So here’s the scoop — just so you don’t get hold of some untrue rumor 

In July 2012 I made the decision to cease publishing a print BABM. It was a decision that was not made quickly, easily and was definitely  filled with angst. However, being a B2B publisher who prides herself in supplying the entrepreneurial community with up to date and solid business tips and advice, it was time to practice what I preach.

And there was one other little fact — actually a very significant tidbit that needed to be factored into the decision — I needed to get back to some very important family business and begin my semi-retirement from publishing. 

At this time, we are committed to doing our eBABM once a month with new and very valuable articles to assist the entrepreneur and business owner in launching, growing or retooling their businesses.  Our website, www.BABM.com will be updated with new information every month and will offer advertising banner opportunities for anyone interested. 

I personally, have tapped into an innate talent that gives me the freedom to handle family obligations and needs while at the same time offers an exciting challenge and outlet for my creative side —- landscape design. 

As we have all been taught —- the only thing that is constant is ‘change’ and the sooner we embrace that idea the easier our life becomes.  With that in mind, consider the fact that it’s okay to make major changes in your life and business if it will allow you to be less stressed, happier and ultimately more financially secure in the long run.  The sooner we realize that it doesn’t matter what others think but rather what is necessary and important in our lives and businesses —  the sooner we free ourselves from artificial restraints and we become truly more than we ever thought imaginable.

Although some of you will find this statement trite, I offer it anyway.  You have my permission — but more importantly the permission of the universe to make any changes in your life, business and even philosophy that with propel you forward. 

Please stay tuned for our great business building articles monthly in the eBABM from Jeffrey Gitomer, Brian Tracy, Dave Ramsey and more.   And for those especially curious about what the “garden designer, Bevv” is doing… email me at bevv@tigerlotusdesigns.com and I’ll keep you updated with my current design project(s) and gardening tips.

Tomorrow, January 1, 2013, will be the 22,362^nd day of my life.  After reading Robert D. Smith’s book 20,000 Days and Counting, I decided that I would make a conscious effort to make every day of my life significant for me as well as the people who surround me every day.

It seems appropriate that on this New Year’s Eve we all take a look at not only our past 12 months but the entire past years of our life and make some kind of decision to enter year 2013 with a renewed vision and maybe even a “vision” for the first time of our lives to embrace every day — to contribute something positive.   I don’t have to remind you that the more you give the more you receive and that goes not only for the tangible ‘things’ but also intangible good will.

I have a challenge for those of you who are up for it.  Take the next hour and really think about your life.  Think about everything you have accomplished, everything you’ve experienced and everything you anticipate in the future.  Calculate how many days you have been alive and knowing your own level of health as of today, Dec. 31, 2012, estimate how many days you would like to physically walk this earth.   Now for the truly brave ones —– make a commitment as to what you will do with the remaining days of your life. 

I realize that there are many variables that we can never anticipate —- but then — are not those variables actually controlled by us – how we think, how we live or how we react?  Your 2013 can be the best year of your life so far if you truly wish it.  Are you ready?

Happy 2013!

As an editor I have the privilege of receiving and reading 100s of books before they ever hit the bookstores or Amazon.  In fact, I’m looking at a stack of four books on my desk that arrived from publishers last week.  There’s one about how to start and run a graphic design business, one that teaches young female college graduates how to survive and navigate the corporate world, one about getting your ideas in front of the ‘right’ people and one about cashing in on social media.

And then there is the package that arrived last Wednesday that had two copies of the same book.  This book was a gift from a friend with an extra copy for me to pass on.

It was no accident or coincidence that my friend, Robert Smith’s book should arrive at my doorstep last week.  In July while digging in my glorious rose garden I decided that it was time for me to actually stop and smell them —– every day!  2011 had been an extremely stressful year in many ways and it had become apparent that somewhere along the winding, bumpy and cloudy road I had not only lost my ‘purpose’ but I had lost Bevv. I was even having chest pains.  It was time to get back to basics and for me that means literally digging in the dirt and listening to the silence.  So in January of 2012 I promised my much neglected yard and garden that I would get back on track in an effort to reconnect with family, friends and my creativity.  Breathing wasn’t enough – it was time to experience my life though new eyes, to stop swimming upstream and learn to embrace every day of my life.

For nearly 12 months I’ve been working on this decision and honestly, it’s been a challenge.  We get so caught up in our routines that we don’t realize when a seemingly insignificant action or thought becomes a bad habit that chips away at our well-being.  Negativity, defeatist attitudes and even angry thoughts begin to seep into our daily interactions and we go to bed wondering if tomorrow will be better or more of the same.

