DAY 11: Goodnight Moon

Last night I went to my rooftop and gazed up at the faint stars between the buildings. I thought about how many times I've looked up at those stars hoping and dreaming, sending wishes out into space. This time the stars seemed so far away, so faint, so few. Then I wondered if all our hoping fades with time, with each year that passes the stars grow dimmer and our dreams fade into the background. Our innocent countenance turns to wrinkles and the nights waiting for Santa Claus are no more. And yet...I still dream, I still believe for if I do not dream then I will disappear behind the curtain and be no more. 

Any why do I write with such a contemplative tone? 

It is imperative that we not forget that the sun will rise again and all those remorseful memories, so called failures or mishaps will be behind us. The sun will greet us again. 

http://www.npr.org/2012/08/24/160006508/lance-armstrong-when-a-hero-lets-us-down?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=20120824

The chief beauty about time
is that you cannot waste it in advance.
The next year, the next day, the next hour
are lying ready for you,
as perfect, as unspoiled,
as if you had never wasted or misapplied
a single moment in all your life.
You can turn over a new leaf every hour
if you choose.

Arnold Bennett

British Novelist

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Steve Jobs

Co-Founder and CEO of Apple Computer

---

Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is anew day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays. Ralph Waldo Emerson American Poet

DAY 10: Little Miss Sunshine

Good Morning Sunshine, wait it's more like Good Afternoon Grumpy face! I have never been a morning person, you can ask anyone who knows me. During my teenage years my mother would attempt to wake me up every morning by tearing off my covers, yelling and as a last resort throwing a glass of water on me. Even when I was the host of a slumber party my guests would have to shake me awake in the morning. Don't even get me started on how I have annoyed my half asleep boyfriends or roommates with my insistent three alarm clocks. So the question is, why is waking up early important? 

In the last couple of months I have made drastic changes to my lifestyle and habits. The new healthy habits I have developed have created a new healthy life. I say "NEW HABITS NEW LIFE."  My days are filled with setting goals, building a business, exercise, eating nutritious food, yoga, socializing with friends, walking in the sun, writing, spending quality time with my pets, volunteering and blogging. WOHOO! That's a lot. Don't get me wrong my life has improved in such a beautiful and fulfilling way but now I'm running myself ragged. I've skipped blogging a couple of times because it ends up being 2AM and I don't have anymore energy left. And starting a business is way more time consuming then I ever imagined, weekends no longer exist and tasks that you think will be easy sometimes aren't. Also, more now then ever the phrase "time is money" actually means something to me. My business depends on my ability to produce therefore more hours are required of me. But I believe in balance and I have lived 28 years going a million miles an hour with sleep deprivation, bad habits and low energy. My aim at running a business goes beyond making profit, for me it's about a healthy and happy lifestyle, so getting rest has to be priority.

"Every aspect of human life depends on the awareness we bring to it. The more aware we are of our environment, the safer we are. The more aware we are of our thoughts and feelings, the better we handle our relationships. The more aware we are of our body- its needs and its reactions to our dietary habits and lifestyle -- the healthier we are." http://www.depressionproofyourlife.com/

Right now my body clock is totally off, I'm waking at 10:30 AM and working until 2:00 to 3:00 AM. BAMMMMMM! Not good. Although I'm being productive I know that my body innately senses that something is off, maybe it has something to do with the rhythm of the rising sun and moon; I don't really know all I know is that I want to make a change. When I envision habits of successful people and entrepreneurs, I always imagine them waking up early reading a newspaper, writing goals down, running on the treadmill and eating breakfast before the sun has officially risen. Actually this helpful link proves my theory is correct: http://www.businessinsider.com/successful-early-risers-2012-1?op=1

Of course we all know Benjamin Franklin's saying "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." He is also quoted as saying: "The early morning has gold in its mouth."

I believe that if I'm going to be a successful business owner and healthy individual that I'm going to have to change my sleeping patterns. I'll be honest, this getting up early thing seems nearly impossible. I did it a couple times in college when I had a 8am class that I had to commute to and get up at 5:45 every morning but this...Plus, I work for myself in my home, so technically I can roll out of bed anytime and start working. 

