Friday, November 9, 2012

Thank You Carrie Wilkerson -- The Barefoot Executive

Deb Bryan and Carrie Wilkerson
November 15, 2008
Today I am thankful for Carrie Wilkerson (the Barefoot Executive) because the path I am on now is a direct result of meeting her four years ago.

We first met at Blueprint to Financial Freedom in November 2008

This morning I was remembering the first time Carrie asked me what I do for a living.  At the time I couldn't answer her.  I did too many things in a dozen or more areas.

Over time, learning from her, I have slowly narrowed my specialization as a virtual assistant.  I continue to narrow and refine regularly (quarterly at the least).  Specialization makes my life more organized.  My days more enjoyable and best of all I am working from home 100% now.

I am grateful because I know without Carrie's  kindness and generous coaching I would still be unable to answer her question.  I would still be chasing every dollar and working for someone else just to survive week to week.

Now... I screen clients.   I remembered something Carrie said about working with people.  Something like "would you invite that person to sit with your family for dinner" Up until that point I hadn't even thought about it.  I was focused on chasing the clients, rather than choosing who I want to work with.  What a difference!!!

I'll admit the first time she mentioned screening clients I thought that would kill my business.  Who turns away clients?  Well... I did it.  And today I work with a handful of amazing clients who appreciate my work and are grateful to work with me.  They are my VIP clients.  Each one!!

Another difference is when a client asks "can you also do this or that" I know who to refer them to. I have screened those who I refer and I have worked with them.  This way I know who I am sending my VIP clients to. Thanks to another lesson Carrie taught us.  But, I'll let her tell you more about that.

There is no way I could list each of the wise and wonderful things Carrie has taught me over the years.  I can say each lesson has had a long lasting impact and my life will never be the same.

I wanted to say Thank You, Carrie!  For your patience, wisdom, coaching, and guidance.  It took me awhile... but, I made it!!! Thanks to you.
Today it is a simple question to answer:
I am an SEO Copywriter on Squidoo for Amazon Associates.

I can already imagine that answer being a bit more narrowed yet again.  The best thing about specialization is the 'time' I can spare to keep improving the service I provide.  Rather than having dozens of 'skills' I can focus on my strongest and most enjoyable skill and continue to improve until I am "THE SEO copywriter on Squidoo for Amazon Associates"

Carrie Wilkerson at Blueprint to Financial Freedom November 2008


Monday, July 23, 2012

Landing Gear, The New Place, and Trusting God With All My Heart

LoggaWiggler on Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/users/LoggaWiggler/photos/
The new place I found after 'exactly' two months on the road is more than I could have dreamed of and continues to reveal blessings after blessings.  I wouldn't have ever imagined having a place where I feel at home, am closer to family than I have been in two decades, and where I am always certain there are more blessings coming into my path day by day.

"Photos, notes, brochures, memories, keepsakes, and so much more will be sifted and organized and sorted over the next few weeks." 40 Day Journey (working title) ♥

Landing Gear
     When I hit my Mother's driveway I had a quarter tank of gas and $1.50 cents.  I was so grateful I made it I didn't even stop to think about what I was going to do next.  I just 'landed' with all of the past two months in my heart (and camera and a ton of memorabilia packed on board to boot).

     I think there are times when we stop and breath.  Suddenly I was safe in my Mother's home, off the road, and catching up with family events I had missed over the years.  Oh my, she was just a baby... now she has how many children?  Stories, photos, memories, and more.  The time away suddenly began to melt and I was home.

The New Place
     A few days of getting to know myself as I relate to my family of origin and then the ideas of being a 'grown up' began to settle in on me.  It is time I found my own place.  Time to fly the coop again, but, this time closer so I'm not so far away I miss everything again.

     I hit the ads, the papers, the internet, and began to make calls and work out how much I could spend.  The few places in what I thought to be my budget were quickly unavailable or the price was raised overnight.  One ad was removed one day and I thought it had been taken, then the very next day it was back and almost twice to price.

     There was one place that I kept calling which kept being available.  I said I would call back in two days... I called back and explained how far I had come to meeting the move in (which was miles away from being close).  Next time I called to say I think I am coming over to see it.

