NO MOVEMENT = NO GROWTH

One of the most detrimental places to find yourself in as a leader is the land of indecision. That place of fear where it seems impossible to land on the right decision so you do nothing.  Unfortunately, it is quite often in the doing nothing stage that disintegration happens. You lose momentum on a business sale, your employees become disengaged and apathetic and you become disenchanted with the vision you are trying to fulfill.

Making decisions are key to building confidence, gaining momentum and reaching success.  

We make hundreds of decisions every week, some are bigger than others granted but putting it in perspective you need to realize that you are already a pro at making decisions.  

You've got this!  

Take a deep breath, check your perspective and see all sides of the equation and ... just like ripping a bandaid, sometimes you just have to get it done and the pain goes away.

At the end of the day it's up to YOU! 

Check out my website at paulamorand.com 

GREAT ACHIEVEMENT HAS NO ROAD MAP

When Thomas Edison first discovered the ability to make light, it wasn't until he had failed to make it happen at least 1000 times.  You see, there is no true roadmap for the greatest of innovation success.  I am talking about those things that have never been developed before.  

There is trial and error and reset, trial and error and reset and having the tenacity to figure out all of the ways you can't do it before you figure out the way it can be accomplished.

The greatest discoveries in the world did not happen overnight although seemingly to the public eye it is most likely much longer than we think. 

Eradicating life long illnesses, taking flight to the galaxy and developing technology to heights we can't even comprehend are possible. 

Does it take the brightest minds in the world?  

Yes, quite often it does, but great achievements are also founded by people with resilience, persistence and the wherewithal to build smart teams and to pursue their vision often times with great cost.

FEATURED SPEAKER, DARLENE O'NEILL

A Bit About Our Speaker:

Darlene is a true east coaster (NS) who moved to London in 2011 to start her life over. She worked for National Defence (21 years), NS Community College (5 years), and today is the manager of Employment and Student Entrepreneurial Services at Fanshawe College. She is mom to three adopted children (20, 21, and 24) all living in Nova Scotia. Today, she lives life happily with her partner.

Darlene's story is entitled "Choices, Chances and Changes?" 

In 2005, Darlene married her "Prince Charming" . It was a fairy tale romance filled with cruises, diamonds, exotic trips and an exclusive home on a Halifax golf course. Over the next 5 years, her dream became a nightmare and she would be forced to make choices, take chances and change her life again. This is her story of overcoming odds, rebuilding a career, and restarting a life in London!

For more info on Darlene, find her on Twitter @darleneoneill6

FEATURED SPEAKER: SARA CLARKE

Sara Clarke to be Featured Speaker at momondays London         
February 9th, 2015

The Western Fair District Carousel Room at 900 King St. London

A Bit About Our Speaker:
Sara Clarke is a driven young woman with a vision. She is a wife, a Mom of four boys and Owner of London Mompreneurs Grp. Sara is a Senior Bookkeeper, Consultant and an Advisor within the “World of Write Offs”! She holds two degrees and is working on her 3rd in Accounting. With 17yrs exp. Sara and her husband Roger own Martin Clarke and Associates. She has recently been named as a London recipient of the Top 20 under 40 from Business London.

Sara's story is entitled "Lessons from a Mompreneur?" 

Sara shares her humorous story of juggling being a Mom and an Entrepreneur and how she survives working from home with 4 boys hovering over her desk constantly asking for food!

For more info on Sara, find her at www.london.mompreneurs.com or on Twitter @LondonBizMoms

You meet the nicest people at MoMondays!

For Tickets:  www.momondays.com/london 

FEATURED SPEAKER: CHARLENE RENAUD

A Bit About Our Speaker:

Charlene Renaud has had an interesting career in policing for twenty years. She is a singer who has sang at hundreds of events. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, delivering inspirational keynotes. She is a Certified Life Coach helping people maximize their potential and reach their goals. Charlene has two beautiful children and a wonderful man in her life. No more pain!

