The Four Agreements
A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
by Don Miguel Ruiz

This is a classic! And sometimes it's good to return for a reread, a refresh on a classic like Man's Search for Meaning, Think and Grow Rich, The Road Less Traveled, ya da ya da ya da. The Four Agreements are simple yet profound; Be Impeccable with Your Word, in other words, speak with integrity and say what you mean. Don't Take Anything Personally and understand that nothing others do is because of you. Don't Make Assumptions, instead find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Always Do Your Best and know that our best is going to change from moment to moment but under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret. Which one of these will you start to live by today?

                                         

To register please call us at 312.664.8447 or send an email to samantha@mikkiwilliams.com.

Your B.R.A.N.D. is more than just a trademark. It's the ultimate symbol of your Business, Reputation, Assets, Name and Definition. Your B.R.A.N.D. is THE key to your success in today's world. It encompasses your ideas, innovation and competitive advantage in the marketplace. Mark Partridge has protected some of the most famous brands in the world, including Ritz, Mickey Mouse, Just Do It, Pepsi and Mastercard. He was named one of the Top 250 IP strategists in the world by Intellectual Asset Management Magazine.

 I've always been a proponent of goal setting. Each year with my executive groups I seek to try new methods of goal setting to hold them accountable and to make it visible. I believe that goal-oriented people continually challenge themselves to be the best they can be. They know that "change is inevitable and growth is optional." They are committed to a mission to develop their talents to the fullest. They understand potential and how their creativity evolves when they overcome obstacles on their way to goal achievement. The difference between success and failure is goal setting. Only three percent of all professionals ever bother to set goals.

Goals cause us to stretch and grow. If they are challenging and believable, we become more, and that is the wisdom of goal setting. It is not what you go after in life that counts; it is what you become along the way. Setting and achieving your goals is the "how-to" part of your success. Start by using the simplified, Mikki-ized version of the old acronym SMART now known as SCHMART.  Goals should be:
Specific
Committed
Harmonious
Measurable
Actionable
Relevant
Timely

Now go on out there and set some goals!!

Heart-Rate Hotel  (aerobic studio)
Allison in Wonderland (clothing store)

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I hope you'll continue to send me ones you know of.
Please send to mikki@mikkiwilliams.com

 

 
Ah, May/June, weddings galore, three so far, all completely different in feel and scope. Last month you read about the Las Vegas extravaganza of my friends Evi and Jay Allen from my ol' hometown of Westport, CT and their daughter's nuptials at the fabulous Ritz Carlton in Las Vegas. And the feature this month is the wedding of one of my CEOs from Vistage, Anna Belyaev, and her now-husband Phil Timyan. But now to the shoes and the other unique wedding this month thrown by very old (not in age) and dear friends, Steve and Lori Gersten for their daughter Julie who I've known since she was a baby. It was held at Carnivale, a monstrous Latin colorful restaurant that they had taken over completely.  Thinking of all the color in this place, I was inclined to wear something very colorful, a bright kelly green dress and these shoes (OK, OK, I'm always inclined to wear something colorful). The amazing thing was looking around and seeing EVERYONE in the LBD (guys, that stands for little black dress) Take a risk, people, wear color, be bold - life is too short to always wear black.☺ I love "living a technicolor life" (a compliment from best bud, Rande Gedaliah).

WWW.ZWINKY.COM

Cartoon yourself...how cool is that?

 

 

 
I like the story of the woman who had an artist paint a portrait of her covered with jewels. Her explanation: "If I die and my husband remarries, I want his next wife to go crazy looking for the jewels."

Yes, that was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on, I know guys cook too.

Grilled Corn with Chive Lemon Butter

Chive Lemon Butter
(makes 1/2 cup)
� cup butter
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
� cup snipped chives

Cream all together.  Pull back husks of fresh corn: remove silks and smooth husks back in place. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes. Drain well. Grill four to six inches from heat for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until husks are charred and kernels tender. Remove husks and spread with Chive Lemon Butter.

If any of you remember the movie or Broadway show "Auntie Mame" or if you're old enough to admit you remember it, then you might recall that Mame was famous for her eclectic circle of friends. I pride myself on that same principle of knowing so many diverse people and calling many of them my friends. I would like to profile them and their expertise by offering this monthly addition of tips, tactics and techniques shared by experts in their field. Although someone once told me not to refer to myself as an expert as an ex is a has-been and a spurt is little more than a drip.

Many of you know  I used to be a professional dancer in NY and when I gave up that career I started a dance studio and company in Connecticut.  My studio was named "a dance class" in tribute to one of my many famous students, Wayne Cilento who opened as an original A Chorus Line cast member (the "I Can Do That" character) and is the choreographer of "Wicked." My other students included Joanne Woodward, Martha Stewart, the children of Erica Jong, Diana Ross...OK, OK enough name dropping:-)  Many of my not so famous students went on to illustrious careers in dance and theatre like Tim O'Keefe, Houston Ballet, David Scala, La Cage Aux Folles, Jinger Kalin as a headliner in Vegas/Reno, Steve Sirico, part of international adagio team, OK, OK, enough name dropping:-) I had a dance company, Mikki Williams Dancers (always use your name, it's part of my early accidental branding, listen to my teleseminar this week to really learn it) OK, OK, enough plugging:-) Here is Greg Covert, a former member of my dance company that I hadn't seen in 20 years, calling me up that he was here with "A Chorus Line," would love to get together and catch up. And so we did. Greg, originally from CT, has been traveling the world, appearing at the Lido in Paris, on cruise ships, dinner theatres, tours, all as a dancer and now stage manager and I'm just so proud of the career he has built over these past two decades.

Be outrageous...it's the only place that isn't crowded.

 

The next Speakers School is September 24-25, 2009.
It's for people at all levels: novices, wannabes, CEOs, professionals or anyone who needs to improve their communication skills.
Click here to register:
Speakers School