Are you a woman entrepreneur who wants to boost your bottom line?  Are you ready to serve more people, make a bigger difference and grow your wealth – no matter what’s going on in the economy?

Good.  Because I’m about to share 8 unexpected ways you can jumpstart your income - starting right now.

1.  Stop Watching the News

If you’re a regular news watcher, I’ll bet you one thing: you don’t feel enlivened, inspired or abundant after watching the news.

Want the truth? The news media is filled with negative hype that is costing YOU precious time, money and well-being. 

The media makes their money by selling drama.  More drama = more ratings.  More ratings = higher ad revenue.  So the more they can scare the crap out of you, the better it is for their bottom line.

If you spend 30 minutes a day on the news, you likely experience 20 – 30 minutes of a post-news “worryfest.” That’s nearly 7 hours a week, minimum, voluntarily spent on toxic, wealth-destroying information! 

Imagine what will happen to your income if you spend 7 hours a week marketing your business, investing in your well-being, making a difference to others, or creating a new product?  Nuff said.

2.  Upgrade Your Money Mindset

Many entrepreneurs (especially women) have limiting beliefs around money that clog up their income potential.  Until you “clean out” those old, scarcity-based money-blocks, you’re keeping a tight lid on your income.

Here’s an assignment: start loving money.  Welcome it.  Take care of it.  Let it flow in and out of your life. After all, money is just energy. It’s a tool that we use to take care of ourselves, our families and the world. As Martha Stewart would say, “It’s a good thing.”

Remember, prosperity is your birthright. By upgrading your money mindset, you give everyone around you the gift of expanded possibilities - and expanded income.

3.  Launch a New Service, Product or Program

When was the last time you released something new?  Most entrepreneurs wait way too long before coming out with a new service, product or program.

Don’t let the economy fool you.  We are all still buying goods and services.  We’re just being more selective about it.

Ask yourself:  How can I create a new offering with more value and higher quality service?  (Note that more value does not necessarily mean less expensive. It means listening to your customers and offering more of what THEY want from you!)

4. Invest in Something BIG

Most entrepreneurs make the big mistake of “waiting until they make more money” to invest in something BIG.  No, no, no my friend.

The truth is, most of us need to invest in something BIG in order to step up and start producing more money and results on a consistent basis.

When you financially commit to something BIG (a high-level program, a new space, an investment for your business), you make a strong statement to the Universe that you’re ready to receive more wealth.  Only then will you attract more. 

Of course, you’ve got to be willing to do the work.   But if you truly want to jumpstart your income, investing in something BIG is a sure-fire tactic that will help you leapfrog your earning potential fast.

(Note: There’s a huge difference between investing in something big that will enhance your business and well-being vs. being financially irresponsible.)

5.  Find Extra Work

When I first started my business, I was determined to have success without financial struggle. Translation:  I worked my butt off every chance I got.

I worked as a teacher, bartender and personal assistant to make sure money was always flowing.  Rather than whine about not being able to afford the resources I needed to grow, I worked as many jobs as I could to fund my “growth” habit.

BONUS TIP:  Busy entrepreneurs tend to get a lot more done than those with loads of free time on their hands. 

7.  More Sex (whaat??)

Yes, you heard me right.  Women entrepreneurs need to honor and indulge our need for pleasure on a regular basis. When we go too long without sex, we severely limit our income potential. (I’ve seen it.  I’ve done it.  Don’t go there!) 

Studies have shown women who have regular sex are happier.  And make no mistake:  your happiness and income are intimately related.

Sexual arousal releases a natural hormone in women called oxytocin. 

This hormone not only relieves pain, but reduces stress, allows us to sleep more fully, and be more energetic and engaged throughout the day.  What kind of impact do you think less stress and more energy will have on YOUR income?  No doubt a big, juicy positive impact.

And it doesn’t matter if you’re single or with a partner, enhancing your sex life is a guaranteed way to quickly increase your income.

(NOTE:  We’re talking about safe, consensual sex here people.)

8.  Marketing, Marketing, Marketing

I’m often shocked by women entrepreneurs who wouldn’t know a smart marketing strategy if it strolled up and sat on their laptop.

