Success – Success Strategies

10 Uplifting Ways to Embrace the Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit is a feeling of joy, generosity, kindness, and goodwill toward others often evoked by holiday traditions like decorating, gift-giving, music and spending time with loved ones. It’s also associated with fostering a festive, charitable, and warm atmosphere, often seen in acts of service and connecting with family, friends and even strangers during the winter season. (wikiHow)

Depending on how your year has been, you may have come into contact with individuals who complain of not experiencing that Christmas feeling. It is that spirit associated with past customs. Many force themselves into that feeling or pretend to get into the Christmas spirit. Some don’t bother and succumb to being depressed after suffering the loss of a loved one, familiar surroundings, or even a job.

Here are some uplifting, practical, and non-financial ways to help you or a colleague, get into the Christmas spirit. The season may feel heavy, disappointing, or overwhelming. So let’s see what we can do to overcome that feeling.

Ways to Get into the Christmas Spirit (Even When Life Feels Heavy)

1. Create a Simple “Good Moments” Ritual

Even during a difficult season, one meaningful moment a day can shift your emotions. These cost nothing yet helps your mind anchor in peace.

Light a candle at sunset
Make a cup of peppermint tea
Play one Christmas song you love
Sit quietly for 3 minutes and breathe

2. Revisit a Favorite Memory

Nostalgia is scientifically calming. Take 5 minutes to try these simple tips which will reconnect you to joy without requiring money or big plans.

Write down your favorite Christmas memory
Look at an old holiday photo
Re-watch a childhood Christmas movie clip
Make a dish that reminds you of home

3. Serve or Encourage Someone

When life feels disappointing, purpose restores hope. Here are some non-financial ways to give back. Remember, helping someone else elevates your own spirit.

Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
Write a handwritten encouragement note
Volunteer for 1 hour at a community event
Help a neighbor carry groceries or decorate
Read a Christmas story to a child or senior

4. Declutter One Small Space

A clearer environment creates emotional room for joy. Try any of these which will give you a sense of renewal going into the new year.

Cleaning one drawer
Tidying your desk
Freshening your bedroom with a sheet change
Hanging a single string of lights or placing one ornament in a meaningful spot

5. Start a Personal Christmas Gratitude List

Write down 12 things you are grateful for this year, even if they are small. Focus areas could be:

Growth
Lessons Learned
People who supported you
Unexpected blessings

6. Create a New Tradition (Simple or Free)

Traditions don’t need to be expensive. New traditions can help you reclaim the season in a way that fits your life now. For example, my own tradition started with hosting Christmas morning breakfast with family and close friends. That way, family members were available for evening dinner with the in-laws. We exchange gifts and more. As the kids grew, budget became an issue (hint – teenagers). We then adopted a young adult gift exchange as is done in corporate jobs.

Eat by candlelight for the month of December
Go for a night walk or drive to look at neighborhood lights
Read one uplifting quote or scripture each morning
Bake something simple like Christmas cake or banana bread
Host a zoom or phone call “Christmas check-in” with a friend group

7. Limit the Noise and Protect Your Peace

Sometimes, the best way into the Christmas spirit is finding quiet. Give yourself permission to slow down without guilt.

Turn off the news for a day
Unfollow accounts that drain your emotions
Say “no” to events that overwhelm you

8. Play Christmas Music or Ambient Sounds

Music is emotionally powerful. Let sound create the atmosphere.

Free playlists on YouTube
Gospel Christmas songs
Instrumental Christmas Jazz
Nativity meditation music
Fireplace or snowy cabin ambience videos

9. Journal Your Feelings But End With Hope

Disappointment is real. Letting it out helps you move forward. Take a look at these prompts, then end with one hopeful expectation for 2026.

What has been hard for you this season?
What do you need emotionally right now?
Where have you seen God’s hand even in small ways?
What’s one hopeful expectation for 2026?

10. Connect Spiritually

The holidays are the perfect time to reconnect with faith. Spiritual grounding brings meaning beyond the festivities.

Read a daily advent devotional
Join a free online Christmas service
Mediate on peace, hope, joy and renewal
Take a quiet prayer walk

These 10 tips were non-financial ways. With the commercialization of the season, Christmas can attract expenses. Here are a few that comes with financial input.

