Insights on “Why ‘A’ Students Work for ‘C’ Students—and ‘B’ Students Work for the Government”

In an exclusive for StartupNation, Robert Kiyosaki, successful entrepreneur, investor and author of the #1 Personal Finance book of all time, “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” offered his insights related to his new book, “Why ‘A’ Students Work for ‘C’ Students—and ‘B’ Students Work for the Government.”

In regard to this financial education guide for parents, here’s what Robert had to say:

Why did you write this book?

I wrote “Why ‘A’ Students Work for ‘C’ Students” for parents because parents are a child’s first and most important teachers—and they have an important job to do. They can truly influence the future of their children, because if they don’t teach their kids about money, they can’t on the school system to do it. Schools teach kids what the school system believes they need to get a good job… which, from my point of view, sets them up to be slaves to a job and a paycheck all of their lives. My poor dad was a well-educated school teacher with a Ph.D., but I struggled in school. I didn’t get good grades and flunked out of high school—twice. In fact: I hated school. But I love to learn. Today, I (the “C” student) hire “A” students, like accountants and attorneys, to work for me.

The financial crisis has just started and as more countries and baby boomers go broke, who do you think will foot the bill for life-support? Your kids, that’s who. And it’ll take the form of higher taxes. That’s why I wrote this book. I want to encourage and support parents who want to give their child a financial head start in life. And it starts with understanding money.

Since the school system is not giving children a financial education, are they teaching our kids to be poor?

I think schools are teaching kids to be poor, but worse than that they’ve teaching them to be slaves to a paycheck. That could be one of the reasons why the dropout rate is so high in schools today. As a young kid back in the ‘50s and the ‘60s, I kept asking my teacher, “Why don’t you teach me anything about money?” I never got an answer to that question.

And today, most schools still don’t teach kids about money. Whether we’re smart or stupid, rich or poor; we all use money in our everyday lives. It’s an important life skill and it’s up to parents to fill the void.

We’ve got to teach our kids about money because the United States is broke. We’ve spent billions on public education, and poverty keeps increasing. The rich get richer, the middle class is getting squeezed harder and harder… and the poor are getting poorer and poorer. What’s wrong with this picture?

Then, do you think parents should train their children to be entrepreneurs?

Only a child can decide that. I wouldn’t decide that for them. I don’t think there’s anything more pathetic than some kid who does what his parents want him or her to do. Instead, give your kids some financial education and then they can make their own choices later on in life.

If your children do not have a financial education, then they will probably end up being an employee or a self-employed specialist. And today, employees pay at least 40% of their money in taxes and the self-employed pay about 60%. Meanwhile, people who own large businesses pay only about 20%, and investors with a high level of financial education and well-structured investments can often pay nothing—0%—in taxes. Very often the people who end up paying the most in taxes are the ‘A’ students who get out of school and become doctors, lawyers and attorneys.

Kids who have a financial education will have more choices in life and not be stuck working for someone else or living off government hand-outs.

What can a parent do to start giving their child a financial education?

I outline some specific activities—Action Steps for Parents—at the end of each chapter of the book, but the most important thing is to make your home an active and fun learning environment. And it doesn’t need to be difficult. You can play games like Monopoly® and CASHFLOW®, discuss the day’s news and learn new, financial vocabulary words each day.

Every day we make real-life decisions about money so start sharing this information with your children. For example, show them what happens when you don’t pay your bills, how tax payments are taken from your paycheck or how you plan for unexpected expenses. You can also help them set up their own small business to learn about money and investing firsthand.

The point is to teach your kids about money at home because they are not going to get a financial education in school.

Thanks so much for your time Robert!

For more information about Robert Kiyosaki’s new book, “Why ‘A’ Students Work for ‘C’ Students—and ‘B’ Students Work for the Government,” visit www.richdad.com.

There is a lot going on so at the end of each day take some time to plan your schedule for the next day.

What do you need to get finished?

Make a list with the amount of time you need to complete each task. List your top priorities first. Then, when you wake up the next day, you’ll know what you need to work on and finish that day.

•    Schedule “me” time.

When you have a busy schedule, it can be so easy to rush from one activity to the next without taking a break. You go to work, drive the kids to wherever they need to be, shop, cook, clean, do laundry, etc. At the end of the day, you collapse on your bed and either fall asleep right away or lie awake thinking of all the things you need to get done the next day. This is not a good schedule for your health or stress levels.