If you’re a business owner with a valuable product or service that can dramatically improve the quality of people’s lives, you MUST learn how to use smart marketing to get the message out to as many people as possible!

Otherwise, you’re stealing from us.  That’s right - Stealing.  If you have something that will help the world and you keep it to yourself, you are doing a disservice to us all.

Whether you’re a dog walker, a coach, a writer or an artist – nothing happens in business until you make a sale.  And marketing, done right, does all the selling for you.  Become a marketing maven and learn how to create irresistible and authentic marketing messages that quickly convert your life changing product or service into cash.

In sum, you can use any combination of these strategies to jumpstart your income and create the business and life of your dreams. 

Remember, no matter what’s going on in the economy, your wealth and well-being are always in your hands.

(NOTE:  If you’re want a quantum leap in your wealth and well-being, apply for Marie’s 2009 Rich, Happy & Hot Mastery Program, please click here to learn more and download your application.  Spaces are filling up fast, so if you’re interested, apply now.)

As you know, there are some major shifts happening in the world: politically, socially, economically, environmentally and spiritually. Our planet is undergoing a seismic transformation. To be perfectly honest, I see more opportunity now, more then ever before, to exponentially grow your wealth and well-being…

…especially if you’re a woman.

But a word of warning: Unless you take charge and set the stage for your success now, you’ll experience some uncomfortable challenges ahead.
Here are 6 keys to stay centered and prosper during turbulent times.

1. Don’t Forget, Some Big Companies Were Launched During Economic Declines.

“What do GE, Disney, HP and Microsoft have in common? They were all startups during steep declines in the U.S. economy. GE started during the panic of 1873, Disney started during the recession of 1923-24, HP began during the Great Depression, and Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft during the recession of 1975.”

Once again, do NOT believe the hype that you cannot prosper during these times. It’s hogwash. Really.

Especially for entrepreneurs who keep moving ahead and spending smartly. Really. All of this comes down to your mindset, your behavior, your marketing smarts and of course - the value you are offering in the world.

2. Major Media Does NOT Tell The Whole Story.

Unfortunately, the news media makes money from “drama.” Controversy drives up ratings. More ratings = more advertising dollars. The truth is, there’s loads of growth, expansion and positive news happening around the world (in many different countries including the US) that we just don’t hear about from mainstream sources.

For example, I was just in Dubai and there are some pretty amazing construction projects happening. In fact, there’s a sustainable, green CITY (yes, an entire city!) and many eco-friendly, renewable business centers and hotels springing up.

I spoke with lots of women (local and international) who were growing businesses, supporting causes they believed in, and taking their lives to new levels faster than ever before.

Another example of growth and great news: One of my private VIP clients, here in the US, runs a successful, independent pharmacy. He had his annual “Open House” pre-holiday sales event a few weeks ago.

Many of his competitors have been listening to the doom and gloom and have pulled back their promotions.

Not my client. Our work together keeps him in the right mindset: growth and service. And the results? He not only increased his revenue by 14% for this single event (way beating expectations), but he also spent a fraction of the time working it.

(4 hours this year compared to over 12 last year.) He and his wife just welcomed a new baby girl into the world and now enjoy precious time together as a family while his business is serving more people and bringing in greater wealth.

So please, do NOT watch the news 24/7. You never get the whole story. Yes, there are realities to be aware of, but you are already aware of most of them (like to not waste money on crap, conserve energy, etc.) so bag the negative news when you can.

3. The “Rebalancing” Of The Economy Is A GOOD Thing.

The Universe is always operating for our highest good. Continue reading ‘6 Keys To Stay Centered And Prosper During Turbulent Times’

Hiya! I’m still in Dubai and getting ready for a big final Nike Rockstar event at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. I was clearing out my emails and my friend Bonnie Hutchinson shared this video with me.

I thought it would be the perfect Halloween treat to share with you. Please hang in till the end of the video - you’ll be glad you did.

While I’ve been in Dubai less than 3 hours, one BIG thing stands out to me:

Attention to detail is friggin’ spectacular! The moment I stepped out of baggage claim, I was cheerfully greeted by a rep from the hotel and whisked away in a private luxury car.

