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HerProBlog.COM Project Is On Hold.
I am very sorry for the inactiveness of this website. My hopes were and still are high for this site but due to some family issues I will have to put this project on hold for a while.
The time needed to keep this website updated and active is too much for me right now. My hope is that in a few months things will settle a little in my home life that I can breathe life back into HerProBlog.com. All existing content will remain published.
Please keep HerProBlog.COM in your bookmarks and check back from time to time.
Thanks for your understanding.
Why Set Goals?
Setting goals is a very significant part of success and positive accomplishments as is your positive outlook and self discipline..
Goal setting is about laying out the framework of your plan, following through on that plan, and eventually achieving the things you want in your life. You achieve satisfaction at completion and also develop new successful habits.
Goals give you long-term vision and short-term motivation. They help you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the very most of your life by concentrating your efforts.
Setting goals creates a map or blueprint for your direction and target achievements in life… marking where you should begin, where to pause, where to dig in, and where and when to stop. Your blueprint also allows you to see if you are making achievements that are taking you closer to your goals.
Setting goals enables you to track your progress and helps you become more confident and motivated to achieve your plans. It’s important to measure your progress towards your goal. It’s also especially important to recognize when you have accomplished your goal and need to go no further. This allows you to refocus on your next achievement.
Goal setting helps you be proactive in dealing with challenges that may affect your plans. This allows you to outline possible difficulties that may occur as well as your solutions to these difficulties. You will be prepared with a solution or strategy when that times comes (and we all get those unexpected hiccups that life throws us when we least expect it) and you will cope better as you already have a plan in mind.
Setting goals can be used in every aspect of your life from personal or family life, to your career and finances. Goal setting can be as simple or more involved and it is recommended to include set standards that would suit your present situation and capabilities.
Without goals to strive for you become comfortable in life but not enthusiastic. If you no longer feel challenged, goals will give you a sense of purpose and direction.
Goal setting is about laying out your plan, following through on that plan, and eventually achieving the things you want in your life….And you deserve the best that life has to offer!
Goals Create Meaning....
Pursuing life goals directed toward growth, such as striving “to foster personal growth, meaningful relationships and contributions to society” – in contrast to striving for “money, status or approval” – provides unique benefits (Spinath & Stiensmeier-Pelster, 2003).
Pursuit of “growth” goals leads to increased self-development and personal well-being, including life satisfaction and happiness, even if the goals remain uncompleted.
Write down your goals
Writing down your goals keeps you focused. Just imagine…. when you’re at the crossroads you will be helped in your choice of direction when you have a written plan to follow. This will help with these distractions and get you back on track faster.
Researchers have found that those who had written their goals down achieved much of what they originally wanted. Setting one goal at a time helps you focus on it as your priority and concentrates your efforts.
Do your goals meet the criteria for SMART goals:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
Have you ever wondered why people fail to achieve their goals?
According to Dr Maxwell Maltz author of PsychoCybernetics, one of the three main reasons is because most people choose the wrong goals to which they have no burning desire to achieve.
How you benefit from setting goals….
* Increases your motivation to achieve
* Increase your pride and satisfaction in your achievements
Research has shown that people who use goal setting effectively:
* Suffer less from stress and anxiety
* Concentrate better
* Show more self confidence
* Perform better
* Are happier and more satisfied.
To get outstanding results learn how to focus and concentrate your time, energy and resources on a single objective.
Be like a laser beam focused on your target and this energy will produce greater results achieved sooner.
Goal setting is a powerful process for motivating yourself to turn this vision of your future into reality. You deserve the best that life has to offer!
Video:Top 10 Motivational Tips To Achieve Your Goals
Are you finding it hard staying motivated towards your goals? This short, but powerful video will encourage you with top 10 motivational tips to help you achieve your goals.
Learn how to reinforce your strategies for reaching your goals instead of losing sight of them. Hold onto your dream and make it a reality by staying motivated towards your goals!
