for this week, I’d talk this through with her.  Coaches are wonderful for things like this!  But since we aren’t scheduled until <em>next</em> week, I’ve done some self-coaching instead.  The results?  <span style="color: #008000;"><strong>It’s time for me to:</strong> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Write this blog post so I <em>have</em> to address the issue</span></strong> head on <em>(thanks for the space, Lorin!).<br />
</em></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Change my DBR (Daily Business Ritual) to meet my new “connection” needs.</span></strong>  This week instead of having my second cup of coffee at home each day while mentally/emotionally preparing for the day, I will go to a nearby Starbucks (or Panera or Caribou Coffee, etc.).  <span style="color: #008000;">Just being around other people (even if not interacting) usually helps jump-start my energy, so it’s time to be intentional about that. </span> <em>Now if I can just avoid the baked goods…</em></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Expand my networking to include potential intellectual and visionary collaborators</span></strong> – not just potential clients or “do”ers.   I<span style="color: #008000;"> have always gotten energy from somewhat cerebral conversations, so I need to bring that back into my work life.</span>  For example, I’ve recently been enthralled by <a href="http://www.aamindell.net/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Arnold Mindell’s writings</span> </a>around process-oriented psychology… and possible inclusion of some of those ideas in my new business vision /services.  It’s time to get connected to the “process work” world for possible collaborative insights and “brain work” with like-minded individuals.   <span style="color: #008000;">And who knows, I might find a member of my Dream Team through this.</span>  <em>(See <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=531" target="_blank">Lorin’s recent blog post</a></span></em><em> for more about creating your Dream Team).</em></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Re-commit to monthly face-to-face and weekly phone meetings with a colleague / friend / co-conspirator.</span></strong>  <em>(Rebecca, are you reading this??).</em> </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #008000;">This week, make my daily intention the same for the entire week : <span style="color: #000000;"><em>Connected</em>.</span></span>  </strong>Surrounding myself with the expectation of being <em>connected</em> in everything I do will keep me open to attracting and seeing those opportunities.  It’s like one of my favorite <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.lorinbellerblake.com/products.cfm" target="_blank">Big Fish principles</a></span>:  <em><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>“Give energy to that which we want to grow.”</strong></span></em>  So as of this moment, <span style="color: #008000;">I shift my attention away from <em>Alone</em> and toward <em>Connection</em>.</span> <em> (See </em><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=432" target="_blank"><em>Lorin’s blog post </em></a><em>about setting daily intentions.)</em></li>
</ol>
<p><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friends.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-559" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="friends" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friends-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>You see, this whole solopreneur thing (or <em>any</em> entrepreneur venture)<strong> isn’t about how much any one of us can do alone.</strong>  It’s about <strong><em>starting something on our own</em> <em>then sustaining and building it</em> with a myriad of help, support, connection, collaboration.</strong>  </p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;">True, solos can be beautiful, AND so can duets, trios, quartets, and an entire choir.</span>  <strong><span style="color: #008000;">Who will <em>your </em>business “sing” with?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><em><span style="color: #000080;">(post by guest-blogger </span></em></span><a href="http://starlajking.wordpress.com/contact/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #008000;"><em><span style="color: #000080;">Starla J. King</span></em></span></a><span style="color: #008000;"><em><span style="color: #000080;">, Big Fish 2009-10)</span></em></span></p>
<p> ***********************<br />
<strong>Related blog posts by <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.lorinbellerblake.com" target="_blank">Lorin Beller Blake</a></span>:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=494" target="_blank">Are You Dependent or Inter-Dependent?</a></span></li>
<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=531" target="_blank">Building an Advisory Team</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=432" target="_blank">Making Intention-setting a Daily Habit</a></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>To receive an email alert for new Big Fish Nation blog posts</strong></em>, enter your email address at the top of this page</span></p>
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		<title>Leading the Family Business:  Andrea Russo of Crisafulli Brothers</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=538</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=538#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:36:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lorin Beller Blake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Women Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interdependence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andrea Russo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crisafulli Brothers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[powerful women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful women entrepreneurs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=538</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		
**************

“I accept that I can’t be the best at everything, but I can have the best around me.” 
