There Are No Shortcuts to Success

I’ve often said that it has taken me many years to become an overnight success. You will find that to be true with all stories when it comes to achieving your large goals. Many people look at successful people and assume that it was easy or they just got lucky. Believe me, it is rare to find an individual that tells you they just happened to fall upon it. Success takes having the right mental attitude and a lot of hard work.

Some people want quick success and they eagerly welcome any shortcut they can find. It is true that you will get a rare quick win, but when you look at the most successful people in life, you’ll find that theirs was not built on shortcuts. Let me encourage you to read biographies about successful people. You will be amazed what many of them went through to get to the level they wanted to achieve.

It’s going to take a lot of grinding day in and day out. You will experience setbacks, obstacles, and a lot of failures. You will be rejected but no matter what, never give up. If you want true success, you have to be willing to do what most people don’t want to do. That means early mornings and, often, late nights. There will be sacrifices. It’s not going to be easy but I promise you that it definitely is worth it.

It is important to surround yourself with winners who understand what it takes to become successful. Remember this, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Start surrounding yourself with people who constantly challenge you and help you raise the bar. Learn from the experts and the top performers and simply do what they do.

It’s also important to have a success plan. Don’t just drift in life and expect good things to happen. Set milestones, set some crazy goals, and simply go forward and don’t look back. Remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint. The road will be filled with many obstacles and detours, just make sure that you work through them. Make the decision to make it happen.

It’s also important to understand that you control your own destiny. If you want success, ultimately you make the final decision on what’s going to happen. I have met so many talented people in my lifetime that simply have wasted their talents. They are filled with potential but, unfortunately, many of them are just lazy.

Success involves taking risks. It’s better to try, fail, and learn from your failure rather than to regret not trying at all. There are no epic failures, only epic learns. Whenever you stumble, dust yourself off and keep going.

How bad do you really want it? You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to become successful. There are no shortcuts and no secret formulas. This is a journey that you must make a commitment to enjoy. Are you ready for the success ride? Buckle up your seatbelts and don’t look back, your future looks amazing. Keep grinding and you will succeed. That truly is the formula!

Have a fantastic week!

RICH NORTON

Regional Sales Manager RMS

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

TRAGEDY THAT BEGETS THE BEST

William Natale

So, it wasn’t enough to just have a Pandemic?

On top of that, we have vaccines that we can’t make fast enough or actually get into the arms of our

brothers in arms battling the Coronavirus, each in their own unique way.

And then the waters flow from the sky like snowflakes, which are unique, a one-of-a-kind shape that was

infinite in scope. That’s hard for me to truly fathom. SHAPE that is unique – a one-of-a-kind eternal

design that the fashionistas of the day proclaimed as sublime. The most memorable for me were names

that had a whiff of Paris to them like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Balmain, Louboutin, Pierre Cardin,

Yves Saint Laurent, Roger Vivier, Thierry Mugler, Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hermès, Lanvin, Chloé,

Rochas, and Céline.

But those classy snowflakes have turned into the fodder blasted from the canons of the day that made the

roads a mess – brought fever pitch cold that literally froze people to death when their power grid let them

down – as did their political heroes in power, asking them to live during a blizzard without heat which

eventually leads to a valley of tears as pipes explode as easily as ice cubes clink when hitting the glass

about to receive a splash of whiskey.

It was adjudged by all that it was MR. COLD that destroyed water and gas pipes, during the friggin’

pandemic. Of all the times to get saddled with a water problem, why did this have to be part of the

Pandemic legacy?

And yet, we the Americans of 2021 have come together for each other as we always have in times of crisis,

which sometimes we all forget.

The stories are amazing…like black churches and their parishioners bringing food and drink to people they

know supported someone who they perceived as racist. IT DIDN’T MATTER!

When it’s all said and done, all that matters is that we are there for each other no matter what anyone

thinks politically.

That GO DO GOOD attitude used to be NORMAL not that long ago.

William Natale is the author of the children’s book, Woolly Wurm; “1968 – A Story As Relevant Today As It Was Then” (based on a true story about two white teens who wind up working in an all-black factory immediately following the assassination of Dr. MLK; and The Resurrection of Boraichee (a story described quirky and clever with a bit of reincarnation as a DOG serves as the narrator about a family suffering from the opioid epidemic). All but the children’s book can be found on Amazon/KINDLE.