Top 10 Motivational Tips:
1. Set Realistic Goals
2. Social Support
3. Positive Attitude
4. Track Your Progress
5. Visual Reminders
6. Reward Yourself
7. Find A Mentor
8. Make It Fun!
9. Reinforce Your Goals
10. Don't Set Yourself Up For Failure
Words of Encouragement
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are under way and I’m sure you can identify with these athletes as they prepare to represent their countries.
Are you hanging back or taking advantage of golden opportunities to dive off the starting blocks and propel yourself to greatness?
Like many athletes this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that needs to be grasped with both hands to make the most of this special moment in time. Are there opportunities in your life slipping by?
"Life Is A Daring Adventure Or Nothing At All"
~ Helen Keller ~
For many to go after your dreams you need words of encouragement to help you feel confident enough to take these first steps.
Never underestimate 'The Power Of Encouraging Words'. Receiving and giving encouraging words help others to develop their strengths. While it’s important to give words of encouragement to others, it is vital to give them to yourself.
You can uplift and strengthen by your words of encouragement not only to others but also to encourage yourself. ..Remember to take time out to occasionally give yourself a pat on the back.
During these times of change usually known as ‘Lessons of Life’....You need words of encouragement especially when… from out of nowhere and totally unexpected….that curve ball comes your way and wants to suck the wind right out of your sails.
“You Can't Change The Direction Of The Wind, But…
You Can Adjust Your Sails To Always Reach Your Destination.”
You may be wondering how to encourage yourself. Are you aware that compliments, encouragement and praise can shape lives and futures? Words are powerful and can heal or hurt. I want you to stop & think for a moment and ask yourself....How are your own words shaping your future?
A great exercise is to make a list of the positive and negative ways you describe yourself. This list is for your eyes only so don’t feel you have to share it with others. Now I'm asking you to be honest and look over your list of words and phrases. Are your words encouraging or discouraging? Do you believe your words are limiting your ability to accomplish all that you deserve in life? Putting on 'mind blinkers' can also screen out your success.
It is time to recognize that these negative thoughts in your head are no longer serving you. But right now you need to replace them with positive and uplifting thoughts and words of encouragement.
“Kind Words Can Be Short and Easy To Speak,
But Their Echoes Are Truly Endless.”
~ Mother Theresa ~
Reading Inspirational Books or listening to tapes (you can often find real gems at your local thrift store) and cds can be very uplifting and encouraging. Some of my favourite books are by Anthony Robbins
Another great idea experts have proven is that it's helpful to start writing your journal to keep daily notes of not only your mental thoughts but of your progress along your journey.
How do you view setbacks.... as obstacles and a hindrance or as a golden opportunity to take on a challenge to test your skills. Have you ever considered that these setbacks are your teacher and are often replaced with equal or better opportunities?
Stepping outside your comfort zone teaches you to really learn to soar & take advantage of your hidden talents and untapped resources to achieve more of your potential. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you can achieve.
It's very rewarding making your dreams come true. Make your dreams a reality and speak the words of encouragement you need to propel yourself along your journey of discovery. You are unique in each and every way and deserve the best that life has to offer.
Keep speaking words of encouragement and take advantage of golden opportunities. Dive off the starting blocks and propelling yourself to greatness….You Deserve It!
Interviews with Pro Blogging Women – Elisa Camahort, Co-Founder of BlogHer
HerProBlog.COM desires to help women create and maintain professional blogs. What better way to teach and inspire women bloggers than by being taught by professional women bloggers.
I am thrilled that our first interview with a pro blogging women is Elisa Camahort, co-founder of BlogHer. Elisa manages BlogHer events, marketing and corporate operations. Just last month BlogHer held their 2008 conference in San Fransisco. With over 1000 bloggers in attendance the event was a big success and plans for the 2009 conference are already in the planning stages.
So without further ado here is the interview with Elisa Camahort.
When did you get started blogging?