Deep down I know that I have to slay the slumbering dragon! This has been a 28 year battle that I'm going to win! I just have to remind myself it's like changing any other habit. I managed to do a back bend in 2 months, I CAN DO THIS. My new personal and professional goal is to wake up 5:30AM every morning (ekk! even on weekends) and go to bed by 10PM. Here is some helpful advice for becoming an early riser: http://thinksimplenow.com/productivity/how-to-wake-up-early/ and http://zenhabits.net/10-benefits-of-rising-early-and-how-to-do-it/

WISH ME LUCK! I'll report back via my blog. 

NOW WHAT SLUMBERING DRAGON DO YOU NEED TO SLAY? Something that you have wanted to change for years but just haven't mustered the strength...

DAY 9: Back Bend

I was never flexible even when I was an athletic youngster and I always envied the girls who could do a back bend while smiling; even my high school boyfriend could do it and I couldn't even manage to bend my elbows. But today I was victorious!! I have been doing yoga on a regular basis for the last couple of months and honestly it has truly transformed my life on all levels. Two months ago I promised myself that I would be able to do a back bend before my birthday in September. 

Today when my yoga class was coming to a close the instructor encouraged us to do whatever final pose we desired. I didn't want to attempt a back bend in front of all those flexible people and make a complete fool of myself. I also feared the grunting noises that might arise along with my possible public collapse. I had tried and failed a week prior while alone in my apartment. But then I thought, what the hell why not give it a try and face my fear dragon! Next thing I know I'm in a back bend! Three weeks ahead of schedule! I not only managed one back bend but three!  I was victorious! 

To tell you the truth, I really thought that I wasn't the type of person who could ever do a back bend, I thought that my body just didn't work that way. But with daily practice I began to see that my body could do more than I could imagine and that I am way more capable than I think. If you think you can't lose 20 lbs, you could be wrong, YOU'RE A LOT MORE CAPABLE THAN YOU THINK. If you think you can't save money, TRY! 

YOU'RE A LOT MORE CAPABLE THAN YOU THINK. 

Ironically, I hated my first yoga class! I struggled with every move and holding down dog was agonizing. I kept going to yoga because I was reaping a long list of benefits: improved posture, overall vitality, flexibility, clarity, awareness and increased energy. Never in a million years would I've thought I could manage a half decent back bend but with CONSISTENT PRACTICE and PERSISTENCE I did just that.

What does this have to do with business and finances? 

Well, I'm now a business owner and how am I business owner? With DAILY PRACTICE and PERSISTENCE! I don't know everything and I can't foresee the future but I do know that if I apply myself everyday to building a business that results will happen and money will come. It's scary to try something new. I was scared of yoga and scared of starting a business but now I'm doing both. DIVING IN HEAD FIRST is sometimes the best way to get started. Even if you hate the task at hand or are scared to death DO IT because you will reap the benefits from all your handwork. 

DONT OVER ANALYZE! DON'T OVER THINK!  

JUST DO and DO IT UNTIL YOU MASTER IT! 

YOU WILL SEE THE REWARDS OF YOUR LABOR IN TIME! 

It takes times, ONE DAY AT A TIME! This morning my fears started gnawing at me but then I remembered that "Thinking breeds fear and ACTION overcomes it!" So I went to work and ignored my negative pressing thoughts. 

In order do a back bend or run a business you must be FLEXIBLE. Today I hit several bumps along the way and as a result my launch date has been pushed back two more days. The old me: the inflexible, perfectionist control freak would've wallowed in self pity. The new me knows that a couple bumps along the way aren't going to kill me and that I will be ready in due time. DEADLINES are IMPORTANT but remember to KNOW YOUR LIMITS. 

Sometimes we reach our GOALS EARLY and sometimes we HAVE TO TAKE A DETOUR and other times we have DELAYS but if it is something we truly want then we must trust ourselves and know that WE WILL ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS and see the FRUIT OF OUR LABOR. 

