A Year In Review: Building Our Empire Brick by Brick

2015 A Year In Review - Building Our Empire Brick By Brick - The Stage Presents Story

Every body loves an overnight success story, myself included.  It speaks to our fascination with the Rags to Riches Story.  But, I am sure that you know that those stories are few and far between. What you rarely hear about is the route or the journey that is taken in order to get to where you want to be.  Our 2015 Year In Review, is just a small piece of that story, Our story.

My love affair with blogging has always stemmed from the fact, that I stand in awe, at the transparency of bloggers.  The ability to let people into the deepest recesses of your soul, thoughts, and even your home is still mind blowing to me. I have been blogging since the early 2000’s, long before it was a trendy thing to do. That being said, moving from personal blogging to a blog that was associated with my brand, was a very different experience for me.  I felt like every word that I wrote, every opinion that I gave or every picture that I posted was now up for interpretation.  That was and still is a scary feeling.  So finding my voice in this particular blog is a continuous work in in progress.  While the opinions that I give are as honest and as true to myself as I can possibly be, I make an effort to be politically correct. (If that makes sense.)

Background Story: [For those of you who only joined us in 2015.] After working for the same company for over a decade, I was laid off.  My youngest daughter was only 2 at the time and had more food allergies than I could count on one hand. and my oldest daughter had challenges of her own.  So I opted to stay home and focus on my family for a while.  While that sounds grand, it didn’t feel grand.  It felt like I was drowning.  But, more than anything I was scared.  Out of that fear and  frustration, a dream was born.  We named it Stage Presents.  It was supposed to be a way for me to feel like I was still a financially contributing part of my household.  I would be lying if I told you that either of us expected great things.  We simply had no idea what to expect.  So for the first year (2014), we flew by the seat of our pants.  I read everything that I could on being a small business owner.  Took as many online classes as I could manage and implemented as many changes as I could, on the fly.  And, at the end of the year, we had established a foot hold and made 80 sales and were feeling like maybe we were on to something.  The greatest feeling an entrepreneur can experience is when people see, understand and support your vision, and if that earns you money, even better.

We were determined that 2015 was going to yield an even greater return.  So we started off the year by defining the things that we deemed necessary to keep progressing on this journey.  I won’t bore you with the whole list.  But, these were the main points.

  1. Build an Online Community.  Form Valuable Relationships with Other Bloggers and Small Business Owners.  Network and Collaborate.  Invest in the Visions of Others.  ✓
  2. Increase my Blog Readership and Subscriptions and Monetize My Blog ✓
  3. Develop a Formidable Online and Social Media Presence ✓
  4. Increase Both Views and Sales in Our Etsy Store ✓
  5. Maintain Our 5 Star Review Rating and continue to provide excellent Customer Service ✓

And, guess what, we did all of that this year.  Are we any closer to where we want to be?  Absolutely.  Do we feel like this journey is anywhere close to its completion? Nope, not at all.  But, we are committed to the process and invested in our dream.

Here are some of the Highlights from Our Year:  We offered Exclusive Content to our Subscribers and the List Soared to over 100 Monthly Subscribers.  Our Lake Eufaula poster was purchased and featured in an episode of NCIS – New Orleans.  What an amazing way to start out the year!!  We threw our hats into the ring and began to offer Invitations, Save The Dates, and other Stationery for “Brides to Be”.  Our Digital Library Card Invitations were a big hit with several authors.  Our Restaurant Meat Cut prints were and continue to be a best seller.  We invited you into our home as we decorated for Easter, Fall and eventually Christmas.  We shared some of our favorite recipes.  Helped you get your little ones ready for Back to School and added Printable Posters to Our Shop. Whew!! That was a mouthful.

Highlights of 2015 - The Stage Presents Story

2015 has been an amazing year, both for the business and for the blog and we look forward to what 2016 has to offer.  We are humbled by the support of our readers, our customers, and our community.  We acknowledge that without you we couldn’t have come this far.  As we end this year, and venture into the new one keep these words in mind.

“We are at our very best and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey towards the goal, we’ve established for ourselves.  It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep.     It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile.”

-Earl Nightingale

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for a Bountiful New Year from your Stage Presents Family!! Adios 2015!!

