Monday Morning Mantra - 12/20

Hi guys!

OK, it's not Monday, but I was out Christmas shopping, and I lost track of time.  Seriously, did Christmas come waaaaay too fast this year or is it just me?!  

This week's Mantra has nothing to do with hard work.  It's all about enjoying yourself!  Try it out!

Patty: Try to catch snowflakes on your tongue. It's fun.
Linus Van Pelt:  Mmm. Needs sugar.
 Lucy Van Pelt:  It's too early. I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January.
Linus Van Pelt:  They sure look ripe to me.

-- A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) 

 

Happy holidays!!!!    

This week, enjoy!  Taste the snowflakes!  :)

If you were on our email list, you would have gotten this Mantra on Monday right in your Inbox!  Click here to sign up!

Have a great week!

- Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 11/29

Hey there!

A good friend of mine is leaving tomorrow for the Dominican Republic.  I keep thinking about how she'll be on the beach while I'm in D.C. FREEZING!  

Anyhoo, here's our Mantra for the week from a very classy lady - Coco Chanel!

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

-- Coco Chanel 

Sometimes we're afraid to be different or to go against the grain.  I love this quote because it emphasizes how being different indeed makes us special and unforgettable.  Don't be afraid to step out there and do your thing.  There's no one like you.  So show it. 

This week, be different.

 

Want to receive our Mantra in your Inbox every Monday?  Click here!

 

Have a great week!

 

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 11/22

Hey there!

I hope you're preparing for a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday!  I'm definitely excited about kicking back.  Remember, reflecting on all of your blessings and accomplishments is vital to keeping things in perspective.  Speaking of keeping things in perspective, check out our Mantra for the week below. 

"I don't dwell on success. Maybe that's one reason I'm successful." -- Calvin Klein

 

I know I'm constantly talking to you about success, but that's not necessarily what we should be dwelling on, is it?  We should really be focused on doing what makes us happy, making a difference, and living out our dreams.  I like what Calvin Klein says here because he isn't really concerned with success.  He's pursuing a passion, and success happened along the way. 


This week, don't strive for success.  Strive for happiness and fulfillment.

Check out my chapter on the real meaning of success in my new book, The Gloriously Simple Guide to Getting What You Want! 

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday morning?  Click here!

Have an awesome week and enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday!!!!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 11/15

Good morning, guys!

I am exhausted today from taking care of a sick baby and throwing myself into housework over the weekend.  I feel productive, but I'm definitely going to grab a cup of coffee! 

Anyhoo, here's our Mantra for the week:

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." -- Albert Einstein

This week's Mantra is really about attitude.  Having the right attitude about your past, your present, and your future can greatly impact your ability to succeed.

This week, ask yourself whether or not you've had the right attitude about your past, present, and future.  Are you as positive as Einstein tells us we should be?

Check out my "yesterday, today, and tomorrow" strategy  in the new book, The Gloriously Simple Guide to Getting What You Want! 

Want to have our Mantras emailed to you every Monday?  Click here.

Have a great week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 11/01

I can't even believe it's been a month since I've posted to this blog!  I have been completely swamped with Generation Hope stuff - all good stuff though, I promise.  We are launching an organization and that takes... well... a lot of work!  So please forgive me for my absence!

This week's Mantra is on a topic that I speak and write about all of the time.  There are certain things that we think are impossible to achieve, and that way of thinking often holds us back from doing great things.  What if we completely change our way of thinking?
 

 

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

 

  --Walt Disney

 

I often think about how the Disney Company began with one man's dream.  It's amazing.  An entire empire has been built around what others probably thought was useless fantasizing.  This inspires me to dream big and to never listen to those who doubt my abilities.  Plus, seeing the impossible happen is fun!

This week, have fun making one of your "impossibles" come to life.  (There's a whole chapter in my new book, The Gloriously Simple Guide to Getting What You Want, on "The Imposssibles."  Check it out!) 

 

If you want our Mantras emailed to you, join our email list by clicking here!

 

Have an FUN week!

 

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 10/04

I just tweeted the following:  "if i'm not laughing, something's wrong.  enjoy what you do."  

I really mean that, my friends.  I try to find humor in any situation -- including my work.  Just because you're working hard to finish that project, make those good grades, or get that promotion doesn't mean you can't have fun.  We spend so much time working that we do ourselves (and those around us!) a disservice when we don't even crack a smile.

 

"If you could choose one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor."

 

  -- Jennifer Jones 

 

I firmly believe that we should be able to laugh in any situation.  Laughter has healing powers.  It can immediately lift your spirits and the spirits of others.   