Onwards and upwards my friends! Now go try something new and scary! 

DAY 8: Know Your Limits

Part II of Risky Business

Disheveled hair, smeared mascara, cryptic text messages, falling asleep with your clothes and one shoe still on...Does this sound familiar? Last night that was me and this morning it feels like someone is dancing on my brain. As I write, my whiskey headache pounds and the beaming light from the computer screen pierces my swollen eyeballs like a laser. Was it worth it? Don't get me wrong I'm not a total stick in the mud, I have had amazing times with amazing friends over a bottle of booze but this time it felt different, maybe it's because I'm different. 

WHEN IT COMES TO RISKY BUSINESS KNOW YOUR LIMITS! I don't know what it is about me and booze, if it's there I'll drink it, if it's free I'll definitely drink it and if it's a weekend I'm totally in. Last night I had a great time but once the mixed liquids settled in so did my neurosis. As a person prone to depression and recently recovering from a bad episode, drinking too much is risky business. 

In my previous blog post http://brokechickrichchick.blogspot.com/2012/08/day-7-risky-business.html  I said without risk there is no reward. You can't play defensively and conservatively. You can't take calculated risks with the intention of failing or protecting yourself. You have to put it all on the line. All of this true but YOU MUST KNOW YOUR LIMITS. We humans do have defensive mechanisms for a reason, to keep us alive! Remember defensive driving class and all those scary videos...The choices you make effect your life and the lives of others.

Writing this mere blog is proof of that, I have propelled my personal dreams forward by being accountable via cyberspace and I have received a ton of positive feedback from my readers. My choices have effected my life and others. 

KNOW YOUR LIMITS! Does the idea of not having a consistent pay check scare you? Then maybe going into business for yourself isn't the best idea. Do you want to invest your money but don't want to risk losing it? Then investing in a junk bond is probably not a good idea.

IN ORDER TO KNOW YOUR LIMITS YOU MUST KNOW YOUR OBJECTIVE. What risk are you taking to get what reward? What is your goal? 

My objective is to maintain overall mental and physical health, build a business and to be debt free. By drinking too much last night, I lost sight of my goals and passed my personal limits. Everyone has different limits! If you love shopping and have loads of debt then going into a mall with a burning credit card in your wallet is surpassing your limits, especially if your goal is to pay off your debt and start saving. 

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TEST YOUR LIMITS TO KNOW YOUR LIMITS. Pushing the limits is human nature. Remember when mom would always tell you not to touch the stove but you did it anyway...you wanted to see what the fuss was all about so you burnt yourself in return and still have a scar to remind you. SCARS ARE LESSONS THEY SHOW YOU YOUR LIMITS. 

I encourage everyone to take risks but don't forget your limits. As for me, I think its going to be a two drink max for awhile.  Ending on a high note, I've been working really hard on my website and business plan! 2 DAYS TO LAUNCH DATE! 

DAY 7: Risky Business

Sometimes things don't go exactly how you plan. I had arranged for three families to have free photo sessions prior to my website being launched on August 20th...Things haven't gone accordingly due to exterior circumstances (bed bugs and in-laws). Unfortunately and fortunately, my photo sessions have been rescheduled for September. To tell you the truth, I hate curve balls. I'm a perfectionist who wants things to go a certain way to get a certain result aka control freak. But in order to live life fully you can't avoid risk both personally and financially! 

I would consider myself a risk taker. I've done things that the average joe would call risky: traveled the world on a ship, went to Paris solo, I finished my college degree, I sold everything and moved to NYC not knowing anyone. All these risks involved positive and negative results. 

1. My ship got stuck between two storms and we were hit by a huge rogue wave, nearly shipwrecking us. We survived!!! I traveled the globe and met my life long best friend along the way. 

2. I got lost in Paris and couldn't find my hostel along with not being able to make bank transactions. I found my hostel, regained control over ATM withdrawals and had the time of my life! 

3. I moved to NYC with only a questionable craigslist sublet and luggage. I established an extraordinary group of friends right away. I had a job that I hated with an anger boss, I quit my job and now I'm on my way to starting my own company. 