5 Reasons Mommy and Daddy Need Overnight Trips

5 Reasons Mommy and Daddy Need Overnight Trips

You love your kids and being their parent is one of your greatest joys.  Right?? Of course it is, but it’s probably also the reason, you worry too much, don’t get as much sleep as you used too.  And… are in serious need of some ALONE COUPLE time.  [Enter the Mommy and Daddy Guilt.]  But, honestly there is nothing wrong with wanting or needing that alone time.  In my opinion, it is crucial to the success of a relationship.

  1. Intimacy.  You remember what that is right?  The two of you alone without any little voices screaming for Mommy & Daddy. Watching a movie without having to pause it. Emotional Closeness.
  2. Get Away. You may be thinking that it’s enough just to have the time alone.  But, being away from home, makes all the difference.  When you are at home, you are more likely to look around and see all the things that need to be done.  Getting away even for a night, checking into a hotel and letting other people take care of your needs, while you take care of each other, is priceless.
  3. Decompress.  Clearer and Cooler heads prevail after you have had some rest.  It helps when faced with making big decisions whether it be for you as a couple or for the entire family.  Or maybe you just need to get your mind right as you head into the new work week.
  4. Rejuvenate.  I know that you have been on vacation and when you came back you felt like you needed another vacation.  You know why that is, you probably had to wrangle the kids, lol?  If you can, convince your significant other to participate in a couples massage, or a mani and pedi, or any spa type activity. Even if you do nothing, but take a long nap, wrapped in each other’s arms.  It could go a long way towards you feeling like you got some rest and relaxation.
  5. The Health/Well being of your marriage.  Anything worth having is worth devoting time to.  It is so easy to get so wrapped up in the day to day family life, that you forget that you were individuals before you were parents.  Spending time alone allows you to rediscover each other, continue to have firsts together and keep the marriage fresh, new and healthy.

Invest in Your Marriage Quote

My disclaimer:  I am not an expert by any means, I can only speak to what works for us. We(hubby and I), are just coming off a Couple Weekend celebrating his birthday. It’s been a while since we have been able to have some alone time and just those few days reminded me of how important time together really is. What are some of your favorite ways to get away, even if it is just for one night?

Conquering Day One – First Day of School 2015-2016

Conquering Day One - First Day of School - How to Talk to Your Kids About School - stage-presents.com

You would think that as a VETERAN PARENT, (meaning I have a 19 year old son), that the First Day of School wouldn’t be so daunting for me.  But, every year I get anxiety and don’t get much sleep for the days leading up to it.  This year was probably a little worst than the past years, because it was my baby’s First Day of Kindergarten.   I kept watching her all morning to see signs of fear, but it wasn’t until we were already in the classroom that she showed her hand.  I could see the tears right on the brink, and as I put my hand on her little chest in an attempt to calm her, I could feel her heart beating soo fast.   For a moment, I wanted to grab her hand and run down the length of the hallway, throw her in the car and take her home with me, where I knew she would be safe.  But, I steadied myself and diverted my eyes, so as not to burst into tears myself.  Lucky for me, hubby took the day off to go with, and he was his usual Cool as a Cucumber self.  After I dropped her off,  I walked my oldest daughter to her fifth grade class with her supplies.  Shes an old pro, so she was fine.  Then, I immediately doubled back to check on baby girl, and even though she was a bit withdrawn and quiet, she was ok.  The hours seemed to creep by today.  I kept looking at my phone and my watch, even though I am not sure why.  She made it through the day, and rode the bus home with her sister, as if she had been doing this all her life.   So, I suppose all is well that ends well.  There’s something about your last baby.  It makes the firsts also the lasts, and, I suppose that can be a little somber.  Now, that we have gotten past that part, I pray that the girls both have an amazing year, and wish the same for you and your little people.  Let’s Get It!!

Looking for some tips on How to Talk to Your Kids About School check out this great blog on Scholastic.com.  First Days are always filled with lots of emotion, consider sharing your first day stories with us in the comments below.

Education - Learning - First Day of School - Quote - stage-presents.com

 

10 Lessons I learned in my 30’s

Lessons I Learned in my 30's

 

I am pretty sure that at 16, I thought I knew all there was to know about life.  At 21, I was sure that I knew so much more than I did at 16.  And, at 30 well…. I felt like I was already old and set in my ways.  This being the last year of my 30’s….. tears…sighs… and sniffles, I must acknowledge that I am still constantly learning more than I knew the day before, and that some of these lessons that I learned in my 30’s I probably should have learned in my 20’s.  Oh well, hindsight being 20/20 and all…  Here are the 10 most important lessons I learned in my 30’s.

