COOKING UP SOME MOJO STEW!

Been a busy bee lately! 

Whipping up some major MOJO stew over here, including a 

littlemissMOJO! MAKEOVER

& a guest blogging spot on another fun site... 

so stay tuned for all that! 

Looking forward to sharing it all with you as soon as possible. 

In the meantime, enjoy more short and sweet posts...

... and PURDY PLEASE take a moment to VOTE 
in the 
POST PREFERENCE POLL 
to your right!!! 



Select as many as you wish.
And don't forget to...

THANK YOU!
XOXO

MOJO MONDAY: LIVING WITH INTEGRITY

in·teg·ri·ty

 

noun

1.

adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

2.

the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: 

to preserve the integrity of the empire.

3.

a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: 

theintegrity of a ship's hull.

Living with integrity means: Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships. Asking for what you want and need from others. Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. Making choices based on what YOU believe, and not what others believe.

-Barbara De Angelis

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.

-Mark Twain

In all things preserve integrity; and the consciousness of thine own uprightness will alleviate the toil of business, soften the hardness of ill-success and disappointments, and give thee an humble confidence before God.

-Anonymous

A little integrity is better than any career. 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Trust is rebuilt by focusing not on what the other person did or did not do but on critiquing one's own behavior, improving one's trustworthiness, and focusing attention not on words and promises but on actions, attitudes, and ways of being.

-Kenneth Cloke and Joan Goldsmith

When integrity is broken, the greatest consequence is the one you suffer yourself.

-LittlemissMOJO ;)

OR

When integrity is broken, so is the trust you have with yourself.

-LittlemissMOJO

Simple, but extremely powerful. Which quote do you like better? Got one of your own? Sharing is caring. 

NEWSFLASH!

In my commitment to having integrity with www.littlemissmojo.com, I put a new comments system in place using Disqus! The old one just wasn't user-friendly, so I apologize for that. Now there's no excuse! Get in the game and share your thoughts. If you're shy about sharing, challenge yourself. We're all more alike than you think. 

Have a great week!

xoxo

SILENCE THE NOISE!

Last week I was interviewed on SpeakSpin Internet Radio for a show on blogging basics. Check it out here.

I never did live radio or anything like it before.

I was really nervous.

I generally feel more confident in my writing vs. speaking ability.

As much as I can easily write about myself, I'm sometimes grossly uncomfortable talking about myself.

Somewhere along the way I told myself a story that I'm not a good speaker.

Until the last year, I've been living into that, avoiding anything that required me to speak in public.

I almost let it stop me from accepting the offer to do the show. I thought... I'm not an expert, I'm not good articulating my thoughts on the spot, etc.

I hate being stopped by my fears... case in point: skydiving twice despite a fear of heights.

So I decided it was time to change that story and begin mastering that skill.

How many times has this happened to you? How many times have you backed away from an opportunity or avoided a situation because you decided without question that you would suck at it? 

We're all great story tellers... sadly, most of our stories are full of shit.

What stories are you telling yourself that hold you back? 

What you believe about yourself is powerful. It dictates how you operate in your life and live into your experiences.

We all have our natural abilities but nothing is set in stone. 

Most of the time, we acknowledge what goes on in our heads as reality when the truth is, we create our reality with what we choose to buy into.

We can't control every thought that pops into our head, but we can control which ones we choose to believe. 

We act according to what we think, so choose thoughts that lead to positive beliefs and powerful actions.

I worked all week on pumping myself free of the old story and full of the new one... that I'm an authentic, articulate, kick-ass speaker.

To kick it up a notch, I visualized the scenario going exactly the way I wanted it to go. I imagined feeling confident, engaged, and at ease.

It may sound a little ra-ra for some, but trust me, it seriously works.

The show wasn't perfect, but it went really well and I was proud to have done it despite my fear.

Next time will be a cakewalk in comparison.

This week, choose one negative belief you've held about yourself and really consider spinning it around. What would be possible for you?

Watch how many "but..." and "there's no way" stories pop up. If you were to put all that BS aside, and do that thing anyway, what would open up?

The people who are successful in life weren't born with a "perfection" gene (well, David Beckham might be the exception).

Uber-successful people have fears and doubts too. They just continue moving forward in spite of them.