     That day I was moved in.  I didn't have what was needed to move in.  I wasn't even close.  Not only that... the unit I had been hoping for was gone (only hours earlier) and the only thing available was 'more' than the first.  I stepped back, prayed, thought the situation through, then making a leap of faith I said "I Can Do This"

     Next thing I know I'm unpacking my car (with a lot of help) and I'm sitting in my new place listening to the owl outside, and the cat, and the breeze blowing over the orange tree in the back yard.  I am home!



Trusting God With All My Heart
     Now, the business started.  I was determined I would do whatever I could possibly do in order to meet the higher overhead.  In addition to this goal I would also make sure to connect with the community, join a church, get myself settled.  

     My 'to-do' list mounting I put all of my energy into first covering the overhead and in the mean time 'daily' to-do things begin to mount as well.   The writing stopped in exchange for 'work' and I haven't done anything with the photos and cards, or the zillion other travel memories I wanted to share here and for the book.



     I am trusting God with all of my heart that all will be well.
"One of the most amazing things in the Universe is when we 'visualize' something and make room for it, completely letting go of the past, it materializes. " The 40 Day Journey (working title)

Friday, June 8, 2012

How To Fund A Journey - Be Creative


Public Domain License Image submitted to Pixabay by Nemo http://pixabay.com/en/profile/Nemo/photos/
When I was thinking about embarking on a journey across the country I didn't have a dollar to my name.  I had just spent everything in a series of 'catching up on bills' process.  I had just settled into what I thought was another 30 days of grace (where I could work to raise enough to address the next month's demands).

So, was I stuck?  I could have sat on the couch and went through the grieving process.  I could have reflected from the vantage point I had.  I could have let myself believe I was stuck and I might have even rationalized it all ... but something in me kept whispering "there is a way"  and more compelling there was a voice within me saying "There is much work to be done before you make decisions about the next chapter in your life"

It is as if the new doors were not open yet, but, the truth is the Journey IS the new door.  It is a time to contemplate and grow.  To stretch my perspective, to share and learn from others, to process the old and welcome the new.

I came up with the idea to ask for sponsors. Well, I had a dream really.
Would you give a lens?
Would someone else buy it?
Would this collaboration collectively create a resource which would fund a few tanks of gas?

As I thought this process through and received a few sponsors I began to grow in faith.  I took a sheet of paper and started looking at the possibilities.  I evaluated the miles (before even knowing where anyone I would meet up with was located) and I came up with a 40 Day plan.  Each day would be assigned one sponsor (or a collaborative sponsorship).

As people began to reply, lenses began to materialize, sponsors showed up... then another thing began to happen... people started asking to 'be a part of this'

I started receiving invitations to stay with people.  Note: Everyone of these folks has been close friends online for several years.  They have worked closely on projects, in communities, etc.  I don't think I was aware of how many people I had built amazing relationships with until the messages began to arrive.

It turned out, my journey map was relatively close to the locations of people sending invitations.  Some were right on the exact path I had originally drafted.

The next set of miracles would be every step of the way there were resources materializing and things I didn't even know I would need were coming into the picture right before I needed them.  A sun hat, travel goodies and snacks, a camera, an umbrella, a swim suit, funds for other bills (bills continue to happen even when you are on the road), the list seems to go on and on.

The journey has been an amazing lesson in faith.
The journey has been an opportunity to meet in real life with people whom I have developed life long friendships with.
The insight of these amazing friends, along with prayer, contemplation, and an open honest heart, have given this journey so much more than I could have ever imagined.

