What to do when you feel Blah?!?

There are plenty of times when I'm feeling BLAH! It is the best way to describe feeling unmotivated, feeling funky, and just flat out not wanting to do anything. It's the perfect escape, where I can satisfy my indulgences immediately of sitting on the couch and watching TV while subconsciously feeling the overwhelm because there's a list of work building in my head.

There's two things that I do at this point. I stay sitting on the couch for a determined amount of time and then get back to work, or I look at what needs to be cleaned around me and start cleaning. Believe it or not, the physical space that you have around you influences how you feel. If everything is cluttered, unorganized and dirty, you're going feel unmotivated. But if there was sunlight entering in your office, shiny tables and neat stacks, you'll be excited to start working.

That is why cleaning is a productive action and I make sure that things are cleaned on a regular basis. If you look at my calendar, I schedule when to clean things because life happens, I will get busy and I will forget. Since I've scheduled it in my calendar I haven't.

The next time you feel BLAH, you will know that you have two choices and try out the cleaning thing. Who knows what will happen.

Creativity with a little DIY?

I'm typically the one cleaning the house and I've noticed a couple things. Cleaners are expensive, they never really do the work the first time and the scents they come in are just too much to bare.

But I'm starting to really dig the earth911.com newsletters! These 5 simple DIY cleaner solutions for everyday is pretty phenomenal. You're using biodegradable ingredients and it's cheap! Two bonuses when you're looking to help save the Earth.

1. Laundry detergent

Store-bought detergents can cost up to $10 for 32 loads, which can really add up over time. But it’s easy to get the same fresh-smelling clothes the all-natural way for less than half the price.

Adding soap flakes to the warm water at the start of your wash cycle is a quick and easy substitute for detergent. If you’re washing in cold water, simply dissolve your soap in a small pot of water on the stove and pour about a cup in with each load. And skip the fabric softener. Adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle will soften clothes just as well.

You may run into problems with basic detergent recipes if you have “hard water” – meaning your water supply is very rich in minerals. When added to hard water, soap flakes can stick to your clothes and leave them a little less than clean. For hard water areas, add 1/3 cup of wash soda to water before adding clothes, and use dissolved soap in place of detergent (the wash soda softens water and helps clothes come out clean). Add 1/2 cup of borax for added cleaning power.

2. Glass cleaner

Pricey bottles touting a streak-free shine for all your glass surfaces can sell for as much as $5. But did you know a homemade alternative costs less than 20 cents?

Just mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 8 cups of warm water to give your windows, mirrors and glass countertops a shiny finish. You can apply your mixture with a towel. But if you prefer the spray-on method, pick up a reusable spray bottle from a local discount store, or reuse the bottle from a purchased glass cleaner.

3. Toilet cleaner

Cleaning the toilet is probably the ickiest (and most necessary) job in the house. And while many of us spend a bundle on “extra-strength” cleaners in an effort to stave off bacteria, all-natural methods can be tough on germs too – and cost way less. So, ditch those brand-name cleaners, and sub in a DIY alternative for less than a dollar.

To get the bowl clean, simply sprinkle in about 1/4 cup of baking soda and drizzle with vinegar. Let the mixture sit and fizzle away for about 1/2 hour, and scrub clean with a toilet brush. Your porcelain throne will be just as clean without the harsh chemical smells.

4. Tile and grout cleaner

It’s tough to clean tile and grout without being left with a sore elbow. And you may think that expensive cleaners make things easier, but a $10 price tag and a fancy label isn’t the only way to get the job done. About 50 cents worth of baking soda or vinegar is enough to leave your tiles clean and your elbow rested.

Usually, mixing 1/4 cup of vinegar with about 15 cups of water will be enough to clean your tile. But if you’ve got some tough spots, you may need something a little stronger. Make a paste using 1/4 cup of baking soda and a tablespoon of liquid soap and scrub it onto tough areas with a scouring pad.

5. Wood polish

You want to keep your wood furniture looking nice, but is $5 for a little can of polish really worth it? To get all your wood finishes looking shiny and spotless, skip the pricey polishes and do it yourself on the cheap.

For ugly rings on your wood tables, just make a paste using equal parts baking soda and toothpaste. Yes, we said toothpaste. Use a plain, non-gel toothpaste and apply your mixture over the ring with a cloth. Wipe off the film with a wet cloth, buff with a dry one and your table will be good as new.

To give surfaces a glossy sheen, mix about 1/2 cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of olive oil and apply like your usual polish. Vinegar will pull dirt out of your wood surfaces, while oil leaves them shiny and moisturized.

Cruising it up!

What you need to know whether it's your first or eight time on a cruise. Although I haven't been a cruise before and we've heard many accidents on cruises lately, there's some proactive precautions we can all take to be an informed and prepared traveler.


Here are the five simple steps to remember when you're on your cruise, courtesy of AAA.

