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The Truth About Building Relationships

Walking into a room can be intimidating when you are the new face taking up space. Your communication skills are put to the test, and your nonverbal skills come to the surface. Learning to navigate your business relationships builds your network and opportunities to take your business to the next level. In your career, building relationships gets you invited into the room and a seat at the table. Your personal life ushers in supportive conversations that drive your purpose. So how exactly do you go about building lasting relationships? You must step out of your comfort zone.

Pushing past your comfort zone is scary. But you have to forge your weaknesses and take a risk at trying something new. You probably are asking, what does that mean? See,  you usually do what is comfortable and rely solely on your strengths, giving little thought to your weaknesses because you are afraid of failure. However, you are already good at what you do even when you never step out of your norm to do something different. So when adding how you communicate with people, you make room to improve your ability to pitch your skills and really showcase your abilities. This is uncomfortable at times because you are your worst critic. 

For every new skill that you acquire, you can add a booster to what you have mastered. You build your business and career resume, as well as your appeal for others desiring to work with you. Ego has to be put to the side when you are working on your personal brand that interfaces with the relationships you are building. It takes immense vulnerability to exhibit your strengths and weaknesses because seldomly do we want to expose our areas of improvement.

Share your skills and talents with the people you are most in contact with that support your vision and dreams. You already make your work look easy, and when asked about your processes, don’t be afraid to open up. People around you admire you and watch everything you do, hoping to learn something new. “Each one, teach one” is more than a cliché; it truly builds connections and opens doors that you could not have imagined. You don’t have to become a “know-it-all” or even a “yes” person, but you can lend your skills to your career and work environment that showcases what you know. 

So let’s talk about how to effectively build lasting relationships. Aside from being vulnerable, you have to also be real about who you are to avoid imposter syndrome. When you connect with authentic people, you can easily express what you need help with and work with people who encourage your growth. Superficial relationships only lead to detrimental progress. Once you have prioritized your skills, you can network with individuals who share the same core values as you. This is a necessity as you strive to live out your purpose.

Being receptive to others who don’t necessarily think like you is a healthy mix of what you know. Different perspectives sharpen your ideas and focus and help you further understand the direction you are going with your dreams. Building sincere relationships does not require everyone to always agree with what you say. Sometimes an opposing thought encourages critical thinking before final decisions are made. Having “yes” people around you is not the purpose of networking. The right relationships will motivate you to take action even when you are scared. You have a message and a story to share, so those same relationships will help people who look to you for answers.

The initial point was to say that walking into a room can be intimidating when you are the new face taking up space. Unless you are willing to open yourself up to being misunderstood, the relationships you currently have will not flourish. Sitting around and not asking questions and winging it will lead to disaster. You do not have to work alone and keep secrets to be successful. No matter how saturated a business niche is or highly competitive a career field is, someone is willing to be your “bestie” as you both climb to the top. Even in your personal life, someone is rooting for you and doing the work alongside you as you lead by example.

Getting personal with yourself and the skills you have is paralyzing. You may have high expectations of yourself, so be mindful of placing those same expectations on others. Understanding that you need people around you to stay encouraged is polarizing if you like working alone. The reality is, the right people will gravitate toward you, and discernment will guide your relationships. When mutual respect is present, navigating your business, career, and personal life becomes less stressful. The right people hear you differently, and those relationships are naturally built, not forced.

~LaTilya

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The Art of Communication

Sharpen your skills interpersonally, verbally, and written.

Each time you enter a room, you employ a different skill set. Knowing which hat to don is perceptively based on the conversation in the room. Your personality is what you become most known for when networking, and interchanging your skills makes navigating your business, workspace, and everyday life simple.

Regardless of being an introvert or extrovert, the way you go about exchanging information in a face-to-face setting is verbal and nonverbal. Your body language speaks even when your mouth is not moving, and you have to be cognizant of that. It may sound elementary, but you want to effectively appeal to people’s senses when communicating because that is how you get your message across clearly. I learned a long time ago that perception is everything, and when you give off a disinterested vibe, it is easily picked up on.

Adults do not want to be chastised or spoken to like a child, so the tone of your voice is important as you convey your message to your audience. You only have one chance to make a first impression, so what you say, how you say it, and how you enter a room does matter. It is cliché to say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but that is exactly what happens when you carry out your duties and tasks that require you to collaborate with others.

If you are perceived to have a monotone approach or unorganized way to disseminate and receive information, most of what is communicated becomes lost in translation. Actively listening and speaking with clarity without ambiguity helps to facilitate effective communication.

Unfortunately, there are times you will interact with others who are ready to respond to everything you say without fully understanding the value you bring to the conversation or the discussion. For instance, when you are receiving emails in your business, work memorandums, or personal text messages, you know what to expect, but the tone is not clearly understood. As a result, what is not understood becomes dismissed, which is why attention to detail in your work as you communicate what you do is important.

So here’s how we are going to check your communication skills. First, you have to accept the fact that you will have to work with others at some point in your business or career, and the immediate feedback you receive is necessary. You may not handle criticism well if it is less than flattery, but you have to be willing to understand their experience with you from their perspective.

Whether it is face-to-face in a collaborative setting, written to outline your expectations, or even verbal in a training setting or evaluation, you have to be open and let down your need to defend yourself. How well you communicate is a part of your personal brand, and in business, career, or personal life, you want to be open to discuss or explain what is being asked of you.

Secondly, to sharpen your communication skills, you have to be willing to see the positive in the message conveyed even if you do not entirely agree. The last thing you want is to come off as combative. It is not easy to receive information you do not want to hear, but it is necessary. You run the risk of blocking out a teachable moment when you become complacent and resist change. It takes minimal effort and talent to listen which is why understanding the positives and room for improvement are critical in business, career and even in your personal life.

Last but not least, avoid entering into a co-working space thinking that you know everything. A hostile environment, misspelled word in written communication, or wrong tone of voice will alienate the people you should be communicating with. You need others’ input in your decision-making in order to critically assess the pros and cons of trends that could have a significant impact on your endeavors. Rarely can we navigate our space alone, and it takes a collective effort to get tasks done even when you prefer to work solo. 

I’m not saying that it is completely impossible to get work done by yourself—it’s just that you need interaction with people in your industry and profession to avoid biases to continue being effective. Learning how to have open and honest communication is a skill. Season your words with kindness and have an open mind as you exchange ideas and information. 

Often in your interpersonal skills, it’s not what you say but how you say it.

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The One Reason I’m Your Mentor and Not Your Coach

Have you ever wondered why I introduce myself as your favorite mentor? I am going to tell you but I at least had to ask.

See by definition, a mentor is someone who shares their knowledge, expertise, years of experience and skills with you to help you develop and grow. But I’m going to keep it a buck,

I was not always willing to share my knowledge because I thought people weren’t listening to me. I didn ‘t feel like I had enough experience to share that would be impactful. But the reality is that we can all learn something from one another that will help you grow.

Even with everything I had written down and the many goals I have set and accomplished over the years, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. It’s hard to acknowledge your growth when you are hungry for more. I finally realized that this was a good thing and accepted my goal-driven life.

You have the power to create the life you want to live by showing gratitude, affirming your vision, and manifesting the outcomes you desire in your life through focused goal setting. You were not given this life to not walk in your purpose and be your best self, so I ask, what are you waiting for?

I could coach you, but I’d much rather be a shared journey of self-discovery as you put your skills, interests and talents to use for your greater good. Your life could change over the next six months if you wanted it too but you have to be willing to work.

Your short term goals will lead you into life-long satisfaction when you tap into what truly motivates you. Sharing my first-hand experiences is motivation enough for me because I had to learn by trying and even when I failed, I never gave up; I just readjusted. 

As an English teacher I encourage my students to show in their writing why stories develop versus telling me without elaboration and attention to detail. So I challenge you to do the same. Show me how you will develop over time as you write your goals down and create a plan to do exactly what you have promised yourself to do.

As you see opportunities to grow come your way, your confidence will increase and I’m here for it. So let’s get to work. If you want to make 2022 your best year yet, you can create your life’s blueprint here.

~LaTilya

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You’re Bad With Time and That’s Why You’re Not Getting Anything Done

Whatever you spend the most of your time trying to accomplish (80 percent) is most beneficial and meaningful to you. Leaving you with 20 percent of the time used to eliminate nuisances. Begin with: What can you do today? What can you do next week? What can you do next month? So use your time wisely.

Your mindset plays a major role in what you accomplish. Your attitude has to be set up in such a way that no matter what comes your way, you stay committed to your plan of action to make your life better. It’s okay to dream, but in order to grow and experience the personal transformation that you seek, you have to be firm and intentional with your effort and measure your progress with integrity.

Quitting is not an option, and you will find the beauty in working on yourself and getting real with who you are and what you represent while making personal adjustments. This takes prioritizing your time to prevent spending too much time on one thing and not getting any other tasks done.  There are several ways people measure progress based on the 80/20 Rule, but you can also begin to set three to five tasks to accomplish per day that lead into a much longer list of things to do.

There have been two times in my life where I ventured into multi-level marketing (MLM), but the most valuable experience came the second time around. I acquired the skill of blocking my time and creating a short list of tasks to focus on one day at a time. The term “work your business” in an hour a day was beneficial when you were following up on leads and engaging with your audience. 

That is a practice you can adopt, which will make getting things done in a more timely manner. When setting a small list, you designate a time out of the day to work on each task. For example, your Top 5 of the day might include quiet-time at the start your day when you read a devotional and pray to get your mind right for the tasks at hand.

The second item on your list could include a social media post idea centered around your interest in food, family, fun, fashion, or faith. The 5 F’s, as we learned because when you look at your audience for your business or people that you network with in your career, something is guaranteed to catch their attention.

The third task would include following up with leads depending on your engagement with your audience and network since they may have questions that need answers, and you are the expert. The fourth task would be a Power Hour when you work on your business researching what the competition is doing, posting a business testimonial, or updating your back office and planning posts for the next day, week, or month. In that one hour, you will be surprised at how much work you can get done as you block out all distractions. Nothing but the focus for that allotted time is what you work on.

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The 3 Most Powerful Goal Setting Strategies

As you keep living there are many things you will learn about yourself that will help you as you pursue your goals. However, all too often you get so stubborn about your goals that you overwhelm yourself and give up.

Every New Year’s Eve you set new resolutions and go full steam ahead, strong for the first month and then pretty soon it’s Spring. You begin to look around and realize that you have not accomplished any of the goals that you set. You want to know why? It’s because you don’t have any strategy and you are just winging it. 

Winging it will not help you position yourself for the transformation you are seeking. Aside from knowing what you want to do based on your skillset, you need to implement strategies that will help you do exactly what you desire.

So let’s get into it!

1.Focus on what is top priority for your personal achievement.

The steps that you take during this phase of your journey will help you filter what takes precedence in your day to day. Regardless of the category of goals you’re focusing on in your life (business, career, personal), the truth of the matter is that you can only focus on what is directly in front of you.

Yes you may be able to master many skills in your life and check goals off of your list, but you will work through one goal at a time if you are smart. So don’t overwhelm yourself unnecessarily, and realize that accomplishing your goals takes time. Even when you reach certain milestones in your personal growth journey, there will be new ambitions in sight to work towards.

2. Meet your goals with intentional effort.

What is intentional effort you’re asking yourself right? The answer is to be more than just a mouthpiece talking about your goals, but actually carving out the time to work on them.

You can work on your goals during the crumbs of your day (in line at the grocery store, the lobby of the doctor’s office, waiting for your child’s extracurriculars to end). 

For example, when I decided to create, design, and launch my own goal setting planner, I worked with a coach for 9 weeks, twice a week to get my branding in order. It was a financial and time investment that helped me organize my message and content so that I don’t mislead my audience.

Each day you should be creating 3-4 non-negotiable tasks that will help you accomplish your goals because otherwise you overspoke your ability to execute.

Write your goals down. Create the plan. Execute the plan.

3. Set SMART Goals

The acronym SMART is universally known as the best way to go about goal setting. Of course when it is broken down it makes sense and before anything you must be 

SPECIFIC about the goals you set so that you avoid being too broad. What you hope to achieve should be clear in focus so that you can easily track your progress.

Having MEASURABLE goals puts your focus into perspective. How long will it take to accomplish your goals? Give yourself a real number value in weeks and/or months to measure your progress. 

Now the ATTAINABILITY aspect of your goals is important because your goals should fit your life and be something that you are capable of achieving. Your skillset is the key to your capabilities. 

You are living in the real world, you must also be REALISTIC about your goals and not set your standards and expectations above your reach. The last thing you should do is set an impossible goal which is why you must also set a deadline. 

A TIMED goal will give you the push you need to make sure you give your goals your best effort. Don’t be afraid to set a deadline because they are needed.

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Edupreneruship Is Easy

If you looked at this post and said, “Man, she crazy.” You are absolutely correct.

In my case as an Edpreneur the lessons I have learned over the years is that building a brand takes time and has it share of challenges.

Like for instance the idea of abandoning another career. I know a lot of us still have a traditional career and work on our businesses part-time. The goal is to eventually run your business full time; it will happen, but plan for it.

The idea of walking away from a promising career is exciting, but financing your business ideas, products, and services is a factor to consider as well. This is not easy, and in some cases your first or second launch m fail. Don’t give up though, which is why building your network is necessary; even if you are an introvert. 

You have to be creative when. Funding your business, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, the right people will follow, support, and collaborate with you.

Teambuilding is another hurdle to tackle because you have to have people around your that understand the vision and voice of your brand. Now you will not have a team around you immediately but once you do it will be truly benefit the productivity of your business. Mine is a work in progress.

You are the person that sees your vision with clear eyes. You have to be aware of your competition because let’s face, there are plenty of people that do what I do, and what you do, but how will you stand out and make your name pop?! You will feel the pressure to create, create, create, but that is also fun when you are using your skillset and strengths to get things done.

