Keep up your ideas, and don’t listen to people who tell you to slow down or push your creativity to the side for awhile. They are always amazed at how much you get done…I know.
I see how you make it look easy, and for you, so many things are. But I know how late you stay up getting ready for the launch, the showcase, the event, the party. I know you.
So remember…keep on trusting those crazy ideas. Keep writing them down.
Some will work, some won’t. Who cares?
http://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avif00Heather Rossonhttp://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avifHeather Rosson2011-10-31 00:47:122015-05-06 15:30:16Trust Your Crazy Ideas
The holiday season is upon us, and that means family gatherings, cooking, shopping and hosting parties. Often, in the frenzy and frivolity, we end up so tired and grumpy that we feel like the Grinch. Here are a few things you can do to keep the “PEACE” in your soul while being the gracious mother/wife/friend/hostess/volunteer that you are.
Practice saying “NO.” This is one of the hardest things for women to do. It is our nature to be all things to all people, to be “superwoman,” while neglecting ourselves. But saying “yes” to too many things costs you energy. Make a “Do Not Do” list along with your “To Do” list, and be committed to it, sticking to your priorities. View your “no” as giving someone else the opportunity to say “yes!”
Eliminate the stressors. Simplify your life, don’t over-schedule and be flexible. Send that family letter after the holidays, when others have more time to read it anyway. Eat on paper plates, purchase your sides, or your entire meal for that matter. In a few weeks, your family and friends won’t remember that you scrubbed the floor or spent 12 hours in the kitchen. They will remember your attitude.
Allow some time for yourself. This is the most important thing you can do to keep yourself going during the busyness of the season. Schedule some personal time in every day, even if it is just 15 minutes. Take a walk, exercise, pamper yourself with a pedicure or massage, read a book, or just sit outside in the quiet. Do something that rejuvenates you mentally and physically to avoid exhaustion. You won’t enjoy the season if your energy is drained.
Celebrate the traditions that are most meaningful and bring your family joy, set aside those that exhaust you. Try asking each family member what one tradition they view as sacred and focus on those. If a lavishly decorated home is not important to them, then lighten up! If they don’t want to bake and decorate dozens of cookies for the neighbors, then spend that time doing something that everyone wants to do. Celebrate those special things that bring you closer, and toss the things that are just “ho-hum.”
Express your emotions. If you feel like crying, then let it out! If you are frustrated, then punch a pillow. If you have experienced the death of a loved one during the year and are grieving, know that it is okay to be sad. If you are lonely, seek out ways to be involved in the community. It is not healthy to hold your emotions in for the sake of appearances, and it will only drain you in the end.
Most of all express your gratitude! Every day, say thanks for at least one thing that you are blessed with. We all have things that make us smile, things that we take for granted. Be grateful for a roof over your head, running water, transportation—things that many others live without. Give thanks for friends and family who love you unconditionally, and tell them how much they mean to you. Then, give thanks to yourself, for all you do for others to inspire them and lift them up, for the mother or wife you are, and for the things you will accomplish in your life after 50. Treasure yourself for who you are—you deserve it!
Susan Tolles is a Certified Dream Coach™ and founder of Flourish Over 50. She lives in Austin, TX, and has been married for 31 years, with three incredible children who are now successful, godly young adults. Susan began blogging, and from that she began dreaming big dreams, and Flourish Over 50 was born.
Flourish Over 50 is a community of women who are connecting with each other for support, inspiration and insight as they begin the best chapter of their lives. Your life after 50 is a time of rediscovery, a time to reinvent yourself to live life to the fullest. You can share your journey with other women who are experiencing the same joys and challenges of aging with grace and vitality. Now Susan, as the “new and improved me,” has created a community of women who can draw inspiration from one another, and find a wealth of insight and information through her site. You can learn more about Susan at www.flourishover50.com.
http://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avif00Heather Rossonhttp://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avifHeather Rosson2011-10-28 12:11:522015-05-06 15:30:165 Steps To Keeping the Peace in the Holidays
Let’s get the basics out of the way. Who are you? Where are you from? I am Dr. Sarah David of Houston, TX.
How did you launch your business and/or dream? I just launched NICE –The National Institute for Career Empowerment – on October 5, 201l, on National Do Something NICE Day. My website is www.nicealliance.com. NICE is my platform to provide education for the entrepreneurial journey.
What do you love about being a female entrepreneur? I love the flexibility and the opportunity to harness my creativity and all of my gifts in helping support others to do what they love! I enjoy inspiring the development of others via empowerment and reinvention strategies to build business, career and leadership skills, emotional intelligence, professional presence and powerful personal brands.
Why did you start your business? I started my business because I knew that God had a much bigger platform for me to share with others. In my career as a career counselor, business coach and personal branding strategist, I was seeing people in business and professional settings, doing things that really did not fulfill them. In working with them, we began to identify what they wanted their life to look like. Many times our life’s work plays a major part in our fulfillment. My business was created to support others that want options in doing what they love, 365.
