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The Successful Living Podcast

The Successful Living Podcast

By Dinette Rivera

Entrepreneurship isn't perfect! It's exciting, messy, twisted, fun, and much like a motorcycle ride. So worth it.

This show is about helping people build businesses that allow them the freedom to live more, work less – and create the life they are meant to live.

In 2008, with less than five hundred dollars, I launched Rivera Business Development. I did it because of the belief that entrepreneurship could provide the means to rise above one’s circumstances — and it does.

Now I want to help you in your entrepreneurial journey.
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Are Your Preparing for the Buying Season?

The Successful Living PodcastAug 19, 2021

00:00
15:32
Tired of the impact external forces have on your money?

Tired of the impact external forces have on your money?

Tired of the Impact External Forces have on your money?

Welcome back to The Successful Living Podcast. ! I'm thrilled to have you here today as we delve into a topic that's close to all our hearts: success, self-awareness, and the often-overlooked aspect of financial consciousness. In a world where we tend to point fingers at external factors for our financial struggles, it's high time we turn the spotlight inward and examine our own decisions. I'm your host Dinette Rivera, and in today's episode, we're going to explore how self-awareness and financial consciousness can pave the way for a more prosperous future.

Let’s start with the blame game

When financial difficulties strike, it's easy to play the blame game. We often find ourselves pointing fingers at the economy, politics, job market, and a plethora of external factors. But what if the real key to unlocking our financial woes lies within our own decisions? Let's face it – blaming external factors might offer temporary relief, but it doesn't provide a long-term solution.

The Power of Self-Awareness

So, what's the solution? Self-awareness. Understanding our own financial habits, behaviors, and tendencies is the first step towards achieving financial consciousness. By acknowledging our own role in our financial situation, we can take control and make conscious choices that lead to positive outcomes. Self-awareness empowers us to assess our spending patterns, recognize our strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas for improvement.

Income vs. Expenses

When faced with financial challenges, the knee-jerk reaction is often to focus solely on increasing our income. We look for better-paying jobs or even consider taking on additional part-time work. While these are valid strategies, they're just one side of the coin. It's equally important to scrutinize our expenses.

Financial Decision-Making

One of the best practices is to examine our current financial decisions. Are we truly conscious of how we're spending our money? Can we account for every dollar that leaves our wallets? Savings shouldn't be an afterthought – it should be a cornerstone of our financial planning. Building an emergency fund becomes essential to safeguard against unexpected events.

Shifting the Focus

Instead of immediately seeking external solutions, consider a paradigm shift. Turn your attention inwards and evaluate your own financial habits. Ask yourself: Am I making conscious choices when it comes to spending and saving? Am I prioritizing my financial well-being? By asking these questions, you're setting the stage for a more secure future.

Crafting a Financial Future

Crafting a successful financial future requires a holistic approach. It's not just about earning more money; it's about managing that money effectively. This means understanding your financial goals, creating a budget, tracking expenses, and consistently saving for the future.

Aug 17, 202319:46
Starting your financial journey where you are

Starting your financial journey where you are

In this episode, I share a story about a conversation on financial planning. What is interesting about the conversation, is the idea that some people have that we shouldn't speak to people struggling with money because it may be disempowering. If someone is struggling financially and we speak about a financial plan, it may feel impossible to achieve. It made my stomach turn, but I realized the people in the conversation were not trained financial coaches and it is a common misconception that you cannot achieve financial wellness or build wealth without having a certain amount of money available to you. Everyone has the ability to start working on their finances, whatever their situation. The financial plan is the tool we use to help someone build the foundation for financial stability and wealth. It includes things like saving, an emergency fund, an estate plan, retirement, and more. For example, If you have children under the age of 18, you need a will and testament. I will speak about the reason for a will and testament, beyond what is typically shared in next episode of the Successful Living Podcast.

Jul 27, 202307:14
What does it take to succeed?

What does it take to succeed?

The definition of success is the achievement of a goal or purpose.

Therefore, success is found within us first and reflected in our outer world. If you feel satisfied with your life and see opportunities everywhere, that will lead to success. Otherwise, if you believe that success escapes you for lack of education, money, or some other reason, you will never feel successful.

Success has to be measured from your point of view and not from the point of view of others. Think about everything you've accomplished in life. From childhood to adult you have had to overcome many challenges. Some bigger than others, but challenges none the less. Have you ever found yourself in a very difficult situation and thought that you were not going to be able to solve it and suddenly there are possibilities? How many moments like that have you had in your life?

Success for each person is unique. We define it according to our vision for our life. For some people, success is found in their professional career. Other people measure their success in terms of the quantity of material goods. Someone else measures your success in terms of where you've traveled and the experiences you've had.

Do you want to be successful; start by understanding what it is for you? How satisfied are you with your life? If you feel like you're missing something, what is it and why?

Success is living the life you want and feeling happy with it. Success should not be measured only by the amount of money you have or the power you possess.

