Krazy Kinda Blessings

Today on my way to my pre-op appointment, I saw our neighborhood’s “crazy” lady hitching a ride. I pulled over and as she jumped in my car, I asked her where she was going. I figured she was going to the church up the block, but as it turned out, she needed to go to the next town over. She looked in sheer appreciation and thanked me for stopping. She kept on telling me how nice I was and that she was blessed to live in a community that helped her. I could not understand everything she said—English was clearly not her first language. Of course, I felt stopping and picking her up was a small token I could do for my many blessings. As she ranted on, talked in tongues and counseled me, it dawned on me—this could have been my mother. My mother just may have been considered the “crazy” lady in our neighborhood the last three years of her life. My mom turned her life over the God and did things that others could consider slightly touch (OK, some of it was)—she threw all our “worldly” possessions like our TV, chandeliers and other things out in the front yard one day. She talked in tongues and had an enormous amount of energy when spreading the Word to others. We prayed at least 2 hours a day and fasted at least once a week (compared to her 15 days or so out the month). Ultimately, while turning her life over to God was a good thing, dying from excessive fasting to death (in particular dehydration) was a sign of extreme behavior. But her little bit a crazy was minute compared to what she gave this world.

My secret is that I never seen (this woman) as a crazy lady. Yes she is over the top and excessive and shows signs that there is something quite not right. But in all honesty … I “the person” in everyone meet. Besides, just because she might be a bit touched does not take away from the fact that what she gives back may indeed supersede the oddity. While we talked I appreciated her praying over me and telling me not to claim illness. While I am not going to take heed to her call for me to throw out my pills – she did give me GREAT advice. In the midst of the speaking in tongues and over the top statements was an important message that SHE was sent to deliver. She told me to focus on goodness. She told me that doctors want us to feel good and when I go to the doctor tell him that I feel great. In other words, tell him the positive and not just the negative. She said that God will bless doctors and they will get their money but most of them want us to feel good. She also told me that my money was meant to spend on my bills, tithing, adding prosperity to the world and enjoying my family—not for doctors. When we reached her destination, she took a moment and said the Lord’s Prayer with me. I appreciated that. It is so funny how being at peace with yourself makes you comfortable in the presence of others—no matter how different they are.

I guess what was reinforced to me is that EVERYBODY has something to say. I was nervous going to my appointment and then God send me a little bit of crazy that made my day. I thank God that I believe that EVERYONE has something to add. We are all a little odd in our own way. I never seen my mom has the “crazy” lady and today I got to sit and get a piece of her today while realizing that she had a persona that may have been deemed “slightly touched” at times. That was MY blessing for my good deed. Would my mom have remained extreme with her actions? I don’t know – but Lord knows it would not matter to me—I would be happy to have her here. This encounter also served as a checkup—it let me see how much I have grown the past few years—for that, I am thankful. Amidst a little bit a crazy, I received a whole lotta blessings!

Technorati Tags: Self-development,Jowanna,Jowanna Parris-Daley,Jowanna Daley,Blessings,the whole of me

Your Road Map to Excellence (Part 3- Your Goals)

I don’t know if you’ve noticed yet, but the strategic plan is the business version of connect-the-dots. This internal document starts with your big view and ends with the detailed plans. My first blog in this series talked about the big picture. The next blog was still fairly generic in that it discussed how you were going to achieve that picture in terms of what you were going to do and who you would have to be. However, neither one was an outline or step-by-step guide of how to execute a plan to realize your vision and mission. At this point, your mission still leaves you with the big elephant to eat. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Your goals will let you know what part of the elephant you plan to eat and by when, which puts you a step closer to an action plan.

Your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. If you haven’t heard the acronym SMART before, now you have. In order for your goals to be SMART, they must be:

• Clear about what you are trying to achieve (Specific)
• Something where the progress can be monitored (Measurable)
• Reachable and practical (Attainable and Realistic)
• Deadline driven (Timely)

There are many types of goals that you might have. For example, your goals can be revenue driven, performance related or client focused (to name a few). I recommend that you lay out a road map for your vision. Have a picture of what you plan to achieve in the short term (one year), mid term (two years) and long term (three years). If you recall, I recommended that as a startup, your vision should be your ideal organization in three years. For instance, our goals this year will support my strategic efforts to establish my brand, validate my core services and generate enough revenue to make funding the growth stage of my business more obtainable. Our mid-range goal will be process improvement, quality and client retention, and the long-term goals will be tied to growth. I will restate my own vision, mission and then share my goals below.

Vision Statement

By 2013, jowanna inc™ aspires to be known as THE firm aspiring entrepreneurs turn to in order to successfully plan and implement their startup and the firm those companies stay with in order to grow profitably in a controlled and sustainable manner.

Mission Statement

jowanna inc’s reason for existence is to contribute to the health of our economy by shortening the time it takes for startups to plan and implement sustainable businesses within the communities they aspire to serve. Our company will do this by empowering our clients through partnership and service. Our service will evolve with the changing needs of our clients.

