How Large is YOUR Joy Container?

I just had to share today’s message with you from my friend, mastermind partner and a Joyful Business Guide owner, Thea Sheldon.  We are so connected…I’ve been thinking over the weekend about how much joy do I actually ALLOW in…how about you….? Here’s a beautiful touchpoint visualization to help you connect to and expand your Joy Container…

From Thea…a masterful, visionary coach,

"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being the more joy it can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?"

- Kahlil Gibran

How large is your joy container?

In what ways do you let joy be who you are? .

Breathing deeply--acknowledge the deep caverns of sorrow within you; observe your sorrow without being drawn into it and express gratitude for each time sorrow has inhabited your soul; Breathing again, let go of sorrow and begin to see the shape of the container that holds your joy; notice its size and marvel at its elasticity and flexibility; feel your joy container being filled, expanding and overflowing into your whole life; allow the bubbles of joy to rise in you like the effervescence in a glass of fine champagne; Carry that effervescence with you as you move fluidly through the activities of your week...

En-JOY!

Laura

Your True Intuitive Potential - Are You Living Your Purpose?

Did you know you might be only harnessing 25% of your Intuitive capabilities?

If so these are signs...

You have dreams that don’t come to fruition.
You sabotage your ability to be prosperous.
You make friends with people who are not aligned with who you are.

Find out more at: http://www.joyfulleadership.com/pii/piipage01.html

Please join us for a free teleclass led by my LPE, Life Partner Extraordinaire, Marc West.  I do believe that to really succeed as an entrepreneur you need more than great marketing ideas and one of those key ingredients is being able to tap into your intuition for decisions, ideas, divine downloads and trusting in your path. 

Marc is truly an Intuitive and is passionate about helping the rest of us deepen our access to our intuition and be able to tap into it with ease and confidence.

I hope you’ll sign up for this teleclass and join us for a wondrous journey!

With training you too can tap into being the abundance steward of
your business. Find out more at: http://www.joyfulleadership.com/pii/piipage01.html

En-JOY!

Laura

Are You Dressing with Intention?

A good friend of mine, Evana Maggiore, author of Fashion Feng Shui, talks about women entrepreneurs dressing with intention.  She suggests that you need to know your  "essential energy" - your authentic natural style - and then identify what is your "intentional energy" - what is the intention you want to communicate, .

This came to mind recently when it snowed in Atlanta. Yes snowed - for ONE whole day we made snowmen!  I was all snuggled inside reading my People magazine -oops! Yes, I confess I really enjoy my "who's who" and "who's wearing what!"  I was reading the issue with Michelle Obama and it struck me that while most of the country was having a winter snow storm there she was on the cover in a beautiful pink summer-like dress. Isn't it still winter in Washington, I thought?   We're talking "no-sleeves"  tank style. (I know you men are like...what is the relevant point here? Bear with me...) 

It really struck me that she was setting "intentional energy"...she was dressing for spring and summer...lighter times.....the time of hope, renewal, new possibilities and enjoyment!  I have no doubt that this was very intentional on her part or the Obama marketing department - can you just hear them chatting about this? "What should Michelle wear for her cover photo to set the message of hope and prosperity? Oh, you know they have this conversation!")

It's really smart marketing if you ask me. I felt it. I wanted it to be spring and all that magical possibility energy that goes with it.

And if you want to read more about Intentional Energy - read my story about my Magic Wealth Bag! ;)

You can also read my related note - more about Michelle & Oprah.

En-JOY!
Laura

PS: Although I suppose it could just be peri-menopause! Or...showing off her great biceps!

A shining example of Authentic Power: Michelle Obama

From this month's O magazine in describing Oprah's interview with Michelle Obama:

Authentic power. It happens when purpose aligns with personality to serve the greater good.

I love that. Very clear. Very powerful.

How are you doing embracing YOUR authentic power?

What does that look like for you?

I'd love to know!  Please leave a comment~

En-Joy!
Laura

Joyful Business Podcast #24: Living and Working with Your "Higher-Self"

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out  - Join our "Creating Your Joyful Business" newsletter - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

In episode #24, we talk to Tricia Molloy.  Tricia is a professional speaker, business consultant and author of Divine Wisdom at Work: 10 Universal Principles for Enlightened Entrepreneurs and the upcoming book, Take Your Higher Self to Work: 7 Best Practices for Success. Tricia started her own public relations firm, Molloy Communications, in 1988 to support the success of other passionate business owners. Throughout her life and career, she has always used universal principles and has counseled clients and colleagues to do the same.