Any thoughts I may have had in thinking I was 'running away from the problem' have been replaced with thoughts like 'this is the beginning of a new chapter in my life and this journey is preparation to enter into that chapter with a more developed perspective on everything'

Learning to ask for help in a way that will benefit every participant is a challenge. But if you think about it there is something (possibly many many things) you can offer and coordinate in order to meet the resources needed to embark on your journey.  You journey may not be a 6000 mile drive across the country (which by the way I am at mile 3950 so far -- and completed day 22 of the 40 days), your journey may be closer to home.  Getting out and meeting someone who needs you as much as you need them to accomplish the next chapter of your life.
Update: I wrote this blog post to auto post and it didn't (I have more to learn about that process).  In the meantime I have another 1000 miles behind me and day 40 will ''happen'' on June 28th.
DAY TWENTY SIX
Beach Hats For Women
andBathing Suit Cover Ups For Women 
Donated by  GypsyOwl 
Purchased by  Joan4 
DAY TWENTY SEVENThis Weber Cooker Does All The Work For You
Donated by Joan4 and Reed and Barton Jewelry Boxes - Best Gift for a Lady
Donated by Joan4 
Purchased by TeaLady
DAY TWENTY EIGHT
What is your dream?
DAY TWENTY NINE
Remarkable Robot Vacuum Cleaner  andPrecision Digital Kitchen ScaleThank You KathrynGrayson On Squidoo 





Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Recent Comments

Public Domain Image submitted to Pixabay by PublicDomainPictures http://pixabay.com/en/profile/PublicDomainPictures/photos/
I am always so grateful for comments on my blog posts.  I would like to review some of the most recent comments to share reader's insights and inspirational submissions.  