Don't get stopped by your fears. Choose stories that work in your favor so you can live your happy ending.




Newsflash: 

Help my friends at Talking Alternative Broadcasting get a $250,000 small biz grant! VOTE NOW!!! It takes just a minute and will pay itself forward and then some for the dedicated professionals providing value-driven content to a worldwide audience.

Thanks, have a great week!!!

xoxo

Grow dammit!

AS HUMAN BEINGS, we all have the desire to do better... to be better.

For those of us who make the effort to open up, take a hard look, and gain awareness about ourselves, it's only the beginning of the process of change.

It took me ages to really get that for myself.

I used to think it was enough to be aware of the things I wanted to change.

That awareness is huge. Nothing can happen without it. 

Awareness leads to great insight. But it takes more than insights to create real change. 

It takes action. Not once. Not here and there. Consistent, persistent action. 

That was a tough pill to swallow as someone who used to be more of a thinker than a doer.

When it comes to personal growth, we're often tempted to get impatient, especially when we see something in ourselves that needs to change. 

Sometimes we pretend not to be aware so we can avoid responsibility (aka denial), even as that little voice in our heads is actively calling us out.

We want the instant gratification. Grow dammit!

But like everything else, it takes hard work. Persistent, consistent work.

It can be frustrating when a bad habit stubbornly lingers, especially after putting in the work to change it.

What you should know from the start is that certain tendencies and temptations may never go away. They'll always linger.

That's what makes us all imperfectly perfect.

The challenge is in choosing to indulge something better for yourself in those moments of temptation.

This applies to everything...

-physical habits like picking up that bag of chips

-thought habits like constantly thinking you're not good enough for XYZ 

-communication habits like talking shit about co-workers, family members, etc.

If you're really committed to changing something, get ready for battle, but know that the longer you stick to your guns, the stronger you'll be in the fight. 

And know the most important weapon in your arsenal is patience.

When we tend to ourselves with care and compassion, we're more equipped to put our best foot forward in whatever it is we're striving for. 

It doesn't mean letting ourselves off the hook. It just means not beating ourselves up, and choosing instead to own it, recommit, and move forward. 

Pretty soon you'll be looking back in wonder at how much you've outgrown that little ole pot you were planted in. 

MOJO NEWSFLASH!

***Tune in today at 2PM to hear my live interview on SpeakSpin Radio! If you miss it, you'll be able to download after. 

***Check out my new post about speechwriting for WORD-OLOGY!

Life Beyond The Box...

Next Monday marks a great milestone for littlemissMOJO.

I'll be interviewed on internet radio show SpeakSpin Radio about the basics of blogging.

I'm a little nervous but mostly psyched. Who knows where it could lead, but if nothing else, it'll be fun!

Stay tuned for details on how to tune-in live or download the recorded session afterwards.

I've never been on the radio before (internet or otherwise) and I wasn't sure I was ready to represent the blogging community being that I still feel like such a beginner.

Just a side effect of my dysfunctional perfectionist mentality that in the past has kept me from doing things unless I could do them perfectly. 

But I'm learning you've gotta start somewhere and it's ok to put yourself out there before you're an expert. 

THAT's the message I'll be driving home to potential new bloggers listening in on the interview.

I'm thankfully at a point where I'm more afraid of missing opportunities than failing at them. 

Taking action that forces you to do something you thought you couldn't is crazy empowering.

The feeling gets addicting and you start wondering what else you're capable of.

SO, where can you stretch your comfort zone this week?

Choose one thing you're afraid of or uncomfortable doing... then do it anyway.

TIPSTER: Telling someone else will hold you accountable and increase your rate of follow-through. And PLEASE share your mojo in the comments below!

It doesn't have to be big and it doesn't have to be perfect. The goal is to get thinking and living life beyond the box.

Why? Cause that's where all the really good shit happens.

xoxo

Twitterville OR BUST!

Once upon a time I refused to join Facebook and barely used a computer.

Now I manage 3 email addresses, 2 websites, a Linkedin profile, a vimeo profile, a Youtube account, and a professional blog... in addition to this one.

Ugh, I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

It seems I'm becoming one of "those people" - constantly connecting in an attempt to spread the love for my new business and my blog.

