Strange & Charmed

Things You Need To Do This Summer

It’s now officially summer in the northern hemisphere and we have a good two to three months of long days and sunny weather ahead of us. While many people, myself included, traditionally use this time to rest, relax and have fun, I feel like these longer days can be packed with much more than just time at the pool. Here are five things that I think you need to do this summer to really make the most of the season and to look back at it and think of it as a very productive time, instead of as an endless string of lazy days!

1. Read more substantial novels

As cliche as it sounds, summer really is a great time to do some reading at your own leisure. As much as you may want to pick up the latest click lit or YA fiction to enjoy by the pool, I really encourage you to incorporate some more substantial literature into your summer reading list. Most people are under the impression that all reading is equal, so if you read a romance novel or Moby Dick you are getting the same benefit from reading. This is not true. Studies show that lighter literature actually has the same effect on your brain as watching television for the same period of time. Your brain isn’t actually expanding with everything you read, so you need to pick reading material that will challenge your thought, grow your vocabulary, and expose you to new ideas. If you would like some recommendations, here are a few I love.

2. Learn something new

If you are like me, summer represents a time in your life where you have less obligations and more freedom. Although I graduated college close to a decade ago, I still see summer as my vacation time and I would venture to guess that goes for many people. The thing is, while most people are spending their summer on frivolity and fun, I think this is a great time to get a jump on the competition so to speak and pick up a new skill or learn about a topic that may help you advance personally and professionally. On my to do list this summer I have a few technical skills I want to master and areas I want to learn more about in terms of helping me run my business. Choose an area of your life that would benefit from some additional education and find a research online to help you learn. We all have that nagging list filed in the back of our minds with skills or knowledge we wish we had, so pick a topic from your list and get started making progress. If this topic of continuing education speaks to you, I suggest starting here.

3. Start your #sidehustle

Most people could really use an extra income, even if it’s just a small part time income from doing something we love. If you have been thinking of a business idea but dragging your feet on getting started, now is the time to act! Hammer out your idea, source your materials or any tools you may need to get you started, and scour the internet for information and ideas for marketing your business. I have a whole YouTube video dedicated to How to Start an Online Shop if you are looking to sell physical or digital goods so I highly suggest that video as a free resource. Of course, if you want to get started but need the motivation of a coach to keep you on track you can always join my Empire Building Program and get access to my workbooks and coaching. I’ve even recently added a new Shop Review option to Empire Building where you can get a live one time 1-hour call with me to review your business idea, online shop or work through any issues you are facing. There is nothing stopping you from making this summer a profitable one and perhaps the start to a really awesome business venture!

4. Have meaningful discussions

Many people I encounter online have something very major in common. They are all searching for real meaningful connections online that they aren’t getting in their lives. I truly believe that finding a friend or small group of friends that share you belief’s and values can be an incredibly uplifting experience, but how do you know when you have found true friends? The clues are always in the conversation. If you can have long, meaningful discussions with another human being you know you have found a true friend. While you are making plans with your friends this summer, make sure you aren’t just having adventure but that you are also connecting on a deeper level, sharing knowledge and experience for mutual benefit. It doesn’t matter if you are having these conversations with your best friend and neighbor or if you are chatting with like minded individuals in Facebook interest groups, just get yourself out there, find someone to talk to and make a meaningful connection.

5. Organize an area of your life

We all have an area of areas of our lives that desperately need order and this is the perfect time of year to establish that order. Whether your closet is a mess or your social life could use a revamp, think of this like a project that you can tackle over the next few days, weeks or months. First, decide what area of your life needs the change. Is it a physical issue of organization like a room in your home or your office space or is it an abstract area like your career that you want to get organized? Next, define the problem and write out your end goals for your organization project. Why have you chosen this area to organize and what do you want this area of your life to look like once your project is complete? Finally, list out all known action steps and start cracking away at the issue bit by bit. Don’t feel like you need to enact massive change overnight, just make yourself a nice long to do list for this project and set a goal for yourself to do one thing everyday. Somedays you may do more than one and some days this project may fall off your priorities list, but make sure you are taking steps at least on a weekly basis. Remember, if you fall off the wagon with this project, go back to the problem you defined and your goals to inspire you and keep you motivated. If you need more guidance on project planning, this resource can help you get started with your life organization project or anything else you’re working on!