I started in 2003, purely as a personal endeavor. I got this free blogging application when I renewed my .Mac membership, so I thought i'd give it a try.
What was your first blog about?
My first blog, which is still my current personal blog is about a little bit of everything. I'll write about blogging, technology, politics, and I'll also review restaurants, theatre, books, movies...you name it. I also spend an unhealthy amount of time writing recaps of talent-based reality shows like American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance and Project Runway.
How has blogging affected your life?
It has changed it completely. I never had a goal to work for myself or to start a company, but blogging provides you with this personal platform, a personal printing press, and can have a way of changing what you thought your personal plan was!
What is the strangest, funniest or most rude comment someone has
made about you being a blogger?
Um, I'm pretty sure someone compared me to a "Nazi Abortionist" a couple of weeks ago, although they were a little incoherent, so I'm not positive. I'm guessing it's because I'm openly pro-choice, although the post in question had nothing to do with that issue.
What are some of your favorite blogs authored by women?
Oh my, I hate questions like these...because it's hard to choose, honestly. So really I'll just pick a few that I think i've never given public props to before, just to spread the love.
I'm biased, but I think Kristy Sammis, who runs BlogHer's events, is brilliantly funny: She Just Walks Around with it
Also, two political bloggers I really admire are: Talk Left
and Digby: Hullabaloo by Digby - It's notable to mention that people assumed Digby was a male blogger for years before she finally 'came out" as a woman!
Do you ever get discouraged? What do you do in times of discouragement?
Well, I used to say that I pet my amazing geriatric kitty, Samantha, but since she died at 20 years old last December I can't say I've found a great replacement. Yelling at drivers in other cars doesn't really seem like the most mentally healthy answer, does it?
What are your hopes for the future of women bloggers?
I've already seen one hope realized, because I think people don't really ask "where are the women bloggers?" anymore. BlogHer conducted a benchmark study in March 2008 that showed how mainstream blogging has really become among women...over 50% of U.S. women online participate in the blogosphere weekly! So, I think the media and the business worlds are both well-aware now where the women bloggers are: Everywhere, and blogging about everything under the sun.
My ongoing hope for the future is that blogging, and particularly women blogging, will continue to help break down barriers, cross boundaries...and smash stereotypes.
One of BlogHer's editors is a woman in her 60s who told me she enjoyed the Internet because no one could see she was an "older woman" and therefore she felt she could be taken more seriously as a technologist. But I feel like if everyone stood up and trumpeted their identity we could no longer make assumptions about identity.
Bring on the hardcore political bloggers like Digby
Bring on the senior citizen geeks like Virgina DeBolt
Bring on the parenting bloggers...who also include dads, not just moms
Bring on every bit of your identity: race, gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation, status of uterus, ideology, religion...you name it.
The blogosphere presents a tremendous opportunity to realize that our similarities are more compelling than our differences. I guess what I'm saying is that someday the wildest hope of all would be that BlogHer has to change our mission (http://www.blogher.com/node/925), because we will all have more opportunities than we know what to do with.
If you could offer one piece of advice to a brand new blogger, what
would it be?
Follow your passion and consuming interests. Blogging is best when it's from the heart and when it's something you can imagine doing for a long time...and often. Sure, I know people who have started blogs purely to make money or purely because they think blogs lead magically to some other kind of success metric they have in their head. But really, most of us, from the teeny tiny (and believe me, my own blogs get almost no traffic at all!) to the very highly-trafficked stick with it because we love it. We love the freedom of expression, we love the platform it provides, we love the community that seems to evolve naturally, and we love seeing how bloggers can really impact the world around them!
Thank you Elisa for sharing your story and advice.
7 Tips To Instantly Build Your Self Confidence
Imagine what it would be like to feeling better about yourself and having more confidence in your abilities.
It’s simpler than you may imagine to build your self confidence and self esteem.
These simple techniques have been proven to help….
