NAEDAY BLOG

Today, I heard the following phase, “Think Forward”.  It stuck to me because, when I think about how most of us think about our  past and the present.  As I continue to grow, spiritually, personally and professionally, that statement has become so real to me.  Thinking forward allows all the key players, past and present, to be involved to shape your future but they are not to limit where you are going. 

Think Forward

This past week, I completed a wonderful project that involved studying the truth and spending time with family.  We embarked on studying the Bible at a appointed date and time each week.  It was a great learning experience as well as a opportunity for deliverance.  What started 9 weeks ago came to an end this week.  The confidence that comes with completing what you start, encourages you to do more.  We have already confirmed when we will start the next Bible Study. 

I am convinced that with commitment and faithfulness coupled with love nothing but achievements are accomplished. 

A good friend has a quote that I keep close to me in my mind and my heart.  The quote is “It’s enough money for everybody”.  She says it with a slang and a determination of hope.  I am reminded of that saying especially today because it is her 60th Birthday.  This quote reminds me that I do not have to be jealous, envious of anyone because “It’s enough money for everybody”.  It also gives me the hope that I can achieve my goals and dreams.  While some may say what’s so special about this quote.  You have to know my friend to know that it is not just words but it is a lifeline for living your dreams in spite of the circumstance because “It’s enough money for everybody”.  May these words encourage you to not give up. Happy Birthday to Ms. Hats

Recently a good friend and fellow entrepreneur and I talked about prospective clients.  The conversation was very enlightening because as an entrepreneur we generally talk about our dreams, visions, work load, next venture, our achievements and some of the prospects but we seldom talk about when the answer is  “No”.  The word no can come from the prospective client or from you.  She shared some helpful tools regarding meeting with prospective clients and not feeling that you have to bring down your prices or try very hard to get the deal but relax and state what you offer and the cost.  It was very helpful to me because in the service industry you must ensure that the services you provide are being compensated.  With the world we live in today and the decline in professional and outstanding customer service, it is worth every dime to enjoy some good old fashion hospitality.  As we continued to talk, I was reminded of a time when I had to say “No” to a prospective client.  There are times when integrity and just doing what you know is right must be the priority. 

Yes, I wanted the business;

Yes, I needed to get my name out there;

Yes, I believe I could do what was being asked; and

Yes, most importantly, I wanted to get compensated.

BUT

Neither business, popularity, success nor money can take the place of knowing you are doing the right thing.

So when “No” is the answer – Rejoice.  Thanks to my friend and fellow entrepreneur for reminding me about the importance of appreciating when the answer is NO.

As life should be, we are faced with making important and no so important decisions in life.  I am faced with a decision that is based on what I know and the unknown.  Chances and risks are the key words that when making decisions will cause you to rethink a decision for days.

 My life has changed from a single mother of 2 wonderful  daughters to a wife of a supportive husband, 1 great son and a granddaughter that I love dearly.  With these changes have come many blessings and some pain but now I am faced with leaving a part of my 22 year profession and moving to a unknown place.

Along with my personal changes, I have birthed NaeDay Productions; which has become a factor in the decisions that I make.  It does not come without hard decisions, risky moves, mistakes and in some cases repositioning. 

I have not made my decision yet but I am leaning toward the unknown, the risk and when I make it, I will post it.  I have learned that when I write it down and then come back when it is a little clearer and the results of your labor are manifested, (be it good or bad) you see the answer.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions are for the living.  The day, I stopped having to make decisions (what to eat, where to go, how to get there) is the day, I have stopped living.

When I’m feeling tired, defeated,weak and afraid,
and I’m wondering when will all of the disappointments fade.
 
When will the pain and the suffering end,  and when will my happiness and prosperity begin.
 
Will the sun ever rise just to brighten my day, Or will the storm always follow to wash it away.
 
It’s then that I’m reminded of the paths that I’ve chose, and I realize alot of my grief’s self-imposed.
 
See, it’s okay sometimes to feel bitter, angry or sad,
But you have to be careful with whom you are mad.
 
God has always arrived in time to clean up my mess,
For that, I have realized that I’m truly blessed.
 
So instead of feeling tired, defeated, weak or afraid,
I will benefit from the consequence of the decisions I’ve made. 
 
     Benefit: Another lesson learned!
 

