Every...Tuesday...we're Hustling

This past Tuesday I began a new co-hosting gig of an Atlanta-based internet tv show. There are four of us and each Tuesday at 8pm EST we chat about any and everything. This week's topic focused on business. We never know what we'll be talking about the next week as we literally receive the show questions live on the show and we answer them right then and there.

Check out last week's show and tune in to "Hustlers" next Tuesday!

Walk Into Your Dream!

What a fabulous time to embark on a dream. In this economy? Yes, absolutely. In this economy; in this time; in this place! It is time for the faithful to believe so that they can see their dreams become a reality.

Did you catch that? You must believe. Then you will see your dream. Believing is seeing in 2009.As the inauguration of the man of hope begins, you must also see it as your new beginning. Yes, you can change your life in this very moment.

Starting today, write down what your ideal life looks like. Describe your ideal relationship, your ideal financial situation, and your ideal career. If you are unsure, then look at what you do not want in those situations. Look at your list of "don't wants" and write the complete opposite next to it. Now you know what you do want. Then everday read your ideal life and feel what it's like to wake up everyday with that as your reality.

Two years ago we never thought an African-American would become president in our lifetime. A new day, a new way of thinking is upon you. Embrace it. A whole new reality is beginning for you.

Walk into your dream!

Jump To Your Success

For girls born in the 1970s there was one thing you had to know how to do - jump. Double-dutch style. The lure of the ropes was intense, the competition fierce, and the movement of the ropes was mesmerizing. Everyday there were girls turning ropes in sync while another girl bobbed her head, moved her body back and forth, and went into a zone where she couldn't really hear anyone but the voice in her head telling her when to GO. And then, she would jump into those ropes, moving in coordination, as if her and the ropes were doing their own private dance. On the sidelines young voices would call out, "10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 110, 2...."

She would keep jumping for as long as she could and the numbers would go higher and higher, the voices filled with excitement around her. The thrill was in the anticipating of jumping and in actually being in the ropes.

Your success is the same way. The preparation should fill you with as much joy as the moment of actually being in your element. The process itself can be thrilling. The way to enjoy your dream and truly live a successful life is to appreciate it from all sides. Just like Double-Dutch, although it may appear that you have gotten "out" and lost your turn, there is always another game waiting to get started. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, but it will be your turn again and all you have to do is remember when to move your body, get in motion, and hear that "10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 110, 2...."

Enjoy every moment of your success.

Live a Life You Love!
Natasha Munson
Author of Love Lessons for My Sisters: How to Find and Keep All The Love You Deserve!
http://www.sisterlessons.com

Name That Negative

When I was growing up there was a strong, loud voice that called me names and told me I wouldn't amount to much of anything. At the time I simply thought the person telling me that was crazy. I was a child then and could not tell my father how crazy and mean he was to talk to me like that. Little did I know that his words had taken root in my soul.

Regardless of the accomplishments I have made in my life there is always a voice that tells me it isn't enough. That little voice does the best it can to put me down and give its negative view of things. It tells me I'm not worthy of my success, not special enough to achieve anything great. It tries to lull me into a depressed state of being.

I came to a point though when I really wanted that voice to stop. Eventually I responded with a few choice words of my own.

"Thank you, Leroy," I said. "Thank you for your opinion. I don't believe that." Right then and there I named that negative and neutralized it.

It doesn't mean the voice magically stopped. It is still very present but not as strong. I've learned to tell "Leroy", my negative, to shush and keep it moving. I have a message to share and I do not have to be perfect in order to share it. There is no perfect person. What I must be, and what I am, is honest and sincere about my mission. I understand that voice only has as much power as I give it.

I believe that so many of us are held back from greatness, from loving ourselves, and from living fulfilling lives because there is a little voice chipping away at our soul. We give it the strength to break us down and nearly tear us apart. We allow it to stop us from dreaming big and living large. When that voice arises simply: acknowledge it, name it, thank it and release it. Exhale and keep pursuing your dream. You deserve what you want. You are worthy of living a fabulous life. You were not put here to struggle and survive. Focus on thriving. Focus on loving your life.