Instead, schedule some time for you. Take time out to take a fun exercise class, go for a walk, get a massage, read a book… whatever you like to do that gives you a moment to relax and get your thoughts together.

•    Get help.

Whether you want to believe it or not, sometimes its impossible to do it all. And if you try to do it all, what are the chances that you’ll be able to do everything well?

Instead of running around like a crazy person and doing everything so-so due to a lack of time, why not ask for help?

Maybe you can hire an intern or part-time employee, give your kids some extra chores to do or seek out family and friends to help you with shopping and odd jobs? It may cost a little extra money and time to give out some of your responsibilities to others, but it will be will worth it. The work will get done, and you’ll avoid spreading yourself too thin and getting sick.

Don’t let the holidays pass you by

This is a very special time of year to appreciate what you have and spread goodwill and cheer. But if you are stuck behind your desk, up late worrying about work or in bed sick, the season will pass you by.

Instead, make a schedule, including “me” time, and stick to it. And if you find that you Are just overwhelmed with all the things you have to do, find some people to help you. Then, maybe you’ll be able to relax, get your work done, AND enjoy the holiday season!

For more tips to help accomplish your goals, please write to me below or at www.rembrandtwrites.com.

During Thanksgiving, I invite you to completely take a break from your business both physically and mentally and to actually be present with your loved ones. Fill those precious moments with love and gratitude.

Try out these steps to bring you into the present moments with those you love during Thanksgiving:

TAKE THE REINS AWAY FROM A BUSY MIND

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all that is required to make a business successful. Our minds are similar to a dog chewing on a bone. They like to work on “problems”, even creating them for us. Often times, we don’t even know we’re consumed by this tendency. When you feel yourself drifting away from the present and into your future and the issues and things you want to handle, simply stop and love the person in front of you. Remember that these moments are precious and few.

REALLY ENGAGE YOUR LOVED ONES

The most precious and engaging conversations I’ve ever had with my friends and family members are those in which we reminisced or I inquired about what life is like or was like for them. Get into their world. Be curiously engaged in what is most important to them. Make it about them and not you. Create a “blank space” in which they can express themselves and meet them with love. See how they light up!

CREATE A GAME PLAN

Remove idle time in which your mind can wonder by scheduling activities that foster connection and presence with your family members. This could be a drive through the country or a family walk after dinner. Schedule games. Have everyone tell their favorite family experience around the Thanksgiving table. One of my favorite things to do that encourages fellowship that really raises the roof with energy and affinity is to have everyone at the table tell their favorite joke… especially the children. Laughter, after all, is the best medicine.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones, everyone!

With love,

Mike

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” ~ Echhart Tolle

The same questions were asked of a room of adults. “Who can dance?” No one danced. They were asked, “Who can sing ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’?” There was silence. Their magnificent human spirits were fully suppressed.

I’ve asked these questions of numerous adult audiences and, with few exceptions, have gotten the same reaction as above. Most adults are afraid to dance and sing. Children, on the other hand, can’t contain themselves, nor do they try to.

So, what happened to our magnificent, wild human spirits? What happened to our unquenchable thirst for all that life is and all that it has to offer?

And, more importantly, how did we get here and how do we get back?

These are important questions with answers that we will uncover over future blogs, but I know for sure that our wild human spirits and unquenchable thirst for life never left us. Some of us can’t feel or be our true magnificence because it is buried beneath years of conditioning. The truth is we are and always will be boundless human magnificence living in a magical world of endless possibilities. That’s who we are. Many of us have simply forgotten.

I’ve been teaching and motivating adults for many years and I’ve seen far too many hit the brick wall of limited thinking and limiting belief systems.  They are out of touch with their magnificence.  I’ve also noticed that those who do succeed have very positive, enthusiastic, even childlike demeanors.  They are in touch with their magnificence.

I’d like to show you my favorite inspirational video. It shows a human being, Paul Potts, gripped in the fear of “not being good enough” and then EXPLODING into his greatness.  Before our eyes we see him regain his connection with his magnificence - a most beautiful transformation.