- Andrea Russo, President of Crisafulli Brothers

As founder and CEO of Big Fish Nation, I get to work with many brilliant women entrepreneurs, each of them leaders in their own unique ways.  Andrea Russo, President and Owner [...]]]></description>
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<p>**************</p>
<blockquote>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #800000;">“I accept that I can’t be the best at everything, but I <em>can</em> have the best around me.” </span></strong></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: #800000;">- Andrea Russo, President of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.crisbro.com" target="_blank">Crisafulli Brothers</a></span></span></em></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><a title="Andrea Russo" href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/andrea_russo_headshot_small.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-541" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="andrea_russo_headshot_small" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/andrea_russo_headshot_small-199x300.jpg" alt="Andrea Russo " width="199" height="300" /></a></span>As founder and CEO of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.bigfishnation.com" target="_blank">Big Fish Nation</a></span><em>,</em> I get to work with many brilliant women entrepreneurs, each of them leaders in their own unique ways.  <span style="color: #800000;">Andrea Russo</span>, President and Owner of<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.crisbro.com" target="_blank">Crisafulli Brothers Plumbing and Heating Contractors, Inc.</a><em> </em>(Albany, NY), is one of those amazing women. </p>
<p>In a typically male-dominated business, Andrea was the first female on the company’s management team and continues to successfully lead this third-generation family business. </p>
<p>A quick look at the <a href="http://www.crisbro.com/awards/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Awards page</span> </a>of the company website confirms this success!  Notice also that the <a href="http://www.crisbro.com/awards/" target="_blank">Awards page </a>includes a thank you note to the community, and a photo of the Crisafulli Brothers “Extreme Team” that volunteered services during an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.    <span style="color: #800000;">Andrea’s business clearly is about more than just profit, it’s also about <em>making a difference</em>!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;">So how does she do it?</span>  I asked her about <span style="color: #800000;">her key leadership tactics</span> and she shared the following:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">I surround myself with GREAT people, not good people, <em>great</em> people</span>&#8230;..  I accept that I can’t be the best at everything, but I can have the best around me – in front of, in back of, and beside me&#8230;.  in each department necessary to run my organization.</li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">I hire right, no matter how long it takes</span>&#8230;.  “fit” is everything.</li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">I “walk the tracks” daily</span>&#8230;.  get a feel for staff and how they are doing, what there challenges are&#8230;  and to keep the climate positive</li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">I do what I believe to be right for my employees, the company and the community!</span></li>
<li>Following the chain of command is important, but <span style="color: #800000;">my door is always open</span>.</li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">I listen and communicate honestly and ask the same in return</span>&#8230;.  my management team knows I do not want “yes men” around me&#8230;.  challenge me, disagree, make your point.</li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">I believe in my people and they know this.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #800000;">I am fair and reasonable and model this behavior.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Then in true Andrea fashion, she adds “keep in mind, I have a list of things I could do a whole lot better too!”   </p>
<p>Even though we each have our own leadership methods, <span style="color: #000080;">we can <em>always</em> learn from other leaders like Andrea!</span>  <span style="color: #800000;">Which of her points made the most impression on you?</span>  <span style="color: #000080;">How can you add that into your own leadership toolkit? </span></p>
<p>Use this inspiration from Andrea and take some time this week to write down the unique ways <em>you</em> lead, and to ask other leaders around you for their “secrets.”  </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800000;"><em>Thank you Andrea!</em> </span><br />
*************<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.crisbro.com " target="_blank">Click here</a></span> for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.crisbro.com " target="_blank">Crisafulli Brothers website</a>.</span><br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://wnyt.com/article/11305/" target="_blank">Click here</a></span> for  <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://wnyt.com/article/11305/" target="_blank">WNYT’s Women in Business article</a></span> featuring Andrea.</p>
<div id="attachment_544" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-544 " style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="crisbro_vans1" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/crisbro_vans1-300x90.jpg" alt="Crisafulli Brothers" width="300" height="90" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Crisafulli Brothers</p></div>
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		<title>More Lessons from My West Coast Move: Building an Advisory Team</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=531</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=531#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:17:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lorin Beller Blake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adventure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Advisory Board]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Board of Directors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dream Team]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[powerful women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful women entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women in leadership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=531</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
			
				
			
		
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In last week’s blog post, I talked about our move to San Diego, and the importance of asking for help during all phases of the move. 