Lumbie Mlambo of JB Dondolo talks Music For Water

Vanessa Hundley

Cut & Mix with DJ Audioprism: Lumbie Mlambo of JB Dondolo talks Music For Water

Vanessa Hundley aka DJ Audioprism takes a mental trip around the world with Lumbie Mlambo and the JB Dondolo organization. From Zimbabwe to Arizona, JB Dondolo identifies and addresses needs from hospitals to water treatment in underserved and impoverished areas.

Learn about their namesake, past projects, plus the winners of the 2020 Music For Water competition that helped to benefit the Navajo Nation and how you can be part of the 2021 contest, plus more!

Find and follow JB Dondolo on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @jbdondolo

Don’t Be Fooled by Credit Score Myths

Nicole Kasten

Your credit score is important — especially if you’re hoping to buy a home. It can influence your eligibility for a mortgage loan and play a role in your loan’s interest rate.

But don’t let that scare you. Your credit score is in your control, and you can do a lot to improve it if you know the facts.

Planning to buy a property soon? Then check your credit score, and don’t believe these all-too-common myths:

Myth 1: A higher income means you have a higher score. Your income has no direct influence on your credit score. It’s determined by five factors: payment history, the balances you owe, your credit mix, how long you’ve had credit to your name and how many recent credit inquiries you’ve had.

Myth 2: The score you see is the same one a lender sees. Taking a look at your score can give you an idea of what lenders will see. But in most cases, your mortgage company will see a slightly different score. They might even pull multiple reports or use their own proprietary scoring system.

Myth 3: Closing an account is good for your score. Paying off an account balance can be helpful, but closing that account when you’re done isn’t always a smart move. The length of your credit history accounts for about 15% of your score, so keeping an account open — even if you don’t use it — is usually better in the long run.

Myth 4: Raising or lowering a credit score takes a long time. You’d be surprised at how quickly you can improve your score — or hurt it. Alerting a credit bureau of an error on your report may give you a boost quicker than you’d think.

Your credit score is constantly in flux, so if it’s not where you want it, there are plenty of ways to change that. Reach out if you need more information about purchasing a home.

Nicole Kasten

Licensed Broker Associate

COLFAX REALTY GROUP

www.nicolekasten-miamiliving.com

55 Merrick Way

Suite 202A

Coral Gables, FL 33134 USA

nkasten@colfaxrealty.com

How You Can Recognize Your Dream Home

Nicole Kasten

Buying a home takes a lot of time, energy and, of course, money. Naturally, you want to make sure you get it right.

Doing that can be much harder than it seems sometimes — for many reasons. Fortunately, there are pointers that can help.

Want to ensure you settle on the right place before you invest your hard-earned money? Take these five simple tips into account so you can recognize your dream home.

It checks all (or at least most) of your boxes. It’s best if you have a checklist ready when going into your home search. Note all of your must-haves and separate them from the nice-to-haves. When a home has those essentials, it could be the one.
You can imagine yourself living there. When you walk in, can you immediately see your armchair by the fireplace? Are you already imagining what color you’ll paint the bathroom? These are signs that you might have found the space you’re looking for.
The neighborhood works for you. The community is just as important as the home itself. Consider its proximity to people you’re close to and places you’ll frequent. You want your home to be in a neighborhood you enjoy being in.
Both the exterior and interior excite you. When you approach from the street, do you love what you see? And are you eager to try out that new stovetop or finally have hardwood flooring? That enthusiasm may mean you’ve found your dream home.
It’s in your budget. If the home meets all your needs, you’re excited about it and you can afford it, that’s the ultimate trifecta. We’ll discuss putting in an offer for the place.

Are you ready to make a move and find your dream home? Get in touch today.

Nicole Kasten | Colfax Realty Group
Licensed Broker Associate
nkasten@colfaxrealty.com
55 Merrick Way
Suite 202-A
Coral Gables , FL 33134
Phone: (786) 266-7523

Are You Taking Advantage of Opportunities in Your Life?

Richard Norton

This past week, we witnessed Tom Brady at the age of 43 win his seventh Super Bowl championship. When you look at his career, the things he has accomplished has been incredible. The amazing thing is that he’s not done yet. Who knows what else he can achieve.

