Blogging

27 Feb 2015

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Blogging With No Comments Permalink

No More Microwave?!?!!

Sticky Post By christinafaith On February 27, 2015 With No Comments

Last week we had a microwave. One of our friends was over and they put something inside of it. It went POP, POP, POP! The microwave had died. What do we do?

It’s not in the budget right now to get a new microwave but the bigger question is, “Do we need a microwave?”.

I don’t think I have ever not had a microwave since the early 90’s. I’ve always lived in a house with a microwave so naturally I feel like we NEED a microwave.

The microwave that we had wasn’t that great. It was a low watt micro that a college student would use that someone gave to us.

The microwave kicking the bucket gave us a reason to get a microwave. However; I am now asking myself, “Why do I need a microwave?” To be honest I don’t need a microwave. I may or may not want a microwave. What I need is the ability to heat up our food and drinks and we have that with the stove.

The microwave is a convenience that saves time. However; it’s a forced convenience. Society has told us that we need microwaves.

What I have learned while not having a microwave is that I am more intentional about what I eat and drink. I count the cost of washing the pan or pot before I set my taste buds and I French Press just enought coffee for 16 os.

Do we need a microwave? Nope! It slows us down and causes us to think before we zap. Am I against having a microwave? Nope! But I wonder if what I needed was an opportunity to better define my needs vs. my wants.

After coming from Haiti I look at life differently. We will get into more of that next week in a “Things I learned in Haiti” series. What in your life is a want disguised as a need?

04 Feb 2015

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Authenticity, Blogging, Vision Permalink

When Everything Is Fake

Sticky Post By christinafaith On February 4, 2015

Authenticity is a major factor in our world. There has been a stream of fake EVERYWHERE. From fake love to fake faces our world desires an image that isn’t real. We want more people to follow us. We want to know the key ingredient to blowing up.

I listen to a lot of podcast with major influencers as the guest and many people ask the EXACT same questions. Each time the person on the show seems a bit focused on how that person has achieved success. I completely understand the focus of the shows. As I have been reflecting on these interviews & pulling from them what I can I am realizing that there is no formula to success.

Everyone that has succeeded tried the formulas and learned along the way that they have to figure things out for them. There are somethings we can all do that leads to a greater return. But attempting to use someone else’s formula of success step by step and word for word isn’t authentic.

As you are hustling through life be authentic. Be who you are. Don’t look at the images on the screens and think that it’s reality. It’s an picture. It’s an image. Unless we document EVERY part of our lives step by step we don’t really know how we attained success. But what we do know is that we grind regardless of where we were at the time.

Success and hustle can’t be measured. We all measure success and hustle differently. Today focus on how you are going to remain authentic in your life. Show your flaws, show your achievements, be authentic. Authenticity is what people are yearning for not another “how to” formula for success. Remain authentic and consistent.

27 Jan 2015

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Blogging, Entrepreneurship, From Start to Finish Permalink

4 Ways to Kick Doubt In The Face

Sticky Post By christinafaith On January 27, 2015

We read about doubt in the form of resistances a lot in the blogger world. Steven Pressfield in his book The War of Art speaks about the resistance in a lot of detail. The resistance in the form of doubt is REAL! When we think of all the things we would like to finish and accomplish in life doubt peaks it’s head out and says hello immediately. If you can overcome doubt you can overcome anything.

Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

Imagine your ready to start working on your first book and you are full of conviction and in one instance the feeling of uncertainity starts to overwhelm you. One thought at a time doubt attempts to overwhelm us until she has won and we no longer believe we can accomplish what we started out to do.

Doubt can be kicked in the face! Here is how I kick doubt in the face on a daily bases:

Do the work!
Speak to the doubt!
Get Around Likeminded People
Listen to Podcast

Whatever you do with doubt you must overcome it. The sure fire way for doubt to win is to do nothing. What are you going to do with your doubt?

20 Jan 2015

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Authenticity, Blogging, From Start to Finish Permalink

3 Ways To Dream The Impossible

Sticky Post By christinafaith On January 20, 2015

As I sit here in my chair I am reflecting on my own dreams. I have always dreamed big and many of those dreams have come true. When I wrote my first book and published it myself my dream was a reality. I am a published author. When I directed my first music video my dream became a reality. When I launched my first media company my dream became a reality. When I released the first episode of my web series my dream was a reality.

During the process of all the working, planning, creating, failing, trying to figure it all out I had doubt. I still have doubt to this day that I wonder if I can actually become a full time Author and Director. It’s not my biggest dream but it is the biggest dream in my mind that I desire to be tangible. Today is a day of reflection for me. When I thought things were impossible God showed me that it was possible. How do you know when your dreams are possible?

