Annena Aikins

"...you can worry or you can work hard at solving a problem. Worry only adds to the problem. Focus your mind on hard work, and you'll find it difficult to simultaneously visualize failure." unknown

If you do not believe in yourself and the power that you possess, no one else will either.

I looked up into the sky this morning and noticed streaks of blue and yellow poking through little breaks in the grey rain clouds. Thou, I could not see it, I knew the sun was there.

If you rise above your problems, then it doesn't matter if they go away or not.

2010 A New Beginning

This time last year, I sent out a Year-End check list of things people can do during the Holiday Season to get things ready for the New Year.  It was mostly comprised of doing activities to get organized, cleaning out closets, etc.  So this year I am sending out a new list but instead of cleaning out stuff I am focusing on getting OUR LIVES in order.

Like a lot of people 2009 was extremely hard for me and my life has changed in several different ways that I did not expect.  However, I am still here, still standing and have learned that I am stronger, wiser and better for the challenges that I have faced. 

I have heard people say that you learn what you are made of when you go through trials and tribulations.  You also learn what is important to you in this life and what truly makes you happy (and on the flip side what doesn’t make you happy).

So, I have compiled this list based on the question – “Am I Living My Best Life?”  I hope you will take time to read it, reflect and actually do a few of these items in your quiet time during the Holidays.

Enjoy, Merry Christmas and I wish you a FABULOUS 2010!

1. Take 15 – 30 minutes of quiet time just to reflect on the things you are thankful for and the people who have blessed your life.  After your quiet time, make a list of the people who are a blessing and call them one by one and tell them how they have affected your life in a positive way and how you appreciate them.  Don’t take this activity for granted – that person may need to hear what you have to say right at that very moment.

2. Life is short and too precious to waste it on people and activities that do not “add to” and enhance our lives.  We all are guilty of doing things like watching too much TV or entertaining people that we really do not like because they are not good for us.  Make a list, check it twice and start cutting down on those activities and cut out those people.

3. Have you given back, unselfishly to a worthy cause, a charity or a church this year?  If so great, if not – then hurry up there is still time.  In this age, people want compensation for everything!   Let us not forget our true nature to help and to give through unselfish acts of kindness.  If you are not sure what you should do, I would like to suggest that you donate to a food bank.  They have been hit really hard during a time when their need for food has increased.   So, I challenge you to clean out your pantries or go shopping and gather some can goods and non perishable packages of foods and deliver them down to the local food bank.   Follow this link to find a local food bank.

4. Develop a good working budget for next year that includes paying off debt and saving.  It is time to stop living in bondage – by using credit cards and borrowing.  You will find yourself working your whole life to pay back someone else and never being able to pay yourself.  Start by saving at least 5% - 10% of your income for YOU.  The easiest way is to set up direct deposit and then it is done.  Then review your debt and commit to start knocking it out.  You work hard every day – enjoy the fruits of your labor!

5. Do you always complain that you are too fat, or you hate your job, etc?  Well, if you do not like something in your life or about yourself then you have the power to change it!  Start with a plan and then implement it.  Get healthy, go back to school so you can change your career – do something, or stop complaining! 

a. If your problem is a little deeper like feeling depressed, HATING the way you look, or having low self-esteem – sometimes the answer is not a physical one but an internal one.  For some people no amount of “physical” fixing can help them feel better about themselves when the problem is a mental, emotional or even spiritual.  Often you will find the answer by looking inward.  You will be amazed at doing things like meditating, renewing your relationship with God, joining church or getting counseling can make all the difference in the world.  Decide to be healthy and go get the help you need to make a change.

6. Get back to the basics and learn how to manage your time and responsibilities better.  We are so overloaded with stuff that it is impossible to do everything.   So, maybe it is time to cut out the complicated and make things as simple as possible.  Like learning how to keep your house clean by cleaning as you go, so you do not spend a whole day cleaning.  Zen Habits is a great blog about ways to live simply, check it out.

7. Do more of what makes you happy.  Get out your brand new 2010 calendars and set aside time for you before plugging in meetings and appointments.  Include time for exercising, family activities, spiritual renewal and FUN!  Start planning your vacations now!  You work hard, so take time to play hard!

