Every Saturday morning I settle into an inspiring space, often light a candle and reflect on what type of leader I have been in my life and my business.

It’s become a cherished ritual in my life because it keeps me connected with who I am becoming and who I choose to be.

No matter the material assets in my life that show my physical journey, what truly matters to me is my journey within myself and the difference I am making (in my small way) to the greater world…am I being the person I want to be and am I committed to living my higher purpose?

Here are 18 Questions (yes,18) I ask myself that keep me in touch with myself. [Stay Tuned for next week when I share the practical questions I assess weekly in my business.]

I can’t tell you enough how critical these questions are to keeping me grounded, inspired and progressing in our rapidly changing and divisive world.

1. Vision: Have I stayed committed to my vision of what I’m creating? Am I taking steps daily to make it a reality?
2. Values: Have I been aligned with my core values…living consistently with attitudes, behaviors, decisions and actions that are true to me?
3. Adaptability & Resiliency: Have I been adaptable and flexible…willing to see new perspectives and bend in new ways given what I confronted? Was I able to go beyond any challenge necessary to become stronger and become “antifragile”-inviting new challenges?
4. Curiosity: Did I ask questions, learn and seek to understand?
5. Wonder and Awe: Was I willing to witness and experience the special moments and small wonders that surround me?
6. Inspirational and Empowering: Did I lift others up, inspire and empower them to believe in themselves and take hold of their own vision?
7. Commitment & Consistency: Were my actions consistent with my words…doing what I said I was going to do? Following through on what I’m committed to?
8. Possibility: Did I embrace possibility and create something from nothing? Daring forward to transform my reality and make the changes I desire to make?
9. Creativity: Did I reignite my imagination, make space for creativity and dare to be different?
10. Risk-Taking: Did I do something scary every day, exercising vulnerability that paved the path to my vision and commitment?
11. Responsibility: Was I responsible 100%, 100% of the time?
12. Communication: Did I listen and engage directly and respectfully? Was I willing to have the fierce conversation that needed to happen? Did my words matter? Did I move one step further towards conversational excellence?
13. Persuasion: Did I ethically persuade, influence and enroll others using genuine emotion and storytelling to inspire action?
14. Opportunities: Did I let obstacles and challenges lead the way to finding new opportunities and solutions?
15. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Did I walk in others’ shoes? Did I feel and relate… to truly connect to myself and others?
16. Integrity: Did I act wholeheartedly and with strength of character…never settling and giving up on myself, my vision, values and commitment?
17. Execution: Did I take action? As Thomas Edison said, vision without implementation is hallucination”.
18. Leadership: Although these are all leadership distinctions, did I support and develop leadership in others which is the truest test of a great leader?

And the bonus, culminating question…Have I lived fully, loved fiercely and mattered?

This may seem like a lot, and it is when given deep reflection and thought. It’s a lot because it’s confronting. It’s hard to reconcile where I didn’t “live up” to my best self.

I don’t use it to beat myself up. I use it as a challenge to be a better person and leader today.

Thinking time is critical and it’s time well spent.

I encourage you to use any and all of these questions that resonate with you to connect with your best self and the leader you are being in your life.

Question of the Week and Every Week:

Have I lived fully, loved fiercely and mattered?

Business is built on relationships.

Lazy, random, transactional exchanges are not relationships.

Instead, relationships take an investment of interest, understanding, compassion, generosity, and time.

This is what builds trust.

This is what transforms insincere, brief encounters into meaningful, mutually beneficial, lasting friendships both personally and professionally. Friendships where you support each other when facing challenges, inspire each other to improve and reach goals, and refer new opportunities that can have a massive impact on your business.

But without those essential components – interest, understanding, compassion, generosity, time – relationships don’t exist.

The interaction becomes one-sided.

Which is contrary to the very point of a relationship.

So how do we build networking connections into viable standout relationships?

