Review: 10 Stacks To Success: How to Achieve Success One Goal at a Time , by Jerome Jay Isip

Motivational and Inspiring.

Well if you’re wanting to become successful and looking for the way how, then I can’t think of anything better than this book.

Jerome “Jay” Isip is the author, and he gives the reader in this eye opening book, not only the tools to succeed in business and life, but also delivers a short sharp wakeup call to those who think that they might have already been trying.

I really loved this book because it is written from ‘real life’ experience, it doesn’t assume that the reader wants to spend hours at university or already has a degree. Neither does it suggest in any way the fact that it is necessary to have done both these things to get anywhere in life – how refreshing in this day and age! In his defence, I have to say, right here and now that the author does not criticize those who go down this path and acknowledges that for some professions these qualifications are necessary; however, this book looks at the opportunities there are for people who could not, or have not, either by choice or circumstance followed this path and yet still want to succeed.

In this very frank and straight talking book, the author uses his life, in many ways as an example of what not to do, and then shares with the readers how he managed to change the situations he found himself in, turning negatives into positives. A very important part of this book, is that he explains to the reader how to develop and use a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), and how with the use of positive affirmation it is possible to literally change your life. With a positive mental attitude nothing is impossible, and if you embrace the concept of positive affirmation you can feel invincible.

The really empowering thing about reading this book is, that he explains how your life and your ability to succeed is entirely in your hands, no-one else’s yours. All the way through you are given examples and encouraged to look inside yourself to succeed.

Written with a no holds barred and a brutally honest attitude, the author enables you to see that any hurdles in your way are yours of the making, and brushes away any excuses you may feel like giving.

If you want to succeed in a career and/or your personal life this book is ideal for self-motivation. Written from first-hand experience, this is the most inspirational book I have ever read. The author’s ability to inspire is amazing, and as soon as I started it I could feel myself becoming empowered by his words.

Reviewed by Susan Keefe

Available from Amazon.com.

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Meet Harris Kern, Author of ‘Going From Undisciplined to Self-Mastery: Five Simple Steps to Get You There’

Harris Kern is recognized as the foremost authority on providing practical guidance for solving management issues and challenges. He has devoted over 30 years helping professionals build competitive organizations. His client list reads like a who’s who of American and International Business. His client list includes Standard and Poor’s, GE, The Weather Channel, NEWS Corporation, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminal (HACTL), among hundreds of other Fortune500 and Global 2000 companies. He pioneered the Discipline Mentoring Program and Professional/Personal Growth Program (P²GP) and is the author of over 40 books, including his latest, Going From Undisciplined to Self-Mastery.

Website / Amazon

Q: Congratulations on the release of your latest book, Going From Undisciplined to Self-Mastery. What was your inspiration for it?

A: As a life coach my clients gave me the inspiration to write this book. On a scale of 1-10, where 10 is the highest level of discipline – the average rating for my clients is a 3. Very few people are disciplined. People waste on average 4 hours a day – that’s 2 months from their life flushed down the toilet. It’s the same issues all over the world – I refer to them as the dirty dozen:

The Dirty Dozen:

• Severe procrastination
• Failed goals
• No motivation
• No sense of urgency
• Disorganized
• Lack of structure
• Not focused
• Not managing sleep optimally
• Poor performance
• Poor time management
• Lack of energy
• Inconsistency

Q: Why do you think so many people have problems with discipline?

A: Being disciplined is hard work – although the results speak for themselves: efficient with time, always achieving your goals and living life with urgency to accomplish more. However, very few want to put in the effort to acquire discipline. It means living a very structured lifestyle (being organized, following a routine, following a to-do list and maintaining a good health regiment daily).

Q: How is your book different than others about this subject?

A: My formula for success is derived from hundreds of life coaching case studies and dozens of organization performance mentoring engagements from Fortune 500 and Global 2000. It is the proof not the hype. I also walk the talk. I’ve lived the past 4 decades following the 5 steps in my book and my accomplishments speak for themselves.

Q: Why do people procrastinate?

A: For several reasons:

• They don’t know how to train their mind to consistently motivate themselves.
• They have a lackadaisical approach to each day. They don’t know how to live life with a sense of urgency.
• They look at time wasted as a few hours here or there. However the average person wastes 4 hours a day procrastinating. If you extrapolate that throughout the year – they’re flushing 2 months of their life down the toilet.

Q: What do you hope readers will learn from your book?

A: How-to combat the DIRTY DOZEN above to live a happier, more productive  and successful life.

Q: What is your writing schedule like and how do you balance it with your other work and family life?

A: I write approximately 2 hours a night after I wake-up. I’ve trained myself to sleep only 4 hours a night so it allows me to go to the gym and write before anyone in the family wakes up. During the daytime I have 2 businesses to run and my daughter to take care of.