Buy one symbolic ornament that represents growth
Support a small business with a small purchase
Treat yourself to a cozy candle
Gift a coaching session or buy a session for someone in transition
Attend a low-cost community concert or holiday market

Essentially, getting into the Christmas spirit is not about perfection, money, or big celebrations. It’s about small, intentional choices that bring warmth, connection and hope back into your day.

Here’s hoping these tips will help boost your spirit this holiday. Now it’s your turn. Are there annual customs that you would like to add? Is any missing that you plan to implement as a new tradition? Please share. We would love to hear!

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

What’s The Perfect Door Prize? 21 Gift Ideas for Networking Events That Shine

Show up. Let yourself be seen. ~Brene Brown

What’s a networking event without door prizes? Boring (smile). So, event organizers encourage gifts. They are a simple yet powerful way to boost engagement, excitement, and attendance at networking events. They create a sense of the anticipation and fun, making the event more memorable for participants. Door prizes also encourage people to arrive on time, stay longer, and interact more freely with others. Besides entertainment, they offer a subtle marketing opportunity for sponsors, hosts, or businesses to showcase their products or services in a positive light.

The PSL Business Club asked the question: “What is the Perfect door prize to give away at networking events?” Members chimed in. Some suggested giving what you would like to receive. Others suggested giving away high-end gifts that will make you the talk of the event. Gift these over several periods and you’re sure to leave a lasting memory. Here I share key gift ideas extracted as members chimed in.

Gifts That Shine

Wellness bundle energy drinks
Journal, fun pen, small devotional or motivational card set
Cute mugs which says “let’s connect over coffee”
Pair a small gift care ($10-$15) with a handwritten note or business card enclosing a product sample
Branded item that’s actually helpful
Gift cards to local restaurants.
Something useful like Coffee gift cards
Wine or Vodka
Dark chocolate and a gift card or voucher to try branded services
Cool shirt
Stanley or Yeti cup
Gift baskets
Branded swag bundle from the host company
Branded items or one/two from local businesses or gift certificates
Candy
Homemade cookies
Hand-painted items
Chocolates from a chocolatier
Beach accessories
Fun items that’s non-business related
Dot card… to make sharing information easier at networking event

High-End Gifts

Higher end gifts creates a lasting memory of your brand. Such gifts are:

Massage or Spa packages
Weekend getaway at hotel
Dinner for two at a high-end/classy restaurant
Tickets to a concert/play

There you have it! Here’s hoping it takes the guess work out of your gift giving when attending your next event.

Success Stories: 15 Women of Color Who Self-Published

“A word after a word after a word is power.”
Margaret Atwood

The publishing process can be intimidating for an unknown writer. The traditional Agent-Publisher-Author relationship is hard. Rejection after rejection is common as Agents say ‘no’. Writers become discouraged and often give up. Manuscripts stay in the darkness of desk drawers for years.

As time has involved, so has the advent of self-publishing. Writers become bold and take advantage of their publishing plight. They make bold moves; step ahead, take the reins to achieve their publishing goal of becoming an author. With low budget and unplanned expenses, some cut corners and quality becomes compromised. Book covers are mediocre. Titles lack depth. Formatting is non-existent, which leads to the demise of some great manuscripts.

On the other hand, some writers step out, work hard, invest, learn the process, and viola! Success follows!

Self-Publishing Success

Here are 15 Authors of color who achieved significant success through self-publishing:

Toni Morrison – While primarily known for her traditionally published works, she self-published her first novel “The Bluest Eye” before gaining wider recognition
Terry McMillan – Initially self-published her debut novel “Mama” before securing a publisher for subsequent works
N.K. Jemisin – First self-published some of her fantasy work before becoming the first author to win the Hugo Award for Best Novel three years in a row
Alexandria House – Found success self-publishing contemporary romance novels featuring Black characters
Kristen Ashley – Built a dedicated following through self-publishing her romance novels before signing with traditional publishers
Brenda Jackson – Pioneer in African American romance who began with self-publishing before becoming a New York Times bestseller
Alyssa Cole – Initially self-published her diverse romance novels before becoming an award-winning author
K.M. Jackson – Self-published romance author who found success writing diverse contemporary stories
Nikki Turner – Self-published her first urban fiction novel before becoming known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Fiction”
Beverly Jenkins – Started self-publishing historical romances featuring Black characters when traditional publishers showed little interest
Sister Souljah – Self-published “The Coldest Winter Ever” which became a groundbreaking street lit phenomenon
Nnedi Okorafor – Self-published some of her early Africanfuturist works before winning multiple prestigious awards
Kiini Ibura Salaam – Award-winning speculative fiction writer who self-published collections of her short stories
Octavia Butler – Though mostly known for her traditionally published works, she self-published some early stories
Zane – Built an erotic fiction empire beginning with self-published works before launching her own publishing company

These authors demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and literary talent often creating space for Black women’s voices. This occurred at a time when traditional publishing wasn’t receptive to their work. Many of these women went on to sign traditional deals. Suffice it to say they proved their commercial viability through self-publishing. Others maintained independence throughout their careers.