1. Turn initial small talk into impactful exchanges. The best way to accomplish this is to genuinely be interested in the other person. Both personally and professionally. As humans, we have a life beyond our work. Asking questions and getting to know the other person is a great way to find common ground and a reason to take the relationship further.
2. Have an intention for each conference, event, or meeting you attend. This can be as simple as I want to meet and engage with 5 new people, exchange ideas, develop rapport, and identify real-world connections that can last.
3. Transform casual online contacts into meaningful connections. Getting beneath the surface with people is a great way to show you care without having an ulterior motive. Once you understand what’s important to them, what’s top of mind, or what’s challenging, you can curate meaningful follow-up. This can include sharing articles or resources that you believe would support them. Going the extra mile is not a crowded space. It counts in creating connections worthy of each others’ time.
4. Create a schedule for staying in touch with your network. Time truly does fly. Without a concerted focus and clear intentions about keeping communication going, the connections you have invested time, effort, and energy into building can go by the wayside. What could have developed into a consequential relationship or potential collaboration easily becomes neglected and soon forgotten.
5. Become a superconnector and create your own events or opportunities to bring your community together. Community is currency in our current world. Bringing amazing people together for a common purpose can be an extraordinary way to add value to others’ lives and truly make an even bigger difference in the world with the power of the collective.
6. Unlock the power of social media as a networking tool. You have free media in your pocket. Use it to connect, engage, and build relationships in a value-added, meaningful and distinct way…a way unique to you.
7. Be a leader and repair & strengthen troubled relationships. We all make mistakes and holding grudges never serves. Making the effort to transform troubled relationships can bring goodwill, faith, and trust in who you are and what you stand for. At the very least, you’ll sleep better at night. And who knows, it may lead to your next significant opportunity.

As a final thought, be aware if you’re the person who’s reaching out just to get something from someone.

And don’t be that person. It’s not a winning business strategy.

Give first. Seek to understand. And see where the true, non-transactional exchange takes you.

It’s life-altering.

Quote of the Week:

Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement, all success, all achievement in real life grows.

– Ben Stein

That’s what it’s about. That’s why you became an entrepreneur.

You started a business because you want to do work you love, make a meaningful impact and create [financial] freedom.

What’s most important to you is to live life on your terms…doing what you want, when you want and with whom you want.

And yet, here you are, stuck overworking, overdelivering, and being underfunded in your business wondering where things went awry?

The better question is what choices are you making now, to turn your situation around and get on a smoother path to building a profitable business and living a prosperous life.

Sustainable business is about consistent, scalable growth…growth that achieves profit…where revenue outpaces costs.

You can’t make an impact or a meaningful difference if you’re not profitable.

When you earn more, you can do more. For yourself and for others.

Thriving in business is about profit first.

The question is how do you build revenue and resulting profit in a way that feels true to you and aligns with your passions and strengths.

1/ Create attention.

If you’re not seen or heard you will be not be known. If nobody can find you or they don’t know you exist, game over.

Identify a way or an outlet where people can find you.

When I first started my own entrepreneurial journey, the phone was my best friend. Getting into conversations with people to both let them know what I was doing and to hear their challenges and obstacles led to a rapid rise in clients to serve and revenue & profit.

Today, although direct outreach and conversations are still the fastest path to developing relationships and ultimate profit, I employ other methods that complement it like email, social media, speaking engagements, and other online methods.

Pick one way if you’ve got minimal leverage now and start there.

If cash is a priority engage in conversations.

If you’re developing your voice and your offer, you can pick a platform like LinkedIn or Instagram and post valuable content every day.

2/ Hone in on the signals.

See what resonates with others and double down.

This is about understanding what challenges and problems others face and how you can solve them.

What others care about is your signal and throughline to developing an offer that benefits them.

Keep writing and talking about it to gain attention.

3/ Respond to everyone who contacts you.

Showing you care says a lot. You’d be surprised at how many people miss the opportunity to follow-up.

4/ Identify your ideal client.

As you work with clients you’ll be able to identify your ideal client.

This is the client who not only benefits from working with you but one You Love working with.

Mine are ambitious, talented and skilled women who want to unlock their professional and entrepreneurial power to build their freedom based business…more time, more money and more impact.

These are my ideal clients.

5/ Develop a high ticket offer.

When people pay, they pay attention. These are the people who get results and 10X or more their revenue and potential profit.