Activity so you can see all the success you have achieved in your life:

1. Name 10 things you've accomplished and are proud of. It doesn't matter how small or big.

2. Think of a huge problem you've had that you easily solved

3. You had a goal of buying a car, a house or taking a trip and you achieved it. What was that goal and what did you do to achieve it?

Remember that you decide what success is for you.

Jun 13, 202318:15
Unleashing Sales Success: Why Sales Strategies Matter for Small Businesses

Unleashing Sales Success: Why Sales Strategies Matter for Small Businesses

In this episode of the podcast, Dinette talks about an important topic that is often overlooked in the world of small business: sales and sales strategies. While there are many workshops and resources available on marketing, very few focus specifically on sales, despite the fact that it is a crucial aspect of running a successful business. Dinette explains why it's so important to develop effective sales strategies and shares some tips and insights to help listeners get started. Whether you're a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or just someone looking to improve your sales skills, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to set achievable sales goals, identify your ideal customers, and develop a sales plan that will help you get where you want to be at the end of the year. Don't miss out on this valuable information that could take your business to the next level!

Apr 20, 202320:09
I thought I would share what's in my head

I thought I would share what's in my head

I have been going through some tough times as we all do at one time or another. So, I decided I would share it with you.




       

Feb 21, 202327:31
Mariela Romero on Cultural Mastery: Building Bridges Between Communities

Mariela Romero on Cultural Mastery: Building Bridges Between Communities

Mariela Romero, talks about Cultural Mastery, joins us to share her insights on creating bridges between communities and fostering inclusion and equity. Mariela is a multilingual, passionate journalist, writer, producer, and public relations professional with over 30 years in broadcasting. – with a focus on empowering communities. In this powerful talk, she shares how we can all work to create more equitable and inclusive societies.  

Thanks to her exceptional skill set for creating content, she has received 27 Emmy Awards from the Academy of Television Arts – Southeast region.  Furthermore, the Latin American Association recognized her with the prestigious Olga C. de Goizueta award in 2019.   

In 2020 Mariela Romero joined the National Juvenile Defender Center board, now The Gault Center, and the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C.; she is also an Emeritus board member of the Community Foundation of North Georgia.  

In 2021 the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce inducted her into the Most Influential Latinos Hall of Fame.   

For more informacion, contact me Dinette Rivera at: 🌐 www.dinetterivera.com ✉️ me@dinetterivera.com  

#MarielaRomero #CulturalMastery #buildingbridges #communities #Latinos

Oct 24, 202236:52
How To Unlock Your Potential By Changing Your Beliefs

How To Unlock Your Potential By Changing Your Beliefs

In this podcast, I'm going to talk about how you can unlock your potential by changing your beliefs.  

Hey there, my name is Dinette Rivera and in this video I want to talk to you about something that's really important. Your beliefs play a huge role in determining your success in life. If you want to achieve more, then you need to start by changing the beliefs that are holding you back. So stick around and I'll show you how it's done.

Happy International Podcast Day !

Contact me at:

🌐 www.dinetterivera.com
📙  "The Successful Living Action Plan" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SUCCESSFUL-LIVING-ACTION-PLAN-Prosperity/dp/B0892792HW/

Sep 30, 202217:02
¿Why is the sales process so scary for most people?

¿Why is the sales process so scary for most people?

Everyone engages in some form of sales. Getting comfortable with the sales conversation is a challenge for most people. When we "sell" ourselves for personal reasons, outside of our job or business, it seems natural to us. We don't consider ourselves to be selling.

Think about the first time you saw someone you were attracted to. What happened? I'm sure you found a creative way to approach that person and talk to them. You may have gone out of your way to impress that person. You felt emotionally charged.

Why then is the sales process so scary for most people? One of the problems with all targets is not having a compelling enough reason to get you over your barriers to network effectively, go out and make sales calls, or pick up the dreaded phone for a "cold call."

I've used some pretty powerful words to describe how little I enjoy cold calling. That process has never come naturally to me. I am very good at inside sales or those that come from relationship building. How did I combine the two? I had to build my own businesses, but even that wasn't enough.

Becoming comfortable with sales comes from having powerful reasons for what selling will mean to you and your company. Visualize the results that come from increased revenue, how the product or service will benefit the customer,

Point: When it comes to sales, there can be a level of discomfort. Think about what your product or service does for others. Next, think about the goals you will achieve if you are comfortable with the sales process.

Apr 20, 202233:33
The misunderstood emergency fund and why you should invest in it.

The misunderstood emergency fund and why you should invest in it.

I have trained many financial coaches and have been involved with different training programs where the emergency fund is something you have no knowledge or management of. 

People seem confused about what a savings account is or something else, raising questions like: Why can't I have a savings account? Why does it have to be an emergency fund?  A savings account is for things like vacations or day-to-day management of your money, but an emergency fund is a safety net. It is set up for when you need money to manage a crisis.