 

This week, try to laugh heartily every day - no matter what is happening around you.  See how great you feel at the end of the week.  

 

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday?  Sign up here!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 09/27

Happy Monday, guys!

Computer issues have kept me from posting, and I've missed you!  I've been toiling away preparing for Generation Hope's first board meeting, which took place on Saturday, and was a true success!  I've also been booking some speaking engagements for 2011.  A lot is going on!

I thought this week's Mantra should focus on friendship since it's so important to our journeys.  I always love Oprah's pearls of wisdom. 

 

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."

  -- Oprah Winfrey 

Our success in life is greatly influenced by the people we surround ourselves with.  Friends are such an important factor in our day-to-day mind set.    

This week, think about which of your friends will ride with you when the limo breaks down, and take steps to distance yourself from those who won't.  

Want to receive our Mantras in your Inbox every Monday?  Click here to sign up!

Have an outstanding week full of authentic friendship!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 08/23

Hey everyone!  

It's Mondaaaaaaaaaay!  This past weekend I celebrated my youngest daughter's first birthday with a nice barbecue in the park.  We invited family and friends, and although it was sweltering hot, we had a blast.  It was one of those special afternoons in which you feel surrounded by so much love.  

So I thought this week's Mantra could be about nurturing our relationships - making sure we're treating our loved ones the way they deserve to be treated.  We want to have successful relationships in addition to great careers, thriving businesses, etc., right?  

"Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable."

 

  -- Dr. Joyce Brothers

 

Loving the right way - the way that Dr. Brothers talks about above - is so important as we strive to lead full lives.   

This week, think about your relationships with family and friends and ask yourself if you're loving openly and without manipulation. 

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday?  Click here!

 

Have an awesome week!

Nicole

Monday Mantra - 08/16

Hey there!

It's a brand new week, and a brand new opportunity to get what you want out of life!

You and I are overachievers, and we want to have all of the answers, but guess what - that's not humanly possible!  So this week's Mantra reminds us that not knowing everything is what makes life a journey:

"Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so.  You feel like running, but life is on a stroll.  This is how God does things."  -- Donald Miller

We're not supposed to have all of the answers.  If we did, life would be extremely boring.  :)

This week, take comfort in the fact that we're explorers - find things out as we go.  Don't stress yourself out about being in the dark at times.  Enjoy the "stroll."

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday?  Join hundreds of other people who are inspired by our Mantras each week by clicking here!

Have an outstanding week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 08/09

Welcome to a new week!

I hope you've been staying cool in these crazy hot days!  I can't believe I've only made it to the pool twice this summer!

I came up with this week's Mantra after of an awesome experience I had last week with a woman by the name of Kelly Bouchard, president of Bouchard International, a company dedicated to helping people create their own success stories and get the most out of life.  She took the time to speak with me, and she believed in me when she didn't have to.  It made me think of what an awesome gift that is.  We should all be doing something for someone else - constantly giving back.

"Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light."

  -- Norman B. Rice

 

You have the power to help someone else.  Use it.  An important part of achieving success is helping others achieve it as well. 

This week, reach out your hand to someone who needs your help, whether it's a friend, a co-worker, or a perfect stranger.

 

Check out how we're helping people with Generation Hope!

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday?  Click here!

Have an amazing week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 08/02

Good morning all!

It's another Monday, which means another opportunity to do great things for the week ahead!  Today I am dropping my oldest daughter off at basketball camp - an important part of working toward her hoop dreams!  This reminds me that none of us should be afraid to DREAM BIG!  So here's our Mantra for the week:

"Hitch your wagon to a star."

  --  Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

No dream is too big, far-fetched, or grand.  You can achieve anything you put your mind to.  Successful people believe in the impossible! 

This week, "hitch your wagon to a star" and have confidence in your wildest dreams!

Want to receive our Mantra in your Inbox every Monday?  Click here!

Have an incredible week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra 07/26 (Okay, this is really bad!)

I'm looking for the thief who is stealing my time!  Have you seen him!?  :)

Somehow this week completely slipped by me, and I can't believe I'm posting about our Mantra for the week on Thursday.  Yikes!  This is a good time to mention that if you're on our e-mail list, you'll receive our Mantras every Monday morning in your Inbox - no matter what!  (Sign up here)


Even though it's a bit late, our Mantra this week from J-Lo reminds us that our effort is directly proportionate to our returns:

"You get what you give. What you put into things is what you get out of them." --  Jennifer Lopez

We all want things in life, but few people are willing to work hard for them.  If you're frustrated about not getting very far in terms of reaching your dreams, could it be because you're not putting very much work in?  