Oh if you’re still reading you’ve realized I was just playing about entrepreneurship being easy. Even when you have great ideas, there is still an amount of uncertainty that comes with the territory. All you in business for RIGHT now or the LONG haul? It’s easier said than done, but the reality is the we all want to make an income while making an impact and that takes time.

Here’s another harsh reality. Being an entrepreneur is lonely. There are times where you can’t rely on others, and that’s okay. Everyone around you will not be as dedicated to your business as you are, and that is something that YOU have to work through. 

Let’s not forget about the overwhelming expectations of showing up for your brand and business consistently. When you are the boss you have to stick to the script and if you have a team, they have to abide by the rules. It’s all fun until you become the enforcers. It just is what it is.

Your mindset about your mission and vision make or break your authority in the market. Making intelligble decisions for your business is so hard. Once you hit one milestone, you have to continue to stretch your ideas and do what’s best as you continue to scale and position your business for success.

Listen, if you thought entrepreneurship was easy, these are some of the obstacles that you’ll definitely face. 

After reading this and you have a better understanding, thank you for attending my Ted Talk! 

Now back to your regular scheduled business.

~LaTilya

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5 Crucial Steps for a Powerful Personal Transformation

Personal development, business coaching, career success, and life changes are topics of discussion every single day but are getting the steps you need to make it happen? Well, look no further because I am about to give you the 5 Crucial Steps for a Powerful Personal Transformation that is sure to change your life.

Be Willing To Be Uncomfortable: Nothing grows from your comfort zone so when you are scared to try something new, that’s when you should strike. Waiting until you are ready to accomplish your goals, you will never move your feet. See the thing about goals that holds a lot of people up is the fear of failure. The reality is that you are going to fail at something at some point in your life. However, that failure is not your opportunity to bail on what you initially set out to do. When you make the necessary adjustments to your goals and plan of action, you gain clarity and can begin to see your goals all the way through. Anything worth having is going to take hard work.

Overnight success takes years, so be uncomfortable when you are trying something new because that is how you find your sweet spot then begin to operate in your strengths. It’s going to take trial and error before you master your skill set and even then it will be time to adjust and reinvent yourself. But for now, just try!

Learn From Others: Share your skills and talents with the people you are most in contact with that support your vision and dreams. You make your work look easy and when asked about your processes, don’t be afraid to open up. Each one teaches one, builds connections and opens doors that you could not have imagined. Being prosocial can get your name spoken highly in rooms and invitations to be a part of masterminds, simply because you shared.

You are capable of learning the same things: time management, organization, leadership, followership, and a host of other things. But do you know how to maximize your mastery of those skills? Now disclaimer, I am not a business or life coach, I just strongly believe in personal transformation and learning how to put yourself in positions to learn from others is a win/win.

Record Your Outcome: It is such a smart idea to put things in writing because it becomes stamped to your brain which causes you to remember. A journal, a notebook, or even a planner  is helpful when you track your progress so you can look back on your journey. It is so important to record and reflect on your personal transformation because your goals challenge you to be a better person and show up for yourself EVERY single day. Once you begin to check tasks off of your list, you will celebrate the steps you are taking and be glad that you kickstarted your transformation.

Be The Outcome: You will slip and fall many times in life but what’s most important is YOU STAND BACK UP! Once you take that initial step and monitor your progress, you set yourself up for longevity and setting new attainable goals because you are committed to the process. I know it’s scary but when you manifest your dreams and actually put in the work; you become the outcome.

Be Your Biggest Cheerleader: Before I joined a sorority, I was Me Phi Me, and that is the attitude you have to take to crush your goals. No it will not be easy and everyday will not be sunny, but there are going to be times you’ll have to block the distractions and do exactly what you said you would. Root for yourself! Clap for yourself even when the room is silent, and cheer louder for the people in the back to hear you as you GLAM up your life.

These six steps will help you push forward no matter what is  going on around you and keep you focused in your business, career, or personal life. 

This journey is personal, but YOU are worth it.

~LaTilya

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The G.L.A.M. Planner

~Gratitude~Life~Affirmations~Manifestation~

I told myself that 2021 was going to be a different year. I knew I had to do things a little differently if I wanted to be successful in my business as an edupreneur, so I restructured a little bit.

My purpose became more clear when I got laser focused on the journey into entrepreneurship that I have take so far. I have attempted many things, books, teeshirts, and e-products, but nothing stood out quite like planning, creating and designing my own planner.

For the past 9 weeks, I showed up consistently to my coaching calls and created something that will add much value not only to my life but to many others as well.

It took some planning and patience, but it is truly happening and I had to share with ya’ll because I am so thankful to be in this place, CREATIVELY!

Where Will You Be In 6 Months

Learn More About The G.L.A.M. Planner

The G.L.A.M. Planner is your monthly guide to identifying your strengths and setting attainable goals that will promote your productivity. This planner represents the minimalist that’s ready for change and needs the steps that will encourage self-identity and capabilities.

The G.L.A.M. Planner is your reminder that you have the power to express gratitude along your life journey and accomplish your goals through affirmation and manifesting the life that you want.

The pre-sale registration is underway and there are some really great incentives attached to that you will not want to miss.

The G.L.A.M. Planner Pre-Sale Registration
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Attention to Detail Will Save You A Lot of Time

You have a systematic way of completing tasks in your day-to-day, whether you are working on your business, completing checklists for your career, or organizing your home. The amount of time you spend completing these things requires a certain amount of attention to ensure all of the details are taken care of. 

I can think back to when I was in basic training for the United States Air Force when we had learned certain duties like how to fold our bed, properly blouse our uniform pants, and march in formation. Those tasks were preparing us for inspections and our final march onto the field at graduation. At the age of 19, those things did not seem to hold as much value, and it was not until I was active duty Air Force and at my first duty station that it all made sense. Being taught not to rush and maintain a clean appearance paid off, which has had a lasting impact on how I approach tasks.

Your attention to detail is not only crucial when it comes to identifying your unique skill set but has a significant impact on your organizational skills and how you prioritize your time. When you list your skills, interests, and talents, you are paying particular attention to the order in which you write things down on paper. Only you know how well you can execute certain tasks and the details required to remain an expert in your field.

If you run an unorganized business, your customers will leave bad reviews, and if you are unorganized at work, your evaluators will provide you with less than favorable feedback for your efforts. The goal is to be more productive versus busy. If you are busy making mistakes because of your lack of attention to detail, you will spend time correcting your errors and costing yourself or even your employer time and resources down the road. 

When you enter the room, your personal brand should speak for you before you begin to work. Being thorough even on the smallest task carries a lot of weight when you are responsible for handling it. You exude your ability to pay attention to detail in what you say and, most importantly, in how efficiently you complete your duties.

You will need a keen sense of situational awareness when placing your energy and effort into the details that become expected of you. The increase in your individual productivity is in the details that you sometimes neglect with the mindset of having time to fix “it” later. The “it” now becomes a hindrance and distraction, which should be avoided as you circumvent being busy with producing intentional outcomes. The more efficient you are, the more valuable you become in the execution of your business, productivity in your career, and your overall personal transformation as you knock out goals in your life.

As you adjust your mindset to focus on the details and plan accordingly, the people around you will be influenced to do so as well. High-quality should never be compromised at the expense of taking shortcuts. You have already outlined your core values, so now you are tasked with leading by example the details that exemplify your skills, capabilities, and talents.

~LaTilya

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A Glimpse Into the Past 6 Months

In June I revived my print on demand Teeshirts and y’all showed out🤗 which pushed me forward to do more. Please keep being DOPE EVERYDAY👏🏽

July: I invested in some business coaching and and partook is a business bootcamp. Learned some new things but something was still missing from my package. I kept digging as I kept what helped and started creating and trusting my ability.

August: I stepped into the unfamiliar but I’m thankful. I hosted my first virtual workshop back in August and it gave me the push that I needed to keep dreaming of building a profitable business.

We covered the basics of a Bitmoji classroom:

1. Understanding the bitmoji add-ons for google

2. Step by Step guide for creating your beginner Bitmoji Classroom using Google Slides

3. Linking your bitmoji classroom to your existing technology resources

My teacher friends trusted me to help solve a problem as we all returned to school this pandemic year. All in all it was a great workshop and my heart was full of excitement for more within the Dr. LaTilya Rashon platform. See I relied on my skillset which helps me operate in my strengths while also forging my weaknesses.

September: I did a FREE 3 Day goal setting challenge because I was trying to still figure some stuff out… I teach and help students, so can I be effective with adults🧐 it was another first👩🏽‍🏫 Stick with me. There’s a point to my series.The G.L.A.M. Collective⤵️

Private Group Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1280455785494019/?ref=share

October: I decided to launch the DOPE Goals Starter Pack. I am a firm believer in journaling. It is self-care and writing daily gratitude, life reflections, affirmations, and manifestations push you towards your purpose. You all supported yet another idea which helped mold and layout my current venture.Everything is not for everyone. Everyone is not my target audience, so the DOPE Goals Starter Pack was right on time for the people that heard me differently.

November…I’m not done… so I had the idea to do another class because I didn’t want to be a one hit wonder with content creation. I’m passionate about GOAL SETTING in case you can’t tell by now. I want you to Take Up SPACE. I created the landing and sales page. Updated my workbook Unlock Your Mind:The Essential Guide to Setting Attainable Goals. I’m figuring things out, however you have to want change to begin your transformation. I mentor. I answer question. I get my brain picked. But my goals aren’t your goals which is why I help you figure yours out.Learn More: https://msha.ke/latilyarashon/

December and January I embarked on a creative journey. I decided that I wanted to create my own productivity planner geared towards goal setting. I Invested in some coaching because something was still missing business wise. I didn’t get this tenacity by chance. I wanted a better life as a kid so setting GOALS was my only choice. In 2021 I am walking by FAITH, not by sight.

The first quarter of 2021 has been eye-opening and I’m feeling so good about the direction that my business is headed. Being an entrepreneur is not easy and I have definitely failed over the years. I started this business journey in 2016 and I have had to give myself a lot of grace. I have cried and I have felt like giving up over the years, but which second thought I realize that I am pushing towards my purpose.

Please leave a comment telling about a time when you’ve have be disciplined and persevere through self-doubt. Each one, teach one.

~LaTilya

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5 Steps to Goal Setting

You have to know which direction you want to go in life in order to be the best you that you strive to be. It’s not easy running yourself into the ground then realizing you still have not made the progress you want to make. It has been said that the things you spend the majority of your time on is what you care about the most, so in turn why not spend time carving out goals that fit your future and not your past. After all, it’s time to make a change in your life when you’ve done the same things the same way in your life and have not got your desired results. So walk with me through the five steps to goal setting.

Set Goals Based on Your Motivated Interests

The vision that you have for your life is for you. You don’t have to explain the moves that you make as long as you are satisfied with them. Ultimately you are motivated by your skills, interests, and talents; so your goals are a reflection of your personal needs. Whether you are setting stepping stone goals because you are seeking a transformation in a certain area of your life or long term goals, be clear on your top 5 goals and stay motivated. Listen, you are responsible for making things happen in your life, so take accountability for your goals and don’t give up at the first sign of difficulty.

Set SMART Goals

The acronym SMART is universally known as the best way to go about goal setting. Of course when it is broken down it makes sense and before anything you must be SPECIFIC about the goals you set so that you avoid being too broad. What you hope to achieve should be clear in focus so that you can easily track your progress. Having MEASURABLE goals puts your focus into perspective. How long will it take to accomplish your goals? Give yourself a real number value in weeks and/or months to measure your progress. Now the ATTAINABILITY aspect of your goals is important because your goals should fit your life and be something that you are capable of achieving. Your skillset is the key to your capabilities. 

You are living in the real world, you must also be REALISTIC about your goals and not set your standards and expectations above your reach. The last thing you should do is set an impossible goal which is why you must also set a deadline. A TIMED goal will give you the push you need to make sure you give your goals your best effort. Don’t be afraid to set a deadline because they are needed.

Write Down Your Goals

Science says that when you put something in writing it commutes to your brain which causes you to remember. A journal, a notebook, or even a planner and picture your higher self and show up for your goals EVERY single day. Once you begin to check objectives and tasks off of your list, you will celebrate the steps you are taking and be glad that you kickstarted your transformation.

Put a Plan in Action

Decide for yourself what is the path for setting your goals and put that plan into action. Once you have identified your unique skill set, prioritize your goals by your strengths that way you feel extra motivated because you know who you are and your capabilities. 3-5 small tasks daily will feed into your overall list of big goals that you have set for yourself. The good thing about having a plan is that you have a foundation and you are allowed to make adjustments as necessary.

Work the Plan

The hardest part about setting new goals is the discomfort you feel as you push past your comfort zone. When things get too rough, you have the tendency to give up not realizing that the finish line is near. Usually things get harder around you before it gets better. Give yourself some grace and know that everyday will not be easy because LIFE happens.

Conclusion

Stop putting off until tomorrow what you can get done today.

It feels good when you are on top and being more productive than busy. Share your journey with me at @getrightwithdoc@latilyarashon.com or leave a comment.

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You Should Brag About Yourself, and Do It Often!

Your personal brand is an extension of your accomplishments throughout your life. Whether you are focused on your business and want it to grow, your advancements in your career, or personal goals you have set for yourself, at each turn you are able to cross an accomplishment or task off of your list. 

People often dream of the things that they want to do and never quite put in the effort to get things done. However, you have to take a step back and look over your life, you’ll begin to realize that you have a lot to be celebrated. When I joined the Air Force back in 2001 one of the first things they told us as young airmen was to write down everything that we did outside of work. Essentially we were guided to create our brag sheet so when it was time to write our annual evaluations, our supervisors did not have to steer far from the script. They could use our accomplishments, extracurriculars, and words to write glowing reviews of our performance over the year.