4. I completed college with two degrees in FILM but post graduation was not what I expected. I had a year of utter sadness and disappointment, with one bad thing happening after another, like colliding dominoes. All areas of my life were coming crashing down: guys, career prospects, finances, and a complete identity crisis. I nearly ended my life. But I have since risen like a phoenix and rediscovered my true self. I can say without a shadow of a doubt I'm happier then I have ever been in my life!  

I could pat myself on the back and say to the world, "Look at me, I'm a risk taker!" But the truth is there are areas in my life that I'm terrified to take any risk. Ironically, they are the things that I hold dear to my heart: love and prosperity. When it comes to love and prosperity I've always played defensively and conservatively. 

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. 

– T. S. Eliot

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. 

– Jim Rohn

We all excitedly open up fortune cookies anticipating a wonderful fortune and hoping that it will all magically come true. But without risk there is no reward. YOU CANT PLAY DEFENSIVELY AND CONSERVATIVELY. You can't take calculated risks with the intention of failing or protecting yourself. You have to put it all on the line. 

The only way to find true happiness is to risk being completely cut open.

 –Chuck Palahniuk

Ask yourself, what is it you truly want, deep down inside? What are you afraid to seek? As for me, I want to increase my CASH FLOW AND LOVE FLOW! 

How how do I do that? 

Accept that life is a trial and error experience and not everything can be planned. Also, enjoy the process of life and try to catch some curve balls along the way, you never know where they may lead you. I naively thought that my brilliant ideas or talent would catch the attention of someone who could confirm my value and then give me a million bucks. I also thought that if I play it safe Mr. Perfect was going to land on my door step.  BUZZ! WRONG ANSWER! 

I gotta play to win and in order to do that I have to take some risks! When I play chess, I always play conservatively and defensively that's why I SUCK AT CHESS! The ultimate goal of chess is to capture the king. People who are good at chess risk their pawns, knights and even their Queen to win! 

Marcel Duchamp

When it comes to love and prosperity I'm playing to win without reservations! It's trial and error time and I can't let my need to be perfect or my fear of failure hold me back from getting what I really want out of life. So next time I see a cute guy, I'll smile and talk to him as opposed to trying to play hard to get, which is actually a defensive and conservative move. So what if I talk to the hot gym instructor while smelling like sweaty socks; if I score a date afterwards my imperfections won't have mattered. If he's not interested then he's not the one. 

And when it comes to running a business, I'll "keep calm and carry on." At least I'm putting it all out there: my blog, my life, my dreams and my work...it may not turn out exactly how I planned but I bet the journey and the results of my hard work are going to be spectacular! 

My website will be up and running on August 20th with the materials I have. Next goal: my first sale and a date! ;) 

Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing. – Denis Waitley

It is better to risk starving to death then surrender. If you give up on your dreams, what’s left? – Jim Carrey

There’s something liberating about not pretending. Dare to embarrass yourself. Risk. – Drew Barrymore

I DARE YOU TO EMBARRASS YOURSELF THIS WEEK!

DAY 6: Down the Rabbit Hole

Today my objective was to solidify my business plan. I hunkered down and worked for several hours writing down my target market, who I'm selling to, when I will make profit and reasons why anyone should buy from me. I completed the tasks at hand and soon discovered that I have quite a big dream that involves a lot of elements: employees, subsidiaries, franchises, and corporations. I was amazed at how my tiny dream of owning a portrait studio turned into a beautiful but complex dream.

Soon I was falling deep down into a rabbit hole, further and further. I looked up and yelled, "where am I?" I ate the magic cake and my dreams kept getting bigGER and BIGGER. There's nothing wrong with dreaming big but soon I found myself tumbling deep down into la-la land. My focus was scattered and soon my clothes were bursting at the seams. How was I ever going to get out of this self made rabbit hole?