Q: As an author, how do you define success?

A: Success for me is:

• Living a happy, productive and balanced life by focusing equally on my 3 priorities (and they’re all top priority): career, health and relationships
• It’s waking up with a purpose everyday
• Constantly accomplishing
• Leaving behind a legacy for my family
• Living a healthy lifestyle

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

A: I would tell them to start small and begin writing as a hobby. Don’t quit your day job.

Q:  Anything else you’d like to tell my readers?

A: Yes: LIVE or EXIST! By being disciplined you will accomplish more and to me living life is about waking up with a purpose, being productive and always accomplishing to eventually leave behind a legacy for your family.

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Interview with Tanya Masse, author of Stairway to AWESOMENESS! – 30 Fundamental Steps to Living a Life of Awesomeness!

“Internet famous” for her humorous and inspirational self-syndicated webcomics about surviving the insanity of life and parenthood, Tanya Masse, AKA: “Comic Strip Mama” is a mama, a writer, a cartoonist and an entrepreneur who has faced a tremendous amount of adversity throughout the challenges of her life and has risen above it all!

Enter the Comic Strip Mama™ Blog Tour of AWESOMENESS Extravaganza Giveaway for your chance to win some AWESOME prizes!

http://www.comicstripmama.com/STAIRWAY-TO-AWESOMENESS.html

Through her comics, award winning blog, social media platforms and literary works, she entertains and encourages others to: 

Make the best of the busyness, craziness, chaos, frustrations and challenges of life and parenthood!

Live on the AWESOME side!

STOP taking life SO SERIOUSLY!

Embrace the INSANITY!

Focus on the POSITIVE lessons!

Recognize the BLESSINGS!

Find the HUMOR whenever possible, and

CELEBRATE LIFE! 

Connect with Comic Strip Mama at:

http://www.comicstripmama.com

http://www.facebook.com/ComicStripMama

http://www.twitter.com/ComicStripMama

Purchase the book on Amazon.

Interview

Q: Congratulations on the release of your latest book, Stairway to Awesomeness. What was your inspiration for it?

A: Thank you! My life was the inspiration for this book! Life is HARD and it isn’t always fair. And sometimes, life is downright insane! I have experienced many of life’s seemingly insurmountable blows and for many years I struggled and lived a dark, disturbing, depressing, miserable and reckless existence as a result. Eventually, I discovered why I was struggling so much. That is when I changed my way of thinking and being and reinvented myself into the person that I am today…a strong, happy and positive person and parent who strives to achieve “awesomeness”. Too many people take life WAY too seriously instead of focusing on the positive, recognizing the blessings and fining the humor. This book is based on what I have lived and what I have learned about what is most important in life.

Q: Tell us something interesting about your protagonist. 

A: Ummm…She had to google what “protagonist” meant and then I found out that my protagonist is ME. 😉  (Forgive my ignorance… I’m a virgin/not your average author.)

Q: How was your creative process like during the writing of this book and how long did it take you to complete it? Did you face any bumps along the way?

A: Well, I talked about writing a book for a good year before I started the actual writing process in February of this year. Then I changed my mind about the title and table of contents twice and I finally managed to complete and submit my manuscript at the end of May. It wasn’t long enough!! So I had a week to resubmit the manuscript to meet the publishing deadline. At the time I was also working on the start-up phase of my self-syndicated webcomic company so it was slightly challenging. Also, I can put the “pro” in procrastination! But I did it!! =)

Q: How do you keep your narrative exciting throughout the creation of a novel? 

A: It’s real, motivating and humorous with a unique comic cartoon twist.

Q: Do you experience anxiety before sitting down to write? If yes, how do you handle it? 

A: Once I am able to focus, writing is soothing and relaxing. I feel WAY more anxiety after I submit my work to be reviewed and critiqued!

Q: What is your writing schedule like and how do you balance it with your other work and family time? 

A: I really don’t have a writing schedule. I will meet deadlines, but I work around my life as a mama and an entrepreneur. I have managed to balance it all pretty well, but sometimes I am a little overwhelmed. It’s ok! I embrace the insanity and laugh it off when I look back. 😉

Q: How do you define success? 

A: Success should never be measured in dollars and cents… it should be measured by life well spent. I am successful in life because I am a strong, positive, happy, awesome person who makes an effort to positively impact, empower and add value to the lives of others every chance I get. I am also successful because of my skills, knowledge, experience, my open mind and my ability to make good choices. I take great pride in all of it.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers whose spouses or partners don’t support their dreams of becoming an author? 