In your life right now as you journey through it you should take inventory of who you are and represent, the places you have been, the education you have acquired, your personal achievements, and last but not least what you stand for. 

You may not have considered this yourself, but you have your own brag bank and when you keep in mind how to transfer your skills from task to task, you become more marketable. Keeping things into perspective when you create your core values, you also have to see where you have placed importance in your life. For the most part we focus our attention on our business, career and personal life, so why not brag about yourself. You have way more going for you than you give yourself credit for so let’s get into it.

What Do You Represent? Example: Mom, Educator, Entrepreneur, etc.

The roles you play in your life become a part of your character, personality, and what you represent. You can be a mother, but that is not your only purpose in life, nor the only demographic you are connected to. Mothers are often characterized as being nurturers, caretakers, and that extends beyond your immediate family. As a working mother, a military mom, or a business mom; you have goals outside of your home that you aspire to reach that build your daily resume and existence. 

You are not limited in what you represent which has been defined by the core values you have set for yourself. 

The Places You Have Been? Based on your business, career, and personal life.

Being exposed to different cultures, people, places, and things based on where you have been is something to brag about. Taking the initiative to visit business events and networking helps you gain connections with people that think the same as you. It is important to your growth and influence when you visit other places to give you perspective. 

Traveling as a part of your career, especially as a member of management or even military travel gives you experience in working with diverse groups of people. You strengthen your skill set when you are able to work collaboratively with others in places outside of your normal work place. Being invited or even assigned places to go builds versatility to your experience and your brag bank.

Limited exposure outside of your normal day to day is a threat to your productivity. Sometimes you can get stuck if you are only around the same people, places and things that it

impedes your ability to make an impression. You need to be around other people to gain awareness of your strengths and weaknesses as you push past your comfort zone. So keep track of the places you have visited and take note of how they have left a lasting impact on your life.

What Have You Accomplished? Education, Marriage, Dream Job, etc.

Don’t ever let someone tell you that your education or your marriage certificate is a piece of paper. You have worked hard to establish your family when you walk down the aisle and exchange vows, just as you have written endless papers to obtain your degree. It is polarizing to think that your accomplishments will not be celebrated which is why you should keep track of your successes. What you have accomplished becomes a part of your story and your personal brand. Little stepping goals lead into major moves when you level up in your business, career, and your personal life. Your accomplishments tell pieces of who you are before you begin to speak. It ‘s not being boastful to share your trials as you accomplished different tasks and objectives. You are being helpful because people want to know how you have been able to do the things you do. Your humility is not in staying quiet about how hard you work. Your humbleness is rooted in your ability to share the times you felt you could not go on, but you refused to give up. That is not only a braggable moment, but a teachable moment as well.

What Do You Stand For? Beliefs and Your Faith

There is a fine line when discussing your belief system with others because varied opinions can cause conflict. However, standing firm in your convictions is a part of your identity and how you are approached and perceived. The good book says that a righteous man falls down seven times but stands up eight (Proverbs 24:16). You have to have that same faith when you are building your brag bank because it will come with challenges.

What you represent will be questioned and picked apart by people that do not understand your journey. The places you visit will become more interesting because they are aligned with your purpose. And your accomplishments will have more meaning as you build beyond your stepping stone goals to your lifelong dreams. As you begin to live on purpose and transfer your goals and capabilities; your self-identity will expand and define what you stand for, believe, and have faith in. So begin to reflect on the things you acquire in your life and their influence on your character. You have a lot to brag about even when you think it’s small, it really is a big deal.

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You’re Not Making Progress Because You’re Not Focused

Unlock Your Mind and

Take Up S.P.A.C.E.

Be the captain of your soul and document your personal growth. March is almost here and you cannot continue to cycle of starting over with no final destination.

You need to know who you are as an individual, your capabilities, and set specific goals in order to experience a personal transformation and boost productivity in your business, career, or personal life.

It is time to stop being busy and truly begin to create the life you want to live. Take advantage of this pre-recorded workshop and workbook to help you Unlock You Mind and Take Up SPACE.

This workshop is $17 vs $27 this weekend only and is delivered directly to your email.

Get Details on the Workshop Here

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The Four Types of Goals

https://getrightwithdoc-bb228.gr8.com/

You run into people in your lifetime that will tell you to just do the things you’ve always wanted to do without giving you some insight or direction on how to conquer your fears. It takes knowing who you are and what you are good at to set yourself up for success. Your success depends on the types of goals you set for yourself, so let’s get into.

Type 1: Stepping Stone Goals

This is the first type of goal you set when you decide that you are ready to do something different in your life. The hamster wheel has come to a stop and now you are ready to get different results in your life. Whether you are ready to change your outcome in your business, career, or personal life, making the decision to commit to change is a big deal. There is a reason you have come to the conclusion that change is needed and it could be that you are tired of being in the same place in your life. See comparison is the thief of joy, so understand that your first step is not going to be the same step that someone decides to take. As with anything that you do, you have to be patient with yourself and process and not rush the things you want to last in your life. Your personal transformation starts here with identifying your why and need for change then set attainable goals that are grounded in your core values. Now is the time to operate in what you do well and set small goals that will impact the areas of your life that you want to improve.

As you set your stepping stone goal, envision the outcome to desire. 

Do you want to forge your strengths to be more productive in your business, career, and in your day to day life?

 Are you seeking change and ready to develop a personal development plan? 

Are you ready to transform your life so that you can stop procrastinating? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, that is the first step and you are ready to dig deep and do the worth and carve the path for your transformation.

Type 2: Short Term Goals

The second goal to become well versed in setting, are short term goals. These goals won’t take you long to accomplish and in most cases are goals that can be accomplished in a short period. Typically when you set short term goals, you prioritize what needs to be done immediately and what can be stretched out over time. Your daily tasks build into your weekly objectives that pave the way for your guided success. As you set your goals you must be cognizant of how long certain things will take. Having a monthly or quarterly focus will help you knock out those smaller tasks that you will build your future goals and aspirations from. In your new quest to enhance your life, you can have a big picture in mind but dealing with what you can handle right now will keep you from becoming overwhelmed.

It does not matter what month you decide you want to work on a particular focus in your life, but setting clear 30, 60, or even 90 days worth of intentions will help you manifest the work you are putting in. Chunking your ideas and breaking them down into controllable parts will help you accomplish way more than have a long list that would cause you to have anxiety. When you set a short, attainable goal, you’re more likely to see your personal transformation all the way through and trust your process.

It may be annoying to people who aren’t ready, but when you ask someone where do you see yourself in the next year? Or the next five years? That is stressful. Your psyche is not able to handle long range thinking and that is one of the reasons some many of you give up on your dreams. However, long term goals are essential to your growth because they help you plan out your life once you start maximizing your unique skill set and become a person that is knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Type 3: Long Term Goals

It’s easy to reach your goals when you carefully plan your next steps and know exactly what it takes to propel your business, career, and personal life. Once you take that initial step and monitor your progress, you set yourself up for longevity and setting new attainable goals because you are committed to the process. As mentioned, establishing your core values early in your personal transformation, keeps you driven and operating in your purpose, and capable of getting your tasks and objectives done. A business certification, degree from a college, or even a promotion may take in excess of a year but knowing what you want and taking it a day at time will surely help you reach your personal level of success.

Type 4: Lifelong Goals

You really become focused on what you want when you are putting in the work. Creating the life you want to live takes planning and effort and your life long goal should always involve being more productive versus busy. Your mind will change many times as you are pursuing your dreams and that is okay. Having a plan and learning how to be flexible is all about your growth and readjusting becomes easier because you have a foundation. Lifelong goals will always help you stay determined to see your ambitions through as you look back over where you started and the progress you have made.

Envisioning your future career, obtaining advanced degrees, prioritizing your goals based on your family and faith adds value to your personal brand as you continue to excel in multiple area of your life. You can’t reach this point of organizing your life and structuring your goals until you decide which path you are going to take. You also need to remember that your journey is unique and will not look like the people around you. You must run your own race the SMART way as you continue to check things off of your list.It feels good when you are on top and being more productive than busy. Share your journey with me at @getrightwithdoc@latilyarashon.com or leave a comment.

~LaTilya

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The Key Elements of a Personal Development Plan

Write the vision and make it plain. Habakkuk 2:2

It is not enough to say that you want to change, you actually have to commit to it. One of the best ways to adapt to change is to begin with the end in mind. What you may be saying is how would I know the end if I am just starting? Creating an individualized personal development plan is your blueprint for designing the life you want to live. Getting started may be intimidating so before you quit before experiencing a transformation do these four things.

Decide what you want by creating your personal vision: Think about what you want and how you plan to get there. The goals you begin to set for yourself today will guide your life in the beginning stages of identifying your true self. You start small with what you can accomplish today, then move into what you can get done in a month. The stepping stone goals lead into bigger things as you establish your good habits that lead into you understanding your strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes you are so reliant on your strengths that you hinder yourself from experiencing real growth because you are operating in your comfort zone. You are here now because you have hit a plateau and recognize that it is time to do something different. So now it is a matter of figuring out your direction in life so that you align your goals and vision to make your personal development impactful.

Identify your opportunities to grow: There is no such thing as too much focus on your skillset because ultimately that is what you use everyday as a part of your daily routine. Each year, or even each day for that matter should be an opportunity to reflect on how you spend your time. You already know how to operate in your strengths but sometimes you neglect the work you need to do to become more well-rounded. There are some external factors that are out of your control that present barriers to your growth. However, dealing with your internal factors is the work you have to do when you know you are not performing at your highest potential. Speaking in the positive about your weaknesses leads to you acknowledging what you need to do to create opportunities to grow that will eliminate threats to your continued progress. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable to experience growth and that is the missing link sometimes when you are complacent.

Create your action plan: Once you have adjusted your mindset to your impending change you must then get specific about what you want. The buzz word is SMART goals but what does that look like? Set your BIG THREE GOALS for the week because this helps you accomplish smaller tasks each day that take priority in your life. Your action plan must speak to your ultimate destination in life with specific steps you will take to begin to check things off of your list. Get an accountability partner that believes in your transformation and will offer you encouragement along the way. Realistically, facing your shortcomings was the push behind your change in the first place. You create this plan with the understanding that even when you feel like giving up, you have to stay the course to change the trajectory of your life to really maximize your skills and talents.

Remember that your plan can be adjusted: From week one to week 12, a full quarter of work is enough time to examine your progress. Do you need to regroup and redirect your energy? If you find that the plan you initially created for yourself is not getting you the desired results, it is perfectly fine to redo your plan. You may even find that what you initially thought you wanted to do is no longer of interest to you. Get yourself unstuck when you find that your personal development plan is not serving you any purpose. Your timeline may get shortened or extended depending on your productivity and after all the goal is to grow and truly take up space in your life differently than you have before. When your skills strengthen and your interests change, so should your plan of action.

Last note, remember things may change, but when you work on one goal at a time, you’ll be pleased to look back on where you started and realize that you have been putting in the work and it’s only up from here.

~LaTilya

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5 Principles of Personal Transformation

Once you have identified your path of personal transformation there are limiting beliefs that you have to work through in order to experience a full transformation. What you believe begins to translate into every part of your life and those beliefs slowly become the principles you stand on exhibit daily. Your identity hinges on your goals and capabilities, as well as celebrating progress along the way and accepting that transformation is a process. The principles you are about to read will resonate with you from this day forward and become part of your mindset.

1. Appreciate Your Success

There is no need to rush your success or not celebrate your small steps. Every step towards your ultimate goal should be celebrated because not only will you be motivated to do more but you’ll be so glad that you didn’t give up on yourself. Your love and adoration for yourself has to be stronger than the love and adoration you may receive from others. You have to be your biggest cheerleader and pump yourself up because when you begin to transform you may lose some people along the way. If others are not celebrating when you begin to live for you, then they never were rooting for you in the first place so you have to be okay with that.

Appreciating yourself is not arrogance. It’s self-love and understanding your worth. Once you begin to experience the happiness you deserve in your life, everyday will become an appreciation of your growth.

2. Learn Your Lessons

First and foremost, remember that it’s not how you start but how you finish and that is a lesson in itself. You are not working this hard to be in the same place next year or tomorrow for that matter. The lessons that you learn are tough and stripping because as you increase your awareness of what you know, the more vulnerable you become. Wear your vulnerability as a badge of honor because it takes guts to face yourself and learn from your mistakes. Everything will not go always as planned and some ideas in your life will be a complete bust, but understand that there is learning in failure. You have to learn to be okay with disappointment because failure is a part of life. Take from each situation that you experience what you can, and try not to dwell on things that are out of your control. You can correct your mistakes, regroup, and try again. That applies to everything in life, good or bad.

3. Adjust Your Limiting Beliefs

Wishful thinking is out of the door when it comes to chasing your dreams. You have to be bold about what you are pursuing and work diligently to change your current position. You have to speak life into your goals and not run from them at the first sign of trouble. Every step you take in the direction of your ambition will not be smooth sailing and you may even second guess your decision, but limiting yourself from trying will keep you in the cycle of giving up.

You owe it to yourself to do something different if you seek different results from the goals you set. You are capable of doing anything you set your mind to doing, but that is not to be confused with getting involved with things just because you can. You have the knowledge, expertise, years of experience, and skillset to adjust what you believe and fuel your passion. So stop settling for mediocrity. 

4. Live Your Values

You have to have a full shift in your mindset and be honest with yourself about what you want to change. Your personal values become your guiding principles as you conduct business, get promoted throughout your career, and for your overall growth as you begin to experience success by accomplishing your goals. You tell your family and friends about your experiences each day and they watch the excitement in your eyes. Don’t hold yourself back by censoring your thoughts because everyone does not value the same things as you. So to be clear, you should do a brain dump that highlights the joy that you experience in your life with your business, work, or personal endeavours.