“No dreamer is ever too small; no dream is ever too big.” – Anonymous

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney

If you don’t have a dream, how can you have a dream come true?” – Jiminy Cricket

There is nothing wrong with dreaming big, I'm a firm believer! But when the time comes, which is usually sooner rather than later, you have to pull yourself out of the rabbit hole. 

I knew I couldn't cry my way out like Alice. I also knew that IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO GET OUT OF THE RABBIT HOLE! When you feel overwhelmed and like you're sabotaging yourself or failing miserably, just realize that it's NEVER TOO LATE, you can change everything NOW! 

Soon I recognized exactly what I was doing and how I got into the rabbit hole in the first place. Knowing yourself and recognizing your imperfections is one of the best methods of change. You must know your tendencies, habits, needs, positive and negative characteristics in order to harness yourself and accomplish your goals. 

This can be applied to any area of your life. For example, if you want to work out at the gym five days a week but when the time rolls around you always gorge yourself at dinner and say, "I'll go tomorrow;" you are holding yourself back from accomplishing your goal by two self evident tactics: 1) sabotage and 2) excuses. Once you recognize your own defense mechanisms, habits and tendencies you can choose to change them for the better. DONT FORGET TO FORGIVE YOURSELF & MOVE ON. 

I know that my creative and overly analytical mind can get away from me and in order to accomplish the short term goals I must harness that energy and re-focus. So I scribbled my big dream down and kept working toward my small tasks. 

As dreamers, we will all experience the magic cake and drink effect. When we eat the cake our dreams get real BIG and when we drink the magic potion our dreams get SMALLER. It is a balancing act that we all must face day in and day out. The only way to make our dreams come true is to dream big, set realistic goals and accomplish small steps everyday. 

“At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable.” 

– Christopher Reeve

“If I can dream, I can act. And if I can act, I can become.” – Poh Yu Khing

“All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.”

 – Brian Tracy

Tidbit

http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/224161?cam=Dev&ctp=Carousel&cdt=17&cdn=224161

DAY 5: A Fist Full of Dollars

A Fist Full of Dollars and A Few Dollars More are great movies but not a great way to live financially. With my new pursuit of prosperity and business success I'm starting to realize that I have to let go...let go of my past thinking and habits. Isn't it strange how we humans get attached to doing things a certain way even when it isn't good for us. We know we should floss but we don't. We should say no to a second helping of cake but we just can't resist. And we think maybe five drinks is excessive but say to ourselves "it's Friday night."  

As for me, I can't keep holding onto to money with a tight fist; scared to lose it, scared it will never come back. The same is true of becoming a entrepreneur, I have to let go of the idea of a regular 9-5 salary position with "security".

I have to COMMIT to SUCCESS both financially and emotionally. The definition of the word commit is "to devote oneself unreservedly." This means holding absolutely nothing back; giving 100% of everything to achieving your goals. No excuses, no ifs, ands or buts...

This can be applied to many areas of life. If you want to meet a great guy, then you commit to saying no to all the temporary temptations and losers. You make different choices! You give 100%, you act differently to get different results, because whatever you were doing before was getting you what you didn't want. You stay the course until you meet Mr. Right. You let go of old dating rituals, thoughts, and insecurities. It's do or die time. You are committed! 

I have made a decision to be prosperous, debt free and a successful entrepreneur but have I committed? 

I want to commit but how do I commit? I make different choices to get different results. I let got of my old ways.

1. I no longer believe in just getting by "paycheck to paycheck." That's no way to live.
2. I let go of my fears. Fears that there isn't a enough money to go around. Fears that my needs won't be met.
3. I release my fear that I will fail.
4. I no longer believe that I can't finish what I started. 
5. I stop believing that the past dictates the future.
6. I let go of the belief that I can only achieve a certain amount of success within my social and economic circle. 
7. I no longer say to myself, "This is how it's always going to be." 

So how do I unclench my fist around those sweaty dollar bills? ACTION!!!

COMMITMENT IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH ACTION. 

Write a list of things you want and then do something about it! JUST DO IT!

THINKING breeds fear, ACTION OVERCOMES IT.

My white knuckles are letting loose as I commit to change, as I commit to success. 

