Most of you already know that I am a huge fan of Napoleon Hill’s work in Think and Grow Rich.

What I love most is how it teaches you to generate a “burning desire” for what you want, instead of just wishing, and how that burning desire compels you to take actions (both consciously and subconsciously) toward making that desire a reality.

Realizing that I had a choice in life was a monumental turning point for me. Up to that point, which was around 10 years ago, I simply allowed life to happen. And boy did it ever. If you do nothing at all, life will still go on all the way around you – and even involve you. And you can let the world create you like that, mold you, or you can take control and create the version of yourself you prefer to be…

Over the weekend I watched What the Bleep Do We Know!?, which was incredibly thought-provoking. So much so that I hopped online and ordered Evolve Your Brain by Joe Dispenza because I enjoyed his commentary in the film so much. It should be here in a couple of days.

I would be interested to hear if you have seen the film or read his book, and if so – what you thought of it?

Ironically, the next morning I found an article from Zen Habits in my feed reader titled Life as a Conscious Practice. Uncanny timing!

In the article, Leo discusses both physical habits and thought processes – and how we can consciously change our actions and choices. And if Leo’s article interests you at all, I highly recommend you watch the DVD (above) as it will take you ten layers deeper on the topic.

“I Can’t.” – What Would You Do If You COULD?

To say “I can’t” is probably the easiest, and most likely response to any major change or new concept. You’ll hear people say why they can’t quit smoking, write a good blog post, stop eating junk food, leave an unhealthy relationship, start exercising, move to a better location, manage time better, keep a clean home or even a clean desk, etc.

We simply “can’t”, and we accept that as how we are – or who we are. And often we go a step further and actually embrace it…

The mind is a powerful thing. It can rationalize anything in our favor. Just look at the US legal system as a good example. The heart is fickle, talking us into chasing butterflies and indulging our fancy of the moment. But in our GUT we know that we “can”. We know that without a doubt.

The next time you hear yourself say “I can’t” – whether out loud or in your mind – ask yourself “Why Not?” The debate that ensues between your mind and your gut will prove interesting if you listen in. Anytime you feel conflicted, it’s usually because your mind is trying to talk you out of what you want – or what you know you should do. And the mind does this based on programming from past experience and external influences… keeping you on the exact same path, with the exact same circumstances, for as long as you’ll let it.

How does this relate to online business?

Are you where you want to be? Are you (honestly) taking all the right actions toward reaching your goals? Do you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, and a timeline for when you will realistically be able to achieve it?

If you answered yes to those questions, you’re one step ahead of me. If you answered no to any of them, it’s time to stop and take stock of where you are and what you’re doing – and why. (Hint: the key is in your “why”)

Do you let the flow of the day dictate what you accomplish? Such as how many emails you received, or how many new blog posts are in your feed reader? Or do you wake up and do your priority tasks FIRST before you allow yourself the leisure of distraction?

If you’re like me, you started an online business because you wanted more control over your life and your time. You wanted the freedom to create your ideal lifestyle. You wanted to be independent. So… are you? Do you have more control, or is life and time still controlling you?

As an entrepreneur, most of us are dealing with a higher level of stress than we anticipated. It’s certainly more difficult and more challenging than holding a traditional job, which is why finding stress management techniques that work for you is so important. I know many of my peers take scheduled breaks, meditate or exercise to break through the frustration and mental blocks…

I Can’t Either

I’m a serious creature of habit. I find creating good new habits just as difficult as quitting bad habits. I’m bad to say that I can’t start my day without my coffee. Not true. I proved that just the other day, just for fun.

Even saying “I can’t” is just a habit.

But something really cool happens when you become aware of why you think what you think, and why you do the things you do – even when it makes absolutely no sense at all.

I don’t have all the answers. I’m still on my own path of discovery and realization. The only real advice I have to share with you is to get on that same path if you’re not already. To look for answers instead of accepting “what is”. To step out of the mold life will put you in, and start creating your own life – just the way you please.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, watch What the Bleep Do We Know!?

It’ll blow your mind.

Best,

You’ll have to forgive this somewhat foo-foo topic, but I felt compelled to share this with you. I usually keep my deeper thinking to myself, along with topics like politics & religion (lol), but I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this!

You may remember that I discussed the idea of simplifying your goals in my recent Goal Setting post. Ever since I returned from my “brainstorming on the beach” trip, I’ve been on a mission to do just that. I have been super focused, and only working on top priority tasks.

With the New Year approaching at light speed, I’ve had goals and resolutions on my mind. You can hardly help it – the words are everywhere! LOL. And then I came across a great article on Leo’s blog at Zen Habits about living without goals.

Those points really resonated with me.

Take just a few short minutes to watch the video, and then leave a comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Best,

One of the big objectives for the weekend was to simplify our goals, and create a priority action list to take home with us.

It’s so easy for your ideas to get overwhelming, and for your task list to grow out of control. I must say, it was really nice to just step away and brainstorm with friends. Definitely a good way to regain clarity and narrow down what’s really important…

We talked openly for the first day or two, about what we’d been working on and ideas we had brewing in our minds. But as the long weekend came to a close, we each chose three top priorities – three things we most wanted to accomplish in the New Year. Then we brainstormed exactly what it would take to make it happen.

Simplifying your goals like that is very liberating!

I feel relaxed, refreshed, and inspired – and ready to sit down and focus on my goals for the New Year. While you don’t necessarily need to head to the beach to achieve this same state, it really does help to brainstorm with friends who are in the same line of work as you – or that at least “get you”.