Paul Potts went on to win 1,000,000 British pounds on “Britain’s Got Talent” and is now a successful opera singer living the life of his dreams. Imagine if he had succumbed to the diminished, limited, constrained (and false) sense of self he had developed over his life. He’d still be living a life he didn’t love, dreaming of a future that would never come.  Imagine what will happen (or not happen) in your life if you stay fixed in a limited version of your true self.

I, and the rest of the StartupNation team sincerely and with all our hearts want you to lead full, enriched, fulfilled and happy lives as SUCCESSFUL entrepreneurs.  The first step towards getting there is to reconnect with your magnificence.

For this week, I invite you to try a few simple things that will help you reconnect with your magnificent, unbounded human spirit. Here are 4 simple steps to begin this awakening:

1) See the world through a child’s eyes.

Watch young children engage in all that is around them with wonder, enthusiasm, and love. Keep in mind that you were once that fully expressed and still possess the same spirit within you. See yourself in them.

2) Remember your grandest moments.

Write down 3 life experiences in which you were a fully expressed, boundless, expansive human being. Note how you felt, what you were doing, what you were thinking. Remember how amazing you are.

3) Create a gratitude list.

End each day by writing down 3 things that you find amazing about life on this planet, YOUR life on this planet. For example, the shape and color of an orchid, the birth of a child, the taste of an apple, a bird taking flight, your loving friends and family, etc. Be present. Be aware of the magic around you.

4) Start the day on a positive note.

Get up on the first ring of your alarm clock. Immediately feed your mind with positive content. Read your growing gratitude list and add to it. Read your favorite inspirational book or listen to your favorite motivational audios. Turn off negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts throughout the day.

These simple steps will at the very least bring a heightened level of awareness about the miracle of your life and of life itself. You will experience more gratitude, feel more powerful, and be more loving. Loving who you are, knowing who you are, and being where you are is a great place to start the rest of your boundless, exciting life - a life full of huge possibilities!

“There are two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle.”   Albert Einstein

Have a magnificent week, everyone!

With love,

Mike

But she didn’t start just any business. She started Wild Rainbow African Safaris and takes people on safaris to see wild animals! How cool is that? I had to find out more, so here’s what Jody Cole had to say…

Tell us about your business and how you started Wild Rainbow African Safaris.

Wild Rainbow African Safaris is a boutique adventure travel company specializing in bespoke safaris to sub-Saharan Africa. Our mission is to provide our guests with a safe and comfortable safari while indulging them with customized service, exceptional lodgings, and of course, amazingly close contact with the wildlife, culture and spirit that is Africa.

Wild Rainbow began as a dream between my travel partner, Alison Hawthorne, and I when together, we brought twenty amazing women to Africa to celebrate Alison’s birthday. Alison is a travel agent with her own business, and I had already been to African over twenty times by then. I realized then that it was “sharing” the African experience with others that I enjoyed most. So Wild Rainbow began from the desire to share the excitement I get every time when the wheels touch down on African soil.

I began to train as a field guide soon afterwards so that I might provide an even better, more hands on experience with my guests. As one of just a handful of American women certified as a trails guide with the Field Guides Association of South Africa, now I can lead my guests on the ground and support the staff in making the experience the best possible.

What do you think has been the secret to your success?

The personal service we provide our guests. A trip to Africa is usually a very special “bucket list” trip for many of my guests. They are spending their hard earned money to experience their own African dreams, so it is very important to us that those expectations are met.

I personally support our clients from the planning stage through to meeting them at the airport in Africa, guiding them for their safari, and then putting them on the plane home. Instead of boilerplate safaris where you might be traveling on a bus with over 30 people and staying in hotel-styled lodges, for only a bit more we can provide the Hemingway-styled luxury trip to a small group of travelers.

What major challenge did you need to overcome starting your business, and how did you overcome that challenge?

My own inexperience! I had never run a business of my own before, so everything was new for me - setting a business plan, creating office systems, finding employees, renting an office, down to learning the everyday lingo of travel agents - the curve was pretty steep. The best way I found to overcome that challenge was picking up the phone and asking the people I thought highly of as business people and asking them for their advice. No book or class could provide the good advice I received from friends with experience. From there, it was sink or swim, so I just jumped in and started swimming!

How have you promoted your business?