1.  You Are Enough.  I spent a good portion of my life wanting to be MORE or LESS.  I can’t say that it is not something that I still battle with daily.  But, there will always be someone better and someone worst than you, in all aspects of life.  If you keep trying to keep up or measure up, you fail to see the amazing things about yourself.

2.  Roll with it.  NO matter how much control you think you have, some things are outside of your control.  Even the most intense Control Freak, has to acknowledge that they don’t wield as much power as they think.  Hence, The Serenity Prayer“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

3.  Don’t fight your feelings and trust your instincts.  If you feel sad, cry.  If you feel happy, smile.  Embrace what your feeling and don’t try to hide it.  Let it out.  My first impression is almost always the one I should go with.  More often than not, if I don’t trust my instincts. I regret it.

4.  A square block is NOT fitting into a round hole.  Stop FORCING things to be that are not meant to be.

5.  Just cause it feels good or it tastes good, doesn’t make it good.  This one is self explanatory, right??  Calories… and … some pleasure, lol.

6.  All relationships require communication, loyalty, commitment and effort.  All relationships, friendships, parent child, employer employee….

7.  Don’t be afraid to make changes.  “If you don’t like where you are MOVE.  You are not a tree.”

8.  Identify FEAR.  I have let FEAR stop me from doing a lot in my life.  I had excuse after excuse about why I couldn’t or didn’t do XYZ.  I never identified it as FEAR.  But, once I did it helped me to begin to work towards conquering it.  And move on.  FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real.

9.  No one owes you anything.  Except maybe you… you owe yourself THE VERY BEST.

10.  Gratitude and Attitude will get you EVERYWHERE.

What Lessons are you learning in your 30’s?

Setting Summer Goals while the kids are home

Setting Summer Goals

The Last Day of School for my crew was last Thursday.  As much as it is a well deserved break for all, Summer Break for me comes with lots of anxiety.  Setting Goals while the kids are home takes on a life of its own for several reasons. Whether you like to admit it or not, your priorities are going to be built around theirs (your kids) for approximately the next 2.5 months.  This year I am on a mission to build some structure into our days, while still allowing for lots of fun and memory making.

First on my priority list for this summer is dividing my day up into manageable parts.  Meals, Trips, Summer Learning, Clean Up Time, just to name a few.  Although, it is summer time, there will be a fair amount of learning going on at my house, in order to retain what we have learned during the school year and to  get my little one ready for Kindergarten.  Our plan is for her to be well on her way to reading before she steps foot into school come August. I am also hoping that setting the schedule up this way will give me some much needed time to work on business matters like blogging, advertising and creating.

Secondly, I want to make sure that the kids have just enough activities to make the summer memorable, without driving me absolutely batty and making me feel like a glorified taxi cab driver.  To get us started, we compiled a list on the way to Grandmas house on Saturday.  The good thing about the list is that they are still in that very [short stage], where their requests are still both simple and inexpensive.

Lastly, this summer I plan to make myself a priority as well.  A lot gets pushed to the side during the school year, just because it has to be.    And, for that reason I decided to make a list of some of the things that I wanted to fit into my schedule.

Summer Goals 2015

1.  Read just for fun. (Which Means NO Self Help, Marketing or Advertising Books or Blogs).  Just frivolous reading just for the joy of reading.

2.  Send out some Hand Written Cards and Letters. (NOT texting, or Face Book  Messaging, Instagram,etc.)  Just regular old snail mail to let some folks that I love, know that I think of them often even if they are far away.

3.  Make some time to reconnect with both friends and family.

4.  Watch some Feel Good/Romantic Television, that dh may not necessarily want to watch with me.

5.  Try out some new recipes alone and with the kids, and be out of the kitchen by 7pm, as often as possible.

6.  Tackle and Document, as many of the DIY Projects that I have on my Rolling To Do List.

7.  Prepare Inventory  for some Local Fairs we plan on Selling at in the Fall.

There you have it.  My Short List and how I plan to make my summer both enjoyable and manageable.  I will update you on my progress as the weeks go by.  Now, I am off to have a Glass of Wine to kick off my Summer.  (Don’t worry, it was almost 7:00pm, when I wrote this post.)

What’s on your Agenda for this Summer?