I hope this Mantra gives your Friday a boost!  ;)

Have an awesome weekend!   Nicole

Monday (Tuesday) Morning Mantra - 07/19

Computer problems and not enough hours in the day prevented me from posting about our Mantra for the week yesterday.  So sorry!  Please find below our inspiration for the week from singer Taylor Swift, whom I really like (and so does my daughter!).

"No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind."

  --  Taylor Swift

There will be good days and there will be bad days, but no matter what's happening around you, be good to people.  Don't let your circumstances cause you to treat people poorly.  You will leave behind an amazing legacy when you shine brightly despite the darkest circumstances. 

This week, make an effort to treat people kindly no matter what. 

 

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday morning?  Click here!

 

Have a fantastic week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 07/12

Happy Monday!  

Monday marks a new opportunity to do great things.  You have a whole week ahead of you to make strides in reaching your goals.  How awesome is that?!  

So this week we're concentrating on living dangerously - okay not riding motorcycles without helmets or eating exotic foods.  We're talking about not playing it safe.  Check it out:

 

 "The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore."  --  Dale Carnegie

 

Are you on the "sure-thing boat" when it comes to doing things in life?  Are you willing to dare and push the envelope?  The most fulfilling and rewarding experiences are those that you never thought possible. 

This week, identify something you never thought you'd be able to do and take the first step toward making it happen. "

 

Want to receive our Mantras in your Inbox every Monday?  Click here!

Take advantage of every day this week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 07/05

Happy Fourth of July!  Many of you are probably off of work today, but we all need some inspiration to get us through the rest of the week!  :)

Today's Mantra is from NBA-great Shaquille O'Neal who probably knows a thing or two about goal achievement and discipline!  

 

"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do." -- Shaquille O'Neal

 

We often live in denial about our habits.  We say we're a studious person, but we rarely study.  We say we're kind and loving, but we have a habit of yelling at people.  We say we're on our way to achieving our goal, but we don't work very hard at it each day.  Your daily actions say a lot about who you are. 

This week, ask yourself if your daily habits are in line with the person you want to be and the goals you're trying the achieve.  

 

Want to receive our Mantras in your Inbox every Monday?  Click here!  

Have an outstanding week!  

Nicole

Fear Busting Tips From You

Last week I sent out our June newsletter "The Worst Four Letter Word," and we got a great response from people since it discussed a topic we can all relate to:  FEAR (get your mind out of the gutter!).  In addition to talking about what fear can do to our lives, I asked readers to send me their fear-busting tips, and here's a great one that I received:

"One way I overcome my fear is to Just Do It in fear.  Joyce Meyer talks about doing it in fear in her book [The] Confident Woman."  -- Kenyari Guy www.wehope.org

I love the idea of pushing through the fear to accomplish something.  Even if you're afraid, do it anyways!

I haven't read this book, but I plan to.  Here's a link to it on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Confident-Woman-Living-Boldly-Without/dp/0446531987

Thanks for checking out the newsletter, and keep your tips coming!  If you have any other fear-busting tips, post them below!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 06/28

So sorry I didn't post our Mantra yesterday!  I took my mom to a doctor's appointment that lasted all day, and then I rushed out to a meeting for Generation Hope.  Busy day!

But I really wanted to post this week's Mantra because it resonates with me so much.  We've talked about the unhealthy pursuit of perfection in the past (don't even get me started on how damaging the quest to be perfect can be), and this weekend I thought a lot about mistakes.  While they can take us down some dark paths, in the end, they should be opportunities for growth.  So this week lets think about that with a quote from writer James Joyce:

"A man's errors are his portals of discovery."

  -- James Joyce

Everyone makes mistakes.  Life is about falling down, but it's also about getting up.  In every misstep, there is a lesson to be learned.  

This week, look at your recent mistakes and think about the lessons you've learned from them.  Make efforts to apply those lessons to your life from this day forward.  

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox each Monday?  Click here! 

Hope you're having a GREAT week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 06/21

Good morning, guys!

I hope you had a great Father's day celebrating the dads in your life!  I feel really blessed to be able to celebrate my father, my husband, and my father-in-law - all of whom are great examples for my girls!  :)

I found the following quote from Melissa Etheridge when reading Good Housekeeping.  She is talking about a realization she had after her breast cancer diagnosis.  I think it's a great way to live life.