5. Set and Track Your Top 5 Goals

Once you get real about the path you are on and the journey it takes to get you to your highest level of productivity, you’ll be more driven to set goals and work towards them. Every goal you set is a stepping stone towards your destiny and will only encourage you to strive for more. Being smart about the next top five things you want to accomplish will take extreme focus and dedication because at this point in your life you have decided that you want to experience change. See, when you set your new goals, your next step is a continuous plan of action to see everything through and staying true to what you desire.

It feels good when you are on top and being more productive than busy. Share your journey with me at @getrightwithdoc@latilyarashon.com or leave a comment.

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3 Active Practices that Will Make Your Life Better

You may feel like life is not happening to you right now with everything that is going on around you, but I guarantee you that it is. Looking over the past year there has been a lot of uncertainty but you have made it this far and I want to encourage you along.

See I learned a long time ago that it’s not how you start but how you finish and that applies to every endeavor you take on. So as you wrap up 2020 here are three things that will help make 2021 the year of manifestation and personal growth.

The first active practice you need to adopt is goal setting. You can not get by in life just winging it and hoping for success. You have to decide that you are tired of getting the same results and begin to be intentional with your time and focus. You have to say that I want more in life and set small stepping stone goals to push you into the direction of your dreams. That sounds like a lofty idea, but being specific but about what you truly want out of life is how you get not only what you want but also what you need. You can begin to take small steps each day to map out the ultimate plan for your life but you also have to commit to the goals you set for yourself.

It won’t be easy as you begin to shed the layers off of your comfort zone but it will be worth it as you see the realistic value goal setting brings to your life.

The second active practice you should consider is speaking affirmations. The Bible tells us that, “Life or death is in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) Whether you believe in a higher being, one thing is for sure, you must speak life into your dreams. Your self-talk sets the atmosphere for you to program your mind towards progress and not focusing on the mistakes.

By no means am I suggesting that you will not see difficult times. I’m merely saying that you have to allow your mind to be stronger than your feelings when you run into issues. Tell yourself that:

I am worthy.

I am enough.

I have the power to change your story.

I can create the life of your dreams.

I deserve a beautiful life.

Reset yourself each day with your words. Walk it like you talk it. Speak it as if you already have it.

This may all seem like common sense but unless you already practice these things, this is a scary awakening to someone getting started.

Lastly, you should begin to practice daily gratitude. Self-reflection is a positive attribute to add to your arsenal when you are fighting against staying stagnant. It is easy to beat yourself up when things are going wrong and your plans do not go off without a hitch. However, it is possible to find the silver lining and be grateful for your progress. See if you never begin, you’ll never look back and see how far you have come.

I say this often in real life, “If you want better, you’ll do better. And when you know better, you do better.” Again, this is common knowledge but if you lacked in your goal setting abilities, now is the time to stop putting off until tomorrow what you can do today. Wake up each day and speak life to affirm your dreams. I want you to see how your growth impacts your life and be grateful for your challenges because as long as you are trying, the results will begin to pay off.

~LaTilya

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3 Paths to Personal Transformation

When you think about your personal transformation, do not limit that idea to your physical appearance. Oftentimes we get caught up with what it looks like on the outside that we forget to do some work on the inside. I say this time and time again but focusing on the areas of improvement in your life takes courage, and doing the work takes strength. So where do we begin?

Path 1: Goals

You must decide that you want better and the only way to decide which direction you want to take with your life is to set some attainable and realistic goals. Examining the areas of your life that you feel most vulnerable is the best place to start and you set a goal that will exercise your individual skills and strengths. Being highly capable to complete tasks, lead, and be a team player can be used to your advantage with the right push.

Think about how you go to the store and find the things that you like, you must do the same thing with your skills and talents in order to create opportunities to grow. If your goal is a stepping stone to bigger and better things, then so be it. Ultimately, you work up to short and long term goals, then finally goals of a lifetime. However you have to pick a starting point before reaching your final destination and even then you will continue to make adjustments.

Path 2: Capability

You have probably heard the saying, “Just because you can doesn’t mean that you should.”

This can be applied to a lot of situations in your life and you have to be careful about what you say you can do because even though you are capable, is IT aligned with your purpose? Imposter syndrome is real! I’m not talking about being inspired by others, I’m talking about people going out and doing the exact thing as someone else. Don’t let that be you.

You become capable of completing different tasks when you apply your skills and will, but you have to have heart for what you take on in your personal life. Avoid doing things and being an empty vessel just because you are capable of doing so. Do things within your capability that will share who you are with others, and help them in the process.

Path 3: Self-Identity

The advantage you have is the ability to reinvent your business, career, and personal life when your goals are not aligned with your newly found purpose. Who you are at different stages in your life matters because experience shapes your belief systems and core values.

In your business if you have one, you are the creator and that is an attribute to your self-identity. In your career, your duties and responsibility identify your skill set and competitive position in the workplace, however in your personal life, expectations you have for yourself and what others often see in you become a part of your self-identity as well. So use each business and career decision to boost productiveness in your personal life and continue to evolve.

Connect with Me

The three paths do not come or change in any particular order but they are the push to transforming into a better you. Opening yourself up to change is challenging yet rewarding and worth it when you begin to experience life in a different way. The journey is personal but a necessity.

~LaTilya

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Why Identifying Your Purpose Is So Important

I get asked all of the time what keeps me going. Compassion and dedication are part of my personal drive. Everyday will definitely not be perfect and in the many seasons of your life you have to decide are you more dedicated to succeed or fail. I hope you choose success.

Choosing success in your life is why identifying your purpose is so important.

When you make the conscious decision to examine where you have placed your effort and energy it changes how you approach your life. The things you can decidedly brag about that make your life worth living is the manifestation of your compassion. For example, your family, career, education, goals and aspirations play a major role in the growth you experience in life. Avoiding contentment keeps your life full because you recognize that you have plenty to brag for your personal affirmation and growth, not so much as to throw it in anyone’s face that you are doing good for yourself.

As you reflect on your identity which is a part of your personal brand in your business, career, and personal life; people accept you for who you authentically are and you don’t have anything else to prove. This includes the places you’ve been, your education and accomplishments, as well as the help you are to the people around you.

Your compassion for life and dedication to living life to the fullest helps you take a stand for what you believe in and where you want to put your effort and energy.

For the women that have dealt with divorce and depression, I can relate.

For business minded women that have ideas but need clear direction on how to start, I can relate.

For aspiring authors that want to write and struggle with getting their ideas on paper; just start writing because finished is better than perfect. I can tell you all about that journey of ebooks and my dissertation, so start WRITING!

For those with the fear of speaking, you have a story to tell, so open your mouth and start talking because your story will help somebody heal and find their purpose in life.

For the doubter because life has dealt you a bad hand from time to time; keep believing in yourself because your time will surely come.

Now if you have a hard time with committing to the work, I have a class specifically geared towards you unlocking your mind and deciding that you want to enhance your life and build it around the things you are passionate about.

We’re approaching a new year and while 2020 was not all bad you should choose now 2021 will be better. Once you unlock your mind and begin to operate in your power, you will stop wasting time on things that do not enhance your growth.

If you want this course and the templates that will jumpstart your 2021, click here for details.

~LaTilya

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Why Personal Branding is Great for Your Career

When you wake up each day you have the opportunity to be greater than you were the day before. Knowing where you strengths lie is the biggest advantage you have when you are carving your path in your business, career, and personal life. A lot of times you get bogged down what is going wrong that you forget to operate in your strengths which is what you are most known for. Guess what?!?!?!?That is your PERSONAL BRAND.

Pushing past your comfort zone is scary. But you have to forge your weaknesses and take a risk at trying something new. You probably are asking what does that men? See, a lot of time you do what is comfortable and rely solely on your strengths and give little thought to your weakness because you are afraid of failure. However, you are already good at what you do even when you never step out of your norm to do something different. Your room for improvement sets you up to realize you’re great. This is uncomfortable at times because you are your worst critic but when you look over your areas of growth and take charge of your output, you soon shake the room and increase your productivity.

So how do establish your personal brand in your career?

-Apply for the job that has been calling your name and update your resume. Stop selling yourself short of an opportunity because you don’t feel like you’re ready. See when you push yourself to see your growth and your need for more is sitting on your shoulders, that is the time to strike. The list of skills you have match the requirements and responsibilities that stare you in the face, but fear has you paralyzed. Go for it anyways because you are meant to stand out, and it’s an opportunity to practice what you preach.

-Share your skills and talents with the people you are most in contact with that support your vision and dreams. You make your work look easy and when asked about your processes, don’t be afraid to open up. People around you really admire you and watch everything that you do hoping to learning something new. Each one, teach one builds connections and open doors that you could not have imagined. You don’t have to become a “know-it-all” or even a yes person, but you can lend your skills to your career and work environment that showcases your abilities. For every new skill that you that you acquire, you are able to add a booster to what you have mastered. Even in your confidence, that becomes a part of your brand. So being prosocial can get your name spoken highly in rooms and invitations to be a part of masterminds, simply because you shared.

-Personal Development. What you feed your mind, you become and in your career, your mind has to be stronger that your feelings. Your faith and belief system drives your existence as you research ways to enhance your quality of life. Read and listen to information that fuels your fire to be present and productive in life. Don’t settle for mediocrity.

There will be shifts in your opportunities to grow, you just need to prepare yourself for when the opportunities present themselves. Continuing to do the work on yourself makes you a better person. It will not happen overnight. You build your brand by staying true yourself and operating in the mastery and knowledge you hav acquired and put to use.

Discipline, Authenticity, Perseverance,

~LaTilya

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How to Balance Home and Life

At home, I’m mom before anything else and use a different set of skills in the day to day operations within my house. The systems I have in place to keep me on track vary based on what is needed each day and most of the time it consists of me keeping up with my son’s busy football practice and game schedule. I took those same skills and applied organization and time management in my career. From active duty Air Force when I became a mom while working full time, I was challenged with finding balance and I have made it work the past 16 years, even with transitioning into the classroom as an educator.

See listen I stumbled upon edupreneurship after feeling like I needed to be doing more with my career. Between being creative, inquisitive, educated and driven I needed an outlet for my ideas because getting started and sharing your skills is one thing but being consistent is how you build a community which us why I’m glad you’re here. See I had to get started somewhere and I’m encouraging you along the way. My first book was the moment I decided to take my business and personal brand to the next level. I had no clue what I was getting into but I knew I had a unique skill set and I was going to use it.

You have to take ownership of your personal transformation when building your personal brand in your business, your career, and your life as you pursue your goals and design the life you want to live. That is where the balance come in because your life is not all about work, it is about setting your goals which must be aligned with your core values as you work to leave a legacy for your family, gain financial stability, create multiple streams of income, and take up S.P.A.C.E based on your skills, interests and talents. 

In challenging times, I want you to think about the reason you are ready to change your life. Remember that what you spend 80% of your time thinking about and working on is your biggest motivator.  You can make this personal transformation work for you, whether you want to keep your 9-5 or not; while reinventing your personal brand in your business, career, or personal life, the goal is to be more productive. 

All of these thoughts pushed me towards creating a masterclass to help busy moms like me put it all together. It is my belief that successful people create goals so they can:

➡️ use their unique skill set 

➡️ forge their strengths to create opportunities for growth

➡️ boost their productivity to advance their business, career, and personal transformation 

The problem is so many people don’t know how to get started and give up at the first sign adversity.

Does this sound like you?

I understand exactly how you feel being busy in your day to day life trying to find balance in your business, career, or personal life and still feel stalled when it comes to chasing your dreams. You’re ready to stop before you get started even when you’re giving your best. That’s why I’ve created the Unlocking Your Mind Masterclass to help you use your unique skill set to take up S.P.A.C.E.

In this masterclass you’ll discover how:

✅ S.I.T. Down in Your Blessings: Identify Your Unique Skill Set

✅Positioning Yourself to Take Up SPACE (Services, Product, Audience, Content, Engage)

✅Set Your Goals and Prioritize Your Time

You want help making better decisions in your business, career, and personal life then this is the class for you. You can stop wasting time being busy and become more productive. The time is now. Your future self will thank you.

If you are serious about your personal transformation, check out the Unlock Your Mind Masterclass which will be Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 10:00 am (EST)

Let’s Get to Work,

~LaTilya

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How Dr. LaTilya Rashon Manifested

2001: I was 19 in the United States Air Force. The NCOs said I was stuck up, airmen my age thought I was mean, and one person actually told me that my attitude wouldn’t get me far in the real world. Can you imagine how I felt being away from home in a new state trying to figure out life while being told how I NEEDED to act to make other people feel comfortable🥴

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

2007: I was almost 26, a married mother of 2👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 honorably discharged from the AF, undergrad completed while on active duty, respected for my work ethic, offered a civil service job to stay in New Jersey but relocated back to Georgia🍑 and secured a job with the state. Despite what I had been told, I stayed true to me and checked getting my degree🎓and getting the G.I.Bill off my list. I didn’t join the military to make friends or travel, I wanted the G.I. Bill🗣 money for school👩🏽‍💻

2013: I was six years into teaching👩🏽‍🏫 and my second year of my doctoral program. Almost 32 and was paying my mortgage on my home🏡 that I purchased not too long after my 30 birthday because it was either by a home or get a tummy tuck…LOL! Yet again, the goal was to find a home for my sons and I after my divorce. Even as life happened around me, I stayed focused on my ongoing personal transformation.

2020: I’m 38 with the same attitude, I protect my peace ☮️ so if that makes me standoffish that’s fine but I’m being true to myself. I keep making a list📝and pushing myself to answer the call that I put on me and not controlled by anyone else. A few more advanced degrees, ultimately becoming Dr. LaTilya Rashon, edupreneur and mentor. I can show you how I BECAME but you still have to do the work.

I’m still a work in progress. I still want more. I am my business through books 📚 , trainings, apparel👕👚and goal setting kits📦. My career sustains me in and outside of the schoolhouse. I’m living my life and embracing the season highs and low as they come. You are defined by what you do, not by what others say or think.