You have just finished reading Setting Summer Goals while the Kids Are Home, Consider leaving a comment below.

Get Ready for Selfie Season with the New Warby Parker Summer Collection

Warby Parker Summer Collection HERO IMAGE

Photo Source: Warby Parker

As Summer approaches the number of Selfies to Flood Social Media increase in droves.  Let’s face it when it comes to Feeling Good, there is nothing quiet like the rays of the hot sun on your body, a cool drink and the perfect shades.

Nothings says summer like Warby Parker‘s New Summer Collection!! The shapes and shades in this collection will have you both camera and adventure ready for whatever the long, hot summer days may bring. Glasses and sunglasses feature frame hues that are inspired by all the things we love about the  season – the beach, the ocean, lemonade, root beer, the moonlight and more.

Here’s a look at of some of the new optical glasses and sunglasses in Warby Parker‘s new Summer Collection.  The Winston in Ginger Lemonade is my absolute favorite!!

Winston – in Ginger Lemonade.

Jennings – in Striped Beach.

Stockton in Sea Green Crystal

 

In addition to the wide variety that Warby Parker Affords you, they also give you the option to Try On up to 5 Pairs of Glasses from the Comfort of Home, before deciding on the pair that you want to make your own.  Try On Warby Parker’s New Summer 2015 Collection

Pick out your favorite Summer 2015 shades at WarbyParker.com!

The Amazing Selection and Jaw Dropping prices not enough for you?  Still need convincing??  For Each Pair of Glasses Purchased Warby Parker gives a monthly donation to Non Profit Partners.  Who in turn, train men and women in developing countries to give basic eye exams and sell glasses to their communities at affordable prices.  These men and women work hard to spread awareness and make eye care available to their communities.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Some Lessons that Still Begin At HOME

athome

Are considerate, respectful and empathetic people a thing of the past?  If you find yourself wondering this yourself, then I am sure that you have wondered about how to raise children with these characteristics. This subject comes up often when talking to friends with school age children. It is a subject that stays on the forefront of my mind.  These days, it seems like with all the luxuries that we have been afforded via technology or our own spoiling, that most kids only seem to possess the Entitlement gene.  In teaching our kids how important they are, do we also stress how important other people are?  Or that their needs wants, and feelings are equally as important as their own.  We are all aware of the importance of a child knowing their value and worth, but where the problem seems to come in is when we don’t express that EVERY ONE has value and worth.

I was raised in the generation of cotillions and thank you cards, family dinners and Big Holidays with extended family.  We were taught that everyone was important.  We were also taught that not everyone was raised like us.  I am not sure if that was about being accepting or about just being aware.

I notice all too often that my little ones tend to think that it is ALL ABOUT THEM,  all the time.  We struggle daily with teaching them all the things that we grew up with.  To that end, we require that they wait until we finish talking before they interject what they have to say.  That they do the forgotten things like say please and thank you and that they address adults as adults, with Yes Ma’am or Yes Sir. But, when they are around other children they easily discern that this is no longer a common practice.

I don’t claim to be an expert on Child Rearing, but I do think that a return to Common Courtesy is Necessary in order to see a change in Society as a whole.  Here are just a few lessons that I think should still be instilled at Home.

1.  Teach Your Children to Have Manners.  It used to be that how a child acted outside of the home was a Direct Reflection on what they were getting taught at home.  As much as we don’t spend half the time as our parents probably did with our children, I think this still remains true.  You are still very much their First Teachers.  They are watching you.  They see how you interact with people.  They place their first values on the things that are important to you.  If you treat the waitress like she is beneath you, or don’t respect the authority of those in positions of power, then you can’t be surprised when they follow suit.

2.  Teach them to Say Thank You and to Mean It.  I know this probably falls under Manners.  But, I can’t tell you how much it irritates me to purchase something for someone and don’t get as much as a Thank You.  I am not saying that they need to write a Thank You Card for every gift they get.  Even though, I make mine do it most of the time.  But, simply acknowledge that someone took the time to think of you, and that they absolutely did not have to.