I started reflecting about how it all began for him. Here’s a sixth round player that was drafted by the New England Patriots. The New England Patriots already had a very good quarterback by the name of Drew Bledsoe. Unfortunately for Drew, early in the season he suffered a terrible injury which put him on injured reserve. In comes Tom Brady. My thinking, like many other fans, was “Who is Tom Brady?” Several months later, Tom Brady showed us who he was by winning his first Super Bowl ring.

I bring all this up by saying due to an unfortunate injury, Tom Brady received an opportunity. What if he wasn’t prepared for that opportunity? I think about how that applies to all of us, in our lives. All of us, in our lifetime, are presented with opportunities. The question is “Are you taking advantage of the opportunities in front of you?”

Situations will arise and present themselves, leading us to make a decision whether we will take on the challenge or not. I am amazed that when people seem to have the desire and are given the opportunity to achieve it, they don’t take advantage of it. Many people may make excuses like “it’s not the right time or I’m not willing to take the risk.” So what ends up happening is people begin to procrastinate and they stop working to attain the thing that they truly want.

Each of you have an amazing opportunity staring you right in the face. The question is “What are you going to do with this opportunity?” It’s time to face all your fears and take advantage of those in front of you. By not going after your goals, you are doing a disservice to yourself and those closest to you.

Yes, anyone who has achieved success will tell you that they had to overcome some fears. Let me encourage you to get as much knowledge as you possibly can about your opportunities and make a commitment to go for it.

Challenge yourself and your thoughts, and get your attitude in the right place. Be mentally and physically prepared to take on the challenge, you’ll be thankful that you did. I promise you it is better to say, “I’m glad I did” rather than “I wish I had.”

Commit to paying attention to what occurs in your daily life for situations that you can take advantage of. Opportunities are everywhere. Identify what resources or support might help you take action.

Write out all your dreams and what you truly want in life, and visualize having these goals come true. For example if you want to buy a new car, take a picture of it or go and take one for a test drive. Work hard so your dreams can come true, and take action on what you would like to accomplish without giving into your fear about it. Not giving into fears will keep you moving forward. Keep in mind, the fear will come but do it anyway.

Opportunities are everywhere around you, be alert and be aware of them. Make sure that you have the proper mindset and be prepared to take advantage of these opportunities. Who knows, perhaps you can become a champion as well!

Have a super fantastic week!

RICH NORTON

Regional Sales Manager RMS

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Las Vegas Shows Reopening

Shelley Stepanek

With a little help from a lot of Las Vegas entertainers, we have assembled a list of who is opening soon.

The adult revue Fantasy with their cast of beautiful women and comic star Carrot Top, probably the funniest comic in town, are returning again to Luxor Theater on Feb. 19. Both shows have already sold out their return performances.

At MGM Grand, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club is returning to its second home, Studio A & B entering the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Feb. 18. Garrett had moved back to his original venue in The Underground promenade, opening the club to 50 ticket holders.

At Excalibur, Thunder From Down Under male revue can now sell up to a 100-ticket capacity beginning thisweek.

MGM Resorts is also reportedly planning to return the popular “Tournament of Kings” King Arthur-themed dinner show to its 900-seat, underground arena-in-the-round at Excalibur. Great place to go for entertainment with a meal combined.

March 6, David Saxe is starting up again with all of his great productions at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood: “V The Ultimate Variety Show,” “Nathan Burton Comedy Magic,” “Popovich Comedy Pet Theater.” Also that day is the Elvis tribute “All Shook Up,” “The Mentalist” starring Gerry McCambridge, and “Las Vegas Live Comedy Club.” Saxe is still working to find places to put his other shows, “Vegas! The Show,” “Zombie Burlesque,” The Jets, “Hitzville” and “BeatleShow!”

Soon we should also see “Australian Bee Gees” to be back at Excalibur, on March 15. “Absinthe,” “Atomic Saloon Show” and “Opium” are likely dark until until March 15. “Absinthe” should be the first one to open. “Atomic” has a plan to perform in Palazzo Theater if need be, unless it can return to Atomic Saloon at Grand Canal Shoppes.