You can do that via Skype, in a favorite discussion forum, or even on a conference call. In fact, the three of us decided we would chat weekly to hold each other accountable to our goals. Which means no slacking for me this week LOL…

Even if you decide to brainstorm on your own, I recommend you really simplify your objectives. Set goals that are in line with those objectives, and make those goals easily attainable. From there, decide what actions (or consistent action) you need to take to achieve that goal. Simple as that!

I actually shot a quick video while at the beach, in my PJ’s no less (LOL), which you can find on my new Video Blog – or watch here:

I would love to hear your thoughts. If you want to share your Top 3 Goals for the New Year, leave me a comment below! Or if you have tips for goal setting or goal achievement, I would love to hear those as well.

Best,

p.s. If you’re looking for people to brainstorm with, join us on my forum. I even have a Private Brainstorming Group you can join there, where we meet online for 5 live brainstorming calls every month. It’s a great group to brainstorm with, and a great place to find other action-takers you may want to pair up with as accountability partners.

For those of you that are not familiar with the term, a “Vlog” is a Video Blog.

And as I mentioned, this particular blog is personal. Meaning – it’s not about business, but about ME and my life & lifestyle.

Why would I start a PERSONAL blog, you ask? Five good reasons actually…

I decided to share those reasons with you here, and answer the questions that have been pouring in about it. As usual, I do have an objective.

Video Marketing is something I’ve been interested in for awhile. Interested enough to buy a Macbook Pro (for mobile video editing) and a Canon Vixia HD video camera & tripod. You can see it all set up in my Home Office Tour post.

Obviously I have done, and plan to do, business related video. But a personal vlog seemed like a great way to test some video editing skills while having FUN.

Speaking of, I used to really struggle with video editing. The Mac *does* make it easier (and yes, I’m still a PC gal otherwise), but I am also taking Oliver Olsen’s video editing course. The entire thing is only $37 and covers A LOT.

(And it doesn’t require a Mac or any expensive software!)

Why I started a Personal Video Blog

Last year I bought the domain LynnTerry.TV, and while I didn’t have any immediate ideas for it I figured it was a good investment. Actually, I had several ideas for it, but hadn’t settled on anything solid. At the very least I thought I might point it to my YouTube account since I was getting into video more.

A couple weeks ago I got the bright idea to use the domain for a personal video blog. There were several reasons for this, and the more I brainstormed all the details the more I decided to give it the green light…

1. I’m not JUST an Internet Marketer

I dislike being pigeonholed as an “Internet Marketer”, but most of my other online projects are done under pen names. Starting a personal blog gives me a chance to be myself, and branch out into new things as the web continues to change & grow.

I LOVE what I do here, and I love helping others get over the hurdles and achieve success online as well. But I crave to do more, and to BE more.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about blogging, it’s an awesome accountability tool. If you say you’re going to do something, you’re readers will hold you to it!

It’s also great for accountability in that it forces you to continue doing interesting things, so you have interesting things to share. A personal blog gives me a place to do that when my IM hat is OFF.

Plus, I just thought it would be FUN!

2. I See a Higher Response on Personal Posts/Updates

I can write an AWESOME tutorial, or share a killer resource, but let’s face it – it’s the pictures of my Great Dane, and the personal posts & updates that get the most response! So why not create a space to share all of that (and more) and just embrace the fact that my dog or my tee shirt of the day is sometimes more interesting than my business advice – LOL…

3. Leverage My Following

I completely give up trying to control my Facebook account. No matter how clear I make it that my profile is personal and my page is business, everyone seems to want to be my “friend” anyway. So I’m throwing in the towel, and approving friend requests. I figure they must want to get to know me on a more personal level, right?

So here goes!

4. An Opportunity To Work With Brands I LOVE

Working with brands is something I’ve been researching heavily this year. While I love Affiliate Marketing, and will continue with it as my primary source of revenue, I’m definitely watching the way things are moving on the web.

Brands are not working with “Internet Marketers”, but with mommy bloggers & foodies – and other personal bloggers. A great example is “Style Rookie” – a kid with a personal style blog. Look her up. Seriously inspiring story!

So if I want to talk about why I *hate* my brand new washing machine, or what I *love* about this or that, a personal blog is the place to do it.

5. To Test New Marketing Strategies

In addition to my interest in working with big brands, I’m testing out various marketing strategies as well. Such as YouTube marketing via keywords & tagging, social media with competitive keyword phrases vs SEO with longtail keyword phrases, etc. And I’m playing with Adsense Optimization again.

- – - – - – - – - –

Obviously this project is a “case study” in progress as I learn more about vlogging, video marketing, working with brands, the ins and outs of YouTube, etc. Feel free to follow along and check out what I’m doing, and how, if you’re interested in learning more about these things as well!

Oh – and one last note…

I chose a WooTheme for my vlog, which is the first paid theme I have *ever* purchased. (It’s much harder to find free themes for video blogs.)

I absolutely LOVE it. It was super easy to customize, and I had it set up and published in no time at all! I did ask about WooThemes on Facebook first – they got a BIG thumbs up from my friends there.

Best,

P.S. Here is a video I shot about Video Blogging too, which you can also find on my new personal video blog:

Here are just a few ideas, 11 in fact, that you can use to kick-start positive change and improvement in your online business – starting today…

By the way, did you know that there are only 6 weeks left until Christmas, and only 7 weeks before the end of the year? Right! There’s no better time than NOW to do something significant in your business before 2011 gets away from you!

11 Ideas For “Making It Count!” Today:

1. Brain Dump

Spend a couple of hours (or the entire day, even!) getting all of the ideas out of your head, and on to paper – or into your favorite app or software. All of your goals, brilliant ideas, desires, etc. Then organize and prioritize that list so that you can dig in to it and start making some serious progress!

