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.

 

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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 - 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 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 - 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

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!

Monday Morning Mantra - 05/17

Hey there! 

Last week, I went to Texas to serve as a keynote for a teen parents conference, and one of the things I talked to the participants about is our hesitancy to work toward a goal because we haven't forgiven ourselves for things we may have done in the past.  I've come to realize that NO ONE is perfect -- even the most successful people who seem to have it all.  Mary Mary's quote puts a new perspective on the "dirt" from our past:

"(We) need a little bit of dirt to grow." -- Mary Mary


This week, don't get down on yourself about past mistakes or imperfections. Those things will help you blossom into the person you are destined to be!

Check out another blog entry on the myth of perfection by clicking here.

Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday morning to get you ready for your week?  Click here!

Have an amazing week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 05/10

Good morning!

What an awesome weekend!  I had a great time celebrating the grand opening of the Youth Dreamers Center in Baltimore on Saturday (this is an amazing organization by the way!), got together with some of my married girlfriends for great discussions and food that evening, and then spent the day with my mom on Sunday walking through a nature preserve (I know, I know). 

However, I was saddened this morning by news that the amazing actress, Lena Horne, has passed away at age 92.  She lived an amazing, full life so I thought we could be inspired this week by her words of wisdom on being a top-knotch professional:

"Always be smarter than the people who hire you.." -- Lena Horne

This week, make sure you're staying sharp at work. Do you know the latest industry trends? Do you conduct research on your customers? Can you name the major players in your field?



Want to receive our weekly Mantras in your inbox each Monday?  Click here.
 
Have an outstanding week!
 
Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 4/26

Hey there!

This week's Mantra is for all of you entrepreneurs out there - or for anyone who is trying to complete a major project.  Ever wondered what is absolutely essential to success?  What do the accomplished business owners all have in their toolkit?  Here they are:

"The five essential entrepreneurial skills for success are concentration, discrimination, organization, innovation, and communication." -- Michael Faraday

This week, evaluate yourself in these five areas. How are you doing?



Want to receive our Mantras in your inbox each Monday?  Click here.
 
Have an AWESOME week!
 
Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 4/12

Happy Monday!

I hope you had an awesome weekend.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again, "sunshine is so inspiring"!

Check out our Mantra for this week.  Adopt it!

"My superpower is fearlessness. I'm not afraid to try anything, and I'm not afraid to walk away from a situation that isn't right for me." -- Queen Latifah

Sometimes the only way we're going to get what we want out of life is jumping right in! This week, look at your goals and ask yourself if fear is holding you back.


Have a great week!

To receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday, please click here.
Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 4/5

Good morning!

Happy Monday and happy spring!  What amazing weather.  Wow.

Since I turned the big 30 a couple weeks ago, I've been thinking a lot about getting older, and this week's Mantra sums up my thoughts:

"You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair." -- Douglas MacArthur


I'm really starting to believe that age is a mind thing as this quote describes. This week, think about how "young" your mind is. Is your faith strong? Is your self-confidence high? Do you have hope?

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



Have a great week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 3/1

Happy Monday to you!

What a whirlwind weekend. I was out on Friday and Saturday night with friends and soon realized I'm too old for late nights. On Sunday I took a two hour nap!

This week's Mantra is about making sure we don't overload ourselves, which is really important if we want to achieve our goals:

"When in doubt, I ask myself, Am I biting off more than I can chew? Is there a more strategic approach to the issue? It's a way to gain perspective, to step back and chill." -- Majora Carter (Founder of Sustainable South Bronx)

I have a tendency to overload my plate so this Mantra resonates with me. As I prepare to launch and market the new book and dabble in some new projects, I need to ask myself if there are more strategic approaches to each so I can make sure I'm not overdoing it.

This week, think about whether you've bit off more than you can chew. Is there a more strategic approach to your gaols and dreams?

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

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 2/22

Happy Tuesday!

Yes, yesterday's Mantra was sent a little late. Please blame it on a chaotic day at home with Naya!

Nevertheless, this week's Mantra is on friends because this past weekend I spent a lot of time catching up with my buddies. I went to my friend, Kia's, bridal shower on Saturday and reminisced about all of the crazy times we've shared over the years, and then on Sunday I met my good friends Wura and Vicki for Ethiopian (delish!). Although it was a non-stop, crazy weekend, when I drove home on Sunday, I thought about how I have some really awesome people in my life. They are so encouraging and so positive, and they are so vital to my progress.

So this week's Mantra echoes that sentiment:

"Life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends we choose." -- Tennessee Williams

This week, think about how the people you surround yourself with either help or hinder you in reaching your goals.

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

Have an amazing week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 2/15

Hi all!

I almost forgot it was Monday considering the holiday and the snow and the fact that my daughter hasn't been to school in a whole week!

I chose a Mantra on faith this week because I'm about to embark on a major, new project (can't wait to tell you about it!), and I am realizing just how much faith is required. I also feel like all of us - in so many areas of our lives - are in need of faith. Whether we're trying to figure out how we're going to pay the bills this month or we feel there aren't enough hours in the day to go to class, work, and study, we could all use a reminder about what faith is really about.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Who better to tell us about faith than Martin Luther King, Jr., whom we celebrate this month along with countless others who risked everything for equal rights for all?

This week step out on faith toward your dreams.

If you would like to receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday, click here.

Have an awesome week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 1/25

HAPPY MONDAY!

Another great week is ahead, and here is a Mantra to get you going. My good friend, Kendria, sent it to me, and it inspired me in a major way. I have some new things cookin' for 2010 and they're all about helping others.











"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal." -- Albert Pine

This week, do something for others - or for the world.

Have a great week!

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

Nicole

Monday (Tuesday) Morning Mantra - 1/19

Happy Tuesday!

I know, I know, I'm a day late. Yesterday, I enjoyed the day off with my family, but I'm ready to kick off the week with a Mantra!

Sometimes, I need these Mantras just as much as you guys do. Last night, I had a great talk with my husband about the frustrations I have with growing this business. I was almost on the verge of tears as I described the difficulties that come with having a great product but not enough hours in the day to tell the world about it. My husband didn't necessarily say what I wanted to hear, but it was what I needed to hear, and I found a Mantra that sums it up perfectly:

"We think we can have our visions for nothing. We cannot. Even the finest and most self-sacrificing visions have to paid for. Strangely enough, that is what makes them fine."

-- Oscar Wilde

This week, don't be discouraged by the difficulties you face when pursuing your dreams. Vision comes with a price.

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

Have a great week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra 1/11

Good morning dears,

Last week I was rocked by news of a good friend passing away, and it left me in a bit of a fog. I went through a slew of emotions - shock, emptiness, pain, and then calm. At the funeral service on Saturday, the pastor talked about what a full life my friend, Marina, had lived. She was so vibrant and full of laughter, she never took things too seriously, and she was a loving wife and mother.

This week's Mantra reminds us to live life to the fullest. Don't merely exist. Be alive!

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I have not lived."

-- Henry David Thoreau

This week, take advantage of every moment!

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

Have an amazing week!

Nicole