The car itself was immaculate. Temperature inside was perfect. No crazy music. My driver was sweet and talkative. (Thank sweet Jesus he wasn’t yapping on his cell the entire time! I’m used to NYC drivers - LOL.)

Once I arrived at the hotel, I was blown away with the grand marble entrance illuminated by what felt like hundreds of candles and perfectly arranged fresh flowers.

Everyone had my name correct and it felt like they were genuinely happy to serve.

When I asked about borrowing a power converter, I was told not to worry about it because all the rooms have the proper outlets for all my gadgets!

I could go on and on about the detail and care taken here (and I may make a list at some point) but it’s time for bed. More soon!

Hey Ya’ll! I’ve missed posting for a bit.

The truth is I’ve been busy running my Booty Camp Coaching Program and having lots of “Booty Calls!”

LOL.

(If you don’t know what I’m talking about, this will explain: http://www.marieforleo.com/btb)

And…

I’ve been preparing for an amazing trip to Dubai! In just a few hours I’ll be on a plane to help launch NIKE Women Arabia.

I’ll be in the United Arab Emirates for the next two weeks while I train over 500 women in an awesome dance and fitness experience called the Nike Rockstar Workout.

This particular version of the workout is called Nu Soul and I, along with my partners Marc and Craig, put a lot of work into creating this one!

Needless to say, I’m going to take lots of videos and pics to share with you. But let me switch gears here for a moment.

This morning, Josh and I were having a conversation over coffee about how truly vital it is to master the lifestyle of living in the moment.

Especially given the wild ride the global economy has been on lately. Here’s the deal.

The more able you are to stay engaged in working vs. lost in worrying, the easier it is to keep the wealth flowing for you and your family.

Think about it.

Which person is more likely to prosper during uncertain times?

A person who is stressed out, overwhelmed, and panicky…

OR

A person who is confident, engaged, and committed to creating RESULTS.

No contest, right?

Just to drive the point home…

Here are three practical steps you can start using right now to help yourself and your family prosper no matter what’s going on with the economy:

1. Be A VALUE Creator.

Bottom line is that marketplace always pays for great value. The secret is to make yourself more valuable by increasing your skills, confidence and capabilities.

Be the person who kicks butt no matter what project or task you’re on.

Show up with an enthusiastic attitude and solve problems, create results and most importantly - help others succeed.

There’s a saying that goes like this: “Life gives to the giver and takes from the taker.”

Be an excellent giver of value and you’ll always be taken care of.

2. Don’t spend money on CRAP.

While I believe in the power of allowing money to flow in and out, it’s about spending your money wisely.

Don’t buy clothes you don’t really need or other chatskies that will wind up collecting dust in the back of a drawer.

My opinion? Besides the essentials (food, mortgage, utilities, etc.) the best thing to spend money is on YOU.

How? By increasing your skills and capabilities through training courses and continuing ed.

(You guys know this. I routinely spend between 25 - 45K on my own business and personal development. And it pays off BIG every-single-time!!)

After all, YOU are your most important asset in your business and your life!

You bring you to any project, business venture or personal endeavor you embark on.

Most importantly, you are the one investment that is guaranteed to go up in value!

(Note: if you want to boost your “in the moment” skills, get the Live In The Moment Booty Camp Home Study Course. It truly rocks!

Of course I’m biased towards my products, because I believe in what I do… and frankly, my stuff works. But seriously, whether it’s my programsor someone elses - keep investing in YOU.)

3. Keep having F-U-N.

Fun is SO underestimated as a tool for productivity, well-being and wealth creation.

Look. The world is doing what it’s doing-whether we like it or not.

Why not have a good time while we’re on the ride?

And the bottom line is this: Anything you have fun doing is 100X more likely to turn out successful (not to mention satisfying).

So I say, rather than bitch and moan about anything, drop that attitude and have FUN no matter what.

If nothing else, it keeps your friends and family guessing (i.e. “What’s she on these days??) Alrighty now. I need to finish packing and get my butt over to Newark Airport.

Have a beautiful week and look out for updates from Dubai!