A: Healthy and strong relationships consist of individuals who are true to themselves, love themselves and respect themselves first. You should never be expected to stop being an individual in order to be in a relationship. Your life partner should bring out the best in you, encourage you and support you. I am a firm believer in living your dreams. Life is too short not to. Communicate your feelings about living your dreams with your spouse and then try to compromise. You both need to be reasonable and not selfish, especially if there are children involved. But if you spouse flat out refuses to support you and is not being reasonable, then you should probably reevaluate your relationship. 😉

Q: George Orwell once wrote: “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” Do you agree? 

A: I don’t agree. Writing my book was challenging, but it was an awesome and fulfilling experience. I feel a great sense of relief and pride knowing that others will learn from what I have lived and hopefully more people will make an effort to change their way of thinking and live a life of awesomeness!

Q:  Anything else you’d like to tell my readers? 

A: Stairway to Awesomeness is not your average self-improvement book. It is the ultimate self-improvement book that goes against the grain of many self-help/self-improvement books out there. I take my readers on my very real tragedy-to-triumph life journey and explain HOW and WHY I changed my way of thinking about many things that so many of us are conditioned to believe. The 30 fundamental steps that I write and illustrate about are tried and true and life changing and I prove that achieving a life of awesomeness IS possible. There is also a very unique and humorous comic twist throughout the book that will make you smile as you make your own climb to awesomeness!

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Interview with Juliana Muehrcke, author of WAKING UP HAPPY

Juliana (Jill) Muehrcke is the award-winning author of many books and articles. Founder and editor of the international magazine Nonprofit World (snpo.org), she has studied at the University of Colorado and the University of Michigan and has a BA degree, specializing in English and psychology, from the University of Washington. Jill is listed in Who’s Who (MarquisWhoswho.com). In her spare time, she enjoys teaching yoga and eating ethnic food. For many years, in several cities, including Seattle, Honolulu, and Madison, she has written restaurant reviews.

Her latest book is Waking Up Happy: A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope.

You can visit her website at www.WakingUpHappyBook.com.

Listen to Jill on the Joy Cardin Show at http://wpr.org/search/ideas_program_search.cfm?StartYear=3&keyword=muehrcke&x=0&y=0.     

Interview 

1. Why don’t you begin by telling us a little about yourself? 

My life has revolved around reading and writing for as long as I can remember. Editing is also a passion of mine. Some of my friends gave me the moniker “the goddess of editing” because I talked with such enthusiasm about how much I loved to edit. I’m the editor of the magazine NONPROFIT WORLD (www.snpo.org), which I founded 30 years ago, and that’s a labor of love. I’ve been a freelance writer and editor since about 1973. I’ve had dozens of books, articles, and monographs published over the years, mostly in the nonprofit and educational fields. My most recent book, WAKING UP HAPPY: A HANDBOOK OF CHANGE WITH MEMOIRS OF RECOVERY AND HOPE is a complete departure for me, and it’s also by far the most personal thing I’ve ever written. 

2. Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story. 

WAKING UP HAPPY is a combination of memoirs and self-enhancement exercises. Readers tell me the combination is very powerful and has helped them change their lives when nothing else has worked for them. They say that, first, they’re inspired by the true stories of others who have prevailed. And, then, the exercises and to-do lists spur them in the right direction toward transformative change. I wrote the book because it’s exactly what I was looking for when I decided to change my own life for the better. WAKING UP HAPPY includes my own memoir, as well as the memoirs of my daughter, granddaughter, and over 30 others who have made dramatic changes in their lives. When one of the storytellers learns a lesson in their life, I’ve added activities readers can do to put that same lesson to use.

 3. Did your book require a lot of research? 

Some of the research was already done, since I’ve been collecting exercises, tips, and tactics for change for many years in order to create a fulfilling life for myself. When I started writing WAKING UP HAPPY, I began interviewing other people who, like me, had experimented with many methods of change. So then it was a matter of telling their stories – not only what they did to transform their lives but how they did it – and adding exercises that would help readers make similar changes in their own lives. 

4. What was your goal when writing this book? 

My aim was to help as many people as possible learn the keys to waking up happy every day. One of the suggestions in the book is to ask someone to be your Waking Up Happy Buddy. That person can be a friend or family member – or just someone you think would enjoy the process of self-discovery as much as you. If you don’t know the person well, that’s OK. You’ll soon become extremely close as you both do the exercises, then get together on a regular basis to discuss your results and insights. I think that’s the best way to use WAKING UP HAPPY and the best way to create life-enhancing change. 

