I’ve been updating my travel “wish list” with some of the locations I’ve always wanted to go to. Having a lifestyle business, its very motivating to me to know where I plan to travel next. I tend to keep a running list in my mind, especially when I run across a great article in Spa Magazine or Travel. But now I’m actually cutting these articles out and putting the pictures up on my “travel dream board.”

So I thought I’d share a few of them here with you.

1. Maldives. Ever since I saw some silly show where 2 of England’s over-the-top stars Katie & Peter stayed in a hut over the water on these remote islands I was sold. (Yes, it must have been a VERY bad day for me to be watching this show.) I fell in love with the Maldives and have since been collecting all kinds of ideas like swimming with the man-o-rays.

2. Turks and Caicos. I’m sure it was the Spa Magazine article on Parrot Cay Resort and their world reknown spa that got me. White sand beaches and turquoise water bekons me every time I pull up the pictures.

3. Greek Islands. Again, being heavily influenced by popular media, I saw a movie with Darryl Hannah in the 80’s where her and her boyfriend spent a summer in Greece. I loved the white buildings against the hillsides so it’s been on my list ever since.

4. Tuscany. Oh, wow, I sound like a pop culture addict here but watching Under The Tuscan Sun with Diane Lane has me drooling to spend three months living in Italy. I’ve been to Florence and had to pass through Tuscany to get there. Beautiful country. All though the locals tell me there are better countrysides to spend a few months in…until I find something better I’m sticking with a Tuscan Villa sometime in 2010.

5. The Great Barrier Reef. Even though I’ve been to Australia (I spent 2 weeks in Sydney & Melbourne), I didn’t get to enjoy the amazing diving that Australia has to offer. I definitely MUST go back and explore the islands and ocean life there.

So that’s my top five travel “wish list” list. What’s yours? Share it in the comments below…

I have so many exciting new plans for helping you reach all of your business goals in the coming year that I can barely contain myself - one of which is going to be the most incredible LIVE event I have ever done. I will be sharing proven strategies that I’ve been using for years to build a million dollar business and integrating them with information that will literally blow your mind and make you look at your business in a whole new way. (More to come on that!)

But, in an effort to make sure that this LIVE event meets YOUR needs, I put together quick survey http://www.successconnections.com/survey/ so that you can let me know what you want. And, to show you how much I value your time, in exchange for completing this survey I am going to give you 2 audio interviews where some outrageously successful entrepreneurs like Tim Ferris, David Allen and yours truly discuss how to accomplish more in your business by increasing your productivity and
leveraging your resources. There are some serious gems in these interviews you won’t want to miss. 

All you have to do is hop on over to http://www.successconnections.com/survey/and complete the quick survey. You’ll be given the link to the audios immediately. 

Then, once I receive all of your valuable feedback, I can get busy creating the best Lifestyle Business building event of the year. 

Thank you!

Melanie

I received an interesting question from one of my Fast-Track to 6 & 7 Figure Lifestyle Business Mastermind members the other day. I thought I’d share it as I’m sure many of you have an opinion or personal experience to share here.

I just listened to the interview you had with Murray [Marder]. Great call.

Actually while listening to your story I thought about the following and I would love to hear your point of view:

You mentioned that you weren’t doing so well in the beginning, you were making less than 1000/month but this got you the kick to create something that is bigger than you ever thought it would be. And you know a lot of these successful entrepreneurs that have started from below zero and created a very successful business.

What do you think, is it necessary to been “down” there to be able to create something SO successful? Do you have to have been there to really know what it means to be an entrepreneur and have the energy to come out of the crisis and rise higher and higher?

I’d be really interested to know what you think about that. When I listen to all these entrepreneurs, then I hear that most of them started from no where or they were quite successful and then lost everything.

What if you haven’t been there and you don’t really know what it means not to know how to pay the bills etc? Do you think they don’t have it in them to succeed the same way?

looking forward to hearing from you.

Actually, I don’t believe that it is essential to fall apart, hit the bottom and go bankrupt to be a huge success. There are many people who have huge successes by simply applying a proven process and surrounding themselves with the right people, team, resources, etc.