I am not a superstar. I don’t have a huge following but I am a finisher. I remember when I sent out my first newsletter in 2006 encouraging people to live unto the Lord. It was a hard email to write but I knew I had to hit send. It was so well received that I continued sending those email for years. With all the ventures I have taken part in I have Started and Finished.

What are you starting and finishing this year, this quarter, this month, or even today? Are you just talking about the dream or are you living it? Are you showing up to work on your dream daily or are you still thinking about it? Is it sitting in your head scared to come out? Are you driven by money or by fulfilling your calling? Whatever the dream is it is possible. The question is do you pursue it like it’s possible or do you allow doubt to enter your heart and stop you from moving forward.

16 Jan 2015

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Authenticity, Blogging, Entrepreneurship, From Start to Finish Permalink

7 Ways To Measure Success

Sticky Post By christinafaith On January 16, 2015

There seems to be this idea in the world that if we copy formulas that other people have used we will receive the same amount of success they have. I am here to tell you that it’s not true. Formulas aren’t what people follow. People follow value. If you are providing someone value they will embrace you. If you are not offering value they will skip over you. Society allows for many get rich quick schemes and viral instant celebrities. However; those rare moments shouldn’t be our priorities. We have to ask ourselves a few question before we start projects and while we are in the midst of them.

What does success look like to me?

What do numbers mean to me?

Am I adding value to people?

Am I lusting for attention?

Am I selling things I love or am I just trying to make money?

Am I measuring success against someone elses?

Am I being truly patient about my idea of success or do I want it now?

Recently, I heard Jefferson Bethke speak about the first 3 weeks of his video going viral as the worse time of his life. He went on to speak about how our human souls weren’t created for overnight success. We often have the idea that if we can just get an investor, become a viral senstation, or win the lottery everything in our lives will be better. However; that isn’t true. We were designed with purpose. There is something unique about you that only you can provide to the world. You won’t be able to manufactuer it. Are you using what you have or are you wishing you had what someone else has. Don’t allow your eyes wandering to remove your focus for what you are called to do. Your idea of success is unique to you. Stay in your lane you were purposed to ride in it.

08 Jan 2015

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Blogging, Entrepreneurship, Vision Permalink

Why You Should Do What You Love

Sticky Post By christinafaith On January 8, 2015

Last night Adam Smith blog had a conference. While we were on the conference call he encouraged us to Write With Heart. Those words rang in my ear and echoed from the first time that he said them to me on a podcast interview we recently recorded. The same words were echoed in the January’s edition of Inc, magazine by Peter Diamandis. He encouraged entreprenuers to “do what you’re passionate about, because that’s when you do your best work”.

In this crowded world everyone has something to say. What will set you apart from the crowd? Doing things with heart will set you apart. I have launched a lot of ventures. As a serial entrepreneur while exploring, building and launching you discover what you are passionate about. After launching a food business last year I realized that I am extremely passionate about food, fitness and the quality of food. However; I quickly learned that my vision was larger than my current abilities. I desire to own restaurant fitness centers not a per meal plan service. I couldn’t do it with heart. So I stopped.

Doing it with heart requires:

Passion – If you aren’t deeply passionate about your venture it is going to be extremely hard to see continued success. A friend of mine owns a photography/film company like my husband and I. He is not passionate about weddings but he is extremely passionate about business. For him his passion for business and creativity allows him to shoot 48 weddings a year with love.
Purpose – If you don’t know the purpose behind why you do what you do it will be extremely hard to do it with heart. Define what you are doing and why? The why behind it keeps you focused on what you are doing.
Goal – If you don’t have a plan with goals you won’t do it with heart long. Goals measure if you are headed in the right direction. Goals help us to push when our hearts grow weary. Goals remind you the process is valueable when we want to quit

Launching out into the deep of a dream is an act of faith and an emotional experience. When we do what we are passionate about it feels less like work and more like purpose. Although the road seems long you will be able to keep going forward regardless of the obstacles when you do it with heart.

08 Jan 2015

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Blogging, Devotionals, From Start to Finish Permalink

4 Reasons to Walk by Faith

Sticky Post By christinafaith On January 8, 2015

Faith is an extremely delicate matter. Either you have faith or don’t. There isn’t an in between with faith. Many of us desire to launch companies, projects, leave jobs, and build a family. It’s one thing to say that you want to do something; it’s another thing to actually take the steps to do it.

We all have had those instances where we talk about walking on water but few of us actually get out of the boat. This year I am being forced out of the boat in a since. God has positioned me to look at Him and step out off the boat. While I am learning to look in His face and not in the face of my circumstances I will be helping you walk on water this year with things you desire to start and finish.