1. All cruise passengers, even seasoned cruisers, should actively participate in and pay full attention during the ship’s muster drills as evacuation procedures vary by cruise line. Currently, ships are required to hold safety drills within 24 hours of boarding new passengers. If the ship’s emergency muster drill is not scheduled prior to departure from the embarkation port, take personal responsibility for safety by locating life vests and identifying assigned muster stations.
2. Register all international travel with the U.S. Department of State's free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will enable the State Department to provide better assistance in an emergency.
3. Travel with a small waterproof pack that can be easily secured around the body in the event of an evacuation. The pack should include, passports, cash including local currency, credit card, medications, small flashlight, cell phone, nutrition bars, and a bottle of water if possible. Prepare the pack upon boarding the ship so it is immediately accessible in the event of an emergency.
4. Don’t let common sense take a vacation. Avoid participation in risky behaviors like excessive consumption of alcohol and admitting strangers to your cabin, and report any concerns to ship security. Personal safety is a consideration while on a cruise vacation, just like it is while at home or when traveling on land.
5. Book all cruise vacations through a trusted travel counselor. In the days following an emergency, the travel counselor can be a trusted ally providing critical, timely and valuable assistance. A travel counselor can provide guidance to customers already booked on future cruises that may be affected by the original cruise ship emergency.

Three Common Pitfalls

If you're an Entrepreneur, trying to get the next promotion at your job or even trying to advance in debate, these pitfalls fall will relate to you. Check in with yourself from time to time or several times a day to make sure that you're in good spirits, you have a positive attitude and you're in action!

1. Comparing yourself to others. We are our own worst critics, and if we start thinking that someone else is better, then you'll stop yourself dead in your tracks before you start. Or, you could drag your feet in getting something done and start creating resentment in what you were once passionate about.

2. Comparing yesterday's progress to today's progress. This is where you start making yourself wrong about how you're doing something, the rate at which you're doing something and even the success at which you're doing it. There will be highs and lows, it's all part of life. Stop it before you start creating frustration at yourself and with yourself which leads to an unfulfilled day.

3.Comparing what you're doing to how you think you should be doing it. For some reason, we all have this ability to conjure up an idea of how something should be done perfectly. The moment that it doesn't go that way or we don't do it that way, we think it's all going to hell from there. That's not really the case. Again, it was an idea that we made up and it isn't really how something is suppose to go. I promise you, no matter how many times you travel back in time to do the same incident over again, it'll turn out the same way. Nothing would change.

Now you know what those pitfalls are, relax. You can pinpoint where your anxiety, frustration and resentment can come from. Be in the moment with what you're doing, with your breath and enjoy. After all, it's all about the process, not the destination.

Apps to be productive?!? It's almost and oxymoron!

I've been able to test out a tablet for 2 months now and all it seems to do is distract me! My brother downloaded some games that would require my constant attention! Now, if I had known about these apps, maybe I would be able to get more done. Well better late than never.

Smart Phone/iPad Apps:

   * EverNote - The BEST way to take notes, audio notes, picture notes, documents, video notes, etc that syncs automatically with EverNote on your computer. You can share notes or notebooks with others.

   * DropBox - The easiest way to sync files between your iPhone, iPad and your computer, or share with others

   * PayPal app - Even better than using the site on your computer!  Get your money faster.

   * Battery XL - Keep a longer battery life while doing all that you do.

   * QuickBooks app - If you using another accounting software, they probably have an app.  But who uses anything else.

   * Square - The absolute leader in processing credit cards on the road and with your iPad or iPhone.

   * WordPress app - If you blog, setup your WordPress blog (or have your tech guy do it) to allow post by proxy, then you can blog and publish directly from your phone!

   * Siri - If you paid to upgrade to the iPhone 4S. If you didn't, get Vlingo! It's a free app that works like Siri... allows talk to text, talk to email, looks things up for you, etc. Saves a lot of time over typing and is much safer while driving!

   * TeleNav GPS (premium version) - The best GPS Mileage tracking app out there. It can even log your mileage directly into a spreadsheet for you, which is great for keeping track without thinking about it.

   * Currency Converter - A perfect free app for those small business owners doing international travel.

   * Mint app. or Mint.com - A great service to organize your personal finances, and you can use it for business too. Instead of check multiple accounts and credit card balances through individual apps, check it all at once through Mint for a networth summary, account balances, and transactions.  If you think this is competition to Quickbooks, think again, they own it too.  It's just their way of differentiating their services and good marketing. 

   * Zecco - For you stock traders out there, use this to manage your brokerage account.

   * Reminders app - Is great for mini-project management and personal time-management and lists. This comes standard on iOS5 and works great with Siri.

   * FlightTrack Pro - Again, for you small business owners on the road and in the air...make sure you're always on time and know what's going on with your flights.

   * Quickoffice Mobile Office Suite - Quickword, Quicksheet, Quickoffice files... best way to edit documents and spreadsheets on the go.