Love it or hate it, on this day when Facebook is likely to become the most highly valued tech IPO ever, the effect of social media on our world is undeniable.

It's no wonder I've officially quit internet dating... at least for now... but that's another post altogether.

All the upkeep can feel like a full-time job, and I'm not sure I want to be attached to my iphone like that kid on the cover of Time is attached to his mom's breast.

credit: time light box

It's a little overwhelming but I'll get the hang and so can you.

Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it. I've gone from being the least tech-savvy person I know to, well, being moderately savvy.

I'm finally biting the social media bullet and making the move to Twitterville.

I've opened two Twitter accounts... one for littlemissmojo (@alittlemissmojo) and one for WORD-OLOGY (@WORDOLOGYnyc).

You can now see my live LMM feed to the right... FOLLOW ME!!!

Sometimes I see something inspiring or want to share a quick quote without writing a whole post or over-exposing myself on Facebook. Twitter is the perfect forum for that.

I have no idea what I'm doing yet. Haven't even reached out to find followers, but I've gotta start somewhere.

I love being limited to 140 characters on Twitter... in case you haven't noticed, keeping it short isn't exactly my forte.

And considering attention spans are shrinking by the minute (including my own), I'm continually aiming for quality and consistency over quantity.

That really is the trick to promoting anything online... consistent, original content.

The beauty of all of this accessibility is that all of your questions are accessible online.

The Google gods know all... get acquainted.

If you're contemplating the move to Twitterville, check out Mashable's Twitter Guide for step-by-step instructions on becoming a Twitter master.

Or just open an account and jump right in!

The most important thing to remember in all the connecting is to be genuine.

We're all inundated with information and stimulation, so whatever you're spewing, spew  from the heart.

The social media wave is incredibly powerful... use it to spread some good!!!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Pretty Great Perspective

Aimee Copeland

AND

Lauren Scruggs

It's stories like these that make me incredibly grateful for my health and my life.

Of course, it's all relative. We all have good days and bad.

But consider these beautiful, brave young women the next time you feel like complaining about some trivial inconvenience like traffic, gas prices, or a pain-in-the-ass co-worker.

If you have love and health in your life, and you're not dealing with tragic circumstances, consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

Every moment is precious. We're not entitled to anything. The only guarantee is that right this minute, we're still breathing.

Everything beyond that is a bonus... and a blessing.

Things can change at any moment, so enjoy all you can while you can... right now.

Have a great week!

xoxo

Isn't it ironic?

How about a side of reality with that plate of optimism?

It seems that when you proclaim "aint no mountain high enough," (as I did in a post a few weeks ago), the universe tests your theory by putting one directly in your path... right up in your face actually.

Just days after that post, the company I was consulting for part-time closed up shop... at least temporarily.

I was developing concepts, creating activities, and writing content for kids based on social-environmental issues like eating disorders, wildlife conservation, leadership, and community service... refreshing considering all the negative influences out there.

It definitely sucked to hear the news, but mental survival mode kicked into high gear and I assured myself that all would be fine and everything happens for a reason. 

After all, I survived the much more stressful divorce from "that other startup job" last summer.

I look back and almost laugh at how upset I got at the time, and how much I could've avoided that by accepting the situation instead of resisting it.

Sometimes you just have to trust that everything happens for a reason.

But even knowing that, I couldn't help being a little jaded. It was the 2nd job in a less than a year that fell through. Really?

As it sank in, I grew frustrated and started planning myself a little pity party.

Then I remembered two things that snapped me out of it:

1) there are thousands of people who survived massive job losses over the last few years

2) the only guests at a pity party are you and your misery

I can only imagine how difficult the recovery process must be for people who are tied to their jobs for years like marriages.

It's jolting to say the least when something you're so invested in suddenly ends without warning.

The reality is there's nothing we can do about uncontrollable circumstances, but we can control our reaction.

I let myself be upset within reason and quickly moved forward. It's nice to see my rebound rate improving.

It was a short but sweet experience that genuinely inspired me, and I truly hope they find a way back.

In the meantime, my focus is to grow WORD-OLOGY. Things are going really well so far.

I'll be sharing what it's been like to launch my own business as it all unfolds. Stay tuned!

If you're interested in starting your own business, it'll hopefully provide some practical tips for getting the ball rolling, and inspire you to take the plunge for yourself.

