Surround Yourself with Greatness

Posted on January 8, 2013 by MarleneMB

When I workout, I like to listen to music and motivational/inspirational speakers. One of these speakers, I have reciting his words of wisdom in my ears, is Tony Robbins. On this particular recorded chat, Tony retells his conversation with a U.S. General about people maintain a certain standard in their lives. The general asked why did some people allow their standards to drop. Tony told him “most people’s lives are a direct reflection of the expectation of their peer group.”

Isn’t that the truth! Most of us are influenced by the people that surround us. There a quite a few researches that have shown the link between the impact the folks, you have around, and your daily behavior/habit. You can read the article written by Louise Wasylkiwand Molly E. Williamson about the way young women view their bodies depends on the views of their friends. No big surprise to most of us. Yet, some of us don’t apply this knowledge to our lives. We allow people with negative habits or attitudes into our lives and the result is not always good for us.

There is a popular saying that is spoken in most sales office: “If you want to fly like an eagle, you don’t fly with pigeons.” A young man asked me how he could get a job in a particular industry. I asked him to name the folks and groups he hung out with outside his family and his work. None of them included folks in the industry in which he wants to work. I instructed him to ensure he has the skills required for the particular job he wants, and to attend networking events as well as find a mentor in that industry. I told him to surround himself with the folks who are doing what he wants to do.

It’s a New Year. It’s a new day. My friends, start surrounding yourselves with greatness, the greatness that you admire and want to be. Surround yourself with people that will make you a better Diamond.

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

Please click to like my fan pages: MarleneMBryanLLC and HigherRoadConsultingCorporation

Please visit our websites: www.marlenembryan.com and www.higherroadconsulting.com

Learning from a Master…Better Yet…A Mistress

Posted on January 4, 2013 by MarleneMB

My head is still spinning from the precious moments I spent with Conni Gordon. Conni is ninety-years young and has been a painter for most of her life. She is a gifted artist, author and speaker. Conni has taught folks like Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Larry King and recently Bonnie Hunt how to paint in one sitting. Besides being so talented, she is a wealth of information. She had such great marketing ideas for me to improve my marketing skills. Here is a video of Conni on the Bonnie Hunt Show (skip to 1:48).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9G-h7z0ySTg]

Throughout her life, Conni has met many celebrities such as Picasso, danced with Robert Goulet and dated Tarzan! Wow! She has sold over 17 million of her books. Conni has spoken around the globe. But that is not what impressed me about Conni. Although, these are great accomplishments, I find Conni to be such a warm-hearted down-to-earth person. She is eager to teach others her craft. Conni also navigates her way around her iMAC like a pro! I hear there is a movie in the works about part of her life. Yet, one would never know it upon meeting her.

Conni is sweet and humble and giving. I asked her what keeps her going. She said the look on people’s faces when they realize that they CAN paint after stating that they have no ability to do so. She also donates her time to different charity organizations. Conni also teaches others how to improve their lives and pursue their dreams. I count myself to be blessed to meet this Wonder Woman and look forward to spending time with her again. Once again I feel like such a winner because I continue to meet people, like Conni Gordon.

Until next time…Keep Living a Diamond Life. Live a Life of Purpose!

Please click to like my fan pages: MarleneMBryanLLC and HigherRoadConsultingCorporation

Please visit our websites: www.marlenembryan.com and www.higherroadconsulting.com

It’s How You Make Them Feel

Posted on December 29, 2012 by MarleneMB

I love ending the 2012 business year on a high note. I had that experience while attending the CEO Forum hosted by the South Florida Minority Supplier Diversity Council (SFMSDC.org) and GrowFL.com Tuesday, December 18, 2012. The purpose of the even was to encourage minority business owners in the growth of their business and share information that other successful minority CEOs have had in their businesses.

The keynote speaker was Charles P. Garcia. Mr. Garcia has a very impresses resume that spans starting, growing and eventually selling his company for a large profit; working for four presidents and now as a venture capitalist helping other minority and small business owners build their dreams. He was very energetic and dynamic in his storytelling of his various business experiences. He peppered his speech with humor as he related about growing his company; interviewing the different powerful folks for his book Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows; and the life advices his grandfather and his mother gave him.

I especially liked the advice his mother gave him that is not what you have materially that makes you successful; it is how you make people feel and how you have impacted their lives. These are words we all can enact in our lives as we pursue our dreams and creating companies that will serve others. While I didn’t win the raffle of his books, I felt that I was a winner at this event. I intend to buy it to learn more from this author, orator and business savvy CEO. Thank you SFMSDC and GrowFL.com for ending my business year on a positive note. Thank you Charles P. Garcia for sharing your experiences with us.