Remember That‼️

~LaTilya

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The DOPE Goals Starter Pack

🗣ANNOUNCEMENT🗣

So I’m just crazy enough to do anything that I set her mind to doing. I am my toughest critic and I challenge myself just to see how far I will go. I want some of that to rub off on you.

The DOPE Goals Starter Pack is here.

* Write down and prioritize the DOPE Goals you’ve set for yourself

* Work SMART as you boost your productivity and personal transformation

* Unlock your strengths as you maximize on your skills in your business, career, and personal life

Track your progress to Go Out and Lead Selflessly (GOALS)

Grab yours during pre-order and be the first to receive your goal setting goodies when shipping starts in November.

LEARN MORE HERE

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4 Ways to Unlock Your Mind

Goals– Each day when you wake up, you are given the opportunity to be better than you were the day before. Deciding what you need to handle in your life on a business, career, and personal level, means setting a course of action you plan to follow.

You have a short list of objectives that you need to accomplish and your overarching long term goals that you want to check off of your list. There are three to five tasks that you can do daily that will get your closer to your dreams, it’s just a matter or prioritizing your time to get you tasks done. What do you need to do immediately? What needs to be done, but is not detrimental to your overall goal? Backwards planning is beneficial when you give yourself time.

When setting your goals, is your timeline based on a week, month, or a year? However, your time is set or block, give yourself a break and be flexible as your work on your self-improvement. Block off your time to handle your business. In an hour, 45, or even 30 minutes of intentional focus a day, you can change your life and stay committed to your goals. Remember to be smart when you set your goals and give yourself some grace on those day you feel less motivated to work on you. Plan your life according to how you want to live and break it down into short tasks you can accomplish each day.

Affirmation– Watch your words because they become your actions is so true. Talk to yourself like you matter and watch the universe return good favor to you. Be mindful if your self-talk because you will believe what you repeatedly say.

Wake up and affirm yourself daily. Tell yourself that you believe in yourself even on your bad days because encouragement and a smile will take you further than you expected. Life or death is in the power of the tongue so speak life into your business, career, and personal dreams. Speak things as though they are and you will reap the benefits of what you seek.

Personal Development– Your faith plays a major role in how far you will carry out your dreams. As a business owner you study your industry and your competition to find your sweet spot and thrive in it. In your career you study the trends and skillsets needed to become competitive in the work place in order to take your career to the next level. Lastly, in your personal life whether it’s inspirational, motivational, or spiritual, we all need some uplifting daily. You have to learn to be more mindful of what you take in each day that feeds your mind. Your thoughts become your actions, and your actions become your habits. So get into the habit of studying how to make yourself better in your business, career, and personal life to experience a full transformation.

Reading a book, listening to a podcasts, watching a video, or participating in an email course is designed to meet the area of need that you are seeking. You can share or not share your personal development with people around you because ultimately this is a private matter. Having faith that your time and rebirth will happen is all that matters. You depend on you. So get your mindset right and do everything that you are destined to do.

Gratitude– Everyday will not be perfect but when you are grateful for what you have and what you have experienced, life becomes beautiful. Each day when you wake up, you have another opportunity to be better than you were the day before. You can hope for a better life, but each day that you decide to keep trying, you are making the decision to be better. We often get into the habit of rushing ourselves because of what everybody is doing around us that we miss out on the opportunities that we can create for ourselves.

You should get into the habit of being present in the moments that bring joy to your life. Each day your only competition is yourself. Thankfulness is a whole mood and once you arrive to place of protecting your peace daily, the gratitude you begin to experience what is there instead of the invincible.

~LaTilya

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5 Ways to Boost Your Productivity

Create a Vision for Yourself

When I set out to be an edupreneur, I thought that creating a business would be easy. My oh my was I wrong. I was just winging it until I realized that my vision was too broad and I had not pinpointed the exact message that I wanted to send. Yes, I am a teacher but my unique skillset is what helps me organize my day to walk into my classroom more prepared. On the flip side of that, my education can be put use as well as my experience because each skill I have obtained is used daily.

So what vision have you created for yourself? You need to forge your path for your dreams even as you balance working fulltime, raising your children, planning a wedding, or being a wife. You can be all of those things and have an impact on the people around you. Life happens and even when you survive divorce; knowing your vision and your why will carry you farther than the obstacles that you face. Those trials become a part of your story and fuel your purpose. So be clear when you set out to make a difference. Be the problem solver to those that need to hear your voice.

Be the Best Version of Yourself and Show Up There Daily

I thought that by merely saying, “I am my brand” was enough but I was wrong again. My personality, my quick wit, my authenticity was going to set me aside but I was nobody in the realm of blogging and entrepreneurship. Now don’t get me wrong, I have some faithful followers and listeners but as I aspire for a farther reach I realized that I had to do more. I had to figure out how I wanted to be recognized. Yes, I’m the tattooed teacher in my building as I teach throughout the day, but I needed more definition to what I represent. So I decided on being: authentic, edgy, and knowledgeable. I showcase what I think is my strongest attributes.

So what does your personal brand say about you? How would you describe yourself in three words? Think about your culture add. Who have you helped and places you’ve been and how these things have shaped your character. Pieces of you are ingrained in everything that you do. In these internet streets you have to be disciplined, authentic, and persevere (D.A.P.) through some tough times. Your vibe will help people hear you differently.

Check out The D.A.P. Collective on Facebook. The premier mentor group for encouragement in your business, career, and personal transformation.

Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others

Ya’ll there are levels to working on yourself. Getting starting on doing the work first of takes courage because that means you are fixing you because sometimes you are the problem. Your eyes are bigger than your follow through and you are more busy than productive . Sometimes you are struggling to get things done and that all you know. This is when you have to slow your brain down and tell yourself to have several seats and get focused. Whether it is business, career, or personal, your wheels are turning, but your endeavors are not making sense because you are looking around and thinking you should be doing more. Avoid looking at how everyone around you is holding up and look at connecting the dots in what you can control about yourself. Your growth will begin to peek at you progressively.

Maintain your own lane and know that everybody has different skillsets so processes are not one size fit all and we are all essentially running our own races. Focus on what you are creating and less on others.  What you have inside of you is just as needed as to what the people around you are doing. 

Be Intentional with Your Effort and Time

When you don’t have a vision you will easily take on too much too soon and it will leave you overwhelmed and ready to quit. You need clarity and this can’t be emphasized enough to avoid repeat failure. Now this does not mean that some things won’t work out as successfully as others, it just means that you will eventually get it right. Even if you plan properly it’s a 50/50 chance of things going wrong, so you have to prioritize your tasks as to not give up before you ever get started. Decide what is urgent versus not urgent and go from there. Decide what you can DO now, what you can PLAN to do later, who or what you can DELEGATE, and truly ELIMINATE. You hold yourself back when you make the mistake of not being intentional with your effort and time.

Invest in Yourself

Listen, you can google until your finger tips hurt but pretty soon you will find that in information overload, everything will start to look the same. I have downloaded so many free worksheets, ebooks, tuned into LIVE training, you name it and none of them gave me the clarity that I needed. So my challenge to you is to find someone that speaks your business language. Find someone that speaks your career language. Ultimately, find someone that speaks to your inside who motivates you to be better. Find someone that speaks to your style and let them mentor you.

Grab this Goal Setting Ebook to Jumpstart Your Investment

You have to do your own research to determine who is best suited for your needs. You can only Free.99 to a certain degree but when you want results, you will begin to make the right investments. Even when you think you don’t have the money, you will find a way.

So with all of that being said… you have to decide to no longer function in mediocrity. You have set some very intense goals for yourself and take the steps to make things happen.

~LaTilya

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How You Can Launch an Online Course Almost Instantly

What if you had time in your schedule to help people learn a new skill? How would you meet their needs? Would you spend time training them? One on one or small group workshop?

In August I made more money from a single service than I have on any product since starting my venture into edupreneurship. Yes, educator plus entrepreneur to take up space in this digital age.

I didn’t think I was ready to offer such a service because so many people were already doing it. I was wrong, because I got a friendly reminder that even though other people were teaching the same things, they did not bring my approach and style to the same topic. So I went for it and it was the best decision I have ever made for my business.

At some point or another as an entrepreneur we fall into the ebook or course creation trap, but this was one I did not mind falling in to once the ball started rolling. It all started with an idea to get students more interactive as school was gearing up for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Bitmoji Classroom wave took off and so did I with the Bitmoji for Beginners workshop that I conducted.

Landing Page

Working with a business coach we looked at a calendar and developed a plan to advertise, gather registrations, and create an email series to guide the layout of the course. Using getresponse.com which was a different platform that I was used too for email marketing and creating landing pages; once the kinks were worked out, it was easy to gather registrants. You can use a very simple layout that is attractive and will capture your audience’s attention. Your audience is the the people that need the service you are providing and in my case, teachers that wanted a Bitmoji classroom but did not know were to start were my ideal customer.

As the names rolled in the welcome email was sent out and a workflow was established. You will be nervous because looking at the market, the same ideas are presented but being you is your superpower and the right people will find you.

Emails and Workflow

A very simple welcome email was created to thank the participants for signing up with a workflow for reminders set leading into the workshop. You need to tell the audience what to expect in the workshop and what you will cover.

Example of what to send: I’m Dr. Williams and I will be walking you through the basics for setting up your classroom for better student engagement during virtual learning as we return to school. I’m glad that you have taken the time to sign up for this workshop offered to educators that want fun and exciting ways to reach your students. 

Now that you’re in, here’s what you can expect:

1. Understanding add-ons for google, specifically Bitmoji

2. Step by Step guide for creating your beginner Bitmoji Classroom using Google Slides

3. Linking your bitmoji classroom to your existing technology resources

The only prerequisite to this workshop is installing/creating your personalized Bitmoji prior to the start of the workshop. You can do so by visiting https://www.bitmoji.com/

Once the foundation is set for what to expect the next step is to talk it up and promote yourself and expertise.

Promote Yourself

Everyday for the week leading into the workshop I talked to my audience on social media about what virtual learning is and what a Bitmoji classroom is not.

You should repeatedly tell your audience what to expect in your workshop and keep your energy high because that is what is going to draw people in. You have to be excited about your topic and give them snippets of your knowledge. People trust people that know what they are talking about and can address questions spot on and see the value in the service you are providing.

Be consistent with your message, and watch your enrollment numbers increase daily.

The Actual Course; Time to Teach

By now you should decide the format and platform for your class. Webinar with playback feature, Zoom, or masterclass on a social media platform.

I chose Zoom because it gave the small classroom feeling and the share screen feature was helpful in walking teachers through the step by step process to create their very own Bitmoji classroom. Teachers knew that it was a beginners workshop because they were clueless about where to start, so everyone’e technology skill level was the same.

You want to make sure you that you are clear about your offer and the flow of your course. You have the knowledge, expertise, years of experience, and skills to teach what you know. So launch a course that you believe in. Be the help that you needed when you got started. Your voice is needed.

Don’t Be Afraid to Try

Now get to work and launch the course that you have been sitting on because you have been too afraid to get started. I had 16 participants for my very first course that I literally brainstormed and created with two weeks from conception to follow through.

Listen to your audience and meet the need that they have especially if it falls into your unique skillset. There is room for everyone to be productive in business and careers that with your help can push them to the next level.

What are your thoughts about this topic? I’d love your feedback!

~LaTilya

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The T in SMART Stands for Time

We’re all collectively work on creating daily value in our lives so that we experience life versus simply existing.

I mentioned last week that there is an 80/20 rule to goal setting. So let me run it down for you. We have gotten specific about what we want, realized the realistic aspect of accomplishing our goals but putting a suspense date or time limit or certain tasks is necessary. 

TIME. How much TIME are you giving yourself to check items off of your list?

Basically whatever you spend the most of your time trying to accomplish (80%) is most beneficial and meaningful to you. Leaving you with 20% of time used to eliminate nuisances.

So use your time wisely. 

Begin with What can you do today? What can you do next week? What can you do next month?

Your mindset plays a major role in what you accomplish. Your attitude has to be set up in such a way that no matter what comes your way, you stay committed to your plan of action to make your life better.

It’s okay to dream but in order to grow and experience the personal transformation that we seek, we have to be firm and intentional with our effort and measure our progress with integrity.

Quitting is not an option and as I continue to guide your thoughts, the beauty in working on yourself is getting real with who you are and what you represent while making personal adjustments.

Getting Specific gives you direction. Measuring your progress gives you insight to your productivity. The attainability of your goals keeps you focused on completing one thing at a time versus a life-long to-do list. Being realistic helps your adjust your goals to your lifestyle to reap the full benefits of what you strive to have. Time…BE PRODUCTIVE versus BUSY!

Life is in the power of the tongue. Your self talk needs to be clear so that your continued effort translates to your mindset. So take pride in your self improvement.

Set your goals. Stay quiet about them if you want to. Crush them continually, and clap for yourself as you move along. 

Speak life into your dreams and step into your authority to make it happen.

That’s all I have for you this week. 

Listen yall, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say, thank you for rocking with your girl. You can find me on FB @drlatilyarashon and IG @iamdrlatilyarashon for more insightful tips on being you, doing you, for you, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

I’ll check in with yall later.

-LaTilya

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Failing to Set Realistic Goals is a Plan to Fail

Don’t sell yourself short of your dreams by failing to set realistic goals.

There is an 80/20 rule to goal setting which is why we have to be specific about what we want. Measuring how long it may take us to accomplish certain goals and the attainability of set goals is an ongoing process. But now I want talk to you all about being REALISTIC in your personal transformation. Ask yourself, are you being real about the work you say you want to do?

