"There falls a shadow, between the conception and the creation. "- T.S. Eliot

I talk to LOTS of budding entrepreneurs. They are always so full of enthusiasm. I love that! What I don't love is when I check in six months later they are still, "sitting and spinning" with little or no momentum. That sucks. It sucks for them and for the world that could benefit from their products or services. Everyone gets cheated.

If you want to overcome fear and gain courage the easiest way to do it is to always remember that your life is but a quick blip on the radar of time. It is such a gift to be here. Don't waste it being scared of your shadow! 

I just read Steve Job's biography. It's fascinating. He gave Stanford's commencement address. The final story he shared was how his thinking and awareness changed after his cancer diagnosis. At the time he thought he had beat it.

I am constantly asked, "How do you do it all Joyce?" There are several layers to that answer but the top three ways I manage to run multiple businesses, raise three boys, stay fit and all the dozens of other "to do's" is (1) I prioritize using the Pareto Principle (2) I have an accountability partner and (3) I delegate or delay as much work as possible.

Seven Steps to Developing a New Habit

First, make a decision. Decide clearly that you are going to begin acting in a specific way 100% of the time, whenever that that behavior is required. For example, if you decide to arise early and exercise each morning, set your clock for a specific time, and when the alarm goes off, immediately get up, put on your exercise clothes and begin your exercise session.

There is no good time. There is no bad time. There is only your time, and it is what you make it.” – Earl Leonard

* List all your debts, total owed, payment amount, and percent of interest charged. Start with the one you owe the least on and concentrate on paying it off. After you have paid it off, add that payment to the payment on the next debt in sequence and watch your debt disappear.

Today’s post is by guest blogger, Linda Descano, CFA®, President and CEO of Citibank’s Women & Co.

Here is an email I sent today to an inventor who was looking for an investor. These words hold true for anyone looking to fund a business. Here is what I wrote. I hope you find some value in it too.

Hi,

I recently spoke for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce where I was asked (as I often am), “If I don’t have time for social media how can I capitalize on it? Do you have suggestions on how to minimize my efforts so I can be effective in my work?”