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Skills or Common Sense – Do you show it or blow it?

 

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  After working in the Federal sector for over 35 years I can honestly say it’s a thin line between ‘Who you know’ and ‘What you know’. Many articles emphasize that Who you Know gets you further and having been in many situations it was that But I perservered and realized that no matter who I know, I still needed to have the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to do the job. Fortunately I always had to apply, interview, and convince a panel that I would be their best choice. Without those KSAs I would not have made it through interviews with highly skilled Managers who could spot a fake.

So why am I making a big deal of this? I just read “The Billion Dollar Woman” by Janelle Harris.  She interviewed Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first black woman to build a billion-dollar business, Act-1 Group, a business solutions enterprise.  Janice elaborated on how she succeeded and made very interesting points.

     First, she attributes her faith in God and the love from a large family as what inspired her.  I can relate to that.  She launched her business in 1978 with only $1,500. That took a lot of faith, self-belief and KSAs.  Janice did not wait for someone to ‘hand it to her’.  I launched my business for less than $350 with no overhead. 

     Second, she marveled at how business owners, employees, contractors or even creative people miss out on investing in people, understanding what the people need; understanding what is behind the ‘ask’, and once that need is identified, one can deliver a service or a product that really grows. Learning from her I deliver a great product that sells itself. Everybody is either doing it or want it.

     Third, Janice stepped up, not back, when the ‘economy was staggering out of a recession’. She felt people wanted to ‘jump in’ when business was good and going well; however her thoughts was that people should put it all out there when there is adversity. It makes you work harder, stronger, and that’s the time businesses grow.

     Fourth, Janice, graduating from North Caroline A&T State University, said her greatest challenge is “unapologetic about the gifts that got her here”. Previously, she shrank from her power.  Now she embraces it and use it to help others.

     Fifth, Janice was uncomfortable with the idea she was smart.  She felt it was crucial to hide her knowledge.  I never thought I would actually read about someone who was uncomfortable with their brains.  It’s sad when people are ignorant enough to judge a person because they are smart. Don’t ever let anyone criticize you or judge you for that reason. Those are people who don’t have sense enough to look at your contribution to others. Take it in for what it really is, jealousy and a negative way to hold you back. After one of Janice’s business presentations, and as she was being escorted to the door someone said “’If more of your people were like you, your whole race would be a lot further ahead.’” Instead of allowing that negativity to affect her, Janice made a commitment that the first $1 million she earned, from that contract would go to scholarships for ‘people like her’. WOW. That’s how you show negative people, don’t get even, be successful. People are watching and waiting for you to either fail or be successful. Make a decision: to fail is easy; to succeed is hard but so rewarding and it helps so many other people. I recently attended a Women’s Conference in Teaneck, New Jersey, where one of the speakers, Lillie Ennis, made a very good point by saying “Ladies, when you crack that glass ceiling, send the elevator back down”. That was huge and an eye opener. There is enough for everyone but don’t forget to reach down and help another. That’s how your blessings multiply. This industry I have been so blessed to be a part of has no glass ceiling and I’m on that elevator.

     I’ve seen what people need, realized it’s already out there as an $8 Trillion dollar industry and simply provide the avenue for everyone to reach it. Simply put, I will be the door that opens for my family and friends. I will create that Generational Wealth. I will lead and develop leaders because now I know, after retiring, this trillion dollar industry has no ‘Glass Ceiling’. And I’m sharing this with everyone I know so you will understand that if I can do it, so can you. There are no education requirements, just a desire to help others.

 

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Traveling on any Budget – Planning your Vacation

You Should Be Here!!!

Toronto, Canada

Traveling on any Budget

Schools are closing for the year and if you have not planned in advance what/where your vacation will be, now’s the time.  Many articles suggest trips, but I’ve not seen any sized or categorized by the size of your wallet or budget.  Here are a few suggestions that may help.

If your budget is under $100 then make it count. Don’t think you can’t go on vacation. You can visit places within your own State and it can turn out to be very rewarding.   Pack up the family, or go it alone, and do day trips.  Check out the local State and County parks where there are grills, picnic tables, bathrooms, all FREE.  Take your own equipment to fly kites, play volley ball, walking the trails, etc.   With day trips the dog can even come along saving dog-sitting money.  It doesn’t have to be expensive.  You can do all of this for under $100 by simply packing a picnic basket.  It’s not what you’re eating; it’s being together that will make the fun.  You can also pitch a tent in your back yard and camp out for a few days, but you must restrain yourself from going in the house, except for the bathroom.  Local beaches are promising also.  You only need bathing suits and blankets; chips and water and the fun is there.  