Now there are some things that we simply cannot do liking walking on the surface of the sun because that is not humanly possible. But if you are into science you can definitely become an astronaut and walk on the moon. So you have to approach setting your goals from a standpoint that speaks to your abilities. Real talk, you may even have to ask yourself if the goals you’re striving to reach fit your lifestyle? Will they benefit your career? Your family? Will they add value to areas of your life for a better quality of life.

Be real with yourself and work hard because when people see what you’re realistically trying to accomplish, they will support you.

It’s all in your mind. The attitude you develop towards your goal will carry you further than having an astronomical list of things to do that read more like a bucket list than reality.

It’s okay to dream but in order to grow and experience the personal transformation that we seek, we have to be firm in the goals we set for ourselves and measure our progress with integrity.

Quitting is not an option and as I continue to guide your thoughts, the beauty in working on yourself is getting real with who you are and what you represent while making personal adjustments.

Getting Specific gives you direction.

Measuring your progress gives you insight to your productivity. 

The attainability of your goals keeps you focused on completing one thing at a time versus a life-long to-do list. 

Being realistic helps you get your life in order. You can shoot for the stars

Life is in the power of the tongue. Your self talk needs to be clear so that your continued effort translates to your mindset. So take pride in your self improvement.

Set your goals. Stay quiet about them if you want to. Crush them continually, and clap for yourself as you move along. Speak life into your dreams and step into your authority to make it happen.

Stay lifted in this season.

~LaTilya

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How to Set Attainable Goals

Download Here

Can you all believe that we are in the last month of quarter three and we will soon be saying, “Happy New Year”. So now is the time to start forward planning so that we can knock the rest of 2020 out of the park. Realistically, there comes a time when we not only have to prioritize our goals but we have to be SMART about it. We get specific about what we want and determine how to measure our progress.

But ask yourself, are your goals ATTAINABLE?

Ask yourself if your goals are too far-fetched? Setting yourself up to strive for certain things in life is extremely personal. You want to avoid being too broad in your thinking.

The objective is to make a list and check it twice. If your goals are too far reaching, you can easily set yourself up to burnout and never complete anything you originally set out to do.

Identify inside of yourself the most attainable goal you would like to achieve and work until you reach it. It’s better to be the master of one than the master or none.

It’s all in your mind. The attitude you develop towards your goal will carry you further than having an astronomical list of things to do that read more like a bucket list than reality.

It’s okay to dream but in order to grow and experience the personal transformation that we seek, we have to be firm in the goals we set for ourselves and measure our progress with integrity.

Quitting is not an option and as I continue to guide your thoughts, the beauty in working on yourself is getting real with who you are and what you represent while making personal adjustments.

Getting Specific gives you direction.

Measuring your progress gives you insight to your productivity. 

Now examining the attainability of your goals keeps you focused on completing one thing at a time versus a life-long to-do list. 

Life is in the power of the tongue. Your self talk needs to be clear so that your continued effort translates to your mindset. You inspire people who pretend not to see you, so take pride in your self improvement.

Some mid-week motivation and I hope you stay lifted.

~LaTilya

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One of the Quickest and Easiest Ways to Achieve Your Goals

I have indirectly been walking you through a S.W.O.T. Analysis by giving the five steps to setting smart goals, and we have arrived at step three: set attainable goals.

There comes a time when we not only have to prioritize our goals but we have to be SMART about it. We’ve gotten specific about what we want and determined how to measure our progress.  Now let’s move into step three: Are your goals ATTAINABLE?

Ask yourself if your goals are too far-fetched? Setting yourself up to strive for certain things in life is extremely personal. You want to avoid being too broad in your thinking.

The objective is to make a list and check it twice. If your goals are too far reaching, you can easily set yourself up to burnout and never complete anything you originally set out to do.

Identify inside of yourself the most attainable goal you would like to achieve and work until you reach it. It’s better to be the master of one than the master or none.

It’s all in your mind. The attitude you develop towards your goal will carry you further than having an astronomical list of things to do that read more like a bucket list than reality.

It’s okay to dream but in order to grow and experience the personal transformation that we seek, we have to be firm in the goals we set for ourselves and measure our progress with integrity.

Quitting is not an option and as I continue to guide your thoughts, the beauty in working on yourself is getting real with who you are and what you represent while making personal adjustments.

*Getting Specific gives you direction.

*Measuring your progress gives you insight to your productivity. 

*Now examining the attainability of your goals keeps you focused on completing one thing at a time versus a life-long to-do list. 

Life is in the power of the tongue. Your self talk needs to be clear so that your continued effort translates to your mindset. You inspire people who pretend not to see you, so take pride in your self improvement.

Set your goals. Stay quiet about them if you want to. Crush them continually, and clap for yourself as you move along. Speak life into your dreams and step into your authority to make it happen.

I’ll check in with you later.

~LaTilya

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Measure Your Progress Towards Your Goals

Goal Setting Made Easy. Check out the workbook.

I have to say being back to work and pursuing my dream to be my own boss I am walking it like I talk as I share how I’m working on creating daily value so that I experience life versus simply existing.

There comes a time when we not only have to prioritize our goals but we have to be SMART about it. We got specific last week because that is the first step to successfully completing your goals. The second step is measuring your progress. 

So let’s continue on this journey of creating SMART goals together.  Are you ready? Let’s talk about Measuring Your Progress

Examine your list of goals and aspirations. If you have not created a list for yourself, I suggest that you do because you have to hold yourself accountable for your dreams. It’s your responsibility and you determine the amount of time it will take for you to complete certain tasks. For example, going off to college people estimate that they will graduate in four years, but sometimes that fifth year is needed to perhaps meet all requirements and boost their GPA prior to applying to graduate school. 

Whether it’ll take you one month or one year to cross some things off of your list, you should have in your mind how long you envision completing certain tasks. If you see that some of your objectives are taking longer to complete, don’t give up. The beauty in this is that you can make adjustments.

Look at your goal one: You may say I want to be healthier. So does that mean you will work out x number of days and change your diet? What adjustment do you need to make to reach your healthier goal? How much time are you giving yourself to see the results?  You can measure that progress from week to week and month to month. But you must be definitive.

Stay the course and accomplish what you can. Remember that everything worth having will not always s come easy. 

Whether it’s a task or an objective the specificity and measurability of your goal begins when you speak it into the atmosphere. 

Life is in the power of the tongue. So as you write down your goals be clear and measure your progress by the short tasks you have completed based on the priority they have towards your ultimate goal. As I said last week if your vision is not clear to you, it won’t translate well and you will risk becoming counterproductive resulting in no progress being made at all.

Remember things may change, but when you work on one goal at a time, you’ll be pleased to look back on where you started and realize that you have been putting in the work and it’s only up from here.

Continue to speak life into your dreams and step into your authority to make it happen.

We’ve gotten SPECIFIC now we are about to MEASURE OUR PROGRESS.

Check back next week as I share with you how we will determine if our goals are attainable.

~LaTilya

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Get Specific About What You Want

Get a Closer Look

Prioritizing yourself as you crush your goals is difficult when you don’t have an action plan, so I’m glad to share my journey with you as I create SMART goals that will propel my career to the next level. Identifying your strengths is only the beginning to creating the life that you want to live. So bear down with me and get SPECIFIC about what you want.

The first step to creating an action plan. Whether it’s a task or an objective, ultimately everything we do must be intentional as we work towards our personal development and getting out of our own way. The specificity and effort you put into taking steps to organize your life will pave the path for your future success.

For example: Making the statement that you want to start your own business is a broad goal to have. You have not stated what kind of business you want or will potentially start. But when you are specific, you’ll say, I’d like to start a success coaching business working with mid-career women that want to maximize their skills and boost their productivity at work. 

When you are clear about what you want and can articulate that, then the work you begin to do becomes aligned with that goal and your focus. If your vision is not clear, it won’t translate well and you will risk becoming busy and counterproductive. Remember, people are watching you, and blanket statements are a gateway to your weaknesses when you are not passionate about the work you are attempting to do.

Get real with yourself and do not trade in your authenticity for approval. The only person that matters is you because sometimes your goals are personal.. Crush them continually, and clap for yourself as you move along. 

Now things may change, but when you work on one goal at a time, you’ll be pleased to look back on where you started and realize that you have been putting in the work and it’s only up from here.

So be intention. Be clear. Be specific about what you want because the only thing holding you back is you. Now homework time. Sit down and write 3 things you’d like to accomplish. It can be this week, this month, or even this year. Are you being specific enough? It not, how can you make your goal more specific so that you can see which step you need to take next?

The beauty in this is that you can make adjustments as needed as long as you don’t give up. This is step process and we will reach our destination.

~LaTilya

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Eliminating Threats As You Grow

Hey Goodbuddies,

Did you know that not knowing what makes you stand out is a weakness because we all have something inside of us that needs to be shared. Your voice is unique, however life gets complicated when we face battles that we don’t quite understand.

So what does this mean?

-Internal battles are a threat to your growth when self doubt is in place. We have to learn how to advocate for ourselves and affirm our existence without the validation of others. 

Your mindset has to shift to I Can versus I can’t when setting goals for yourself and taking steps to becoming a better you. Your transformation is threatened when you don’t take yourself seriously. So do the work to move past those mind blocks that hold you back because your biggest breakthrough is proving to yourself what you are capable of doing.

Whew! That’s a lot to take in but so are the things that are out of your control.

-External threats to your progress and growth are the limiting factors that you face even when you do everything right for yourself but the logistics of working with others may be unclear. 

In situations where your skills, knowledge, and abilities are being counterproductive, that’s a red flag to regroup and find a beneficial endeavor. All opportunities are not good opportunities so use discernment.

There will be shifts in your mindset as you experience personal growth. After all the goal is to grow. As I’ve said week after week by Continuing to do the work on yourself it makes you a better person and more aware of productivity.

So I hope you are keeping track of your homework because when you put it all together you next step is to create an action plan that will maximize your strengths, forge your weaknesses, identity opportunities to grow, and minimize threats to your progress. This work is personal and ultimately you have to do what’s best for you.

I share little tidbits here and there so go find me on FB @drlatilyarashon and IG @iamdrlatilyarashon for more insightful tips on being you, doing you, for you, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

~LaTilya

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Stop Procrastinating and Grow

Hey Goodbuddies,

Quick question, do you know how to identify your opportunities to grow?

Pushing past your comfort zone is scary. But we have to forge our weaknesses and take a risk at trying something new. After all what’s the point of being good at what you do when you never step out of your norm to do something different, and realize you’re great. This is uncomfortable but we have to be aware of areas for growth if we want to shake the room and increase our productivity. 

So let’s get into it: 

-Apply for the job that has been calling your name and update your resume. When you push yourself to see your growth and your need for more is sitting on your shoulders, that is the time to strike. The list of skills you have match the requirements and responsibilities that stare you in the face, but fear has you paralyzed. Go for it anyways because you are meant to stand out, and it’s an opportunity to practice what you preach.

-Share your skills and talents with the people you are most in contact with that support your vision and dreams. You make your work look easy and when asked about your processes, don’t be afraid to open up. Each one, teach one builds connections and open doors that you could not have imagined. Being prosocial can get your name spoken highly in rooms and invitations to be a part of masterminds, simply because you shared.

-Personal Development. What you feed your mind, you become. Food, Fashion, Family, Fun, and Faith drive your existence and we are always researching ways to put our spin on those five aspects of our lives. Read and listen to information that fuels your fire to be present and productive in life. Don’t settle for mediocrity.

There will be shifts in your opportunities to grow, you just need to prepare yourself for when the opportunities present themselves. Continuing to do the work on yourself makes you a better person. 

So I hope you are keeping track of your homework each week because now based on your work from last week, how can you position yourself to work on your weaknesses where the benefit is your growth? Again, there are no right or wrong answers, just know that you are destined for more.

Continue your walk as the fearfully and wonderfully made personal that you are. 

So thank you for rocking with your girl. You can find me on FB @drlatilyarashon and IG @iamdrlatilyarashon for more insightful tips on being you, doing you, for you, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

I’ll check in with ya’ll later.

~LaTilya

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Creating New Habits: Forge Your Weaknesses

Hey Goodbuddies,

I’m so excited to check in with you all this week to see how you’re living and how we can make it even better.

So I’m going to hop right in and tell you that for the past two weeks I have been doing a series on the Mac Muzik Show to help people maximize their strenghts.

I have broken down the S.W.O.T. analysis which is for the benefit of identifying your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities to grow, and threats to your progress.

Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is uncomfortable but we have to be aware of areas for growth if we want to boost our productivity. It is difficult to admit that we all struggle with some things but it is a necessity.

So let’s get into it: 

-Communicating is always tough for some people because you know what you want to say but some things get lost in translation. A weakness sometimes is verbal because the slightest inflection could be deemed as hostile or abrasive. So it may be best in some situations to listen before speaking so that you have a clear understanding.

-Prioritization can be a weakness because trying to do too many things at the same time affects your output. We have to learn what takes precedence over keeping us busy. When you learn how to list things by their order of importance and urgency, you are able to get things done more efficiently. So start by creating a short list of 3-5 tasks you need to complete each day and check them off as you go.

-Operating within your comfort zone! There is no way you will grow if you continue to do things the same way all of the time. Your personality traits will be pushed to the limit and it may even unnerve you, but you have to learn how to rely on your full skillset and not just the skills you are most comfortable with using. 

From time to time you will strengthen your weaknesses then begin to identify other areas that you will need to improve. Doing the work on yourself makes you a better person. These good habits come into play when you

-Identify your strengths to know what you’re good at and use those skills daily.

-Forge your weaknesses to push those skills to the surface and stop holding yourself back.

-Give yourself so grace and understand that every venture will not be perfect.

So take some time, and identify the areas of your life and abilities that you need to strengthen. We all have weaknesses but it takes a strong person to acknowledge them and work to make them better.

Do a comparison of your strengths and weaknesses and ask yourself are you being as forthright in your efforts as you can be? There is no right or wrong answer, just know that You Depend On You!