2. Complete 11 Quick Tasks

Choose 11 things you can easily accomplish today, and DO them.

3. Brainstorm

Already have a priority project in mind, but stuck on getting it off the ground? Sit down and brainstorm every single detail, from idea to market. Put each piece of the project in order. Break it down into individual tasks. Put a checkmark beside the items you can (or should) outsource. Start with #1 and mark it off!

4. Outsource

Pick one task you can outsource today. Better yet, pick 11 tasks!

5. Network

Choose 11 people in your industry that you would like to associate with. They may be bloggers in your market with a strong readership, market leaders, brands – it all depends on your business model. Do your research and choose 11 people or companies you would like to connect with or work with, and reach out!

6. Draft 11 Blog Posts

I didn’t say *write* 11 blog posts. I’m not crazy! LOL. But you CAN sit down and draft your next 11 topics in WordPress, complete with keyword phrases, general ideas or bullet points for the content, and then save them.

7. Organize

Spend the day clearing the clutter, organizing your desk, dealing with paperwork, or cleaning up your home office. Nothing inspires creativity like a fresh workspace! Idea: commit to throwing away (or giving away) 11 things in your home office that you will never use, and that BUG you just by being there…

8. Read 11 Books

No, not all in one day. Again, I’m not crazy! If you’re anything like me, you have at least 11 unread books on your bookshelf or around your office that you had every intention of reading. (Yes, I’m an Amazon addict.) Choose 11 titles, and stack them in the order you want to read them. There’s no reason you can’t read all 11 books in the next 7 weeks – before the end of the year!

9. Create a product

Turn everything off, and spend today focused on creating ONE product. Maybe it’s a free giveaway, or an opt-in incentive. You might create a low-cost report, a video tutorial – whatever you please. With focus and determination, you can get the core product created TODAY.

10. Come up with 11 Reasons

Feeling discouraged or de-motivated lately? Put some serious thought into what you’re doing, and why. Come up with 11 GOOD reasons you want to accomplish your primary goal. Take a long hard look at each of those expected results, and imagine how it will feel when you get there.

11. Take the day off!

Maybe you’re overworked, overwhelmed and frustrated with your online business. By all means shut down the computer and watch a great movie, go for a long walk, put together a spontaneous lunch with friends, or read one of those great books you bought earlier this year. Spend today doing something you ENJOY, and celebrate everything you’ve accomplished so far!

Happy 11-11-11

Best,

“What will it take to get from where you are, to where you want to be?”

The interesting thing is, someone is already there. And someone is closer to being there than you are. And someone is not near as close to making it there as you are.

We are all at a different place in our goals, and working toward them in different ways and at different paces.

Kinda puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?

I usually advise people to only compare their success or failure against their own progress. Not against the progress (or success) of others. That said, it pays to get to know people who have gone before you on the same path and learn about their “steps to success”. How did they get there? What did it take, and how long did it take? The answer will likely be different in every success story, but there is always something to learn from those who have achieved what we hope to achieve ourselves…

Analyze Your Own History of Success & Failure

In addition to learning from others, one of the things that has worked best for me is to learn from my own mistakes & achievements. What have I accomplished in my life, and how did I do that? What have I failed miserably at – and why?

Our own “steps to success” often lie right there in those answers.

Where I Am -vs- Where I Want To Be

I’m in a unique position. Unique to me anyway. As I was analyzing this question I realized that I can easily achieve ALL of my current goals in 12-18 months, tops.

It wasn’t always that way, of course. I can remember a time when my goals and ideas seemed IMPOSSIBLE from where I was sitting. Unrealistic, even.

And gosh, I remember it well…

I won’t bore you with the gory details of my house being a wreck, bouncing checks, having zero credit, struggling to put food on the table, etc, etc, etc. But I will tell you that it was HARD. I can remember sitting in in the middle of all that – with two young children, even – wondering how in the world I would ever get out of the hole (much less get ahead), have a home of my own – or just get my life together, period.

It seemed to me that most people had it so much easier than I did.

Part of that was true. SOME people did have it easier than I did. Some had it much harder. And as I examined those who seemed to have it so easy, I began to realize they had their own troubles.

No one is exactly where they want to be at any given time. We are all moving, sometimes forward and sometimes not. We all want more, better, bigger… We are all at our own place on those steps to success.

How I Got From There To Here

As I was giving this question some thought, I looked back over my own path. Getting from there, to where I am in my life now, seems like it took an eternity.

Admittedly it did take me longer than it may have for others, given certain circumstances in my life (that I wouldn’t take back for anything). Being a single mother, for example, or taking care of my grandmother for two years.

But really, it wasn’t that long. And it wasn’t that bad. And I DID do it.

I now have a successful business, financial security, a great credit score, my own beautiful home, wonderful friends, and two incredible children who are practically raised. I travel as much as I please, have a flexible schedule, and can afford all the simple luxuries I had to do without for so much of my life.

What more could I ask for? …

Simple Steps to Success

As I said above, no one is exactly where they want to be. And that includes me. There are several things I would like to achieve. Many of which I wish I had already done by now. But hey – we are where we are, and that’s where we have to start.

I mentioned being in a great position – where I can easily achieve all of my current goals in as little as 12-18 months. That realization alone was HUGE. My goals no longer seemed so far out, or near impossible.

And I didn’t happen into that position by accident, or by luck. I got myself here – every single (grueling, doubting) step of the way.

As I continued pondering this question, I was forced to answer the obvious: exactly where do I want to be, and what do I want to achieve – specifically? It’s easy to say I want to make more money, be less stressed, travel more, yada yada yada.

Most of the things we say we want are entirely too general, with no “HOW” tied in and no specific milestones to work toward. And without milestones or specific goals, how in the world will you even know that you achieved your success??

