“Spotlight on Style” radio show on Diva Toolbox Radio
Tuesday, February 15th — 12:00 pm Eastern

Join me and my special guest Annamaria Poluha for “Feed Your Spirit – The Essence of Thin Resides Within“

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Dispel the myths and learn the truth about weight loss and nutrition
• Understanding physiology vs. guessing – why you might be sabotaging your own life
• What the weight loss industry doesn’t want you to know

ABOUT ANNAMARIA

Annamaria Poluha has taught corporate workshops, women’s retreats, written for AOLHealth.com, and she appeared as health expert on numerous radio programs. She was featured in Fitness Magazine for her victorious battle with bulimia.

Annamaria addresses the core emotional issues why people struggle with weight along with developing winning strategies in life balance, self-esteem and effectiveness.

Annamaria is a master certified nutritionist (IBNFC), certified life coach (CPCC), certified personal trainer (NASM), and a published writer.

Listen live or download the recording at www.blogtalkradio.com/laurie-mandato

“Spotlight on Style” radio show on Diva Toolbox Radio
Tuesday, February 1st — 12:00 pm Eastern

Join me and my special guest Pamela Reyes for “Rediscover Your Passion and Unleash Your Power!”

• Have you given way to corporate pressures to be and act a certain way?
• Do you pretend to have all the answers and hide your shortcomings, so others won’t see you as weak or inadequate?
• Do you want to stand out as a top notch leader that others will follow?

Discover how to identify your true talents and strengths to unleash your power and become the authentic magnetic leader you were born to be.

In this action packed show you’ll learn:

• 1 thing you should do right away
• 2 things that could be stopping you
• 3 clues to help you identify your talents and unleash your power

Imagine a life of playing to your strengths every day – finding the ability to shine at what comes naturally to you. Don’t go another day just going through the motions.  Learn from Pamela how to live your life on purpose, not by accident.

ABOUT PAMELA

Pamela Reyes is an expert at working with professionals who want to get in touch with – and then leverage – their true talents then build them into strengths to become authentic magnetic leaders.

Pam spent more than 20 years in corporate America in various international leadership roles working with Fortune 500 companies such as Sun Microsystems, Hitachi Data Systems, Accenture and EDS, travelling regularly within the US, Japan and South America.  She understands all too well what it’s like to navigate corporate politics in the quest for success – only to lose yourself in the process.  After years of corporate pressures to be and act a certain way, she began to lose touch with who she really was and what her greatest strengths are.  That was the catalyst that drove her to follow her true purpose and she founded Executive Force.

Believing so many people lose touch with what they’re really good at, Pam is passionate about identifying, focusing on and then maximizing a person’s true talents and strengths.  She is committed to people playing from this position so they live their life on purpose, not by accident.

Listen live or download the recording at www.blogtalkradio.com/laurie-mandato

You know how all those reality TV shows tell women they can change their life by just changing their look? Well, to some degree that’s true. But the REAL change has to start from the inside.

Most of us create a “style story” when we’re very young. We listen to the people in our lives that we admire and try to emulate.  Often what we hear isn’t always positive. We internalize the negative comments and experiences, and sometimes hold on to them well into our adult lives. They come back to us over and over again in that little voice — your inner critic — who tells you you’re not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, thin enough … you get the picture.  It’s sad but true that we are usually our harshest critic!  We berate ourselves about any number of things. We speak to ourselves in ways we wouldn’t dream of speaking to anyone else — least of all our best friend.

We are all born with unique gifts and talents. As women, we often fall into the trap of thinking we should be able to do it all on our own. But sometimes we need a little help in specific areas of our lives.  And after years of trying to be and do everything, we’re forced to realize we just can’t — we manifest health issues, depression, exhaustion, and relationship woes. Try as we might to resist, we finally learn to ask for that help.

Let me help you today, by giving you permission to let go of that old (and untrue) style story right now.  It’s time to stand up for yourself and make a decision to create a personal image that you love, which makes you proud to be who you are. Here’s a big secret: You are the one who decides how others see and perceive you. You are the one in control of your own life and experiences. So take a stand and tell your inner critic to take a holiday, you’re in charge now and the new story starts today.

Your appearance matters.

Your image is an outward reflection of your confidence and self-esteem. When you walk into a room standing tall, with a sense of purpose and look people in the eye with a smile, you radiate confidence.  If you’re feeling unsure of yourself and your self-confidence and self-esteem are low, that will show up in your outward appearance too.  Which do you choose? Having a positive self-image is where it all begins. Believe in yourself and who you are. To really live authentically, get to know your unique qualities and gain clarity around who you are.  Once you feel confident in who you are, it is so much easier to accentuate those qualities in a positive way so you can come from a place of authenticity. Isn’t it time to set yourself up for success?

Believe in YOU!