If you have family living abroad, a sudden death or illness could make you want to live and be there with your family. If there is no emergency fund, you may have to rely on family and friends to help you financially.  

There are people at all income levels living on the edge. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff and wondering when something is going to push you off the cliff. 


"You shouldn't have to worry about finances when you're dealing with a crisis, such as the death of a loved one." 


How can you start it? You start where you are and work toward behavior change. Anything we want to accomplish requires that our behavior align with what we want to accomplish. If you want to start an emergency fund, start by saving, the amount is not so important in the beginning, the important thing is to create a habit of saving. 

Want to learn more about the emergency fund, follow this  podcast,  https://open.spotify.com/show/1YinIbad3ZOAAVwejIEecs

follow our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dinette.rivera/, https://www.facebook.com/riverabusinessdevelopment

follow our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/dinetterivera/

follow our page www.dinetterivera.com

Mar 10, 202214:32
The best way to manage your cash flow

The best way to manage your cash flow

In this episode I will tell you what cash flow is and what is the best way to manage it.

It is of great value to start by identifying the month's income, since most people take into account the paydays and bills, but do not take into account the exact date when they have the income or when those payments are due, if that is your case you may be in a cash flow problem.

If you want to create your own financial stability, start by knowing when money comes in regularly and when bills are due. Next, consider monthly variable expenses, such as groceries, gas, tolls, gift giving, oil changes are variable. 

They are not due at the same time every month and the amount we spend varies month to month. Think about the vacations and how different those months are from the rest of the year. Set aside funds for variable expenses based on previous months and what you anticipate as additional expenses. Depending on variable expenses and what you want for your future, start an emergency fund, followed by a savings account. 

if you want to have accompaniment in this field contact me and I will show you step by step how to achieve it and you will see that your finances will never again be a difficulty.

Want to learn more about the cash flow, follow this  podcast,  https://open.spotify.com/show/1YinIbad3ZOAAVwejIEecs

follow our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dinette.rivera/, https://www.facebook.com/riverabusinessdevelopment

follow our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/dinetterivera/

follow our page www.dinetterivera.com

Mar 01, 202223:20
Are you fully aware of how to spend your money?
Feb 09, 202220:24
5 Questions to ask before spending this holiday season

5 Questions to ask before spending this holiday season

If you want to keep yourself from spending more money than you should during the holidays, there are five questions you can ask yourself before going shopping. These questions are designed to help you think about who you are shopping for, why they are on that list and what you can do to show them your love without blowing your budget.

Understand that powerful reasons for wanting to achieve a goal will help us stay on track. We set most goals with superficial reasons. Those superficial reasons will not keep you from going overboard with gift giving. 

The 5 questions I share here will give you the opportunity to give for all the right reasons, limit your spending and show your family and friends the love you have for them. All this and you can come out of the Christmas season debt free. Imagine that!

Dec 21, 202119:10
How to Eliminate Your Limiting Beliefs
Nov 23, 202117:04
Are You The Observer Of Your Life? Start Now.

Are You The Observer Of Your Life? Start Now.

We talk a lot about how important it is to make time to discover who we are. If you want to increase the likelihood of achieving a goal, you have to understand who you are.

Is the problem how can I find out who I am?

Become the observer of your life, being aware of what you do every day.

Let me offer a small suggestion. Observe your way of brushing your teeth. If you think about it, on occasion your parents or perhaps a dentist gave you suggestions to take care of your dental health. Brushing your teeth is something that has become an unconscious act. You don't have to think about the steps. It's like being on autopilot.

The next time you brush your teeth, watch the process. This is a simple way to become an observer of your life. With this small step, you will see that you will begin to notice other things you do daily.

I hope that with this step you feel motivated to discover who you are. Don't judge yourself. Just be aware of what you're doing. Over time you will decide if you want to change something in your life and having observed who you are will help you make the changes you want.

Nov 08, 202111:31
Getting to know you

Getting to know you

There is a method for changing our behavior to align with what we want to achieve, and it starts with the Successful Living Path to Prosperity, built on the 5 Pillars of Success:

· Self-Discovery/Inner Healing

· Lifelong Learning

· Income-Producing Activities

· Financial Capability

· Social Responsibility/Community

Today I want to talk about Self-Discovery. Why do I speak about this the most? Because without it, success will remain elusive.

Nothing changes until you change your mind. To change your mind, you must get to know yourself.

Who are you? You are the most important person you will ever meet. Do you really know how you think? Where do your beliefs come from? The come from so many influences during our lifetime. From the moment you are born, you start to see the world through the eyes of your family and everyone around you. Once you are off to school, you begin to be influenced by the world outside your home. From there you embrace the beliefs of coworkers, friends, and all sources of media.

You become what you focus on. The more you focus on a belief, it becomes part of who you are. It leads to your habits and how you interact with the world.

Knowing this, I ask you again, who are you? Are your beliefs and behaviors in alignment with the life you envision for yourself?