Which of these tasks are you excited to tackle this summer? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo,

My Productivity Playlist

My Productivity Playlist #10 {#SUMMERINTHEGLAMPIRE}

Are you ready for summer? I definitely am! As you read this, I am most likely on a tropical beach in Aruba enjoying the sun, fruity cocktails and flamingos for my #GLAMPIREGETAWAY. You don’t have to be jealous because if you are in need of a tropical vacation, no matter where you are, you can always tag along with me via Instagram and that custom hashtag that we are using for our photos. I hope you all have fun following along with my travels and I’ll be sure to be liking and commenting on your photos for the #SUMMERINTHEGLAMPIRE photo challenge that is going on this month. If you missed the start of the challenge, don’t fret, just refer back to this post and get started so we can share some inspirational summertime pics with each other!

Now, on to the playlist! This month I’ve chosen a selection of songs that for one reason or another remind me of summer or a beach vacation. Now, I know there are plenty more summer themed songs out there, and trust me, those will also be featured in future productivity playlist posts for the rest of the summer. For now, I wanted to create a playlist for my vacation. I don’t know what it is about the idea of vacationing in Aruba, but it makes me think of the Rat Pack and swanky 60s getaways! Bring on the oversized sunglasses, floppy hats and silk scarves because I am ready for my #GLAMPIREGETAWAY!

Here’s a rundown of the playlist, but of course, you can listen right now for free via Spotify:

Hot Child in the City | Nick Gilder
Summertime | Billie Holiday
The Girl from Ipanema | Amy Winehouse
Happy | Pharrell Williams
From the Morning | Nick Drake
Summertime Sadness | Lana Del Rey
Ring of Fire | Johnny Cash
Nature Boy | Nat King Cole
Come Fly with Me | Frank Sinatra
Kokomo | The Beach Boys

So, what quintessential summer tunes did I miss on this playlist that you would like to see on the next? Leave me a comment down below!

xoxo,

organization

Office Oasis {June 2015}

Are you ready to take your office on the road with you this summer? I know that working outside or at least on the go, tops my list of ways to enjoy the warmer months. If you have been following me on social media, you already know that I am currently on my way to Aruba for a summer beach vacation . Yes, in a few short hours from now, I will have my feet planted firmly in the sand, cocktail in hand and laptop by my side. Of course, there is no better way for a #BLOGBOSS to work when traveling, especially since this one happens to be a solopreneur and needs to make sure the lights stay on, even when I am on holiday. So, for this installment of Office Oasis, I want to share with you some great options for taking your work with you. That may mean getting some work done during your summer vacation or it may mean checking your email by the pool, but either way, if you need to work while you are out and about this summer, these accessories will help you get it all done in style when you are out of office!

1. Water Resistant Speaker: If you are working by the beach or by the pool and want to keep your productivity playlist going, this is the perfect option for you. Portable speakers are awesome, but this one actually helps protect your tech from water, while keeping those jams on shuffle!

2. Smartphone Charger: Well my iPhone may have gotten bigger, but I can’t say I’m getting that much more battery life from the thing. Since I count on my phone for nearly everything, it’s important to keep a portable charger in my bag. Great for those early mornings and late nights!

3. Hardshell Laptop Case: I love keeping my Macbook Air in a hardshell type case when I am traveling to protect it from any extra bumps or bruises it may encounter on the road. This Moroccan inspired quatrefoil print case screams summertime especially in this lovely pool hue, but it comes in other fun colors as well!

4. Neutral Summer Carry All: I love a neutral bag for summer and this Kahki colored structured tote from Rebecca Minkoff is the perfect carry all for your laptop, accessories, makeup bag and even a file or two. Although you may be conducting business at the beach, there is no reason that you need to look like it and a tote like this is the perfect blend of work and play!

5. Adorable Summer Inspired Tech Accessories: Since you will be out and about this summer, you’ll certainly want to keep an eye on your steps. I love this double wrap bracelet designed by Tory Burch for the Fitbit Flex. It comes in a few perfect-for-summer colors and makes a great accessory!