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

~ Dale Carnegie

It is my belief that successful people are just as afraid as the rest of us but instead of running away, stalling or avoiding what they fear, they step toward it. They throw a punch. They slay the dragon. 

We must do what is counter intuitive until it is intuitive.  Once we've conquered the dragon, it won't have mattered that we wet our pants while doing it. 

"Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it."

~ Bill Cosby

So what to do...

1.  Commit to killing the dragon. It's either him or you, and you're not going home without his head in your hands. 
2. Release old habits and thoughts.
3. Trust yourself and realize that you are adequate for any situation.
4. ACT NOW! Take small steps everyday.
5. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or pee in your pants along the way.

Now off with his head! 

References:  http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Millionaire-Mind-Mastering-Wealth/dp/0060763280

DAY 4: Bite the Bill Bullet

I'm sure at some point everyone of us has avoided opening a letter, a bill or ignored our bank statement in order to delay facing the music. Guilty as charged! I recently consolidated my student loans and the truth is I didn't want to know the exact number I owed. I just graduated from college with two degrees and finding work has been difficult, now I'm starting a business...the idea of paying my student loans for an eternity is beyond daunting. I even made a pie chart, Day 1 for this blog that was based on estimations of my debt...but the dreaded truth has been revealed. I owe $7,000 more then I estimated. BAM! Arrow to the chest. 

But the saying goes, "The truth will set you free." How can I expect to intelligently pay off my debt if I don't have all the facts. I surveyed all my loan documents, visited websites and talked with a loan representative over the phone. (I recommend really educating yourself on any matter before talking with a representative--they can spin you in circles unless you are clear on all the facts and data) I learned quickly how to prioritize paying off my debt: The HIGHEST interest rate first. I heard author Dave Ramsey teaches a similar approach, his book is coming in the mail soon, I'm looking forward to cracking it open. 

The List goes as follows: 

1. Credit Card 11.5% (look into lower interest rate card to transfer the balance)
2. Private Student Loan 9.25%
3. Govt. Unsubsidized Loan 6.8%
4. Govt. Subsidized Loan 5.3%
5. Consolidated Loans 1.54%

The credit card is my first dragon to slay! I began looking into smart ways to tackle it and I'm considering finding another credit card with a lower interest at a different bank. I have negotiated my interest rate before and got it down to 9%; I'm going to give it another shot! **YOU CAN NEGOTIATE YOUR CREDIT CARD INTEREST RATE - give your bank a call, if it doesn't work the first time, try, try again!** I'm also going to call other banks to get comparable rates and see if they are willing to negotiate. Check out these help links for comparing rates: 

http://www.e-wisdom.com/credit-cards/chart.php

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/best-reward-cards-details-1277.php

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and when it comes to your finances you don't want to be powerless. So next time, tear open that bill and say "Here I am, B*tch" 

On a similar note, always pay attention to those itemized fees and charges on your bills. Yesterday I opened my electrical bill and it was outrageously high. I almost peed in my pants. Instead of feeling defeated and just paying the price, I looked over all my bills with ConEdison. Then I noticed several errors. The biggest of them all, I was being charged for 59 days at double the price.

I went even further and contacted my neighbor who lives in an identical apartment using the same service. We compared bills and the results were astounding: 1) I had fees she didn't & 2) They were charging a different rate per kWh.

Then I took it one step further, I had my father who has a electrical background look at my bill. He was appalled at the rate .22 per kWh hour! He only pays .11 in Texas! He confirmed that I was being conservative with my energy usage (if it's plugged in its expending energy, so that plugged in computer cord or toaster your not using is still using 80% of your electricity) Then he asked if there was another service provider... I looked, there are third party administrators that claim lower rates .8 per kWh but they still go through ConEdison and their rates still apply!!! It appears that they have monopolized the business of servicing electricity. ;-{

