At a gathering, family and friends were asked to reflect. Sonia asked each to share one thing they were thankful for. Marriage, graduation, opportunities, sports achievement, divine protection, new car, life and the aged still living were among the thoughts shared.
But one thing stood out. As Stephan ended giving thanks collectively in prayer, shouts rang out at her thoughts that hit home. Many rushed with hugs and adoration, but one stood out. George turned to her mom and pointed at her. Without saying a word, his action said it all. Mom had passed the baton to Stephan and stood watching as the group embraced. Indeed mom felt pride that her labor was not in vain.
Before the New Year Begins
As the year comes to a close, leaders are already thinking about goals, plans, and next moves. But before we rush into the next chapter planning our dreams and aspirations, there’s value in pausing to reflect.
Personal growth doesn’t always show up as promotions, metrics, or public wins. Often, the most meaningful growth happens quietly.
This year, growth may have looked like:
Choosing courage when fear was familiar.
It may have meant staying committed when quitting felt easier.
Or letting goof roles, relationships, or expectations that no longer aligned with who you’re becoming.
Understand that Leadership begins within. Before we lead teams, organizations, families or communities forward, we must first acknowledge our own evolution.
As you prepare for the new year, consider these questions:
Who have I grown into this year?
What did this season teach me about myself?
What alignment (not perfection) do I want to carry forward?
Clarity comes after commitment
You don’t need every answer before January 1st. Clarity often comes after commitment.
As the calendar turns, may the next year be marked by your:
Intentional leadership
Purposeful growth
The courage to move forward aligned with who you truly are.
Reflection:
What is one lesson this year taught you about your leadership or personal growth? Think about it. Acknowledge it and Do share. We would love to hear.
Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know no shortcuts. ~Larry L. King
Where do I write? In a quiet place. A place where I can hear my thoughts, the stirrings of my heart, my soul. I write whenever it hits. I must stop, record, write. If I do not do so immediately; in a flash, it’s gone. So I have learnt to capture the words as they come. Anywhere, anytime, anyhow.
Create the Mental Space To Write
Here are some thoughtful ways to create that mental space without spending money:
Transform a familiar space into something new. Rearrange your bedroom or living room completely. Move furniture, change what’s on the walls, even face your bed a different direction. The psychological shift of being in a “new” environment can be surprisingly powerful for fresh thinking.
2. Create a personal retreat schedule at home. Pick a day where you treat your home like a retreat center; no work, no obligations, phone on airplane mode. Wake early.
Do some stretching or meditation,
Make yourself a special breakfast with what you have
Spend blocks of time journaling or thinking through your goals
Take a long walk,
Prepare meals mindfully.
The structure and intentionality matter more than the location.
3. Explore your area like a tourist. Walk or bike to neighborhoods you’ve never been to, even if they’re just a few miles away. Bring a journal and find a park bench, a library reading room or quiet corner in a coffee shop (you don’t have to buy anything). Simply find a place where you can sit and think. The act of physically moving through new spaces often helps mental clarity.
4. Do an overnight “camping” experience somewhere free. Your backyard, a friend’s yard, a balcony, or even just sleeping in a different room with the windows open (yikes)! The change in where you sleep and wake can genuinely shift your perspective.
5. Visit a place of worship or quiet public space. Many churches, temples, or meditation centers welcome people to sit quietly even if you’re not a member. Libraries, botanical gardens, or even certain hospital chapels can offer peaceful refuge for reflection.
The key is breaking your normal patterns (different sights, sounds, routines, even in the sky). This helps your brain step out of autopilot mode and think more expansively about your future.
Here’s hoping these tips will help you as they did me. Where’s your favorite space to write? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.
I am struggling to get inspiration to continue writing a story I started. What do I do? ~New writer
Writers often face that daunting moment when the initial excitement fades and the blank page becomes a fighting nightmare. You may be many chapters in, or just past the opening scene, losing momentum is one of the most common challenges in the creative process. But the good news is that writer’s block and motivational slumps are not permanent. They are signals that you need to shift your approach. Reconnect with your story’s core or simply give yourself permission to write imperfectly.
Here are 23 strategies offered by seasoned authors. These are designed to help you rediscover your pulse and move ahead with renewed energy. Yep, sometimes inspiration can feel frustrating and out of reach. That’s when you dig deep. Adopt a strategy or two to use whenever the writing drought hits.
How To Get Back in the Writing Game
Read books
Keep writing
Go for an isolated nature walk
Relax. The story will write itself if you stop worrying about it
Keep a journal for each project. Write why you can’t think of anything to write
Free write your story until you get a flow going
Follow the advice of keep writing. But be prepared to write stuff you don’t feel okay with. This is how you break the barrier
Write for the sake of writing.