And as for that mountain... still climbing, and actually loving it!

xoxo

Aint No Mountain High Enough

Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

-Theodore Roosevelt

Been feeling really good about my work prospects in this new year. WORD-OLOGY is growing its wings, and I've been really inspired to get it to the next level.

I've learned to be comfortable with the idea of the unexpected, so I'm open to things heading in a new direction, but I really love the one they're heading in now. 

Freelancing opens up all kinds of opportunities to meet and work with different people. It keeps me mobile and my schedule flexible...HUGE plus on my list of "dream job" criteria.

It also keeps me working on different projects, which keeps me entertained and away from the dangerous wrath of boredom...another HUGE plus on the list.

On the flip side, freelancing is a constant balancing act that isn't always stable or consistent.

There's no one providing you with benefits and no guarantee that work will be there at any given time.

It's a constant search and it can be scary and stressful.

The good news is I have a lot of feelers out there, I feel confident about my ability, and the work itself is proving to be pretty lucrative.

It's been a long struggle but I can finally sense the sweet smell of success on the horizon. I feel like it's only a matter of time before my plate...and my bank account are full.

My goal is to establish a consistent roster of clients so I'll continue to have work lined up for long periods.

I've already got several projects under my belt, I'm doing additional work for my new job, and waiting to hear back on some new clients. 

The big difference I've noticed is how I'm presenting myself. I'm advocating a lot harder than I ever have before and the response is definitely noticeable.

It's been a long time coming, but I finally have my range of work in one place and it no longer feels like a bunch of scattered, wasted efforts.

I used to view my professional history as a series of sordid affairs. Now I see it a series of adventurous pit-stops along this endless road trip.

There is no map. You just have to explore until you find a place you want to settle into.

It actually feels purposeful, like I've finally reached the top of the mountain. There's certainly more hiking to do, but it already seems easier from this altitude.

I've ventured into new territory several times before but something feels very different this time.

I'm operating with more clarity and more faith than ever, and that now makes me feel like a person with endless possibilities. 

It's even more empowering and encouraging when you start seeing opportunities that align with your efforts. There's nothing more validating....it's like God is telling you, "Yes, you're headed in the right direction. Keep going!"

Eventually, it'll be time for new mountains. But for now, I'm enjoying the view from this one.

Whatever it is you're striving for or struggling with...addiction, being a great parent, going back to school, dealing with a loss, getting a promotion, losing weight, building a better marriage, starting your own business...I seriously encourage you to keep going and have faith that if you keep putting one foot in front of the other with your eye on the prize, eventually, you'll reach the mountaintop. Wink wink.

xoxo

My itty bitty bday blog!

HAPPY 33 TO ME!!!!!!!!!!

It's been an amazing year. I've grown more than I've realized and it's nice to take a step back today and acknowledge that.

The last few weeks were filled with amazing highs and unfortunate lows. The one thing that's been consistent through it all is the love of friends and family.

I'm learning that as long as we're here, the best we can do is enjoy the great moments we're given and find some way to grow from the ones on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in things that truly don't deserve our time and energy. Sometimes we focus too much on things we can't control or understand.

I gave a speech at my sister's wedding last weekend acknowledging her ability to take life as it comes and not look back.

A good friend commented to me this morning that most people are not like that. Most people worry about the "what-ifs" in life...myself included.

We get caught up in the cycle of things, focusing on getting to that time or place we imagine we'll finally be able to stop and smell the roses.

But the truth is...THIS IS IT!

Life is short and we should all spend as much of our time as possible living in the moment...not looking too far forward or back.

Sometimes all it takes is a little letting go of things we may be clutching too tightly...even if that thing is just an idea or notion about ourselves or our lives.

Sometimes all it takes is doing a little inventory of what we can be thankful for - even when things are rougher than we thought they'd be.

So for my 33rd birthday, this is the vow I make to myself: to spend as much time as possible living in the moment, being grateful I'm here and enjoying the time I've been given.

Wherever you are in your life...I truly wish you the same.

xoxo

I'm beyond thankful for all your continued support! Looking forward to sharing bigger and better things with you this coming year. 

Trimming The Fat!

Despite a surprising well of material, I haven't written about the love life in a while.