You can’t shrink your way to greatness.

Although there is a place for low ticket and medium ticket offers it’s not the place to start.

6/ Focus on Marketing.

Marketing is about building treasured relationships. As long as you are aggressively focused on becoming a trusted resource you will never be at a loss for clients.

7/ Profit comes from the right investment.

We all know the nuts and bolts of profit, simply it’s to bring in more revenue than you spend.

Remember though, that your greatest asset is you. Investing in yourself is the best investment you can make. The ROI is huge if you’re committed to your own growth.

And this can 10X your profits.

If you’re ready to uplevel your business success and expand your leadership, I’m hosting a rare 4-person mastermind day with me on Sunday, September 10.

Here’s what you need to know about this unique opportunity:

• The mastermind is limited to just 4 purpose-driven business owners.

• We will spend the day together on Sunday, Sept. 10., 2023 from approximately 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, with lunch included. We’re reserving a large suite at a luxury hotel for an unforgettable experience.

• The focus of our day will be on two parts: first, upleveling your business success; second, elevating and amplifying your thought leadership platform and impact in the world.

To discuss this opportunity further, including the investment to join me, I encourage you to reply to this email with the word “Profit” in the subject line and I will get back to you within 24 hours to set-up a time to chat.

Quote Of The Week:

“It is your life and it is worth risking everything to make it yours.”

– Oprah

Do you notice newsletters you’ve received where you’re yawning before you even really get into them?

You know and respect the author and want to give them the benefit of the doubt that they have something valuable to convey, so you open it and start reading.

Only to find it sounds like everyone else.

Not terribly distinctive, interesting or intriguing.

Not giving you, the reader, any satisfaction and certainly not doing anything to foster allegiance to the writer.

I just read one such newsletter from a woman I greatly admire, but abandoned the effort after only a few lines.

I didn’t abandon her though.

I just suddenly decided I’d rather have an authentic conversation with that person rather than read another unmemorable missive that doesn’t sound like her.

At least in a conversation, I’d get to talk with the “real” her.

It’s clear from reading her email that either someone else wrote it or it was taken from ChatGPT.

Don’t get me wrong…ChatGPT can be a great source of ideas and a great tool. But it has its limits.

At least for now, it can’t really capture Your Voice, Your Message, or Your Impact.

That’s because there’s only one of you.

So what are you to do?

We exist in a digital world where email, newsletters, blogs, articles, and posts are an incredible way to build relationships and business, yet you feel incapable of writing anything anyone would want to read, much less benefit from.

Who has the time or skills to devote to writing words that actually sound like you as if you were talking to them on the spot in an engaging and LIVE conversation?

Well, let’s not throw our arms up in frustration so fast!

There is a way for you to convey a distinctive voice in a distinctive world built on your distinctive persona and ideas.

A world where your intended audience pays close attention and where you can consistently create effective marketing, and grow your business, influence and reputation.

Here are some tips for building that world, focusing first here, on your email marketing:

1. Know Your Audience. Chances are, the people you’re trying to connect with are attracted to YOU, which is why they’re on your email list to begin with. Conversely, you should be attracted to them. Know them, understand them, be them. What are their dreams, pain points, challenges, frustrations and desires? Why do you believe they picked you? When you’re speaking to your audience you must understand them or they won’t be your audience for very long.
2. Write Like You Speak. If you were talking face to face with your audience, what would you say…and more importantly, how would you say it? Write your email as if you’re having a conversation. There should be very little difference between your verbal and written communications.
3. Be You. Don’t try to sound like someone you’re not…perfect, polite, polarizing, etc. Just be you. The disconnect for people is when they feel like they’re speaking to someone else or you’re not showing up in a way that’s integrous, whole or true to you.
4. Outsource Selectively & Collaborate. Be careful who you may hire to write your words. There are great copywriters who can capture your message and write in your voice. But not all copywriters are created equal. A relationship like this requires work on both sides…you being very clear on what you’re looking to get across, and the copywriter taking the time to listen and understand your motives and style. It’s a collaborative arrangement that allows the copywriter to write in your voice and one that resonates with others.
5. Create a Writing Practice. Make the time to craft messages that matter to your audience. Copywriting is a high value activity in your marketing and your business. It has the ability to add tens of thousands and more to your bottom line if done right. So create a practice where you are developing the craft of writing your email messages and, if needed, get the right help to support you.