Goals

• Publish 4 new blog series by the end of the year
• Establish a Facebook fan base of 5,000 by end of the year
• Achieve $180,000 in sales with a 20% profit margin
• Achieve an average revenue of $2,500 annually per client
• 100% client satisfaction

If you look at my goals, you can see how they tie into my branding strategy, building a market share and preparing for growth. These goals must pass the SMART test. I find that the ultimate validation is with the tactical plans—which detail what we will have to do to achieve our goals. Your plan of action will allow you to see if you can achieve everything you would like given the time and resources you have at your disposal. Throughout the strategic process you should not be afraid to refine and adjust your plan. Strategizing is an internal process to help your business succeed. It helps you with your business plan and all your organizational efforts. The next blog will tie these goals to plans of action—these plans of action will help you effectively mind your business!

02/18/2010 – Correction: Before we get to the plans of action, I will discuss strategies—which is the high-level approach or game plan for achieving your goals.

Related Links

The Strategic Plan: Your Road Map to Excellence (Part 1- Your Vision)

The Strategic Plan: Your Road Map to Excellence (Part 2 – Your Mission Statement)

http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/smart-goals.html

About The Author

Jowanna Parris-Daley owns and operates jowanna inc™, a small business consulting company that offers services that include business plan writing, e-consulting, website design and technology services for startup businesses.

 

Technorati Tags: Your Road Map to Excellence (Part 3- Your Goals),goals,business goals,Strategic Plan,Small Business Consulting,Entrepreneurship,jowanna inc

Count Down to Financial Freedom

Technorati Tags: unemployment,entrepreneurship,Jowanna

Although the economy is bad and I would be considered a “victim” of unemployment, I see it as an opportunity. As I watched the unethical actions of my boss, I suddenly felt sorry for him and anyone else that have lost their morals in hopes that it means securing their future if not for another day. How pimped he must feel to be forced to do things that would make him avoid looking me in the eye or keep him awake at night.

I am not a traditional corporate girl. Today’s environment causes pathetic people like my x-boss to be threatened for those not fitting the model of the status quo. However; it is the status quo that is killing our US economy. There are forces that inherently stop those that add value because they seem to think that it implies a threat instead of an asset.

As I walked out the office in my blue suit and head held high, I had a sneaking suspicion many felt that I had been wronged and were outraged at the “injustice”. The injustice was not done to me but the company and my colleagues that were left behind. I hope my former employer is able to turn the tide enough to do business as it needs to be conducted to survive the 21^st street. We need the viability of many not just one to regain our footing in the global economy.

No matter how you shake it – I am excited! I am ready to build and assist in building the confidence of the entrepreneurs that do not take that working hard mean not working smart. I believe in this country and the people in it. I also believe that it is important for the leaders to rise and help turn the tide in the fate of our economic future. The leaders are not always the people we think they are and they don’t have the traditional look. Many of our undiscovered leaders are the good folks that sat across from me in the workplace. These were the people that recognized wrong as wrong and right as right. Some of these folks are my good friends that have to take care that they do not inherit the small thinking of oppressors in leadership positions.

I am excited about my future and I so pray that God allows me to reach those that can work alongside me towards their dream. Today is the only day that counts.

Give in Honor of our Favorite Icons

We have all been touched in some way with the passing of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. We loved MJ music and many women wanted to be Farrah. I cannot help but takes the opportunity to just touch on the fact that Michael Jackson had Lupus. I don’t know if his cardiac arrest was caused by Lupus, but I know that many Lupus patients have a high risk of heart disease. While I hate to be defined by a disease or condition, I cannot bypass the chance to bring awareness to the disease. I also have Lupus and I am just recovering from a serious bout with the disease. My flares with the disease has gone from joint pains and fatigue to inflammation around my lungs, my heart and veins. The rounds of steroids and toxic treatments have increased my risk of heart disease. I am fortunate to be successfully managing my disease but it would be a disservice for me not to promote awareness.

I support organizations like the Lupus Foundation, the Heart Association and various cancer organizations. I am currently raising money for the American Heart Association. Heart disease kills someone every 37 seconds and unfortunately Michael Jackson drew the unlucky number. Did the cardiac arrest have anything to do with the Lupus? I don’t know. I do know that heart disease is the #1 killer. I am also certain that diseases like diabetes and lupus contribute to the list of reasons that it holds this rank.

I want to encourage all my friends to support these wonderful charities that seek the not only educate but contribute greatly to finding a cure for various diseases. Support the next Lupus Walk in MJ Honor and one of the many Cancer organizations in Farrah Fawcett’s honor. The American Heart Association also has events throughout the U.S. If you do not have money, give your time. If you are seeking a charity, I would be honored if you would donate in MJ’s (or you loved one’s) honor utilizing my American Heart Association link.

I would love to hear your stories and put a face to organizations that you support and why your support them. Thank you and God Bless!

Support the Heartwalk in Michael Jackson’s Honor