How to Make a Good Decision for Women – Margaret Thatcher

Making decisions can be difficult for women, especially when we know there are both pros and cons to all choices! But, when we know we’ve made a good decision, living with the fallout is much easier. These ways to make a good decision are inspired by quotations from former British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, and based on information from Elaine St. James’ book, Simplify Your Work Life (Hyperion, 2001).

“Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.” ~ Margaret Thatcher.

Making a choice to act can be difficult in different ways for women of different ages. If you’re in your forties like me, you might find The 10 Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make After 40 interesting! However, the following ways to make a good decision apply to women of all ages… Continue reading How to Make a Good Decision for Women – Margaret Thatcher

4 Ways to Reconnect With Who You Were – Shirley Valentine

When you were young, did you dream of being an Olympian speed skater, a famous writer, an earth mother with plump babies? Sometimes being happy is about reconnecting with who you were – not necessarily achieving grandiose goals. Here, Shirley Valentine kicks off several ways to remember who you are…and the empowering life coach Susan Liddy serves up the rest.

“I used to be The Wife,” said Shirley Valentine. “I used to be The Mother. But now I’m Shirley Valentine again. Would you like to join me for a drink?”

This woman – who was living an “unused life” – lost her self-identity and the pizzazz of her youth. The young Shirley Valentine had personality and attitude, but she drowned in her marriage and kids. Her daughter and husband took her for granted and treated her like a servant…but she let them. Somewhere along the way Shirley Valentine taught her family how to mistreat her.

Valentine eventually found her way home to herself, and what a journey it was! If you haven’t seen Shirley Valentine, you must rent the DVD or borrow it from the library – it’s a great example of how to “See Jane Soar.” And if you feel like you’ve lost yourself, here are Susan Liddy’s tips for reconnecting with who you were…. Continue reading 4 Ways to Reconnect With Who You Were – Shirley Valentine

Reading Nonverbal Signals From Your Co-Workers or Boss – Esteé Lauder

Your fellow employees communicate nonverbally, and understanding their messages can make or break your job! Here are five ways to read signals from your co-workers or boss – with a special focus on the office or cubicle (not body language). And, a sprinkle of inspirational career quotations from Esteé Lauder might increase your motivation to succeed at work…

“I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.” ~ Esteé Lauder.

She didn’t become one of the most successful businesswomen in history by wishing she knew how to approach her boss or deal with toxic co-workers! Lauder trusted her instincts and followed her heart (and her head!). To learn how to trust your gut at work, read The Power of Intuition: How to Use Your Gut Feelings to Make Better Decisions at Work. And, here are five office and cubicle items that offer clues to your fellow employees’ personality and tastes, which can help you work with them better (and maybe get the promotion you’re hoping for!). Continue reading Reading Nonverbal Signals From Your Co-Workers or Boss – Esteé Lauder

How Much Will a Paid Caregiver Cost for My Aging Parents?

If you’re overwhelmed with caregiving responsibilities, hiring a paid care provider to help you with your aging parents or ill family member may be the answer. Sarah Ban Breathnach kicks off this information on how much paid caregivers cost with a “burnout talk”…

“Burnout is a condition caused by unbalance: too much work or responsibility, too little time to do it,” writes Ban Breathnach in Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy (one of my favorite books!). “Often we think that burnout is something that happens to other women – workaholics and perfectionists. But care-aholics are also at risk…”

If you’re a caregiver of an ill or elderly parent or loved one, you might find Always on Call: When Illness Turns Families into Caregivers both informative and inspirational. And, here’s some basic information on the cost of care providers… Continue reading How Much Will a Paid Caregiver Cost for My Aging Parents?

5 Signs of Caregiver Burnout – Barbra Streisand

Caregiving isn’t just about taking care of an elderly parent or ill loved one; being a caregiver can mean calling a depressed friend regularly or living with an alcoholic. These signs of caregiver burnout are based on inspiration from Barbra Streisand, who knows the importance of staying connected with yourself (which stressed-out caregivers aren’t!).

“A human being is only interesting if she’s in contact with herself,” says Barbra Streisand. “I learned you have to trust yourself, be what you are, and do what you ought to do the way you should do it.”