Thoughts from Latia Weathers
 

In December 2007, I was appointed as the new Executive Director for the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP).  I humbly accepted the position with great excitement and enthusiasm.  As the Executive Director, I plan to continue the professional image that has already been established as well as institute new and more innovated ways.   I believe that my 21 years of State service working in Government for the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) would be an asset to this position.  I currently serve as the Executive Assistant to MDE’s Assistant Secretary.  This position requires working directly with both MDE and the Governor’s Executive Staff.  This position also requires frequent contact with other cabinet level officials, Maryland State Legislators and stakeholders.  I also serve as liaison between the Assistant Secretary and all of the Administrations that report directly to him.  For many years, I assisted in staffing the Governor appointed Environmental Justice & Sustainable Community Commission formerly the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee and was known as the go-to-person for both.  The Executive Assistant position requires wearing many hats on any given day.  Flexibility, organization, and professionalism as well as outstanding customer service are critical. 

My attention to detail as well as organizational skills that I use in my Event Planning buisness,  NaeDay Productions, LLC should also be intrustmental in this position.

Like everything in life, we don’t get there alone.  I have been blessed and fortunate to have family and friends that have been very supportive in assisting me reach these goals and milestone.

I am looking forward to what 2008 has for me.   

One of my Best Friends Forever (BFF)  and I have been elated about our “Multiply Streams Of Income (MSOI)”.  These incomes are great because they are not jobs that take us away from our main goals: God, family and running our own successful business.  While it has been a long time coming, we finally realized how rich people get rich.  They have several streams of income, not 2 or 3 jobs but income.  There is a difference.  In my opinion, the differences are:

 Jobs - I have to punch in and report to someone. 

Streams of  Income - Flexibility in your time and availability.

Jobs - You work harder than what you get paid.

Streams of Income - Continuing flow of income available to you even when you are not working.

Jobs - You are inconvienced.

Streams of Income - It does not affect your other responsibilities in life.

I am excited to have learned this very important fact but I am sorry it took me so long to get it.  If God allows and permits, I will continue to look for opportunities and avenues to increase my “MSOI”. 

I first read about MSOI in a book titled “Networking is in our race”, author George Fraiser.  Excellent book that I highly recommend.  I learned quite a bit in the book but the one thing that stood out was his suggestion to have multiple streams of income. 

 Let me also state that with multiple streams of income comes responsibility.  Anything too easy generally is. We also have to watch out for get rich schemes that makes everyone at the top rich.   As I continue to learn and grow, I am open to opportunities where I can have legitimate multiply streams of income along with opportunities where I can help others.    Keep your eyes open, your mind learning and a decerning spirit so that when opportunities knock, you are awake, aware and available to receive.

Join my BFF and I in our quest to have MSOI.

When I think of old fashioned customer service, I think of a voice on the other end of the telephone, a hand written note, the words, “Thank you” and “Please”.  Unfortunately, the world has become so smart and technology driven that the simple things have been eliminated.  I applaud and appreciate all of the new and faster ways of doing things through technology BUT why can’t we have both.  One of the things that I stress as a professional event planner is the personal touch.  Another important and forgotten service is the quality of products.  While things are made in record time, have longer storage life and are made from more modern products they lack the quality.

Remember when you called a place of business and on the second ring you were greeted with “Hello, you have reached ________ .  How can I help you?”

 Remember when you hired a contractor from the neighborhood hardware store and they worked diligently to ensure that you were satisfied.

Remember when the mission of the hospitality industry was to welcome others and ensure that everyone that visited your home town, city or state was pleased.

We can have both.  While technology has been a great asset in getting more done in less time, afforded global capabilities, in some cases environmentally safer and can be very cost effective.  I believe with the humbleness of yesterday and the intellegience of today, the future would have a welcoming balance.

My goal is to always provide outstanding customer service and exceptional products with all of the amenities of new technology.

It can be done!!!!!

My husband and I went to see Tyler Perry’s new movie.   The movie was about 4 married couples that went away for a winter retreat.  The story began with many problems about the 4 couples and in one case 1 couple divorced.  The movie covered many topics and if paying close attention many lessons to be learned.  As my husband and I watched, we saw each other in the movie.  To my surprise, the analysis  of myself was on target.  I appreciate Tyler Perry creating and bringing movies that I can relate to.  As a entrepreneur, I know the challenges in creating and praying that it will work.  In my opinion, Mr. Perry has proven again that what looks impossible when you have a dream and vision and only you believe in (sometimes you don’t even believe) but you press on.  This was a excellent movie and a very timely movie.