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…

Recently I spent some time in Sydney Australia with some colleagues as we were speaking for Christopher Howard’s Ultimate Marketing Seminar.

After three days of being completely upside down in my time zones and presenting at this conference of over 700 people, I was exhausted. But I was committed to enjoying some of local Sydney life before I had to leave for Melbourne.

I headed out for the day with some of my colleagues, Stan Dahl and John Carlton of www.marketingrebel.com. We hit the zoo, had drinks and dinner by the water, played some pool then hit a local jazz club. By then I’m snoring at my table (jazz just isn’t my thing).

So my new found friends proclaim it’s SPA TIME!

What? Spa time? At 11:30 at night? OK, I’m in.

So John gets us a taxi and we head to the seedy part of town (aka strip clubs, adult book stores and god knows what else) where we find an onslaught of Thai massages. And no, not the ones with the happy endings.

What I found was a real gem of an awesome Thai Massage called Sabai (if you are ever in the area check it out at 145 Oxford Street in Darlinghurst. It’s open from 10 am to 2 am. Geez, when DO they sleep? LOL.)

First I had to change into my massage outfit (again, a bit apprehensive at 12 am in the morning but I’m going with it.) It’s a loose fitting icky green shirt and pants. Since I was in jeans I’m very happy.

Then I have to lay down on a mat on the floor and the work begins. Now I have to be honest here. I was fast asleep (again) within 10 minutes so I don’t really remember most of it. But I woke up an hour later feeling totally relaxed. And John and Stan raved.

The sign of a great massage for me — I want to go back! I swear I tried to find another 2 hrs so I could go again. I’m keeping the brochure just in case I’m in Sydney again soon.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to one of my favorites…The Marriott Desert Hot Springs Spa Resort in Palm Desert, California.

As a spa junkie, I love that this beautiful resort is very close to Los Angeles (in the “leer-cecedes” it only takes 90 minutes to get there.) Knowing that I desperately needed a little get away from my CEO & entrepreneurial duties to some sunshine and pampering, my new beau booked us a 3 day retreat.

Now I’m a seasoned spa’er but my new beau was going for the first time. After the 2nd day of sun worshipping at the private spa pool area, with the staff waiting on us hand & foot, then getting an amazing spa treatment in the beautifully new renovated spa, his words were “Oh yeah….I can get addicted to his life.”

Could it have been the beautiful view of the lake and golf course or the soothing spa music they pipe in all day? Maybe the boat ride around the lake to our Japanese style dinner at Mikado? It was the perfect end to the perfect day in this little slice of paradise.

Now here is some incentive to head to the property.

Right now there are some great packages you can take advantage of. For instance, we got the “Spa Package” which included our breakfasts and 2 treatments at the spa. You can also get a “Golf Package” if that’s your passion. And as the summer gets hotter, the packages get better.

We also happened to meet the Marriott New Property Sales Diva who conveniently “jumped us” on the way out with an opportunity to stay there for FOUR days anytime we want for just $199 — which included a $100 spa certificate. Of course we said yes!

A few considerations if you are going:

1. Consider going during the week vs. the weekend. It’s quite crowded and a pick up scene at the pool during the weekend. Unless that’s your thing of course.
2. Be sure to let them know if you are celebrating a special event. They are very accommodating with the “upgrades.” (hint hint.)
3. Book your session at the spa in advance to get the best times. The spa does book up very quickly.
4. Check into the resort fee to make sure you get the fitness center and internet covered. It’s better to pay in advance then at the resort separately for everything.

Happy get-aways! And be sure to let me know if you decide to go!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I’ve been more aware of the power of gratitude. I’m going to be sharing some of the things I’m grateful for in my life and I’d love to hear about what you’re grateful for. I’ll start with my ** fun ** list.

Here’s my top 8 for today

I am grateful…

1. That election campaigns are over so we can get back to the “real news”

2. That So Cal rarely gets below 72 degrees (and yes…we pay for that luxury)

3. For my delete button that easily eliminates spam and over-zealous internet marketer emails

4. For online traffic school for those *rare* occasions when I get sloppy and break a traffic rule.:)

5. For Twitter, Facebook and some days Myspace for being a brand new compulsion/addiction for me to force myself to delegate.

6. For all of the great friends and colleagues I reconnected with recently at 2 amazing events.

7. For a team that supports my vision and encourages me to be the leader and CEO I need to be to make this business exactly what I want.

8. Chocolate. That’s it. I’m just grateful for chocolate. And for the wonderful chocolate gifts I start getting around this time of year. (PS truffles are my favorite in case you are wondering. Chocolate-covered strawberries are 2nd.)

NOW, share your list of 8!

P.S. Remember…gratitude focus helps you attract more of what you DO want. =-)

If you want to find out how to set up systems that make your success inevitable, how to hire a winning team, or how to leverage speaking to increase your visibility and your bottom line check out http://tinyurl.com/mygratitudesale right now!

Today I heard four words that almost made me weep tears of joy.

We were having a bit of a challenge with some online technology. We have this fancy form that we are asking people to fill out in order to get a Jump Start session with one of my coaches. Hopefully by the time you read this it will be working: http://www.successconnections.com/jumpstart/

And every 2 or 3 times someone filled it out something wouldn’t work. Argh!

My team had tried very hard to handle it without me. But alas, someone found me on a site and said, “Help, I can’t get this form to work!”

So being the diligent problem solver that I am, I started to troubleshoot and test the system to see what the problem was.

I called my Marketing Manager, explained the problem and said, “OK I’ll call [my virtual assistant] and see what needs to happen.” 

My Marketing Manager uttered these four words that almost made me weep… 

“I’ll take care of it!” Ahhh…..the relief in knowing that someone else is in charge. 

