New participant added to the Blogathon

Jean McFarland is now joining us in this crazy effort to blog once a day during the month of July. That's 31 posts altogether, or more, if possible. I'm hitting the mark here, but over at The Phoenix Traveler, I'm not quite there. I might be missing a few. Yikes!

So far, it sure has been a lot of work, but it's so much fun to read about all this great work speakers are in involved in on a daily basis.

Check out Jean's blog--it's new--at Bullies Among Us and help her build an audience.

Oh, and by the way, if you stopped in yesterday, you may have seen a poll on the left-hand side of this screen. It didn't appear to be working properly, so I pulled it down. I'll try again at a later date.

All my best,
Jackie

The blogathon continues

The July Blogathon has been a great way to get to know my fellow speaker friends. As we reach mid-mark, I realize I'm learning more about who these folks are at their core.

We've added a few new participants since the event began, so I'm posting an updated list today. If you have a few minutes, consider visiting their sites. I promise you, you'll read some very inspiring stories. There's 15 of us, including Stanley, the lone guy on the team:

Jackie Dishner
http://bikewithjackie.blogspot.com/
http://www.thephoenixtraveler.com/

Susan Ratliff
http://www.blingmybooth.com/

Andrea Beaulieu
http://www.conspiracyoflove.net/

Mimi Meredith
http://www.blog.thegoodnessgrows.com/

Suzy Graven
http://articles.secretsofthesavvywoman.com/

Beth Terry
http://www.corporatecowgirl.com/

Vickie Mullins
http://www.mullinscreative.blogspot.com/

Michelle May
http://blogs.eastvalleytribune.com/consumed/

Arlene Rosenberg
http://www.leadingachievers.com/

Stanley Bronstein
http://stanleybronstein.com/

Stephanie Angelo
http://hressential.com/wordpress

Quinn McDonald
http://quinncreative.wordpress.com/

Barbara McNichol
http://www.nonfictioneditor.wordpress.com/

Suzanne Holman
http://www.lessonsforyourmilliondollarlife.com/

Maggie Hunts
She's on hold for the time being...

Just jump in

In May, during the first blogathon, I announced a contest where I decided to give away four months of free BIKE coaching. A few of you took me up on it, and I began work with my first coaching client yesterday. I'll start with another two in August. There's a fourth client out there that I have yet to reconnect with, but I know where she is and plan to follow up shortly.

Till then, I'm excited about starting this new career move and being able to help someone else overcome the obstacles that seem to be holding her back. Over the course of the next few months, hopefully, she'll be able to look closely at the deterrants in her life so she can make more conscious-living choices. That's what BIKE is about--making conscious choices, taking responsibility, eliminating the excuses, and living the life that you deserve.

We can live a life without all of this, but I don't think it's going to be your best. I think you're more apt to settle for less than you deserve if you decide to just get by. And it's so easy to do that. Without even realizing it, we do that. Just get by. There's just no fun in that. There's little forward movement involved in that. And it's not going to be very exciting, either. Today, it's time for you to decide what you want out of life. Pick up the phone and call someone you know to help you reach your goals. If you're not sure who to call, hire a coach.

Some of the conscious-living choices I've made in the last few years:

_To focus my writing work on at least two areas: self-help and travel. I am doing that successfully now, not only with my two blogs but also with the assignments that I'm pitching and selling.

_To write and/or sell three books in three years. I've sold one. I have another in consideration. And the third is still in the planning stages. I'm on my way.

_To teach my BIKE Lessons. I am doing that also. I taught one four-week course at a homeless shelter this year and hope to return again in the fall. And now I've just begun the coaching sessions. I am working next to better promote my keynote BIKE presentations and look into coaching certification and thank Debra Exner--a certified coach--for her referrals and loaning me a book that is helping me understand the industry and do the best job as I begin this new phase in my career.

I have learned that when I want to do something, that when it's my passion, it's a lot easier to just jump in.

So that's what I'm doing. That's the reason for this July blogathon. When you really want to do something that you know might make a difference, don't sit on it. Just jump right in and begin the process.

For your conscious-living choice today, I hope you decide to make it a great day!

All my best,
Jackie