Draw inspiration: music and movies. Inspiration is fuel. Don’t wait for it to fall in your lap
Move. Exercise. It Stimulates your brain
Try dancing
Write one true sentence about your story and repeat it until you get some momentum
Outline the next couple of chapters. Start high level then fill in details. Keep iterating. Often you find there is something in your story that is giving you doubt and this helps to resolve that too
Go hiking with friends and bounce ideas off them
Walk away. Write another book. Sometimes you need space to think
Go on “Artiste Date” (solo excursion somewhere you like). This will help your creative. You need to stock the pond to catch anything worthwhile
Add a new character
Write another element: poetry, prose, scripts
Keep writing. Some days it’s inspiring and exciting. Other days its drudgery. But you sit down and keep writing
Do art. Draw, music, painting, dance, even cooking. Get that creative right brain firing on all cylinders
Make a list of ‘why you like your story and why you’re writing it
Write the ending and then go back and write your way to it
Think “what if”. What if your character got abducted? What if another love comes along? What if the treasure you sought in the jungle housed vampires? Don’t dismiss ideas. Just write them down and then brainstorm it further.
Are you a writer? Is a tip or two missing? Do share. We would love to hear.
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.
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
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.
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!
Thanksgiving may have passed, but the spirit of gratitude is one of the most powerful leadership tools we carry into the rest of the year.
This is the season where leaders shift from reflection to readiness. While many people slow down mentally, high-impact leaders use this window to recalibrate. It’s not about rushing to finish tasks. It’s about finishing the year with clarity and intention.
Gratitude sharpens our focus. It grounds our decisions. And it reminds us that leadership is not measured only by what we achieve, but by who we become along the way.
As we move toward the close of 2025, here’s a question I encourage leaders to sit with:
What is ONE decision you can make right now that will set you up for meaningful growth in 2026?
This may be a decision to: • Delegate more intentionally • Step into a new direction • Release what no longer aligns • Seek clarity before making your next move • Invest in development (your own or someone else’s)
The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year are the most underestimated leadership window, and yet one of the most powerful. Small shifts made now create profound momentum in the new year.
If you are a leader navigating transition, stepping into a new role, launching something new, or simply needing clarity for 2026, support is available.
And if you know someone in your organization, circle, or family who needs that guidance… this season is the perfect time to gift it.
Let’s finish strong, lead with intention, and walk boldly into the year ahead.
Ann, a historian and extreme planner, had an adventurous time touring Greece with her husband. During the trip, she shared photos of places she had learned in her undergraduate program. As they began their return trip, civil unrest occurred blocking all flights to leave Turkey, cruise and all. Quick decision, they decided to get out of the country whichever way they could. Both landed in Paris, only to be separated to get back home to the USA. Separation was a non-issue. Their goal was to return safely to their two kids waiting back home.
Times of Crises
There are times of crises as in Ann’s case. But most often we do have opportunities to plan ahead. Financiers will preach that we should plan for times of crises too.
Why is it important to set goals? Because if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. Where you will end up, who knows? That’s when you will just have to go with the flow.
Goalsetting is the process of identifying desired outcomes and creating a plan of action to achieve them, providing a sense of direction, motivation and focus
So why do we need to set goals? Because setting goals is the process of identifying desired outcomes and creating a plan of action to achieve them, providing a sense of direction, motivation and focus.
That’s the reason it a pleasure to facilitate the writing process with authors. The event was held at the Broward County’s West Regional Library in Plantation, Florida. This session focused on Writers Goal Setting for 2026 books through the Writers Group of South Florida.
If you are an aspiring author, or are ready to take your leadership to the next level and need a copy of the Goal-Setting guide, connect to get yours today. Leadership Assessment also available.
Not an author but ready to take your leadership to the next level through setting your 2026 goals, let’s chat. Referrals are warmly welcomed.
Life’s too short to learn from your own mistakes. Learn from others.
Every entrepreneur faces moments of doubt, exhaustion, and uncertainty. First-time founders, side hustlers, and small business owners constantly navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Whether they are launching their first startup, grinding through a side hustle, or scaling past a plateau; mindset shifts and motivation is needed to keep pushing forward.
Here are the top 5 Challenges Entrepreneurs face. As you review these characteristics, which can you identify with the most?
1.The First-Time Founder (0-2 years in business)
Characteristic: Everything is new, scary, and overwhelming. They’re discovering that entrepreneurship is 10 times harder than they imagined. Every setback feels like potential failure.
What they’re dealing with:
Imposter syndrome at peak levels
No roadmap or proven process to follow
Financial stress and uncertainty
Isolation (left their corporate network behind)
Constant self-doubt about their decisions
How to Stay Motivated:“You’re not alone in feeling this way.” Know that “It gets easier as you learn”
2.The Side Hustler (Building while Employed)
Characteristic: They’re living a double life. They are exhausted, stretched thin, and constantly questioning if they should quit their job or give up the dream.
