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!

Finish 2025 Strong: Leadership Lessons from Thanksgiving

Recalibrate… Finish Strong

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.

Setting Goals: Key to Overcoming Crises

Together we Grow

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.

Cheers!

Which Type of Entrepreneur Are You And What’s Your Biggest Challenge?

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”

5.The Comeback Entrepreneur (Failed before, trying again)

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 Are You Harvesting This Fall?

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.

Maximize Holiday Book Sales: A Month by Month Guide

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.

Happy Promoting!

I Write Because….

I now write with that sense of urgency to get what’s inside of me ….I write because I have learned from the mistakes and mishaps of others.

I Write Because….

Top 12 Places to Donate Your Books

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

  1. Public Libraries
    • Many libraries accept gently used books for their collections or book sales.
    • Call ahead—they often have specific donation days or guidelines.
  2. 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.
  3. Community Centers / YMCA / Local Clubs
    • Often accept books for literacy programs, tutoring, or community libraries.
  4. Hospitals & Nursing Homes
    • They may accept clean, gently used books for waiting rooms or patient use.
  5. Churches / Faith-Based Organizations
    • Great place to donate devotionals, spiritual books, or children’s materials.

Charitable Organizations

  1. Goodwill or Salvation Army
    • Accepts a wide range of books. Proceeds support their employment programs.
  2. Habitat for Humanity ReStores
    • Some locations take books to sell in support of housing projects.
  3. Books for Africa / Books Through Bars / Better World Books
    • Organizations that distribute books to under-served communities locally or globally.
  4. Little Free Library

Online / Specialized Options

  1. Freecycle.org / Buy Nothing Groups (Facebook)
    • Offer books locally for free and connect with those who want them.
  2. Local Prison Programs
    • Many prisons accept paperback books only. Check with local chaplains or nonprofits.
  3. Book Drives / Literacy Nonprofits
    • Check with local literacy organizations or Rotary Clubs—they may be running book drives.

Vibrant Perspective

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.

Cheers!

Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels.com

Life Or Lipstick?

You are just one decision from a totally different life. ~Wilfred A. Peterson

Life or lipstick? Silly question. I was driving when I looked in the mirror and saw ‘dry lips’. If you know me well, I don’t like to go anywhere without my lipstick or some color on my lips.

Immediately I began rummaging in my handbag. One hand on the steering wheel and the other attempting to do a deep dive (women’s handbag).

Suddenly I realized my foolery and said to myself life or lipstick? That immediately put things in perspective.

Haven’t we all made some decisions that when we look back at the short term benefits did not make any sense?

Sometimes you make the right decision. Sometimes you make the decision, right. ~ Phillip C. McGraw

Life Choices

  • Why would I choose lipstick over my life?
  • Why would you quit a job without having another source of income?
  • Why would you stay in a relationship that’s harmful? After all you’re not even married?
  • Why would you start a business without a plan? Without capital?
  • Why would your health not be considered during food consumption

We could go on and on. Let’s choose to be wise about the decisions we make and their effect on life.

The quality of your life is built on the quality of your decisions

Have an important decision to make? Think it over closely. Weigh the pros and cons. Talk it over with a confidante or leadership coach.

Cheers!

Monetize Your Writing Skills: 10 Proven Methods

Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give. ~William Arthur Ward

Are you a writer living from paycheck to paycheck? Do you want to take that dream vacation but your pocket dictates otherwise? You may just want to purchase that long desired goal but can’t seem to come up with the funds. Well, why not try to boost your income creatively? Here are 10 methods that can turn your talent into money in a flash (legally of course – yikes)!

1.Freelance Writing Platforms

Sign up for sites like:

  • Upwork
  • Fiverr
  • Freelancer
  • PeoplePerHour
    Start with blog posts, bios, product descriptions, or email copy. Quick turnaround = faster pay.

2. Offer Resume & Cover Letter Services

Tons of people need help polishing their resumes. You can charge $50–$200+ depending on your expertise.

3. Sell Digital Products

  • Create and sell templates (journals, planners, ebook templates) on Etsy or Gumroad.
  • If you’ve already written a book, turn it into a workbook or checklist.

4. Pitch Articles

Submit articles to platforms that pay per piece:

  • Medium (via Partner Program)
  • Narratively
  • The Bold Italic
  • Listverse
  • Cracked Some pay $100+ for accepted content.

5. GHOSTWRITING

Offer ghostwriting for blog posts, social media captions, or even eBooks. It’s in high demand, especially for coaches and small businesses.

6. Edit or Proofread

Writers are great editors! Offer fast-turnaround proofreading on Fiverr or Facebook groups.

7. Write LinkedIn Profiles or Bios

Professionals always need help optimizing their online presence.

8. Transcribe Audio for Creators or Podcasters

Great for fast typers. Websites like Rev or TranscribeMe pay per audio minute.

9. Offer Email Newsletter Setup / Writing

Many small biz owners want to start newsletters but don’t know where to begin.

10. Monetize a Blog or Substack Fast

Offer a mix of free content and a paid tier with extra goodies (writing tips, coaching, behind-the-scenes, etc.).

Did any of the above spark your interest to boost your earning potential? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Top 8 Audiobook Publishers You Should Know

Listening to the dulcet tones of a familiar voice is an appealing way to work our way through those books we’ve always meant to get around to, but haven’t.– Clare Thorp

You have written your book! Took it a step further and did the audiobook. Now what do you do? How do you get it into the hands of listeners? The options listed may help.

1. Audible (an Amazon company)

  • What they do: Industry leader in audiobook publishing and distribution.
  • Also produces: Audible Originals (exclusive content).
  • Website: audible.com

2. Tantor Media

  • What they do: Full-service audiobook publisher with a wide range of genres.
  • Known for: High-quality production and professional narration.
  • Website: tantor.com

3. Podium Audio

  • Focus: Sci-fi, fantasy, and thriller genres.
  • Notable for: Discovering and promoting indie authors with huge success (e.g., The Martian by Andy Weir).
  • Website: podiumaudio.com

4. RBmedia

  • What they do: One of the largest audiobook publishers globally.
  • Imprints include: Recorded Books, HighBridge Audio, Tantor Media, and more.
  • Website: rbmediaglobal.com

5. Dreamscape Media

  • What they do: Audiobook production and publishing for libraries, retail, and direct sales.
  • Also handles: Distribution to major platforms like Audible, Hoopla, OverDrive.
  • Website: dreamscapepublishing.com

🧰 Self-Publishing & Hybrid Options

6. ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)

  • Owned by: Amazon (works with Audible and iTunes).
  • For: Authors and publishers to create and distribute audiobooks.
  • Website: acx.com

7. Findaway Voices (by Spotify)

  • What they do: Allows authors to produce and distribute audiobooks across 40+ platforms (including Audible, Apple Books, Google, etc.).
  • Website: findawayvoices.com

8. Author’s Republic

  • What they do: Distribute audiobooks globally with easy access for self-published authors.
  • Website: authorsrepublic.com

Questions to Consider

Consider these questions before you make your selection.

  • Is the audiobook already recorded, or do you need help with narration/production? (e.g., voice talent, editing, mastering, etc.)
  • Are you looking to self-publish, or are you open to working with a publisher?
  • What is your target audience and platform preference? e.g., Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, libraries, global reach, etc.)
  • Do you want control over pricing and rights, or are you okay with royalty splits?
  • What’s the genre or focus of the content?
  • (e.g., business, leadership, fiction, memoir, etc.)

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