3.  Teach them to Respect Their Property and The Property of Others and to Know the Value of A $1.  I believe that all of these things are tied in together.  I see this trait all too often in adults, as well as children.  They want you to guard their property with your life, but they want to borrow and tear up your stuff.  No Bueno.  Are you kidding me?  People used to look at me like I was crazy when I said that I didn’t lend out my CD’s or Movies, but I can’t tell you how often when I did they would come back with a Scratch and a Shrug.   Hmmm…  Secondly, even though as parents, we try to protect our kids from the Day to Day ins and outs of our Finances.  I think they should know that Mommy & Daddy buying you a iPad is not the same as Mommy and Daddy buying you some from the Target Dollar Bins.  And, that is part of the reason, I believe strongly in chores and allowance.  Let them see how long it takes to make money in order to buy something that they want. O, if you are opposed to that, let them use some of the money they got for their birthday to buy or put towards something that they feel they just have to have.  It quickly changes their perspective on Money.  I remember being a Junior in High School and wanting so badly this White Cable Knit Sweater, I just had to have it and my mom refused to spend close to $100 for one sweater.  So, it was the first purchase I made with my Check when I started working.  I was soo proud of that sweater, and I was sooo pissed when I spilled something in it.  It definitely made me rethink whether or not it was worth the price I paid for it.

4.  Teach them Empathy.  In the Age of Bullying this is extremely importance.  TV has desensitized us when it comes to the Value of Human Life and Human Feelings.. In some cases, it has made us think that different qualifies as FUNNY or Tease Worthy.  And, even though we would like to believe that these problems are localized to children, they really are not.  Which is evident in all the Fat Shaming, and Teasing that I see go on in Epic Proportions Every Day on Social Media.  We lose sight of the fact that America was founded on the backs of Diversity and that our differences are what makes us special in one way or the other.  I could go on and on here, but that’s a blog for another day.

Parenting is a HUGE responsibility.  Having a hand in molding the life of another person is quite frankly one of the most terrifying things that I have ever encountered.  And, though I don’t think that these simple niceties are the be all and end all to raising productive members of society.  I do feel like it is a start.

“Children are Great Imitators. So Give Them Something to Imitate.” – Unknown

What character traits do you think are most important for your children to possess?

What we learned since opening Our Etsy Store 365 days Ago

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etsyyearone

Today, February 10th, 2015, marks the One Year Anniversary of Our Etsy Store.  I can hardly believe that it has been that long, but I can.  I remember how nervous I was the day that we officially launched Our Store.  I had no idea what the future would hold for Stage Presents, or how our items would be received.  But, we stepped forward in faith and embarked on this grand journey.  As most of you know, Stage Presents is a joint venture between my husband and I, and if you really want to know, I think its the secret to our success thus far. So….. I enlisted his help in writing this post.

As in any business effort, there is a lot of behind the scenes work that the customers never see. (Lucky for them, because it can get messy.)  Prior to starting this venture and through out, we did a lot of research, trial and error.  Here are some of the things that worked for us.

  1. You must have clear detailed product photos.  I can’t stress this enough.  I am a part of several Facebook Etsy Groups, and fellow shop owners are ALWAYS asking for critiques.   This is the most frequently given answer, of how to improve your shop.  [Lucky for me, hubby is a photographer, so we had that in the bag.]  Keep in mind that you are an Online Shop.  Your customers DO NOT have the luxury of being able to feel and touch and discern the quality of your items.  So a picture is literally worth a thousand words.
  2. Be Prepared to Put in the Time Necessary to Make This Work For You. IT IS TIME CONSUMING. Not only is it going to take time to create each individual listing, as well as whatever product you are selling.  But, you need to also be prepared to Cross Promote.  Spend Time on Your Social Media Pages.  Network with Other Entrepreneurs.  Give as Good as you Get.
  3. Be Responsive to Purchases, as well as Etsy and Social Media Conversations.  We get a lot of conversations regarding Our Items that do not necessarily result in sales.  It can be frustrating, but, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  So, be as professional as possible, and put this in the Category of Possible Future Business.

    “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

  4. Remember Murphy’s Lawmurphys lawSome things are just out of your control.  This was a hard lesson for me.  Have a backup plan in place in instances where your products may not make it to their location in one piece and or if the product is delivered to the wrong recipient.
  5. Pay Close Attention to Your Stats.  Where is Your Traffic Coming From?  What Keywords are People Searching to Get to Your Store?  What Time of The Day Are Your Items Getting The Most Attention?
  6. Give People Choices – When Possible.  When Making Your Items Consider Making Multiple Versions of the Same Product – Different Fabric, Color Variations, or Even Size.
  7. BE SPECIFIC.  Your customers will not know, if you DO NOT TELL THEM.  Make sure that your Product Terms and Conditions are Straight Forward and DO NOT leave room for Interpretation.
  8. Lastly, Enjoy the Ride.  It will have its ups and downs.  Some weeks and even some months, will be slower than you could ever imagine.  Some things that you create and think are amazing, may or may not take off.  But, it’s a learning process that will continue for as long as your shop stays open.