What they’re dealing with:
Working 60-80 hour weeks between job + business
Guilt about time away from family
Progress feels painfully slow
Watching others succeed faster
Energy depletion and burnout risk
How to Stay Motivated: “Your pace is valid” + “Every hour invested compounds”
3.The Struggling Scaler (Stuck at a revenue plateau)
Characteristic: They’ve proven the concept works, but can’t break through to the next level. The excitement has worn off, replaced by grinding frustration.
What they’re dealing with:
Revenue flatlined for 6-12+ months
Doing everything themselves (can’t afford to hire)
Comparing themselves to “overnight successes”
Questioning their business model
Burnout from working IN the business vs ON it
How to Stay Motivated: “Plateaus are part of growth” + “Breakthrough is closer than you think”
4.The Solopreneur (No co-founder, no team)
Characteristic: They make every decision alone, celebrate wins alone, and face failures alone. The loneliness is crushing.
What they’re dealing with:
Decision fatigue (no one to bounce ideas off)
Wearing every hat (CEO, marketer, accountant, customer service)
No one to catch them if they fall
Feeling like giving up but having no one to hold them accountable
Craving validation that they’re on the right track
How to stay Motivated: “Your independence is strength” + “Solitude doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong”
Characteristic: They’re carrying baggage from past failures. Every challenge triggers memories of “what happened last time.” They need courage to keep going despite the scars.
What they’re dealing with:
Fear of repeating past mistakes
Judgment from people who saw them fail
Financial pressure (often starting with less capital)
Self-trust issues (“Can I actually do this?”)
Imposter syndrome amplified by previous failure
How to Stay Motivated: “Failure was data, not destiny” + “Most successful entrepreneurs failed first”
Honorable Mentions:
The Mid-Life Career Changer: Left stability for uncertainty, facing age discrimination and “what have I done?” panic
The Minority/Underrepresented Entrepreneur: Fighting systemic barriers while building, needing validation in spaces that don’t always welcome them
The Post-Pivot Founder: Had to abandon their original idea and start over, grieving the old vision while building the new one
Which did you identify with most? Deeply reflect and if you need help, let’s connect.
Otherwise, gift a copy of 101+ Empowering Quotes to the entrepreneur in your life. It’s available in eBook, paperback, and hardcover formats, all under $20. It’s the thoughtful gift that fits in a stocking and inspires all year long.
What makes this gift special? It’s genuinely useful. Unlike generic presents that collect dust, this book becomes a go-to resource on tough days. The portable size fits perfectly in stockings, bags, and on desks. And at under $20, you can afford to gift it to your entire network of entrepreneurs, coworkers, or team members.
Give the gift of daily inspiration. Give them the reminder that they’re not alone in this journey.
What’s an Author and Leadership Coach presenting at a Garden Fall Festival? Aah but there are similarities. My work is about Personal Growth. Just like farmers plant seeds, all of us plant Goals. The idea is to water and care for them just like we do plants.
Personally, I love plants but I’m a ‘plant killer’, be it orchids or other beautiful plants. They all end up withered. As time passed, I started gifting them or hiring professionals to care for them. That’s a gift that I didn’t get.
Against that background, here I share 3 points that I hope will help you reflect this Fall.
1.Plant with Intention
Every great harvest begins with a seed, and so do your dreams. Whether your goal is to start a business, write a book, get healthier, or grow spiritually, you must plant it intentionally. Don’t just wish, sow. Choose what you want to see in your future and begin with small, consistent actions.
2.Nurture with Patience
A seed doesn’t sprout overnight. It takes watering, sunlight, and care. Likewise, your goals need patience, persistence, and faith. You may not see progress immediately, but don’t stop nurturing your vision. Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust the process.
3.Protect Your Growth
Every garden has weeds and pests—and life has distractions and doubts. Protect your goals from negativity, procrastination, and fear. Surround yourself with people and environments that feed your growth, not drain it.
4.Reap With Gratitude
When your harvest comes, whether it’s success, a new opportunity, or even lessons learned, celebrate it. Give thanks for the journey, the people who supported you, and the challenges that helped you grow stronger.
This Fall, as we celebrate the physical harvest around us let’s also think about the seeds we’re planting in our lives. Because what you plant today you harvest tomorrow.
So plant wisely, nurture faithfully and reap joyfully. Thank you, and may your harvest overflow with abundant blessings.
Get Ready for a change this season by connecting now. Level up your motivation with your copy of Motivational Quotes Book available now.