Continue your walk as the fearfully and wonderfully made personal that you are. That’s all I have for you this week.

So thank you for rocking with your girl. You can find me on FB @drlatilyarashon and IG @iamdrlatilyarashon for more insightful tips on being you, doing you, for you, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

I’ll check in with ya’ll later.

~LaTilya

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Culture Add and Core Values


In theory when you set you sights on charging a new path as an entrepreneur, even with careful planning some mistakes will be made along the way. I read a post the other day on social that said, “Launch the business anyway and fix it later.” I said you know what, they just might be on to something.

It is not enough to want simply want something, you have to work for it. Right now everyone is home, the wheels are turning, and businesses are popping out everywhere. I perhaps am just a tad bit overthinking my next moves because I struggle with wanting everything to go just right and now have to backtrack too much unnecessarily.

Sitting in on webinars, masterclasses, and taking email courses over the years, I find myself looking at my brag bank to gain more insight on my culture add. I picked this term up in a masterclass on creating your own e-course to generate revenue. The thought of creating a course is exciting, especially one designed around the idea of goal setting, and after all I am a teacher but I second guess myself and that is a mindset block that I have to work through.

I can tell me story over and over about what it is like to be a working mom with author ambition and teaching fulltime, but who is truly paying attention. My career experience, education, relationship failures are things that busy moms can relate to so launching and relaunching is tedious for me because fixing things later feels like something I am always doing. For example, I have been fixing and recycling, My Fourth Year in Middle School: The Truth About Teaching because that is where my edupreneur journey started. The going thing now is to turn your book into a business and I must say that has been tough which is why my next work is been completed with more care and strategy.

I can add to the culture based on my mothering skills and how I fought in the past and currently fight through the tough times because my sons need me. My identity is beyond the classroom and I find myself mentoring people both directly and indirectly because I’m available and so is my content. The places I have been rather long term or short term further shape my experiences as well as my education which I am extremely proud of myself for acquiring. Discipline saw me through my degrees even at the times I wanted to quit and keeping it real and being authentic is the only thing I know how to do.

So what do I take a stand for: I take a stand for divorces moms balancing work and home while trying to sustain some normalcy in my life. I stand for the overlooked female entrepreneur that is tired but continues to try anyway. I am one of many authors with a lot to say but has yet to fall on the right ears. I am the speaker with a voice that has fought battles internal and external because quitting is not an option. I stand for the women who believe even when life has a way of being interrupted and not always being fair. So now what? It is all about the connection.

I bring genuine reality to the room because let’s face it, being a good mother and having stability in my our lives in something that all mothers strive to have. A lot of women are independent and we value being positive role models to our child/children. We value being able to provide holistic support to our kids because they will learn from us how to cope with life. Most importantly peace of mind is the root of all we do because understanding what is for us (you) cannot be taken away from you when you actually put in the work.

So yes, start the business. Write the book. Use your creativity. Chase your dreams.

You can add to the culture in your own individuality and uniqueness because once you know who you are, you dare not compromise your values.

-LaTilya

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Mindset of a Mom

I grew up in a single parent home so my only depiction of motherhood was watching my mom. I would see the moms on my favorite television shows and realize quickly that my mom was nothing like them and my house did not look like those. That was okay though because my mom worked her ass off to take care of me without the help of my father. I’m sure that was easier said that done considering I was born in 1981.

It is alway funny to hear people say, “Tilya, you look just like your mother.” My knee-jerk reaction is to respond, “Who in the hell else am I supposed to look like.” But I just nod and smile.

The parallels in my mom’s life to mine is underwhelming because we made different choices in careers, and marital statuses, but the love she had for me as a child is the same love I share for my children. Not to speak ill of my mom, but watching her work as hard as she did, I promised myself that I would have better career choices. However, when I was at my lowest so was my motivation. I could not give up, but I wanted too.

When my oldest son was in kindergarten, his father and I had recently separated. Marriage is hard, but when it is not working, it may be time to let it go. But he was a talkative little lad, and knew a lot for his age because we always talked to him, never gibberish. Well one day he told his teacher, “My mom cries a lot a night.” Imagine how surprised I was when the teacher said this as his father and I sat in a parent/teacher conference. My eyes immediately welled with tears because I was carrying mom-guilt.

Looking into someone’s face everyday, you have no idea the heaviness that they are carrying deep down inside. The brokenness someone feels when they tried to do everything right but felt like they were coming up short every single time. I can only imagine the pain my mother felt doing it alone as I struggled to start my life over absent of my husband. I was 27 years old, a year or two out of the Air Force and adjusting to my second year of teaching. My plate was FULL. However, when I was at my lowest I could not give up, but I wanted too.

Hindsight is often 20/20. My mom was tired, I mean, at the age of five I had a key to the apartment and let myself in each day waiting for her to get home from work. The term then was latch-key kid, but you do that nowadays and you’ll be in jail. It is amazing the lengths mothers go through to make sure that their children feel cared for, loved and protected. Again, I watched my mom do it alone for me, so I put that same energy into my sons.

Pushing through seems to be second nature for moms because even when we are tired, we take care of our children sometimes before we take care of ourselves. We shrink behind our kids not even realizing that we are neglecting ourselves. We get tired. We take things personally while co-parenting. We are irritable from lack of rest. We cry at night when we feel misunderstood because in my private conversations and attempts to get our points across, the blame is shifted. I cannot even begin to count the number of times I was told, “If you’d just listen and shut up”, as if that was effective communication. It is draining to this day and was draining at the time of my separation.

My mom never got married so getting married then divorced for me was a big deal. I was embarrassed because what if people look at me like I am the problem in my marriage when there needed to be more compromises. What if as a mom, I’m failing my kids the same way I failed my husband as a wife? All of these transitions as a mom wore on me emotionally and mentally. I was at my lowest. I could not give up, but I wanted to.

There have been too many times in the past few years that I questioned my own authority in and of my life. This is not to negate other people’s responsibilities and to say that my feelings are all that matter. But feeling helpless when you are trying your best takes a toll and makes you, a mother as I am, or anyone question your judgement. There’s no middle ground.

One minute you’re a young mom trying to make things happen in a positive way while scared at the same time. Next minute life has taught you many lessons and you find a way to balance what you thought you knew with what you have learned. As with anything in life, becoming a mother is an ongoing learning experience. Let’s face it, we know nothing when we start and we know not a thing about our children with each mistake they make as well as our own mistakes.

The mindset of a mother is to continue in times of uncertainty, recharge when we need to, and remember who we are when we forget that being a mom is not our only job. Mom guilt is real especially when you want all of the answers but your only option is to keep trying. Moms are their kids superheroes. We often strive to prove to our kids that we can do anything, so we do.

Thanks for reading and remember to join my email list.

~LaTilya

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BRAG Differently 2.0

It’s been one hellava past few months with everything that’s going on but I’m still chugging along. Someone out there needs my writing so I’m going to keep going.

Listen, we have to face our fears because it took us all some time to embrace what we have learned in our lives.
I have been bad at a few things:
➡️ Daughter
➡️ Student
➡️ Girlfriend 😂
➡️ Wife 😏
➡️ Airman (When I was active duty)
➡️ Mom (especially when kids don’t get their way)
➡️ Writer (lacking strategy and a plan)
➡️ Teacher (didn’t have a clue in 2008)

Now as I push forward wearing my many hats and trying different things daily, I do so with the mindset of being the voice that someone needs. I mean after all we all have something going in our lives that we can brag about so welcome to B.R.A.G. Differently 2.0

B. Believe in yourself and that things in your life can change for the better. I listed a few things that I have been bad at and when I look at my life I’m glad that I made some of the changes that I have. Being a teenage daughter is far different from being an adult daughter. But being a wife and then divorced takes on a different meaning when it comes to your status. I was scared as hell to start my life over as a single woman after my first divorce, but I had to BELIEVE that I deserved better. I had to work on me and believe that I was capable of having a fulfilling life even if that meant not a having a man by my side. I mean after all, I was raised by a single mom, and she did it so I can do it too. Backing away from that, let’s just say I had to learn how to believe in my abilities and know that I would find my way through this thing called life.

R. Receive what the universe has to offer you that brings out the good in you. Everything that is sent your way is not necessarily for your good and could be lessons that you’ll learn later. That’s probably why my second marriage was a huge lesson for me. GOOD VIBES only, so receive the good shit and reject the bad shit because this is a season for growth.

A. Adjusting to the changes in your life is a humbling experience. I mean let’s face it ya’ll, we can’t predict the future so we are always adjusting anyway. From childhood to adulthood was a huge adjustment period and I’m sure we drove our parents crazy which in turn as adults we watch out children do the same. LOL! Man being flexible is tiresome but it’s a necessity.

G. Growing is a goal in life. At 38, I’m so glad I’m not who I was at 28, or even 18 for that matter. If I was the same person as an adult that I was as a teenage, Bless It Jesus! LOL! We have to grow and push past out comfort zone if we really want to reach our full potential. Even when things feel like it’s falling apart we must practice patience. Growing pains really, truly hurt but it’s some beautiful on the other side of the lesson you learn.

So connect with me so we can all begin B.R.A.G. Differently http://bit.ly/GetRightwithDoc

~LaTilya

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I Wrote my First Book Because I Wanted to Read It

I can remember the spring of 2016 like it was yesterday because it was testing season. I was in my eighth year of teaching middle school. I had stalled writing my book for fear of it not being read and not knowing what to do next. I had just gotten my IRB approved for my dissertation and luckily I had worked ahead on my final report. I was waiting for feedback for my edits from my chair, so to fill the time, I started back working on My Fourth Year In Middle School: The Truth About Teaching.I took my chromebook with me everywhere throughout my building. My colleagues would ask, “What are you doing?” I’d simply reply, “I’m finishing my book.” I cringe at the rush I put on myself and at some of the typos I later found (that have been corrected) and say, “Well at least I faced that fear.”

I knew when I hit publish on Createspace (my first knowledge of #selfpublishing and KDP at the time that I couldn’t take it back. I also knew then that my book was not for everybody but it was still my experience as a new teacher to share. In turn it has been a conversation starter and my documented proof that when you face everything and rise, your personal marathon continues.

Success is not a race, so be humble with your creativity.

Read more of my story by clicking the link in my bio or visit latilyarashon.selz.com to learn how 12 years later I’m still surviving the classroom.

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Handling COVID-19

“Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Hebrews 12:15 NLT

Two weeks ago we were in school waiting to hear the direction our district was going to take to handle this health crisis. I knew I would miss my students and I do and here we are now “officially” on Spring Break. Parents went from working their full-time jobs to becoming full-time teachers in a matter of two weeks. Some parents have had to juggle both. Teachers went from explaining work to students to explaining to parents. It’s been an adjustment for everyone.

As a mother finding balance with my career and chasing my dreams of being a writer and influencer has its moments of uncertainty. And with the world panicking right now, it is so unclear as to what direction we are actually heading in life. I have stability in my career, but right now with the shift to education online, test suspension, and suspended attendance accountability, even my career is questionable. At times the drive for more is my push to do more. I talk about it, but truthfully entrepreneurship is hard. 

Now is a time for reflection and I think about my early ambition as a author as I shared my transition into teaching, the dissolution of my marriage, and my trials as a new teacher in my first book, My Fourth Year In Middle School: The Truth About Teaching and that was such a huge mountain to get over. Sharing my story, my ups and downs have become my survival guide because now I persevere when things get tough. But so many of the self-publishing gurus have a tricky way of making you feel like even when you share you story that you need their expertise to take YOU to the next level. Who knows? I mean I dropped this book in 2016 and it is still a staple for how my career started and a conversation starter for people considering coming into the field of education.

Now the classroom is enjoyable and teaching my students has its days, so right now 12 years in I’m holding up because the reality is I still have children to take care of and this pays the bills until something catches for me and I’m able to take off into other things. Not being in the classroom mid-March was unthought of it crazy as hell when you think about it. So now I have time to work on this next book. I plan to do things completely different with this one. It’s time that I DREAM BIGGER!

I’m not rushing. I’m creating things in my own lane and bringing forth my personality in my content. Gentle reminder and #notetoself , I don’t have to do what everybody else is doing and my next book will explain it all. I’ll prove to myself that I can and I will. That’s all that matters to me. 

We are living one day at a time in my house and I’m praying for the hearts and minds of everyone still out working and saving lives.  

These are my thoughts today as a mother~author~teacher.

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5 Ways to Create Value

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5 Ways to Create Value to reach your own personal level of success.

  1. Identify your skillset
  2. Set attainable goals
  3. Create an action plan
  4. Enhance your strengths
  5. Personal development

Own your power as you run your own race. Set your goals, create an action plan, and keep in mind that it’s not how you start it’s how you finish.

Grab The Signature Creating Value Workbook for $7 when you use DISCOUNT code LRW1981 at bit.ly/SeeWorkbook

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The Signature Creating Value Workbook

Who doesn’t like personal development?

Nobody, Right!

I told y’all that one of my struggles with balancing life as a mom, author, teacher, was failing to create value then consequently taking on too much because I did not have a plan. My Signature Creating Value Workbook will help you do 5 things:

  1. Identify Your skillset
  2. Examine Your Big Goals
  3. Understand Your Strengths
  4. Create an Action Plan for Success
  5. Reflect on Your Personal Development

The secret to success is unlocking your mind.  Get an exclusive look when you subscribe to my email list. You will receive the free Creating Value Template. It is the central focus to helping you set weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals to create added value in your life as you pursue your dreams.

Download Your Template Here

Once you start moving with clear intentions, your vision and mission becomes more solid. Silence the doubt and catch this wave. No more sitting on the sideline.

Take Action

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I faced a lot of fear of failure when I began teaching, when I returned to school, and when I became a divorced mom with two children. I felt like a failure when my students were not achieving success even though they were reading on an elementary level in middle school. I felt like a failure when I had to retake a research class during my doctoral program. I felt like a failure for not being able to keep my family together even though the marriage had broken down well before the divorce happened.