Today Tricia was so kind to share with us her great insight into success and peace that can come into our lives by following and trusting in Divine Wisdom.  She works to remind people to trust this inner wisdom, to listen to those messages derived from quiet meditative moments, and to look within for peace and answers.  As we seek out the wisdom for our lives, we will be lead to our purpose.  Tricia acknowledges the hard work that goes into this, but chose for us a few important universal principles that will start us off on the path to enlightenment. She has seen these practices improve success and peace in her own life and in the lives of her clients, and encourages us to try them out too.  "C.R.A.V.E. your goals" is the place to start...Listen in to learn more!

Listen Now: 

If you enjoy this Joyful Business Podcast then you'll love our bi-weekly newsletter, Creating Your Joyful Business, filled with resources and how-to's for creating a financially successful business while honoring your lifestyle, your relationships and your creative expression!  Subscribe at: www.JoyfulBusiness.com  and receive your Free Business Attraction Success Kit!

En-JOY!

Laura

Joyful Business Podcast #23: Becoming the Complete Entreprenuer

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out  - Join our "Creating Your Joyful Business" newsletter - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

In episode #23, we talk to "Street-Smarts" Marketer, Kathleen Gage, who is the CEO and founder of Turning Point, Inc. and Maxwell Publishing, as well as a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and an internationally recognized Internet marketing and publicity expert for speakers, trainers and authors. She enjoys working with spiritually minded entrepreneurs who want to learn how to package their expertise and knowledge into money making products and service, while using their spirituality to enhance their business and to complete their lives.

Through Kathleen's success, she has found that as long as she makes living in a state of gratitude the cornerstone of everything she does, then things will work out better on the whole - no matter what the circumstances are around her. She has taken time to work on gratitude daily through small spiritual rituals, and suggests ways we can do this as well.  As we take the time to work on this aspect of our lives, we will find that we feel more complete, and we will be able to enjoy our work, our business, and our lives more completely!

Listen Now: 

If you enjoy this Joyful Business Podcast then you'll love our bi-weekly newsletter, Creating Your Joyful Business, filled with resources and how-to's for creating a financially successful business while honoring your lifestyle, your relationships and your creative expression!  Subscribe at: www.JoyfulBusiness.com  and receive your Free Business Attraction Success Kit!

Enjoy!

Laura

Joyful Business Sightings - Pat Altvater

I created the Joyful Business Guide™ system to help creative entrepreneurs bring together the power of law of attraction with smart marketing strategies.  I love sharing stories from Guide owners about their experiences and thought you'd love to hear about it too!  

From:  Pat Altvater, Transformations Institute   

"Hi Laura - I LOVE my Joyful Business Guide. The Daily Giggle Goals cards are my favorite and they WORK! Just the other day I wrote a "Universe goal" that said people looking for speakers would contact me and sure enough the next day I got a call out of the blue from a woman that owns a speakers bureau who found me through the National Speakers Association. How's that for fast?

Loving it, Pat"

En-JOY!

Laura

Ready for a Creative Business Retreat with me?

I spent last week in Boston - "enjoying" the winter weather and visiting with two of my platinum clients - creative business owners .  It's tough for me as I only have "southern winter" clothes.  Not quite waterproof, slip-proof and protective enough...but it worked out.

Here is a photo of me in the snow at our retreat center.  I like to find beautiful and inspiring spaces.  This time the retreat was at a cute farmhouse.  (mental note: add into my vision story that all retreats are in WARM, beautiful and inspiring spaces)

I get asked alot about what goes on during these day long Creative Business Retreats.  What do you do all day? 

These Creative Business Retreat Days are part of a year long Magic & Miracles Platinum Program.  It's for business owners who are ready to go beyond their current level in a much bigger way. 

As part of the program you get a day devoted to your business.  It's tailor made to your needs and where you are in your business.  We usually include:

• Getting clear about your vision and claiming it!
• Getting super focused on your "opportunity niche",
• Setting intentions for the year and specific goals for the next 90 days,
• Brainstorming and designing packages for your services,
• Identifying your free gift opportunities,
• Creating an outline for information products,
• Creating a plan for building your list and increasing your visibility & credibilty,
• Picking my brain and expertise for resources, systems and support,
• Getting clear about the steps for the next 90 days
• Laughing, creating, designing, probably a little crying, and a whole lot of dreaming!

Ready to really make your business "holistically" joyful?  ie: financially, meaningful, enjoyable, and easier!