The reason why I think we hear so much about the “breakdown-breakthrough to success” process is because typically humans are motivated more by moving away from pain than they are by pursuing pleasure. I think that is partly why those of us that hit bottom go so much higher — we can’t wait to get away from that feeling of falling apart.

What I ‘ve noticed in my eight years of coaching is that many entrepreneurs, service professionals and small business owners are not WILLING to make themselves uncomfortable to grow quickly. And playing in a comfortable place usually means limited growth. So if you haven’t gotten into a bad place, you may not have that same level of motivation.

By being at the bottom, you only have one direction to go — up!  Life in general is made up of a myriad of challenges to move through. People who are in the personal development world typically find themselves addressing their own stuff then later finding a passion to give it back to the world. So, hence, we have been to the “bottom” before we can be successful and teach/mentor/guide others.

I guess I don’t believe that you have to fall apart before you can be successful. By learning, studying and following the tools & resources from people like me you can save yourself a ton of time, money and energy by learning what works (aka I did all the heavy lifting for you.) However you may find that tough times give you more momentum — there is something bigger at stake!

I’m curious to hear other people’s thoughts?

This week I had a lot of tough decisions to make. In my Platinum Inner Circle program we call this “putting your big girl panties on.” (Sorry guys, it was on a magnet that someone gave me and it just stuck.) As a business and lifestyle coach, I see it as my main duty to follow the advice I give my clients.

I realized that there were some things piling up that were starting to get toxic and very distracting. Constantly I was ruminating in my head how to handle the situation. And yes, I even was a bit concerned about some of the decisions from a financial perspective — if I do this, will I lose this client — kinda thing.

But at the end of the day, I had to do what was best for me, my clients and the world around us. I call it the win-win-win decisions. If one person is losing in that equation then on some level we are all losing.

What I realized throughout this process was that I’m a business owner and every day I’m going to be faced with challenges. How I DECIDE to handle the challenges will dictate my experience. If I ruminate and worry, I’ll feel bad and my energy will go down the drain. If I “buck up” and make the best decision I can from a place of love, compassion and integrity while doing what I need for my business, then everyone wins — whether they realize it or not.

So far I’m through 5 of the 8 big decisions. I’ve got a few more to go. I choose to handle a few of the yucky ones first to get them handled and clear the energy. I’ve got another yucky conversation tomorrow and then a couple of scary-exciting decisions as I add someone to my team to manage my business development and map out some really big financial incentives for this role.

Interestingly enough as I have tackled these “yucky” situations I feel like someone is lifting rocks off my head. The pressure of what could happen is being replaced with victorious wins for both parties. Not once did someone yell at me or even feel angry but rather all concerned felt relieved and excited about the decisions.

It’s amazing what we make up in our head and project about what could happen vs. staying present to what is real.

I call this being a grown up business owner. We have to be willing to make the tough choices that continually align us with our desired outcomes and release the people, situations and opportunities that are not in alignment. Even when you want to run and hide…tackling the decision head on actually gives you more energy and power.

Here are a few questions that might help you make the decision:

• What is it costing you to keep this situation/person in your life? Money? Time? Energy? Lost opportunities?
• What is the worst case scenario? Best case scenario?
• What are the pros and cons of the situation? Are you willing to live with the cons in order to have the pros?
• If you had a million dollars, what decision would you make today?
• What would your [mentor/coach/role model] do to solve this problem?

So what tough decision do you need to make that will free up some energy and momentum? Would love have you share it here…

Wow, this was one of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed.

I’m not typically a big Mexico enthusiast. Not being a big partier and knowing that the water in Mexico is always a risk to Montezuma’s Revenge, I tend to keep to the Caribbean and Hawaii for my exotic vacations.

As luck would have it, as we were planning our “birthday get away” two of the Hawaii airlines went bankrupt so ticket prices were insane. And I’m glad, because this trip was a slice of paradise.