Remember, if you decide to hire a professional copywriter, be willing to pay. High impact results don’t come cheap. Just like trusted reputations are developed over time, great copywriting skills are developed over time. Anyone who can help you achieve results deserves to be compensated for their skill. This is not the place to cut corners.

If you want to stand out with distinction in your email marketing I’m starting a new Email Mastery group.

If you have a list, even if it’s small, you may be surprised to see what it can do for you.

If you don’t, it’s time to develop one and strategically grow it and leverage it.

In the group, I’ll mentor you on best practices for developing and nurturing your list. I’ll also work with you, one on one, to wordsmith new emails to send to your list and report on the results.

Do you notice newsletters you’ve received where you’re yawning before you even really get into them?

You know and respect the author and want to give them the benefit of the doubt that they have something valuable to convey, so you open it and start reading.

Only to find it sounds like everyone else.

Not terribly distinctive, interesting or intriguing.

Not giving you, the reader, any satisfaction and certainly not doing anything to foster allegiance to the writer.

I just read one such newsletter from a woman I greatly admire, but abandoned the effort after only a few lines.

I didn’t abandon her though.

I just suddenly decided I’d rather have an authentic conversation with that person rather than read another unmemorable missive that doesn’t sound like her.

At least in a conversation, I’d get to talk with the “real” her.

It’s clear from reading her email that either someone else wrote it or it was taken from ChatGPT.

Don’t get me wrong…ChatGPT can be a great source of ideas and a great tool. But it has its limits.

At least for now, it can’t really capture Your Voice, Your Message, or Your Impact.

That’s because there’s only one of you.

So what are you to do?

We exist in a digital world where email, newsletters, blogs, articles, and posts are an incredible way to build relationships and business, yet you feel incapable of writing anything anyone would want to read, much less benefit from.

Who has the time or skills to devote to writing words that actually sound like you as if you were talking to them on the spot in an engaging and LIVE conversation?

Well, let’s not throw our arms up in frustration so fast!

There is a way for you to convey a distinctive voice in a distinctive world built on your distinctive persona and ideas.

A world where your intended audience pays close attention and where you can consistently create effective marketing, and grow your business, influence and reputation.

Here are some tips for building that world, focusing first here, on your email marketing:

1. Know Your Audience. Chances are, the people you’re trying to connect with are attracted to YOU, which is why they’re on your email list to begin with. Conversely, you should be attracted to them. Know them, understand them, be them. What are their dreams, pain points, challenges, frustrations and desires? Why do you believe they picked you? When you’re speaking to your audience you must understand them or they won’t be your audience for very long.
2. Write Like You Speak. If you were talking face to face with your audience, what would you say…and more importantly, how would you say it? Write your email as if you’re having a conversation. There should be very little difference between your verbal and written communications.
3. Be You. Don’t try to sound like someone you’re not…perfect, polite, polarizing, etc. Just be you. The disconnect for people is when they feel like they’re speaking to someone else or you’re not showing up in a way that’s integrous, whole or true to you.
4. Outsource Selectively & Collaborate. Be careful who you may hire to write your words. There are great copywriters who can capture your message and write in your voice. But not all copywriters are created equal. A relationship like this requires work on both sides…you being very clear on what you’re looking to get across, and the copywriter taking the time to listen and understand your motives and style. It’s a collaborative arrangement that allows the copywriter to write in your voice and one that resonates with others.
5. Create a Writing Practice. Make the time to craft messages that matter to your audience. Copywriting is a high value activity in your marketing and your business. It has the ability to add tens of thousands and more to your bottom line if done right. So create a practice where you are developing the craft of writing your email messages and, if needed, get the right help to support you.

Remember, if you decide to hire a professional copywriter, be willing to pay. High impact results don’t come cheap. Just like trusted reputations are developed over time, great copywriting skills are developed over time. Anyone who can help you achieve results deserves to be compensated for their skill. This is not the place to cut corners.