1. Self Talk
Negative self talk can limit you, increase your stress level, and affect your self concept. The first step toward change is to become more aware of the problem. Once you’re aware of your internal dialogue, change it to positive self talk and notice the difference it makes to your self confidence.
You can change who you are by changing what you say when you talk to your mind. When you change self limiting statements to questions … “This is impossible!” to “How can I make this possible?”
"The More You Praise and Celebrate Your Life,
The More In Life There Is To Celebrate!”
~ Oprah Winfrey ~
2. Looking Your Best
Being well groomed gives you confidence and your self esteem a real boost. You never know when you may meet a business contact. If they don’t think you care about your own appearance how will they think you will handle their business.
3. Fake It Until You Make It
I’m sure you’re aware of the saying….Fake It Until You Make It! In other words, if you put on a confident front it can help you feel confident on the inside which becomes obvious on the outside. Before long you’ll be ‘beaming’ with confidence.
4. Use Positive Eye Contact
When speaking to someone look them in the eye. You don’t have to turn it into a staring competition, look away occasionally. (I’m sure if you’re anything like me you get totally frustrated when someone is looking everywhere else but at you..it makes you wonder if they are really listening or just cant wait to get away)
5. Fix Your Posture
How you stand definitely sends out a message to the world, and in turn, you will feel that message internally. There is even scientific evidence that shows how posture affects your mood. Slouching produces a down-low mood. Standing tall and upright will actually lift your mood.
Stop and think for a moment of the impression you are giving others...As you walk along the street are your eyes looking at the ground… or ahead confidently, with a smile on your face? Help build up your confidence by pulling back those shoulders, stop that slouch, and walk proud….and Smile.
6. The Golden Smile – A Smile Is Worth A Thousand Words
A smile breaks down barriers… Smiling illuminates your personality and encourages people to warm to you and makes an important and lasting impact. Are you aware that it takes more facial muscles to frown than it does to smile? Smiles are contagious. Try It!
7. Giving Thanks
Giving thanks to what you are, how you look, and what you are doing increases your self esteem & confidence. Say “thank you” to yourself to everything you see, each smile you receive and all whom you meet. (My son thinks I’m quite strange when I say ‘thank you’ when I find a parking spot)
Don’t allow your dreams to fall by the wayside because you don’t feel you can achieve them. Past experiences are only an indication of what you think you can achieve…Decide what you want to achieve… Follow through with Focus and Determination…and… Go For It!
Top Women Bloggers and Women Authored Blogs – A List of 13 ‘Top’ Lists
Have you noticed? There has been more and more talk of women bloggers lately. Could it be because the public is finally realizing how much influence women bloggers actually have within the Blogosphere?
I think we can all agree that there has never been a lack of women bloggers on the internet. I think most women take to blogging naturally because we love to communicate. The recent awareness of women bloggers has more to do with women reaching "influencer" status.
Most top bloggers lists are based on Alexa and Technorati rankings. An influencer is usually define by how popular the site is in general and how many people are being reached. Though the way a person is gauged as a influencer can be a bit inaccurate, there a few ways you can discover the true popularity of a blogger.
I not going to get into what I believe is the best way to gauge someone's influence today but I will say this. One person may see a celebrity but another person has never heard of them. That is to say, gauging someones influence is not all together accurate in any way, shape or form because each person is "influenced" in different ways.
That being said, there are a number of lists floating around the Blogosphere that where created by people who found a way to gauge influence as best they could.
I have compiled a list of 13 "Top" lists. Some of these lists are a few years old others are only a few days old.
- The 100 Australian Women's Blogs
- Top 10 Women Entrepreneur Blogs
- Top 12 Women Real Estate Bloggers - 2007 Edition
- The Magical List of Outstanding Women Bloggers
- My Top 10 Best Women Bloggers with Influence - Part 1 & Part 2
- The W List: Oustanding Women Bloggers
- 10 Most Powerful Women in Blogging
- 100 Awesome Webmaster Blogs by and for Women - I'm on this list! # 64
- Top 100 Personal Finance Blogs. How Do Women Rank?