For today, I want to leave you with a small step towards self-discovery:

“Success cannot be achieved without a mind willing to change” Start by becoming aware of your beliefs by being present with your thoughts. Become “conscious” of what you feel, say, and do. If possible, write what you learn from this step.

Oct 26, 202114:10
Who is in the Driver's Seat on Your Journey?

Who is in the Driver's Seat on Your Journey?

Who is in the driver’s seat of your life? Are you controlling the vehicle that is taking you where you want to go, or are you on autopilot? Are you getting to your destination and not realizing how you got there? Let’s talk about taking control of the wheel of life.

Do you believe you are a limited human being? I remember when I was a child, and I was taught that I was created in God’s image. I thought about how awesome that was. Imagine me, a little girl, thinking I could live the life I imagined. Of course, back then it was more about candy and toys and pretty clothes. At times it was about wanting my parents to be happy. If I was made in God’s image, there wasn’t anything I could not do. Then I grew up. It appeared what I had thought, wasn’t exactly what I understood. Slowly, I stopped believing in myself and the power I possessed inside to be, do, and have whatever I wanted. That was then.

As I began my journey of self-discovery and read thousands of books, magazines, books on beliefs, religions and so many interesting things, I rediscovered the power I possess to create the life I desire. I am in control of my life. How I live it is a choice. I cannot control the world around me. What I can control is how I handle it.

When the road gets bumpy and I get a flat, I don’t have to panic. I know what to do. I can change my own “tire”. I have options. Those options may not always be the one I wish to I could choose, but I have choice, nonetheless.

How you live your life is your choice. How can you choose to be happy when the world around you is violent or sad or full of hatred? You focus on something different. You choose to do something that will change your perspective. You decide if you are going to contribute to the hatred, the sadness and violence or you choose to find peace. You think about being loved and how grateful you are to be loved. You remind yourself of the things that have happened that made you laugh; made you feel good and make you happy.

What makes life so complicated is how much time we spend thinking about what isn’t, instead of changing what is. So much about change comes down to taking a small step. I cannot change my environment overnight. What I could do is start thinking about other options. The more you spend time thinking about what you can do now, the more you begin to focus your brain on finding ways to make those changes possible. I know this may unrealistic. What if you give yourself permission to prove me wrong? What if you learn more about the power you possess to change your mind and change your life? What would it hurt?

Take a chance on you. Test the idea that you can genuinely choose the life you desire.

Sep 30, 202118:31
Where to Start for Better Mental Fitness

Where to Start for Better Mental Fitness

What is mental fitness? I prefer Flinders University’s definition:

“Your ability to cope with and meet the psychological demands of life, without undue fatigue or damage to your mind or body”.

“A personal framework for understanding what we can do, as individuals, to build a happier and more productive life.”

In my book, The Successful Living Podcast, I speak extensively about self-discovery. Awareness is the first step when it comes to self-discovery. Without it nothing can change. If your goal is mental fitness, you must have the desire for it. The desire for mental fitness comes from the desire for feelings of well-being and good health.

This is where behavior change starts to happen. You must believe that mental fitness is desirable, important, and necessary. Therefore, you have to start with becoming aware of your beliefs around fitness. In particular, mental fitness.

This awareness leads to goals for achieving mental fitness. Like any fitness goal, you make choices based on those goals. Once those goals are established, your behavior must align with your goals.

Where can you start? Start by becoming aware of your habits and how they affect your mental health. The foods you eat, the physical environment in which you live and the beliefs you embrace lead to your habits. Becoming aware of those habits is a great start towards mental fitness.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or other mental health concerns, please seek guidance from your physician before considering any mental fitness goal or program.

Sep 23, 202117:60
No wonder it's a struggle to run your business!

No wonder it's a struggle to run your business!

When I started my company I knew nothing about it. You would think I did because I worked in management my entire working career. I had the good fortune of working for a man in Italy, on a military base, that taught me everything he knew about running a business. I was twenty two then. Every job I ever did after that first job was in management. Of course I was able to start my business. What I didn't know was how to run it. Every company I worked for was already established. All the systems were in place. There were processes for hiring and they had an HR person. There admin people and other workers. Everything was in place. My years of business experience and continuing education gave me what I needed to have a business that in 2021 celebrated its 13th year. Only in recent times did I focus on improving the systems and processes I needed to run my business efficiently and limit the number of hats I have to wear. Not having a good plan for how to run and grow your business limits your potential to grow it into a company that can one day be sold as part of your succession plan. Make time to look at your business with fresh eyes. Take a day off. Put an away message on your phone and email. Tell your team that you cannot be reached that day and focus on the gaps, the holes and anything else that needs your attention for your business to grow. This is something we should all do at least once a year. I focus on my business with obsession. I am constantly improving what we're doing. If you want to have a succession plan, you have a business that can be sold. Whatever the future holds for your business it will be closely relatated to how you're running it today.