"I [realized] there are only two things in our reality, love and fear.  I try to make my choices out of love."

 

  -- Melissa Etheridge

 

Do you often feel like you're making decisions in life out of fear?  I wonder if your choices are truly satisfying.  Are you staying at your boring job because you're afraid to apply for something new?  Are you afraid of being alone so you're stuck in an unloving relationship?  Are you afraid of telling a friend how you really feel even though your honesty might help him? 

This week, make decisions out of love not fear.  

 

Do you want to receive our Mantras in your inbox each Monday morning?  Click here to sign up!

Have an amazing week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 06/07

Good morning all!

Wow, to say that this weekend was great would be an understatement.  I celebrated the release of my new book on Saturday, and although I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off the whole day, it was a special evening.  I'm so thankful for all of the love and support I have!

One of the best feelings in the world is having the freedom to be yourself.  I've been basking in that feeling lately so I thought our Mantra this week should be all about that:

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."  -- Dr. Seuss

I love this quote because it's all about feeling comfortable in your own skin and letting your wonderful personality shine! 

This week, don't let your fears about what other people think keep you from being who you are.  

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox each Monday morning?  Click here!

Have an awesome week!

Nicole

The Book Release Party!

Yesterday we celebrated the release of my new book The Gloriously Simple Guide to Getting What You Want at the Youth Dreamers Youth Center in Baltimore and let me just say it was an awesome feeling.  Here are my top three reasons why:

3) Seeing the new book in the hands of people I know and love and being so excited about all of the things it will help them achieve;

2)  Feeling the love and support of so many people who were at the event and those who sent well wishes from afar;

1)  And knowing my two daughters, Nerissa and Naya, were there to see that  Mommy is reaching for the stars and doing what she loves.  I want them to know that there's no limit to what they can do!

It's a little strange to know that I have two books under my belt now.  I'm so used to talking about Glori that I'll have to remind myself that I have multiple titles!  Someone asked me last night if I plan to write more books.  As long as God puts the words on my heart, I'll be writing.  We'll see what's next!

 

Thanks for all of your support, guys!

Nicole

A Note From a Reader

Every now and then I get an email from a reader that totally reminds me of why my work is so important. In the day-to-day shuffle, it's easy for me to wonder, "Is anybody out there?!" So these emails really encourage me! I thought I'd share one I received this week with you guys.

Hi Mrs. Nicole, my name is Nadia Martin, I met [you] at a teen parent conference in Houston, Texas. First off I just want to say thank you for writing this book, your story had made my own situation not seem so bad. I have a two year old son, named Thaddeus, III. I'm 18 years old and I will be graduating high school on June 5th, with honors in English. Just writing these words are so surreal, there were many times I just knew u would not be graduating, let alone with honors in English. Just Reading your book shows me the passion you have for helpings girls like me; I mean I can feel your heart bring poured out on every page. This book made me cry, laugh and most importantly think, think about how far I am willing to go without making excuses. I got my acceptance letter from Houston Baptist University in march, and my eyes filled with tears of joy, but for some reason I still doubted myself and if I would be able to make it through college, but now I know I can, because I've seen how far God has brought you. I know God didn't bring me this far to leave me, and I again I thank you for reaching out to girls like me.

Love,
 

Nadia
"I'm still standing"
 
Thanks for all of your emails and for making me feel like Glori truly is doing great things. :)
 

Have an awesome weekend!

Nicole

Monday (Tuesday) Morning Mantra - 06/01

So yes, today is actually Tuesday, but for many of us, it's the start of the week since yesterday was Memorial Day.  In between enjoying the great weather and munching on bbq ribs, I forgot to send the Mantra yesterday.  Please forgive me!

But I promise this one is worth the wait.  It's from me!  I don't often quote myself, but I thought this was a good Mantra for the week since I'm celebrating the release of my new book on Saturday, and it touches on something that many of us forget to do - celebrate our accomplishments!

"If you don't take a moment to think about all of the great things you've done, you'll overlook them, and the things you want to do will seem more difficult. " 

-- Nicole Lynn Lewis

 

It's so important to Stop, Reflect, and Celebrate as you work toward your goals. 

This week, stop and think about all of the things you've recently accomplished and CELEBRATE!  Throw yourself a party.  Go out dancing.  Or buy yourself a treat.  Celebrate YOU.  

To receive our Monday Mantras in your inbox each week, please click here!

Have an awesome week!

Nicole

PS - I cover this concept of celebrating our accomplishments in Chapter 7 of the new book!