Every woman wants to feel modern, fashionable and creative. But I have never met a woman who felt any of those things without first being comfortable in her self. So instead of trying to copy someone else’s style, why not tap into your own?  Let go of the old story and embrace who you are today.  Allow your image to catch up to the truly amazing woman that you are right now — not after you color your hair, not after you lose ten pounds, not after whatever. You are perfect just as you are.  Believe in yourself and set your intentions. Set realistic expectations and allow your brilliance to shine!

It’s a new year – an opportunity to reflect on what worked for you last year, and what didn’t. If 2010 didn’t quite live up to your expectations, take some time to get quiet and think about what you can do differently this year.

Do you love the image you are presenting to the world? Does it represent WHO you are and WHAT you do? If you can answer a confident YES, good for you! Maybe you just need to freshen things up a bit. Take a look at your intentions for the New Year and how you can bring those elements into your wardrobe for continued success and momentum. If your answer is NO, then we’ve got some work to do.

Here are five ways you can create a Powerful Personal Presence in 2011:

1.     REFRESH – If you’re feeling less than excited about your look, maybe it’s time to hit the refresh button.  Take stock of your existing wardrobe to see what you can do to rejuvenate some of those old standbys.  Adding an exciting new accessory, like a chunky necklace or scarf, can do wonders to jazz up an outfit.  You can completely change an outfit simply by adding a few great accessories.

• Add a pop of color with a scarf, necklace, shoes or handbag.
• Swap out a traditional blazer for a colorful cardigan, and add a belt at the waist.
• Be sure that your clothes are tailored to fit YOUR body.
• Check all shoes and boots, being sure that they are in good shape.  If not, now is a good time to purchase new or take them to the cobbler to be re-heeled and polished.

2.     REFLECT – Take a look at the top three goals for this year. How can you change up your wardrobe to help you achieve those goals and feel ready for any opportunity?  Is your image reflecting the influential, professional woman that you are? Step up your wardrobe by adding some polish and refinement.

• Add polished, shimmering, luxurious and lustrous fabrics such as sateen, silk, cashmere, crepe de shine, dupione and shantung.
• Wear items with little or no pattern.
• Splurge on a few designer pieces.
• Choose high quality, tailored to fit and perfectly constructed garments.

3.     REALIGN – If you are feeling that you’ve lost sight of your goals, now is the time to bring things back into focus.  Set your intentions for the New Year and set realistic goals.  Clear out anything that’s keeping you stuck, and open some space for new opportunities and abundance.

• Go into your closet and look at each of your garments to see if they are in alignment with your intentions.
• All garments that are not in alignment with your goals and desires MUST GO!
• Donate those things that no longer serve you, and help someone else — remember to lift as you climb.

4.     RECAPTURE – Have you lost that loving feeling for your business? Take some time to list all of the reasons you decided to become an entrepreneur.  What do you love about your work?  Recapture that feeling in your wardrobe.  Look in your closet for your favorite pieces to see what they have in common.  Are they all a certain color?  Do they make you feel a certain way?  Are they all made from similar fabrics?

• See if you can find a common denominator among your favorite clothes. What are the clothes you reach for over and over again?
• What do those pieces say about you or your personality? Are they communicating what you’d like them to?
• If you feel like you’re doing the same thing over and over and getting the same disappointing result, recapture some excitement by trying something new!
• Step outside your comfort zone and try a new look that will shift your mindset and help you get a better result.

5.     RENEW – Renew your commitment to yourself and your business by investing in yourself and creating a Powerful Personal Presence. Make this the year that you turn things around and really step up to the next level of your success. Be proud of the person that you are and allow the world to see the best version of YOU.  Step into your brilliance and feel the joy that comes with that.

• Write some affirmations to keep yourself on track.
• Post your affirmations in many places where you will see them throughout your day.
• Believe in yourself and envision yourself living the life you dream of.

©2011 Laurie Mandato

“Spotlight on Style” radio show on Diva Toolbox Radio
Tuesday, January 18th — 10:00 am Eastern

Join me and my special guest Linda Allred for “Why Diet Resolutions Don’t Work: Train Your Brain to Lose Weight”

Listen in to find out why diets DON’T work and get concrete steps to retrain your brain to get happy, healthy, slim and trim in 2011!

Just imagine …

• Learning to train your brain to eliminate the weight you hate and keep it off forever, all while eating the foods you love and not feeling deprived!
• Easily breaking your bad habits in less than 28 days with a whole lot less stress!
• You will discover if you are a “Sugarholic.”
• Easily fitting into those ‘skinny’ clothes stuffed at the back of your closet.
• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem when you FINALLY reach your goal weight!

ABOUT LINDA

Linda Allred is a Bad Habit Breaker/Certified Hypnotist. She specializes in helping people break  bad habits, and change limiting beliefs that keep them stuck and prevents them from achieving their goals.

She became a certified hypnotist in 1992 and holds certifications in hypnosis from St. John’s University in Springfield, LA and the National Guild of Hypnotists, Merrimack NH. She has actively practiced hypnosis for 18 years and has successfully helped thousands of people reduce stress, stop smoking, and gain control of their weight and life, through learning the art of visualization, guided imagery, and  self-hypnosis.