I have yet to visit all the monuments and museums in our Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC.  I’ve driven pass those sites many times, but never took the time to finish seeing all of them.  So you know what’s on my Bucket List.  And while we’re talking about my bucket list: however about catching a hot air balloon ride in West Virginia; or a helicopter ride over Ground Zero in New York.  My list is deep but I’m halfway through it.

$300 or less will take you a little further and allow you to spend at least 1-2 nights. There are booking engines that will give highly discounted prices with rebates back to continue traveling.  Find a good beach or a walking tour of the city.  This can be very educational for the kids and you may find it’s something you’ve never seen either.  Have you actually toured the city you live in?  That’s something to consider.

With $500 you can afford a 3-5 night trip, whether you fly or drive. Plan it right and there’s so much fun to simply get away. You could afford a 3-5 day cruise, a long weekend, or a short trip to a fun city like Las Vegas or Philadelphia. Taking a short cruise leaving local to your area with a short drive can be so much more rewarding. There are short Bahama Cruises that leave from many popular cities for under $300. I believe a cruise is the ‘ultimate vacation’ where you don’t clean, cook, make your bed; just show up and have fun and eat and eat and eat.  This booking engine will help you find just the right fun.  

$800-$1000 per person means you saved your money in advance.  With this your options are greater.  5-Star hotels are out if you’re going for more than 3 days.  However, if you stay within a country, like the United States who has a lower cost-of-living, your money will stretch further.  There are various lodging plans that are less expensive which accommodate low budgets. Keep your buying to a minimum; but enjoy the free taste-testing and tours. You can fly to South Africa for under $800 and stay in a Backpackers Hostel; depending on whether you want to see Africa or your focus is on the amenities.

There are luxury resorts in Mexico and California and Florida that will accommodate you in style with that budget.  Make sure you know where you want to go and especially what you want to do when you get there.

$1,500 per person can get you an escape to Bangkok, Thailand with a flight costing approximately $1000 and a comfortable stay at a Bed n Breakfast for $100/night.   A more luxurious hotel would cost closer to $150/night for 3 nights and you would stay within your budget.

     Or you could venture to a beachfront resort for a 5-night vacation in Aruba at Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort that is all inclusive. Or fly to Costa Rica and explore the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort for 4 days.

     With $2,000 per person, you can go much further and stay longer. The Canary Islands in Africa would be a great destination.  Housing is cheaper and there are a lot of tourism.

     If you prefer vacationing closer to the U.S., then the Caribbean or Central South America would get you first-class accommodations and possibly make several other stops.  Even in California you can take a Hot-Air Balloon ride over Wine Country. 

     You could also fly to Grenada and stay for 6 nights and stay in an oceanfront villa and would only cost about $1,300. I have always wanted to drive thru Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Taking my time, getting a feel for the areas, stopping when I wanted to; shopping, the culture, the restaurants and staying at local B&Bs.  Two B&Bs come to mind are The Inn at English meadows in Maine and Simsbury 1820 House in Connecticut.   They are on my list for this Fall.

No matter where you chose to go, always travel smart. You can get creative in conserving your money.  There are roommates available to lessen your expenses, however you must be safe.  Spending a little extra cash to go it alone might be wiser. Most airlines are charging extra fees per bag, so pack light. Consider taking a backpack on the plane to reduce cost. Most hotels have laundry service to wash your clothes and wear again. Lots of light-weight clothes and plan your wardrobe so you can wear 1 pair of shoes comfortably. Off-season vacations/trips are less expensive like in the Fall when school opens again but before Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years.  All-inclusive hotels are the best way to save money on your meals or visit happy hours where you can dine cheaper.  You can find local deals through groupon.com for various locations via the zip code you’re visiting.  When available, Uber is a great source of transportation charging much less than local cabs.  Download the Uber app prior to traveling for convenience.

You can also watch airlines who accidentally post fares cheaper than intended.  If you are lucky enough to grab those errors, airlines will still have to honor them.  Of course, you have to be looking at just the right time or you can join a Travel Club who guarantees if you book with them and find the same trip within 7 days, apples for apples, they will send you on that trip FREE and refund your money.  Can’t beat that.