Earlier this morning I was reading Leo Babauta’s ZenHabits blog. In the last 6 years he has quit smoking, lost 70 pounds, quit his job and become a successful blogger and author. By the way, he has six children and a wife.

I’m not sure exactly how long it took him to achieve each of those goals (and many more I didn’t mention), but in my opinion that’s an awesome accomplishment in such a short time! Leo seriously inspires me…

Six months, six years – how long it takes doesn’t really matter. The truth is, you can do absolutely nothing and stay exactly where you are (or just let life happen and end up wherever you do). Trust me, I’ve tested that. LOL.

Whatever your goal, if it matters enough to you, the timeline is irrelevant. If HERE is not a happy place, then THERE should be your ultimate all-consuming goal.

Maybe you want to be thinner or healthier. One year from now you can be just that, or you can still be wanting it. Maybe you want to be a published author, or a successful blogger. Again, one year from now you can find yourself exactly there. Or you can find yourself sitting in the exact same place, wanting the exact same thing.

Ask yourself: where do I want to be one year from now? What do I want my life to look like, specifically?

The difference between people who achieve goals, and people who don’t, is simple: people who achieve goals are taking consistent and intentional steps toward them. They made their goals (or desires) a priority.

Obvious, right? Sure. We’ve all heard it before. And while it sounds great on paper (or on the screen), it’s “easier said than done”. Or is it?

How hard is it really to set aside a specific amount of time to work toward your greatest desires? We set aside time for all sorts of things, intentionally or unintentionally. Getting intentional is the key. Once you know *exactly* what you want to do, you have to make it a point to just DO it.

I took a long hard look at my schedule and my task list yesterday. There were plenty of things throughout my day that did not have a direct impact on my highest priorities. I made the decision to ditch two of them and do a high impact cardio workout instead. Those two things were important, mind you – but they didn’t trump my desire to get in shape inside of the next year.

Nothing is going to happen overnight. Even if it did, you would miss out on the journey – and every single step to success (slow as it seems sometimes) is important in preparing you for that success. Looking back at myself 10 years ago, had you dropped everything I have now in my lap then… I wouldn’t have even known what to do with it. I would have screwed it all up royally – I’m sure of it.

Make a decision today about what you want, get committed to it, and start taking the steps toward that goal. One step at a time. One day at a time. No matter how far away it seems from “HERE”. (We’re all “here”. You’re not alone.)

5 Simple Steps to Success

• Decide exactly what you want to achieve.
• Determine how long it will take you to achieve it.
• Note what steps you need to take to get there.
• Figure out what you can replace or let go of to make time for these steps.
• DO the steps.

Everything you need to achieve your goals, is already inside of you. You have what it takes to do anything, and change anything you please. Decide what you want to change, what you want to achieve, and get out there and do it! One day at a time.

Go be a success story!

Best,

1. Give up trying to be perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.

2. Give up comparing yourself to others. – The only person you are competing against is yourself.

3. Give up dwelling on the past or worrying too much about the future. – Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. Don’t miss it.

4. Give up complaining. – Do something about it.

5. Give up holding grudges. – Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness.

6. Give up waiting. – What we don’t start today won’t be finished by tomorrow. Knowledge and intelligence are both useless without action.

7. Give up lying. – In the long-run the truth always reveals itself. Either you own up to your actions or your actions will ultimately own you.

8. Give up trying to avoid mistakes. – The only mistake that can truly hurt you is choosing to do nothing simply because you’re too scared to make a mistake.

9. Give up saying, “I can’t.” – As Henry Ford put it, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.”

10. Give up trying to be everything to everyone. – Making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. Start small. Start now.

11. Give up thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.

12. Give up setting small goals for yourself. – Many people set small goals because they’re afraid to fail. Ironically, setting these small goals is what makes them fail.

13. Give up trying to do everything by yourself. – You are the sum of the people you spend the most time with. If you work together, you will be far more capable and powerful than you ever could have been alone.

14. Give up buying things you don’t need. – Manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you. Do not spend to impress others. Do not live life trying to fool yourself into thinking wealth is measured in material objects.

15. Give up blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can live your dream life depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life. When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.

16. Give up making mountains out of molehills. – One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time? Three years? Five years? If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.

17. Give up trying to live up to the expectations of others. – Work on it for real and exceed your own expectations. Everything else will fall into place.

18. Give up the ‘easy street’ mentality. – There is too much emphasis on finding a ‘quick fix’ in today’s society. For example taking diet pills to lose weight instead of exercising and eating well. No amount of magic fairy dust replaces diligent, focused, hard work.

19. Give up making promises you can’t keep. – Don’t over-promise. Over-deliver on everything you do.

20. Give up letting your thoughts and feelings bottle up inside. – People are not mind readers. They will never know how you feel unless you tell them.

21. Give up beating around the bush. – Say what you mean and mean what you say. Communicate effectively.

22. Give up avoiding change. – However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. That’s the one thing you can count on. So embrace change and realize that change happens for a reason. It won’t always be easy or obvious at first, but in the end it will be worth it.

23. Give up your sense of entitlement. – Nobody is entitled to anything in this world. We are all equal. We breathe the same air. We get what we give. We get what we earn.

24. Give up waiting until the last minute. – Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.

25. Give up being dramatic. – Stay out of other people’s drama and don’t needlessly create your own.

26. Give up being anti-athletic. – Get your body moving! Simply take a long, relaxing walk.

27. Give up junk food. – You are what you eat.

28. Give up eating as a means of entertainment. – Don’t eat when you’re bored. Eat when you’re hungry.

29. Give up foolish habits that you know are foolish. – Don’t text and drive. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t smoke. Etc.

