Think Like a Winner in 2009 February 5, 2009

As some of you know, I turned the Big 4-0 last month and to celebrate, I vacationed in Puerto Rico at the Gran Melia Luxury Resort and Spa (check it out on the web). This was a well needed break and a superb time to reflect on 2008 and finalize plans for 2009.

Little did I know when Shelby booked the resort that it was located in Coco Beach Puerto Rico, home to Donald Trump’s International Golf course. Our resort was the host resort in 2008 for the Puerto Rico’s first PGA tournament sponsored by the Donald himself. So you know we were staying in pure luxury and extravagance. While at the resort, one of Donald’s luxury home realtors spoke to Shelby and I about becoming a charter owner in his new condo and home development being built next to our resort priced between $700 K and $5MM.

Don’t let the price tag scare you, it’s all relative to where you are in life. We are seriously considering purchasing a second home in Puerto Rico. I also saw a yacht that I liked and it had a price tag of $6MM. The point I’m trying to make is that you have to think it and then you can achieve it.

Over the last 10 years, Shelby and my thoughts/dreams have actually become our reality and everyday lifestyle. When you put action behind the thoughts, anything is possible and we are living witnesses.

Take a moment to reflect and think. If your personal and/or professional life is not where you want it to be, change your thoughts.

So since the vacation was relaxing and gave me time to finalize both my personal and business ambitions for 2009, during my “me” time lying at the pool, I thought it compelling to read Words of Wisdom from the Donald Trump’s Book, Trump 101.

As you know, Donald J. Trump, billionaire businessman, real estate mogul and Chairman of Trump University, knows that success begins in your own mind. So as the year 2009 begins, I’d like to offer you his thoughts on success, taken from the pages of his book, Trump 101.

“Ask yourself whether you’re doing what you want and what is right for you.”

“Be positive every day. If you’re not, no one will think you can succeed.”

“Believe in yourself, exude confidence, and get in your competitors’ way. Project yourself into their picture and upset their status quo.”

“Break loose from your comfort zone by moving forward with the power and momentum that positive thinking creates.”

“Zap negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. Whatever energy you expend will build the positive stamina that is vital for success.”

“Ignore the expectations of others. Stand up to your friends, family, teachers, colleagues and those who think that they know what’s best for you. Plug into your own energy.”

I wish you peace, much happiness and every success in the coming year. Feel free to forward to all your friends.

Bianca Shelby

mitchellandbianca.com

A Dream Come True: Barack Wins! Share Your Thoughts… November 5, 2008

History was made yesterday because of you and I’m glad to say that it was wonderfule being apart of history. Senator Barack Obama has been voted in as the 44th president of the United States — although he is the first-ever

Obama Wins!!!

African-American to hold the nation’s top position, he is the America’s president. What a historic day, a dream that many black Americans thought they’d never see.

The last 18 months on the campaign has been a long road, filled with passionate speeches, bruising rumors and ugly bipartisan politics. But with the help of everyday working people ready for change, Obama’s path to the presidency inspired many, of all ages, race, and economic backgrounds.

But with the U.S. in the throes of two wars and an economic meltdown that has no end in sight, Barack has his work cut out for him. Will he make a good Chief Executive? Share your thoughts on President Obama.

–Bianca J.

The Big Day…Election 2008… History in the Making… November 4, 2008

After 18 months of campaign speeches, umpteen voter rallies, numerous television interviews, presidential and vice presidential debates, and promises galore, the day that we have all been waiting for has finally come. It’s election day so let your voice be heard. I won’t tell you who to vote for…I’m just asking every one to get out and vote.

After speaking with hundreds of people from around the world, they are all ready for change. Are you? I am very excited and hopeful for American’s future and I’ve put together a slide show that shows how voting is a family affair. Voting…A Family Affair

As we begin to focus back on the family, we can really impact our future once again. Get out and vote… please share your voting experience in this blog…I welcome your comments and photos. Email photos to askbianca@bianca.com.

The Sky is Falling, but it’s not the end of the world October 15, 2008

This will be my first and probably last comment about the Wall Street debacle and the failed “bailout.”
Yes, it’s bad news. Yep, a lot of people lost a great deal of money. Yes, things are looking bad. But guess what? It’s going to get better and you are going to be okay.