There are lifestyle memberships that can be so rewarding, offering you highly wholesale discounts and give you rebates to use for future travel.        

 

 

 

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Sinusitis – Are you even aware?

Relax and get to a healthy climate!

Sinusitis is an infection of the lining of the sinus cavities in your head and is one of the main causes of pain and pressure in your face and head.  It can be long-term (chronic) or short-term (acute) and can last 12 weeks or longer.  Its usually caused by a bacterial or fungal infection.  Allergies, if applicable, may also be one of the causes of sinusitis, especially if you have extreme allergies and not properly medicating.

Chronic Sinusitis can be hard to treat and can lead to permanent damages in the mucous membranes that line the sinuses.  It could make you more susceptible to future sinus infections. Infections may take some time to treat, mainly with antibiotics if it is caused by bacteria.  Most doctors recommend use of a corticosteroid nasal spray that you would need a prescription for.  Doctors often discuss surgery or allergy testing if your infection is not cured after trying one or two different dosages of antibiotics.  Yes, when sinusitis affects me, I usually need two doses of different antibiotics to knock it out.  Immediately I pull out the cranberry juice, water, soup, jello, saline nasal spray, vaporizer/humidifier, kleenex and pain killers.  Along with these I plan no activity except plenty of REST.

If your sinusitis is caused by a fungal infection, you may need to take antifungals or other medicines that your doctor will suggest and/or prescribe.  Of course, there’s always the hint of surgery, but don’t get anxious about that too soon.  There are alternatives your doctor will discuss.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment  after visiting your doctor and learning your diagnosis.  Be sure to make and go to all your appointments and call your doctor if you are having problems.  Always have your test results and keep a list of the medicines you are taking handy.

Caring for yourself at Home

  • Take medicines as prescribed.  Never stop taking antibiotics because you feel better, take all of them.  Antibiotics continue working even after your last dose.
  • Use steamy shower, hot bath, or sink filled with hot water to breathe warm, moist air.  Avoid cold, dry air.  A humidifier at home may help.
  • If recommended by your doctor, use saline(saltwater) nasal washes every day to keep your nasal passages open.  The solution can wash out mucus and bacteria.  Some recommend a neti pot.  I have a weak membrane lining in my right nostril so having to blow my nose after using the neti pot would not work for me.
  • Put a warm, wet towel or a warm gel pack on your face 3 or 4 times a day, leaving it on 5 to 10 minutes each time.
  • DO NOT smoke or breathe secondhand smoke.  Smoking can cause sinusitis to worsen.
  • If you experience headaches along with your sinusitis contact your doctor immediately.  I experienced such severe pain in my face and head.  It was pain not fit for humans.  After calling my doctor I found while taking my sinus medicines to dry up my sinuses, the dryness was actually causing the severe headaches.  It was like drying up my brain.  Funny, I thought the headaches was coming from my hairdressers’ special type of hair dye she put in my head.  That’s one for the funny papers!  Once I stopped taking the sinus medicine, the headaches went away.  It took some time and pain medication, but it subsided.
  • Resting in a quiet, dark place worked for me.  No TV or reading, it just made my head hurt worse.  I called it ‘straining the brain’!
  • Using a cold, moist face cloth 10 minutes at a time helped and then I alternated with a warm cloth(my solution, not my Docs); and I used a heating pad behind my neck and shoulders to relieve the tension pain.

Most of all, do not self-medicate if your condition has continued longer than 3 days!  Sinusitis is nothing to play with.  It could lead to so much more if left unattended.  Mainly, rest, hydrate, and even change climates temporarily to get the relief you need.  I hitched a ride with a relative down to my Aunt’s place in Myrtle Beach to change my environment.

Most important, call 911 anytime you experience the following:

  • sudden numbness, paralysis, or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body
  • sudden trouble speaking
  • sudden vision changes
  • confusion or trouble understanding simple statements
  • sudden problems with walking or your balance
  • a sudden, severe headache that is different from any of your other headaches

So understand your health is not a simple thing to take for granted.  Always be aware of your body and any changes.  Never be afraid to contact your doctor when something feels OFF.    Always get your annual check-ups.  Spend time with your family, plan a vacation(vacations can be local and not expensive), and get plenty of rest.  Doing these things will alleviate a lot of stress which can cause so many health problems.

Visit our Health Page for more health issues that may affect you.

 

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