Lots of love,

Marie

P.S. If you’re on Facebook, check out the most recent note I posted there. It’s a pretty amazing story from a pretty amazing lady.

Also, I just got my butt on Twitter - come follow me

Have you ever longed to launch something new? Perhaps you want to start your own business, get back in the dating pool or perform live on stage. If you’ve ever kick-started any new venture, you’ve undoubtedly experienced bouts of F-E-A-R that come along for the ride.While fear is natural, it can also become a debilitating force that stops you dead in your tracks unless you know the right way to handle it.Here are three useful keys I learned during my first surfing lesson that will help you eliminate fear when launching into something new!1. Invest in The Right Tools

If you want to expand your skill set in any arena, you’re going to need the right tools. Whether you want to be a better cook, grow your business, or be more successful in relationships, there are tools to help you get there faster and more elegantly. Since I can’t stand being cold, I knew I needed a top-notch wetsuit that would keep me warm and toasty so I could focus on my surfing form.

How about you? What are the right tools for YOUR new venture? Is it software? An audio training program? A piece of physical equipment? The bottom line here is the right tools facilitate fast learning and greatly reduce the fear factor in any new venture.

2. Hire a Great Coach

No matter what you want to learn, launch or create - there is someone who’s been there, done that. The biggest mistake you can make when launching a new venture is to try and figure everything out on your own. Not only will it take you WAY longer to see results, but you’ll run the risk of getting paralyzed with fearful thoughts; constantly wondering “if you’re doing it right.”

For my surfing lesson, I kept asking my instructor questions as they popped up in my mind. This allowed me to stay immersed in learning and out of fear. A great coach helps eliminates fear by giving you constant feedback, direction and encouragement. And don’t be cheap with your venture! Hire the best teachers you can afford with a proven track record of success.

3. Master Your Ability to Manage Your Emotions

Unless you learn how to manage your emotions, fear-driven energy will severely inhibit your ability to fulfill your potential in life. Want the truth? We all have fear. Top athletes, performers and business people have just as much fear as you do. The difference is in how they manage their fear-based emotions.

During my surfing lesson, I freely admitted when I was fearful and let myself experience it. Fear is just a sensation. It’s energy in your body. The secret to eliminating fear is to allow yourself to experience fear without believing the thoughts that accompany those uncomfortable sensations.

When you feel fear without resisting it, fear dissolves. Thankfully, the ability to move ahead including your fear is a skill set anyone can learn! And when you have the right tools and a great coach, managing your fear-driven emotions is a heck-of-a-lot easier.

Of course, there’s a lot more to say on the subject of fear, but these three keys will help you get started right away.

If you’re interested in going WAY beyond your comfort zone and stretching out into a life that’s fully energized, engaged and exciting, then join me for my upcoming “Live In The Moment Booty Camp: Beyond the Basics” course launching September 24th, 2008.

Work with me for six full weeks and learn proven tools to master your emotions, energy and intuition. You’ll also be connected with a global community of like-minded people to support you every step of the way!

Learn more and get registered here: http://www.marieforleo.com/btb

Hey Guys! While I’ve been quiet about posting for a while, it’s not due to a lazy summer.

Don’t get me wrong…we’ve been having a lot of fun in the sun too!

Here I am with some girlfriends at the beach in Sag Harbor. We’re all wearing Jungle Gurl bikinis made from vintage material. These eco-friendly suits are HOT (and totally made for round booties)! The creator, Natalie, is a fiery entrepreneur who we’ll be seeing a lot more from.

Off of the beach, things have been heating up with new programs, products and a BIG new launch I’m working on that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. While the details aren’t ready yet, just know that we’ll be launching a one-of-a-kind global community that will help you GROW in every sense of the word!

The first big launch of the summer was my Live In The Moment Booty Camp program. It was an AMAZING four-week course that brought people together from all over the world to learn all about the lifestyle of living in the moment. Stay on the lookout for the home study version that will be released in the next few days.

