The Wilder Zone

The Next 18 Minutes Could Change Your Life

I don't remember now what it was that I'd been doing when I popped over to my friend, Marie Forleo's blog a few days ago, or what it was that I thought was so important to do, but I thought I didn't have time, couldn't spare at that moment, 18 minutes to watch the video she was recommending. "I'll watch it later," I thought.

Thankfully, this morning, I did take the time to watch it. Thankfully, it didn't get lost in the minutia of my busy life, because, as Marie states in the title of her post, this video can change your life, your experience of life, if you let it.

If you take the 18 minutes and 44 seconds to watch it, if you really listen to what this amazing woman has to say about the gift of a profound life experience and what it taught her about the way in which our brains function and the ability we all have to choose, in each moment, the consciousness from which we live, it truly can be one of those incredible "a-ha" moments and realizations with the power to change your life.

So whatever it is you were doing before reading this post, whatever it is you were planning to do after reading this post, it will wait. Take 18 minutes and 44 seconds to watch this video. It's worth every moment.

And then, take a few more moments to really absorb it, to think about it, to talk about it and to share it with others. Because, as neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor says, it's an idea worth spreading.

3 Simple Steps To Radically Transform Your Productivity...Within 24hrs!

Productivity...always a hot topic, especially for entrepreneurs who, rather than punching a time clock and being paid hourly whether we're especially productive or not, earn our living in direct proportion to how productively we spend our days.

Productivity is something most of us have struggled with from time to time. If you're feeling overwhelmed, if you're finding you're procrastinating more than you'd like and you're less productive than you'd like as a result, then let me introduce you to an amazing woman who will transform your productivity.

Marie Forleo is a dear friend and colleague who is simply inspirational and brilliant in her approach to life and productivity. She lives what she teaches, and I'm tickled to be co-hosting a free tele-seminar with Marie, "3 Simple Steps to Radically Transform Your Productivity....Within 24hrs!" that will transform the way you live and work.

Hint: The secret to getting more done is not in what you do but how you do it.

I really hope you'll join us this Thursday at 3pm EDT. Marie and I always have a blast when we get together and she'll be sharing some of her best stuff on this call. If you can't make the live call, register now anyway and we'll be sure you get the recorded audio.

I hope to "see" you there!

KidZui - New Internet Browser for Kids Launching Today

Orignally uploaded by Swansea Photographer

These days even the littlest of tykes are using computers and our kids are often more computer and internet savvy than we are which poses concerns for most parents about their kids' safety when they're online.  Kidzui is an internet browser for kids ages 3-12 that allows access only to content that's been reviewed and approved as safe by teachers and parents.

With over 500,000 websites, pictures and videos it promises to make it possible for  kids to have fun surfing independently and safely. Because Kidzui is also ad-free, there's a low monthly fee for its use (a very small price to pay for a parent's peace of mind), but they're offering a free 30-day trial so you can give it a spin and check it out for yourself.

Facebook - The Ultimate in Online Networking?

World Connection in Blue - Originally uploaded by meyshanworld

I've been a bit slow to jump on the social media bandwagon and it was only last week that I finally joined Facebook. When I first started hearing all the hype about social media I wasn't sure if it was simply a fun and easy way to connect with friends or if, as I was hearing,  it might not also be the ultimate in online networking for entrepreneurs.

I was reluctant to join because I feared it would require more time than I have and be more work than I want to undertake for something I wasn't sure would deliver any significant benefits. Even if it delivered some benefits I was concerned it would prove to be a distraction more than anything else.

I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that while it might be a distraction of sorts, it's providing the means to re-connect with friends, colleagues, and previous clients that I've been out of touch with for quite some time and I'm loving it. After only a few days on Facebook I'm discovering that there are significant benefits, just a few of which are:

1. Facebook is proving to be a very effective way to broaden my network of service providers to refer others to. As a coach/consultant and blogger I like to be able to connect my clients, colleagues, and readers with other service professionals who can be of help to them in their lives and their businesses.  A case in point...one of the first people to befriend me on Facebook was Howell Burnell. I'd lost touch with him a year or two ago and couldn't have been more delighted to not only re-connect but to be reminded of his creative genius with website branding, copywriting and design...something my clients and colleagues are often looking for, and it felt great to be able to refer readers to him in a yesterday's post.

2. Facebook can serve as the virtual water cooler that those of us that work from home often miss. Even brief online interactions with Facebook friends gives me a greater sense of connection and re-energizes me. As an entrepreneur who works from home there are days when I realize the only contact I've had  with other living beings since Glenn left for work, are with my sweet puppy and my cat. Working solo from home can be very isolating.

3. It's a great way to not only re-connect with others, but to make new connections through mutual Facebook friends, or through membership in a variety of groups. I've never been a big fan of traditional, in-person networking events where the main goal seems to be to traverse the room in a race to collect as many business cards as possible, and while some will claim that online networking will never be as effective as in-person connections, I'd beg to differ. Facebook can be used to make genuine connections with others.

I'm still fumbling around on Facebook. There's a lot to explore and I've only just begun. So if you've been on Facebook for awhile and know your way around well, I'd love to hear about any tips or tricks that might make my little adventure easier. What are your favorite aspects of Facebook? What are the pros and cons as you see them?

I'm hoping Facebook will also allow me to get to know my readers better, so if you're on Facebook I'd love it if you'd add me as a friend. If you're not on Facebook but you're curious about it, I'd love to have you along for the ride, and it takes only moments to join.

Could Your Website Use a Little Help?

If your website isn't all it could be, if it doesn't express who you are and how you can help, if it isn't connecting you with your ideal clients in the way you know it could, if only... your brand were more clear, your copywriting more powerful, or the design more engaging, then you need the help and creative genius of Howell Burnell and Charlie Creative.

Howell Burnell is an all-around great guy and one of the most genuine and creative people I know. His passion for the help he provides to small biz owners is evident in his voice when he speaks of his work. Not only can he help your website to more clearly express all that it needs to,  but you'll have fun in the process, and his infectious enthusiasm will re-energize you as well. If you need help with website branding, copywriting, or design, there's no one I'd recommend more highly than Howell.

And for some great articles on how website branding and copywriting contribute to small biz success, check out his blog too.

Simpleology's Blogging Course - Snag it for Free

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology.  For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Daylight Savings Time Comes Early This Year

Yay! Daylight savings time begins at 2am this Sunday, March 9th. I love daylight savings time. I love the extra hour of daylight and it reminds me that spring is coming...my favorite time of year...with the trees turning green again and lots of blue skies and sunshine and warm temps.

Must-Read Blog: Sproutwire

You know those moments where you thunk yourself upside the head and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?!" Well, I had one of those moments when I first saw Sproutwire. Sproutwire is the brilliant brain child of Shane Pearlman & Peter Chester. It's a blog that offers, as they put it, "a daily dose of the best small business articles that the internet has to offer." 

Oh, if only I'd thought of that myself. <g> It's currently in beta but I expect it's going to be very popular and successful. Take a few moments to check it out for yourself, and if you come across, or have written, a great post let Sproutwire know by sending them an email. If they use the article they'll give you a mention and link to your site or blog.

A New Earth Online Class w/ Oprah and Eckhart

If you haven't already heard, Oprah has teamed up with best-selling author Eckhart Tolle to offer a free 10-week online class beginning tonight, about Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world are already signed up for what promises to be the largest online class in the history of the web, and it's not too late to sign up.