Charlene's story is entitled "When The Body Speaks" 

Charlene was in an unhealthy relationship which triggered the onset of severe fibromyalgia. Charlene discovered that her body was providing a clear "warning", that the relationship was not healthy and changes she "hoped" would happen never would. Her fibromyalgia was clearing showing her the enormous negative effects and the real toll the relationship was having on her life.

For more info on Charlene, find him at www.charlenerenaud.com or on Twitter @charlenerenaud1

FEATURED SPEAKER: JEREMY TRACEY

A Bit About Our Speaker:

Jeremy Tracey is a professional speaker and speaking coach working with individuals, business owners and corporate executives.  Jeremy is also a Network Marketing Professional with Young Living Essential Oils. He is the proud father of 3 boys and the proud husband of ONE wife. Jeremy enjoys working out, running marathons, and spending time with his family.

Jeremy's story is entitled "Unexpected Guru?" 

I have 3 sons and when they were 8, 10 and 12 I learned to ride a unicycle. Of course they were not long deciding they wanted to ride to... only faster easier and better than I could.
It was a fantastic and fascinating learning experience and even more interesting hearing how people perceived our odd new pass time. The lessons were many.

For more info on Jeremy, find him at www.jeremytracey.com on Twitter @Jeremyltracey

WHO YOU ARE

Most people will work six to nine or more different jobs within their lifetime. The one and only thread that carries you through your life is the character of who you are.   When someone talks of you, what would they say?  

It always comes down to your character; integrity, kindness, honour, giving, patience, empathy, and the list goes on.   

Everyone has failures or regrets in business and in relationships throughout their life. The best gift you can give yourself is to work on and find the best you and while you are on that journey  continue to shine your light. 

For it is that light, the essence of who you really are,  that will inspire, change, motivate and stir the hearts of others to want to know you and be in your midst.  

It is that light that will make a lasting difference in this world and you will have nothing to regret.

Check out my other blog posts at paulamorand.blogspot.ca or at www.paulamorand.com 

MOMENTS

It is so apparent to me that as I get older and think of the many people who I have had to say goodbye to either from moving or from loss.  Most recently after having to say goodbye to my Father who lost his battle with cancer, I realized just how precious our time is. More importantly how precious the gift we can give to others with our time, attention an caring.  

I don't want to be one of those people to take a selfie with someone and that is the extent of my experience.  I want to be one of those people who knows other's hearts, their dreams and their fears.  I want to have relationships with others that are rich and fulfilling and mean something. So that, when I am faced with the idea of saying goodbye, I have a heart that is filled to the brim with moments that I can recall with smiles, tears and joy.  Those are the moments that I seek. What about you?

Thoughts to ponder...

Check out my other blog posts at speakerpaulamorand.blogspot.ca or on twitter @paulamorand.

FEATURED SPEAKER - JILL ELLIS on January 12th

Jill Ellis to be Featured Speaker at momondays London         
January 12th, 2015
The Western Fair District Carousel Room at 900 King St. London

A Bit About Our Speaker:

Jill Ellis-Worthington is a professional communicator in her day job with Write.On Communication Services, but the learning the art of communication as the parent of a hearing impaired child taught her much about herself, the world and how adversity really does make us stronger, better people. Parenting two special needs children to adulthood helped her earn her black belt in parenting.

Jill's story is entitled "Do You Hear What I Hear?" 

Finding out that our perfect little baby boy is not actually perfect could have been a crushing blow, but choosing to educate our deaf toddler as a hearing child set us off on a lifelong adventure. Many life lessons were gained along the way and a special bond was built between my child and I, spending time learning to talk to each other in a way different than ‘normal’ parent and child.

For more info on Jill, find her at www.writeoncommunicationservices.com or on Twitter @writedoton

You meet the nicest people at MoMondays!

For Tickets:  www.momondays.com/london 

FEATURED SPEAKER - DONNA SZPAKOWSKI on January 12th

Donna Szpakowski to be Featured Speaker at momondays London on January 12th, 2015        
The Western Fair District Carousel Room at 900 King St. London

A Bit About Our Speaker:

Donna is an entrepreneur, business consultant, publisher of a quarterly digest, and president of the Hyde Park Business Association. She is the Chief Monkey of Monkey Business Solutions Group enjoying her work with her clients as they achieve their successes. A proud Anglophone from Quebec, she is married with four children, the youngest 17 and a standard, bouncy poodle “Toby”.