5. Who is your target audience? 

Anyone who is ready to change their life for the better! While the memoirists who tell their stories in WAKING UP HAPPY are all recovering from addictions, harmful habits, and intolerable situations, you don’t have to be in despair to benefit from making life changes. Growth is constant and lifelong if you’re doing it right. We all have our gaps that need work. Even those who are successful high-achievers, who consider themselves winners, often need to alter their lives. They may be working so hard that they risk destroying their relationships and letting stress ruin their health. Stress is a killer, so it’s life-saving to replace overwork with calming, self-sustaining habits. So, when I say the audience for WAKING UP HAPPY is anyone who wants or needs to make changes in their lives, I guess I’m saying that there’s no one who isn’t part of the target audience! 

6. What will the reader learn after reading your book? 

WAKING UP HAPPY is an encyclopedia of ways to make changes – both small and large –  in your life every day. In addition to the exercises that appear each time a memoirist learns a life lesson, every chapter ends with “Things to Do Today.” At the end of WAKING UP HAPPY are chapters called “What Works and What Doesn’t” and “365 Steps on Your Journey.” So, even after you finish reading the book, there’s a helpful exercise for every day of the next year to keep you on your path. The memoirs will have made it crystal-clear that revolutionary change is possible. The exercises will show you how to do it. There’s even an index so you can look up exercises on a particular part of your life you’d like to improve. Everything is at hand to make your spirit sing! And you will also learn this: You are not alone. Others have been where you are, and they have triumphed. You can, too, All the need do is take one small step today. Then take another one tomorrow. In time, these tiny steps will evolve into profound change. 

7. Do you have another book on the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects? 

I’m putting together a workshop which may end up being an all-day or all-weekend event. Participants can do the exercises in WAKING UP HAPPY and then spend time in reflection and discussion. I’m also urging book clubs to choose WAKING UP HAPPY as their selection of the month so that I can come to their book discussion (either in person or virtually). Again, we can do some of the exercises together at that time and explore our discoveries. I think doing the exercises, writing down your results, pondering them, and then sharing them with others is the core secret to creating meaningful, lasting change. 

8. Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?

Yes. Please come visit us at www.WakingUpHappyBook.com. I would love to have you share your own stories, ideas, and insights there and connect with other readers who are on the same journey with you. 

9 As an author, what is your greatest reward? 

My greatest reward is hearing from readers that they’ve forged fulfilling, joyous lives as a result of reading what I’ve written. It makes everything worth it! 

10. Anything else you’d like to say about yourself or your work? 

I’m donating half the proceeds from WAKING UP HAPPY to the Recovery Foundation (www.recoveryfoundation.net) – a wonderful group that provides scholarships for people who want counseling but can’t afford it. So when you buy a copy of WAKING UP HAPPY, you won’t just be transforming your own life! You’ll also be transforming the life of someone else! 

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Interview with Author ChaChanna Simpson

ChaChanna Simpson is the editor of Twentity.com, an online magazine where young people in their twenties can go to learn what to expect after college. Before this, she had her own copywriting business and wrote copy for direct mail companies. She's been writing for twelve years now. Presently she's touring the blogosphere to promote the release of her first book, Life After College: What Your Parents and Professors Never Taught You.

Thanks for being here today, ChaChanna. Were you an avid reader as a child? What type of books did you enjoy reading?

Absolutely! I only read mystery books. Every other Saturday, my mother would take me and my brother to our local library to get books. I would always get so excited on those Saturdays. My mother encouraged me and my brother to read from the time we were born. She would read to us before we went to bed and then when we were old enough to read, we read to her before we went to sleep.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

Life After College: What Your Parents and Professors Never Taught You answers questions such as: I've graduated from college, now what do I do? How do I adjust to moving back home with my family? Why is it taking so long for me to find a job? How do I focus on what I want to do rather than what my parents want me to do? How do I manage my finances? And much more.

This book provides solutions readers can immediately use to help make their transition from college life into the real world easier. I’ve also included stories and tips from recent college grads sharing their wisdom and experiences so college grads know they are not alone in trying to make it in the real world.

I wrote this book to prevent those who are graduating or recently graduated from college from making the same mistakes I did when I graduated. Those who have been out of college or on their own for a while, we take what we know for granted such as how to get an apartment, things to ask on a job interview, balancing a checkbook and budgeting. These things are really not taught in schools.

From the moment you conceived the idea for the story, to the published book, how long did it take?

It took me one year and two months!

Are you a disciplined writer?

No, I am a lazy writer. I’ll write a couple of paragraphs, stop, look outside, look back to my notebook, maybe scribble down some more words and then decide I should lay down a bit and let the rest of my words marinate in my brain before writing anymore. It’s a wonder I get anything done sometimes.

Who are your favorite authors? Why?

Carolyn Keene (I guess that means all the authors that wrote under the pseudonym) and Mary Higgins Clark are my favorite authors. I loved the Nancy Drew series growing up. In fact, I believe the first book I ever read to my mother was The Secret Clock. I think it is the first book I ever read, period, now that I think about it. I fell in love with reading then.