We had friends supporting us with meals and encouragement before the trip, packers and loaders and movers working during the trip while my husband, daughter, fish, dog, and I were [...]]]></description>
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<p>****************<br />
In <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=527" target="_blank">last week’s blog post</a></span>, I talked about our move to San Diego, and the importance of asking for help during all phases of the move. </p>
<div id="attachment_532" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 250px"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sierra_mosaic2-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-532" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="sierra_mosaic2 (2)" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sierra_mosaic2-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="180" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">One of my travelling team members <img src='http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p></div>
<p>We had friends supporting us with meals and encouragement before the trip, packers and loaders and movers working during the trip while my husband, daughter, fish, dog, and I were a travelling team across country, then in San Diego more support from our new nanny, all the businesses providing what we can purchase in order to help create our lives here, and still more from our friends by phone and online.</p>
<p>I cannot imagine making such a huge move (or even a smaller one!) without the help of each and every person along the way.  <span style="color: #000080;">Maybe we <strong><em>could have</em></strong> done it ourselves, but why would we even <strong><em>want</em></strong> to??</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">That is the question we business owners need to start asking ourselves more often.</span>  The “I can do this myself!” attitude that helped us become successful business owners can also be what gets us stuck in doing too much ourselves and stressing ourselves out so much that we lose our effectiveness. </p>
<p><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ThinkandGrowRichNapoleon158_f.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-533 alignleft" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="ThinkandGrowRichNapoleon158_f" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ThinkandGrowRichNapoleon158_f-173x300.jpg" alt="" width="97" height="168" /></a>I love this quote by Napoleon Hill, from his book <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Napoleon-Hill/dp/0449214923" target="_blank">Think and Grow Rich</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="color: #000080;">“Ally yourself with a group of as many people as you many need for the creation, and carrying out of your plan, or plans… Compliance with this instruction is absolutely essential.  Do not neglect it.”</span></p></blockquote>
<p><em>We entrepreneurs MUST have help!</em>  Not just with carrying out plans we’ve already created, but also in creating and expanding our plans, and helping keep us on track (or go off the original track if necessary).</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Consider creating an Advisory Board or Board of Directors … or if that feels too formal, call it a Dream Team.</span>  These are the people who believe in your overall vision and believe in YOU, but not necessarily people who all think alike and agree on everything. </p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Although <em>very </em>important, creating an Advisory Board does not need to be a stressful process.</span>  Remember when you were in grade school and had to choose teams for kickball?  What did you do then?  You didn’t say, “No, I don’t want any other players,” you went ahead and started picking the best people available to give you a better chance of success.  </p>
<p>So start choosing your Advisory Board / Board of Directors / Dream Team members today.  You simply need four things:</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #000080;"><strong>Business Current State:</strong> </span> Where is your business now in terms of accomplishing your goals, making your vision a reality?</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Business Future State:</span></strong> Where do you want your business to be in the near future?</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #000080;">List of Needs:</span></strong> What talents and skills are needed in order to get your business to the desired future state?</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #000080;">List of People:</span></strong> Who do you know (or need to know!) in order to provide those talents and skills?</li>
</ol>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Then the next, most important step is:  <span style="color: #003300;">ASK</span>!</span>  Ask them to be a part of your advisory team.  You will be surprised at the abundance in number of YES’s especially if you tell them up front what the role is that you want them to play for you because most of the time it is not very time intensive.</p>
<p>I’m currently putting together an advisory board for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.lorinbellerblake.com/about-us.cfm" target="_blank">Lorin Beller Blake &amp; Company</a></span>, and would love to hear your real-life experiences:</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Do you already have an advisory team in place?</span>  <span style="color: #003300;">How it is working for you?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Are you in the process of creating an advisory team and know your needs but don’t have the people?</span>  <span style="color: #003300;">Let us know what you need!</span> One of our readers might be a great contact for you.</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;">*********************</span><br />
Remember, if you need a network of strong, innovative and successful women to meet and learn with regularly, consider joining one of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/index.cfm" target="_blank">Big Fish Nation’s programs</a></span>.</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><strong><em>To receive an email alert for new Big Fish Nation blog posts</em></strong>,</span> enter your email address at the top of this page.</p>
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		<title>Moving:  the 3rd biggest stressful thing in life to do!</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=527</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=527#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:14:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lorin Beller Blake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adventure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish principles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cross-country]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transition]]></category>

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Well, we made it from Austin, TX to San Diego by car while our moving truck had our ‘stuff’ &#8212; I was realizing how little ‘stuff’ we really need in life. If that truck never showed up, it would have been fine. And I am glad it did!
