Excellence In Public Service Award …

This award for Excellence in Public Service took me by complete surprise! It’s such an honor to be recognized for the work done in our communities at home and abroad.

Hmmm… 🤔 as I wondered why, it caused deep reflect…

As an author of several books, the topic of leadership, success and its impact on America and the contribution of successful Caribbean American immigrants (eg Colin Powell) in media, politics, education, aviation, entertainment, intrigued me. As such I invested years interviewing top leaders in organizations. That research has been a valuable Coaching resource that helped inspire, motivate and empower aspiring leaders.

I reflect on my work within pharmaceuticals, healthcare and the hospitality industry with HR Leaders where I spent a decade contributing to bold initiatives that made a positive impact on organizational leaders through identifying speakers making vast change to society.

I also pondered my work with the Institute of CAribbean Studies in Washington, DC through the platform of White House champion of change Dr Claire and Dr Nsombi, I invested time to lead a team to find talented individuals under 30 years old, making outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship… essentially rising stars who at a young age have impacted our wider society in their communities. Over the years since the 30 Under 30 program’s inception, many have gone on to do great things.

Let me not forget my involvement in ministry, where I have also written books on encouragement, worked on health fairs, Coached career development, traveled globally to speak on personal development and its impact on leaders afar. 

Yes, as I look back, I am pleased and humbly accept this distinguished award from the Writers of Color, South Florida. A Group led by Dr. Ralph Hogges, Dr. Benjamin Cowins and Dr. Delores Smiley. 

Cheers to fellow colleagues Dr Susan Davis and Dr Thea White for your partnership. 

Service is in my DNA. I will continue.

One love 

Achieve In Months What Might Take Years On Your Own …

Don’t let mental blocks control you. Set yourself free. Confront your fear and turn the mental blocks into building blocks.

Dr. Roopleen

Whether you feel stuck in your career, overwhelmed as a supervisor or simply want to maximize your performance, coaching could be the key to achieving in months what might take years alone. The top signs you will benefit from working with a coach are discussed in the video.

  • You feel stuck and unable to move forward.
  • You are struggling to Balance work, life and personal commitments.
  • You are in a Leadership role but feel out of your depth.
  • You are going through significant life or career transition.

Invest less than 10 minutes to watch this video and discover the power of coaching for yourself! The returns could change the trajectory of your personal and professional life.

9 Investment Strategies For New Entrepreneurs On A Tight Budget

Don’t get distracted. Never tell yourself that you need to be the biggest brand in the whole world. Start by working on what you need at the present moment and then what you need to do tomorrow. So, set yourself manageable targets.

Jas Bagniewski

20% of new startups fail within the first year of business. This can be scary for first time entrepreneurs. So, the more prepared small businesses are, the more they can survive especially as it concerns making bold marketing steps which require some upfront investment. That said, here are some ideas to counteract those costs for a new business owner on a tight budget:

  1. Leverage free platforms – For example, start a free blog, post on LinkedIn, use free webinar services, publish a podcast using free hosting.

2. Barter services – Exchange things like hosting an event or providing content in return for exposure from partnerships.

3.Get sponsorships – Seek sponsorships from vendors/partners to help fund events, ads, giveaways. Offer sponsor visibility.

4. Use DIY options – Design your own simple website, create your own flyers, give free talks at local libraries versus paid venues.

5. Offer packages – Offer bundles and multi-session discounts to incentive larger purchases to increase revenue.

6.Be guest instead of host – Guest blog, speak at other events instead of funding your own. Reduces costs.

7. Tap into your network – Ask connections to share content, provide referrals, submit testimonials, write guest posts.

8. Focus locally first – Start by promoting heavily just within your local community to establish proof of concept.

9. Only invest where needed – Don’t overspend on unnecessary items. Prioritize money only where it will derive direct value.

Essentially, the goal is to maximize existing free resources and opportunities where you can exchange services. The aim is to become creative in order to access cost-effective resources until you gain proof of return on investment, then you can increase spending.

Which of the methods have you used? Can you add another method that has proven helpful? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

15 Steps To The Ideal Career For The New Ambitious Professional …

Natalie, a frustrated high school graduate, had been in and out of jobs for four years after graduating high school. She was referred for coaching because she was annoyed at the way employers treated her and she refused to accept it. The lack of income did not help as she needed to meet her needs.

This situation is common among young adults who are in the early stages of their career and ‘waiting’ for their ideal job (and yessss among others with years of experience too). The 15 Strategies listed can be adapted to secure employment, gain valuable experience and bring you closer to your ideal career.