365 Days  – 99 Sales.

Thank you all for all the support you have given us over the year.  We couldn’t have done it with out you.

Do you have any Tips that we didn’t include that you would love to share with us? Funny Growing Pains Stories?  Please Share yours in the comment section below.

 

10 Things you already know… but need to be reminded of.

  1. 10 Things You Already Know But Need to Be Reminded Of - www.stage-presents.com

#10 THINGS

  1. Your success is not contingent on anyone else’s failure.  And, if it is you may need to reevaluate what motivates you.
  2. Everything is not black and white, but usually wrong is wrong and right is right.  And, no amount of lying to yourself or other’s will change that.
  3. Over thinking really can ruin things, relationships, friendships and opportunities.  Some times it really isn’t that deep.
  4. If you think it is about you?  Ask.  If you don’t understand.  Ask.  Making up your own answers, and drawing your own ill-advised conclusions, only leads to confusion and mayhem.
  5. If you work at it, (Build it, it will come.)  All goals CAN be achieved with hard work and continuous effort.
  6. Half the effort yields half the results.  My Favorite line from Sweet Home Alabama, “You can’t ride two horses with one ass, sugar bean.” – Watch Clip
  7. Be as kind and forgiving to yourself as you would be to the ones you love.  Learn how to treat yourself, define your worth, then teach a boot camp to help other’s catch on.
  8. It wont always go as planned.  In my case, it frequently does not.  Redirect the Sails and learn how to keep the ship afloat in present conditions.
  9. In times of hardship, struggle and tribulations your faith WILL be tested.  Stand strong.  Bend don’t break and lean on the only true Author and Finisher.
  10. This to shall pass.  Whatever it is.  (Though I’m sure it wont feel like that in the eye of the storm.)  It will end.  Remember your own track record for surviving what seems like impossible situations.

signat

 

 

 

 

Tips for getting back on track after Winter Break….

Are you struggling with getting things back on track after the Break?  Here are some quick and easy steps to get your Over The Hump!!

As much as I love Christmas, I for one am elated that Christmas Break is over.  So much so, that I got up this morning and got my little one ready for school.  Got dressed and drove all the way to school, only to realize…  today was a Teacher Work Day and not the kid’s first day back at school.  Thankfully, I caught on before I dropped her off.  So, I laughed it off, but to be honest, when I got back in I sat on the sofa for a good 30 minutes talking myself out of wanting to lay on my back, kick my feet up and have a full blown temper tantrum. Ugh!! As you can see, I am still struggling with things not going as I PLAN.  After deciding that no real purpose would be served by that, I moved on with my day.  *It was like having your Mind and your Mouth set on that last piece of chocolate you have stashed in the refrigerator and when you reach in to get it… you realize that someone got to it first. (Even after you hid it soo expertly.)  This Mommy really was looking forward to some peace and quiet.  I just knew that today was going to be that day.  So, I regrouped, and rescheduled.

Getting Back On Track After Christmas Break - stage-presents.com

  1. Start your day out with purpose.  For me that means reading my Devotion and prayer.  For you, that may be meditation and clearing your head.
  2. Regroup and Evaluate. Where were you before your vacation?  Where do you want to pick up?  Are you just jumping back in or have your priorities changed?
  3. Create a Rolling To Do List.  Over the next 30 days, what are your Goals and Objectives?  Separate the Business from the Personal.  I am a list maker.  So you best believe, I have two separate lists going at all times.  I never realized the beauty of a Rolling To Do List, until I had to plan the days of others, as well as my own. Check out this article CBS published on how they keep you organized and productive.   As much as I hate to say it, whatever you don’t get done today, will get done tomorrow (unless your have a deadline in place).
  4. Create a Weekly List.  Prioritize. Decide What is of the Utmost Importance and start crossing off each item as you go.
  5. Lastly, Work Your Plan and Breathe.  What will be… will be.

Go Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams.  Live the Life you have imagined – Henry Thoreau