Sep 01, 202115:42
How You Start Your Day Determines How it Works Out

How You Start Your Day Determines How it Works Out

How you start your day sets you up for how the rest of the day is going to go. I get up early in the morning and start working because I can feel tired in the afternoon. The sleep problems I've had most of my adult life, make it hard for me to do creative work or projects that require a lot of thinking and writing. Do you hit the snooze button ten times in the morning? Do you misplace your car keys and cannot find them in the morning? If you are not a morning person, do a few things the night before. As soon as you wake up, what are you thinking? Do you start complaining? I choose gratitude and meditation to get myself in the best mood. 

I share a few ideas for making your morning and day better and why getting to know yourself is so important for this.

Aug 27, 202114:54
Are Your Preparing for the Buying Season?

Are Your Preparing for the Buying Season?

In the United States, August starts the buying season. Even with the pandemic, people start getting into a buying and spending mindset because of back to school. We are bombarded with ads about the things we need to buy for children going back to school. This mindset stays with us, as we go into September and the end of the year. How prepared will you be to increase sales during this season?

Once everyone gets into the spending and buying mindset, it goes beyond back to school. The buying doesn't stop at gift giving either. Women typically do the buying in their homes. As women entrepreneurs, we have to keep that in mind and decide what products we have that we can sell while people are in purchasing mode. 

You may not have a product or service that most people would buy as a gift. What you need to remember is that people in a buying mindset are buying for themselves too. Your job is to decide what product or service makes sense to advertise now and get ready.

What do you have to do to prepare? Most people are buying online. What technology will you need for online sales? If you do not have an online store, what will you do now to get ready? You will need to think about the purchase and what is needed. Shipping and handling services will have to be in place. What inventory needs must be met to be ready for an increase in sales. 

I cannot predict what will happen during this season of buying. What I can predict is that those of us that prepare now will be better positioned to sell our products or services than those who do not.

As a financial coach I would feel terrible if I did not stress the importance of budgeting for this shopping season. The pandemic assistance programs for entrepreneurs and many others are ending in September in the United States. It will have some impact on the buying season, but it will not stop it. What do you offer that someone will consider a good investment in the next few months?


Aug 19, 202115:32
Why is wanting to be rich a bad thing?

Why is wanting to be rich a bad thing?

People often apologize or become uncomfortable when we speak about wanting wealth or striving to get to a million dollars.

For some there is a belief that wanting money goes against their value. Many factors have given the impression that money is bad. There is the belief that rich people are greedy. There is the belief that money is at the root of all evil. We could spend hours talking about these beliefs and how they came to be, but my purpose today is to put things into perspective. To accumulate wealth of any amount requires understanding what you value and questioning if building wealth really goes against those values.

Do you want a better life for your family? What is the value? Does wanting money go against that value?

Money is something we exchange for goods and services. It is neither good nor bad. I like Mark Mason’s comment from his post, The Real Value of Money: “Money is inherently neutral. It’s merely a vessel for the exchange of experiences between two people”. What a great way to put it.

Aug 05, 202120:56
Podcast random thoughts, apologies and why I would never change a thing

Podcast random thoughts, apologies and why I would never change a thing

Being open about our struggles with podcast timing, why Manny is not present and many other random thoughts. In this podcast I share the struggles we're experiencing with trying to honor our commitment to our listeners to show up regularly and at the expected times. Life is full of many responsibilities that get in the way of our goal of consistency, but I love entrepreneurship and wouldn't change a thing.

Jul 31, 202112:18
Is Self-discipline a Challenge?

Is Self-discipline a Challenge?

Within Self-discovery there are many things we have to learn about ourselves. In this podcast we come clean and take responsibility for not showing up on our podcast for a month. While we had reasons, a little self-discipline and organization would have kept our podcast on schedule. We chose to speak about it because avoiding it or pretending it didn't happen we wanted to take honor our listeners and show respect. 

Self-discipline is a skill, like all skills, in need of constant growth and development. When we do not accomplish our goals or do not keep our word and miss a deadline, making excuses is not the answer. After all the excuses we make are made to yourself. Taking responsibility for lack of self-discipline is a step in the right direction. 

Jul 22, 202132:36
Income-Producing Activities: The 3rd Pillar of Success

Income-Producing Activities: The 3rd Pillar of Success

Income-Producing Activities are a foundation for reaching our goals. There are many ways to make money work for you. It is not always about getting a job or a second job. Working for others is one way to make money. Working for yourself and taking advantage of passive income opportunities are others. Money is a resource to exchange goods for services. There are many ways to "make money". 

Working for someone else, full time or part time, is still one of the most common ways to make money. In this episode we talk share a few examples of ways we make money. What we have to realize is that there are not enough hours in the day to work for money. Another way is to let money work for you. This is what we call passive income. Things like investments, rental properties, retirement accounts and residual income are other ways.

A skills checklist that I use to work with my clients is a tool to explore the many talents, skills and hobbies you can turn into income-producing activities. Things you can fit into your lifestyle as a way to reach your goals. You can go to www.dinetterivera.com and request the Skills Checklist. You can also find it with the video post for this podcast on our Facebook page at Rivera Business Development. 