I had to learn how to prioritize my new life and remember why I wanted to teach. I needed better time management to ensure I dedicated enough time to my studies while raising my sons and mapping out my career. I engrossed myself in personal development to help me cope with the loss of a significant other, not once but twice.

Sis, you can start over as many times as needed and still get it right. My journey has not been all sunshine and rainbows. There have been many tears and gloomy days but I persevered. There is no true balance, you learn to adjust.

I got started because I understand the difficulties of being a mom, having a career, and chasing my dreams. I’m using every skill I have in every situation to do my best even when I don’t feel my best. I challenge you to do the same.

Check out my ebook store, latilyarashon.selz.com. My Fourth Year In Middle School: The Truth About Teaching is specifically for you if you are a mom that is thinking about transitioning careers and feel like you don’t have a clue about what to expect. I encountered a lot but I made it through.

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Creating Value in Your Life

There are 365 days in the year and we have the ability to make each day count. No two people are the same, so our perspectives and experiences shape our way of thinking and how we set out to make our lives better.

There is no magic formula to achieving success because we call have different ideas about what it means to be successful. Once you begin to create value in your life and walk in your purpose, you ultimately begin to design the life that you want to live.

I’ve created a “Creating Value” Weekly template that can help you set goals and prioritize your tasks each week. We get busy sometimes and are not necessarily as productive as we need to be. So here is a tool that I use to help me focus and get things done.

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I am a list person. I have to write things down for myself because it makes what I’m working hard at achieving more believable. My ambitions, dreams, and goals are etched in my brain because I take actionable steps everyday. Big or Small.

  • Writing down a goal for the week, be it short term or long term, I know that whatever my focus is for the week adds to the overall big picture.
  • Affirmations help adjust your mindset to know that even when obstacles arise, you have the stamina to stay the course. Nothing worth having comes easy, so you have to lift yourself when it feels like no one else believes in you.
  • Prioritizing your to do list will hep you focus on your most urgent things to do as you work towards tasks and projects that may take a little bit more time but you need to work on those things too. We can only become as successful as the amount of effort we put into our work.
  • Personal development enriches your mind and feeds your spirit. A motivational podcast, book, or scripture reading that feeds your passion and enhances your productivity. Be conscious of what you feed your mind because our thoughts become our actions.
  • Reflections and takeaways commute to our mind and gives us the confirmation we are seeking when asking ourselves, “Is what I’m doing putting me where I need to be?” We should be striving to learning something new each day.
  • Jeremiah 29:11 says, ”  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We have to show gratitude for the good things in our lives because we have already been destined for greatness. We just have to believe.

This life that I have been given is not my own. I am supposed to share my story. Be the encouragement I needed 10, 15 years ago. Once I begin to focus on what was necessary, life got better.

~LaTilya

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5 Mistakes I Made as An Entrepreneur

Starting Without a Vision or Strategy

In 2016 I thought that this mompreneur thing would be easy and my oh my was I wrong. I was just winging it until I realized that my vision was too broad and I had not niched down enough. Yes, I am a teacher but my skills as a mom are what help me organize my day to walk into my classroom more prepared. I need my working women with business aspirations to know that while you are working, raising your children, planning a wedding, or being a wife, you can still chase your dreams. Life happens and even when you survive divorce; knowing your mission and why will carry you farther than the obstacles that you face. Those trials become a part of your story and fuel your purpose. So be clear when you set out to make a difference. Be the problem solver to those that need to hear your voice and don’t give up until you make an impact.

My Mission: I help working moms find balance between their career and home life as they gain clarity in pursuit of their dreams.

Once I sat down and did a business plan and really thought about what I was trying to do and my message, things began to click. Even though I have been trying for a few years now, once I gained clarity, I can better see the direction I’m heading in for 2020.

Branding Myself Properly

I thought that by merely saying, “I am my brand” was enough but I was wrong again. My personality, my quick wit, my authenticity was going to set me aside but I was nobody in the realm of blogging and entrepreneurship. Now don’t get me wrong, I have some faithful followers and listeners but as I aspire for a further reach I realized that I had to do more. I had to figure out I wanted to be recognized. Yes, I’m the tattooed teacher in my building as I teach throughout the day, but that’s not my ideal for my Mom|Author|Teacher (mompreneur) brand that I am working to establish for myself. And guess what, even after I find some comfort in my visibility, branding is ongoing and may even call for a re-brand down the road. So, LaTilya Rashon is my name in real life. So I did not over arch with something off the wall because my approach is to just be real with my message and what I create. Pieces of me will be ingrained in everything that I do. In these internet streets I will show you my dedication, my authenticity, and my perseverance (D.A.P.) through my storytelling. I love acronyms so you’ll see more of those in the future because they are easy to remember. Make sure your brand attracts your tribe. That’s the whole point!

Comparison is the Thief of Joy

Ya’ll there are levels to being in business for yourself. Being a NOVICE, brand new and not knowing what to is the very first level. Your eyes are bigger than your follow through and you are more busy than productive and you just know you are getting things done. I had to tell myself to have several seats plenty of times between 2016 and 2017 because I didn’t have a clue.  I was not creating anything of value outside of my first book (My Fourth Year in Middle School: The Truth About Teaching). Once those wheels starting turning, you are now in the DEVELOPMENTAL stage of business where you are connecting the dots and things are beginning to make sense and you have a better understanding of what you are trying to do. Your growth is beginning to show. Then ultimately, the EXPERT. We all aspire to be a household name in these internet streets because of our extensive knowledge and expertise. But you have crawl before you walk. Maintain your own lane and know that everybody has different skillsets so processes are not one size fit all and we are all essentially running our own races. Focus on what you are creating and less on others.  What you have inside of you is just as needed as to what the people around you are doing. NOTE TO SELF!

Taking on too Much

When you don’t have a vision you will easily take on too much too soon and it will leave you overwhelmed and ready to quit. You need clarity and this can’t be emphasized enough to avoid repeat failure. Now this does not mean that some things won’t launch as successfully as others, it just means that we will eventually get it right. Even if you plan properly it’s a 50/50 chance of things going wrong, so we have to prioritize our tasks as to not give up before we ever get started. What is urgent versus not urgent then go from there. Decide what you can DO now, what you can PLAN to do later, who or what you can DELEGATE, and truly ELIMINATE. We are what holds us back when we are sure, so be intentional.

Failing to Invest in Myself

Listen, you can google until your finger tips hurt but pretty soon you will find that in information overload, everything will start to look the same. I have downloaded so many free worksheets, ebooks, tuned into LIVE training, you name it and none of them gave me the clarity that I needed. Then I started making small investments in resources because I needed to streamline my message and my business. Find someone that speaks to your style and let them coach you.  I have following one particular author/coach for the past year and I am ecstatic about my latest investment of myself. You have to do your own research to determine who is best suited for your needs. You can only Free.99 to a certain degree but when you want results, you will begin to make the right investments. Even when you think you don’t have the money, you will find a way.

So with all of that being said… I decided that I no longer wanted to function in mediocrity. I want to scale up my message and visibility so that I can do great things in the months to come. I have set some very intense goals for myself and the steps I’m taking along the way have me very excited. Let’s just say as I’m approaching my 38th birthday, I have for certain two years to make some things shake and that is exactly what I plan to do.

~LaTilya

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A Journey Into Creation

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So back in September I thought that it would be a great idea to really map out my business and the direction that I want to go. I completed a full business plan and everything then I feel like I hit a brick wall.

My big picture is being able to run a successful business online and become my own boss. Creating ways for people to expand their creative abilities, speaking when given the opportunity and ultimately enjoying the things that I love doing.

2019 put a little bit of a fire under my ass, especially back in June when I spoke at the Teacher Self-Care Conference. I transferred schools. I became the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) Coach. But I also began to experience the growing pains of raising teenage boys. They are night and day.  Needless to say I feel like I am behind, but then I think about all of the work that has been accomplished behind the scenes that I actually have to stop and give myself a break.

I have planned my brand content and though I am not as confident in it at times that I should be, I just ask myself a lot of times if I am doing the right thing. I totally get that I don’t have to do what everyone else is doing, but damn they make it look easy. So I hit the reset button and told myself to not let the internet rush me. After all, this blog has been up for three years, semi-consistently. I have written three books. I do freelance academic writing and editing. I have been busy. But self-doubt creeps in and make me question everything.

I’m not experiencing burnout or anything, I just want to begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  That is such a cliché. And even though I’m building my own table and opening my own doors, the truth is that entrepreneurship is hard as hell. Luckily for me I have decided to partake in a “Secure the Bag” webinar because 2020 is the year to erase the doubt and just strike out.  I’m thinking “The Journey to Here” which is a compilation of themed story telling that explains my journey of living, reflecting, writing, and learning.

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I told myself that I would devote six months to one book and I have been focusing on 12 Ways to Survive Your First Year of Teaching since June. It was a follow-up to My Fourth Year. I’ve enjoyed this ride, but I want to talk about some other things and I think now is the time.

I have dumped my brain a lot over the past few months and I am passionate about writing of course, goal setting, African-American youth (I don’t want to see them get lost in the system) and of course being a successful author with a message that I get to share through speaking engagements. I’m not stalling anything, I’m just being careful as I go back to look at drafts of all of my book titles. I have a couple books I need to finish or put the final touches on. I am definitely going to make it happen.

These are just my Tuesday thoughts as I prepare for my conference in the meantime. I’m a lifelong learner. So this journey continues.

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Got To Go Harder

You have permission to tell your story and your story only. Your story will inspire people that can relate to your trials and your triumphs.

Moment of transparency: This time last year I said I’d be teaching somewhere else, and in the spring I interviewed and got the job. I had been in my old district since July 2008 so I knew I was ready for something different. Today I will be introducing our new behavior matrix to support our P.B.I.S. initiative because I stepped into the coach position when it was in need of a new one. It’s a lot of work but I’m doing what I can, and the leadership team will receive this information in today’s meeting.

So I’m giving myself 90 days to cement some other ideas because I want to see more results on the business side of what I do. I wrote a couple of books, I’ve spoke a couple of times, so now I want to do more with all of my experience and be a full time mentor, speaker, facilitator because I KNOW I can do.

I’m trying to secure my own bag. I’m not concerned with what others are doing around me that does not feed this mindset and place in my life. I was going hard, now I’m about to go harder.

~LaTilya

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Tip Tuesday

Listen teacher moms… you have a whole life outside of the classroom so some days it’s going to take a little more effort. I mean let’s be honest, good teachers obsess about observations because they want everything to go perfect: students engaged and on task, even transitions from task to task and a positive learning environment.

We spend countless hours planning engaging lessons because we want leave a lasting impression. Then on the day of observation nothing goes as planned. On the flip side of this is that good administrators understand which is why they randomly visit your classroom to catch you on your “good days”.

So here are more tips on surviving:
1️⃣Being observed comes with the profession. At times you will have multilevel leadership in your room, It happens.
2️⃣Show your students that you are human; you don’t have all the answers. Sometimes you’ll learn from them.
3️⃣Some days you just won’t feel like teaching, and that’s okay. Nobody’s perfect‼️

Check out my ebook store latilyarashon.selz.com for my tips on maneuvering the classroom as a newbie teacher or even a veteran teacher.

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God is Helping You Write Your Story

Photo by Courtney Watkins Photography

God is helping you write your story and share your gift with the world. Be less concerned with the people that won’t like it and focus on those who will embrace your work of art.

Let’s just be clear. If you are sitting on your skills and talents and think opportunity is going to find you, you are sadly mistaken. It may be a cliche but well behaved people seldom make history.

If you’re afraid to use your skills and talents then you’re blocking yourself from creating the life “you say” you want to live.

So even if you feel you’re in the right track, I know for a fact Closer to Purpose Than You Think can help you stop second guessing yourself and start creating the life you want to live.

Head over to my ebook store latilyarashon.selz.com or even read my first book My Fourth Year In Middle School: The Truth About Teaching for free on KindleUnlimited.

It’s time to level up!

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Freedom Friday

Want to be an author’s friend?

➡️Buy their books (ebooks $9)

https://latilyarashon.selz.com

➡️Like their post (Algorithm)

➡️Comment in their posts; engagement

➡️Share their posts for more exposure

Some things are free!

But businesses costs! The right people will find you and I’m thankful for the teacher moms that support me.

3 Common Mistakes Your Making During Your Personal Transformation

If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a million times: people making fatal mistakes when it comes to their personal transformation journey. 

I have stories for days about the detrimental bloopers people are making out here, but we don’t have that much time. So instead, I’ll cover some of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to enhancing the quality of their lives in the hopes that I can prevent you from repeating them. 

Mistake #1: Not having a clear vision of the direction that you would like to go in your life wastes time. Once you wake up and say that you want better; you actually have to create an action plan that will help you achieve the goals that you have set.

Mistake #2: Comparing yourself to people around you that are doing the same things as you or in some cases less than you will deter your focus. Personal transformation is a journey that you take alone, and even though you may receive encouragement from others; you have to keep in mind that your journey will not look like the people in the same transition as you.

Mistake #3: Failing to invest in yourself and your future hinders your dreams because at this point are you even serious about your transformation? What are you reading, listening too, or watching that’s fueling your fire. Failing to shift your mind will leave you stuck.

Now, if you feel “read” or “seen,” you’re in the right place. Because I can help you avoid these mistakes, so you can live the life you’re destined for. 

You simply have to decide that you no longer want to function in mediocrity and commit to your personal change. Set your goals, create a plan to execute your goals, and work the plan to avoid the aforementioned mistakes.

Have you made any of these common mistakes? It’s okay. Let me know in the comments. 

Then purchase my ebook Closer to Purpose Than You Think because this is only the tip of the iceberg or grab The G.L.A.M. Planner to map out your Top 5 goals for the next 6 months.