As I finished my triceps and went to the next machine to begin my biceps, I started feeling lightheaded.  My trainer asked me if ate and I told her I ate about 30 minutes before.

The lightheadedness got worse and I felt very nauseous and weak.  I couldn’t figure out what triggered this.  After that, I got dry mouth and then suddenly my hearing got muffled.  More and more the noise in the gym, including my trainer speaking with me, was fading.  My vision even got blurry.   In this state, I knew I had to sit down.

What I realized was that though it felt like I was wearing headphones and my senses were shutting down, I was still here.  Inside, thinking and trying to figure out how to get my senses back.

I sat down on the ground (criss cross applesauce, like how my daughter says it) and I looked down at the ground and took deep breaths.  I followed the instructions my cool and collected trainer was giving to me though it was hard to hear.  Slowly I came back.  Meaning I came back into my body and was back in control.

This experience, more than any other had me thinking about my mortality and who I really am?  I know now, I am not my body.  I knew it in my spirit but after this experience I know it for sure.

Later that night, I watched Iyanla Vanzant on OWN on her new show, “Iyanla, Fix My Life.”  The show prompted the following questions.

Who am I?  Who am I really?

Without my job, my spouse, my child

Without my possessions, my parents, my siblings and family.

Who am I?

When I’m as blank as this canvas, when all is said and done, who am I and why am I here?

Who am I?

I’m Bonibelle (my real first name).

I’m a servant.

Why am I here?

I help people come into themselves.

I help people give birth to their true selves.

People need me to help them see who they really are.

Who they want to be.

Who they need to be to complete their work here.

I now experienced how the spirit and body are separate.

It’s not the end when we die.

I’m controlling this body like we control a robot or a computer program.  I tell it what to do with my thoughts.

I’m wearing an incredible power suit.  I feel inside my spirit but this body allows me to feel it on the outside, on my skin.  It allows me to touch others and share my feelings with them.

When my body and brain truly turn off, I go someplace else.  I know that now.  I don’t fear death anymore.

Our spirits live on.

The pain in death is of leaving your loved ones and not knowing how you will be able to communicate and touch them like before.

I’m hoping that in the afterlife there is a more profound way for us to touch each other in our spirits.

There are some spirits we want to feel forever.

Now, what does this have to do with your career?

Well, we are only here for a finite amount of time.

Every moment of your life should be meaningful, including your work.

Meaningful to you, not to anyone else or their expectations of you.

Live with intention and opt for those experiences that will bring you the most joy.

Tune into your spirit.

Ask it what it needs.

Use your body suit to fulfill those needs while it still works right.

You are only limited by your imagination.

Be still and ask for guidance on your chosen line of work.

Will it add to your spirit?

Will it deplete your energy?

Will you have enough time to touch those you want to touch forever?

Who am I?

I am Bonibelle.

I am a servant to those who wish to connect with their true selves.

I am a midwife for your true spirit, and I help you bring it to life.

Who are you?

Follow these Ten Tweeting Commandments for success on Twitter.

10. Thou Shall Post Questions on Twitter – Post a poll, or Ask For Reactions on a Topic.
9. Thou Shall Respond Promptly to Your Follower’s Tweets, Comments or Questions.
8. Thou Shall Solve a Business or Personal problem.  Cite the Problem and Give Your Brief Solution.
7. Thou Shall Post Referrals and Recommendations.  Let Others Know What Services You Love and If They Solve Your Problems.
6. Thou Shall Congratulate Others For Their Accomplishments.
5. Thou Shall Wish Holiday & Birthday Greetings – - But This Can’t Be The Only Time You Communicate All Year!
4. Thou Shall Give a Results Update – Tried Something New? How Did It Go?
3. Thou Shall Send an Article of Interest – But This Can’t Be The Only Thing You Do On Twitter!
2. Thou Shall Send a Thank You Note Publicly to Someone Who Has Helped You.
1. Thou Shall Become Generous On Twitter- Promote Others On a Daily Basis and They Will Return the Favor.

What are some of your own Twitter tips?  Share them in the comments below.

We all have different ideologies and no I don’t think we should have gone to Iraq and yada yada yada.  But the fact is, we went and brave soldiers died–for us.  They followed orders and I thank them for that.  On this day, my heart goes out to them and I say thank you as a survivor. You made us proud.

Let us never forget that freedom comes with a price. While I write this, my daughter is playing in her little kiddie pool in my backyard.   Men and women are working right now to make sure that she doesn’t have to worry about terror attacks, where she’s going to sleep, or where the bomb shelter is.  She gets to play.

While we’re enjoying our barbecues and ice cream, let’s not take for granted the freedoms, and opportunities we have in this country and be sure to say Thank You.

It’s a wonderful feeling to accomplish this, but there is a huge question looming over me.

Now what?

Well before I jump into my answer let me first say to all my fellow graduates of the class of 2012,  go ahead and revel in the accomplishment.  Yes, party it up!  Life is to be enjoyed and one of the rewards of working so hard is enjoying the feeling accomplishment brings.  So treat yourself nice and pat yourself on the back.

When I think of my future now, it looks very bright.  My degree is an investment that with my creative actions and ideas will produce huge dividends.  I’ve met wonderful people in my Master’s program and these connections are invaluable as well as the boost in my confidence.  I have proven to myself what I am capable of, while working full-time, caring for my daughter and running a household.

I’m a force to be reckoned with!

Now all of this power and drive will be placed in my coaching business.  So watch out!  I am a hub of creativity and I get to do the fun part.  Watching my business grow!