I called ConEd and spoke to a representative---always ask for their name and use it! If you can, get personal fast, ask how their day is going--their desire to be helpful will increase. At first she tried to convince me I was wrong about my bill, but I insisted that I was being charged the wrong rate based on the wrong kWh. I had done my homework and she knew it! Immediately, she confessed that the ConEd workers were on strike during the month of July so all the bills were wrong and based on general estimations! My jaw dropped!!! I had developed a phone rapport with her and it paid off. She offered to send someone out on Monday to give me a real meter reading and she is personally going to call me to re-negotiate my bill! **It certainly pays to be nice!** 

Lessons learned:

1) Don't avoid the financial truth

2) Organize debt by interest rates

3) Don't hesitate to negotiate

4) Knowledge is power, so do your homework

5) Pay attention to your bills, if you feel like something is wrong, your probably right. 

6) Be nice but stern to the phone representative 

7) If they can't help you, ask for someone who is higher up in power

8) Never fear! 

Now go slay some dragons!!! 

DAY 3: Money Falling From the Sky

This afternoon I had to take my dog to the vet and I estimated that I would spend $100 for the office visit; I had exactly that in cash. I spoke to the assistant on the phone and got a quote before setting an appointment. We arrived and to my dismay, the "board certified, well reviewed veterinarian" was not all she was cracked up to be. She spoke down to me with her thick New York accent (not all New Yorkers are rude), said that my dog was "the 2007 model" like a car, even the veterinaniarn assistant didn't know what breed he was, OMG. She saw him for a total of 15 minutes and couldn't answer my questions about the bumps on his chin. Unfortunately, I spent more time getting billed then actually seeing the "Cornell educated" quack vet. I got slammed with a $200 bill, more then double what I was expecting to pay. I even said, "So I'm getting charged $70 for her to talk to me less then 20 mins..." No response. I gulped and passed my credit card across that counter...

I left the vet's office mad, I felt swindled. I knew the vet visit was necessary due to his strange skin rash but paying the bill was painful. I felt like I was going to cry. Wait, no I was going to cry! A few feet away, I ambled over to some steps of a cathedral and sat despondently. My stomach ached, it felt like someone punched me. I ruminated, "How am I ever going to get financial freedom with all this debt? I can never get what I need. I feel like I have been in this money rut all my life. I'm afraid. I'm scared to spend money. What if I can't make my rent? Will I ever get out of this vicious cycle of scarcity?"

Then I thought, "I'm an idiot! Those stupid positive affirmations I've been saying to myself all day are so not working! Nothing is ever going to change." All day I said to myself, "I am prosperous wherever I go. Money comes to me easily. I'm financially free." But here I was locked in my own monetary prison, moping on some church steps about to cry. 

I stood up and started to walk home, not five feet away, I looked down and there was $15 dollars cash laying on the ground and no one around. I picked up the money and smiled! My stomach ache went away instantly and I thought, "WOW!" HOW INCREDIBLE! All my positive affirmations and my shifting perspective are starting to pay off. Even when I'm feeling low, the universe gives me exactly what I need when I need it. 

Then I started realizing that since I have been proactive about changing my poverty thinking into prosperity thinking that I have been prosperous in a lot of unexpected ways recently:

• I wanted some new jeans because mine were starting to get warn out.  The next week my employer offered me over $1000 worth of designer jeans for free, they were my size. 
• I wanted a couch and TV to furnish the apartment. Two weeks later, my wonderful new roommate had just that and even more. My apartment is complete! 
• A couple weeks ago, I wanted to buy organizers for my messy closet but I couldn't justify the cost. My neighbor who was moving, offered exactly what I needed for free. My closet is very orderly now!
• Last week, I was offered a free cup off coffee, just because.
• On Saturday, I got free tilapia with my order,  just because.
• Today, I received a beautiful tea set, it was being offered for free outside a woman's brownstone stoop. 

As I walked home, with the unexpected $15 dollars in my pocket, I realized that things are changing, slowly but surely! And in my other pocket was an affirmation card that said, "Money is energy and an exchange of services. How much I have depends on what I believe I deserve." 