I hope you make the most of your summer travels by taking advantage of any out of office work arrangements you can make and creating your own on the go office. I hope these items gave you some tips and things to think about while you are working and playing this summer! I’d love to see your summer office setup, whether that’s in an actual office or out and about. Please tag me in your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #strangeandcharmed so I can like them!

xoxo,

Education

#InspirationMBA: How to Build the Business and Life of Your Dreams

Does this sound like you? You are a highly motivated person with lots of passions and interests. You are working a job, or have worked a series of jobs where you perhaps learned a lot but weren’t interested in the career path in front of you. You want more for yourself and you know you deserve and are capable of more. So many of you have expressed to me how much you want to bring change to your life and take control of your destiny, so you turn to me day after day for fresh information and inspiration for your journey. As a natural born teacher and a constant student myself, I love sharing my knowledge with you in the hopes that I can help you make your life better. Although I provide you many ongoing resources both through my own products and content as well as the content and products of others, I know most of you don’t have the luxury of time that I have to spend on continuing your education, so helping you make the most of your time is important to me. A few weeks ago I hinted that I wanted to start a new series on my blog but had been waiting for the right moment so that I could give this series the time and attention it deserves. Today, I am very pleased to announce that this is the first installment in an ongoing series I am featuring on my blog called #InspirationMBA!

#InspirationMBA will be a monthly post on the blog where I will take a single piece of highly valuable content from around the web and break it down into something of a lesson plan, outlining why I think the content is important and what you will learn from it. Like I said earlier, I know you don’t have all the time in the world to learn all the ins and outs of business and productivity, so I want to make it easier for you to learn by identifying the best content that you can act upon immediately. So many people just don’t have the time or the money to spend on additional education, but I hope that this series helps you to open your mind and continue your own education through self study guided by me.

Lesson #1: Marie Forleo on Building a Business and Life of Your Dreams with Lewis Howes

I absolutely adore both Marie Forleo and Lewis Howes. Both are inspirational entrepreneurs, mentors and educators who work to help people realize their dreams. For our first lesson, I have chosen a YouTube interview between the two that I believe lays a great foundation for the #InspirationMBA course! This video is nearly an hour long, but it’s packed with some great principles for those starting out as well as some interesting tidbits from Marie’s life and mind.

What You Will Learn

• The steps you can take to figure out what you are truly passionate about so you can get started doing what you love and make a living from it.

Hint: You need to start doing new things that interest you if you want your life to change!

• The mindset shifts that are necessary for you to make major changes in your life that don’t come overnight.

Hint: Success is all about your attitude.

• How Marie expressed her truth and lived the life she wanted to live, even though she knew it would take her longer to build her business.

Hint: Follow your passions in the here and now.

• The importance of mastering the necessary skills of your current job and situation even if you have bigger and better dreams.

Hint: You need to show up in order to maximize opportunities.

• The powerful role gratitude plays in our lives.

Hint: Keep your attitude in check.

• The daily routine of a highly successful entrepreneur.

Hint: The importance of the almighty to-do list.

• How to get started changing the daily habits that keep you down so you can make room for habits that matter.

Hint: You need to acknowledge the issues so you can change them.

• The role coaches and mentors can play in your success.

Hint: Having positive role models and mentors active in your life will help keep you accountable and positive.

• The mindset that has an unexpected positive result on your own success.

Hint: Giving breaks through the scarcity money mindset.

• The top things that are necessary to have a successful business online.

Hint: Consistency is one part of the puzzle.

So there it is, lesson 1 of my #InspirationMBA series! I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this content and that you are eager to follow up with this series. I am really doing this to help you as a valued member of my community so any feedback you have on this new venture would be appreciated. If you plan to take part in the #InspirationMBA I would love it if you shared pictures of your desk set up as you are learning at home or on the go through this series. Feel free to use the tag #InspirationMBA and connect with others within this community who are taking this journey with you!

xoxo,

Business

8 Smart Business Podcasts Your Ears are Missing!

Podcasts are definitely one of the not-so-secret weapons in my entrepreneurship arsenal. Since I work from home and have no coworkers, I find podcasts are a great way to keep me motivated through my day of little to no human interaction, while also staying entertained and informed. Podcasts are also a means of continuing education for me, like audiobooks, so I like to listen to business podcasts as regularly as possible. I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned about marketing, strategy and business management just from listening to podcasts, they really are a great way to keep your mind engaged in your business and to pick up new tips and tricks from successful business owners. Here are 8 great choices if you are looking for a new business podcast to add to your life!