Linda has developed a revolutionary weight loss program called the Weight Off NOW! Get Healthy – Get Happy Self-Hypnosis Bootcamp Home Study System which helps people shed their unwanted extra baggage and become happy, healthy, slim and trim.

Her program will give you a powerful insight into how you can break your bad habits and conquer your ‘waist’ AND THAT IS SPELLED “ W A I S T” – management problems once and for all!

Even more important is how these tools can help you kick start your weight loss goals into auto pilot and take you to levels of success that up until now you probably only imagined.

Linda Allred is the founder of Linda Allred LLC. Her company is one of the most complete health providers through her training and coaching programs. She is a frequent guest speaker and workshop facilitator for healthcare facilities, Fortune 500 companies and women’s organizations. She also offers a complete line-up of Positive Affirmations CD’s to assist people in conquering their self-esteem issues, eliminate undue stress, improve their memory and sleep patterns, as well as addressing a host of other health-related issues.

Linda resides in Baton Rouge, LA, with Don, her husband of 52 years.

Listen live or download the recording at www.blogtalkradio.com/laurie-mandato

Note from Laurie: This post is a Daily LaunchTip from Victoria Colligan, Founder of Ladies Who Launch. She understands the power of your image and that we are all our own walking business cards.  Be sure you are sending the message that you intend!

You have two business cards. There’s the impressive, pocket-sized work of graphic art that you proudly proffer at every opportunity, and then there’s you. The most successful entrepreneurs I know literally look the part of the brand they are building. Most importantly, they understand their brand which informs their “look”. This may be easier said than done. For us time-starved, harried entrepreneurs, “looking the brand” may seem like another thing we have to do, among all the other things on our “to do” lists. Yet representing our brand from the inside out can make all the difference. It lends credibility to what we are doing and conveys passion around our venture. At the end of the day, passion and credibility are key components of closing any sale or entering into any negotiation. You are a walking business card. You represent a brand. Whether you’re detail oriented, creative, artistic or a strong communicator, customers are only human and they will subconsciously judge your inside by what they see on the outside. It’s worth it to spend a little extra time to look clean, crisp and put-together. Whether you choose cotton or cashmere, it’s all marketing material. And as you keep clarifying and evolving your business brand, the nuances of how to best represent it on the outside will continue to become more clear as well.

Sign up for your own FREE LaunchTips.

I recently asked a good friend and talented interior designer to help me start changing the look of my home after an “aha” moment in which I realized how much my home environment impacts my life and work. I work from my home, and on days that I am not meeting with clients I spend  a lot of time in my home office.  I have been saying for quite some time now that my home does not reflect my personality or my essence. It is stuck in the past, and it really bothers me. I kept waiting to invest in my surroundings until I had that “perfect” home. But what I have come to realize is this: make the best of where you are right now, and embrace what you have even if you aspire to have something different at some point.

I didn’t realize how much this parallels what I teach my clients about their personal image and appearance. (more…)

Did you watch the 2010 Winter games?  I find it fascinating to watch these accomplished athletes pushing the limit every single day to become the BEST at what they do.  It is admirable to see the dedication to their sport, and how that trickles down into all areas of their life.  They start with the passion that makes them want to get out there each and every day to practice.  They often have a grueling schedule to get their practice in very early in the morning before they head off to school and then when they get home they need to study and do homework, then they get up and do the same routine again day after day.  They start competing and with each step they move a little closer to their dream of becoming an Olympic athlete!  They often have to give up doing the things that most kids their age are doing and they do so because of their commitment to their goal.

My favorite event is figure skating — Men’s, Women’s, Pairs and Ice Dancing.  I love the costumes, the creativity and the amazing routines they are able to execute on the ice with such elegance and grace.  I would be lucky to stand on skates!  They also are often performing while overcoming injury or difficult circumstances as we saw this year for Canadian skater Joannie Rochette.  Her mom passed away just days before her performance and she decided to skate anyway, because she knew that her mom would have wanted her to. She won a bronze medal.

How does all this relate to what you do? What I’ve noticed is that many of us are doing work we love and are dedicated to.  We put in many years getting to the point of being known as an expert. That transformation does not happen overnight.  We take baby steps and keep moving in the direction of our dream.

This is the same process we use in perfecting your image.  First, we begin to shift your mindset, make small changes to start honoring who you’ve become.  Just like an athlete, it takes time to perfect.  We are always evolving and changing.  We are always a work in progress. Enjoy the journey in getting to know yourself!  Savor the experience of trying new colors or styles of clothing that might push you outside your comfort zone a bit to see how it feels.  As you take these steps you will notice that your mindset will shift and you will feel more confidence in trying new things.  You may begin to notice shifts and changes in other areas too – maybe the weight that was so hard to lose is all of a sudden coming off easier or that new book project you’ve struggled with seems to flow more easily. It’s all because you have started to care for yourself in a new way with new eyes – one little step at a time.

So what will your baby step be today?