Here it is…

I have this perfectionist streak in me that won’t allow me to move forward until conditions are perfect.  Sound familiar?  I became empowered to post anyway by reading, the Blogging Therapy series by Havi Brooks.  Havi writes at www.thefluentself.com about how important it is to stop focusing on being perfect.  This is a paralyzing state to be in.  My blog theme still has some errors for me to correct but I shouldn’t let that stop me from sharing my thoughts with my readers.  Isn’t that why you came here in the first place?

I highly recommend reading Havi for shifting your “stuff” as she calls it.  I’m trying to shift through my “stuff” as well.  Turns out I have a lot of it.   but then again, so does everybody.  Here’s to uncovering your “stuff” and plowing forward anyway.

If this post speaks to you?  Please share your thoughts with me.  I’d love to hear how you feel about moving forward and abandoning the need to be perfect.

**I apologize in advance for the low audio, please raise your speaker volume to hear clearly.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is a leap of faith and there is definitely the chance of rejection.  However, when all you do is worry about rejection, you waste valuable time.  What if your next employment opportunity is lost because you put off applying to the position you got excited about and now the posting is filled by someone else less qualified than you?  What if you lost your next customer because you waited too long to call them, while another sales person with a similar service didn’t?  While you sit frustrated and scared to put yourself out there, you are missing out on potential fruitful opportunities.  These opportunities can get you closer to reaching your dreams.

How do you know when to act?  This part is very personal because you have to listen to your internal cues.  When you have a strong feeling, whether it’s a butterfly in your stomach, an excited feeling, or a fun daydream where you envision the positive outcome of your action– you must act on it.  Dump the fear, and take the leap.  This ship can potentially become the bridge you need to carry yourself to the next level.  I sent my ship out today, will you?

Writing when it is coming from a truly personal place is supposed to be difficult and churn up many emotions.  I’m moved to write on deeper issues of my own career transition and journey as a  working mother, using my story as a real life example of my constant struggle to pursue my passion, the trials of over-extending myself, the pressure to be a great wife and mother, and the difficulty of managing a household.

I have been struggling with these issues in private but these are the exact issues women and especially working mothers are struggling with everyday and need to hear about.  Instead of focusing on answers, which are fleeting at best, I’m going to share my journey.  Perhaps it will serve others to know they are not alone.  Most of all, this is my way of putting myself first, which you all should do.  I have been running low on gas lately and it’s time to fill my own gas tank.  Make sure to check out San Diego Momma, http://sandiegomomma.com/ to see this great writer for yourself.  She is a wealth of wisdom and is winning the battle against her fears everyday.

Coach’m Up Boni: CT Style – WTNH.com

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR YOUR BRAND: 10 THINGS TO TRY IN 2011

By Shawn Parr, CEO of Bulldog Drummond www.BulldogDrumond.com

1. BE COURAGEOUS, OFTEN

Take bold steps to stand out from the crowd. Reflect on 2010 and look at what you did well, and what could have been different. Take courageous steps to help your brand stand out in 2011.

2. REVISIT AND REFINE YOUR PURPOSE
Take the time to look back at your mission and vision and ask if you were living it in 2010. Look for places to bring it to life with your team and explore whether you need to refine it. Remember: the words aren’t set in stone. If they’re not resonating, rewrite and revise!

3. SHUT UP AND LISTEN
There’s a lot to learn if you just take the time to listen. Make sure you ask your team for feedback, ideas and suggestions. Listen to your consumers and pay attention to research. Listen to what they have to say and act on what you’ve heard. Honest, unfiltered feedback is fuel for change.

4. FIND AN ENEMY
An enemy gives you and your team something to push against–something to challenge. An enemy inspires passion!  This year, define a clear enemy and rally your team. It could be a competitor, a trend or an element of your internal culture. No matter what it is, create a plan to beat it, share the mission with your team and go forth!

5. STRETCH AND SET SOME BIG GOALS
Set at least one wild and audacious goal for 2011–something you’ve never tried before. Outline the goal, share it with your team and challenge them to play their part in achieving it. Just don’t forget to celebrate the small victories and successes on the journey.

6. BUILD A PASSIONATE AND ENGAGED TEAM
Your most valuable resource is your people. This year, weed out those who don’t contribute and aren’t engaged. Replace them with active, passionate and energized people who will make a true difference to the rest of your team and your brand.

7. INJECT FUN INTO THE EVERYDAY
One of the best motivators for your team is a great work environment. This year, start doing small things that make your employees happy. A monthly massage for those who have put in extra hours or a weekly pot-luck for the team. Small gestures or events can make a big difference. And the benefits won’t just stop with your team – they will show through everything that your brand does. Happy people equals happy brand.

8. PLAN FOR LEARNING
This year, make a commitment and ensure your company is continually learning and is inspired by the world at large. Create a program that allows your team to take classes. Host a “learning lunch” monthly with guest speakers. Injecting new thinking into your organization will energize your team and, ultimately, benefit your brand.

9. MAKE FRIENDS WITH OTHER BRANDS
Partner brands can be your best ally–whether they’re in your space or not. This year, chart a “circle of love,” identifying brands with similar values that you’d like to partner with in 2011. Set one member of your team with a potential relationship and have them explore how to collaborate. You’ll be surprised by the results, even just the initial conversations you’ll have about your own brand.

10. SAY THANK YOU AND SHOW THAT YOU REALLY MEAN IT
And, lastly, do what your mother told you! Thanking people goes a long way to creating valued and appreciated fans–internally and externally. This year, find new ways to show you appreciate your team, your customers and your partners, in ways that truly make a difference in their lives. You’ll be surprised and delighted by the results.

Shawn Parr is the CEO of Bulldog Drummond, a design and innovation consultancy headquartered in San Diego whose clients include Starbucks, Pepsi, Jack in the Box, Adidas, MTV, Nestle, Pinkberry, Virgin, Disney, Nike and American Eagle Outfitters.