Fearless Launching with Anne Samoilov

Anne Samoilov happens to be a personal friend of mine- how lucky am I? She’s an awesome business coach, a knowledgeable launch manager and an intelligent entrepreneur. Anne happens to be one of the few female podcasters out there talking about business strategy as well as keeping your busy life organized as a mompreneur, so give her a listen and if you want, you can even start with her episode interviewing me!

Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn

Pat Flynn is hands down my #1 business inspiration. So much of my business is modeled off of his lead of creating a “Smart Passive Income”. You may think that sounds too good to be true, but I am living proof that passive incomes are real and any online entrepreneur can make use of these effortless streams of income. Check out Pat for inspiration and insight into his business, as well as interviews with notable guests!

Elise Gets Crafty

Notable blogging business owner, Elise Blaha Cripe started her online empire from her love of scrapbooking and much in the vein of my own business, was able to turn her passions into a full time career. Although my business isn’t crafting related like hers, I personally connect to Elise because we are online business owners of about the same age who seem to be adding value to their communities in similar ways. In her podcast, Elise shares a lot of insight and almost insider type information into the realm of creative and crafting businesses, and is very willing to share what she knows and what she’s learned, which is something I too am very passionate about!

The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes

The School of Greatness podcast focuses less on business and more so on success, which is what we all want for our businesses. Former Pro Athlete Lewis Howes is one part life-coach and one-part entrepreneur mentor in his podcast, so if you are looking for information sprinkled with a heavy dose of inspiration, this may be just the choice for you!

Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield

If you are familiar with Marie Forleo, you may already be acquainted with Amy Porterfield, a B-School Alum with online marketing superpowers. I enjoy Amy because she is truly an original thinker, and constantly breaks the molds of traditional marketing strategies. If you like marketing or want to learn how to leverage marketing insights for your own business, this is required listening!

The Fizzle Show: Blogging, Entrepreneurship & Self Employment

If you are reading the titles of these podcasts and thinking business podcasts may be a snoozefest, the Fizzle Show is going to knock some sense into you with their entertaining and intelligent style. This isn’t your average business podcast, it’s more of a super informative radio show that you are sure to love if you avoid bland or heavy business podcasts.

She Podcasts

As the title suggests, She Podcasts is another great selection created by a pair of savvy female entrepreneurs. If you haven’t noticed, women are a bit underrepresented in the online business podcasting community and these ladies aren’t shy about hitting the issues and making up for some of that gap! I love that these ladies also enjoy sharing their insights into podcasting, so if you are a savvy female entrepreneur or want to get started with podcasting, this one is for you!

I Love Marketing

Well the name says it all, doesn’t it? In case you missed it, last week was the #GLAMPIRECHAT that focused on Marketing, which I think is something of a hot topic right about now. Marketing is always a hot business topic and for good reason, so if you are starting a small business and really want to get a grasp on the concept of marketing, make sure you check this one out as well. The hosts are uber smart and it’s like you’re sitting through a riveting business school lesson in each episode!

I hope these podcasts give you some inspiration for how you can be spending your time productively during work and also help to bring some key insight and inspiration into your business. I’d love to know if you check out any of these podcasts, so please send me a picture via Instagram of you enjoying these podcasts while you work!

xoxo,

Business

The Software Tools That Keep My Small Business Running

As a small, creative online business owner, I am often asked about the tools I use to run my business. Since I am a company of one, it’s crucial that I use the most powerful and reliable tools to ensure my products are well designed and that my business runs smoothly on the back end so I can spend more of my time creating and less of it managing administrative or technical matters. Today I am sharing with you the software tools specifically that I use to design, promote and manage my small business.

Adobe Creative Suite

As a creative business owner, I choose to use the industry standard for digital content creation, which is why I use Adobe Creative Suite 6. Within the suite, I use three main applications primarily. InDesign to create my shop printables, Photoshop to edit my images, and Illustrator to create unique design elements and vectors that are used across my business.

WordPress

For my website, including my shop, I rely on WordPress as my content management system. WordPress offers a wide variety of functionality and customization for my site, and since I designed and built it on my own, it was important that these features be easy to use and open source so that I retained complete control over the look and feel of my site.

