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Here's a tip I never thought I'd have to write.  It's just common sense.  If it's not common sense, then it's about treating others like you'd like to be treated. When you cancel a meeting with someone, give them plenty of notice, and contact them personally. Most often, meetings happen with no problems.  If you realize that you'll be late, text and/or phone the person.   Otherwise, they expect to see you. If an emergency crops up -- like you or your immediate family is in the hospital or something worse -- of course, cancel. That's a real emergency.  Make a short phone call and text the person if you reach their voice mail. All other reasons for canceling are choices we make as people to not meet the other person.  These are not emergencies:  you're canceling a meeting because you're going away on a trip early and need to pack.  You need to move a client meeting around to another person's appointment time or worst yet, canceling because something better has come along.   Canceling a meeting because it's raining or you have to clean your house, etc.  isn't an emergency.  Those are all choices made that affect the person at the other end of the cancellation. Take responsibility for your actions, which means respond-to-your-ability.  Take responsibility for your choice. NEVER send an email to a person to cancel a meeting that's going to happen in an hour or even 2 days UNLESS the email is a back-up

You started your financial advisory firm to lead an exceptional life, grow your income, and make a unique difference in the world.  Today, is that what you see?   On your own, distractions and the “busy-ness” of business hold your time hostage.  You’re stuck managing details, not ca$hflow!   The 7 F’s of Financial Business Success represent values common to financial advisors who create thriving businesses that honor, support, and express their life goals.  Remember, it’s never too late to make changes that will get you back on track!   o Full-Fillment Plan your business around your personal values and goals.  This is what creates life-work balance.   “I got so much more out of your 1-hour program than I have gotten from multiple hours of reading and attending seminars on business planning. More programs like this would be excellent.” — Monica Barnard, APA, CEBS, Barnard & Assoc., Pensacola, FL   o Flexibility No one to answer to, no need to ask permission. Your firm adapts to your schedule, bends to your rules, and fits your life. Best of all, you get to stretch in any direction and meet your own benchmarks.   o Freedom Enjoy the freedom of choosing how you work, when you work, and what you earn. You can afford to say “no” to unsuitable prospects.  Every day you work, you’re building your own legacy—on your terms.   o Free-Time Prioritize and delegate. Then focus on cultivating important relationships, spending time with loved ones, and working on philanthropic projects.  Oh,

"I believe anything is possible. I see opportunity where others see impossibility. I take risks. I'm focused. I hustle. I know that nothing is unrealistic. I feel overwhelming love. I embrace my childlike wonder & curiosity. I take flying leaps into the unknown. I contribute to something bigger than myself. I create. I learn. I grow. I do. I believe it's never too late to start living a dream. I am an entrepreneur." - Unknown     What do you think of this quote? What does this quote mean to you? What have you done to make yourself successful? Let us know by commenting below. If you would like a copy of this quote in a PDF poster file to print, ask for it here.

Amy Purdy said a lot of great stuff about challenges and her personal story is more than amazing. But the thing that struck me the most was: "...the obstacles and challenges in our lives can only do two things, stop us dead in our tracks, or two, force us to get creative" -- Amy Purdy Sometimes things are as simple as 2 options. Although as business transformer, my client's prefer getting many options and solutions to their challenges. They prefer picking the one that fits best for them. But I also am a member of the "faced with a challenge, I will not quit" club... a quote from the late Robert Schuyler. So onwards and upwards I go! My Current Challenges We also have challenges.  Coaches included.  Life doesn't always bring roses just because you have a lot of personal development, business, or finance training. My challenges are nothing next to Amy's. But life is not a competition unless you're in the Olympics. Challenges are just, well, changes that need a bit of new solutions and thinking. They are part of change. My challenges are small, but they are challenges to overcome and that's what will happen -- one way or another. My small challenges are: 1) Moving from a place with a yard I gardened in and 2 bedrooms, and beautiful views all around, to a studio apartment with 220 square feet with the Verrazano Narrows, V-Z bridge, a block away and a water front to

African Violets Two years ago, I purchased, a sick looking African violet for $1. I've always had house plants, although fewer when I had cats, but what a gift to have flowers (deep purple) 1in the house in December. Then last year a neighbor gave me a dying plant and it was so long since it bloomed that she didn't remember what color the flowers were (light purple). With the right soil and food, they are easy to take care for a give you a baby or two each year without extra care. I'm at a point where the plants I repotted today will make some wonderful gifts (once they heal)! Do you like plants, too? Maybe you have African violets hat are ready to propagate from leaves or separate? Here's a series of videos on YouTube that I subscribe to.

  My wife and I lived in the area that is now called Poulsbo Place.  In an effort to find a new home, seven or so years ago, we resettled on Hamilton CT near 1st Ave. We loved having the run of the place.  There are lots of open spaces with green grass to run across (ergo my nickname, "Road Runner").  We found just enough trees, including some with low-lying branches, which made a great home for our children.  You see, we hide our nest on the ground, not up in trees. Life was more than great. Then it happened.  I lost my mate. I don’t know where she went.  NO more do I frolic around the neighborhood.  Instead, I spend my days looking for Mrs. Road Runner. Once, I found a shiny new black car, and I jumped on top and found her.  Every morning, somewhere between 6am and 9am, I’d meet that car and peck and peck at her but she never came to life.   I pecked so much looking for her,  that I damaged the top and side of the car.  I just don’t understand why she won’t come out to play. Then I found a green car and new blue car --  and thought I saw her there, too.  But all that happened was that the humans woke up early, and ran after me.  Sometimes they threw their newspapers at me...not sure why they’d do that! The black car was fixed and now

Paula Abdul | Check Yourself | Avon Breast Cancer Crusade   In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Avon Foundation for Women launches a powerful new call to action - #CheckYourself - featuring the release of this exciting new music video created with and led by acclaimed singer, songwriter and chorographer Paula Abdul. #CheckYourself aims to cut to cut through the confusion related to screening strategies and encourages women to take control of their own breast health with three simple steps: Know Your Risks. Know Your Body. Talk To Your Doctor. #CheckYourself is the latest step in the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, which raises funds and awareness for critical research and access to care programs. The key to prevention is knowing how to protect yourself, and early detection remains incredibly important. Women should be aware of their family’s health history, perform routine self-exams and visit a doctor annually. Women over 40 should have a mammogram performed by their doctor. Learn more at the AVON Foundation website http://www.avonfoundation.org/

Thank you to John Fusco who put this together.   It’s from http://www.aspetto.com/   If you are an Italian American, get a few tissues.  The memories are very strong and heartwarming. The author grew up in an Italian neighborhood in the 40-50's, I can see how, in just the 10 years , (I few up in the 50-60's) things had changed “just a bit”.  We had many trucks come pass our block but I woke up to the smell of Italian Bread from Mona Lisa Bakery that permeated the neighborhood and my Italian grandparents and most of the family had moved to Bay Shore Long Island.   But I got to know my 2nd and 3rd and even some 4th cousins  … something that most American’s don’t get to do. I grew up in Dyker Heights, a small part, an English speaking part of Bensonhurst Brooklyn. One thing that Mr. Fusco doesn't mention is that we did not celebrate St. Paddy's Day. Instead, we celebrated March 19, which is St. Joseph's Day In the 80’, after I moved to Staten Island, I no longer lived in an Italian neighborhood.  I heard a truck making a very familiar sound.  I ran out to see, and yes, it was the red “knife and scissors truck” --- a truck that just sharpened scissors, knives and other such objects.  I ran inside to get what needed sharpening, ran to the truck and to my surprise, I recognized the driver.  Yes, he and