3 Steps to Regaining Focus and Clarifying Your Vision

Angel Quintana January 11, 2015

3 STEPS TO REGAINING FOCUS & CLARIFYING YOUR VISION

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #20

To live a life or business that integrates fully with who you are, it helps to hold a clear vision. But what happens if you’ve lost sight of your vision? Here’s how to defog the lenses and get back into action.

Steve Jobs said, “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.”

It’s wonderful to be motivated in our lives and business from that place of higher calling, but what happens when you get stuck and you’ve lost your way or your vision?

If you’ve sat down with a stack of magazines and a glue stick, ready to create your vision board and found yourself frozen, don’t despair. Here are three steps to regaining your focus and clearing the way for your vision to shine.

Face Your Fears. If you’re not willing to face your fears, you will never reach your potential. Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to acting on your vision. It manifests in all kinds of interesting ways, from a fear of expressing your uniqueness, to a fear of being judged, to a fear of success, among others. Fear is an insidious and equal opportunity emotion. Everyone has them.

In order to see farther, realize that fear is an extension of your ego and one of the biggest impediments to having a successful life and biz. Afraid of public speaking, join ToastMasters. Confidence wobbly? Hire a life coach to help you find your groove. Identify your fears and look them in the eye.

Don’t let fear keep you from your vision. In the words of Susan Jeffers, “feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Get uncomfortable. Comfort equals complacency. Vision implies forward movement, which you can’t do if you’re treading water (or munching on potato chips all afternoon as you watch a full season of your favorite HBO series).

When you stretch outside your comfort zone, you force yourself to grow. Keep reaching, keep learning, keep challenging yourself. Remember, success is about growth, not achievement. “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” Your vision needs you to always be on the edge of your zone.

Quit the Blame Game. Take responsibility for your life and business. Stop using excuses to keep from living the life you want or having the business of your dreams. When you identify something that needs adjusting, just do it.

What are you doing with this lifetime? Take responsibility for everything in your life and watch your mojo rise to support your vision.

Want a super successful biz? A healthy bod? The relationship of your dreams? Whatever it is that is part of your vision, get cracking at it. Identify the blocks, make a “do” list and get moving.

You are responsible for your vision, and ultimately your success. Be willing to cleanse the lens of your vision. The world needs what you’re here to do.

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The Dao of You: The Road, The Path and The Essence of Your Authentic Self

Angel Quintana November 15, 2014

THE DAO OF YOU: THE ROAD, THE PATH
AND THE ESSENCE OF YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #18

In Chinese philosophy, The Dao (Tao) is The Way. Your Dao says everything about who you are, how you live your life and how you do business.

The Road to Self

In the literal sense, Dao means “road” which is the most physical interpretation of this ancient philosophy. What’s the road you travel daily? Do you have a routine that includes good sleep hygiene, a healthy diet, exercise, meaningful relationships and some kind of spiritual practice?

Your authentic self needs the structure of a well-built highway to thrive. Are you a Maserati driving on a dirt road, or zooming down the Autobahn? Patch any potholes in your life so you can thrive.

The Path of Transformation

The Dao is also the Path. It’s the journey that leads you from where you begin in this life to your final destination. Has your journey been Easy Street, a little bumpy, or like climbing Everest?

As pressure turns sand into a diamond, likewise, the journey you travel helps to hone your personal story. There are many ways to tell a story, however, it is when you learn to tell your story from a place of power that you can empower others.

Do you share your personal story in your business? Your path can be a great gift to your clients. Your ideal client is attracted to you because she sees a version of herself in your journey from a more fractured self to wholeness.

The Essence of Authenticity

At the deepest level, your Dao is who you are at your center, a combination of your core values and spiritual beliefs. When you live and lead from the place of your highest calling you are able to generate transformation, in your own life and in the lives of those around you.

This level is energetic and about fully coming into your being. Knowledge of who you are – your authentic self – is required to live at this level. Do you know your highest values? Are you living and working each day in service to those? If not, hire a coach, get clear and use your precious life force to live from this place.

The quality of your energy (chi, prana or The Force to Star Wars fans) and how it flows through your life is critical. Do you engage in activities that raise your energy, like time in nature, viewing art or listening to uplifting music? Are your home and office supportive spaces? Are you committed to a spiritual practice? A life of integrity and authenticity is high vibration. Up yours.

Find your way, your Dao. Get yourself on the road, the path and the essence of you. You, and your clients, deserve the most authentic you.

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Create Your Cameo: Put Your Best Brand Face Forward

Angel Quintana July 9, 2014

Put Your Best Brand Face Forward

CREATE YOUR CAMEO: PUT YOUR BEST BRAND FACE FORWARD

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Magazine: Issue #14

As a little girl I was fascinated by the cameo brooches and necklaces in my grandmother’s jewelry box. Silhouettes of Roman goddesses carved into ivory stood out against darker backgrounds, dangling from chains or propped up on earring posts.

In Victorian times, one of a woman’s prized possessions was having her likeness carved into a cameo, a miniature piece of art for everyone to see. Cameos are the original head shot. Here’s how to maximize yours and put your best brand face forward.

If you’re in business, you need the right head shot. Because people want to connect with people, a good head shot can help build trust, create credibility and get people engaged with you and your brand.

Here are 6 tips to make your cameo appearance classic.

1| It’s about your expression.

Sure lighting and location are a factor, but it’s the expression on your face that creates the energy of your head shot. What “look” expresses your brand?

2| The focus is on your face.

This seems obvious but is so important. A good head shot crops in on your face and eliminates unnecessary background.

3| Hire a professional.

Taking a head shot is an art. Unless your friend or brother-in-law is a professional photog, hire someone who is. Don’t use a selfie. Your head shot image is an important part of your business brand. It’s worth the investment. Go pro.

4| Don’t shoot in a studio.

Nothing looks more stilted than a head shot in a sterile studio. Be in your natural environment where you feel comfortable, can express your true essence and the energy of your business brand.

5| It’s all about the squinch.

Pro photographer Peter Hurley recommends squinching to take a better head shot. To do this squint, then relax your eye muscles…oh bother, check out the how-to video here.

6| Pick one.

Take a lot of photos but select one image that you’ll use throughout your branding – on your website, products and as your social media avatar. Have a few other shots that support your key image that you can share with partners or for special promotional projects.

Your head shot is an important piece of your business brand. It’s an opportunity to showcase the best version of you and your brand. Be sure to get a good rest and drink lots of water the day before your shoot. Nervous? Breathe and repeat the mantra “I never take a bad picture.”

You’re a classic. Put your best face forward. You deserve a great cameo.

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