How did you launch your business and/or dream? I recently launched my business officially on October 5, National Do Something NICE Day. Although I have been an entrepreneur for years, this was my first big launch! I enjoy the excitement around creating something new and getting the word out to others so they can benefit from the information. I did a FREE teleclass to spread the word. I also created a video on my website in anticipation of the launch at www.nicealliance.com that got a lot of attention I did not anticipate. It was lots of fun and I received a lot of wonderful feedback from it. It is all about getting yourself out there and being comfortable with the discomfort we have around perfection.
What is your mission statement? My mission is to empower, educate and enrich entrepreneurs and professionals to unleash their expertise so they can do what they love! So many people have talents that others need to tap into, but many times they may not be aware of it. Or they’ve had glimpses of their talent, but aren’t sure how to harness it. I provide a platform for them to share their talents, strengths and skills with others.
How do you stay inspired? I stay inspired knowing that what I am doing positively impacts the clients I am serve. I stay inspired by being able to give back to charities and causes I care about. Knowing that I am doing what I have been designed to do inspires me. I believe in education and investing in mentors and coaches who can teach me what I need to know. I stay inspired in working with them and being a part of networking and support groups.
Why do you feel Inspired Women Succeed? Inspired woman succeed because of our relentless drive, determination, and knowing that God has given us wonderful gifts to share with the world that can’t be delivered by anyone but us. It is a dis-service to ourselves and others if we keep them to ourselves.
What are the biggest challenges you have overcome as a female entrepreneur? I work full-time and have been blessed to have built my business alongside my full-time job. I believe women have many facets to life and we play multiple roles such as mother, grandmother, wife, CEO or employee, sister and friend, and it takes a lot to balance all of those roles. Balance has been a challenge I’ve had to overcome. When we do a lot, we can sometimes neglect ourselves as we are helping others. I make sure that I include family time and self care and spiritual growth in my life as a mandatory part of my well-being and encourage others to do the same.
What is your BIG DREAM for your business – what do you hope will happen? I am building a legacy business and want to change the lives of others, not only in the United States but all over the world.
How do you incorporate your faith into your business? I became a Christian in 1983 at a church off-base outside of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, while my father was in the Air Force. Since then, my faith in God has kept me centered and gives me the perfect foundation for all areas of my life. I can do only because He gives me the capacity that allows me to. Daily devotionals and prayer really helps me to connect my faith and incorporate it into my business.
What are you favorite biblical parallels and verses that encourage you? Why? Romans 12:6-8 is one of the many verses that encourages me because it speaks to our responsibility to share our gifts. “And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8
How do you promote/market your business? I have been blessed with many wonderful connections with corporations and people throughout my career. I leverage the knowledge and relationship of others that have been brought into my life. I also share my message through social media and developing relationships, both online and face to face.
What is the biggest risk that you have taken in your business? Has it paid off? The biggest risk to date is just stepping out on faith, but it really is not a risk at all. It just feels like it. Investing in yourself, when you are not certain of the results you will get, can be scary. I learned a long time ago that if I don’t invest in myself, how do I expect others to do so? All of my investments in time and money have definitely paid off, and I am so grateful I just took the leap of faith.
What risk do you need to take now? My theme this year is FEARLESS. I want to live my life with no regrets wondering what would have been if only. I think that is why I have explored so much in business. Now that we have launched, I will continue to make bold moves towards growing my programs and services so we can impact the lives of entrepreneurs and professionals wanting to position themselves as leading authorities in doing what they love! It means stepping out into territory that is unfamiliar to me, but understanding it is important to give myself grace as I learn and grow.
What media opportunities have you had? To date I had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with others and co-author and contribute to a number of books including Inspired Women Succeed by Diane Cunningham and Joane Fore, Smart Women Live Their Why by Sheri McConnell and participate as a speaker in the Smart Women Virtual Conference Event, and working as a contributor for a personal branding book Personal Branding for Dummies by Susan Chritton.
I am working on my own media campaign with the launch of my upcoming business/career book Jump-Start Your Career Now: 50 Strategies to Promote Your Personal Brand for Career Advancement, Transition or Reinvention that will do a soft launch Black Friday, November 25, 2011, and officially launch January 2012. I am looking forward to opportunities to contribute to magazines and other media outlets such as radio and television in 2012.
What one woman epitomizes (for you) a model of Christian entrepreneurial leadership? Why? I have a number of women who are wonderful Christian entrepreneurial leaders that have helped inspire me along my path. Diane Cunningham for acting fast, Sheri McConnell on leverage, Christine Kane for living on purpose, Sandi Krakowski for learning how to interact with clients. They all have inspired me in some form or fashion, and I am so blessed to have been able to incorporate different components of their teachings into my business and life.