And speaking of Booty Camp, our next offering called “Beyond the Basics: Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About Emotions, Energy and Intution” is open for registration! You can learn more here and get signed up right now. For me it’s back to my “big project” and some coaching calls. Talk to you soon xoxo M

Last Saturday afternoon I was in Sag Harbor and I was about ready to hit the beach - my reward for a morning full of down and dirty gardening

While I was pulling weeds, I realized something interesting:

I LOVE to remove what’s not necessary.

Let me explain…

Note: What I’m about to share next may be TMI (too much information) but that’s never stopped me before so why stop now?

Here’s the thing. I’m a passionate tweezer.

When I find a stray eyebrow or random hair coming out of some place that’s just plain WRONG (ladies…you know what I mean!) I take immense pleasure in plucking those little suckers right out.

And no, I just don’t pluck myself. Nearby friends and loved ones get the benefit of my passion to pull too. Most people will just look at that weird hair growing out of your chin and not say a word. Me? I’ll lovingly pull you aside, whip out my tweezer and have you hairless and presentable in seconds.

Weeds in my garden? Just as fun.

I love removing all unnecessary growth from around my beautiful hydrangeas. This consistent weeding allows the flowers to have all the energy, nourishment and space they need to fully blossom.

Then it hit me like a lightening bolt!

One of the reasons I’m so passionate about teaching people to live in the moment is that it’s just like tweezing and weeding…

It’s all about removing unnecessary crap!

Except rather than nose hairs or dandelions, we get to extract old thoughts, negative ideas, drama, stories, limiting beliefs, false assumptions, old patterns and other crap that gets in the way of our brilliance.

Think about it.

We all have some overgrown “weeds” in our mind that if left untended, will strangle out our dreams and kill the flowers of our aliveness. We all have some unattractive “hairs” that grow automatically, like bad habits, that embarrass us again and again.

But with a little plucking and pruning, the garden of our being can grow healthy, strong and beautiful. Take a look for yourself. What are you ready to tweeze or remove? Any projects? Relationships? Habits? Old thoughts that simply don’t work?

Now if you want a “professional plucker” like me on your team, I’d be glad to help. In fact, you’ve still got time to sign-up for my brand new “Live In the Moment Booty Camp” course. (It started last week, but it’s not too late to listen to the audio replay of the first call and get caught up before the next call, this Wednesday.)

You can find all the details here.

I’m humbled and excited by the number of people registered already. More than 150! It’s an amazing and very diverse group and I would really love YOU to join us too.

And if you know you’re going to sign-up, do it now so we can send out your invite to our “Private Social Network” that’s exclusively for Booty Camp participants. This interactive forum is a place I’ve created for all the participants to meet each other, share “Aha Moments”, ask questions and access my hand picked videos and resources. The most amazing and inspiring posts are already flying back and forth in the forums.

So if you want strengthen your “in the moment muscles” with a fabulous group of like-minded peeps and launch into an entirely new way of living, don’t delay.

Get your buns in the Live In The Moment Booty Camp today!

Just a few hours ago, I was talking with my friend who’s a very talented an accomplished costume designer. (She has over 3,000 of her designs in the Beijing Olympics and recently designed the wardrobe on a Meryl Streep film.) Needless to say, she’s quite successful. She’s also an amazing and beautiful person inside and out. But when she called me, she wasn’t feeling so amazing and successful. Why?

Long story short, an “authority figure” in her industry told her, in not so many words, that she was “not enough” yet and needs another 5 years of assistant type work before she can expect to compete in the “big leagues.” From the “authority figure” point of view, there is a set path to success in that industry and my friend had done her career all wrong. (Always fun to hear that kind of feedback from people you hold in high esteem, right?)

I had to laugh because defying “conventional wisdom” has made me successful time and time again and allows me to enjoy a magical life that most people think is impossible. You see, there IS magic in this world and success can often happen easier, faster and more directly than the rest of the world thinks. And just because someone is an “authority figure” does not mean they live in a space of magic and transformation.

So I asked my friend, “Has following conventional wisdom created success for you before?”

FRIEND: “No.”

ME: “Ok…how about your relationship with your husband? Did that happen in a traditional way…following all the rules?”

FRIEND: “No…of course not. And it’s the most amazing relationship ever!”

ME: “Right. So everything you love about your life has been produced by defying conventional wisdom and living in the space of magic, transformation and unreasonable-ness???”