To be who and what you are, you need to cope with the stress of caregiving as soon as it creeps up. And if you’re a caregiver, you need to get help before you’re totally burned out! To stop stress in its tracks, read Preventing Caregiver Burnout (Caregiver Survival Series). And, here are five signs of burnout from experienced caregivers… Continue reading 5 Signs of Caregiver Burnout – Barbra Streisand

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Life - Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Ladies, are you living up to your own expectations of your life — your hopes and dreams, plans and goals? These five ways to get the most out of your life are based on Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s life, words, and reasons for being. She’s all about being authentic, taking risks, and trusting your inner voice.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali wrote Infidel, a memoir describing her traditional Muslim childhood in Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya (where I lived for three years…I’ve been to the streets and neighborhoods she described!). Ali survived a variety of situations that many women could not bounce back from…and neither has she, really.

Ali broke away from dutiful obedience and spoke out against traditional cultural values. Trusting her inner voice, she questioned her family’s faith, her own belief system, and how women were treated in Muslim families. Ali became a Dutch politician and influenced that country’s and legal system.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali found her true identity — her authentic self — because she trusted her inner voice.

She now lives in hiding. Read her book to learn more — her life is fascinating — and read on for five ways to get the most out of your own life… Continue reading 5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Life – Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Creating a Successful Life Plan for Women – Serena Williams

One of the secrets to being a successful woman is knowing when to keep pursuing your goals, and when to give up. These tips for successful life planning are inspired by quotations from Serena Williams – and they involve knowing when it’s time to give up on unhealthy goals and when it’s time to set new intentions…

“Luck has nothing to do with [my success], because I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for my one moment in time, not knowing when it would come,” said tennis champion Serena Williams.

That’s the “10,000 hours of practice for successful people” rule, which Malcolm Gladwell describes in Outliers: The Story of Success. But, before you can practice anything for 10,000 hours, you first need to figure out if your goals are worth pursuing! Here, a psychologist and two life coaches (all published authors!) describe why giving up on unhealthy goals is an important part of creating a successful life plan. Continue reading Creating a Successful Life Plan for Women – Serena Williams

6 Smart Stress Solutions to Help You Mellow Out Fast

This stress relief plan for women is from Susan Liddy, a life coach who focuses on empowering women. Her six smart stress solutions are effective and easy – and will help mellow you out fast!

“We all know what stress feels like,” says Liddy, who created a free Passages to Empowerment video series. “Those adrenalin rushing, nervous energy type of feelings that result in overall body tension and migraine headaches. It feels like being connected to a non-stop caffeine drip minus the energy boost.”

Today’s economy – and the stress of everyday life – gives women a good reason to feel this constant “fight or flight” anxiety. If your stress levels feel unmanageable, click So Stressed: The Ultimate Stress-Relief Plan for Women(pictured) for help. And, read on for Liddy’s stress relief plan for women… Continue reading 6 Smart Stress Solutions to Help You Mellow Out Fast

5 Ways to Protect Your Boundaries Despite Criticism – Marie Osmond

Setting healthy personal boundaries in relationships is one thing – and coping with people’s responses to your boundaries is another! Here are five ways to protect yourself when you’re criticized by friends, family, and coworkers who don’t respect your boundaries. These tips are based on inspiration from Marie Osmond (who, as a child superstar and busy mother who struggled with her emotional and mental health, knows a thing or two about boundaries!).

“I lost boundaries as a child and I didn’t even realize it,” said Marie Osmond. “It wasn’t talked about back then. You know, it was something you just buried and dealt with, and moved forward. What could you do about it?”

If only “See Jane Soar” existed when she was a child – she could’ve learned how to protect her personal boundaries! If you’re struggling to stick to your boundaries, you might find Where to Draw the Line: How to Set Healthy Boundaries Every Dayhelpful (pictured). And, here are five ways to maintain your boundaries even when people don’t like them… Continue reading 5 Ways to Protect Your Boundaries Despite Criticism – Marie Osmond

6 Steps to Financial Independence for Women – Ayn Rand

Personal finance may not be every woman’s favorite topic – but it’s one of the most important things she’ll ever take care of in her life! Here are six steps to financial independence for women, with inspiration from the strong, successful author Ayn Rand.

“You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.” ~ Ayn Rand.

If you’re not taking control of your money, sooner or later you’ll face the consequences of your inaction (or your irresponsibility – ouch!)…and it won’t be pretty. These steps towards financial freedom for women are from Lois Frankel’s Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich: 75 Avoidable Mistakes Women Make with Money– click for more information. And, read on for six ways to strengthen your sense of personal finance…. Continue reading 6 Steps to Financial Independence for Women – Ayn Rand

5 Signs of a Financially Independent Woman – Suze Orman

Is money controlling you, or are you controlling it? Are your finances a source of freedom or a cause of stress? These money tips for women will help you determine if you’re financially independent, or if you need to take control of your money….