Need help to get over your fear to make the leap? Let these women inspire your journey. Thoughts about any of these or other women of color who have experienced success? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

A Conversation With Journalist & Award Winning Story Teller Sharon Gordon

Absolutely thrilled to announce that Sharon Gordon’s debut book “Sheribaby is NOW AVAILABLE!

Journalist Sharon, is the talented 2025 Award winning Storyteller and niece of beloved Jamaica’s Singer Songwriter Beresford Hammond.

I met Sharon a decade ago when Reggae music matriarch Miss Patricia Chin, hosted my Success Strategies of Caribbean American Leaders book event at VP Records, New York.

It’s been such an honor to guide Sharon through the book publishing journey – from connecting her with Raquel, the perfect editor for her genre, to navigating publisher conversations and finally seeing her words in print.

Her dedication to the craft and willingness to embrace the publishing process made this success inevitable. This is why I do what I do!

Congratulations Sharon! Indeed, hard work pays off!

If you have been dreaming of becoming a published author but aren’t sure where to start, let Sharon’s journey inspire you. With the right guidance, YOUR story could be next on the shelves!

Order your copy of Sheribaby today https://a.co/d/5R50Nwu and follow Sharon’s author journey

Enjoy our literary conversation here.

New Entrepreneurs Growing Pains: 5 Factors To Consider

Entrepreneur Growing Pains

Joy was excited about launching her business and she did! Now six months later, she has been finding it difficult to survive financially. With rising debt and living expenses, she is unable to make ends meet. She reached out for coaching to tackle her inner stress while pondering if she had made a mistake.

This situation is common to many first-time entrepreneurs. Statistics show that many small businesses fail during the first year. Most ponder giving up or staying the course. The decision between working on their new business or getting a job often depends on various factors. Here are a few:

Financial Stability: If an entrepreneur’s financial situation is precarious and their business isn’t generating immediate income, getting a job might be necessary to cover living expenses and support the business financially.
Business Stage: Early-stage businesses might require time and effort before becoming profitable. In such cases, working on the business while having a part-time job or a source of stable income could be a feasible option.
Learning Curve: New entrepreneurs might benefit from working in the industry they’re entering. A job can offer insights, experience, and networking opportunities that can be invaluable for their business.
Time Commitment: Running a business demands a significant time commitment. If the business requires full-time attention to get off the ground, working solely on the business might be necessary initially.
Risk Tolerance: Some entrepreneurs prefer to dedicate all their time and energy to their business, even if it means financial strain initially, while others might opt for a more gradual approach to reduce financial risk.

In many cases, a hybrid approach—working part-time or freelancing while gradually growing the business—can strike a balance between financial stability and business development. It allows entrepreneurs to sustain themselves while dedicating time to their entrepreneurial venture.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to assess individual circumstances, weigh the pros and cons, and make a decision that aligns with both the financial needs and the growth potential of the business.

Are you a new entrepreneur experiencing first year growth pains? Which of the above will you adopt and apply to your situation? Are there any others that you have considered? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

I Chose Me Yet I Felt Guilty …

I chose me. Yet I felt guilty.

I chose me and I felt guilty. Hmm, has that ever happened to you? I chose the best option for me given the situation, yet I felt so guilty. I’m a giver. Everybody knows that. I give of my time and energy to others, most often sacrificially. I had two obligations simultaneously while making funeral plans for a close relative. Balancing all three events was hard. Funeral arrangements take you on an emotional roller coaster. Just imagine the ride.

After much thought and careful consideration, I chose the conference that would contribute to my own personal growth and development. It solidified by decision to try new things. Yet I felt guilty about the one I omitted which would have benefited others and not me.