As our dog, who has glaucoma, was losing [...]]]></description>
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<p>Well, we made it from Austin, TX to San Diego by car while our moving truck had our ‘stuff’ &#8212; I was realizing how little ‘stuff’ we really need in life. If that truck never showed up, it would have been fine. And I am glad it did!</p>
<p>As our dog, who has glaucoma, was losing her site as we traveled due to stress and lousy timing, I realized how unattached she was to her vision (or lack of). As long as she was with us, she was happiest.</p>
<p>I realized how amazingly easy my 4.5 year old daughter travels as long as she has the right ‘tools’ such as crafty things, workbooks, music, rich and silly conversation.</p>
<p>As we pulled up to our rental house in Solana Beach, which we rented via craigslist without seeing it, I realized that you can really make any house a home, and we did luck out! Because I knew the basic criteria of what we wanted, it was important to ask for those things upfront, I guess this is true with anything in life: a partner, a job, a work relationship, etc. We have to know what we want in order to ask for it so that we ultimately receive it.</p>
<p>As I sit here in my office a week after the moving truck arrived, after just getting off the phone with a dear friend, I realize that it does not matter where you live; friends and family are with you no matter how far away they are.</p>
<p>As I hear the new nanny, which I hired via the phone a month or so ago, working down stairs I am grateful for her ‘take charge’ initiative. If I was doing in person interviews it may have turned out differently, however, I know now to trust my intuition to listen with my whole being. She is the perfect person for our family at this time.</p>
<p>So a move across country is not always easy, packing, unpacking, driving, hotels, fast food, new neighborhood, new network of resources to learn about, new schools, new friends, new neighbors, new views, new roads, new ways. It is the top 3rd stressful thing we do in life, move! However, I realize after looking back at the past month, that I let it go, allowed ease and also asked for help and got help lined up right away.</p>
<p>Thanks for following our trek on facebook and if you have not joined us there please do! (Lorin Beller Blake and Big Fish Nation) There will be more journeys to document, learn from and enjoy.</p>
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		<title>Live Each Day From Your Vision</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=520</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=520#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:22:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lorin Beller Blake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mid-year Goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vision]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful entrepreneur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women and business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women leader]]></category>

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***********
Like others of you, I enjoyed and appreciated last week’s blog post on goals, written by our regular guest-blogger Starla J. King.  We all need those reminders (or as Beth said in her comment, “a kick in the rear”) to review and reset our goals!