WooCommerce

When it came time for me to develop and integrate my shop into my website, I was relieved to learn about WooCommerce, a free plugin that integrates seamlessly into WordPress to deliver enterprise-level eCommerce functionality. WooCommerce manages the back end of my shop automatically with very little input or time from me. Since I sell predominantly digital products, the automated system managed by WooCommerce makes the income I generate from my shop completely passive!

MailChimp

Although I don’t rely on an email list as a primary means of communication between my business and customers, I recently began dabbling with MailChimp to create some one-off mailing lists and so far, it’s working very well. I like that I can create individual lists for products or services I am working on and use it to capture information for the members of my community that want more information. That way, once my new item is ready, I can send a quick email to my list sharing the news and hopefully capture some quick sales!

Paypal

For me, so much of what I love about running a small online business is convenience, so when it comes to collecting payments for my products and services, I rely on Paypal. I know it may not be perfect, but it’s a great solution for a solopreneur who needs a low cost, automated method for collecting payments. Paypal integrates seamlessly into my WooCommerce enabled WordPress shop and keeps my income flowing in without my time or attention! I literally make money, even while I’m sleeping and there is no greater feeling than that!

Google Analytics

Since my shop acts as the primary source of income for my business, I like to keep a close eye on my site’s analytics. Although I try not to get caught up in numbers, I do believe that knowing about your site traffic can really help you as a business owner to understand the direction of your business and how to grow. Google Analytics supplies all the key information I need to know about my site traffic and shop conversions, and I highly recommend it.

Final Cut Pro

As a small business owner, I am always looking for new ways to improve the level of quality in my products and promotional content. Since I rely on YouTube as a primary form of communication between my business and my customers, I recently decided to make the jump from iMovie to Final Cut Pro for my video editing software. Although I firmly believe that iMovie provides a number of powerful video editing tools, I had previously always hit a wall when editing in iMovie that I was never able to break through until I upgraded to Final Cut Pro. Now, I can create all the stunning video effects that I need to help add polish to my brand and the experience I create through my YouTube channel. The change may be slight, but I believe the long term effects are going to be very positive for my business.

Scrivener

Finally, it should come as no surprise that since I create a great deal of content for my platforms on a regular basis, I would need a very powerful word processing tool to manage my thoughts, scripts and blog posts. For that large task, I rely on Scrivener. In a week I have three blog posts to write, two YouTube videos to concept and outline, and numerous other messages that my business sends out on social media. Scrivener manages and organizes all my written content and backs up to the cloud so I never have to worry about loosing my work. If you would like to read more about how I use Scrivener to organize my writing, click here.

So those are the top software tools that I use to run my small, creative online business. I hope you gained some insight from this information and perhaps discovered a new tool that you can use for your own business. If you have other software favorites that you use for your business, or just to keep your digital life organized and efficient, I’d love to hear about them, so please leave me a comment below!

xoxo,

Business

My #1 Marketing Secret

Last night I hosted another live installment of the #GLAMPIRECHAT, a monthly series where I share my tips, tricks and strategies for approaching online business! Last night the topic was marketing and I gave some really great information to really help clear the air around a topic that sometimes carries a negative connotation.

Marketing “becomes a dirty word” in the minds of many people who see advertising and marketing campaigns left and right and think of it as spam! However, the reality remains that promotion of your product, service or brand plays a crucial role in spreading awareness of it in the marketplace. You can have the greatest product or service in the market that people desperately need but unless you’re promoting it, no one will ever buy it!

It’s important that we first have an understanding of what marketing is and how it’s defined, so of course, I went to good old Google which tells us “Marketing is the way companies interact with consumers to create relationships that are beneficial to both parties. Businesses use marketing to identify their audience before advertising to them. Today, this is most visible through social media interactions and contests” (Mashable.com). Really marketing allows businesses to interact with their consumers on a very personal level and really build a sense of community around their brand! So, I tend to use marketing strategies that allow me to engage and build a community through my platforms and social media authentically.

So, how do I promote my products and services without feeling like stereotypical used car salesman on the internet? I use a strategy that authentically spreads awareness of my business, promotes my products like a friend who gives a recommendation to another friend, and is seamlessly integrated into all that I do.

