If you graduated or will graduate without any debt, then congratulations because you are one of few who will not have to deal with the struggle of paying off student loans and credit cards. The thought of finding a way to make payments on these debts can be frightening, but if you start with the right knowledge and use your money wisely, you can maintain a fair credit score and go off into the real world with confidence. Choose the right college According to an article on CNNMoney.com, the average 2009 graduate had about $24,000 in student loans when they accepted their degree, while the unemployment rate for recent graduates rose from 5.8% in 2008 to 8.7% in 2009. These numbers will most likely continue to rise in the next few years. Before you have the chance to decide on the … [Read more...]

High Achieving Honor Student. What do you think of when you hear that? You probably don't immediately think of an online student who is training for a marathon, working full-time as a Director of Finance and Brand Marketing, as well as being a full time tutor for a 9th grader… and all on top of that being a family man. However, that is what I think of because it’s what I’m living right now. That is my life, and I wouldn't change it for anything. In order to be able to achieve all these highlights of life basically all at once, it takes a lot of time and commitment to what you are doing. It also takes someone who’s very time-oriented (and having a calendar or two doesn't hurt either!). To me, in life, I usually live by the credo, “Most people sleep 8 hours and work 8 hours. … [Read more...]

“They” are always trying to tell us something “they” think we need to hear. “They” have our best interests at heart, and “they” don’t want to see us fail, get hurt, or be disappointed. “They” will make sure to tell you that you really can’t do what you want to, are probably not good enough to succeed, and are not possibly smart enough to figure out something that no one else ever has. “They” know everything. “They” are your enemies. Oh, “they” might look like family, friends, or co-workers, but make no mistake, “they” will discourage you and try to let you down easy. “They” love you and want you to wait to pursue your dreams until all of the circumstances are perfect. But, secretly, “they” know there are no perfect moments, so if … [Read more...]

In Star Wars, Luke’s ship just sank into the swamp . Yoda tells him he could raise it out using the Force. Luke looks very doubtful and says, “I’ll try.” Yoda says, “Do or do not, there is no try.” And, of course, Luke is unsuccessful. Luke didn't get how powerful that work can be. Occasionally, when I’m facilitating a collegiate leadership retreat, a student will be on the verge of a major personal breakthrough and they might say...“I’ll TRY to take action when I’m afraid... I’ll TRY to stand up for what I believe in... I’ll TRY to have more confidence in myself.” I’ll coach them on the word “try” and tell them to replace it and speak again. “I WILL take action when I’m afraid.. I AM going to stand up for what I believe in... I HAVE more … [Read more...]

The other day, my 5 year old was having a hard time tying his shoe. He said, “I can’t do this, Dad!” With a smile I reminded him we don’t say, “I can’t.” Instead we say, “Help please.” “Can’t” is a word that takes all your power away. It leaves you with no options and feeling defeated. If you must say “can’t” then add the word, “I can’t, yet” There’s hope in that; things can change and you can and will do it eventually. Here’s a phrase I don’t allow myself to say; “I can’t afford it.” Again, it takes my power away and leaves me feeling hopeless. I feel defeated and my life revolves around scarcity and lack. I simply change that thought into, “I choose not to spend my money on that right now.” This still lets me feel a sense of … [Read more...]

So there I was; on the rings at a Division 1 NCAA gymnastics meet, in the middle of a great routine…and it happened. While doing a press to handstand, I farted! In front of what felt like millions of people- even though there was just a couple hundred. How embarrassing! So what do you do in that moment? Do I run into the locker room and never come out in public again? Do I quit gymnastics so I won’t be in that situation again? Or do I acknowledge what happened and continue on? We’ve all been in embarrassing situations and it’s definitely not a fun place to be - that’s why it’s embarrassing. When I was up in the handstand and I farted and everyone was laughing at me, I had to make a choice - how am I going to react? In our everyday lives, things happen to us all the time. … [Read more...]

The impetus for this blog post comes from a quote that has hung on my office wall for 25 years. “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”- Johnann Wolfgang von Goethe: What Goethe is telling us is that whatever it may be that we desire, wish for, or dream to have real in our lives, we should go for it! There is so much in life that we all want to make happen and so few people seem to really reach for their dreams. Why is this? I think it is because the accomplishment of the dream seems to be a far off thing, and many times it is. That can be discouraging when we want it now. Perhaps we do not see the steps that we need to take to get from here to there. That’s OK. There is only one step you really need to be concerned with… … [Read more...]

More than 10 years ago I paid off about $13,000 in debt. At the time I thought that number was astronomical, but it took a little less than three years and a lot of discipline and sacrifice to get rid of it. When it was all said and done I had only my student loan to pay and a fairly good credit score – about 750 – and was ready to tackle the world. Well, at least the world of home ownership. I bought a modest-sized home with a modest VA loan and an excellent interest rate, and felt I was on my way to a successful financial future for myself and my daughter. Sadly I’m further in debt than I was before and I’m too embarrassed to tell you how much. No, I didn’t get credit card happy or live beyond my means. The facts are simple: I am now a divorced, single mother of four and … [Read more...]

During my keynotes and retreats on college campuses, I talk a lot about commitment. I even have an audience member break an arrow with their neck [without using their hands] as a demonstration of being truly committed. I recently took on a big commitment. I started P90X. It’s an extreme home fitness video series that’s a 90-day commitment. My commitment to the program is tested daily because the workouts are so extreme and I push myself to the limit every time. When you add to the mix raising two boys, being a husband, running a business with traveling and speaking… that’s when it gets really challenging. The other week I was on the road facilitating a leadership conference at Sonoma State University in northern California. I spoke all day, went to dinner, took a hike in the … [Read more...]

I have had a lot of mentors in my life, people that I look up to, people who encouraged and supported me. They could have easily pushed me aside or told me I was never going to succeed, but they took an interest in me, and that has made all of the difference in my life. My friend, Dr. Jeanine C. Long, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Director of Career Placement and Development at Southwest Georgia Technical College in Thomasville, GA has had a similar experience. She sent me the following in response to my on-going request for people to send in their own stories of success, mentors, triumphs and more. Glass Beach used to be a public dump. Refuge was thrown off the cliff and into the ocean including old cars, household garbage, and a lot of glass. In 1967, the dump, located in Ft. … [Read more...]

OK, I admit it, like many of you I love the TV show, “Glee!” I love the music, the stories, the ironies, and definitely Jane Lynch, as Sue Sylvester, who is the most amazing character actress around. Why do I love it so? Well, it is about high school, and I went to high school. It is about athletes, and I was an athlete as a prep (8 letters in 3 sports-most in my class, thank you!). And it is about show choir, which I was a member of. In fact, the Horace Mann High Schoolswing choir went to state two of the three years that I was involved. The one year we did not make it was because of a prima donna guy who messed up everything for everyone. The first year, when I was a sophomore, we won at state with a combo of “Cry Me a River” and “All For The Best” from the Broadway show … [Read more...]