Valentine's Day is approaching, and as I approach another birthday as a single woman, I'm taking an even harder look at my dating habits.

Even when I notice something isn't working, it isn't necessarily easy to change. We sometimes go looking for things we think we want but don't need, and vice versa.

I've been dating more than ever and I'm more confident than ever that all the prep work is leading to something and someone very special. 

It's something I think about a lot. What do I want? What am I drawn to? What do I attract?

Lately its little boys in mens clothing...unfortunately. 

And then with some there was just no connection. 

I've never been a serial dater. I don't like wasting time on something or someone I know isn't for me.

That mentality has kept me isolated because it's not everyday you find something great. So what do you do in the meantime?

Well, you date until you start seriously envying lesbians.

I've tried to fight my all-or-nothing tendency by being more open and having fun with the whole dating experience.

But at times that's translated to lowering my bar of expectation just to fill the gaps and keep myself entertained between things that are more substantial.

Well, I'm officially over it.

I got a request to hang yesterday with someone I met before the new year. I cut things off after realizing it was more work than it was worth.

For a split second I was tempted to consider jumping back in, but he'd already proven he wasn't up to par, so I put a fork in it...for good.

(sometimes it's hard to take myself seriously)

Why get reeled back into something I don't really want anyway?...just to pass the time and validate myself?...not necessary and not worth it to me anymore.

I realize now that even in bits and pieces, there's nothing good in settling for less than what you want...even temporarily.

There's also no point in trying to sell yourself on what you already know deep down to be a lie.

Reminds me of something Maya Angelou said to Lady O - "When someone shows you their character, believe them."

Truth.

It may appear to fill a void, but in reality, it never does. It wastes time and energy that would be better spent focusing on what you're really after.

This also goes for life outside of dating.

It's challenging but I'm committing to choosing quality over quantity. Sometimes less is more!

Doing some house cleaning and cutting ties with anyone who isn't making the mark.

Still gonna be out there having fun, staying open to meeting new people and dating outside my comfort zone.

But I'm also gonna avoid meaningless distractions and keep my eye on the prize.

It's a new year...time to trim the fat and make way for something real.

Where can you trim the fat (so to speak) in your life?

Are there relationships holding you back, friendships that aren't working for you, work that isn't fulfilling you, passions you're not pursuing because you're distracted by your never-ending checklist?

The answer is, simply SIMPLIFY!

What do you really want that your cycle of habits could be keeping you from? Hmm, something to ponder for your weekend.

Enjoy!

xoxo

MY WAY...

God didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?  

~Author Unknown     

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.

~William James  

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.  

~John De Paola

A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.  

~Aesop, Fables

*************

So, I've been feeling a bit guilty about my inability to be consistent with my posts. 

I sat down last week and the travel thursdays draft I scheduled to post was gone.... %@(#.*_@!!! (fill in your favorite expletive)

Today I sat down to write and life happened once again. I lost half my day to a stressed state of mind and was tempted to put it off yet again.

Then I remembered that life doesn't run on my schedule, so why should my posts?

In an attempt to find the balance between becoming more disciplined and accepting what's realistic, I'm changing the name of my travel posts from Travel Thursdays to Traveliscious. 

With that adjustment you can expect them any old day of the week. 

I do intend to continue...hell, just scratched the surface with my trip. But maybe the posts will be shorter and more frequent, or shorter and less frequent. 

And I think I'll throw in a mix of other things as they come up. I'll probably keep myself guessing as much as you, but c'est la vie. 

In a perfect blogger world, I'd be posting the same time consistently...that's what builds an audience, according to the experts. 

That would be amazing, and it is the ultimate goal, but it's also key for me to figure out what works for me over time, and at this point I'm still experimenting. 

I'm not an inside-the-box, play-by-the-rules kind of person anyway. 

I'll just continue to write about whatever comes up when I sit down to write. I'd rather write authentically than on a timer. 

Are you a slave to your schedule? A slave to your stress? 

What is your stress really about? The need to get it all done? The need to get it done right? 

Are you losing passion for something you love because you're attached to some perfect picture of how it should be? 

Whatever IT is, try loosening the reigns a bit. Sometimes things occur differently than we imagined...but the important thing is that they occur. 

xoxo