And then the universe answers.  Robert’s book arrives and confirms that I was on the right track.  And more than that — his book is a roadmap that leads one on an amazing journey of living.  It’s short — it only takes about an hour to read and yet the reader will feel like a huge burden has been lifted by the time he gets to the last page.

We all read things —  an article, a poem or a book – and think of someone we know who would enjoy reading them.   Rarely do we read something that everyone we know and don’t know would find it valuable regardless of his station and situation in life!  20,000 Days and Counting is just that book.  Thank you, Robert, for your infectious enthusiasm and celebration of life.

20,000 Days and Counting
Order Book Here

Today I had an amazing revelation.  You see, like so many other business people and especially ‘driven’ business people, I had the impression that I actually kick-started the world every morning.  Seriously, I honestly thought that my presence in the business community was a foundation block.  The truth of the matter—I was deceiving myself and inflicting a huge amount of unnecessary stress to every waking minute.  I had made the mistake of tying my self-worth, psyche, and identity to my business position.  Big mistake!

Humor me for a moment with this exercise.  Pour a glass of water.  Insert your index finger in the water. You’ll notice that the water will displace to make room for your finger.  Now remove your finger.  What happens?  That’s right.  The water returns to its original state and there will not be a void where your finger once took up space.  Will there be a change in the condition of the water as a result of you inserting your finger?  Most certainly!  It will be slightly warmer or colder depending on the temperature of both the water and your finger before you inserted it.  The water may also become more salty or discolored because of your finger.  However, the overall volume of water will return to the same as it was before the finger exercise.

For the last few months I’ve been debating with myself, and a few others, about retiring from my current business position as editor and ‘Queen Bee’ of my business.  I’ve imagined not having deadlines, not stressing about filling the next issue or getting the content uploaded to the website and produced for our radio minutes.  I thought to myself, “Wow, that would relieve so much stress.”  I‘ve fanaticized about actually getting more than 5 hours of sleep a night and not having to work weekends and being able to relax and enjoy time with my family.  Or even having a conversation with friends or family that has absolutely nothing to do with my business.  And then in the middle of those wonderful thoughts I open my email to find 4 or 5 requests for advertising information, invitations to business banquets and presentations, or even a few requests to speak at some event.  And there I go again —- getting caught up with the feeling of ‘importance.’ 

It seems that no matter what position I’m occupying in the business world, I become so tunnel-visioned and obsessed that it slowly chips away at my sanity and serenity.  I talk about balance and even do a presentation about balance/counterbalance because it’s a constant challenge for me.  By keeping it in my forethoughts and making presentations, I have a better chance of obtaining it.  Or so I thought.  Not!

So where am I going with this rambling?  Well, although I have loved every minute of launching, growing and working my business, I feel like I’ve created a hungry beast that requires my constant attention and have begun missing the simple things in life. Things like going to bed at a reasonable hour and enjoying a cup of coffee over the morning paper without analyzing every advertisement on every page. Things like going to a friend’s party without wondering who would be there and if there would be anyone who would be a marketing candidate for BABM.  My point is, my business had become my life, my being, and somewhere along the way, I lost Bevv.

I’ve had to ease into this semi-retirement state of being.  It hasn’t been easy and I still make daily lists and expect to accomplish something measurable every day.  However, after experiencing the loss of several friends and colleagues my age or younger this past year and dealing with family health issues for the last couple of years it became apparent I could safely extract myself from the business community without the world coming to a halt. 

So now what?  So now I have realized that I can play in the dirt – garden, and actually have fun and earn a little money doing something that is relaxing and exhilarating.  At age 61 I can relinquish my position as the world spinner, and I’m okay with that idea.  Yes, I’m really very okay with that.

9. There are no “tests” and you’re not being judged.

8. Everyone’s doing their best, with what they know.

7. You already have whatever you’re looking for.

6. You are of the Divine, pure God, and so is everyone else.

5. Religion needs spirituality; spirituality does not need religion.

 4. You’re naturally inclined to succeed – at everything you do.

3. You happen to life, life does not happen to you.

2. Order, healing, and love belie every moment of chaos, pain, and fear.

1. Following your heart is the best way to help others.

You may not think of yourself as an employer today. However, on Nov 6th you become an employer as you make your decision regarding your most important employee! Put on the employer’s hat as you step into the voting booth and seriously analyze the qualifications of two applicants, one of whom will have the responsibilities of keeping our beloved United States a powerhouse across the world, managing and running the financial affairs of Business USA, and safeguarding our founding principles of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.