Live a Life You Love!
Natasha Munson
Author of Love Lessons for My Sisters: How to Find and Keep All The Love You Deserve!
http://www.sisterlessons.com

What I would tell every author

When I began my writing career as a self-published author I was blessed to receive wonderful reviews of my first book, Life Lessons for My Sisters. Two prominent publications compared me to and gave me praise for being “the next Iyanla Vanzant.” I remember reading those words and being very happy and slightly afraid.

How do you live up to that? I remember thinking, what if they find out that my life is not perfect and I am not living the life of my dreams? I nearly became paralyzed at the fear of the success. Could it be possible to reach such a high in your life only to have the curtain pulled back like the Wizard of Oz as you crumble to the ground with shame when people discover that you are not this great being living a magical life?

Gratefully I had told the truth about my life. From the very first page I shared the details of a difficult relationship and how it had affected my spirit and heart. I poured from the soul my reasons for writing Life Lessons and my hope that it would serve as a guide to other young women, a handbook to help them make the best choices for their life.

Thank God for telling the truth. The lesson I learned in that moment of comparison to Iyanla Vanzant is that it is not possible to be the next whomever. You must be the best you.

So many authors would save themselves from disappoint if they removed their eyes from the best-selling author with hopes of becoming them and obtaining their success. What is for you is for you. If you feel so inspired to share your story, and give your testimony of life, then tell it because something in your soul is compelling you to share, not because you want to be the next so-and-so or to be as successful as someone else.

It is one thing to be inspired by someone else and quite another when your whole purpose for writing is because you want to be well-known, famous, and regarded as “the next.” Unfortunately, I meet a lot of upcoming authors who are writing for those reasons. If there is something I can share with aspiring authors, and anyone pursuing a dream, it is simply this: The true glory comes from knowing that your life, your authentic story, those lessons you have learned, helped another person. That’s what makes you a success. When you focus on that, the journey along the way will be much more rewarding than being called “the next”.

Do you!

"Clerical Errors" at the Polls

A friend and I went to vote today in Fulton County. We both voted in our county in the last primary and she voted just a few months ago for the senate race. Well, when she got 40 minutes through the line they told her she was not registered in Fulton county and was registered in another county. They gave her the voter's registration number for that county and everything. She explained that she had just voted in Fulton county in August and she voted during the last presidential race in Fulton county. She has lived in Fulton County for the past five years. She had to go out to the car and get her voter's registration card to prove that she was registered in Fulton County.

If she did not have that card she would have been screwed. Now, if it was election day, could you imagine standing in line for an hour or two, only to have someone tell you that you're not registered in that county and you need to get in traffic and stand in line again in another county? They tried to dismiss it as a clerical error (that somehow occurred between August 2008 and today- ???), but with everything riding on this election, make sure you bring your voter registration card with you to the polls! If you can't find your card, call your local voter registration office and confirm that you are registered in the correct county. We don't want any "clerical errors" causing people to be unable to vote on election day.

Ten Tips for Publishing Success

A friend asked me to write down ten things I felt I had done as a print on-demand author that made a difference and may have led to my publishing deal.

The first things to come to mind were:

1. Made a personal appeal to bookstore owners. I wrote a letter to independent bookstores telling them about my book and asking for their support.

2. Had a professional website created that positioned me as an author, allowed online ordering, contained a newsletter, FAQ and updated information about my book.

3. Spoke to women's groups and organizations to raise awareness of the book and create nontraditional sales.

4. Made myself available to local reporters for articles.

5. Created a marketing sheet for libraries and contacted my local libraries about acquisition of my book.

6. Contacted my high school and college alumni newsletter and provided an update listing my publication as a recent accomplishment.

7. Did book workshops and discussions with book clubs.

8. Went to Book Expo of America. I met Jack Canfield as he was walking to a workshop. I literally walked him to his event (after asking if that was ok) and asked him questions.

9. I had postcards made with my book cover on one side, ordering information and reviews on the other side. I left room so I could use it as a mailer. I gave cards to friends, family and coworkers so they could tell people they knew about "this new author" and hand them a card.

10. I didn't think of myself as a "self-published author". I promoted myself as an author with a great title.

It's been an amazing experience and I continue to enjoy the journey.