30. Give up relationships with people who bring you down. – Saying “no” to right people gives you the time and resources required to say “yes” to right opportunities. Spend time with nice people who are smart, driven and likeminded.

31. Give up being shy. – Network with people. Meet new people. Ask questions. Introduce yourself.

32. Give up worrying about what others think of you. – Unless you’re trying to make a great first impression (job interview, first date, etc.), don’t let the opinions of others stand in your way. What they think and say about you isn’t important. What is important is how you feel about yourself.

33. Give up trying to control everything. – Life is an unpredictable phenomenon. No matter how good or bad things seem right now, we can never be 100% certain what will happen next. So do you best with what’s in front of you and leave the rest to the powers above you.

34. Give up doing the same thing over and over again. – In order to grow, you must expand your horizons and break free of your comfort zone. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.

35. Give up following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile. Don’t find the easy way out. Do something extraordinary.

36. Give up persistent multi-tasking. – Do one thing at a time and do it right.

37. Give up thinking others are luckier than you. – The harder you work, the luckier you will become.

38. Give up filling every waking moment with commitments and activities. – It’s okay to be alone. It’s okay to do nothing sometimes. Think. Relax. Breathe. Be.

39. Give up making emotional decisions. – Don’t let your emotions trump your intelligence. Slow down and think things through before you make any life-changing decisions.

40. Give up doing the wrong things just because you can get away with it. – Just because you can get away with something doesn’t mean you should do it. Think bigger. Keep the end in mind. Do what you know in your heart is right.

41. Give up focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen. Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story. If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.

42. Give up taking yourself so seriously. – Few others do anyway. So enjoy yourself and have a little fun while you can.

43. Give up spending your life working in a career field you’re not passionate about. – Life is too short for such nonsense. The right career choice is based on one key point: Finding hard work you love doing. So if you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop. You’re on to something big. Because hard work ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions.

44. Give up thinking about the things you don’t have. – Appreciate everything you do have. Many people aren’t so lucky.

45. Give up doubting others. – People who are determined do remarkable things. Remember, the one who says it can’t be done should never interrupt the one doing it.

46. Give up fussing with every beauty product on the market. – Good looks attracts the eyes. Personality attracts the heart. Be proud to be you. That’s when you’re beautiful.

47. Give up trying to fit in. – Don’t mold yourself into someone you’re not. Be yourself. Oftentimes, the only reason they want you to fit in is that once you do they can ignore you and go about their business.

48. Give up trying to be different for the sake of being different. – Nonconformity for the sake of nonconformity is conformity. When people try too hard to be different, they usually end up being just like everyone else who is trying to be different. Once again, be yourself.

49. Give up trying to avoid risk. – There’s no such thing as ‘risk free.’ Everything you do or don’t do has an inherent risk.

50. Give up putting your own needs on the back burner. – Yes, help others, but help yourself too. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

And remember, mistakes make us human, failures help us grow, hope keeps us going and love is the reason we’re alive. So keep learning, loving and living. Never give up on yourself…

- I have no idea where this list originated, but I have found it in multiple places across the web. Love it! Thought it would make for a great weekend share.

I hope this inspired you as much as it did me!

Best,

You’re familiar with the NAMS Event, right? It’s a Niche Affiliate Marketing Workshop twice a year in Atlanta, and the next event is February 10-12, 2012.

This month is the only time you can score a ticket for only $97. The ticket price is $497, but MyNams Members get an event ticket for only $97 (during September only). When you sign up, use the coupon code “MyNAMS90″ (without quotes) to get in for less than $10/mo.

Then on the page for the Live Event, use the coupon code “LifeChanging” to get into the next live event for only $97. It’s a heckuva deal, and an awesome event!

I have 10 more specials & coupon codes to share with you too. All great deals with significant savings on things you can use in your online business…

Directory Press is a great software to turn WordPress into an automated paid directory. This month you can get 25% off with the coupon code “SEPDISCOUNT”. Perfect for creating topic-based or local web directories.

HostGator is the web host that I use, and they offer a standing coupon code where you can get your first month for a penny. Coupon code: “WordPress”.

The Baby Plan is ideal because it lets you host unlimited domains, blogs or websites for less than $10/mo.

GoDaddy is offering 25% off any domain order of $75 or more. This is a great opportunity to get extra domains, get those higher priced .tv domains you want, etc. Coupon code “fbhome25″. This special offer expires 9/28/2011.

SEOMoz offers a $1 Trial, allowing you to use their web-based SEO Tools for 30 full days. I’ve been using this on my new niche blog to track rankings, changes in rankings, and to get optimization reports that tell me how I can better optimize individual pages.

List Building for Bloggers by Phil Hollows is still hands-down one of my favorite guides (see review). Use the coupon code “clicknewz” to get $10 off (making it only $14.95!).

The Blogger’s Guide to Online Marketing goes hand in hand with LBB (above) and is currently 50% off – for about another week, I believe. No coupon code needed. (see review) This is more than just a guide, actually a detailed Marketing Kit, and I’ve been enjoying it a lot!

Carbonite is offering a Free Trial for 15 days PLUS an extra 2 months if you choose to continue their online backup service.

No coupon code needed, simply use this link to access the special offer.

I use Mozy for automated online backups myself, but have heard great things about Carbonite as well. Mozy has a 10% off coupon code during September too: “SAVEME10″.

9 Down, 2 To Go! …

Nicole Dean is having an awesome September 25% off Sale at Easy PLR for all orders over $25. The discount is automatically applied in the cart, so no coupon code is needed. Browse Easy PLR Content This is a great time to stock up on some content for your blog, reports or article marketing!