Has that ever happened to you? The art of self-care is important. It forges balance and one that’s definitely needed especially during busy times. Here are 9 ways to help you take care of you combined with these those listed:

Stand up for yourself
Don’t respond to a call/email (that will stress you) until you’re ready
Put yourself first (not selfishly)
Miss a social event
Be less perfect
Say no
End a toxic relationship
Take breaks (it works wonders)
Set boundaries
Ask for your needs to be met (within reason)

Hope this list created by @insightful and shared by Viola Davis will help you maintain the care you need to give to yourself and boost your momentum.

Cheers!

10 Tips On How To Coach Employees on Career Development Without Micromanaging

Change a game.

Change a life.

A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.
John Wooden

She ran to the restroom and screamed. Sabrina had a job to do, and her manager knew she could do it well, but she kept questioning her over the past six months. As the year-end drew near, the project was near due. But the constant checking in was more of a time waster than productive. Sabrina became frustrated. How could she tell her manager to allow her to focus?

Coaching employees on career development without resorting to micromanagement requires a delicate balance of support, guidance, and autonomy. As a leadership coach, I recommend employing a coaching approach that fosters individual growth and self-driven progress is important. Here’s a brief summary of 10 tips on how to approach this:

Establish Trusting Relationships: The foundation of effective coaching is trust. Build strong, open, and honest relationships with employees, creating a safe space for them to share their career aspirations, concerns, and challenges.
Active Listening: Actively listen to employees, understand their goals, strengths, and areas for improvement. By attentively hearing their needs, supervisors can tailor coaching discussions to their unique career paths.
Goal Setting: Together with employees, collaboratively set clear, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. This ensures that their career objectives are well-defined and realistic.
Empower and Encourage: Instead of micromanaging, empower employees to take ownership of their career development. Encourage them to seek out opportunities, challenge themselves, and take initiative in their professional growth.
Provide Resources: Offer guidance on available resources, such as training programs, workshops, or mentorship opportunities, that can aid employees in acquiring new skills and knowledge aligned with their career goals.
Feedback and Reflection: Promote a culture of continuous feedback and reflection. By offering constructive feedback and encouraging employees to assess their progress, they become more self-aware and adaptable.
Accountability: Employees are encouraged to hold themselves accountable for their career development. As a leadership coach, it is recommended that supervisors help employees establish milestones and regularly check in on their progress without micromanaging their day-to-day tasks.
Supportive Coaching: Through regular coaching sessions, provide a supportive framework where employees can discuss challenges, seek guidance, and refine their strategies for career advancement.
Celebrate Achievements: Recognizing and celebrating milestones and achievements is crucial for motivation. Acknowledge employees’ accomplishments, reinforcing their sense of progress and satisfaction.
Adaptability: Recognize that career paths may evolve, be flexible and adapt coaching strategies to align with changing goals and circumstances.

By coaching employees in this manner, we can empower them to take control of their career development journey. It fosters a sense of autonomy, motivation, and engagement while avoiding the pitfalls of micromanagement. Ultimately, the goal is to help individuals thrive and achieve their career aspirations in a supportive and non-intrusive manner.

Everything Everywhere All At Once?

Reflecting on its application to life, can we do everything and be everywhere all at once?

I was in San Francisco with my girls celebrating my sister’s birthday when the movie everything everywhere all at once came out. We went to see it. The theater was filled mainly with college students and those in their late teens or early twenties. My own young adult college student loved it. The movie had a few walking out early. With it’s multiverse focus, it was long and seemed to end about three times with the theater dwindling as the movie progressed. We stayed to the very end. It’s emotional theme was filled with laughter, some crazies, and a few tears especially at the end. To this day my youngest still adored that movie.

Life’s Application

But as I reflect on its application to life, can we do everything and be everywhere all at once? Really hard, even tiring and strenuous. Sure grounds for emotional imbalance and high stress.

Business coaches will tell you to focus on one thing at a time. Being everywhere all at once depicts lack of focus and going nowhere. Apply this concept to your goals. Sometimes you may have to reflect on all your life experiences to get to where you want to go. If it’s studies, you have to choose a major. If it’s career, you have to choose one or one will choose you (if you’re to survive) and chances are you may end up miserable. Not to mention relationships. You have to choose. You have to decide who your friends will be. Who will you be with long term to start a family and build a life?

Our society today seems all over the place. Values have gone awol. Anything goes. You can do anything provided it makes you happy. But at the end of the day, are you really happy?

Something to think about.

Cheers!