   * Time Manager Pro - Excellent for keeping track of your personal activities and improving time management.

   * ClockIn - If you bill by the hour, this can be a great tool for tracking hours per client and per project.

   * Business card reader - the best app for taking contacts from business cards directly into your iPhone contacts and connect with them in LinkedIn. Can save you hours of data entry and improve follow up significantly.

Do I even need to mention Skype, Facebook, Twitter, etc.... I don't think so. <:)

Just Cool to Know About

  * www.join.me - The fastest and easiest way to share your screen with someone quickly

  * Logmein.com- An easy way to access your computer while on the road and simple to set-up.

  * Basecamp.com - this is actually a mobile site, not an app, but works just like an app. This is the best project management system out there. There are other free and lower priced project management systems that also have mobile apps.

   * Any QR code reader app is necessary to have. Dmitriy will talk about this more on the Radio Show.

This isn't Kansas anymore Toto

Lately, the conversation around me has been filled with disappointment. We are finally realizing that things aren't where we want them to be. Having a certain amount of passive income, lining up acting gigs through the door or even being able to give ourselves unconditionally to make a difference in the world. This kind of thinking leads down a path of an emotional roller coaster, where you find yourself upset, frustrated, disappointed and maybe even question your passion and the direction that you've been taking all these years.

I find myself in this situation frequently. Why is it that my brain can pick out quickly what is not working for me in my life, instead of embracing the milestones that I've conquered? Why is it that I never feel that I've arrived, that I've accomplished my life goals and why can't I really celebrate my life?

Is it because I'm still at the beginning? Is there a bigger plan for me? Is there something that I'm suppose to know but I don't? Unfortunately, I don't know the answer. However, what I do know is that I'm not alone. Knowing that, helps. I'm not THAT special.

But what do I do from here? I know that whatever point of view that I take, it will either empower me or disempower me. So why not start with thoughts and ideas that would empower me to take action and move towards what I am clear that I am passionate about?!?

Each time these questions come up for me, I find myself feeling like it's old, that I've done over and over and over again and I'm going insane. Is this why 80% of businesses fail within the first five years? Because people give up? Because they don't know what to do in this cycle? Do you know what to do in the cycle?

When it's overwhelming...

Lately, I've been feeling like my "to do" list has been piling on more tasks faster than I can cross them off. Then they occur like each item will take a lifetime to do so why bother? Next thing I know, I'm feel unproductive, negative and wanting to play hooky for the rest of the day, week and month! The feeling of anxiety, overwhelm and stress takes over and I don't know where to start! The light is not at the end of the tunnel and I slowly begin to question what I'm doing.

Sadly, I'm not the only one that feels this way, especially for small business owners! Being your own boss is great, you get the freedom and flexibility to do what you want when you want to but it's also overwhelming when you're the sole producer of your own results!

Here's what I've found to help.
1. Take a deep breath and really look at your list. List it in the order of importance and throw in some easy items in between.
2. Get that it's okay where you're at, and the fact that you're moving forward means that you're challenging yourself and you're growing.
3. Do the first item and only the first item. Once you're complete, you can move onto the next item.
4. Take small little breaks when you need to, and when you take your breaks, make sure it's away from the desk/office.
5. Reminder: when you're eating your lunch, don't do it at your desk.

Here's a couple things of what I've noticed when I take these steps. The daunting tasks seems to be accomplished quickly. I find out that I have created this idea that the workload is so big that it would take hours, when in actuality, it doesn't. It may take a half an hour at most to complete it. Having the little tasks randomly throughout the list breaks up the need to be in front of the computer. I find that taking 15 minutes to walk to the bank or post office gives me an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and relax. Lastly, I end up breezing through the list quicker than I imagined. It turned a week of feeling unproductive to a satisfying day! All in all, I've learned that sucking it up and doing the tasks when I don't "feel" like it will have me feeling better than not doing it at all.

What are some tips that you use to move yourself from feeling slow to productive?

Scam Alert!

"SCAM ALERT- ATTENTION PROPERTY OWNERS"...There is a company called Successful Rent, ran by a woman named "Sunny".  She calls property owners who have vacancies and claims she has prospective tenants from out of the country looking for homes.  She then sends someone over who fills out the rental application and gives the owner or manager a "PHONY CASHIER'S CHECK" to hold the apartment. She also says that she will run the credit report for the owner for free.  A reminder to always run your own credit reports! On the day of move-in, she calls the owner and says the tenant found another place and they would like their money back.

The owner then writes a check for the deposit amount and a week or two later, gets a letter from their bank saying the original cashier's check was fraudulent and no good. They just took the owner for thousands. One owner didn't cash the check and sent them back the phony check, so they tried the scam with them again!   This company typically preys on the elderly!

Thanks to Mark Kohler for keeping us up to date on what's going on in the real estate and tax world. I follow his weekly newsletter. You can sign up on his homepage at Mark Kohler.