I also learned another valuable lesson: not all companies will provide you with excellent service but that doesn't mean you're powerless. I can choose to never visit that vet again and I can choose to write a honest review on their website, so other customers will know. I can choose to hate the rude vet or I can choose to wish her well. I chose to wish her well. I will not be visiting that vet again but she still deserves to be wished well upon. 

After that experience, I committed to making sure that all my future customers feel satisfied and happy with the photographic services I provide for them. That they never feel swindled and always feel blessed! 

Day 2: Just Do It!

Written 8/8/12

Today I woke up and wanted to bury my head under the covers and stay there. Some how I rallied my spirits and said, "I can do this! I can start my own business, one day at a time, one step at a time." Now mind you I have a history of entrepreneurial ideas that have led nowhere but this time it feels different, it feels real, like the universe is whispering, "It is time!" Actually, more like yelling, "WHITNEY, IT IS TIME, STOP WAITING, YOU ARE READY FOR THIS!" All arrows point to this, all signs say yes.

I'm not coming out of the gate naive or inexperienced. Starting my own photography business is not out of left field. Actually I've been making money taking photos since I was 15 years old, when my high school photography teacher said to me, "Whitney, you're really good at this,  you have an incredible eye and talent, you could make money off of your gift." That was 13 years ago and I never put my camera down. Over the years I have been professionally paid to photograph weddings, portraits and events but that was sporadically; now I'm looking to create something, building something that is meaningful. I want to building a company that believes in happiness, a place where people want to work, where customers feel special and where I profit with easy and positive results.

My aim: To own a profitable photography studio that takes personalized and stylized portraits of people; a place that is magical, playful, creative and free spirited. I want to bring in $350,000 and have three employees by the end of September 2013. *Ambitious, I know, but aim high and see how close you can get is my policy.* Long term goal, have 3 locations in NYC and franchise out, roll over the profits into a movie production company.

My next task: Write up a solid business plan!

Business Planning 101

Resources I Used: 

http://www.sba.gov/content/business-plan-executive-summary

http://www.sba.gov/content/templates-writing-business-plan

http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/guest-blogs/industry-word/6-easy-steps-simple-practical-business-plan

6 Easy Steps to a Simple Practical Business Plan

by Tim Berry, Guest Blogger

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So you wonder whether you want a business plan for your business. You've heard that business plans are about raising money, perhaps, and it sounds like it might be hard to do. You don't have that MBA degree or CPA certification. So thank goodness, you don't need it. What a relief.

Here's my suggestion:

1. Take some time to think about your business strategy. Think about what's unique about you, what you do best, and what you like to do. Think about what others want you do do. Then think about whom you want to sell to and what types of people. And apply strategic focus; think about what you're not doing. Remember, you can't do everything. Strategy is focus. Write it down, for yourself, as simple bullet points. Do just enough to help you remember. Leave it on your computer.
2. Promise yourself you're going to have a review every month. Set the day for the review ahead of time.
3. List your important assumptions.
4. List important dates and deadlines; what is supposed to happen when. Consider your strategy as the long-term goals and directions, and these are steps to make that happen. Make a list you can manage, short and sweet, of key dates. Make sure you know who is responsible for each deadline.
5. Do a sales forecast. Break it down into some meaningful units, even if they're like hours or days or trips for a service business, and average price and average cost per unit. Do it for 12 months.
6. Do an expense budget. Include payroll, and include your own value, even if you're just taking a draw on profits.

Now that didn't take long, did it? Now you have a business plan. Be true to your promise to yourself and keep the schedule to review planned vs. actual results every month, and then you have a planning process.

And suddenly, without that much effort, you're managing your business better and controlling your own destiny. And see: it wasn't that hard.

From: http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/guest-blogs/industry-word/6-easy-steps-simple-practical-business-plan

Writtien by Founder and Chairman of Palo Alto Software and bplans.com, on twitter as Timberry, blogging at timberry.bplans.com. Stanford MBA. Married 42 years, father of 5. Author of business plan software Business Plan Pro and www.liveplan.com and books including The Plan As You Go Business Plan, published by Entrepreneur Press, 2008.