Effective preparation sets the stage for success and sparks creativity
Authors write, publish and leave expecting miracles. It doesn’t happen. Authorship happens mostly by accident as writers choose to share what’s on their hearts. It might be a memoir, poetry, fiction or non-fiction. As their passion unfold, they write then later realize that they have suddenly been thrust into entrepreneurship! How do they get those books off bookstore shelves? Selected on amazon? Shared among family and friends? It behooves them to sit, pray, and wonder why their books just remains stagnant. Most often these are excellent stories that remains dormant for years, not gleaned by readers.
Realizing this pattern, the Writers Group of South Florida held a workshop. Hosted by the West Regional Library in Plantation. This initiative was facilitated by Dr. Shelly Cameron. Here’s a summary of the takeaway points that attendees authors gleaned.
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER: Build the Foundation & Warm Up Your Audience
Update book cover, blurb, and Amazon listing with holiday-friendly touches.
Secure podcast, blog, and media features for October–December.
Plan holiday content calendar (mix of promos, tips, behind-the-scenes, giveaways).
Launch pre-order bonuses or limited-time bundles.
October: Visible Campaign & Early Gift Push
Submit to gift guides, bloggers, and niche media lists.
Collaborate with other authors for holiday bundles or giveaways.
Feature reader testimonials and reviews on social media.
Run Early Bird discounts to attract early shoppers.
November: Holiday Sales Mode
Run a gratitude-themed campaign for Thanksgiving.
Offer Black Friday/Cyber Monday E-Book discounts or signed copy specials.
Partner with local stores for Small Business Saturday promotions.
Send an email countdown series leading up to Thanksgiving.
December: Final Holiday Push
Promote e-Books and gift certificates for last-minute shoppers.
Run a “12-Days-of-Christmas” themed social media series.
Position your book for New Year’s resolutions or inspiration.
Post thank-you messages and celebrate your readers
PRO TIPS for Conversions
Author Branding Matters: Use consistent holiday visuals across all platforms.
Offer Multiple Formats: Paperback, e-Book, Audio-book—make it easy to gift.
Make It Shareable: Create “I’m gifting this book!” social media graphics for readers to post.
Always Include a Call-to-Action: Don’t just post pretty images—always link to buy.
Track & Adjust: Watch which promos get clicks and double down on what works.
There you have it. Did one, two or a few of the above stand out for you? As a published author, which will you adopt? Do share, we would love to hear.
With so many books to choose from, you’ll have the hard part of deciding which one to donate.
On Instagram I shared the hard task of purging my books. I have a million with little or no storage space. But what happened was…. During my purge, I ended up reading and re-claiming books.
I decided to share my work (purge in process), and an interested person asked, “where can you donate books?” I responded briefly but decided to post more here on the blog.
Popular and Unique Places to Donate Books
Local Donation Options
Public Libraries
Many libraries accept gently used books for their collections or book sales.
Call ahead—they often have specific donation days or guidelines.
Schools & Colleges
Especially helpful for children’s books, young adult novels, and textbooks.
Contact local principals, librarians, or teachers to ask if they need donations.
Community Centers / YMCA / Local Clubs
Often accept books for literacy programs, tutoring, or community libraries.
Hospitals & Nursing Homes
They may accept clean, gently used books for waiting rooms or patient use.
Churches / Faith-Based Organizations
Great place to donate devotionals, spiritual books, or children’s materials.
Charitable Organizations
Goodwill or Salvation Army
Accepts a wide range of books. Proceeds support their employment programs.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Some locations take books to sell in support of housing projects.
Books for Africa / Books Through Bars / Better World Books
Organizations that distribute books to under-served communities locally or globally.
Little Free Library
Find a nearby box via littlefreelibrary.org and drop books off for community sharing.
Online / Specialized Options
Freecycle.org / Buy Nothing Groups (Facebook)
Offer books locally for free and connect with those who want them.
Local Prison Programs
Many prisons accept paperback books only. Check with local chaplains or nonprofits.
Book Drives / Literacy Nonprofits
Check with local literacy organizations or Rotary Clubs—they may be running book drives.
Crowded Airport when a woman exclaimed “I love your colors”. Adorned in summer colors, I replied crazy, right? Ahhh vibrancy she chirped. Vibrancy.
I leaned over and whispered back with a smile “vibrancy” and walked on.
I thought of that interface with a complete stranger. Such simple passerby exchange yet amicable. It left me thinking about perspective. It’s late evening and I’m taking the last flight out. I Only wanted to take a carryon to my out of state meeting so I placed the hot yellow necklace around my neck. Added the orange shoes with a red pants. But I’m known for that. I do things others are afraid to do, all with a purpose… my purpose to take one bag (smile)
How about you? Do you do things that perturb others leaving them wondering… could that be me? Do share. We would love to hear.