Could it have been the 5-star service? Having a private butler? A concierge dedicated just to us? Great food at the Japanese restaurant and steak houses? The most amazing view of the ocean from our suite? The all-inclusive resort experience? Yep, all of that and more.

The lobby of our building, where our
butler and concierge are. This is actually where
we checked in…very nice to have the golf cart take
you directly to your building and not have long lines to check in.

The view from our ocean-front suite.

This is in front of one of the restaurants –
every place on the property seems to
have a fantastic view!

One of my two fav spots — in the pool on
my raft or in the cabana reading a book.
It wasn’t even a business book –
I finally dug into an Oprah’s book club
recommendation called Middlesex.

We left the property only once to go in to Cancun for
a nice dinner at Laguna Grill. It’s a Fodor’s Choice
and well worth the $140 US dollars to eat there.

This crocodile decided to join us for dinner
he swam right up to our table (which was on the lagoon)
and waited for us to share a tasty morsel with him.

The best part? While I was off recharging, my amazing team of virtual assistants keeps my business making money. I’ve built my business to make money with — or without — me being present. That’s one of the distinctions of a lifestyle business. Otherwise, you just have a job!

If it were not for the Mexican water, I’d go back in a heart beat. My only issue with the whole experience is that as a 5-star resort, they were giving out crappy locally bottled water. When we figured out what was bothering out stomachs, we asked for Evian and they gave it to us immediately. So why not just give out Evian to start with?

As entrepreneurs and business owners, we make a serious of choices every day that can make or break our success. As a business coach for many years now, I’ve learned that it’s often not even the big things that have the greatest impact… 

It’s the small, almost unconscious decisions we make that can influence the shape our life takes. 

The other day one of the Success Connections team coaches, Therese Skelly, said, “I was just talking to one of the Gold Plus members about how you take time off for self-care.” 

She was talking about how I always prepare for (or recover from) my trips with a massage. This last week I was feeling just a bit on the stressed side so I booked a facial/massage Monday afternoon. Even though I probably could have made the case to squeeze in some work since I’ll be traveling  this week, I knew that taking care of myself first would make for better stamina. 

I’ve also found that choosing to upgrade to my Platinum Business AmExp card allows me access to the airport lounges. I could have convinced myself to choose a less expensive credit card, but when I evaluate what I gain by feeling relaxed in the lounge vs. what I lose in the frenzied chaos at the gate, it’s obviously another great choice to take care of myself and my most precious commodity – my energy. 

A new decision I made for this trip is the “car service.” 

Because I have to facilitate the Virtual Team Building Telebootcamp on Weds morning before I leave for my event, I have to take a later flight than I’d like. Which puts me in to

This last weekend I attended an event called Miracle Mastery.

Now you may be asking yourself how on earth does that help me recharge? Hotels, lots of people, having to be away from home…

It’s simple. It’s called infusing my body, mind and soul with new learning.

I attended this event for a very special reason though…three people who inspire me were going to be in one room.

• Dr. Michael Beckwith, Agape Community Leader who was featured in The Secret
• Mary Manin Morrisey, author of Building Your Field of Dreams (and someone my family has known since I was 5 years old.)
• Bob Proctor, featured in The Secret and coach to many people who I consider a huge success.

Bob Proctor and me.

What I left the weekend with was a notepad full of notes, a spirit that has been rejuvinated, and new connections with people who filled my heart with inspiriation and joy. I decided to attend the event from a different place this time…just to be one of the participants. I paid the $75 to upgrade to their special lunch (I almost always get comp’ed to these.) I said hi to the speakers and got my picture taken with Bob Proctor. I listened with a new mind without saying to myself, “I know that!”

I talked with people I didn’t know who were discovering their new passion and purpose in life. I listened to them share their newly revealed goals with tons of excitement. And I uncovered my goal for 2008: It’s time for me to write my book!

In listening to Bob Proctor, one thing I feel has been affirmed again is that successful people continuously infuse new learning. I have a million things to do with my weekend but it was important for me to invest my money in learning from these powerful teachers. I also got to learn from new teachers — Mat Boggs (my friend and author of Project Everlasting), Shore Slocum and Kathy Buckley.