Alice Seba’s Better Content Marketing course is closing for the year on September 28th. This is the last chance to get in before it reopens in 2012. Use the Coupon Code: “content2011″ to save $30 on lifetime membership.

Alice is well known for high quality content & training, so this is a great opportunity to get in and learn from one of the best if you struggle with content or marketing!

Lots of great coupon codes & discounts this month. I hope you found something you can use in your online business. Enjoy the savings!

Best,

Do More Great Work: Stop the Busywork. Start the Work That Matters.

It was this part of the description that really spoke to me: “When you’re up to your eyeballs answering e-mail, returning phone calls, attending meetings and scrambling to get that project done, you can turn to this inspirational, motivating, and at times playful book for invaluable guidance.

In fifteen exercises, Do More Great Work shows how you can finally do more of the work that engages and challenges you, that has a real impact, that plays to your strengths—and that matters…”

Sounds good! I’m anxious to give it a read and check out the exercises.

The second book I ordered is:

Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business (New Rules Social Media Series)

These were both books that Amazon recommended in an email, along with a few others, and the reviews looked pretty positive.

These were my two picks of the lot. And two more than I probably need (lol) but my Amazon addiction kicked in and I just couldn’t help myself!

Of course, I consider it a great investment if I get even ONE idea that I can put into action. Particularly on topics like productivity and content development, which are such a big part of my daily routine and business.

What are YOU reading?

Best,

My children were both out of town, but I went with Dwaine and a group of friends (his family) and also took my great dane, Slim. We had a fabulous time! From tubing the river and 4-wheeling in the mud, to just hanging out around a campfire and sharing stories and laughs…

There was very little signal once we got out of town, even most of the drive there which followed the Ocoee River. And that suited me just fine. I was ready to “unplug” for awhile.

Most of the time when I travel, even on personal trips, I stay connected and check in – and share photos & updates along the way.

This trip was different, not only due to the lack of signal or service – but because I went with the intention of being unplugged.

Being unplugged is as much a choice, or a mindset, as anything…

For me it was about taking a mental break. A break from ideas, from checking in, from being “in the stream”. Instead I played in real streams for the week.

I took my Macbook along in case I wanted to sit and do some writing in the peaceful setting of the deep woods, but I never even cracked it open. I took my iPad along too, because it had a great new book on it that I thought I might read. I never so much as powered it on.

I also took my smart phone (Droid X) which is what I used to snap pictures along the way.

I checked in occasionally, if we rode into town or otherwise got random 3G service, but even then it was only a quick look to see that everything was running smooth. And it was.

Still, it was nothing like the usual routine of being “plugged in to the grid” every waking hour.

Not that I mind that, because I don’t. I love technology and everything it has added to my life! But taking a break, a mental break more than anything, was absolutely fabulous.

I returned late Thursday night feeling tired but refreshed, incredibly inspired, and looking forward to my work & usual routine.

I was especially anxious to get home and work on my new niche blog.

Particularly because the trip was relevant to that niche (traveling & eating low carb).

There were three things that really stood out to me while “unplugged” – and one negative, even.

I thought I’d share those with you here as several people mentioned on Facebook and Twitter that they’d love to hear about my experience and get my thoughts on it…

3 Things I Learned While Unplugged

1. My assistant is awesome. (I already knew that) Angie and I usually work closely, and I keep myself available to her even while traveling. On this particular trip though, I was off the grid for the most part. It gave me a deep appreciation of just how invaluable she is, and what an asset she is to my business.

If there’s one thing you should invest in, it’s an assistant. Even if you have (or plan to have) an entire team, you need ONE person that you can communicate with directly. Someone you can trust. Someone that knows your business inside and out. Someone that shares your values. And someone that can manage your team for you.

2. Passive Income rocks! No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’m always earning more money than I’m spending. While I’m sleeping, while I’m kicked back reading a book on a 14 hour flight from L.A. to Australia, or while I’m sitting by the river for four straight days with no internet access. And that is a NICE feeling.

No matter what your business model, look for ways to set up Passive Income sources. I did this in my service-based business many years ago, and continue to incorporate it into everything that I do.

3. Evernote is my all-time favorite app. Period. It is one of the few that syncs cross-platform. I can put photos, ebooks, lists, notes, etc into Evernote – and it does way more than I will ever even use.

While I was “unplugged” I had an opportunity to totally relax & unwind. This allowed for creative ideas and inspiration, which I of course wanted to jot down to remember later when I was back to work. I opened Evernote on my smart phone, jotted down a note, and closed it back.

When I got back to my home office all of my Evernote notes were right here on both my Mac and my PC. No transferring of files. I wasn’t stuck working on a specific device. It was right where I wanted it (everywhere!) so I could sit down anywhere and just go straight to work. Perfect!

The Downside To Taking An Unplugged Vacation

Alright, so there was one itty bitty downside to this fabulous vacation and mental break. LOL. I found it hard to get back into my routine once I “plugged back in”.

It’s amazing how much we are tuned in to on a regular basis. How much content we consume, even if it’s just scanning streams & bits.

Personally I have multiple screens tuned in to various channels, along with my smart phone which is with me 24/7.

And I enjoy that! But stepping away from it for several days straight can make it awkward to step back in. In fact it took me a couple of days to wrap my head around processing the incoming data again, without flinching at least – lol.

All is fine & well now of course, and I’m happily catching up with tasks & conversations and excited about the week ahead. I’m also already planning to take another week of unplugged vacation next summer – and perhaps every summer. It was a great way to reset the brain!