Donna's story is entitled "Be Careful What You Wish For".  

Running a successful business is always one’s goal isn’t it? For Donna, this meant paying debt and monthly bills. The problem – paying bills was secondary to the big picture. With her subconscious mind focused on the smaller pieces, the business itself could not thrive. Setting bigger, purposeful, and intentional goals for the business is what finally set things in the right direction.

For more info on Donna, find her at www.monkeybusinessonline.com 

You meet the nicest people at MoMondays!

For Tickets:  www.momondays.com/london 

FEATURED SPEAKER - YVETTE THORNTON on JANUARY 12th

Yvette Thornton to be Featured Speaker at momondays London         
January 12th, The Western Fair District on the Yuk Yuk's Stage at 900 King St. London

A Bit About Our Speaker:
Yvette is the Founder of Flying Unlimited. She developed and delivers a transitional workshop allowing youth to move into high school with a strong sense of self, and a fearless and unlimited view of the future. Bringing this into schools is a dream come true. She enjoys travelling the globe, training for 5K walks and getting to know you over a cup of good tea, and of course savoring chocolate!

Yvette's story is entitled "On Angel's Wings".  

Yvette was on her way to her perfect life, but a car accident turned her dream on its head. She lost everything, including herself. She could never give her family 100% of herself until she admitted how lonely and lost she felt. If she wanted to connect to others, she had to learn to share herself again. She had to let go of the sorrow, to complete the past to love, laugh and to come back to life.

For more info on Yvette, find her at www.flyingunlimited.ca

You meet the nicest people at MoMondays!

For Tickets:  www.momondays.com/london 

TECH ENTREPRENEUR, ASHRAF GHADBAN to be FEATURED SPEAKER

Ashraf Ghadban to be Featured Speaker at momondays London on January 12th        
The Western Fair District Carousel Room at 900 King St. London

A Bit About Our Speaker                                                                               

Ashraf's day job is the Co-Founder and CEO Akira Systems, but his passion is to be a professional athlete. Ashraf is a regular volunteer at a number of charitable events and is a board member of CORD, and the Canadian Niemann-Pick Foundation. Ashraf married with 2 kids and loves his Ottawa Senators. In his limited spare time Ashraf loves to take on renovation projects.

Ashraf's story is entitled "Arctic Quest".                               

Many people live a happy and very normal life. Other's lead lives that are faced with issues out of their control but have to deal with the life that was given to them.  Ashraf's son eight year old Kareem is one of those people.  He wanted to do something special so he set out to make a 42km trek to the Arctic Circle.

For more info on Ashraf, you can find him on LinkedIn @ashrafghadban.

You meet the nicest people at MoMondays!

For Tickets:  www.momondays.com/london 

THE FASTEST WAY

Any good leader understands the value of asking for help.  

It is a terrific strategy to gain momentum in any area of your life if approached in a smart way.

Here are a few ideas to get you on the right track.

1. Identify people who could bring great value to you. 
Surround yourself with people who just do things well, whether it is business, finance, health, family and the list continues. It is in these people that we find mentorship, inspiration and focus.

2.  Learn to ask smart questions.  
There is great value in learning how to be specific with your ask.   More than just asking for help, make a list of smart questions that will glean results.  

3.  Be authentic
One of the most important lessons that I have learned from being an entrepreneur for two decades is the value of understanding my weak spots and my willingness to find ways to support those weak spots.

4.  Don't wait
If you need help go get it!  Don't wait and see if you can figure it out. That is the purpose of building a great network around you. Even if you are just in need of a cheerleader to support you as you weather a rough patch or celebrate with you when you have a success.  

Thoughts to ponder ...

Check out my other blog posts @ speakerpaulamorand.blogspot.ca or www.paulamorand.com