I love Mary Higgins Clark because she is just a darn good mystery writer!

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

While I was freelancing as a copyeditor, I met a woman who had numerous books in print. And I remember saying to her that one day I wanted to write one book. But because I was so busy I didn’t think I’d ever have the time. She told me to write what I could, even if I just wrote a sentence a day. No matter how busy I was I could find time to write a sentence. And for this book, I actually followed that advice.

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?

Yes, you can visit me at www.twentity.com!

Thanks for stopping by! It was a pleasure to have you here!

Thank you for having me. This was fun.

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Book Review: Gulp! by Gabriella Goddard

Gulp!
By Gabriella Goddard
Author’s Website: www.gulptime.com
Watch the trailer here.

Do you have a dream, yet are afraid to take the necessary steps to make it a reality? Do you have misgivings about taking that first step toward achieving your goal? Do you often fantasize about leaving your job or starting your own business, but freeze at the possible consequences? If you answered yes to some of these questions, you might consider getting a copy of this book.

The author, an executive coach and motivational expert, takes you step by step into the process of planning to reach your goals, from recognizing the pivot points in your life, to understanding what triggers your fears, to stepping out of your comfort zone, to cultivate the calm mindset necessary to overcome any challenge. The book is divided into 7 days (or chapters): Dare and Defy, Breakdown and Breakthrough, Center and Connect, Imagine and Invent, Plan and Prepare, Focus and Flow, and Gulp and Go.

In the tradition of such works as The Artist’s Way and Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Gulp! is an inspiring and uplifting book. I found the prose engaging and a pleasure to read. Goddard’s style is warm, straight forward, and friendly. There are ‘wisdom’ quotes spread throughout, exercises at the end of each chapter, and many tips and practical advice. Though the program is meant for a week, it may also be followed on a weekly basis, thus finishing the program in 7 weeks. Though one could argue that the ideas and advice found in this book are also found in similar books on the same subject, I believe Gulp! is a fine addition to any self-help shelf.

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Interview with Melissa Zollo, author of Discover the Power of Imagination

Melissa Zollo is an imagist, speaker, self-motivation specialist, and author of various cd audio programs: Discover the Power of Imagination, The Art of Intentional Creation, and How to Unleash the Power With and Attract Money. In this interview, she talks about why people often lock their minds to success and the common reasons why this happens. She also talks about her programs and techniques. 

I'm intrigued by your website's statement, "Unlocking Minds to Create New Realities". How do we unlock our minds and why do they become locked in the first place?

The entire Universe lives in our deeper mind but many of us are just beginning to realize who we are and what we are capable of creating. Our lives are shaped and influenced by the quality of our thoughts and mental images yet many suffer from the impairment of the imaginative process. They are imprisoned in thought patterns and unwanted habits that they learned or acquired. "Unlocking Minds to Create New Realities" refers to discovering the process of manifestation and the unfailing laws that determine our failure or success in life. The greatest treasure in life is locked within the depths of our consciousness. The Treasure House I am speaking of exists in the realm of ideas. To free ourselves from anything that blocks our path to wealth, happiness, success and health demands that we take charge of our thoughts and control our thinking.

In order to eradicate a negative message that was programmed into our minds, we must have a desire for something greater, look within ourselves and take action by re-programming ourselves until we build a new belief. Once we know how to harness the power of our imagination, we can learn how to free ourselves from limiting habits and attract the fulfillment of our dreams. Your mental images, thoughts and feelings are controlling your destiny so it is vital to take complete control over mental blueprints and emotional moods. Once we know how to bring the incredible power of our conscious and sub-conscious mind under our direction and how to formulate the mental equivalent of our dreams and goals we become master of destiny rather than a victim of circumstances and the past.

We were unconscious or unaware of the Power of the Mental over the Physical. At an early age, each one of us was impressed by suggestions from others. Since we did not have the tools or the awareness to protect ourselves from the endless stream of negative messages, we accepted many ideas that hindered our growth and imprisoned our potential to create, laugh, enjoy, and live a full, rich and rewarding life. But that was then and this is now. Now we each have the power to examine the origin of our beliefs and see if they play a significant part in bringing about health, happiness, success and peace of mind. We can accept or reject suggestions. Negative suggestions from the media, organizations, newspapers, and other people will no longer hold you captive and have power over you unless you accept the suggestion.

What are some of the most common factors that may stop a person from achieving his or her goals?

Lack of self-belief, fear, the inability to activate their latent powers and lack of awareness of the Life-Principle may stop a person from realizing his or her goals.

To believe something as true means we accept it.