Curious about who is an ideal Platinum client - believe it or not - it's creative business owners like you...they have said "it's time" and made a commitment to themselves and quite frankly, to the universe, claiming that they are stepping into the CEO role!  It's very powerful! Here's photos of two Platinum clients - top above, Laurie Mandato, President of Imaging Joy.  She is works with speakers, coaches, authors who are stepping into the spotlight of public speaking and want feel fantastic in their appearance and style.  And, below right, is Ginger Burr, President of Total Image Consultants.  She is a veteran Image Consultant, and among her offerings has these amazingly fun Girlfriend Parties.  She is also known as one of the "Most Fascinating Vegans" by VegNews magazine for her work with dressing and living as a vegan. 

These are creative women putting their passion into the world and wanting to honor it by making it more successful, easier, and keeping the joy alive!

If this resonates with you and you'd like more information - Send me an email telling me a bit about yourself and request our Platinum Package.  We will send you more information and an application. 

I am imagining our WARM creative retreat right now! :)

En-Joy!

Laura

Are you an Intelligent Optimist?

I love this month's cover story in Ode magazine, "In Praise of Intelligent Optimists".  So much better of a name than being called "pollyanna", don't you think! This article really speaks to us as small business owners and in particular our entrepreneurial energy and skills.

The feature article talks about how the world has fallen into a dark state...as well all hear constantly and see results daily...and yet it's times like this when we need optimism.  It's easy to be an optimist when things are going fine but it's a real mark of character when you can be optimistic during tough times.

More from the article: "Optimism isn't about denying reality; it's about creating a better reality than you're facing...The Intelligent Optimist knows a half-empty glass is also half full. And she knows more can be gained by focusing on what she has than by focusing on what she's missing. You learn to become optimistic by concentrating on things that give you a sense of satisfaction and you remain an optimist by feeding those things to make them grow.   Intelligent Optimists know that for every problem there is (at least the beginning of) a solution andd that the search for that solution can be inspirational in itself."

Ode goes on highlight their first ever list of 25 Intelligent Optimists featuring individuals around the world who are doing their best to bring positive change to their communities, their countries and the world.

What I get about this view is that optimism is a choice.  It's not about denying reality - in fact, there is power in being able to confront the real issues of what's going on around the world or even in your own bank account.  What I see is that my clients are paying even more attention to their business.  This is when your entrepreneurial creativity really gets fired up.  You look for ways to create solutions - you hae to be more ingenius when the flow of abundance shifts. (notice I didn't say dried up...it hasn't dried up...just shifted) 

This is a time to listen to your business - what is it telling you? It will point to places that are broken and need your attention. It will whisper areas of abundance just waiting to be picked.  Really hear your clients and customers - they will tell you what they want now in their circumstances...sometimes they want more access to you, sometimes they want it packaged differently...listen.....you will see it, hear it, feel it...the solutions are right in front of you.

You do have to slow down to hear the whispers.....

In my Joyful Business Guide system we get you to focus on JoyFlow Sightings.  This seems like a perculiar activity for marketing system but let me tell you...looking for the joy that is flowing in your business at this very moment will do more to shift your energy, help you tap into your creativity and get you into inspired action than anything else!  Check it out at Joyful Business Guide...

En-Joy!

Laura

Joyful Business Podcast #22: When Nothing Goes As Planned...

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out  - Join our "Creating Your Joyful Business" newsletter - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

In episode #22 Jeanna Gabellini visits with us about her passion for using the laws of attraction to get you what you want.  Jeanna is a prosperity coach, and is the founder of MASTERPEACE Coaching and Training.  In 1998, she was one of the first coaches in the world -- and the youngest -- to receive the designation of Master Certified Coach by the International Coach Federation. She has developed teleclasses, workshops and seminars on ways to implement the laws of attraction into her client's business.  Jeanna also co-authored the book, "Life Lessons on Mastering the Law of Attraction."

Jeanna has so many stories to share of how the laws of attraction have influenced her life.  She has learned that in order for you to reach your goals, sometimes you have to let go of time lines and just let things be manifested when it is the right time for them to come.  Listen in to hear her amazing story, and be ready to jot down her golden nuggets on how to keep positive even when it seems that nothing is going how you planned.  For our listeners, she has also graciously offered a free gift!  Go to: www.masterpeacemarketing.com/giveaway.htm.

Listen Now: 

If you enjoy this Joyful Business Podcast then you'll love our bi-weekly newsletter, Creating Your Joyful Business, filled with resources and how-to's for creating a financially successful business while honoring your lifestyle, your relationships and your creative expression!  Subscribe at: www.JoyfulBusiness.com  and receive your Free Business Attraction Success Kit!

Enjoy!

Laura