I am so shocked by this revelation, I have to share it:

This Christmas, I was given two very different business books.  1)  Cold Hard Truth by Kevin O’Leary and  2) Persuasion by Arlene Dickinson.  Yes, I am a fan of Dragons’ Den.

I read Persuasion first because I think Kevin’s a jerk and wasn’t sure I wanted to absorb his negativity so close to Christmas.  I have now finished both books and was very surprised to find that Cold Hard Truth had a much bigger impact on me.  Persuasion was a nice book and I enjoyed reading it. Cold Hard Truth got me worked up and eager to do something with myself.  Obviously, I’m already doing something with myself – you’re reading this on the website of my new business, CURO.  But Kevin’s book truly got me fired up to do more, to work harder and to ensure that CURO becomes everything I want it to be.

I don’t agree with Kevin’s philosophy about money or work, but I do agree that money gives you freedom and freedom is the most valuable asset we can achieve.

On this last day of 2011, I hope you are looking forward to a new year full of opportunities and challenges.  I hope your 2012 is full of great things!

If you want more freedom in your life, consider delegating some of your workload.  CURO is here to eliminate the stress of managing your day-to-day finances.  We are a professional bookkeeping service with a special skill in financial analysis.  We can help you control your finances and give you the freedom you working toward.

We look forward to working with you.

Happy New Year

Learn to forgive

Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being.  You see, your mind doesn’t know the difference between past and present emotion.  When you ‘hate’ someone, and you’re continuously thinking about it, those negative emotions are eating away at your immune system.  You put yourself in a state of suckerism (technical term) and it stays with you throughout your day.  credit:  marcandangel.com

Develop strategies for coping

How you respond to the ‘craptastic’ moments is what shapes your character.  Sometimes crap happens – it’s inevitable.  Forrest Gump knows the deal.  It can be hard to come up with creative solutions in the moment when manure is making its way up toward the fan.  It helps to have healthy strategies for coping pre-rehearsed, on-call, and in your arsenal at your disposal.  credit:  marcandangel.com

Nurture social relationships

The happiest people on the planet are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships.  Did you know studies show that people’s mortality rates are DOUBLED when they’re lonely?  WHOA!  There’s a warm fuzzy feeling that comes from having an active circle of good friends who you can share your experiences with.  We feel connected and a part of something more meaningful than our lonesome existence.  credit: marcandangel.com

Practice acts of kindness

Performing an act of kindness releases serotonin in your brain.  (Serotonin is a substance that has TREMENDOUS health benefits, including making us feel more blissful.)  Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside.  What’s even cooler about this kindness kick is that not only will you feel better, but so will people watching the act of kindness.  How extraordinary is that?  Bystanders will be blessed with a release of serotonin just by watching what’s going on.  A side note is that the job of most anti-depressants is to release more serotonin.  Move over Pfizer, kindness is kicking ass and taking names.  credit:  marcandangel.com

Avoid over-thinking and social comparison

Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous.  If we’re somehow ‘better’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, it gives us an unhealthy sense of superiority.  Our ego inflates – KABOOM – our inner Kanye West comes out!  If we’re ‘worse’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, we usually discredit the hard work that we’ve done and dismiss all the progress that we’ve made.  What I’ve found is that the majority of the time this type of social comparison doesn’t stem from a healthy place.  If you feel called to compare yourself to something, compare yourself to an older version of yourself.   credit:  marcandangel.com

Cultivate optimism

Winners have the ability to manufacture their own optimism.  No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it.  She knows failure only as an opportunity to grow and learn a new lesson from life.  People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times.  credit:  marcandangel.com

Express gratitude

When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value.  Kinda cool right?  So basically, being grateful for the goodness that is already evident in your life will bring you a deeper sense of happiness.  And that’s without having to go out and buy anything.  It makes sense.  We’re gonna have a hard time ever being happy if we aren’t thankful for what we already have.

Credit:  www.marcandangel.com

I got an interesting e-mail this week from Tony Grady. Many of you probably know Tony from his store in Lansdowne Place. Did you know he also offers Coaching & Marketing Services? I thought this newsletter was great. It short and sweet and interesting. It only took me a few minutes to read and it felt like time well spent.
Well done Tony! I look forward to next month’s newsletter.