- Top 100 Female Bloggers - Updated July 7th, 2008
- BlogHer: Who Are Your Favorite Women Bloggers
- NxE’s Fifty Most Influential ‘Female’ Bloggers- Posted July 18th, 2008
- 5 Top Influential Women Bloggers - Part l & Part ll
In 2006 cnet News came up with their own top 100 blogs lists. At the time only eight of bloggers on the list were women. I think if cnet decided to compile a list today (check but couldn't find an updated list) the count of women bloggers would be much higher.
Lists such as these are fun to read and exciting to be apart of but let's not forget what influence really is. Each blogger has the potential to become an influencer with in their own blogging community. Your influencing reach might not be as far as others but your influence still has a reach.
Women Blog. Women Influence. Women Earn! (Respect, Income and --you fill in the blank--)
Why Should You Subscribe to HerProBlog.COM?
I thought I would offer you some reasons to subscribe to HerProBlog.COM. This being a brand new site you probably are not aware of plans to come. Our primary goal is to help women bloggers succeed. We will find as many ways as we can to accomplish this goal.
Here are some of the ways we plan to help you as a blogger.
- Provide articles useful to newbies as well as more advanced bloggers.
- Provide a place for community and networking with other women bloggers with the same goals. Visit our Chat and Women Bloggers Group.
- Provide access to "pro" knowledge through interviews, training sessions and Q&A opportunities.
- Offer you support and encouragement.
- Offer you discovery of the women authored blogosphere through reviews and interviews. We also offer you the chance to learn how to improve your blog through reviews.
Now is the time for you to take the steps necessary in becoming a professional blogger. Subcribe Now!
We also won't overwhelm you with too many articles in one day. If you subscribe for email updates you will be sent one email a day with 2-3 articles included.
Meet the Authors of the HerProBlog.COM Blog
We have a great group of ladies that we have chosen to co-author the blog. All of these ladies are very passionate about seeing women bloggers succeed and I think you will find their articles to be very useful.
We have eight main categories and several subcategories on topics that will be helpful to a wide range of bloggers. Whether you are a newbie, pro or somewhere in between, I believe you will benefit from the articles we will be writting for you.
Each author has written and introduction post.
Gaida Rodgers - Contributing Editor and Author of Motivation of Encouragement
Meet the Promotion Period co-authors.
Desi Musolino- Discovery and Reviews Author
Amber Stevens - Author of Interviews of Problogger Women and Marketing
Cynthia Wright - Niche Blogging Author
Trisha - Author of Blogging Basics
Natasha Vincent - Author of Discovery and Reviews
And here is more about me.
Meet Her – A Symbol of a Professional Women Blogger
It was not an easy task coming up with a logo for HerProBlog.COM. However, since I love a challenge and love to create things the task was actually enjoyable. There where a few things I had in mind when creating the logo but since I have no training in graphic design I had no idea how it would really turn out.
I had a few ideas for design and eventually put them on paper. I knew I wanted the design to represent women in some way but not a specific expression or race. My ultimate goal was to make the logo become a symbol for professional women bloggers. After many different design ideas I finally came up with "Her".
Here is how she evolved.
So other ideas I played with.
So meet the "Her" in HerProBlog.COM. Yes, I named the symbol Her. The reason I gave it the name, Her, is because she is you. Her (remember it's a name not an error in grammar) represents all the women bloggers who have decided that what they have to say matters. Her represents all the women bloggers who have decided they want to create not only a blog with great content but also quality design and usability.
HerProBlog.COM is more than "just another Wordpress blog". HerProBlog.COM is a training center and community of women who are interested in advancing as bloggers (in content, design and usability). Our desire is to help you create blogs that will get noticed.
If the description of Her does in fact represent you. I encourage you to take Her with you. Place this symbol on your blog and let everyone know your goal of advancement.
You can either grab the code for the one provided or you can copy one of the other images and link it to http://herproblog.com .
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