When I think about Valentine’s Day I think about giving unconditional love to one another.  A little over two years ago I received one of the most amazing gifts in my life.  I met a friend of mine during a time when I was busy trying to find and accept my true self.  This individual not only pushed me to be my true self, but wouldn’t accept anything less.  For those who have had a chance to take a sneak peak at my book, they know I have given her quite a large role in connecting to my true voice, but I wanted to also take this day to thank her again. 

It isn’t often that we get people in our lives who push us to be who we really are.  It is easy to want to try and make people into who we thank they should be.  In fact if I am truly honest with you, this post comes a day after having to battle with someone who was trying to mold me into what they thought my ideal image should look like.  Having that experience yesterday only made me more greateful for my friend, and to the other people in my life who only ever ask me to be Lanea.  

Many months ago I posted a picture of a bunch of art supplies that I was going to start working with.  I said that I would post pictures of my creations, and never did.  The picture above is of a painting that I created for another dear friend of mine.  On a day that is about giving unconditional love, I wanted to give thanks and my love to these two very different ladies.  They both in their own way have a piece of my heart and always will.  I am forever grateful to the both of them and for the love that I feel.  

So on this Valentine’s Day remember to give unconditional love to those you love, those you care about, and even to those you may have never even spoken to.  It is only by giving unconditional love, that we will ever be able to accept it in return.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

I am really excited to share with you today an interview that I had with extraordinary woman ChaChanna Simpson.  ChaChanna and I met for the first time a few years ago when we were both presenters at the Moving Closer to My Dreams Conference in Tallahassee, Florida.  I was fortunate enough during the conference to be able to watch ChaChanna speak.  She has an incredible positive energy about her, and a true desire to help other women who are wanting to make life changes.  She was kind enough to share with us some of her knowledge she has as a woman who not only works a full-time job, but is following her dream of running her own business.

Lanea Miller: Can you tell our readers a little bit about your business, Your Stellar Star, and what you do?

ChaChanna Simpson: My business is focused on supporting women who have a full time job start their business on the side. My goal is to help women build a solid foundation for their business–while they are still collecting a regular paycheck–so they are not stressed about money, and can focus on the success and growth of their business. I also help them set their priorities so they can balance their home life, 9-to-5 job, and fledgling business (without going crazy). 

LM: What has been one of the most important things you have learned with creating Your Stellar Star?

CS: It all doesn’t have to be finished right now. I am an over achiever and very impatient. The minute I think of it, it should’ve been done already.  And when you are starting a new business, you are brimming with a million and one ideas you want to implement, not now, but right now. I’ve had to admit that I am not Superwoman and can only do so much in one day. It’s frustrating but I’m continually reminding myself there is still tomorrow and it’s not a competition. 

LM: What has been one of the best pieces of advice that you have received in starting up your own business?

CS: Don’t quit my day job! 

LM: What has been one of the hardest things that you have had to overcome in starting your business, and how were you able to overcome it?

CS: Networking! The thing that scared me most about networking was going into a room and not knowing anyone. I would sign up for events, even pay for them, and then drag my work out at my day job so I could create an excuse to myself that I just was too busy to make it. The way I’ve stopped getting in my own way was to commit to growing my business and doing what it takes. And, if every successful business person I met credited networking to their success then that was what I was going to do. So, I joined a group that meets regularly and forces me to get used to talking to people I don’t know on a weekly basis, and builds confidence in my networking skills.  

LM: What keeps you inspired and motivated on a daily basis?

CS: Competition with myself. I am always looking to be better than I was the day before. So, I am constantly exploring and learning new things and new ways to market my business. This is stellar because what I learn, I turn around and share with my audience. 

LM: What advice do you give to other women who are looking to follow their dreams?

CS: Be Confident in your dreams. They are yours and I truly believe that if you weren’t made to achieve them you wouldn’t keep thinking about them. 

Be Motivated by your dreams. Just because the journey is not easy and your dream doesn’t land in your lap, nicely wrapped with a bow, doesn’t mean you aren’t meant to have what you want. It will take time but if you don’t have a strong motivation to follow the path to your dreams, you will easily fall off. 

Be Stellar. It doesn’t matter what stage you at in going after you dreams: beginning or middle (there is no end, unless you count death), put all your energy, focus, and talents into everything you do. You’ll never regret it. 

LM: Any other advice or tips that you would like to share with our readers?

CS: Starting a business is not an easy task. It is going to take hard work so make sure you are starting a business you actually care about. Otherwise when the challenges arise or it’s time for you to take risks, you’ll quit. Also, be determined in your goals but be flexible on how you get there. Sometimes we are so fixed on how something should go instead of realizing there could be a better way or opportunity if we just let go of the need to having things go our way. 

I wanted to thank ChaChanna for her time and for sharing her knowledge and insight with all of us.  Make sure to check out her information below!

ChaChanna Simpson is a certified business coach for women entrepreneurs, motivational speaker, and Empress of Your Stellar Star where she helps women start and grow their side business while holding down a full time job. Sign up for her Business Basics Newsletter to download How to Start a Business While Working a Full-time Job (without going crazy) workbook.

It can be frustrating trying to live life with a fear monster standing in front of you. The stranger that you wanted to start a conversation with, traveling to that exotic place that you have always wanted to go to, flying, or even taking in the view from atop the Empire State Building. The truth is we don’t realize just how much fear can impact our lives. The great thing is, fear doesn’t have to prevent us from enjoying our lives to the fullest.

 
I have spent the last twelve years helping individuals breakdown unwanted fear roadblocks and reclaim happiness in their lives. I have decided to offer a free introduction webinar.  In the webinar we will discuss what strategies fear uses againist us, how to identify them, and five proven key ways to take happiness back from fear.

Join me online at http://bit.ly/wYoE6V Thursday, February, 23 2012 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (Pacific Time)

Make sure to register in plenty of time; there are only a limited number of spots available!

Recently, I have heard many different stories about the reasons why people aren’t making the positive changes in their lives they want to make. They are too busy, there is not enough time, or the idea is too scary. I am not saying that I don’t find myself falling into similar excuse patterns at times. I think we all need those friendly reminders to get out into the world and do what it is that we want to do. One of the most valuable pieces of information that I received from the 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference in New York is, if you don’t do the work you will not reap the rewards. The work is hard, it is frustrating at times, but the reward of getting to do something you love and are passionate about, are worth all of the bumps and potholes long the way. We have a choice every day when we wake up; we can choose to let our life be miserable and complain about what we don’t have, and what we aren’t doing, or we can get out there, focus on the positive and do what it is we want to do. The truth is, the thing that no one wants to hear, and I am speaking from experience…we are the only real thing that gets in our way. Decide today that you are going to step aside and not be the obstacle in your own life. Decide to make today your day!