Initially, we ran constant ads in magazines we knew our clients read, attended travel shows across the country, and sent out snail mail business-announcement postcards. Luckily, I already had a fairly substantial database from my fundraising background, from which I could glean possible interested persons. More recently, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have kept us visible to more people worldwide than ever before. Facebook ads have been highly successful for us with short turnaround.

What marketing and promotions have worked and what haven’t?

We quickly found out that the travel shows did not get us any clients, but we did learn a lot about how large travel companies work and got connected with IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association) and their help was invaluable. And running the print ads might have helped our ego, but again, did not turn into actual business. After a lot of trial and error, we found personal appearances, online presence, direct mail and only a couple, well-placed larger ads helped with our visibility. Africa travel is so specific and personal, it became clear in the end that it is word-of-mouth that turns into real results for us.

What advice do you have for others who want to pursue their dream business?

Failure is just a step towards success. If you don’t pursue your dreams because you fear failure, you will never achieve your dreams. I found so many people I consider successful business people have a string of little failures behind them, which guided them towards that success. It certainly helped me to know that I might have to accept failure, but it didn’t mean I wasn’t going to be successful at some point in the future.

I am lucky in that I have developed a lot of personal contacts which have turned into business for my company. Making sure I am involved in my local community, volunteering for organizations I care about, donating to causes I find important to me, and supporting other people in my world has established a path towards success. Those personal connections built up over time have made the difference for Wild Rainbow African Safaris and in the quality of my life personally.

Thanks so much for sharing your personal story and tips Jody. It just goes to show you that if you have a dream for a business, it is possible!

If you have questions or comments for Jody, please post them below. And if you have questions about how to increase promotions for your business, please write to me below or at www.rembrandtwrites.com.

On the flip side, the 2nd quarter of the year is coming to a close as summer hits, and parents in business are no different than anyone else.  We want our momentum to keep going into the 3rd quarter without interruptions.  I definitely do.

In my opinion, summer and business growth and productivity do not need to work against each other.  In fact, greater productivity can lead to greater enjoyment of summer.

I have a sneaky suspicion the busier I am, the more I achieve and fit in to my day.

Think about it - When you have large chunks of time that are unaccounted for…What do you do?  My guess is daydream, play with apps, doodle, waste time, or grab a coffee.

When we are busy and have a really full schedule, we actually fit more in because we are diligent about scheduling.  We make time for each task and responsibility, hopefully blocking out time for our families and fitness and sleep. We map out our days out of NECESSITY, so we can cross everything off not leaving a spare minute to doodle.

A few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Samantha Ettus speak about work family balance on a panel for Hot Topics for Moms in Business. Samantha imparted us with one tiny little tidbit that stuck in my mind because it is the way I live.  “Run your life like train schedule.” Samantha dramatically changed her entire family’s schedule so both she and her husband could run their businesses and spend time with their children.

Operating on that schedule allows Samantha to fit in everything that she and her husband prioritize.  This is how I live year-round, but especially in summer.  During summer, most of us have the benfit of warm weather and longer days, which lets us squeeze in an early morning run or evening walk for ice cream with all of other responsibilities sandwiched in the middle.

I hope each and everyone of you enjoys your holiday weekend, and as it comes to a close set some goals for your summer.  Outlining both business and family goals are important.  Then, take a look at your schedule week by week and draft up a timeline for those goals.  Insert tasks in your calendar along with time to enjoy your kids, dogs and the summer weather.

Reach out to friends and other parents in your neighborhood to arrange a childcare swap, carpools, or information on local kids’ programs.  Go over plans with your spouse and partner and put it all in the schedule!

I am training for a half-marathon, and I think the discipline used in my training can be applied to business.  I have a plan mapped out with goals I want to hit and how much I need to run, stretch and rest/reinvigorate to get to my goal.  The same goes for business.  I know where I want to go, which includes how many nights I need to work to get there and how I can take the weekends off to replenish myself and my family.

I would love for you to share your top summer goal with me and how you have scheduled to make it happen!  Keeping one another accountable is always helpful!

Here is to an amazing summer for you and me both.  I hope your business rises like the heat (Don’t forget to cool off with an ice-cream).

For more on ’summer tricks of the trade for moms and dads’…read here.

Rachel

When I first started my business, every conference that I attended dropped me into an environment of all new people because business was a brand new field for me.  Getting on a plane or in a car to attend a conference near or far with several hundred people that I never met before has made me a bit of a warrior in the area.