Belief is the most common factor that stops a person from realizing his or her goals. Think of all the false ideas you have accepted about yourself and you will see how you built your prison and sentenced yourself to failure, lack and limitation.

Why do we accept ideas like:

"I'll never be financially secure. I can’t make ends meet"

“I am not smart enough and I don’t have the right connections.”

"I'll always be fat and anyway I am just not good enough."

"They said there’s no cure."

"I'm not smart enough. I feel like a loser .I am sure it will fail."

"I’m to old no one is going to want to hire me."

Many of us fortify these negative messages with our self-talk and daily conversations and we don’t even know we're doing it. Yet we reject new messages of approval, hope, acceptance and love because they don’t fit our error patterns and negative self-image. Did you know that your ability to attract the fulfillment of your dreams becomes possible when you have a strong belief in yourself and feel capable of achieving your dream regardless of appearances?

One negative message/ belief can paralyze a person. Once fear is in control it can keep you from taking action and moving forward in any area of your life. When we have beliefs fueled from love, courage, confidence, hope, and gratefulness we have opened the doors of life to a greater awareness and possibility. Courage rises above fear.

It is important for all of us to think about that for a second.

How 'powerful' is the power of imagination?

Before anything can be created by anyone it must first be imaged, pictured/imagined. What you imagine you become and what you feel you attract so I would say that imagination is extremely underestimated and very powerful. The person of imagination sees what their outer senses deny. Everything you see in the physical world is a projection of someone’s mental image and blueprint. All things are brought forth through the creative use of imagination.

Who is the target audience for your program?

Every person who has a desire to fulfill their dreams, and advance spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, professionally, socially and personally. My work is for the person who wants to learn how to retrain their imagination, apply spiritual laws and live in tune with the Living Spirit and achieve their goals.
Tell us a bit about your audio program, "Power of Imagination", as well as your various other works in ebook and CD forms.

In Discover The Power Of Imagination, I give you the tools you need to help you unlock the secrets of success in whatever endeavor you choose. The fulfillment of dreams is not the right of a select few. It is your birthright, too. Once you have this program, you will discover how to make that right a reality. 

Program One: This lecture gives you an in depth understanding of the creative process and how to IMAGE FIRST, the first step to attract all that you desire (and less of what you don’t want).

Program Two: This lecture is filled with examples of imaging; how to anchor an image and how imagination animates beliefs. It holds the secret to how financial, personal, professional and emotional security can be realized in a practical, imaginative, and non-competitive manner. I lay out the process by which you will improve your financial, personal, and professional life.

Program Three: SUNRISE contains timeless wisdom for directing the Power Within and feeling good fast! Change your Mental Images and Blueprints; Change Your Life! This program gets you to Activate Your Imagination and create successful money, health, career, and relationship blueprints and emotionalize them. You will open your own doors to whatever you may want to be, do, or have. Build confidence. Enhance relationships, overcome bad habits. Use it every day until you understand that the conditions of your life reflect your habitual thinking and that all things come from the subconscious.

Program Four: With ALOHA you treat your body and mind to deep relaxation. Experience the Power of Breath for healing, and vitality. Reach for Aloha when you need to retreat from the outer world and stress of the day.

Program Five: SWEET DREAMS is perfect to use before, during, and or after surgery. Unburden your mind as you glide peacefully into sleep. Perfect for those challenged with a health crisis.

Program Six: SERENITY AND VICTORY FOCUS RENEW, revitalize and refocus your mind in just 15 minutes.

Program Seven: This CD-Rom provides you with the option of printing out, or viewing, the entire transcript of the Power of Imagination program (Discs 1 and 2) on your computer. It also includes an instructional guide. 

In How to Unleash the Power Within and Attract Money, you will discover how to turn ideas into money, wealth and riches and live the life you imagined for yourself and your family.

· Create a consciousness of wealth

· Build your foundation for financial success from the inside out

· Learn the secrets of focusing your thoughts on what you want

· Replace negative self-talk and change inharmonious mental habits

· Learn why your feelings are worth a fortune

· Take charge of your financial beliefs

· Become master of your life as you work with the most powerful force in the universe!

· Increase your income as you learn how to magnetize yourself to wealth

· Learn how your mind creates everything.

· Discover that you are the dreamer and dream maker of your life

In Melissa’s Secrets on the Law of Vibration, I explain this very important law and how to Dream Your Life into Being. It will show you why your feelings are worth a fortune.

Daily Appetizers to Make Life a Feast (ebooks) contain a hundred nuggets of inspirational tips to uplift and support you throughout your day. Each thought for the day breathes life into the application of Universal Principles as well as gives you a taste of subjects on Spirit, the Law of Identical Harvest, prosperity, and the creating power of thoughts, feelings and words.