May 26, 202127:06
Gain Awareness to Organize Your Life

Gain Awareness to Organize Your Life

In today's podcast we have a special guest with whom we will talk about the importance of organizing our lifestyle habits in order to meet the goals we set for ourselves daily, she is Tonya Thomas, who is the founder of Team Delegate, LLC, an executive virtual assistant  company. We invite you to listen in and share this podcast with your community.

May 19, 202133:42
What is missing from remote work?

What is missing from remote work?

In this episode Manny and I explore why remote work can be a problem for entrepreneurs and employees alike. I share my own experiences with remote work and we talk about what Manny and I do to make it better. This is not for everyone, but given the circumstances, there are skills that can be improved to make remote work more productive and manageable.

May 13, 202130:35
Are you ready for the changes?

Are you ready for the changes?

In this chapter of The Successful Living I share what happens when we do not have a good strategic plan to navigate the changes that may affect us and how to adapt to those changes.  In particular, the changes that affect companies.  I share examples of what happens when we ignore what is happening around us.  I also talk about ideas to be better prepared.

May 05, 202133:35
Gratitude, an opportunity for change

Gratitude, an opportunity for change

You can also find this podcast on video at https://www.facebook.com/riverabusinessdevelopment

Every time you go through a difficult moment in your life, you stop to think about why?


In this podcast we will talk about the importance of gratitude as an option to observe what happens to you from different points of view, listen to us here

Apr 29, 202118:26
Why nothing changes until you change

Why nothing changes until you change

In this episode I share why I changed my mind around the podcast format because I want to be open with you, my listening audience. I also share how and why I left a job I had loved because I decided that change was necessary for my own wellbeing and self-respect. I encourage you to understand why change must happen internally, if you want to see change in your life.

Apr 21, 202117:33
Your Money Hidden in Plain Sight

Your Money Hidden in Plain Sight

In this episode, I share a story of how I saved $2000 a year by taking a step I share in this episode. When training financial coaches, I speak about how much money we allow to flow through our hands without noticing it because we look at our budget needs and go to adding income or cutting expenses. Nothing wrong with this. The problem is we are forgetting to renegotiate things like loan payments or insurance payments. How much money are you lending to the IRS for a year, interest free? When you do not benefit from the proper tax deductions, you are leaving money that could be helping you with your retirement, emergency funds and more. The ideas in this episode with help you look at your money differently. Every time I train coaches, it seems someone comes back with a story of how they were motivated, went home and made a call and found money hidden in plain sight.

Mar 31, 202117:04
Boost Your Belief System to Power Up Your Success

Boost Your Belief System to Power Up Your Success

How can you boost your belief in your abilities when you have those moments of doubt? How often do you question your ability to reach a goal? Often we set a goal. We base it on the best available evidence. We know we have chosen how to reach it with facts and then the doubts creep in. Those doubts and insecurities come from thoughts planted deep in our mind. Most often with no basis. Yet they paralyze us. Keep us from moving forward. 

Boosting our belief system to power up our success is part of the Self-Discovery Pillar. I speak about this in my book, The Successful Living Action Plan: Your Path to Prosperity. There are many ways power up, today I share one step that can help you keep the self-doubt from stopping you from reaching your goals.

Mar 24, 202114:14
Are you trying to sell or add value?

Are you trying to sell or add value?

Can you recall the first time you met the person you felt you wanted in your life? How hard did you work at convincing them you were the one? We go out of our way to let them see all the good things we bring into their life. It is a natural talent. Why then, do we forget to use that same skill when we are interviewing for a job, trying to get funding or pitching our products? Instead of focusing on them, we go into convincing the person on why what we are selling is so good. 

As an entrepreneur, you are never off from work. You are always thinking about your business. I was thinking about a new product we recently launched and the marketing, when I realized the focus is all wrong. It is so easy to think your focus is on the client and realize it is all about you. Even seasoned business owners can make this mistake. We do it in other relationships too.

Have you ever had a conversation with a relative and they tell you "they are not buying what your selling"? No one wants to be sold on something. We want to know how it will make our life better. The next time you are working on your sales strategy, think about that first love and draw on your natural talents. Focus on helping your potential buyer, boss or investor understand the benefit to them. 

Mar 17, 202113:58
Lifelong Learning for Your Subconscious Mind

Lifelong Learning for Your Subconscious Mind

Learning to tap into your subconscious mind is a skill we must develop. Those thoughts and ideas that come unexpectedly can serve you well, however they can vanish as quickly as they entered your consciousness. Today I want to share with you why lifelong learning creates the opportunity for quality information to be stored and accessed by your subconscious mind. I am not presenting this as a study of how our brain works. I leave that to the scientists. I want to explain in a simple way that the quality of your thoughts is fed by the lessons you learn. 