“Opium” will hopefully return to the Cosmopolitan. Piff the Magic Dragon is at Flamingo Showroom. They are all hilarious, it will be a night out to remember. “MJ Live” (that’s Michael Jackson) returns to The Strat (formerly the Stratosphere) on March 18, with shows at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays along with the L.A. Comedy Club. “Legends In Concert” and “Purple Reign” are expected to be back at the Tropicana soon.

No word at all on any Cirque shows or Blue Man Group, and no big concerts scheduled yet. So folks, it’s time to return to Las Vegas and have a great time!

Actress Barbara Niven: Determination + Motivation = Legend

Vanessa Hundley

Cut & Mix with DJ Audioprism: Barbara Niven, Award Winning Actress & Best Selling Author

Barbara Niven has been a star force in Hollywood for more than 35 years, leaving her mark on shows and productions in film, television, books, and motivational speaking.

Listen in with Cut & Mix hostess Vanessa Hundley as Barbara shares her performing journey and the different projects many of us know and love her from.

She shares her successes and failures and how they motivated her to help others discern their true star power within. And be sure to tune in to the Hallmark Channel on Valentine’s Day 2021 to catch her in the newest installment of Crossword Mysteries!

Vanessa Hundley aka DJ Audioprism is owner of Audioprism Entertainment, is a full time DJ/VJ/KJ/MC, Web and TV Personality, and Wonder Woman who incorporates her love of music and everything entertainment into all facets of her life. She resides in Atlanta, GA, with her amazing daughter, fabulous partner and a variety of fuzzy friends intent on taking over the world one clump of fur at a time. Follow her on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Mixcloud for everything DJ Audioprism!

Social Media LInks:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djaudioprism/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/audioprismentertainmentshow

Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/djaudioprism/

FB business page: https://www.facebook.com/audioprismentertainment/

FB fan page: https://www.facebook.com/djaudioprism/

Decorating 101: Living Room Interior Design Basics

Jasmine Anderson

No matter if you’ve recently purchased a new home and are starting the decorating process from scratch or if you are bored with how your living room currently looks and are considering some remodeling, you might not be sure where to start. In that case, understanding and mastering the basics of interior design is of the essence. Keep reading for some useful tips when it comes to decorating your living room.

Develop a layout before you start purchasing

One mistake that many people make when decorating their living room is purchasing furniture pieces before coming up with a plan. Many things can go wrong if you don’t figure out a layout first. For instance, you could get items that are too big or too small for your space. Then, you could also neglect the purpose of the space and buy furniture that will not serve the room. So, start by deciding on how you will use your living room. Will you and your family mainly be relaxing? Do you plan on hosting many guests and need to seat everyone? Once you take your lifestyle into account, your design will slowly start taking shape.

Decide on a colour scheme

Another aspect of planning includes choosing the right colour scheme for your living room. Luckily, there are many ways to approach this task. For example, you can simply go for your favourite colour and develop a scheme around it using colour theory. On the other hand, you can meet with a colour consultant and get their opinion on which hues would best suit your space. Finally, looking online and in magazines can provide you with some inspiration. Remember to take samples of the paints and fabrics to see how they would look in the room.

Invest in multipurpose furniture pieces

While this trick works for most spaces, investing in multipurpose furniture pieces is especially good for small living rooms. With that in mind, consider purchasing items that can have several uses. For example, a sectional that is composed of a few versatile items can come in very handy when you’re hosting a get-together with many people. Then, getting an ottoman that can also be used as storage is a great way to boost the chicness of your living area while also keeping function in mind. What is more, some ottomans can turn into beds so you can even have someone stay over.

Create a focal point

Seeing as how every living room needs a focal point, you have to decide what you will put into the spotlight. Fortunately, you have many options to choose from. For example, your centrepiece can be a fireplace if you have one. Moreover, even if your home doesn’t have a fireplace, you can add a faux one that will create the same effect. Then, you can shift the attention from the wall to the centre of the room. For instance, a wooden coffee table in the middle of your seating area will provide you with a warm and homey ambience. You can also make a stylish ottoman your focal point or create a statement wall with unique wallpaper.