8. Do you have a dream unfulfilled?  It is never too late – dig out your old guitar, call some of your old band buddies and start up your old band.  Go down to the neighborhood theater and audition for the next play.  Enroll in that dance class at the community college.  Take your shoe budget and start saving it for that European vacation that you have always wanted (You have enough shoes anyway).  Visit the local Small Business Development Center to learn how to write a business plan for your coffee shop.  The point is dreaming about something is not going to make it happen.  Start moving in the direction of you dream with baby steps and you will gain momentum as you go.   If you give up on your goals, they will remain unfulfilled.

9. Stop running from your fears.   You will find that big ugly monster is not so scary once you turn around and face him head-on.  Running never solves anything and your fears will never leave you unless you deal with them.  You have to decide to no longer allow things and people control your life and prevent you from doing what you want to do.  Problems will only go away if you work to resolve them.  Diseases do not go away on their own – you have to treat them and battle them to be healed. 

10. Believe in yourself.  For most people it takes hard work to overcome obstacles and challenges.  Consistent believing and “doing” will lead you to the victory that you desire, over your situation.  An athlete must train daily to become the best at his/her sport.  However, physical ability alone will not help that athlete become the victor.  They also have to train mentally as well, to win.  In the sport of boxing, you often hear people talk about how they can tell who is going to win by looking in the boxer’s eyes.  If there is any sign of fear or doubt, the boxer doesn’t have a chance.  Believe that you can conquer the mountain before you, no matter how big it is.  If you believe in yourself you will find that you can conquer Mount Everest by going over it, around it or through it.

Thanks for reading this list; I hope it helps you start 2010 off right.  You should also add to this list on your own.  Think about the goals and aspirations for the New Year.  Think about changes that you want to make in your life and start working on them.

Blessings!

Annena Aikins

Bra-ology Gift Certificates are now available - www.bra-ologyonline.com/g.html

Announcing Bra-ology

  

Bra-ology Bra Fit Specialists

A couple of months ago I started another business – Bra-ology a bra fitting service based in the Bay Area.  With 8 out 10 women wearing the wrong size bra, the services that Bra-ology provides is well needed. 

This business has been a long time coming.  I wanted to start it over 4 years ago but procrastinated and never acted on it.  I was waiting for the “right time” to start.  However, the entrepreneurial spirit in me never rests, so one day a few months ago, I said – forget it, what am I waiting for, I am going to start my bra fitting business and away I went.

Fast forward, Bra-ology is growing every day and I am having a blast helping women improve their self image and achieve the proper fit.  We conduct Bra Fitting Parties and Private In-Home fittings for women in the local San Francisco Bay Area, follow this link to learn more about Bra-ology.

Growing a Business In a Bad Economy

I selected to post this article about business opportunities for entrepreneurs in a bad economy because I think that more people need to hear that you can start, grow and sustain a viable business in this economy.  There are still business opportunities out there that can work if done the right way, despite the hard times we are going through in this country.

The article also briefly touches how your personal brand can hurt or help you.  Personal Branding Interview:  Scott Shane by Dan Schawbel, the leading personal branding expert for Gen Y.

Get Comfortable with your personal brand

I thought this article was very informative about really being comfortable with your brand so that you can immediately differentiate yourself from the competition.  Though it primarily talks about how a careerist can get a job, I thinking some of the networking tips are relevant to entrepreneurs as well.  Check it out:  Finding Your Big Comfy Chair to Career Success - Part 1

Do It Yourself

As an entrepreneur, I visit many networking groups to promote my business and to meet other business professionals.  Some of the meetings have been beneficial and I have met some great people.  However, often I would leave these meeting wishing I had more of an opportunity to get to know the people I met a little better. 

For some time now, I have been waiting for a networking group to form in my area where I could do more than chat with other business professionals.  I wanted to find a meeting where I could actually sit down and get to know the people to my right and left.  Maybe bond over salad discussing the highs and lows of business.

After waiting so long for someone else to start my dream networking group, I got tired and decided to form my own group.  Through Meetup.com (which I love) I was able to pick a name and list my vision for my ideal group – of women entrepreneurs who can come together over a meal and bond, grow and support one another in business.  Everyone who joins would want the same thing – to build relationships and really get to know the other professionals around them.

Yesterday was my first meeting and to my delight, I had a great turnout of diverse phenomenal women entrepreneurs that really want to build relationships and form an alliance with other business women. 

I learned that sometimes you have to do things yourself.  By taking a leap of faith and starting my own group, I actually got the group I envisioned and wished for – because I did it myself.  Check us out - http://www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Phenomenal-Women-Entrepreneur-Alliance