In 12 days we have the opportunity to exercise our American right and privilege; to cast a vote to elect a person to lead our country. In my opinion this election is so important that we should dig deep into our hearts and take off our political affiliation labels to choose wisely. Before you vote your party line… stop and think ON YOUR OWN without the talking heads screaming in your ears. Totally disregard the polls and listen to your gut, heart and just plain common sense.

It seems that somewhere along the line the presidential election has become a “symbolic statement” with little regard for actual qualifications of the person who sits in the Oval office. Somewhere along the line we have forgotten that we are Americans first and our political affiliation second. Yes there are philosophical differences between political parties and most people, including me, have registered with the party that most reflects our own philosophy.

In my 40+ years of voting, I’ve voted Democrat, Republican, Independent and even written in candidates. Call me old fashion but I think the people elected to lead our cities, counties, states and country should be people who are the most qualified and people who believe in free enterprise and entrepreneurship — the foundation of our country.

Remember this statement from a very famous visionary?

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

I was too young to vote for John F. Kennedy but would have even though I’m a registered republican. And four years ago, I would have voted for Hilary Clinton. I believe I’m among the majority of Americans who believe the most important issue our country faces today is its economic demise which is leading us to a form of government that in no way resembles the principals and ideals of our founding ancestors. It’s going to take a person who has actually been responsible for balancing a budget, to keep a company healthy and growing and who understands basic economics to get America back on the right financial track – someone who has personally signed the payroll checks, negotiated employee benefits and understands that if an employee isn’t doing his job, it’s time to let him go. That being said, my gut, heart, mind and common sense tells me the clear choice is Mitt Romney.

I love October!!!  The change in weather, college football, reviewing the year and planning for the next and, of course, my birthday.

It’s been 45 Octobers since the digits one and six defined my age.  Hmmm —- from sweet to seasoned?  Well, maybe, but I would prefer to call it from sweet to splendid and skillful.

Please indulge me as I tell you the 16 most important things I’ve learned.  There are actually 61 things, but my graphic artist says I have to keep it to one page.  The list is in no particular order.

1. Don’t worry about what people think—they don’t know all the facts and they are usually only thinking about themselves anyway.
2. Our problems and/or challenges always seem worse at night.
3. You are smarter than you realize, and certainly smarter than most politicians.
4. Little fibs grow into lies that become uncontrollable.
5. “Bad” days are a part of life — suck it up and look forward to tomorrow.
6. There are times we think we are doing the right and good thing that later prove to have been wrong and not so good —- don’t beat yourself up over it.
7. God and answers reside in my garden.
8. Every time you criticize someone you define yourself.
9. You cannot visualize yourself out of a problem or challenge —- it always takes action and usually more that you think.
10. It’s okay to air your anger on paper, but remember to destroy it after you’ve read it to yourself a few times to get it out of your system.
11.  NEVER air your anger in an email.
12. Gracious trumps every time.
13. Don’t pretend to care; it’s insulting for the receiver and chips away at your integrity.
14. Get dressed and comb your hair before you leave your bedroom in the morning – the day always goes better when you greet it with respect.
15. Reminisce often but don’t live in the past.  The future is too exciting and rewarding.
16. Know when it’s time to move on and welcome the next step and endeavor in life’s journey.

Ahhh, October —- what a wonderful month!  Take this month to compose your own list of 16 pearls of wisdom.  It’s a great way to reground yourself, take a breath and prepare for the hectic holiday season just around the corner.

These are the only labels I give myself.

Ladies, you have worked hard to earn your place in the business community.  You have overcome many obstacles and are breaking through the glass ceiling.  Statistics tell us that women are out numbering men in every college class, most professions and launching new businesses.

“War on women.”  Are you kidding me?!  Are you as offended by this statement as me?  Please tell me that as an American and as a business leader and or owner that your concerns go far beyond birth control and abortion.  Do you find it slightly incongruent and even an oxymoron that the highlighted and esteemed spokesmen for the liberal party are and were womanizers?  Men who objectified women!

Hey ladies, you are better than this.  Should we have freedom of personal choices when it comes to our own bodies and birth control?  Absolutely!  Well —– then should we not also have the freedom to choose our own healthcare, the choice to hire qualified employees and fire incompetent employees?  Absolutely!

Women in business are the new pioneers of our great nation.  We are truly the engine of the economy —- and even better than that —- we are engines that silently, smoothly and efficiently make things happen.  We don’t need the spotlight, the pedestal, the fans telling us how great we are.  We simply need to feel we are doing something that matters and moves us in the right direction.  We want control of our bodies, yes, and more importantly we want control of our destiny.