Best,

What follows is a fun and thought-provoking exercise to help you improve yourself, and your mindset, on your journey toward creating a life you love & enjoy…

Guest Post by Gordon Bryan

I read a couple of interesting posts on Lynn’s blog about mindset, and it reminded me of something I wrote about in my book way back in 2003, covering theories I have used since way back to the early 80s! Reading Lynn’s post prompted me to revisit the idea, and I love to use the phenomenon of blushing as an example…

You may not be blushing as you read this. True, it’s possible that you *are*, but not likely. I bet you don’t have to think hard though, to remember a time when you did blush. In fact, for the purpose of this article, do it now – think back to an incident that had you blushing like a tomato.

It might be that the memory will make you start to blush now, and that takes us close to the point I’m making, which is this – If blushing is a physical response to a thought (which it obviously is), then doesn’t it follow that we can harness that relationship for our benefit?

My belief is that yes, we can, and here’s how…

A lot of people dismiss the idea of positive thinking, that it doesn’t apply to ‘real’ life, that’s it’s a manufactured idea that only has a place in happy-clappy seminars. Not true. We can direct our thoughts, change them, not only to release chemicals in our body, but to change our mental approach. This can be the approach to a specific goal, or the approach to life in general.

Changing our thoughts changes our attitude, and that change in attitude leads to changes in action. Changes in action leads to changes in results. In fact I would argue that change in results will not happen without having that change in thought at the start of the process.

Tapping into this huge potential between our ears can reduce the stress we believe we endure, and it isn’t long before you start to notice people around you still putting up with stress that you have left behind.

That will encourage you to go further, because it does take practice. It’s not something that can be accomplished overnight, but it certainly is something that can at least be started overnight, right now in fact.

You will feel more positive, more ambitious, more hopeful, and those thoughts will release chemicals which will take the whole circle upwards, a complete opposite to a circle of thought taking you down.

The next time you find yourself blushing, have a big wide smile about it, and let it be a reminder of you harnessing your brainwaves to make huge progress.

Don’t even wait until the next time you blush, repeat the exercise I suggested earlier, and think back to a time in the past when you blushed.

That physical change resulting from a thought is a powerful, powerful force that you can now tap into.

That’s how blushing can help to achieve your personal development!

**********************************

Gordon Bryan writes the Great Gordino Newsletter, and his writing has been described as ‘motivational magic’. Read more and grab his free 8 step goal achievement formula at thegreatgordino.com

***********************************

I found this fun exercise to be very thought-provoking, myself! Consider that for a moment, how a single thought can evoke a physical response (such as blushing).

I know that when it comes to achieving my goals, thinking about the outcome gets me excited and motivated. Take the fact that I am publishing a book this year.

There is A LOT of work involved. If I focus on the tasks I immediately feel overwhelmed and stressed. But if I focus on the end goal, holding my book in my hands and seeing it on Amazon, I feel inspired and motivated.

Can we train ourselves to be more productive, happier, more social even (for us introverts!)… simply by thinking strategically? I think so! While “positive thinking” is not at all a new concept, I love the tangible example Gordon offered. It really puts the idea of “quick, achievable results” in very simple terms…

I have always enjoyed Gordon for that – he makes me think.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Best,

It’s been a *great* trip, including a fun day at White Rock beach (left), but now I’m anxious to get home & see the people I love.

I have received some thoughtful gifts and many really nice notes – thank you for those!! – but there is one thing I want more than anything else this year…

Can You Help Me Make It An Awesome Year??

I’m not going to ask for much, I promise.

It’s probably things you would already do anyway. But I could really use your help. It will take zero money and less than a minute of your time, but make a huge difference (collectively)… and mean the world to me.

Living The Dream

I often joke that while the gurus are out there poring over and split testing their big red headlines, I am out there making them true.

I make money in my sleep, literally. I travel, A LOT, and yes I make money while sipping margaritas on the beach! I have a flexible schedule, get to do what I want when I want, and have had the opportunity to raise my children (as a single parent) while still pursuing a rewarding and successful career.

I can’t even begin to express the gratitude I feel for living in a time where the opportunity is so available. Not just for the lucky or the rich, but for everyone.

Even a single mother who never finished high school, didn’t go to college, and didn’t have a lick of credit or savings. (That was me.)

What I really want more than anything is to help more people achieve the same lifestyle I have for myself…

An opportunity to define happiness on your own terms. To live out your biggest dreams. To create the life you really want, and walk away from the one you feel stuck in – the one that holds you back.

Life is GOOD. I remember a time when it wasn’t though. And I remember too, how hard I worked to change that. With no “inner circle”, no mentors, no money to make things easier, and often working 14-18 hours/day.

Whatever it took to get to a better place in my life.

I want to make that transition easier for others. Not everyone, because working online or working from home isn’t for everyone. But for those that desperately need or want to start a successful business or career online… I can help.

Whether you want an online business, a virtual job, or just a fun blog that earns you $2000/month in extra spending money… I can help.

Unfortunately there are tons of scams and crap out there – and that’s what most people find first when they’re ready to make a real change. Unfortunate indeed.

I can’t tell you the number of people over the years who’ve said, “I wish I had found you before I ___” or “I wish I had known about your free blog & forum when I was struggling to get started.”

I hear it everywhere I go, along with terrible stories of scams and frustration. It’s really disheartening. We all know it’s just a matter of being in the right place at the right time, knowing the right people – those that can point you in the right direction, and getting lucky enough to find the real information in a sea of junk.

So today, on my birthday, if I could make a tiny request, I would love to let you help me spread the word just a little bit farther. Collectively we can make a big difference for someone. For many someones, even.

I’m working very hard to make sure my free tutorials and getting started guides are in the right place for the right people, but I can only do so much on my own.