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

Please click to like our Fan Pages: MarleneMBryanLLC and HigherRoadConsultingCorporation

Please visit our websites: www.marlenembryan.com and www.higherroadconsulting.com

Denim, Diamonds and Feather Boas – Part 2

Posted on October 28, 2012 by MarleneMB

On Friday when I picked up my dress for the North Broward Links Gala Contest: Dancing with The Stars; I noticed that the tailor had butchered the bottom. He was supposed to take off 1-2 inches, instead he took of about four inches and hem was very uneven. That was the second dress he had ruined! I panicked and call my dance partner, Miguel. He told me to call our friend Dennis who knows how to work magic with the sewing machine. I left the boutique quite upset and disappointed.

I went over to Miguel’s house and Dennis had his sewing machine out. He measured cut and sewed most of the night. While he was sewing, Miguel and I practiced our dance routine. When Dennis was done, the dress looked a hundred times better. Then they had the brilliant idea to add feather boas at the bottom to hide some of the slight imperfection that remained. I woke up early Saturday morning and drove to the nearest Party City store. I bought four white feature boas and took them to Dennis. He sewed them onto the dress. The dress was transformed into a true Ginger Rogers style of dress.

I rushed home and got ready for the Gala Miguel, Dennis and our friend Jackie picked me up. When we got to the venue, we met the five other couples that were also competing. Needless to say, we were all very nervous. Miguel and I were happy to find out we were selected for the fourth spot; no ones likes being first in these types of competitions. Dennis came to the dressing room and helped me with my makeup. I have never worn false eyelashes, but again Dennis worked his magic and made me look more like the Swan Princess, ready for the ball. When our turn came, Miguel escorted me onto the dance floor, my heart was practically in my throat. He gave me a twirl as they introduced us and the audience applauded.

The music began. Although I was still nervous, my fear went away with the familiar voice of Frank Sinatra piped throughout the hall, singing “The Way You Look Tonight.” We danced and spun, hopped, quick-stepped, waltz, twirled and had a great time enjoying the dance and the audience’s responses to our moves. The audience, wooed and clapped whenever they liked a particular step. Next thing I knew it was over just as quickly as it began.

We sat and our assigned table and the judges made their remarks : loved the dance, loved Frank Sinatra, loved moves and wanted to steal my dress! Hahaha. They raised their scores: one 10 and four 9’s. “Wow! No Way,” was my thought when I saw them. We waited while the last two couples danced. The last couple had a professional dancer as part of the team. I must say he was fantastic. He even lifted her a few times. There was no way, Miguel and I were going to do such moves.

Finally, they contest ended and they had us back on the dance floor for the announcement of the winners. To my shock and our great surprised, we placed the second and received two beautiful awards! The professional guy with the lifts came in first place. I must say, Miguel, Dennis and Jackie truly turned this techie, geeky, uncoordinated woman into a Swan Princess last night. Best part is that there were well over 400 people in attendance and lots of money was raised for the scholarship fund for the kids. I also have three new awesome friends: Miguel, Dennis and Jackie! Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Live a Diamond Life. Live a Life of Purpose.

Click to like my Fan Pages: MarleneMBryanLLC and HigherRoadConsultingCorporation

Visit my websites: www.marlenembryan.com and www.higherroadconsulting.com

Finding the Courage of Columbus

Posted on October 8, 2012 by MarleneMB

There are some controversies around Christopher Columbus Day in the USA, today. Many people dispute the idea that Christopher Columbus “discovered” America. Some say that it was not lost in the first place and in fact he was lost. Whether you are agree are not, is not my purpose here in this article. I want to examine the fact that Columbus chose to make the journey in the first place.

Imagine that he had to convince a foreign monarch, in today’s term: a venture capitalist, to fund his trip around the world based upon a hunch that he could reach the East Indies by going the opposite route from the way others had taken in the past. Not only did he convince this monarch, he convinced others to get on ships and leave their families to make this voyage with him. I am sure leading up to the very day that he set sail; Christopher Columbus faced a lot of naysayers who told him that he would fail. They probably told him he was an idiot and would probably die out at sea.

Although, Columbus’ theory was flawed and his voyage took him to the Americas instead of the East Indies, his courage to take a different route and try something new is to be admired. His miscalculated trip brought new opportunities for him, his crew and his sponsor. How many of us allow others to kill our dreams or our desire to start a new business venture? How many are too afraid of failure and never take the first step to attempt living for your purpose?

The next time someone tells you that you can’t make it happen, you will fail, or your idea is convoluted, take a look at those people in history that dared to go against the masses and achieved great things. Find the courage of Columbus, block out the negativity and focus on accomplishing your dreams.

Keep Living A Diamond Life! A Life of Purpose!

Please Click to Like My Facebook Page: MarleneMBryanLLC