I passed by our local paper today in the paper box, and saw the headline. It read “Bad Ecomomy Causes Freedom Fest To Cancel”. Wow.

Just a moment of silence please, while you let this digest.

There is so much irony in this headline. This particular event is an annual air show, which is a family oriented festival with heroic, fearless acts of delight in flight, plenty of food, fireworks and fun. Apparently, the sponsors from last year are stuck in struggle. They can’t see their way clear to sponsor this event again. Some of them have even closed their doors because they couldn’t see a way to keep their business running.

I am not standing in judgment here. I totally get that times are tough. What I am standing for is the idea that in order to have freedom, we must be fearless. There must be a way to look at things in a different way – one in which our fear takes a backseat, and we get into action in spite of it. The organizers of the event apparently haven’t found the inspiration to be fearless in their pursuit of creating a way to host the event.

So how does it happen that we allow the dousing of the fire in our belly about things that are important? How can we stand for what we believe is good and worthy? What can we do today to spit in the face of fear, and carry our worthy missions to completion?

Let’s create our own FREEDOM FEST…in our everyday action and commitment to being fearless!

Please join me in the new organic, grass roots movement of people who are just plain sick and tired of mediocrity and disillusionment.

Rock on witcha bad self!!

Coach Charrise

Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter are fast becoming a leading marketing strategy for business growth. Many people are perplexed by the idea that the time and effort required to be effective at social media will actually reap financial rewards. Here are a few random thoughts, based upon my experiences with social media and social networking:

1. Participation in social media does not always yield the results I seek. I must have a clear intention for what I expect to gain, and my strategy must drive that intention.

2. There are lots of people doing it right, and far more doing it wrong. “Wrong” is my subjective judgment, based upon what I like and don’t like to see from the people I am connected to. It’s how others view it that matters, which makes my opinion count. Your opinions count as well.

3. It’s simple to follow and connect, and just as simple to unfollow and disconnect. If I don’t like something, I’m one click away from never seeing it again, with no consequences. And so it goes for the people following and connected to me.

4. I have total control over what I post. I can factor in the fearlessness in any way I’d like. I can choose to be authentic, and speak words that others might not resonate with. I can post controversial things. I can post thoughtful things designed to make people think, running the risk that some people simply would rather not think.

5. In order to build a tribe of followers who relate to my brand and would be great candidates for my products and services, I must be authentic. I can’t be one person in social media and another person entirely when we meet face to face. It doesn’t serve the tribe.

6. I must fearlessly show that I’m human, including times when I feel vulnerable. People respond to this as a friend might.

7. I’ve met some phenomenal people that I might never have known otherwise. I am fearless in my habit of reaching out to someone when I become interested in knowing them. I respond immediately and genuinely to those who reach out to me.

8. As a solopreneur, it gets lonely. I love connecting with others – masterminding, brainstorming, venting – in order to have the human connection. This happens through the energy passed between the fingers touching the keyboard. People think it’s odd, but for me it’s very natural to have deep and profound connections through the written word.

9. Social media allows you to build powerful partnerships with other people who do what you do – as well as people whose services you require for your business. It happens to me every single day. Who would I be without these people in my life?

10. Preparing posts helps me gain clarity about who I am being, and what I am really thinking. It feels like a responsibility to mean something to others, and it keeps me on my proverbial toes.

11. Social networking is no different from going to a live networking event or a party. You are perceived by others to have a personality that is either likable or not. Chemistry is also a factor, just like in person.

12. I’ve learned not to send too many links to my own stuff. It’s important to be a connector for others, so promoting other links promotes goodwill.

13. Above all, I am committed to always providing value, to showing up powerfully, and to being in social media with both legs in. Half assed doesn’t cut it in this arena.

What are your experiences with social media? What can you add to this post to help others gain the most from their social media experience? What have I missed?

Coach Charrise

Today was my annual mammogram. If you’re a guy, or a woman who has not had one, you might not quite understand the weightiness of this test.

Women who enter the testing room are obviously bare breasted, and the test is uncomfortable. Also, there is imminent uncertainty until the test results are returned. What if they find something?

I’ve been on the other end of questionable results. I’ve been called back for more testing. I’m grateful to have come away without a cancer diagnosis. My friend was not so fortunate. Her fearless approach to fighting breast cancer inspires me. We walk through this life, faced with challenges. Our choice is the way in which we meet them.

I was talking to the technician, Mary, who conducted my test today. She has been doing this job for 20 years and has seen a great deal of women come through with cancer diagnoses. Her two older sisters have both battled breast cancer. We had a meaningful conversation about how cancer is unpredictable, and how even though we both have deep faith, we still worry about cancer showing up for us.

Her open, warm style helped me to connect with her, woman to woman; our vulnerabilities exposed (mine, literally). Together, we created a profound conversation about LIFE and DEATH. All in the space of about 5 minutes.

Mary made a difference to me today. Her kind spirit and gentle hands carried me through an otherwise potentially uncomfortable few moments in my life. I believe she is an angel, and I’m grateful to have her with me, spiritually and physically.

Don’t we all just want to make a difference?

Coach Charrise