As a visionary, creative and leader of my empire, the last thing I need to be doing is solving technology problems. Thank goodness my team has been trained well in “owning” the problem and keeping me out of the middle. 

It’s what I call the grown up business model. It’s one where I do what I do best and leave the rest to the experts on my team. And this is the strategy that separates the “empire builders” from the rest – being able to let go and let others take charge. 

So what’s your gig – where do you get caught up in solving problems that suck your time and energy away from what you really should be doing? Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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?

From my weekly Dan Kennedy email. I thought it might be inspiring for some of us who get caught up in the “down economy” message that the media is focused on right now.

Said the little red rooster, “Gosh all hemlock. Things are tough.
Seems worms are getting scarcer, and I cannot find enough.
What’s become of all those fat ones is a mystery to me;
There were thousands through that rainy spell – now where can they be?

The Old Black Hen who heard him didn’t grumble or complain,
She had gone through lots of dry spells, she had lived through floods of rain,
So she flew upon the grindstone, and she gave her claws a whet,
As she said “I’ve never seen the time that there weren’t worms to get.”

She picked a new and un-dug spot; the earth was hard and firm.
The little rooster jeered, “New ground? That’s no place for a worm!”
The Old Black Hen just spread her feet, and she dug both fast and free…
“I must go to the worms,” she said, “the worms won’t come to me.”

The rooster vainly spent his day, through habit, by the ways
where fat round worms had passed in squads back in the rainy days.
When nightfall found him supper-less, he growled in accents rough,
“I’m as hungry as a fowl can be. Conditions sure are tough.”
He turned to the Old Black Hen and said, “It’s even worse with you.
For you’re not only hungry, but you must be tired too.

I rested while I watched for worms, so I feel fairly pert;
But how are you? Without worms too? And after all that work?”

The Old Black Hen hopped to her perch and drooped her eyes to sleep,
and murmured in a drowsy tone, “Young man, hear this and weep:
I’m full of worms and happy, for I’ve dined both long and well.
The worms are there as always – but I had to dig like hell!”

Oh, here and there red roosters still, are holding sales positions.
They cannot do much business now because of ‘poor conditions’,
but soon as ‘things’ get right again, they’ll sell a hundred firms –
meanwhile the old black hens are out and gobbling up the worms.

Sunday my partner and I decided to find some sunshine in Palm Springs, CA to work on our “vacation tans.” As we were driving out to the desert, we spontaneously migrated from our usual spot at the JW Marriott to La Quinta Resort.

La Quinta is a Waldorf-Astoria 5-star resort just past Palm Desert. It’s lay out is really unique in that it has little “pods” of rooms around a pool area (42 pools in all!)

What was really cool though was as we had lunch by the beautiful garden fountains, we met a man who was walking around with a rare breed of hawk.

“Alex”, the hawk is employed by the hotel to monitor the grounds for rodents and “undesirable” pests on the grounds. I thought it was such an interesting way to let nature manage what might be a problem for a 5-start resort guest (i.e. snakes.)

 
Me and “Alex” the hawk.

While we were out at La Quinta, we also noticed a really great summer program they have for kids. The rates start at $89/night, kids eat free and they even offer kid spa treatments. We are thinking of taking Mark’s daughter for her birthday since she has been hearing us talk about spas forever she is dying to go herself.

If you decide to check it out, let me know how you like it. There is a really great energy at this resort that is a bit more laid back and “rustic” with a Four Season’s level of service that you just can’t beat. And rumor has it that there is a lot of history in those rooms…many famous people from the old movie days have lived there.  

I’ll be going back to, and who knows, maybe we will have our next Platinum Elite Retreat there!

This past weekend I conducted my first 2008 Platinum Elite Mastermind retreat in Palm Desert California at the Miramonte Spa & Resort. It’s a smaller boutique type resort but I have to say, it’s a big winner in my book! 

I decided to treat myself and come in two days early just so I could have some down time, work on my book proposal and of course have some spa time. I even splurged for a suite over looking the gardens.The hotel’s service is truly wonderful. There were a few blips along the way but the staff truly did everything to make me comfortable, happy and to let me know I was important. 

Platinum mastermind members: Ira Bloomfield,
James Jackman, Michele PW, me, Kendall Summerhawk,
Christina Merkely, Beth Schneider, and Evan MK.    

One of our little adventures: the boat ride
at the JW Marriott to eat at Mikado’s.

My Platinum mastermind was ecstatic about the location and the experience. They all raved it was the best retreat yet (a few were new to the group the but ones who have been in for 2 years voted to return again next year!)

The mastermind experience was full of business growth strategies and challenges to experience huge shifts in their mindset and habits. But I have to admit that one of my favorite experiences was finding my new favorite spa treatment.

That’s right. For years I’ve raved about one spa in particular and I didn’t think any other place could win me over but it happened.

The Well (which is what they call their spa) has a fantastic treatment called the Organic Vegetable Wrap. I know it sounds like a sandwich, and I did feel like one too, but I felt like a million bucks after this treatment. It includes a body scrub, a gel-like vegetable concoction that you get wrapped up in, a head and foot massage (which were heavenly) and a full body Mediterranean massage.  

Another favorite: their salt water hydro pools. Ahhh….

Not only was the treatment insane…but the way they treat their clients is fantastic. I was given a choice of music and aromatherapy…wow! Needless to say, we will be back to this resort. I may even have to bring my honey out there to experience this wonderful resort. If you are heading to the Palm Springs area I highly recommend this resort!

One of the best moments was when I sat and talked with another guest, a manager from Wells Fargo Securities. When he asked why I was at the resort I told him that this is how I work with my clients. It was always my dream to travel and spend more time at luxury resorts so I decided I would work with clients who wanted the same thing. I could see the envy in his eye when he realized I do this all the time, not just once a year like most of the corporate world does.