Think about this…American was founded because our ancestors wanted control of their own destiny.  They wanted to reap the full bounty of their hard work and dedication.  They wanted to escape the bounds of an over bearing government.  Yes they looked after and supported each other.  They created the Declaration of Independence not the Declaration of Dependence.   Remember this.  It’s important to your freedom and the control of your own destiny.

When you step into the voting booth in November, remove your political label!  It doesn’t matter if you are democrat, republican, libertarian or independent.  What really matters is that you are a strong American woman and your personal freedom, business freedom and your destiny lies at the point of the pen or pencil that will blacken the box.

Choose wisely.

I was once asked if I won the lottery what would be the first thing I would do.  Much to the asker’s dismay — considering I’m a publisher/editor of a business to business publication, I said I would buy truckloads of dirt for my back yard.  As you may have suspected, this editor is a weekend gardener and looks forward to the day she can spend even more time getting gloriously sweaty and dirty!   

There is nothing a gardener loves more than good dirt!  Good dirt produces wonderful flowers and trees.  And think about it —- good “dirt” produces tons of press from the publisher’s prospective.   Is it a coincidence that I’m a gardener and a business publisher?   Maybe — but then again Mother Nature does seem to have a divine order and plan, don’t you think?

Because this is a presidential election year and because I’m a B2B publisher with a readership of entrepreneurs and business owners from all “persuasions”, this commentary will be about real botanical weeds, roots and flowers.  However, I’m sure you’ll be able to harvest some food for thought from my ramblings.

We live on an acre in an old Florida house near the intercoastal.  Very old live and water oak trees create an interesting and unusual vista from the back porch and kitchen window.  When we moved into the house 24 years ago, we had 21 palm trees removed from the property, mainly because they were covered with poison ivy, to which I’m deathly allergic, but also because palm trees don’t look friendly to me. 

The oak trees were full of vines that were smothering them and stunting their growth.   The vines were also creating an opaque canopy that had reduced the lawn to sand and weeds with an occasional brave blade of grass.  The house was in disrepair and in desperate need of updating.  Most home shoppers walked the property and toured the house silently calculating the amount of money it would take to repair and renovate and deciding that the job would be a bit overwhelming.

I wondered upon the property on a bike ride and fell in love with its potential.  To live in Pinellas County, the most populated county in Florida, in an area without street lights, with a fresh water spring and glorious ancient oak trees, was like finding the door to heaven for this Scot/Cherokee gardener.   Could it be that in this crazy, noisy, less-than-truthful, litigious world we could come home every evening to a peaceful, quiet, untainted, natural and friendly haven?  Yes!

Now back to the dirt.  Well, our property is in a low area and the back yard is the natural landing spot for all the runoff water from the houses on the hill above us and the houses on both sides of us.  So-o-o when we have storms, our back yard floods.  We work very hard to plant, nurture and build our gardens year after year.  And every year we get one or more prolonged storms that send us back almost to square one. 

As much as I would love to buy several truckloads of dirt to raise and level out our back yard, the decline of real estate values, the economy and the increasing taxes leaves little possibility this will happen.  So what’s a gardener to do?  What’s an American to do?  What we do best!!! Innovate, create, and never, ever, give up!

We are digging a retention pond in the far back corner of the property.  We’ll redirect the overflowing, intrusive floodwaters away from our hard-earned gardens.  We are taking back our haven.   

What are you doing in November?

Why is it that there are government workers, public servants who can draw outrageous salaries and benefits for a minimal amount of “work”. And how can so many of them choose not to pay their taxes, enjoy the luxury of travel, parties and time off while standing behind and supporting a political group that preaches “fair share”. How can they possibly look in the mirror and feel they are acting ethically?

How can that over compensated government worker face the person who has been working two or three jobs just to feed their family and keep the rent paid? How can they honestly say they work hard or that they deserve all the perks they receive as a public servant/government worker? Now I’m not speaking of the first response public servants — I’m addressing the army of paper pushers in the thousands of government offices across this country who guard their turf as if it were their new born baby.

I’m sick of hearing the cry by these self-absorbed, self-appointed guardian angels of the underprivileged masses. Talk about an oxymoron!!! They skate through their work days with little stress (other than worrying about what will happen to their job if the “other” political party takes over) and collect their nice salary, paid vacations and sick days, retirement funds and expense accounts while the “masses” they vow to protect and oversee struggles. And these self-appointed guardian angels have the gull to call themselves a member of the 99%.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to do a fact finding activity to reveal how many of the angels have actually paid their taxes — or have reported all their compensation.