To make it easy, I’ll give you a few options to choose from. Even if you just make one quick click, it will be noticed and greatly appreciated!

• LIKE my Facebook Page
• Tweet your favorite ClickNewz blog post
• Ask me a business/marketing question on Twitter @LynnTerry
• LIKE your favorite ClickNewz blog post
• Stumble your favorite ClickNewz posts
• Recommend ClickNewz to someone
• Recommend my upcoming Affiliate Starter Guide
  (a real book, due out August 2011, w/immediate bonus free download)
• Blog about ClickNewz, or a specific post, and link to the source
• Invite people to the ClickNewz Forum

You’ll find a LIKE button at the top left of every post, and a Tweet & Stumble button at the end of each post, to make it easier to choose your click.

There are also some great posts under Hot Topics in the right sidebar (up a bit on the right) if you’re looking for something valuable to share.

You might be able to think of something else, which is great too. I appreciate any gift of your time you choose – very much. Thank you!!

Raise your glass, bake a cake, have a slice of pie – or however you like to celebrate most – and join me in a collaborative effort to help more people learn
“the real way to make money online”

Leave a comment below and let us know what you shared where, if you like. And be sure to link to your website and Twitter account in the appropriate fields. I love following the people that comment here frequently & checking out your sites!

*cheers*

I received some fun mail & packages this week…

First on the list is a nice Thank You card and gift from Lynette Chandler.
Thank you Lynette! I mentioned the recent interview I did on Lynette’s blog. You’ll find that here: Lynn Terry Discloses What And How She Uses Technology

I got an invitation to my 20 year High School Reunion.

I also received my first issue of Inc. Magazine:

My last package was a surprise. It came from ClickBank with a nice little note inside (lol) – and a really nice gift…

Inside was a copy of Get Rich Click!: The Ultimate Guide to Making Money on the Internet by Marc Ostrofsky.

It looks like an excellent read. There are many endorsements on the back and inside the front cover, many from names I recognize. I’ll have to check it out and give it a full review…

I hope you enjoyed the mail video this week! If you would like to send something to be featured in a ClickNewz! Mail Video, you can send it to:

Lynn Terry
PO Box 7245
McMinnvillle, TN 37111

Best,

This year it’s particularly special, as the first one after my son Zack (now 19yo) left home to start his own life.

As many of you know, my son is the primary reason that I started working from home exclusively – and why I pursued niche affiliate marketing and passive income sources. Two things I absolutely love. I can’t imagine what direction my business may have taken otherwise, but I can say that I am *incredibly* happy with how it turned out!

Like I said, Zack moved out last Fall to start his own life – which happened to be in Charlotte, NC. I have been incredibly proud of him, the choices he made, the initiative he took… and the fact that he turned out to be such a responsible and handsome young man.

Of course, Mother’s Day just wouldn’t be the same without him. So my daughter and I drove to North Carolina for the weekend. We had a great road trip together, and have really enjoyed hanging out here.

Nice hotel, great food, warm sunshine, reading poolside, a little shopping, checking out my son’s new bachelor pad. I’ve had a fabulous weekend – fun, but also very easy going & relaxing.

It’s hard to believe how fast the years have gone by. My children were 5 months and 5 years old when I quit my last real job. This year they are turning 15 and 20. Wow.

Looking at my son, who has turned out handsome and responsible and completely self-sufficient at such a young age… I feel a deep sense of pride. And maybe a tinge of relief -lol. He was the one I always worried about, and the one that shaped so many of my personal and professional decisions over the years.

It’s nice to be on this end of that journey, and to be able to say that I did indeed make the right choices. Or at least “good enough” choices – lol. I’m so grateful to live in a generation where that opportunity was available, thanks to the many options offered on the world wide web. I can only imagine how our lives might have turned out otherwise… quite hard, I’m sure.

My daughter on the other hand, has never caused me too much worry. She is a beautiful, outgoing, spunky teenage girl. She has been easy from day one, a quiet happy baby, and always brought a lot of balance to our lives. I can’t tell you how much we needed that. She’s a real joy (lots of laughs!!) – and great company to me now that Zack has left home.

As a mother, I was truly blessed. A boy and a girl. A quiet child and an outgoing child. One easy and one not. I got to experience A LOT a long the way, and I never once had the opportunity to become complacent. They motivated me to work harder, dream bigger and achieve more. And I did. I wanted to give them the life they deserved. And I have.

Being a mother is one of the greatest things about my life. It’s such a big part of everything else I do, am, or have become.

I am incredibly proud of my two children. I am so happy to be their mother. And I am incredibly grateful to live in the web age, where even a single mother without a college education could raise her own children from home full time while also pursuing a very rewarding career…

To my beautiful children: Thank you for making my life what it is.

I’m off to spend this day doing what mother’s do best: cooking! *smile* It has been so nice to spend the weekend just hanging out with the kids, and especially getting to see my son’s new life here in North Carolina – and how well he has done out on his own. It’s impressive what he’s accomplished, at only 19 years old.

I’ll close with a special thank you to my own mother, who is my top source of support and encouragement. Her advice, and sometimes just her ear, helped me through many tough phases. She carries an unofficial “Quality Control” title in my business – and a very big place in my heart…

Happy Mother’s Day!

Best,

Watch in HD on YouTube

- forgive the sizzling in the background – I was making dinner

The super cool Lenovo ThinkCentre doubles as a fishtank on your desk! Complete with sounds and touch response! You can even scare off the little minnows – lol.

How cool is that?!

Make sure you’re entered in the drawing to win a Lenovo ThinkCentre. It takes place Monday night May 2nd at 10pm Eastern. The winner will be announced within 24 hours of the drawing. Good luck!!

- – - – - – - – - –