7 Character Traits Being An Athlete Taught Me…

Run The Race

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.
Billy Graham

I was a sprinter. I ran the 100 meter dash; 200 meter and 4 x 100 meter races. This was my thing. When I was called upon, I was ready. It was a desire to achieve not for me but for the wider team’s goal. That’s one of the memories held dear throughout my childhood into adulthood where I participated in events well into my late 20’s.

As I reflect, I am taken aback by the same habits that I used which has stuck with me even today. Here I share.

7 Habits Of A Highly Effective Athlete

1.Discipline

Here it is not about being forced to do something. It is about maintaining daily habits to achieve good or satisfactory outcomes. My dad was a boxing champion who fought for the land of my birth. He was a winner. I would rise early mornings and go running with him before daybreak. Then in the evenings after school I would go practice with fellow athletes. This daily mantra improved my abilities. It was not for personal gratification but for helping the team to win; whether it was school, church camps, or organizational competitive games to come out on top.

2.Determination

Determination means the ability to do something even when the odds are against you. My natural prowess slowed in recent years because I became latent. I sit at the computer all day working without hardly ever getting up to stretch. So after discussion with a personal coach, I decided to start working out. On my second class, I had to drive a 4-hour return trip. I was 5 minutes late for the class due to traffic and was turned away. I had missed the warm-up and didn’t know much. I was disappointed. But through my determination, I decided to make sure it never happened again. I have been attending and haven’t been late again. In this case, my health goals are too important to miss.

3.Drive To Succeed

This trait has driven me to go after my goals, dreams and aspirations. My studies and organizational leadership prowess has helped me to manage business operations with a desire to see others succeed. My published books on Success, leadership, career development and motivation are solid proof.

4.Never Give Up

In the first course I did after I left high school, a teacher lost the end of term paperwork I submitted. She searched and couldn’t find it. This was not submitted online but in person. Talk about being disappointed. I was devastated but I was determined to graduate. So I took a deep breath, asked to redo the major assignment and turned it in again. Yes, I graduated and found that my early training to never give up has stayed with me throughout life’s ups and downs. That experience helped build my strength of character.

5.Commitment

This quality is one that many organizations desire in people. It is a pledge or an agreement to do something. The problem is, we have to strike that balance. Overcommitment, especially for workaholics, can lead to restricted work/life balance or self-care.

The more committed you are, the more work you get….yikes! Certainly the goal you planned (smile)

6.Planning

One thing an athlete must do is plan. No plan easily translates into failure with missed deadlines, priorities and more. A friend shared the woes of a politician who was busy working in the community trying to attract votes. He was successful at that but later discovered that he had missed the application deadline. After all he had done, he was left off the ballot.

7.Teamwork & Care For Others

Teamwork means working together with a group of people to achieve a common goal. Running a relay is never easy. Sometimes teammates become injured, tired, fall behind, or become overworked and the rest of the team must collaborate to build and eliminate the gap. This is not an easy feat but the effort is always well worth it and provides the reward. That’s what I did all those years. Collaborate.

Today, caring for others is my mantra. It goes deep within my inner being and provides that lasting satisfaction when as a professional leadership coach, I help individuals achieve their goals.

I look back and reflect on these traits and with renewed fervor and realize that they made me who I am today. What about you? Did any of the characteristics resonate? Any you would add? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

^{Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com}

New Entrepreneurs. The Goals And Dreams Carried…

Success Strategies

For the months I carried you, growing inside of me...

For the months I carried you growing inside of me… Entrepreneurs know the travails of starting and growing a business. The challenges associated with carrying a business from incubation to reality. It’s no easy task.

Career transitions, college students, and goal seekers all know how difficult it is to carry the burden of studies to get to the finish line. It’s no easy task.

Parents know how difficult it is to bear the burden of the change in lifestyle as a newborn is expected. It’s no easy task.

Let’s not forget authors whose stories became known from a dream, to a thought, to a page, to a book. Published! It’s no easy task.

So it is with whatever we put our minds to. Whatever we decide to do from idea, thought, dream, goal… it is not going to…

View original post 117 more words

CNBC’s 10 Most Regretted College Majors…

Student loan debt is top of mind to many college grads these days. The promise of high paying jobs that would not only cover the debt but also provide a lifetime of satisfaction has left many regretting their majors. CNBC shared the 10 most regretted majors and the 10 majors grads wished they had pursued instead. Dive in to see which of your majors made the list.