“Women need to develop a healthy, honest relationship with our money,” says financial guru Suze Orman. “And we have to see this relationship as a reflection of our relationship with ourselves.”

In other words, our financial lives (mortgage payments, credit card debt, emergency savings fund, monthly budget, etc) are part of who we our as women. The serious debt or extreme wealth in our finances directly affects our emotional, physical, and spiritual lives. For more info on women and money, click The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying. And, read on for several sings of a financially independent woman (inspired by Suze Orman!)… Continue reading 5 Signs of a Financially Independent Woman – Suze Orman

Are You Happier as a Working Mom or a Stay-at-Home Mom? – Dr Laura Schlessinger

If you’re lucky enough to decide if you’d rather work outside the home for a paycheck or be at home with your kids full-time, I’m curious to know what makes you happier! Are working mothers healthier and happier or more stressed than stay-at-home moms? It may depend on who you ask….

If you ask talk show host, best-selling author and moral compass Dr Laura Schlessinger — author of In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms — she’ll laugh hysterically. Of course working moms are stressed and unhappy – and so are their kids. Working moms aren’t there for their families. They’re not creating healthy homes that make their families feel safe, loved and protected – and they’re definitely not “their kids’ parents.”

But if you ask Vanity Fair contributing editor and author of The Feminine Mistake: Are We Giving Up Too Much? Leslie Bennetts, she’ll passionately refute Dr Laura’s opinions. Bennetts argues that working moms are less depressed, more fulfilled, and more independent than stay-at-home moms. They also have higher self-esteem and less anxiety – though many working moms feel guilty for enjoying their paid jobs. Bennetts admits balancing work and family can be tricky, but the benefits outweigh the frustrations for most women.

For more info about the pros and cons of working and stay-at-home moms, click the book covers. And, read on for a few thoughts on the happiness levels of each situation… Continue reading Are You Happier as a Working Mom or a Stay-at-Home Mom? – Dr Laura Schlessinger

Beauty Foods – The Fruits and Veggies That Improve Your Appearance

A woman’s natural beauty can be enhanced by certain “beauty foods.” Here are five types of foods that improve appearance by decreasing the effects of aging, reducing inflammation, and tightening skin cells.

“Foods that keep our livers cleansed of toxins, heavy metals, and fats make our whole body function more efficiently,” says Dr Julia Hunter of Skin Fitness Plus in Beverly Hills. “This makes us happier, which affects how we look. Plus, a healthy liver brightens our eyes and tightens our skin.”

Did you know that facial exercises can be as effective as eating beauty foods? I can’t guarantee that you’ll improve your natural beauty – but you’ll have fun with Carole Maggio’ facial fitness tips! Click Facercise: The Dynamic Muscle-Toning Program for Renewed Vitality and a More Youthful Appearance for more info, and read on to learn how certain foods affect a woman’s looks… Continue reading Beauty Foods – The Fruits and Veggies That Improve Your Appearance

Is This a Risky Financial Investment? Money Tips for Women

If you’re a woman who needs help deciding on a financial investment, consider these tips from “The Money Couple.” Whether you’re investing in real estate, education, your career, stocks, mutual funds, or your child’s college education…these guidelines will help!

Here’s what Scott and Bethany Palmer say about making financial investments:

“What now? It’s a question we are hearing from more and more couples as the recession takes its toll. Those who’ve lost jobs wonder what they’ll do next. Those who’ve taken a major financial hit are trying to rebuild. Those who’ve weathered the changes so far are worrying if they’re going to be the next casualties.”

The Palmers are “The Money Couple” who wrote First Comes Love, Then Comes Money: A Couple’s Guide to Financial Communication – click for information. And, read on for their money tips for women and couples… Continue reading Is This a Risky Financial Investment? Money Tips for Women

5 Ways to Cope With Mild Depression for Women – JK Rowling

The famous author of the Harry Potter series struggled with depression – and she seems to have overcome it in wildly successful ways! Here are five ways to cope with mild depression for women, with inspiration from JK Rowling.

“We were as skint as you can be without being homeless, and at that point I was definitely clinically depressed,” said Rowling. “That was characterized by a numbness, a coldness and an inability to believe I would feel happy again. All the color drained out of life.”

Whether you’re severely or mildly depressed, you may feel the same numbness Rowling did. Don’t suffer in silence; click Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression for help overcoming feelings of sadness or anxiety. And, try these specific ways to overcome mild depression… Continue reading 5 Ways to Cope With Mild Depression for Women – JK Rowling