FRIEND: “Yes!”

Now here’s the cool thing….

Just a few weeks ago, I was told by a mega big PR firm that I did my book launch ALL WRONG and that basically, I should pack it in and give up. I had a few tears and felt devastated for a few minutes, and then….A hot spark of Italian fire lit up inside me and I said “Oh yeah??? I should pack it in? Watch this….”

Fast forward 3 weeks…

Today I got an awesome email from my editor at McGraw-Hill saying that he is thrilled with book sales so far and we’re #7 on Amazon.com for the dating category. My book that I did “all wrong” keeps showing up on their internal “best seller” lists. My point? Do NOT listen to naysayers or people who have narrow and “reasonable” ideas of success.

There are many ways to create results and often, those results can happen much faster, easier and more effortlessly than you think. Reality is how you define it. The reality I now live in is a magical one. It may not be the most popular reality, but it works for me and many people I know and love.

If you have a dream burning in your heart, don’t give up!

Surround yourself with people who think “Why not?” rather than “that’ll never happen…” You have a dream for a reason. And that reason is to make a difference in the world. Take a look for yourself. Are you living in a “normal” way? Do you need to upgrade your reality?

If you want to come play with me, and other like-minded folks in the space of magic and possibilities, sign-up for my Live In The Moment Booty Camp coming up in July:

http://www.marieforleo.com/bc

I’ve added a new social networking component so you can connect with other folks, share Aha-moments and support each other during the journey. Of course, I’ll be with you every step of the way!

Not sure if Booty Camp is right for you? Join me for a free teleseminar, “7 Myths of Living in the Moment.”

If you still have questions, write to question@marieforleo.com and you will be PERSONALLY contacted.

Would you like to get more done? There are a few simple and easy tricks that can radically skyrocket your productivity, income and satisfaction.

But when overwhelm hits, it all comes down to knowing what’s going to make the biggest impact - fast.

Here are my top 7 strategies to get you back on track in an instant:

1. Single-task

Are you a chronic multi-tasker? STOP that! Multi-tasking is moronic. It’s also the biggest productivity killer there is. Why? Because no two things can occupy the same space at the same time. For example, it’s impossible to be EFFECTIVE on the phone and email too. Not only do you miss parts of both tasks, but you make mistakes, drive your stress level sky high and do major damage your relationships. (Just think of how it feels when you’re speaking to someone on the phone who you KNOW is checking their emails!) Single-tasking, or, doing just one thing at a time with excellence is where it’s at.

2. Quit

That’s right. You read it correctly. I said quit! Sometimes we creative entrepreneurs get sucked into every new “bright and shiny” opportunity that comes our way. A few months ago I found myself feeling bogged down and realized I was involved in a project that really wasn’t a good fit for me. But I was scared to back out for fear of what it would do to my reputation. You know what? Getting OUT of that project produced a windfall of other, more profitable projects! Plus I had a surge of energy and time. And honestly, the other person felt relieved too.

3. Shut all the gadgets OFF

Don’t become the victim of your constant ringing phone, IM and emails. When you need to produce results, shut all your gadgets and notifications off. Contrary to popular belief, the world will not come to an end if you disconnect for a few hours. In fact, I guarantee that the more time you regularly “unplug”, the easier it will be for you to complete projects that bring you money and satisfaction.

4. Ditch and delete ruthlessly

Do you have piles of unread mail, newsletters and magazines? How about disorganized files on your computer? Or hundreds of emails in your inbox?

Most of us are buried under heaps of useless information that we collect because we “might need it someday.” PAALLEASE! Let’s get real people. 99% of this information can be chucked. I recently had to re-install the operating system on my computer and lost a good portion of my current inbox. While all my important files and emails are backed up and safe, those 25 or so emails in my inbox got wiped out! Guess what? No harm done and no small children died. Sometimes, the best way to move forward fast it to be bold with your delete key and trash bin.

5. Knock yourself off the Internet

When I’m on traveling on a plane it’s shocking how much writing I get done. Why? Because there’s no frickin’ Internet connection! The crack-head-like-addiction to hit se