I’ve even committed more money to participate in a  program they were offering for coaching. Now I don’t have to do that…but I knew that I needed to be influenced by people who have created something I want in my life — more lifestyle, more power and more spiritual grounded decisions.

So how are you recharging? What kind of new information are you taking in? What will you do this year to take on a new challenge to grow your income, your results and your lifestyle? If you don’t know, I encourage you to check out our Fast-Track to a 6 & 7 Figure Lifestyle Business Mastermind program at www.fasttracktolifestylebusiness.com.

We’ve had a few spots open in my VIP Level mastermind group which tends to generate a lot of questions about, you guessed it, why should I join your mastermind?

As I look back over the years that I’ve facilitated these high end groups, three reasons come to mind that cause a business owner to have a huge jump in income through mastermind participation.

First, being challenged. I remember when I worked for Motorola. The camaraderie of my workmates spurred me to accomplish as much as they did…or more. But when I went out on my own I lost that motivation factor. Being a part of a high level mastermind can do that for you. Just knowing that your partner is working on a seven figure marketing strategy will inspire you to look at those strategies for your business. Who wants to feel like they’ve been left behind? No one.

Second, collaborative thinking to uplevel your game. Solving problems in your own head poses a problem…it was your thinking that caused the problem in the first place. When you have access to many different people in a mastermind, you overcome that challenge and tap into collaboration. It allows you to access a solution generating energy that can only get created when multiple brain powers are present. You will have ideas revealed to you that you never even thought of before.

Third, access to the right resources. In my VIP Level group, there have been relationships forged that allow a member to catapult their results forward. Marketing expertise is shared, joint ventures created, accessing knowledge that would cost you thousands of dollars you get simply by asking for help. Again, participating in a high level mastermind causes you to shortcut your learning curve and costs as you move forward at lightening speed.

When someone tells you they’ve broken seven figures in their mastermind group, now you know why. This kind of success can only be replicated with the power of many successful minds coming together to support you in success. Now I have to admit I’m partial to facilitated groups like I run because you get the best of my coaching AND the mastermind. The important thing is: figure out what works for you and do it.

If you are ready to boost your business with a mastermind, check out www.fasttracktolifestylebusiness.com. Groups are filling up fast!

… For as little as $5/hour?

Great article on the Financial Post on the power of Virtual Assistants. It also gives some great distinctions between the American & European Virtual Assistants and the new trend of using overseas assistants that are much cheaper (ie. you get what you pay for always stands true I guess.)

I highly recommend using Virtual Assistants and Virtual Contractors to delegate many of your mundane tasks. It is one of the few key strategies I recommend to create a consistent, thriving 6 & 7 figure lifestyle business!

Want more ideas on building a virtual team? Check out my new ebook at www.thepowerofthevirtualteam.com.

Are you itching for a way to generate some quick cash flow before the holidays?

Then you want to check out the Success Connection’s affiliate contest that is under way. There are a lot of prizes to be won in addition to some extra cash in your pocket before November 30th, 2007.

If you have an audience or network of people who would benefit from:

- Learning how to create the ULTIMATE lifestyle business with the ULTIMATE Success Generator.

- Discovering simple strategies to build a team of virtual assistants so you can delegate your weaknesses to other people’s strengths with Virtual Team Building Secrets.

- Get supported step-by-step in building a powerful virtual team to double, triple or quadruple your free time and revenue with the Virtual Team Building Tele-Bootcamp.

Then jump on board to win one of the prizes and generate some extra cash flow for the holidays this year! Our affiliates are creating some pretty interesting campaigns including:

- Blogging & Social Networking posts

- Email blasts to their lists

- Promoting some of our free & low-cost tools to add massive value to their lists

If you are not yet one of the Success Connections affiliates then go right now to: http://www.successconnections.com/affiliates/. The contest ends Nov 30th so get on board today.

Be sure to post here when you plan to activiate your campaign and if there is anything we can do to support you in winning this contest let us know!