My #1 Marketing Secret is Good Content!

Good content in my opinion is the best form of marketing you can possibly do for your business. Good content adds value to your community, it answers questions, it provides information and it gives you and your business fun, shareable media to put out into the world that your community will be able to promote for you! During the live chat last night we took a great question about how our content differs from our products, and I think that the fact that someone asked that question at all means that this strategy truly works! My products and services are completely separate from the content I create. As you may know from following me for some time, my primary business is my shop where I sell digital productivity products like planner inserts, journaling cards, wall art designs and also my Empire Building online business program. That is where my income comes from and as you may know I do make a full-time salary from my shop, which is wonderful. My content on the other hand can be found over on my blog, where I write three posts per week, over on YouTube where I make two videos a week, and on Instagram where I like to take pictures and share them at least once a day. All that content represents a significant amount of work I do, but it doesn’t make me any money directly, with the exception of YouTube which does pay out small amounts for ad revenue. Although I don’t make money directly from those efforts, my content represents a very important part of my business because it’s how I draw in and attract my audience who then in turn may purchase products from my shop. My content allows me to market my products without ever having to make a sales pitch or feel sleezy for trying to hard to promote my products because when you provide great content that people enjoy, it’s only natural that they will then be curious about the items you sell and feel confident making a purchase from you because they know you exhibit consistent quality.

Now, if you want to apply my methods to your own content creation, I have some great tips for you to help guide the creation of your own great content. These are the three things that good content must do. They don’t have to do all three at once, but good content must do at least one of these.

Inspire

When I aim to inspire, I let my photographs do the talking by taking beautiful desk shots that motivate my audience into productivity! My Instagram account really acts as my method for sharing my inspiration with my followers!

Educate

When I create educational content, it normally comes in the form of long form blog posts and even YouTube videos that give solid and researched thoughts and information to my audience to help them learn, or gain perspective or knowledge on a specific topic.

Entertain

When I create content to entertain, it normally comes in the form of videos for my YouTube channel. I like to use my YouTube to mix it up and give inspirational and educational content that aims to entertain.

It’s up to you how to apply these qualities to your own content and trust me, there are a variety of ways you can manipulate each of these into unique content, but hopefully seeing my examples will inspire you to find your own ways to create your great content! Now, have I primed your appetite for more marketing tips and tricks? If I did, you are in luck because if you missed the live show of the #GLAMPIRECHAT last night, you can watch the replay over on my YouTube channel right now! This was just one piece of the great content and information that I created for you all last night, so definitely check out the full video for more. Just a warning, I did chat for something like an hour and forty-five minutes, so you may want to get comfortable, get yourself something to drink and grab a pen and paper to take notes! Feel free to leave me a comment either here or on the video if you have additional questions. Although we did take live questions, I am sure we didn’t cover everything so let me know what I can help you with marketing wise! Also, if you love the #GLAMPIRECHAT but want to join us live, mark your calendar for Wednesday July 1^st at 9pm eastern because that is when the next chat is slated. Of course, make sure you are following me on social media because I always give notice of these videos especially on Instagram! Enjoy!

xoxo

Productivity

The Truth Is, Sometimes I Don’t Get it All Done! Here is Some Inspiration if this sounds like you!

Yes, it’s true! Even a productivity guru has trouble getting it all done! I’m not immune to bouts of inactivity, and I’m certainly not hard on myself about it because it’s completely normal. Everyone goes through periods of time where they are very productive and then periods of time where they are less productive. Creativity, inspiration and productivity all work in waves and when the wave hits you need to be prepared to ride it, and when the wave recedes, you get a brief moment to relax. Right now, my wave is receding and I am waiting to pounce on the next one as soon as it arrives! Because of this, I didn’t get everything done in May that I wanted to accomplish, but that’s okay!

You see, normally at the end of each month I compile a post called On My iPhone where I share the applications, podcasts and other online media content I have been enjoying, however, I struggled a bit in May and so I decided to skip this post and instead, share a roundup of articles I read recently. If you love reading articles on self-improvement, business and productivity, you are going to love the articles I’m sharing today! They are packed with great tips, inspiration and resources to help you make the most of your wave when it hits.