When the water seems scary think about the following four truths:

Faith is the only way to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
Faith Moves Mountains (Mark 11:22)
Jesus is waiting on the water to support you (Matthew 14:29-31)
If you think it then it is possible (Matthew 19:26)

Sight is the opposite of faith. I know that doubts creeps into my mind everyday. Doubt implores me to look around in order to doubt what I have set my faith on. Don’t allow sight to stop you from walking on the water in 2015.

If you have a dream think bigger! By allowing your hopes to remain small you starve your imagination. It is my hope in 2015 that through some of the resources that I release you will be able to Start and Finish.

07 Jan 2015

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Blogging, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Social Media Permalink

3 Ways to Connect with Influencers

Sticky Post By christinafaith On January 7, 2015

I am extremely big on connection. Many of my friends call me the connector. I make it my responsibility to get to know people and to know more about them. My learning about people is in order to learning from them.

As a writer I have spent a few weeks getting to know Jeff Goin through his book Your Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One) and Blog.

As a director I’ve spent about 12 months researching and learning about Ava Duvernay and her distribution company AFFRM.

As a Social Media expert I’ve spent a large part of the latter half of 2014 learning about Guy Kawasaki.

Many stop at learning about people; I believe in attempting to connect with those you are learning from. You shouldn’t connect only for personal gain but to find out how you can help them as well. Recently, Guy Kawasaki emailed those who attended a Google Hangout he and Peg Fitz Patrick hosted a copy of their new book The Art of Social Media on kindle for free in exchange for your email address. I was completely ecstatic. I was recently gifted the hardcover edition of it but I wanted the digital copy.

I emailed Guy back with gratitude and asked him if I could do anything for him. He asked that I do a good Amazon review. That is the least that I can do; the book is amazing! After a few emails I realized this was a chance to invite Guy on my Podcast. For 30 minutes I was nervous and fearful; then while cooking dinner I picked up my iPad and emailed Guy with an ask. He said, “Sure connect with Kate”.

We often think that people are completely untouchable when they have a level of influence. However; social media and email gives us the chance to reach out and touch our mentors from a distance. Here are three ways to connect with influencers.

SAY HELLO – I know this is a hard one but it all begins with a hello. Don’t be afraid to say hello and ask a person how they are doing on social media. It is so important to build rapport with influencers you are connecting with.
ASK TO HELP – After you say hello ask the connector if they need help with anything. If one of there articles, books, podcast inspired or provoked change in you share it. Sharing is caring.
ASK QUESTIONS – I am good for asking questions. I don’t ask a lot of them but I will ask questions through email or a tweet. Please note: Don’t ask a lot of questions all at once unless you are interested in hiring them for consultation.

I was recently told not to take my boldness as unimportant. In the midst of securing Guy for a podcast I realized that so many people that desire to connect with influencers are afraid and fearful. The least people can do is say, “NO” or not respond. I would rather try then never have tried and regretted that I did not. What influencers will you be connecting with this month?

31 Dec 2014

Sticky Post By christinafaith Posted in Blogging, seo, Social Media, Technology, Writer With 2 Comments Permalink

5 Ways to Gain More Blog Traffic

Sticky Post By christinafaith On December 31, 2014 With 2 Comments

Photo Credit: Global X via Compfight cc

Over the last few months I have been doing a lot of experimentation with my blog, other’s blogs, social media and over all engagement. Through a fair amount of research I’ve discovered personally that the following daily practices help you gain more blog traffic

Consistency – blogging weekly matters. It’s not about long posts. It’s about connecting with your audience and being authentic. Writing a daily post of 300-500 characters helps increase blog traffic.
Bullet point Post – In order to properly show up in news feeds/search engines you should write posts with numbered bullet points. For some strange reason people love numbered post. For example: while checking out John Saddington’s top viewed post I noticed a trend; the majority of the post that people like are those that include “improvement” or “numbered bullets” to help people improve in some area of life.
Facebook Treats Pages Differently – I switched over my Facebook to a page this month. It has been a major transformation for me. I no longer engage with a feed like everyone else. I am considered a business and that has some advantages and disadvantages.
Email Subscriptions are KING – while developing your following it is important to send out weekly emails of the popular posts. If you would like to gain more subscriptions offer something for free. This coming month I will be publishing a free ebook of some sort that adds value to my audience.
SEO and Keyword Searches are IMPORTANT – You can write all day and post but if you don’t have good SEO and keywords then it’s a shot in the dark for people to find your brand. Check out this article from Adam Smith about SEO.

I will continue to write on entrepreneurship, blogging, podcasting, filmmaking, writing and publishing a book and Jesus! I realize that much of my audience desires to uses these tools to live out their best lives. Pray for me as I pray for you. There is much work to be done. Don’t allow discouragement in this new season of life to deter you. You have something the world, your community and I need. It’s time to produce!