If a chicken says, "All Chickens are liars" is the chicken telling the truth?

Yes, it's kind of a random question, but do you know the answer?   You're probably having a debate right now with your spouse or bestie, wasting precious time arguing over this stupid riddle.  Just like you would when someone asks, "if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound?"  Crazy.

STOP! Ever think about a fresh approach to innovation?  What about bringing in someone younger.  A 20 or 30 something, college grad, a savvy fifth grader who isn't too cool to talk to mom yet, or even a toddler?  Sometimes the answers are so simple and yet as adults we complicate them to the umpteenth level.   It's ree-donk-u-lous if you ask me.  (And yes, I'm guilty of it too.)

Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to a coach or therapist or consultant or even yahoo! answers (hey, if it's not a trade secret, why not?!) to help you reach beyond your mindblock try seeking help outside the box and give some credit to us "young folk".  I've got to admit - I feel like I've got ideas coming out of the wazoo.  If only I could monetize those ideas!  But alas, it feels great to "give them away" to someone in need and I find that I learn from them as well.   Trust me - if you're one of those that has "been there, done that" a few times - we are eager to pick your brain too.

Oh, and by the way - chickens can't talk!

Read Peg's Blog to find out what she has to say on the subject of Euthanizing your business.

See you Thursday!

Hilairy

Remember the days you shook that Magic 8 ball wishing that Alex Williams would ask you out in middle school?  Or that mom would cook green beans instead of brussell sprouts for dinner?  Maybe that this would be the year the Reds would win the pennant?  Yes, innocence is bliss, but if only shaking a ball could be the solver of all our problems.  Let's face it.  The majority of us just aren't going to get that lucky in business growth.   We need to focus on creating our own path of growth by defining our Vision and Purpose.

Just to clarify, there is a difference between Vision and Purpose.  Vision answers the question, "What do you want to become?" while Purpose asks "Why?"  Our guest speaker, Paul Cashen of Focal Point, did a fabulous job of mixing humor, practicality, and insight while sharing his perspective on the "Secrets to Success of Vision & Purpose."   Here are his tips:

Secret #1: Create a Statement of Purpose.  Why do you and your company exist?  This should be done in 10 words or less.

Secret #2: Act like a leader AND a winner!

Secret #3: Create a Vision. Where are you and your organization going in the future?

What are the characteristics of Vision?

• Clarity
• Tim Bound
• Flexible
• Memorable
• Inspirational
• Wide Scope
• Believable
• Congruent with your Purpose, Mission, & Values

"You were born to WIN, but to be a winner you must PLAN to win, PREPARE to win, and EXPECT to win!"  - Zig Ziglar

Secret #4: Purpose and Vision (Culture) drive Growth EVERYDAY.  Discipline is the key!

Secret #5: Empower and enroll people in the Purpose & Vision.

Secret #6: Reinforce the Purpose & Vision on a regular basis.

Secret #7: Do Something!

• Draft it
• Socialize it
• Iterate it
• Socialize it... again
• Post it
• Plan it
• Create a plan of reinforcement
• LIVE IT!

Now that you know the secrets we challenge you to create your own Purpose & Vision.  Need help?  Join your peers in one of our ACCEL groups or seek guidance from one of our resource partners!

Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like the wheels are turning but you're not going anywhere? In fact, maybe even moving BACKWARDS? Yea, that seems to be like every week for me! Between single motherhood and building a business, there is never a dull moment in my life. (Who am I kidding? It's boring!) I dream of writing like Carrie Bradshaw and living a fabulous life in New York City. At the same time I constantly remind myself that amongst the (many) cosmos, fashions, handsome men, and book signings that even she has her fair share of rejection in the business world.

In the midst of the chaos last week I stopped and took the Strengths Finder 2.0 test. The results were interesting to say the least. My 5 strengths were identified as: ideation, self-assurance, futuristic, strategic, and relator. Based on their definitions I questioned a few of these results. In all fairness I did not go back through and try to identify what I felt the results should be. I've had a week to really sit on those strengths and figure out how they apply to my life. Here's what I learned.

Building a vision for the Legacy Connection Community comes natural and exciting to me. Underneath the inevitable chaos I have to channel those strengths by developing and implementing new programs, ideas, and opportunities for our members. In many respects I'm always in the beginning stage. I'm fabulous at generating ideas and even developing the marketing strategy to move forward. However sometimes I find myself getting stuck on the implementation. Why? If I can vision the future and have an understanding of what people want then this actually doing it shouldn't be so hard!

The point I'm trying to make is that I'm in a constant state of learning and growing - personally and professionally. I can never be all things to all people. It's OK for me to always be generating ideas but for me to be successful I need to seek out others who can keep the cycle going. Just like any entrepreneur I am in control of my future and there are no corporate ladders that need to be climbed.

NOW is the time to begin. Watch out Carrie Bradshaw... I'm coming after you. And your red stilettos.

Tiger's domination of the tour has made the sport "cool" to an entirely new generation. He's broken golf records, brought down racial barriers on the course, attended an Ivy League School, and built a massively successful brand. But most recently he's embarrassed his family and lost the respect of countless fans. His foundation has likely taken a hit. Sponsors have pulled out. And with his fall from grace, he must work hard to restore the meaning behind his legacy in the mind of the press, his peers, and his fans.

In admitting his infidelities, Tiger must now "Begin... Again". Just like Tiger we've made mistakes both personally and professionally. Zig Ziglar once said, "remember failure is an event, not a person." Don't let your failures identify you. Take it as an opportunity to learn, teach, and grow. It could lead you to something even greater.

Who are you without your story? YOU ARE GREAT!