February 21, 2011 - Is there something that is keeping you from taking that leap of faith in what you are trying to achieve? What are you afraid of? What is the worst thing that would happen if you fail or fall short? What is the best that could happen even beyond your wildest dreams?  If you can't imagine what beyond your wildest dreams would look like, then it's time to take that leap.

Take an MM&I Moment to write down what would be the worst that could happen. Then write how you would handle it to keep going. Now that this is out of the way, you now have your parachute, which is basically your contingency plan. Best of all, you no longer have anything keeping you from taking that leap of faith. So spread your wings and make the jump so you can experience the thrill of what your wildest dreams might be.

Synergized Quote of the Week

"Faith is a process of leaping into the abyss not on the basis of any certainty about where we shall land, but rather on the belief that we shall land." - Carter Heyward

Savvy Secret Tip of the Week

Companies that do good make the markets they serve feel good about doing business with them. How are you showing your customers how much you appreciate them by giving back to a cause that means something to them? How are you making a difference that demonstrates your company is dedicated to making the world a better place?

BOOK SIGNING/RECEPTION FEB 22 IN WAYNESVILLE: A special reception and book signing event will take place on February 22^nd at the Oak Park Inn in Waynesville, NC, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thank you Innkeepers Carolyn Brunk and Rick Gordon for such a warm welcome during my visit and stay.

FROM STORE HOPPER TO STORE SHOPPER - FEB. 23: I will be in Waynesville February 23^rd to teach "From Store Hopper to Store Shopper" from 8 - 10 a.m. to the Waynesville Downtown Association in conjunction with Haywood Community College's SBC. For information on the Waynesville Downtown Association program, contact Buffy Phillips at 828.456.3517.

HOW TO WIN AWARDS ON FEB 24: Join me at CPCC's Entrepreneur Institute, 1201 Elizabeth Avenue in Charlotte, NC, from 8 - 9:30 a.m. as I facilitate a discussion and Q&A about making winning awards a part of your business strategy. My panelists will be multiple award winner, Sherry Barretta of VisionCor, Inc. and SBDTC Regional Director George McAlister. The event is being sponsored by NAWBO-Charlotte.

ATTENTION GRABBERS, CUSTOMER KEEPERS - MARCH 1: I will be in Salisbury on March 1^st, for Rowan Cabarrus Small Business Center at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. for a course entitled "Attention Grabbers, Customer Keepers." For more details on the Rowan Cabarrus SBC class series, CLICK HERE

WOMEN'S SUCCESS SUMMIT ON MARCH 3: I will be among the women featured on a panel to discuss success and overcoming challenges at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on March 3^rd. Other panelists include Sandra Yancey, founder of eWomenNetwork, Kim Jacobs, TV show host, and two women entrepreneurs featured in my two books. Frances Queen of Queen Associates, Inc. was a success story in Chapter 17  in Me, Myself & Inc.  Sharon Summers of CCS Document & Cartridge Innovations was featured in Secret # 5 of 50 Marketing Secrets. Join me and these amazing women I admire. CLICK HERE to read more about the program and register.