I Woke Up Awesome Blog

We're coming to a close of 2013 and many of us are gearing up for 2014. What are our goals? Our resolutions? The things left-over from 2013 that we want to finally cross off our list? Here are some quotes to inspire you to get it done and sprint across the finish line of 2013 and keep the momentum going for 2014!     Calculator not required.   Difference made - not difference judged.   See opportunity all around you and look it in the eye.   Open your eyes. Open your heart.    Ready. Fire. Aim. Fire. Aim. Fire. Aim.  Don't drink the poison and expect someone else to die.  Play big. Leave it all on the field.   Who are you?     Work hard. Play hard. Exercise Hard.    Outside your comfort zone is where your dreams come true. What are the quotes that inspire you most? Please share them in the comments below.  

As an entrepreneur I love finding ways to offer incentives, contest prizes and recognition to my customers and my team. I used to use cash - that doesn't work. When surveyed, people will choose non-cash forms of gifts over cash EVERY TIME. They'll work harder to earn them too. Enter Gamification - a non-cash incentive program for customers and employees. Then I switched to GIFT CARDS. Until I found out that only about 50% of gift cards are ever actually redeemed - so really those are gifts for the companies that sell them...NOT the recipients ! I'm excited to share something I have found as an alternative to cash or gift cards for those not quite ready to enter the complex and costly Gamification route. The eGift What a wonderful tool to use when wanting to reward someone.  Great uses I have found the eGift to be perfect for: Client referral "thank you" - a better idea than a cash referral and more joyfully received because it doesn't...

Holy cow. I have been doing it all wrong!!! My whole life has been built around avoiding pain. I have become a MASTER at "conversational marketing: the art of asking questions" in part because it allowed me to hide my own identity and my own true self. If I am learning about you I can keep you distracted from the fact that you haven't learned a thing about me. I used the best shiny object to you in the world: you! Of course, I come from a place of authenticy and integrity. Because that's who I am. I'm not faking it. Or phoning it in. I am truly and completely interested in YOU ... who you are, where you came from, why you do what you do, what you want to do next. I actually learned this skill from my friend Jean T. We went antiquing one weekend in Cold Spring a decade ago and I was enthralled with how INTERESTED she seemed in everyone she met. And the things she learned that I never would have guessed. She was so lit up by learning what lit them up. I s...

I have some wonderful news for you last-minute shoppers. I came across a few retailers that can stretch your shopping dollars much farther this season! But don't wait because with only 10 shopping days left, you will want time for shipping and wrapping. =) Ok - so here we go... Electronics at CowBoom.com ( 2% Cashback | 4% IBV ) is a ShopAllThat.com partner that offers EXCLUSIVE daily deals for our customers. Products are refurbished and work great. You know you can trust 'em because they are a Best Buy store. Visit CowBoom.   Today's is a Toshiba Laptop regularly $349.99, today $199.99 Nostalgia and candy at Old Time Candy ( 4% Cashback | 4% IBV ) - Shop for nostalgic candy in the originally designed wrapper. Go to the CANDIES BY THE DECADE section and get stocking stuffers for your family and friends of all ages that will remind them of when they were a kid. Right now, get 15% off $50+ order with code Santa2013. Visit Old Time Candy. Jewel...

How do you feel when you get a win in your business? When I first started working with my Internet Franchise, I was DETERMINED to be successful! I attended training, listened to audio seminars. Free time was spent at the Barnes & Noble Self Employment sections so I could learn to be better at Sales - Leadership - Enterpreneurship. I created a goal that I would reach a specific level of success in a specified period of time. It was a SMART Goal (Specific - Measurable - Attainable - Realistic - Timed). I created an action plan: Result producing activity on a daily basis which would lead to a weekly activity goal and to monthly results. I was ready. I engaged in my plan of action. I got to work. And it happened...all of my attention, work and intention created success! CRAP! Now What!? I didn't feel ready, willing or qualified to receive the success. I hadn't read enough books. I didn't know the right words to say. I wasn't sure what to do NEXT. And I actua...

Extra Cashback through December 26, 2013

I'm getting the finishing touches on the portal party we are hosting this evening in Wappingers Falls NY! We have lots of fun shoppers coming to learn about how to shop, how to save money and how to make cash back with every purchase this holiday season and beyond. I just had to share some of the savings from our Portal Party Shopping Guide because they expire today or tomorrow. You can get to all of these stores through ShopAllThat.com . That will allow you to get the Cash Back noted. =) Here's what I found ... STORE CODE SAVINGS* JC Penny CYBRXTND Exp 12/4 Extra 20-30% savings 3% Cash Back Ashley Stewart No Coupon Required Exp 12/5 3pm 30% off (goes to 20% off on 12/5 3pm Plus 4% Cash Back Shutterfly CYBER20 Exp 12/5 20% off most items Plus 2% Cash Back MyJewelryBox BFCM30 Exp 12/5 30% savings Plus 12% Cash Back Current WGGWLX Exp 12/5 ...

So many deals, so many deals! I'm sure there will be more post-Cyber Monday sales but why wait? Here are some great finds for the budget-conscious. If you know someone that has a limited budget but doesn't want to limit the holiday gift-giving cheer, these are some great options. Genuine Swarovski Circle with Heart Necklace $79.99   Sale $19.99  ( You Save $60.00 ) $1.20 Cashback | 1.2 IBV Made with 100% Genuine Swarovski Crystals this enchanting pendant necklace oozes elegance, originality and style! This pendant features an adorable Silver Sparkling Heart while being held within the Silver Eternal Circle.Encrusted with rows of Swarovski Crystals the heart is nestled inside an engraved ring.   Beats by Dre Earbuds / Headphones with Mic and Playback Controls (Black / Red) $129.99 Sale $49.99   ( You Save $80.00 ) $1.00 Cashback | 2.5 IBV There's a reason you never see artists in the studio with in-ear ...