My best ideas and decisions come from having learned to tap into the knowledge available to me in my subconscious mind. How do I know this? Because they come to me unexpectedly during moments of stillness and meditation. It also happens when I am driving with no distractions or  during a walk in nature.  Lifelong learning is feeding that subconscious vault of information to be accessed when you need it most. Just do not ask me how it happens.  The next time you have one of those moments, listen to what it is telling you and write it down as fast as you can :)


Mar 10, 202119:43
Do you know if you are getting the best value for your money?

Do you know if you are getting the best value for your money?

When was the last time you shopped for insurance? People feel proud to say they have been with their insurance company for 20 years. I have a problem with that. Have they been getting the best rates? I saved $2000 a year on my auto insurance by switching companies. Imagine? I was charged $2700 and people were suggesting I shop around because my vehicle is a Sling Shot which is classified as a motorcycle. I called and it went from $2700 for that year to $700. What decisions are you making about money that are costing you more than they should?

Mar 03, 202115:49
Success is about how you respond to life's events

Success is about how you respond to life's events

Success is internal. It is not something you look for and find. The more you understand that you have more control over your life than you think, the more successful you become. We cannot control what happens in the world around us. What we can control is how we respond to it. In other words, how we react to the circumstances that happen. 

Blaming others, losing control, getting angry are  responses when you feel out of control. The secret to a more successful life is to realize you have more control over your life than you may think. 

In today's podcast I talk about what it is like to live your life recognizing that you cannot control everything that happens, but you can take control of how you react. Join me and find out what I had to do to feel more successful at managing what happens in my life and how you can do it too.

Feb 24, 202115:07
Fall in Love with the Numbers

Fall in Love with the Numbers

One of the top reasons that always shows up for business failure is the lack of financial projections. Most small businesses are started out of a need, something  you want that your job cannot give you. Whatever the reason, most people start the business without any plan, other than to sell something and make money.  I did not love the numbers either. Of course, I wanted to make money. Is it not why you start your business? The only numbers I loved were those on the deposits in my bank account. If you do not like working with spreadsheets and preparing financial projections, you can hire someone to do them for you or you have to find a way to manage the cash in and cash out process for yourself. If you are not borrowing, I do not care how you do it, but you have to understand the cash flow process. When is cash coming in and when is it going out. In other words, when does the money from sales go into your bank account and when are your bills due for payment? Listen in as I go into a bit of a rant, but this is keeping so many businesses from success. I want you to succeed. If you do not take control of your cash flow, you are setting yourself up for failure. The process can be easier than you think. I know. Formal financial projections have never been my thing either. It does not stop me from looking at my numbers. We fall in love with so many other things, why not your cash flow numbers?

Nov 19, 202009:58
Let Us Talk About Money

Let Us Talk About Money

We have to talk more about money. We do not stop to think about the impact our financial decisions make on our way of life. A great place to start the conversation is to talk about an emergency fund. Listen in as I make the case for the emergency fund and how you can speak with someone to help them understand why it matters.

Oct 20, 202020:00
How do you make contact with your potential clients when you are not sure of who they are?

How do you make contact with your potential clients when you are not sure of who they are?

In this episode I share the struggle that many of us have when identifying our client. Who is your client is not as easy to answer as it is made to appear. This episode was originally recorded on October 2019 and missed publication. Now that it is October and Consider how important this is in our marketing, I decided to share it. Listen in as I describe my own struggles and how to answer the question; who is your customer?
Oct 07, 202019:22
Interview with Shahram Heshmat

Interview with Shahram Heshmat

In this episode I am pleased to introduce Shahram Heshmat is an emeritus (and currently Adjunct) profesor of addiction and Health Economics at the University of Illinois Springfield. He received a PhD in Managerial Economics in 1984 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), whit a specialty in Health Economics. His research has focused particularly on the behavioral economics of addiction and self-control, whith broader implications for behavioral change. His recent books include Eating Behavior and Obesity: Behavioral Economics Strategies for Health Professionals, NY: Springer (2011); Addiction: A Behavioral Economics Perpective, NY: Routledge/Psychology Press (2015). Overall, these two texts expose readers to errors of judgment, oddities of choice, and identify obstacles to sensible and socially desirable choices that serve their best interests. He regularly writes the Addiction blog for the Psychology Today. He is regularly invited as an experto n Addiction for an interview by Radio talk show, podcast, and magazines.

Oct 01, 202031:10
Triggers to change behavior

Triggers to change behavior

In this podcast I will talk about Triggers to change behavior.

Sep 24, 202012:33
Do Not Give Up on 2020

Do Not Give Up on 2020

This is no time to give up on 2020 and your business because of the COVID 19 pandemic. There are 5 months left in 2020 to find ways to generate revenue. The year is not lost, as many make us believe. It is true that we have been affected by the pandemic at a global level impossible to anticipate or imagine before it happened to us. Individually, however, life brings us challenges that affect our lives and we have to overcome them. For each of us, this pandemic is the same. I have been here before during the twelve years I have had my company. In these twelve years I have been through many tragedies and very difficult times and I had to move on. Look at your projections for this year, make adjustments based on your circumstances and focus on your monthly goals. When you set goals for this year, you could not anticipate that we would have a pandemic. Go back to your projections and look at your projections for what is left of the year, under this situation. There is a lot of life left to live and work to do. Don't give up on 2020.