In fact, now when I choose a conference, I look for ones that will allow me to meet new people and partake of different information.  What can I say?  I am a renegade.

As I was leaving last week, a colleague asked me if I was ready to head off to a destination that I never went to before with people that I did not know.  My response was ‘Absolutely.’  Don’t get me wrong, I felt some jitters, but mostly I was excited.

You see, going to meet new people at an unknown conference or environment is not only daring and bold, but also savvy.  The business world is a big, wide open space, and with all the virtual opportunities, it is easy to get lost in a sea of avatars.  I love networking online and chatting on Twitter as much as the next person, but those transactions must translate into REAL LIFE for them to really push forward.

It is so easy to hide behind our laptops and tablets with a false sense that we are connecting with lots of people, and often, online connections are amazing.  However, in order to make greater partnerships, referral networks, and lasting relationships, some of these connections must become IRL (In Real Life). Although, we spread our avatars all over the internet, it really is crucial to put an actual face with a name.

Although it is imperative to keep current relationships fresh and ongoing, it is also imperative to make new ones.  My goal for this year was to choose one brand-spanking new conference to attend in comparison to last year when they were all new.  I had to reserve some time and money to attend one or two that I loved from last year in order to both pay it forward and stay in touch IRL with contacts.

Last week was the NEW one.  The conference where I knew nobody and had no idea what to expect.  What started out as a nerve wracking experience proved to be both fruitful and fun.

Of course, I had my survival tips ready.

(Attending a New) Conference Survival Tactics:

1. Smile.  Look happy.  Whether you are nervous, scared or feel like you are going to be sick, put a happy face on because it makes you way more approachable.
2. Forget Avatars. You see that picture by my name here?  Guarantee you that in person, I look nothing like it.  Don’t memorize avatars and think you will recognize anyone.
3. Don’t Prequalify. Leave judgement at home.  The most unassuming person may be your best contact or the one person that you are just dying meet, may prove to be a dud.  In other words, meet and greet as many people as you can!  Move around the room, change seats or tables, and introduce yourself to as many people as possible.
4. Be ready to conduct business. Really.  Bring extra business cards, notepads, pens, laptop/tablets/chargers, and even any legal documents as in non-disclosures if they apply.
5. Takes notes. After meeting someone, make a few notes on their card or in a  notebook so you are prepared for a little conversation when following up.

Yes, you must follow up with the contacts that you meet and make an effort to move the relationship forward.

I would love to hear about your adventures of heading to conferences…

To read more about the simple, yet practical advice I heard on work life balance, read here.

Rachel

This week has taken nothing short of velcro-ing myself to my desk to finish the tasks at hand.  Every time I am out driving, I see loads of happy people walking, jogging, biking, and taking a quick break in their day to catch some fresh air.  The smiling is infectious.

While smiling, exercising, and sheer utter joy may all be side effects of summeritus, so is canceling appointments and not following through on commitments.  As with most things, there is a good and bad side to summeritus.

All week, I have been hearing, ‘I am sorry, I cannot meet you now’ and ‘I apologize, I did not get to _______’….Come on!  I was not born yesterday.  I am looking out my window dreamily, too.  I am fantasizing about a long walk and frozen yogurt just like you.

This is all a result of over-committing, a lesson that I frequently learn the hard way.  Saying no to committees and meetings and lunch dates and additional tasks is hard to do.  This is especially the case when the person asking is a friend, treasured colleague, and/or someone we are dying to do business with in the future.

However, saying yes and not following through is even worse than over-committing, which is what always gets me in trouble.  I cannot do the no follow through thing, so I end up totally stressed.  I have had to teach myself the hard way to only commit to what I am going to see through until it is finished.

It is like the meeting that I fought to get to last winter in the middle of a snowstorm on a snow day from school.  I had a few back up plans in place in oder to make this happen because I was thoroughly committed.  Otherwise, canceling would have been way to easy.

Let’s use this early summeritus season to learn some lessons about committing:

1. Do not commit to something if you do not see yourself being able to finish it even on the most magical weather day of the year.
2. Set a hard limit for how many meetings, event, committees you want to do in a week, month.
3. It is better to say No upfront rather than excuse yourself after you have already said Yes, so be certain that it is something really can commit to (rain, snow, or sunshine).