What type of techniques do you use when working one to one with a client?

Every session is different. Should someone want or need personal one-on-one assistance I share whatever is needed for them to attract what they want in my consultations. I personally walk you through each step of the Discover the Power of Imagination process. The goal is that they impress their subconscious mind and get answers that enable them to lead a full rich, happy life. Many people who are consulting with me or using my audio programs have moved forward in their lives. They have activated their imagination and conquered limiting beliefs. This in turn enabled them to attract the fulfillment of dreams.

Some have started a new business. Others are attracting vibrant health, new found happiness, better relationships, and increased sales. Then there are those who are healing from traumatic memories, divorce or even better, they are experiencing love!
Take a second and check out their success stories. They followed a proven system based on my Power of Imagination CD program and Universal Laws. It works. Day after day, year after year this process will work for you if you understand, practice and apply it. In fact, once you learn how to create and use this process consciously – it will keep working for you. Did I say it was magic? No, I did not. It takes practice, persistence and perseverance and the right tools.

I understand you're available as a guest speaker. What can a person expect to learn from one of your seminars?

Anyone interested in contacting me for a speaking engagement can reach me at www.presentmemory.com or through the New Voice Speakers Bureau.

Anyone who attends one of my seminars can expect to learn how to discipline, control and direct their imagination, the force behind all creativity and find their way to prosperity, joy and peace of mind. They will learn what the Law of Attraction means, how it and all of the Spiritual Laws govern the manifestation of our dreams; how to increase creative awareness and create the life you dream of; how thoughts creates results; how to wipe out a poverty, failure, mental slum; how to focus and concentrate on answers and discover new ways to problem solve. I show you how to provide the subconscious mind with a new blueprint for success, wealth, and health and help people make positive changes in their inner state of consciousness and emotional point of attraction and I provides tools (audio programs) to apply everything that they learn. This enables an individual to move forward and emerge successfully from any crisis.

You also have a newsletter, the Imaginal Dynamic Newsletter. Is it free? How may one subscribe and what type of information does it offer readers?

The Imaginal Dynamic is free and intended for those who are in pursuit of knowledge, uplifting ideas and who want to live in the present moment. Each newsletter is designed to offer Spiritual Nutrition for the Mind. It offers readers tips on how to turn their life around and how to become a magnet to success with my 'Million Dollar' Tips. You may sign up at www.presentmemory.com and receive a free MP3 radio interview with me.

Are there any other special books or authors you would recommend to people who are interested in this topic?

My own book will be out soon, so stayed tuned!

Do you have a website where people may find out more about you and your work?
Yes, my website is www.presentmemory.com.  

Anything else you'd like to tell our readers?

May you put all of the challenges of your life into perspective and use them to go deeper and deeper into your true nature. May you find refuge on your spiritual journey and grow and advance beyond ignorance and suffering. May you harness the power of imagination and always remember, it takes patience, persistence, and practice to IMAGE FIRST and rebuild new beliefs until they fit into a new pattern of acceptance and love. May you always use the power of your subconscious mind to find true happiness, wealth, success and fulfillment.

Dare to create the life you want. Imagination is power and your feelings are worth a fortune. Take up the challenge. Begin now to rule your mind and you will rule your world. When love, confidence, hope, gratitude and joy fuel your mental images and memory, life responds. In ways you know not of, doors that were closed will open and your self imposed solitary confinement will end. Then, you will find yourself the wonderful person you always dreamed of being.

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On the Spotlight: Gabriella Goddard, author of GULP!

Author’s Bio:
Gabriella Goddard is a seasoned Success & Leadership Coach, an international speaker and the author of an inspirational range of self-help books, audio books and movie clips including:

• Gulp!: the seven-day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge
• Power Up Brand YOU
• 10 Ways to Fast Track Your Career
• “Remember” Video Clip

As a highly successful international marketing director Gabriella enjoyed an 18 year career spanning the globe including working in Mexico, Brazil, Japan, UK, France and New Zealand for companies like A.C. Nielsen and MCI/Worldcom. She thought her life was on track until one day a big change was forced upon her. The dot.com bubble burst and the start-up broadband company she worked for went bankrupt.

Overnight she was left without a job, an income and all the symbols of success that go with being a high flyer, including the expense account, swanky leather chair and big corner office.

This twist of fate was shortly followed by the devastating experience of a breast cancer scare. It forced Gabriella to take stock of her priorities and re-evaluate what was truly important in her life.

And that’s when she realized that the ladder she’d been so enthusiastically climbing had been leaning against the wrong wall!