It is also absolutely necessary to be clear about our vision [...]]]></description>
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<p><span style="color: #008000;">***********</span><br />
Like others of you, I enjoyed and appreciated <a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=509" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">last week’s blog post on goals</span></a>, written by our regular <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://starlajking.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">guest-blogger Starla J. King</a></span>.  We all need those reminders (or as Beth said in her comment, “a kick in the rear”) to review and reset our goals!</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">It is also absolutely necessary to be clear about our <strong>vision</strong> and that it too is up to date.  <em>Without a clear vision, our goals can quickly become overwhelming out-of- control To Do lists.</em></span></p>
<p><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/catalog_bigfishbook.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-522 alignleft" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="From Entrepreneur to Big Fish" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/catalog_bigfishbook.jpg" alt="From Entrepreneur to Big Fish by Lorin Beller Blake" width="90" height="131" /></a>The second principle of my <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.lorinbellerblake.com/products.cfm" target="_blank">7 Principles to Wild Success</a></span> is <span style="color: #000080;"><em>Live each day from your vision</em>.</span>  </p>
<p>We often think of a vision as something that is only useful for the future, not for today, but a v<span style="color: #000080;">ision is actually about <em>this moment</em>! </span>  It is about today and how we choose to live today! Today turns into tomorrow.  Tomorrow is our future.  </p>
<p>Therefore, <span style="color: #000080;"><em>it is critical that we live today in a way that will enable us to make tomorrow’s vision a reality.</em></span></p>
<p>When was the last time you read your vision story?   Do you have a vision story?  If you need help creating your vision (it’s not too late!) read my earlier <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=177" target="_blank">blog post about creating a clear vision</a></span>. </p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Another great way to get (and stay) clear on your vision is to create a collage of your vision.</span>  This is a fun way to get an emotional and practical read on what you are drawn to, what you want (aka, your <em>vision</em>!) . </p>
<p>Go through magazines and cut out pictures representing:</p>
<ul>
<li>things you want to do (travel, projects, accomplishments, adventures, etc)</li>
<li>things you want to have</li>
<li>the number of clients you want, or number of products you want to sell</li>
<li>the number of employees you want</li>
<li>where you want to be living</li>
<li>etc.</li>
</ul>
<div id="attachment_523" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 226px"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/lorin_vision_collage.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-523" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="lorin_vision_collage" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/lorin_vision_collage-300x273.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="196" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">photo by Tory Johnson</p></div>
<p>Then put these pictures together on a poster board and hang it where you can see it every day.</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">If you already have a vision collage, take some time <em>this week</em> to update it</span> – add some more photos and remove any that no longer speak to you or carry excitement for you. </p>
<p>As you review your goals, (see <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=509" target="_blank">last weeks blog post</a></span>),  keep looking at your vision collage.  <span style="color: #000080;">Does each goal actually get you closer to your vision?</span>  If so, fantastic!  If not, consider changing or removing that goal.  <span style="color: #000080;"><em>Working</em> <em>towards goals that do not further your vision is wasted effort!</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><span style="color: #008000;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/journey-2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-524" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="journey (2)" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/journey-2-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="143" /></a></span>Each day, then, we need to ask ourselves, <span style="color: #000080;">“Is what I am doing today, this moment, moving me toward my vision?” </span></span></p>
<p><strong>Let us know what <em>you</em> do to help you live each day from your vision! </strong></p>
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		<title>Review and Reset: Real-life Goals Work</title>
		<link>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=509</link>
		<comments>http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=509#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:53:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Starla J King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mid-year Goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Fish Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lorin Beller Blake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women in leadership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=509</guid>
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*************
[blog post by Starla J. King, Big Fish 2009-10]
Ah, summertime! 
Long days of sunshine luring us to the water, summer vacations giving us an excuse to play hard and relax even harder, and all sorts of external activities encouraging us to step away from work for a while.
Ice cream, anyone?  