Challenges do seem to open the door to new beginnings and a time to learn, expand and grow. Thanks for sharing the significance around the turning lemons into lemonade because it can have a greater meaning to each situation or journey that we are in. on Lemonade, The Lighthouse, And The Drawbridge
on 5/30/12
Many years ago I was at bible college for a short time. One of the tutors used to say 'We can't be overcomers unless we have something to overcome!'. As life goes on I realize how true this is. But there have been times it feels as if I cannot take a step further. The problems and pain of life seems to be too much. I lost my health in 2005 which meant I had to give up work. It was tough. I loved my work. But I manage to trust God in it, believing that everything that happens in our lives has a purpose, and every life experience is a lesson and a way of shaping me to be more like Jesus. But then in 2008 my eldest son died in a accident, he was 25 years old. I have written about it here http://www.squidoo.com/losingyourchild . This has been the biggest challenge to my faith. How do you find meaning in the loss of your child? How can you see 'good' in something that is evil? It's a struggle. It challenges your faith deep to the core. One thing I decided early on was that I would on Lemonade, The Lighthouse, And The Drawbridge
on 5/30/12
Your bridge theme fits your journey perfectly! And yes, without challenges, we cannot experience the joy of victory! Wow! what a post! on Lemonade, The Lighthouse, And The Drawbridge
on 5/30/12
Of course, a swim with your precious granddaughters! Delightful! I remember your saying "I wonder where I am going to swim." :) Oh yes, everything is working out perfectly and in Divine Order! on The Swim Suit, The Swimming Pool, and The Scenic Route
on 5/23/12
I so deeply admire you for what you're doing in this situation. I am certain that someone "out there" will be drawn to your words and will receive the nurturing and the knowing that they are not alone. You are leaving a trail of lights to help another as they journey through their own dark night of the soul. May God richly bless you and reward you for your service. on No Time For Tears -- Until We Meet The Sea
on 5/20/12
Enjoying reading about the journey and all the friends that you have met along the way. Hope the journey continues to go well, and that it's a wonderful experience to look back on. on No Time For Tears -- Until We Meet The Sea
on 5/20/12
Oh yes, Deb, God's provisions for your trip - physical, spiritual, emotional were a joy to watch. Every time I think about your visit here, I smile! From fragrance lessons to spiritual experiences, I learned something every day. Your journal will be a treasure of real life experiences and lessons for us all! on Faith, The Umbrella, and Lavender Bath Salt
on 5/16/12
I am looking forward to your book, and even more to that point in time when we can meet face to face. Wishing you only the very best, now and forever. on The Hat, The Camera, And The Journey Poem
on 5/11/12
Wishing you an interesting and amusing trip where the interest doesn't come from solving problems and the amusement is immediate, not "we'll laugh about this later." on Start Your Engines...
on 5/4/12
And so you're off! I am so excited for you and will pray for you every day of your 40 day journey. :) You're amazing, Deb...have fun! on Start Your Engines...
on 4/30/12
Thank you Joan! I am looking forward to meeting you. I'll be sure to take pictures at the beach. ♥ I'll keep my eyes open for natural wonders. on What Would You Like To See?
on 4/29/12
Oh you will have such a wide range of things to see on your travels. I would opt for natural wonders in each part of the country, treasuring the differences as you travel. I would also want to see a few historical sites, but I like that kind of thing! And then there are all the funny things too! would be fun to have a series of funny photos -- people are just funny! and so are animals! and you will meet so many! Looking forward to your arrival in South Carolina - enjoy the beach! onWhat Would You Like To See?
on 4/29/12
Following your journey with anticipation of blessings for you and for those for whom you are shining a light. {{hugs}} on When God Prepares The Way
on 4/24/12
Thank you for sharing your personal and inspirational story. You are awesome! on God Knows What We Need -- HIS Plan is Always On Time
on 3/4/12
This story touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I love that you're moving in this direction with your blogging - I think the world needs more stories of hope and encouragement, and you are just the person to deliver them. May God Richly Bless You and This Endeavor. onGod Knows What We Need -- HIS Plan is Always On Time
on 12/20/11
This is awesome, Deb. Thanks for sharing your God conversation. And thank you for following my blog, Tickell Expressions. I hope you were able to add your link to my contest for a digital scrapbook software from My Memories. The draw is this Friday. Blessings, Teresa on Letting Go – With or Without Hesitation – One Day at a Time
on 9/14/11
on 5/3/11
I talk to God like this too. This is life. It is not easy. I feel like this with things in my life also... onLetting Go – With or Without Hesitation – One Day at a Time
on 5/1/11
Thank you Jenn, I really appreciate your comment. I hadn't thought of it as a revelation, but you are right. I just know I was not happy with the way I was feeling and I was desperate to find the "real" solution to whatever it was. ♥ Thank you Mari, I like your spiritual teacher's idea "just drop it" and I am delighted this message has helped you today. I know it was helpful to me and I felt it might help others as well. Glad you found it (You are right - somehow we sift through the mass amount of information and stumble upon just what our heart desires). Brightest Blessings, Deb onLetting Go – With or Without Hesitation – One Day at a Time
on 5/1/11
This is so beautiful and profound. It is exactly what my own spiritual teacher tells us to do. It sounds so easy--lol! One time when I was with my spiritual teacher someone asked her how to let go of anger. She took a glass of water and literally dropped it to the ground as a demonstration. She then smiled and sweetly said, "Just drop it!" I tend to perseverate when I am upset about things so this can be challenging for me at times. I am learning as I am going! Meditation, prayer and going for walks helps me! Amazing write and just what I needed--funny how that happens too! on Letting Go – With or Without Hesitation – One Day at a Time
on 5/1/11
Wow Deb, what a revelation! I enjoyed reading this. I never thought in terms of holding on or letting go. I need to think about that for myself. Wonderful write :) Cheers Jenn (aka Duffee from RG) on Letting Go – With or Without Hesitation – One Day at a Time
on 5/1/11
Want more information about the banners used as examples on this post? Go to http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-marketing-lensography to meet the Squidoo Marketing Co-Sponsors #SquidMark on Banner Sale - Web Page Headers & Blog Banners
on 7/29/10
Thank you, GypsyOwl! I am excited and having fun with the Zazzle lenses -- so many beautiful products -- and original, too! on Squid Joan - Your Squidoo VA
on 10/29/09
Thank You and I appreciate You:MrGMy son and daughterMy MomMy Brothers and SistersI am grateful for:School (the honor and opportunity)Business associates and FriendsI have a longer list...I'll be adding more each day all this week.Who would you like to Thank?IN~JOY,GypsyOwl on Can You Count Your Blessings?
on 11/22/08
Thank You MOM! on Can You Count Your Blessings?
Anonymous
on 11/22/08
Very cool button, GypsyOwl. Nice job! I'm coming to you when I do my next launch! on Say Thank You To Top Producers
on 11/1/08
Thank You @barefoot_exec 5000 Tweets @barefoot_exec Winners!!! @johnmorgan @KristenArnold @BizOwnersOnline @Bonkus @GypsyOwl $100 each = $500 to fav charity onCan You Count Your Blessings?
on 10/18/08