Sep 17, 202015:17
What It Means to Feel Successful
Jul 08, 202010:34
What I Learned from Publishing a Book
Jun 04, 202013:32
Forget What You Know About Goals

Forget What You Know About Goals

If you've ever been frustrated because you go about planning your life and goals, only to find you've missed the deadline, you want to listen in for a method that is easy to follow and flows with how you think. We know so much more about our brain and the mind, and it's changing our approach to behavior change. After all, what is a goal, but a decision you make to change a behavior for the better.
So many times I asked myself why I was so good at accomplishing certain things, but following the process of goal setting often led to failure. As a trainer and coach, I needed the answer so I could increase the chances for success.
In this episode, I share with you a simple strategy to change how you approach goal setting. It is the first step towards improving how you change behavior to achieve what you want. It has changed my own life in ways I didn't imagine.
Feb 07, 202015:37
The impact of money on life, when shift happens

The impact of money on life, when shift happens

As a financial coach and trainer I hear so many money stories. People are living above their means at all income levels. There are people making millions and they will fall harder than the person working for them for a minimum wage. Why? They don't know how to manage their money. Stop thinking it's a poor people problem. If you are not considering how money impacts every bit of your life, you're putting your financial stability at risk. Worse yet, you're putting everyone that trusts and relies on you at risk.

One small shift and everything changes financially. Listen to what it did to me and my family. Learn from my mistakes.


Dec 27, 201920:02
Pleased to Meet You

Pleased to Meet You

I can't get to know you until you get to know yourself. When was the last time you asked yourself who you really are? Success is an inside job. Can you remember the last time you got mad because of something someone said to you? Sometimes our reaction is a reflex because it brought something up that hurts our feelings. Has that happened to you? Later, when you had time, did you reflect on it? Maybe it isn't about what happened now. Maybe it's about what happened long ago. 

We can't live in the past. What we need is to know that everything that happens to us, becomes part of who we are. In this episode I talk about this and where to start to get to know the most important person in your life: YOU!

Dec 20, 201920:35
The Simplicity of Evidence-Based Practices in Your Work

The Simplicity of Evidence-Based Practices in Your Work

In this episode, I share how I became obsessed with learning how to improve the lives of the people we trained, by delivering better programs. Where the search for answers took me and finally, how to implement Evidence-Based Practices in everything we do.

Evidence-Based Leadership is about making sound decisions. It's about making those decisions based on more than your experience and intuition. While your experiences play an important role in your work, after all you were hired as an employee or contractor for your experience and education. However, those decisions are still biased. They come from who you are. 

Your beliefs, your past experiences, and your biases all contribute to the decisions you make in work and life. You can't escape it. If you're a leader determined to build a better company, solve a world problem or make better decisions for your own life, Evidence-Based Practices will be a game changer. 

Even if you've heard of Evidence-Based Practices or Evidence-Based Decision-Making, you've likely heard it's time consuming, not cost effective and complicated. I'm the business consultant that looks to find solutions that make sense, are easy to implement and cost effective. We start small,  and build towards the future. Evidence-Based Practices can be learned and applied in leadership to make decision-making more effective, without overwhelming your team or yourself.

Starting today, you will come to know that it's not impossible to make better decisions based on four important components: 

  • Your experience 
  • What the research tells you
  • The values and concerns of the stakeholders  
  • The organizational data. 

Sound complicated? Listen in on why it's easier than you think.





Sep 22, 201926:15
How do you keep your promise when it’s not easy

How do you keep your promise when it’s not easy

Keeping your promise can be hard. You have the best intentions, but things are getting in the way. It comes down to your choice and what you prioritize.. For everything, you can choose to keep your word or make excuses. Your word is everything.
Sep 14, 201905:14
How I Shifted My Mindset and Changed How I see the Sales Process

How I Shifted My Mindset and Changed How I see the Sales Process

I can’t believe it. How a mindset shift changed my sales process and how you can do it too. Everything in life is affected by how you see things unfolding. If you want more money, help more people understand why you have the solution.
Sep 04, 201921:32
Don't Sell. Build Relationships That Last.

Don't Sell. Build Relationships That Last.

Are you uncomfortable with the sales process? If you're not selling you're broke. This week I share what it took for me to get comfortable with the sales process and what it took for me to get there.
When I decided to take my business to the next growth phase, I knew I had to change how I felt about selling. Once again, I had to look at my sales process and find the problems. Before you look for the external factors affecting your business, do the internal checkup.
Many of the breakthroughs we achieve in life come when we get uncomfortable and find a way out of the discomfort.
Aug 24, 201926:49