While it might seem counter-intuitive to [...]]]></description>
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<p><em><span style="color: #000000;">*************</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #008000;">[blog post by </span></em><a href="http://starlajking.wordpress.com/contact/" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: #008000;">Starla J. King</span></em></a><em><span style="color: #008000;">, Big Fish 2009-10]</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000080;">Ah, summertime!</span> <img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-513" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="ocean7" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ocean7-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Long days of sunshine luring us to the water, summer vacations giving us an excuse to play hard and relax even harder, and all sorts of external activities encouraging us to step away from work for a while.<span style="color: #000080;"><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ice_cream_cone.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-514" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="ice_cream_cone" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ice_cream_cone-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="81" height="81" /></a></span></p>
<p><em><span style="color: #000080;">Ice cream, anyone?</span></em> <img src='http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>While it might seem counter-intuitive to talk about goals during this time of typical work breaks, it’s actually <span style="color: #008000;">one of the best times to review and reset our goals.</span>  <span style="color: #008000;">Our minds are open, our energy is in a positive place, and our dreams are more accessible.</span>  It’s a perfect set-up!<a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/goals_wheel2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-317" style="margin: 3px; border: 0px;" title="Big Fish goals wheel (photo by Starla J. King)" src="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/goals_wheel2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>I have my Big Fish Goals Wheel in front of me &#8212; created in Dec 2009 during <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/goalsetting.cfm)?  " target="_blank">Lorin&#8217;s Big</a><a href="http://bigfishnation.com/goalsetting.cfm)?  " target="_blank"> Fish Annual Goals-setting Teleclass</a></span>, expanded a bit in January (2010), revised slightly this spring.  Let’s take a look together at some of my goals:</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Personal:</span></strong><br />
Intention: <span style="color: #000080;"><em>Mystically connected</em><br />
</span>- Yoga at least 1 time per week<br />
- Morning Pages<em> [2 pages stream of consciousness longhand writing ]</em> 5 days per week<br />
- Monthly “Artist Date” <em>[anything that fills my creative storehouse]</em> alone</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Career:</span></strong><br />
Intention: <em><span style="color: #000080;">Simply amazing</span></em><br />
- Set up OutWrite Living (see OutWrite Living biz goals)<br />
- Complete Book 1 concept, outline, and proposal<br />
- Establish myself as expert blogger-for-hire / blogging coach (see OutWrite Living biz goals)<br />
- Set up t-shirt line and begin selling at least 3 designs</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Fun &amp; Recreation:</span></strong><br />
Intention: <span style="color: #000080;"><em>Main Ingredient</em><br />
</span>- Daily playtime</p>
<p>A quick review of my <span style="color: #000080;">Personal</span> goals, and I realize that <span style="color: #000080;">I haven’t done yoga even one time ALL year.</span>  So I need to look at that – am I the issue here, or does the goal just not fit?  In this case, it’s the goal – I’ve done other body and spiritual work that has met that need wonderfully, so <span style="color: #000080;">I am erasing that goal because I no longer need it.</span>  <em>(note, always use PENCIL… goals set in stone can actually get in the way of our success!)</em></p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Morning pages 5 days per week?</span>  Check!  <span style="color: #000080;">Celebrate my success there!</span>  With ice-cream, of course.</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Monthly Artist Date?</span>  I’ve neglected that, and definitely still need that goal.  <span style="color: #000080;">No revisions there, no self-reprimand &#8212; just renewed focus.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">My Career goals are on track</span>, which actually surprises me.  I’ve felt as though I haven’t made a lot of progress towards the career goals, but I see in reality, I’m right where I planned to be at this time of year.  <span style="color: #000080;">More celebration</span> (and more ice-cream! and a new goal to work out even harder! <img src='http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  ):<br />
- New business (OutWrite Living) is being formed<br />
- The book concept is becoming more clear as the  new business takes shape<br />
- I have several blog-writing jobs and am coaching people re: successful blog-writing<br />
- Our t-shirts are ready (just need to get them online for sale)</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">Fun &amp; Recreation?</span>  I’ve had playtime in most of my days, but definitely not all, so I’ll <span style="color: #000080;">keep that goal as it is and will refresh my determination</span> to make play a MAIN INGREDIENT of my life – a non-negotiable. </p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;">As you can see, this is not a difficult exercise… <em>it’s actually fun</em></span> (ooh, I just met one of my goals for today!). </p>
<p>Hopefully you already have your goals written down and refer to them often, but if you don’t, you can create them <em>now</em>.  <span style="color: #000080;">You still have an entire ½ of this year to make things happen!</span> </p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;">What are some of your key goals??</span>  <em><span style="color: #000080;">Share them here</span> </em>to give them even more strength, to get support from other readers, and to get excited about them all over again!</p>
<p>****************************<br />
<em>Need more help with setting and reviewing goals?</em>  See previous blog posts for additional tips and inspiration:<br />
- <a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=104" target="_blank">Resolution Revolution</a><br />
-<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=144" target="_blank">Clipping into 2010</a><br />
-<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://lorinbellerblake.com/blog/?p=311" target="_blank">Spring-cleaning your goals</a></p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>To receive an email alert for new Big Fish Nation blog posts</strong></em>,</span> enter your email address at the top of this page.</p>
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