Self-Improvement

Business

Productivity

Like I said, I hope you enjoy these articles and that you found something to inspire you to catch your next wave of productivity! Let me know if you read anything awesome recently that you think I’d enjoy by Tweeting me a link!

xoxo,

Filofax

How to Get Started with Intentional Planning | The Happiness Planner, Gratitude Inserts & Freebies!

As you already know, I love planners, and although I normally share my tips and tricks for getting the most out of your planner through scheduling, project management and task lists, I know there is more to planners than just productivity! Many people turn to planners to achieve a sense of peace in how they spend their time, but unless you actively and intentionally use your planner to more fulfilling ends, you probably find you’re coming up short. If you would like to get more out of your planner and achieve a sense of fulfillment that your days, tasks and choices are making an impact on your life and the lives of those around you, the concept of Intentional Planning will interest you!

In order to explain my concept of Intentional Planning, I have put together a whole video on the subject that outlines my five tips for getting started with Intentional Planning. The video covers my tips, the basis for the concept and a few methods for implementation. This video features two great Intentional Planning resources, the Happiness Planner, which I review and explain within the video, and also my new Weekly Gratitude Insert to help anyone with a six ring binder system begin gratitude journaling for increased happiness and contentment. The team over at Brandmentalist, creators of the Happiness Planner, were generous enough to offer a few planners as part of a giveaway, so if you are interested in winning your own Happiness Planner, watch the video for details on how to enter to win one of two planners that I will be giving away!

Finally, to celebrate the Happiness Planner and the concept of Intentional Planning, I have designed a freebie for my subscribers and followers; a set of 6 colorful bookmarks that are based off of the Happiness Planner! You can use these bookmarks in your own Happiness Planner, or any other way you see fit. This is just a little gift from me to you!

Let me know what you think of my concept of Intentional Planning! I’d love to hear if this topic interests you and if I can be of service to provide any additional information and support. If you utilize any of my tips from the video and care to share a picture of your solutions in your own planners, feel free to use the hashtag #IntentionalPlanning so I can find your pictures on Twitter or Instagram and give them a like! Also, feel free to check out my latest printable inserts if you would like to get started with Gratitude Journaling!

xoxo,

Photography

Celebrate Summer with the #SummerintheGlampire Photo Challenge

My first Instagram photo challenge from March was so popular that I have been ready and waiting to organize another one! Since many of you know that I am going to Aruba with Lisamarie in a few weeks, she and I decided to team up to host the #SUMMERINTHEGLAMPIRE photo challenge to celebrate summer, our vacation and our ever popular monthly YouTube collaboration series called the Glampire Chat! This June photo challenge is half Strange & Charmed and half Paper & Glam, but guaranteed to be 100% inspirational and fun for those of you who enjoy celebrating the seasons!

So, this is how the photo challenge is going to work, in case this is your first time participating with one! If you would like to participate, go ahead and take the image above with the daily prompts and post it to your Instagram feed and use the hashtag #SUMMERINTHEGLAMPIRE in your description! Once June 1st arrives, begin posting a photo a day in accordance with the prompts we have outlined! So for June 1st snap a photo of your office decor, on the 2nd show us how you work, and so on and so forth each day for June! Now, if you miss the start of this challenge or happen to miss a day, don’t fret! This is a no-pressure challenge! You can catch up by posting more pictures if you’d like or you can pick and choose the prompts you want to share, either way, we are glad to have you snapping photos along with us for the month! Of course, make sure you are tagging all your images with the #SUMMERINTHEGLAMPIRE hashtag so we can search through the feed and follow along with each of you. That brings me to my final suggestion for participating, make sure you get involved! You too can use the hashtag to see all the awesome participants and photos being shared, and I really want to encourage all of you to make sure you show your support by regularly checking through hashtag and liking and commenting on the photos being shared by all the participants! I love photo challenges because they bring many different people and Instagram accounts together around a central theme and it’s a great way to get exposure for your own account, as well as a great way to find new IGers to follow!

Of course, Lisamarie and I would love it if you followed our accounts as well as our YouTube channels because we have some extra special content surprises that we are planning to share throughout the month! I hope you all are as excited as we are to be participating in this challenge and we can’t wait to see all your photos and the fun ways you each interpret the prompts. Remember, you are more than welcome to think outside the box and get creative with these photos! The more creativity we see, the better!! Happy snapping!!