What 3 tips would you share with a friend setting out on her own entrepreneurial adventure? First, I would share to trust your instincts and the ache in your belly when you know that you are on the right path to doing what you love. I would recommend to seek it out; otherwise, we go through life merely existing instead of receiving the true fulfillment that comes with living our mission. In doing what it is we love, we have to do what we are. Explore this opportunity by doing a lot of self reflection and assessments as needed to help confirm your thoughts. This helps us with the research we need to do about ourselves, as well about the opportunity we are seeking.
The second tip I would share is to enlist the assistance of a coach or mentor and get training. I know how dramatically my life changed when I enlisted the help of coaches and mentors in my business and from the feedback I have received from my clients. Finally, I would share to schedule time to accomplish your goals. Put it on the calendar. Give yourself a deadline. I have found if I don’t do that, then I can spend as much time as allowed on a project. Deadlines make us accountable, along with accountability topartners and our coaches.
What resources and books would you recommend—the ones which have best helped you? I love the Bible and all of the great tools for life that it teaches.
What do you have coming up? Events? Book Signings? We are currently in full swing with our membership drive for new charter members. For anyone registering the month of October we are offering a reduced pricing. I will be releasing my book: Jump Start Your Career Now – Black Friday, November 25, and a portion of those proceeds will go to one of my favorite charities “Dress for Success.”
Tell us about your family and your support group. I have such a supportive family, who have always taught me that I can accomplish anything. My mom is a wonderful role model and my little sister is my biggest fan. Support groups for business are important and I encourage others to get involved. Find your “people” out there in networking groups and social networks.
Who were/are your mentors? My mentors are many and some of them are official mentors that I have intentionally sought out for specific gifts they have to share with me in areas of my business or life. Some of my mentors are unofficial mentors; for example, I may subscribe to someone I can learn from so I can hear their message that comes in my inbox every week or follow them on Twitter or friend them on Facebook. My mentors have included James Malinchak, Sheri McConnell and Sandi Krakowski.
What else would you like to share with us? I would love to offer our free bookmarks and a free report 10 Business Ideas You Can Implement to Generate Income Now, plus 7 Bonus Strategies to Do What You Love 365 for anyone who signs up to receive our e-newsletter.
Dr. Sarah David, Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of NICE – The National Institute for Career Empowerment, is a thought leader and social entrepreneur in the field of career, personal and professional enrichment. She specializes in facilitating creative ways to increase the success of others by equipping them to do what they love and create dream careers through entrepreneurship.
She believes that people can take who they are-personality, values, abilities and skills-and translate that into a fulfilling business or career that aligns with their dreams, goals, mission and passions. She believes that we have all been given a calling and if we can determine what that is, we can lead a more inspired and meaningful life. She also encourages and highlights those making a difference in our world through philanthropy. Visit www.nicealliance.com for free tools to help you Do What You Love 365!
http://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avif00Heather Rossonhttp://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avifHeather Rosson2011-10-25 18:21:112016-04-04 12:36:41Featured Member: Dr. Sarah David
We are well into fall and that means flu and cold season is upon us, especially for anyone with school age kids. So it is no surprise that last week we all came down with strep throat. If you’ve ever endured this illness, you know how nasty it can be…5 days on antibiotics and I am finally feeling better! The kids are feeling better, too.
Being sick this past week got me thinking about my coaching clients and how sometimes we have an “illness” in our life or business that is keeping us from achieving our desired results. You may not have strep throat or swine flu; rather, you may be suffering from indecision, procrastination or overwhelm. These “germs” are just as real as the physical illnesses we contract and can be just as contagious.
Think about some of the germs you have that keep you from achieving your goals in life and business. Are you not as productive as you could be simply because you don’t have a good handle on your schedule? A day planner is a great solution – I love using a salon appointment book to schedule daily tasks and appointments for my business and family. I write down everything that needs to be accomplished each day.
This allows me to stay focused and on track, getting more done in less time since I simply look at my list to see what is next! To make sure I don’t get distracted by things like social media, I schedule those tasks for when I know I only have a limited window of time, such as prior to picking up the kids from school.
Utilizing a timer or reminder service is a great way to be on time for appointments or to limit social media time, which can be a time eater. I set a daily reminder on my phone calendar for 15 minutes prior to the time I have to leave for school pick up and again for 5 minutes prior to leaving. This allows me to finish what I’m working on at the first reminder, then get shoes, keys, etc. at the second reminder. These little tricks keep me on track and on time!
Next week we will look at procrastination so stay tuned!
P.S. Join me this Thursday evening on my group coaching call and live Q & A where YOU ask the questions you need answers to!
P.S.S Want to discover more ways to overcome what’s keeping you down? Simply email [email protected] with “Let’s chat!” In the subject line to schedule your confidential assessment!
Kate Powers is a published author, speaker, consultant and coach. Kate has been helping women in business achieve greater success while achieving live balance for over 10 years. Visit Kate at http://KFPowers.com.
http://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avif00Heather Rossonhttp://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avifHeather Rosson2011-10-25 09:41:342015-05-06 15:30:16Do you have a healthy business?
Oh, my… yes, you are crazy as a loon!