She realized that true success comes from within. It comes from unlocking the innate talents and gifts we all have and allowing them to simply shine through. It comes from choosing to live our greatest life, one full of potential and possibility, rather than mediocrity. And it comes from knowing that we can make a difference, in our special own way.

So in 2001 Gabriella started Goddard International Ltd, a leadership development company dedicated to helping people to “leapfrog” to a completely new level of self awareness, professional growth and personal success by making fundament shifts in how they think, what they feel and what they do.

All it takes is a strong dose of inner clarity, vision, commitment and self belief. And Gabriella’s books, movie clips, coaching services and speaking topics are all aimed at catalyzing this shift.

Originally from New Zealand, Gabriella now lives a free spirited lifestyle with bases in London, New York and Spain.

Blurb:

“The book that could transform your life in one week.”

When you face a big change in your life…do you step back, or leap forward?

Most of us are scared of change. So when a cry for change is calling up from deep inside us, we tend to ignore it.

When change is thrust upon us by outside circumstances, we try to deny it.

We would rather have things stay the same. It’s easier that way.

But is it?

The trouble is, when we ignore and deny the natural flow of change in our lives, we rob ourselves of our capacity to grow and enjoy a more exciting and rewarding future.

Maybe you want to make a big career change or start your own business? Or maybe you dream of writing a book or learning the art of public speaking? Or maybe you feel the pull of adventure to trek Machu Picchu or work in an African orphanage? Or maybe you want to start dating again, get married, start a family or “find yourself” after the kids have left home. And maybe it’s simply time to be more confident, stand up to others and follow your own path in life.

Gulp! is the essential practical everyday guide designed to inspire real people to make real changes in their life. It provides a seven-day process that shows you how to turn your “gulp” moments of change, into opportunities for success.

Gabriella takes you by the hand and coaches you through:

• Recognizing the pivot points in your life that open the way to change
• Using your imagination to shatter the status quo – and do the things you never thought were possible
• Understanding the fear triggers – and the strategies to disarm them
• Cultivating the calm, well-being, and energy to overcome any challenge
• Turning off the naysayers, doubters, and those who hold you back

But most of all she will motivate you to STOP making excuses and START taking action – right NOW!

She’ll walk you through the step by step process and share real-life examples of how other people have faced and dealt with their own Gulp! moments.

Their stories are truly inspirational and show us all how to massively extend the boundaries of what we consider “possible” in our own lives.

Read my interview with Gabriella at Blogcritics.

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On the Spotlight: Nancy Oelklaus, author of JOURNEY FROM HEAD TO HEART

The Author
Nancy Oelklaus began her career as a high school English teacher in Marshall, Texas. She earned the B.A. in Communications from Oklahoma Baptist University, the M.A. in English from the University of North Texas and the doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University, Commerce. For nine years she served as assistant superintendent for instructional services in Marshall, followed by nine years as executive director for the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Since 2000 she has worked as an executive coach in Austin, serving entrepreneurial clients in education, social services, financial services, real estate, public relations, and city administration. Dr. Oelklaus has received numerous awards and honors for civic leadership, including the Vision to Action Award from the Visions of a Better World Foundation in Boston. She was named Leader of Leaders by Sam Houston State University’s Department of Educational Leadership and Woman of Achievement by the Business and Professional Women of Marshall, Texas. In 2007 she received the Profile in Excellence Award from Oklahoma Baptist University. Her articles have appeared in publications including The American School Board Journal, The Austin Business Journal, The Systems Thinker, and AustinWoman. Her first book, entitled Journey from Head to Heart: Living and Working Authentically, will be published in March 2008 by Loving Healing Press of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Three coaching CD’s by Nancy are available through Amazon.

You can visit her website at http://www.headtoheart.info/ or her blog at http://www.headtoheartblog.s/.

The Book

JOURNEY FROM HEAD TO HEART: Living and Working Authentically is a toolkit for those who are exhausted from solving never-ending problems, working harder and harder and not arriving at the destination where they truly want to be. The tools and processes are designed for people who are a little wary of “touchy-feely” or “New Age” approaches. Journey from Head to Heart is exactly that, integrating logic, reason, emotion, spirituality, recovery, science, and ancient wisdom from a variety of sources to create a recipe for wholeness.

Excerpt

It’s an exciting adventure to discover that we can, in the words of poet, author, consultant, and Director of the LBJ Library, Betty Sue Flowers, “tell a different story” about our experiences, processing through the negative emotions surrounding them. We can replace resentment with forgiveness and understanding. We can replace self-censorship with self-acceptance. Once begun, this is a recursive process. We keep coming back to it any time a negative emotion or experience arises or a situation reminds us of an earlier trauma. Instead of staying trapped in the memory, we process through and replace it with one that brings us peace.

Read my interview with Nancy at Blogcritics Magazine

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