Celebrate National Old Stuff Day and Do Something Different!

Today is National Old Stuff Day! At this point you must be thinking what is it and why do Americans need a day for everything?

National Old Stuff Day has plenty of disagreement about what the day actually means, but here are the different meanings and you can choose for yourself:

National Old Stuff Day is…

- a day to stop doing the same old stuff and do something different in life.

- a day to clear out the clutter and make way for the new.

- a day to celebrate things that are old and dear to you.

To address the issue of Americans having days for everything I would like to think that it keeps ordinary lives interesting, teaches new things in extraordinary ways, brings awareness to the mundane and is just plain entertaining.

And on that note I’m going to celebrate National Old Day by doing a few things:

1. Do something new. See a new movie, cause after all I do work in the industry.

2. Value the old. (Hmm, this one is tricky, do I visit the experienced parents? Notice I didn’t say old, I said experienced, in case any family members are reading this. Or see an old movie like Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat, because today is also Dr Seuss day!

3. And clear clutter. I have tons of things I can donate and help give those items new homes.

Sounds like a win-win!

ACTION POINT: What are you going to do today?

SUGGESTIONS: If you work in TV, Video or Film, check out the newest issues happening and how they are changing your work. Or if you work in other creative areas see what new techniques or workshops are publicized and how it will benefit your business.

I’d love to hear about your efforts and share in the process. Tweet me @suzettemariel or leave a comment.

Image http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Television_Video_and_g178-Red_Retro_TV_p42960.html

Happy heart day means love yourself too!

It’s Valentine’s Day and what better way to celebrate love than taking care of yourself? So often as freelancers and small business owners we work more hours than we do taking care of ourselves.

So today and at least once during each month take time for yourself and discover what you can do to honor yourself . Still not convinced? Check out this collaborative blog post that I participated in with 24 other business experts discussing extreme self care and why you deserve to help yourself first.

http://www.margodegange.com/2013/02/extreme-self-care/

Share with me what you do to take care of yourself first. I would love to be able to implement your ideas and learn some new techniques. After all isn’t that what  life should be about, sharing, learning and exploring?

Feel free to decide what social media site works best for you to connect with me on:

twitter @suzettemariel or Facebook www.facebook.com/Mariel.Suzette

No cards for you at Christmas

No cards for Christmas, but that doesn’t mean I’m Scrooge.

I made the resolution years ago, to stop sending “Christmas cards”, but that doesn’t mean I’m Scrooge, anti-holiday or broke. What it actually comes down to, is less stress. And isn’t that what life should be about?

Sending out gifts or cards for a productive new year, is easier and less offensive then sending Christmas gifts and running the risk of offending someone’s personal holiday. In business its always good practice to include everyone. It’s also cheaper because you no longer need to get it there by December 25th with million dollar overnight postage. So I’m putting the American version of Christmas on the banned list and sticking with the more inclusive holiday of New Year’s.

A new mantra…I choose to live with less stress, enjoy life more, live better and healthier.

If you and I have made a personal connection and I have your address, chances are something is coming in your mailbox to kick off the New Year in a sparkling clean fashion. “hint, hint”

Regardless of the holiday you celebrate, I wish everyone a wonderful moment in time and a very productive, successful, happy and prosperous New Year!

12 Goals on 12-12-12 for the new year

 

Today is 12-12-12, what are you doing to make it special?

I thought about it for awhile and want to do something that would last for the entire year. I want something that was not  for an evening but something that would actually make a difference in my life and other’s as well. It’s an unusual date and to commemorate this date I want to set 12 goals for the new year for myself. And what better way to approach goal setting then to hold yourself accountable by putting your goals out to you the readers of this blog.

So here goes my 12 goals for the new year:

1.  Uplevel my business with my new mentor
2. Finish the details for my two books and get them ready for  publication
3. Double my involvement with my charities, and start my on charitable efforts
4. Take more vacations (Yes that’s right, I need to plan some relaxation time with all of the goals I plan to achieve.
5. Create a workshop/seminar for new freelancers
6. Use more recycled products in my business
7. Offset my carbon footprint
8. Increase the number of books I read
9. Attend more conferences
10.  Network more with like-minded individuals ( A few months ago I joined the NAPW- National Association for Professional  Women. I’m looking forward to getting to know the group better in my local chapter.
11.  Launch physical products that benefit social and environmental issues
12.  Meditate, journal and be in harmony more with myself

 

Thanks for being a part of my goal setting session for next year. I’m looking forward to making changes that will not only do myself some good but others as well.

Please feel free to connect with me and let me know if you plan to make any goals for the new year. Let me know how I can help you reach new heights in your business.

 

Check out this other articles and find out what others are doing on this memorable day.

Photocredit: Simon Howden

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• Kick Butt in 2013: Free Goal Setting and Action Planner Download (smallbusinessbonfire.com)
• 12/12/12 – What Will You Do today? (kathryneriksen.wordpress.com)
• 12-21-12 – The Shift from Chaos to Universal Love (numerologyzenzone.wordpress.com)
• 12 Things to do on 12-12-12 (kvliveblog.wordpress.com)

Birthday wishes

It’s December the time of giving, gifting, gratitude and well if I must say, my birthday. (December 4th). Every year I like to give back on my birthday because I receive so much throughout the year, so I like to spread the love.