Chicken Little...The Sky is Falling

Please don’t think that I am not making light of the situation or not being compassionate. I know a lot of people are scared and hurting. Just remember this:

What you focus on expands.

And the truth is that all the worrying in the world is not going to change this turbulent financial situation and make the DOW increase overnight. It never does. So, you can keep watching the news and reading the newspaper and listening to the doom and gloom. You can keep focusing on the problem and you’ll just make yourself feel worse and worse.
Or, you can focus on what you can control. I can recall in one of Stephen Covey’s books, he calls that focusing on your “circle of influence.” When you spend time worrying about things that are outside your circle of influence, it’s counterproductive and a waste of time.

So stop stressing over the money you might have lost, but rather focus on how you can make money and create new opportunities to make more money. Now might be the time for you to change your life and catapult yourself to the next level. (During an economic “crisis”, do you realize that a whole bunch of people are going to become VERY, VERY wealthy? Are you going to be one of them?)

Now, more than ever, you must stick a stake in the ground and focus your attention on what you can do to improve your business, job, career or personal life. When times are good, you can be sloppy in your marketing, in your business practices or job performance. But when times are tough, sloppiness or loafing is unacceptable. I was talking to a business owner recently and he actually said, “Yeah, things are going well for me so I’m not doing as much marketing.” Huh? Could you imagine a dumber statement than that? When things are not going well for you that’s when you should INCREASE your marketing not cut back on it.

It’s time to get back to the fundamentals of not only running our businesses but running our lives.

You have a wonderful opportunity ahead. Think about what you really want to do. Try to ignore your past programming about what you “should” do and open your mind to the possibility of making your life and your business exactly like you want it to be.

There is no better time than right now.

If you own a business, what are you doing to recession proof you business? What are you doing to increase your sales.I would love to hear your comments.

Bianca J.

Don’t Panic…Time is on You Side October 9, 2008

STOP!!! Don’t panic. Don’t withdraw all your money from the bank and bury it in the backyard or hide it under your mattress. Don’t withdraw or stop contributing to your 401K and please don’t do anything stupid. Don’t give in to fear.

Time is on your side

I’m working in New York right now and word on the street and in the paper reports stories of doom and gloom. The financial giants of WallStreet have been cut off at the knees and tumbled to the ground hard. Yes, the stock market has taken a severe beating, and stock prices have plummeted to record lows, just remember time is on your side.

Don’t let the consequences of the mortgage meltdown on financial institutions and the stock market plummet erode your American dreams. Throughout history which usually tends to somehow repeat itself, WallStreet and the financial markets have always somehow bounced back stronger than ever. Right after the Great Depression of the 1930’s many self made millionaires were created.

While I don’t have a crystal ball to predict the future, I agree with most economic analysts who expect the economy to remain fragile through 2009. For us, the best way to predict the future is to CREATE it. The best course of action for you and your family is to be disciplined: avoid splurging; identify and cut out unnecessary expenses and save for what’s essential; and hedge against those tough times. We can all benefit by developing good spending habits: confront – and cut up – credit cards; use your home as a savings vehicle – not as an ATM; and establish and contribute regularly to an IRA or 401(k).

If you can stay afloat and ride out this storm, the rainbow will appear and the sun will shine again. Remember time is on your side and better days are ahead.

What are you doing or what spending habits have you changed to deal with this tough economy? I would love to hear your comments!

Bianca J.

Love After 40…Black women’s tastes for men expands March 17, 2008

Sistas are tired of spending Valentine’s Day, their birthday and many of the other holidays alone. Just yesterday, a good friend of mine informed me that she had taken her profile off all of the online dating list because she was having a hard time finding a “good” black man.

Boy, if I hear this again, I’m going to scream. My friends tell me that I do not understand because your married to a so called “good” black man and that I haven’t been in the dating game in 18 years.

The advice I give to them is don’t limit your possibilities. The world is a big place and if you can’t find a man of your own race, just go out there and find a “good” man. I often tell them that so called “good” men come in all different shapes, sizes and color.

I tell them that you do not have to be alone, it’s okay to date outside of our race. It was interesting to find this video that discusses the fact that an increasing number of Black women are dating and marrying interracially. Check out this video and let me know your thoughts….this subject can be a little controversial.

Click here to watch video