Not sure if you remember, but last spring - I unplugged! That is right, I unplugged for a week with my family.  It was great!  I logged in to my computer once a day just to quickly go through emails in case of anything urgent, but for the remainder of the week, I was PRESENT for face-to-face time.

As winter break approaches and I am going to travel a little with my family, the question of unplugging boils up again.  Well, this time around, I cannot totally unplug because I have a few pressing projects, etc.  However, I only plan to attend to those specific tasks, and unplug for the rest of the time.

As a mom and an entrepreneur, I am not doing my job as a mom if I do not unplug and give full attention to my family when the opportunity presents itself.

So, this semi-unplugging begs the question:  To use an automated ‘out of the office’ message while traveling this holiday season. I say NO.

Don’t fret if you have a different opinion.  I am open to your thoughts, but for me, it is a BIG fat NO to the automated message.

Why? I think that the automated response has a place if you really are somewhere without internet access (where is that?) or ACTUALLY will not be checking email for an extended period of time.  My guess is that will not be the case for most of you.

Even with time off, most of you (and me) will be checking the iphone/berry/droid from time to time.  Isn’t it just easier to do what I did with my initial unplugging?  Simply respond to anything urgent, file away what can wait and needs a response when you are back to work, and delete the junk.

This crazy little unplugging system that I have may seem like a contradiction, but I think a quick daily check of email can really save valuable productive time when you return. With my way, the only emails left in your inbox are the ones that need your attention.

As for what all this has to do with the automated response:  they are annoying; make more junk mail for the recipient; and my guess is that if what your emailee needs is so pressing, they will go on an email frenzy with your inbox and everyone else associated with you.

If this snowball effect happens, it could mean more work for you to clean up in contrast to quickly attending to the matter in the first place.

If you check once a day and respond (currently 24 hours is the minimum courtesy expected to return an email), everything just flows more easily.

As I said, this is my opinion.

I say NO to automation.

If you say YES to automation, share your experiences…..

For more winter vacation survival tips as a mompreneur, click here

AND I do say YES to Merry Everything!

The holiday season together with the end of the year can create a very stressful time period, especially for start-up business people who are also parents.  You know exactly what I am talking about….

In business, we rely A LOT on ourselves for many small details, so this time of year becomes more than hectic.  There are personal and professional holidays cards to go out, gifts to buy and send for family AND possibly customers/clients/associates, holiday parties, family dinners, expenses to gather, business and personal travel to navigate, school vacations, daycare closures, babysitters spending time away, end of the year numbers, goal setting for the new year, and next thing you know it is January 1st!

Recently, I have employed a number of stress reducing tips to help me survive this time of year both as an entrepreneur and mom.  If we are so frazzled when the New Year arrives, we will start off on the wrong foot, and no one wants to do that!

5 Ways to Lighten Holiday Season Stress:

Do NOT hesitate to shop online. Online Shopping is easy, and guess what?  If you wake up just a half hour early or stay up a tiny bit late on one or two occasions, you can get all your shopping finished (right from your own comfy couch).  You can find everything from unique start-up business items to big box retailers online.  Make it simple…..find one or two items that you like, and buy a bunch of them.

Search for a bigger discount and/or free shipping. There are many discount code sites where you can access savings available for cyber shopping.  Saving a few bucks here and there is a fabulous anti-stress technique if you ask me!  I like Retail Me Not.  Just search for the store or item, and save more….

Do not let exercise and health fall by the wayside. This is a biggie!  Often when we are eating holiday goodies and extremely busy, the first thing to go is our workout plan.  This is a BAD idea because exercise is stress relief and we all know we need just that during this time of year.

Do NOT apologize for taking time with family. As parents in business, this time of year requires taking some time off to be with family - No explanations necessary.  Enjoy your time with the kiddos, nieces and nephews!  Have a big order to fill? Major paper filing to do? Or even serious gift wrapping?….Make it a Family Affair!

Saying NO is OK.  Although we want to attend every party, bake a goodie for every bake sale around, visit every relative, and make time for each and every cause, WE CANNOT!  Say No to just one or two items on the list, and guess what?  You may just find the time to fit in your exercise!

Happy Holiday Prep to all of you….Rachel

Looking for more work/life balance exploration? Visit me at http://backngroovemom.com