This year I’m sending an orphanage ten pairs of shoes, and creating a special luxury soap to benefit families displaced by Hurricane Sandy, and sending gifts for the youth at Homeless Youth Alliance.

If you are inclined to help please contact me and let me know which service project you chose for donation.

Please send HYA a donation in lieu of birthday gifts. Thanks so much to everyone who has continued to support this wonderful organization this year and in previous years. It truly makes for a wonderful birthday gift.

Homeless Youth Alliance
1696 Haight Street
San Francisco, Ca 94117
Attn:Mary Howe
Suzette Mariel’s bday wish

Homeless Youth Alliance
POB 170427
San Francisco, Ca 94117

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude list-

Life
Family
Health
Friendship
Meaningful work
Ability to help others
Donating time and not just money
Being in each moment
Being happy and sharing happiness
Supporting friends in good and bad times
Showing gratitude and living in gratefulness
Raising awareness of causes near and far
Respecting everyone’s beliefs and having others respect mine
Enjoying clean air and water while working towards helping others have the same
Being at peace with myself

Two words that made me happy to lose my job… Giants Win!

No one knew that the Giants would sweep the World Series after having done so in 2010. But once again the hardworking team gave baseball fans an excuse to party. And as a result I am happy to say that I am out of job and loving it!

It isn’t often that as a freelancer I am happy to be out of work but when you sit back and think about it, there actually are some pretty cool reasons that not working is to your benefit. For example the situation I am facing today.

The San Francisco Giants swept the World Series in Detroit and are not returning to the Bay Area except for the Halloween Victory Parade on November 1^st, 2012. And for that sort of publicity, I am not needed. Therefore, out of a job until next baseball season and we start all over again.

For a very long time I have worked with the San Francisco Giants in some form or another and have always eagerly awaited the return of baseball season. I wasn’t always a fan of baseball, but anyone who knows me personally knows how intimate with baseball I have become. (See my bio at www.ejsports.com for more information about my baseball business.)

Another really cool reason to be out of job as a freelancer is when a film project comes together and the martini shot is in the can.  Who doesn’t love seeing the end result of months and months worth of work?

Furthermore, another reason to be happy to be out of work is to evaluate your next adventure. It’s all about gratitude and seeing things in a positive light. I love that I am out of job because the Giants won.

The phone is ringing, must be my next gig. So much for being out of a job as a freelancer.

 

 

Related articles

• Stylists Go All Out With Fantasy Baseball Hairdos For World Series (detroit.cbslocal.com)

Get motivated today

Motivate yourself with consistency

It’s Monday and I am in need of motivation. It’s part of the reason why I write this blog on Mondays.

It gets me going in the right direction. When I start off my week on the right path I have a good tendency to stay on it. One of the greatest motivating factors in life is consistency.

Have you ever noticed that when you keep doing something and you have good rhythm and flow you tend to stick with it? Take exercise for instance, the more you do it, the better you feel, the healthier you become and your clothes fit better too. It’s consistency that gets you motivated to keep seeing those results. Once you get consistent, you start to push your limits and set new goals for yourself, which then turns into another level of achievement to use to keep your motivation.

It’s the same thing with those of us in business for ourselves. We get up, review the deadlines for the day, check the email, find out the new events in our industry, contact clients and maybe do a little social media to keep our names out in the atmosphere. Consistently creating good habits is a practice that breeds success.

 

ACTION POINT: Grab a calendar, your favorite colored pen and circle the date every time you do something in your business and create your visual consistency list.

 

Keep checking back during the week for more motivating tips and business advice for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers to get you on your path to success.

Tweet me @suzettemariel your motivating success story. And if you are in need of some extra motivation let me know and I will be happy to send some positive motivating vibes your way.

 

 

Photo credit http: magnifiying glass

 

 

Related articles

• Monday Motivation – Plan your break with a motivation gift (suzettemariel.wordpress.com)
• Monday Motivation: If you procrastinate then you need this… (suzettemariel.wordpress.com)
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• What is motivation and why is it important to businesses today? (staffmotivationmatters.co.uk)
• Be motivated (arcsurf.wordpress.com)
• Self-Compassion Increases Self-Improvement Motivation (psp.sagepub.com)
• Weekend Motivation (lifeafterswimming.com)

Press the power button inside yourself

The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
-Robert Byrne

It’s Monday and there are tons of things to be accomplished this week. As I turned on my computer this morning I needed 2 things, a cup of coffee and my motivating purpose. Not just any purpose but the kind of purpose that truly gives your life some meaning.

What’s your purpose today? What inspires you to work harder, to work longer? Is the answer your family or money or the satisfaction of knowing you helped someone today?

Push the power button on and discover your purpose for being your best today.

Success Saturday – Small efforts equal success