Add texture and dimension

You surely want your living room to feel warm and welcoming. To achieve that, you should add some texture and dimension. For starters, you can place a few area rugs around the room to define zones and make your feet comfy. Getting one large rug and layering smaller ones over it is another option. Then, you can start incorporating throw pillows and soft blankets that will make the sofa even cozier. Finally, you should learn how to pick the perfect curtains for your home and complete the balance of various textures.

Don’t overlook lighting

Although lighting might not sound like a big part of décor, it can actually make a huge difference. Therefore, besides picking the fixtures that go well together with your overall style, you want to install lights in such a way that they accentuate your home’s architecture and design. First of all, you need overhead lighting that you can introduce through pendants and chandeliers. These will make a statement on their own but you should layer them with some ambient lights such as floor and table lamps for the optimal effect.

Display art pieces that reflect your personality

Finally, your living room needs to reflect your personality. There are many ways you can reveal who you are, from displaying your favourite books to putting out your travel memorabilia. However, you can also do this by showing off art that makes you feel happy and inspired. Whether you made or bought these pieces is not important; your connection to the art will still show. You can have photo reproductions framed and hanged on a feature wall or layer paintings of various sizes by leaning them on the wall – the options are truly numerous.

There are many ways you can decorate your living room, but these are some basics you should master before you decide to give this area a big makeover.

Photo by Isaac Martin on Unsplash

Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet.

https://twitter.com/AndersonJess_AJ

Choose to Keep Growing

Richard Norton

I recently read a fantastic quote from Julius Erving that inspired me for today’s Monday Morning Motivation. For those of you who are basketball fans, you’ll remember him as Dr. J. Here was his quote, “The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life — mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical.”

I have found that, in life, we are either growing or we are shrinking; there is no in-between. If someone remains neutral, the reality is they are going backwards. This is why it’s important that, no matter what level we reach in any phase of our lives, we must choose to keep growing.

To grow, you need to learn. And conversely, to always be learning, you need to always be growing. When you’re always learning, you’re constantly developing new skills to help you advance. No matter what level we achieve, we should always keep learning.

In Dr. J’s quote, you can see that he’s talking about all stages of our lives. It is important to keep setting goals and once we achieve those goals, it’s time to start setting new ones. Life is a journey that we must choose to enjoy and grow.

Always be learning and never stop thinking. Your eyes and ears should always be open, as you are surrounded with opportunities to learn all the time. When you’re always learning, you are setting yourself up for success.

Write out your goals for what you would like to accomplish in all areas of your life. I’m talking about physical, spiritual, emotional, relationship, and career goals. It’s important to have a growth mindset when you’re looking to get to higher levels in your life.

People who have a growth mindset believe that through effort and training, their talents can be developed. Bottom line, when you believe you can get better at something, it’s more likely that you will.

When you have this growth mindset, it’s also important to get good feedback from people who are in life where you want to be. Develop some good mentors and you will find that getting feedback can be a huge asset which will help you grow. Make sure to ask them positive questions, which will help you improve and get you to the levels you want to achieve. Be honest about the areas in which you most need help. Communicate that you want to grow and keep the growth mindset, and finally, focus on the areas you would like to improve upon.

Make a commitment to develop new skills. Learning and growing will help you do this because when you’re always learning, you gradually pick up new skills all the time. When you make a habit out of learning, you are making a habit out of developing new skills.

When we’re always learning, we are always growing which allows us to achieve success in all areas of our lives. Make a commitment to keep growing, never stop thinking, and always be learning.

None of us have arrived. We are all under construction and no matter what levels of success we achieve, we can always keep growing. This week, take a look at your goals and things you would like to accomplish in all areas that we discussed. Make a commitment to learn and grow and become better.

I have found that in life, when people are growing and accomplishing things, they feel much better about themselves. Do you want joy and success in your life? If so, KEEP GROWING!

Have a super fantastic week!

RICH NORTON

Regional Sales Manager RMS

Photo by Nikola Jovanovic on Unsplash

Cut & Mix with DJ Audioprism: Lumbie Mlambo of JB Dondolo talks Music For Water

Cut & Mix with DJ Audioprism: Barbara Niven, Award Winning Actress & Best Selling Author

Develop a layout before you start purchasing

Decide on a colour scheme

Invest in multipurpose furniture pieces

Create a focal point

Add texture and dimension

Don’t overlook lighting

Display art pieces that reflect your personality

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