If you want to stand out with distinction in your email marketing I’m starting a new Email Mastery group.

If you have a list, even if it’s small, you may be surprised to see what it can do for you.

If you don’t, it’s time to develop one and strategically grow it and leverage it.

In the group, I’ll mentor you on best practices for developing and nurturing your list. I’ll also work with you, one on one, to wordsmith new emails to send to your list and report on the results.

Just email me back and I’ll send you all the details.

Quote Of The Week:

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”

~ Dr. Seuss

It was actually one of my highest and most rewarding moments as a Fortune 500 Sales Executive. A little back story first… I grew up in a man’s world. The corporate world. With some great men mentors, and a few not-so-great. I learned to do business the traditional, expected way…initially not bringing too much of my creative, feminine traits to the table for fear of being judged as emotional, soft and not being able to play with the big boys. This was the talk in my generation. But over time I proved myself highly valuable as a skilled, successful Sales Executive and Leader with great communication skills, not-too-shabby negotiation skills and the ability to turn negative situations around. I managed to succeed powerfully and quietly until quiet was off the table. In came a new CEO who loved being the center of attention. He loved grand events and the opportunity to hold court in a banquet hall filled with hundreds of clients. Although he was likable, his bravado was on full display. The only problem was that he expected me and my fellow executives around the country to be his starting act…with similar dramatic mastery. I’ll spare you the full details. Bottom line it was mortifying. The comfortable, quiet achievement I was able to create over and over, now had a new mission…Be Seen, Be Heard, Introduce “The Star” and be a darn good starting act! I was definitely being judged for a whole new role. When faced with this unintended (by me) but expected (by him) fork in the road, I had a choice to make. It was either to quit [I honestly didn’t think I could do it] or master it. I was wholly inclined to do the former but pushed myself to rise above and master it. And I did. After several years, when he was leaving the company and on our final road show, we had our last event in Philadelphia. I had to dress up as Benjamin Franklin, wax poetic about our “Independence Small Business Product” with a presentation I wrote weaving aspects of Ben Franklin and Philadelphia into the talk (which was great, if I may say so myself). I was writer, storyteller, performer, and corporate exec, who with my team made millions for the organization. When I presented him, he came up to the stage and said I was a tough act to follow. When it was all over, he thanked me and told me I was his best presenter and Sales Exec in the country. At that time it was my biggest personal and professional challenge and my greatest reward. Thank you Ray, for seeing in me what I couldn’t see in myself and for the many experiences that forever changed me and showed me what I’m made of. Moral of the story?  Don’t underestimate what you’re capable of. When faced with a fork in the road, or an entirely new direction, rise to the occasion and take the scary path. As horrifying as it may seem, it will serve you throughout your life as long as you continuously choose growth over comfort. And when you’re feeling down on yourself, remember that one experience when you were a badass. Harness that golden moment! To help you do that I’ve attached a quick questionnaire I like to run through that gets me oriented, feeling powerful, and ready to move my business and career forward. Have fun with it. And have fun out there today as you Dare Forward. Find the new you and climb to new heights! Quote Of The Week: “Well done is better than well said.” ~ Ben Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1737 Xo, Noreen Founder & CEO Noreen Howard International PLUS: Whenever you’re ready…here are a few ways I can help you with YOUR business: 1. FREE Resource to Curate Your Wealth at curatingwealth.com. 2. I host a FREE Marketing Open Mic with other experts where you will have the opportunity to learn secrets to magnetic marketing, address top of mind marketing challenges and bounce ideas off of other like-minded business owners and experts. It’s casual where you can come when you wish and stay as long as you like. Click here to RSVP and get it on your calendar. 3. Join Self-Discovery to Results. An opportunity to do deep, personal exploration and work that aligns with life and business goals, expansive stretches, and leadership principles to build your freedom, impact and legacy. Click here for more details. 4. Half-Day VIP Want to tackle a strategic or marketing project, quickly? Book a Half-Day Session with me and together, we’ll execute in 4 hours…Just reply to this message and tell me a little about your business and what you’d like to work on together, and I’ll get you all the details!