Career Goals: 15 Steps To Success

1. Apply For Entry-Level Positions
  • Target entry-level positions in your field of interest.
  • Look for internships, apprenticeships, or part-time positions to gain hands-on experience.
2. Enhance Your Resume
  • Highlight relevant skills, coursework, and any extracurricular activities.
  • Tailor your resume for each application to match the specific job requirements.
3. Networking
  • Attend industry events, workshops, and networking mixers.
  • Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and engage in conversations.
4. Online Job Platforms
  • Explore job search platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and company websites.
  • Set up job alerts to receive notifications for relevant positions.
5. Temporary Work or Freelancing
  • Consider taking temporary positions or freelancing opportunities to build your skills and network.
  • Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can be good for freelancing gigs.
6. Professional Development
  • Take online courses or certifications to enhance your skills.
  • Mention ongoing learning initiatives on your resume to showcase your commitment to personal and professional development.
7. Volunteer Work
  • Offer your time to non-profit organizations or community projects.
  • Volunteering can provide valuable experience and demonstrate your dedication.
8. Informational Interviews
  • Reach out to professionals in your field for informational interviews.
  • Gather insights, seek advice, and express your eagerness to learn from their experiences.
9. Create Online Portfolio
  • Build an online portfolio showcasing your projects, coursework, or any freelance work.
  • Include a link to your portfolio on your resume and LinkedIn profile
10. Skill Development
  • Identify skills in demand within your industry and work on acquiring them.
  • Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Skillshare offer a variety of courses.
11. Professional Social Media Presence
  • Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete and professional.
  • Share relevant content and engage with professionals in your field.
12. Industry Research
  • Stay informed about trends and changes in your desired industry.
  • Use this knowledge to tailor your applications and interviews.
13. Career Counseling Services
  • Seek guidance from career counseling services offered by educational institutions or career centers.
  • They can provide insights into job opportunities and help you refine your career goals.
14. Participate in Job Fairs

Attend job fairs, both virtual and in-person, to connect with employers and explore potential opportunities.

15. Soft Skills Development
  • Work on developing essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability.
  • These skills are often highly valued by employers.

Remember, the job search process can take time, and being open to various opportunities can lead to unexpected but valuable experiences. Stay persistent, connect with a coach, maintain a positive attitude, and continuously refine your approach based on feedback and experiences.

Cheers to a revealing journey of learning!

Waiting For The Next

Some sit in silence

Waiting for death 

Then a day passes. 

Then a week, month, a year

And before we know it, 

A decade has passed by

In a flash

Young, old, sick, depressed

Sit silently, waiting

Time passes while we wait on life for the perfect life

Don’t wait I say. 

Get out there

 Do something 

No matter your age, status or health

Just do something 

Don’t wait

The perfect life doesn’t exist

FWA Freedom To Read Books

As an author of several books in business, leadership, success and inspiration, I jump at author learning event opportunities.

As a member of the Florida writers association, this was no exception.

This year’s festival was filled with tons of learnings as Readers and Writers came together at FWA’s annual Sunshine State Book Festival held at #UF Gainesville, Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville

Met many new authors doing Big things! Discussions included Pulitzer Prize winner – Jack Davis on writing and publishing. Engaging panel discussion on Freedom to Read vs banned books, children’s book live presentations and more.

As my favorite quote says, writers write, readers read, together they are one.

Seek them out. Buy their books. Write reviews. Get consumed in reading no matter the genre.

Cheers!

5-Day Road Trip Plan To Captiva Island

Wander. Get lost on an intriguing Road Trip. Discover the new.

~Dr Shelly

Stone building designer Chrissy dreamt of getting away. She was exhausted. We connected. She was open to whatever plan I could come up with. It was awhile since she took a work break. Quickly I planned a getaway to Captiva Island, Florida. Here I share.

5-Day Getaway Plan

Day 1:
Road trip to Captiva
Lunch at Wicked Wings, a low-keyed hole in the wall pub that satisfies starving travelers before hitting the road to their final destination

Day 2:
Relax in the Sun, Sand, Sea engulfed in a delightful adventure riding the waves

Day 3:
Spa Day – Body massage, Facial, Mani and Pedi, a sure rejuvenation for the exhausted

Day 4
Shopping and Late dinner at the Harbor Side Bar and Grill

Day 5
Early morning beach wet. Late breakfast followed by reluctant afternoon drive back to the fast life.

Where’s your favorite getaway space? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Me? A Business? That’s Crazy!

The only way to do great work is to love what you do

Steve Jobs

We all walk around with our heads low. Reading, being distracted by the the gadget–the iPhone. Competitors copy. Employers stipulate policies for and against. Regulators step in because the unscrupulous also fell for it, devising schemes that trick the unsuspecting.

Isn’t it Crazy To Think You Can Start A Business? Yet again one that will succeed? Sure, you can. Let’s take Steve Jobs for instance. He started a business doing things he liked. Things he was passionate about. Plain and Simple. He started while he was down on his luck. Then voila! With work, consistency and the right attitude, it grew.

Big Idea

So, what’s your Big Idea? If you’re passionate about it, go for it! Stay focused. Be consistent and you will achieve success for sure.

Happy crazy business building!

A Long And Lasting Life

What’s the concept of living a very long life?

A extraordinary leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., was a Baptist minister. His death catapulted a movement so others could live. Many national heroes and legendary leaders have made an impact through their deaths. Their deaths helped others live. It causes us to wonder if some people are born with the purpose of making a difference after death.

The concept of long life is not summed up in years but by the quality of how those years are spent. The impact we have on those we love and others. The difference we make in life.

That’s the concept of living a long life.

Future Thinking …

Focus on the Future

If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past.

Baruch Spinoza

The question was asked “Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?” Here I share.

To shape the future, it requires focus to navigate the journey ahead. Looking back on the past is important to assess how far you have come. To be more clear, it is important to keep score. Looking back on the past year(s) help you to analyze your successes as well as those areas requiring possible improvement. At times there may be the need to make a u-turn.

It’s like sitting an exam. You reflect on the theoretical steps applied combined with the practical to gain the learning. Then sit the exam and receive a pass or ‘fail’. You then analyze next steps. You may need to resit the exam or some persons may choose to do a total revamp to make that giant leap towards achieving their goal.

Here’s hoping you will understand the need to look back to get ahead.

Cheers!

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