• Do a core value check – So often we get caught up doing what we are technically good at, we don’t take the time to see if it is in line with what we truly hold near and dear to our hearts.
• Be honest with yourself about what your core values are - It’s okay…some things that you may feel obligated to be on there, may not really be part of your core values.
• Limit yourself to your top 5 core values – Start with 10 and narrow down to your top 5. See how you feel once you have them out there.
• Build your life and your career around those values – If you are feeling totally out of balance, this may be your problem. If you are not holding true to your core values, start to take steps to move your life in that direction. It is amazing the difference you will feel.

There was so much more than that, but those are the heart of the experience. Now, based on that, this is how I have decided to change my life since I returned.

• Focus on me and my business – While I always thought I was taking my business seriously, the Universe certainly did not think so. Hence, I have changed my office hours to reflect how serious I am.
• Make my business my top priority – I will do this by stopping the distractions, prioritizing tasks and focusing my time accordingly. I also had a very serious heart to heart with my husband and each of my boys individually letting them know what is going on and how things would be changing.
• Step up and do what it takes, even if (especially if) it makes me uncomfortable
• Talk to my husband about “mommy guilt” - I know that may seem strange, but as a mom, I have to deal with it. But in order for me to be able to take care of my children the way I want to, I have to put my business at the top of my priority list right now.
• Feed my soul – This is an enormous work in progress for me. I have finally broken down and admitted I just do not know how to do it. I will keep you posted on what I discover.

There are many more steps, but I think you get the idea. Once you build your core values, you too can take the steps necessary to change your life.

A couple of weeks ago I went Las Vegas with a dear friend of mine for the Ali Brown Shine conference. I have to admit, it was a roller coaster weekend for me. The range of emotions I felt were difficult to say the least. And, while I walked away with a lot of great information and inspiration, I also had a life altering realization.

I am a people pleaser.

I would have never thought there was anything bad about it. However, when you have three children and a husband, you can get depleted very quickly. I have spent my life being a mother hen. All of my friends know me, I am the one that takes care of everyone. I am the one that gives up something so someone else can have it. I am the first person to volunteer my time…for anything, even if I really don’t have it. I am the one running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off because I am running around making everyone else happy.

I have three beautiful little boys that deserve the absolute best mommy possible. I have the most amazing husband in the world that deserves the best wife possible. I have some of the greatest friends I could possibly ask for that deserve a great friend in return. I have some of the greatest clients that deserve the best CPA I can give them. How can I make them all happy at once?

Stop putting everyone above myself!

When I came back from Shine I made some major changes in my life. I started with having a conversation with my husband about my core values and how I was going to rearrange my life around them and what steps I was going to take. Then, I spoke with each of my boys about the changes mommy was going to be making and how they could support me in that. Then, I got down to business when it came to my business. I changed my office hours and created a schedule for me to follow so I was not so easily drawn off course. Lastly, I started to shave away all the things that did not fit in perfectly with those core values. That way, my valuable time could be spent on things that will fill my cup. So, once it is overflowing again, I can start serving from my saucer instead.

Are you a people pleaser too?

My friend has been to a different conference put on by the same company a year ago. She was explaining to me that this woman sells her lifestyle (i.e. multimillion dollar mansion on the beach, fancy cars, etc.)

I had a reaction I was not expecting. I told my friend I thought they were completely off base with that. I think I speak for a lot of people right now when I say, I don’t really care about all that. I love what I have and I want to know that I am going to be able to keep it. Don’t get me wrong, I would love a bigger house, nicer car, etc….

But, I have to share this secret with you…I absolutely love what I have!

Rather than always looking ahead and wanting more, have you ever stopped and taken a look at what you have? Yes, maybe the house is a little small for your family, or the car has more miles than you would like, but where would you be without them?

Take some time to think about all you DO have and appreciate it. Be thankful for the roof over your head, even if it is not the exact roof you would like. Be thankful for the car you drive, even if it ends up in the repair shop more than you would like it to.

If you are always looking forward to what is next, you are going to miss what is right in front of you. The grass is not always greener on the other side, it may just look that way from where you are.

Admire how green your grass is…

I am here to tell you that is no way to live! Ask yourself these questions: Is it really worth

• The money?
• The health benefits?
• The retirement?
• Your health?
• Your relationships?
• Your family?

So many people go through life living like a robot because they hate what they are doing. They stay there because of:

• The economy.
• I can’t get a better job.
• Better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t.
• The pay is good.
• The benefits are good.
• We just can’t afford a change right now.

But let me ask you this: Is this really how you want to live your life? Is it really worth sacrificing your happiness for money?

Maybe you need to make some modifications to your life. Think about sitting down with your spouse and seeing what changes can be made so you can be happy again. If you are unhappy, it affects more than just you. Who knows, maybe you can make a couple of adjustments to the budget and you can find a new line of work where you may make less money, but you will be happy. It is more important to be happy and conscious in your life, than to have a bunch of money and toys. This may be a harder choice, but if it makes you happy, isn’t it all worth it?

Remember, it is not always about the money! Your happiness is priceless…

This last year has been an enormous transition for me mentally and spiritually. To say I have been on a roller coaster ride would be an understatement. A couple of weeks ago I sent out a tweet that stated I had lost my mojo and I could not find it. Well, let me tell you, I have found it and the shift that has taken place is enormous. I feel, for the first time in years, like I am on top of the world!

The reason I am sharing this with you is because I feel like the world had sensed it too. My children were acting up, my husband was frustrated with my mood, my work was not satisfying me the way it normally does, things were just really off kilter. Now that I have worked through some major shifts, I can feel all the good energy and…good things are happening.

So many people do not realize how their mood and mindset can really affect everything in their life. How is yours affecting you? How do you show up at work, at school, at home? Are you in a funk and cannot figure out how to get out of it? Ask for help! That is what I did. I know it is not always easy to do, but it is truly worth it if you can find the right people to help.

Remember, things that affect you do not only affect you. To spare your children, your spouse, your friends and your coworkers the heartache, let it out, ask for help. It is amazing what can happen when you actually ask for it.

One of the places I recommend you showing up is The Money Wi$e Women Conference – A Safe Place to Learn about Money in Sacramento, California on Saturday, September 26^th.  Follow the link above to find out more information and register for this wonderful conference put on my Marcia Brixey.

That is why these last couple of weeks has been such an experience for me.  I think I finally get it!!  Yes, I want to be rich, who doesn’t?  But it is not about that.  I was committing myself to the wrong thing if I wanted to be rich.  It is not about the money.  Okay, the money is an enormous bonus.  But, I need to make a priority list when it comes to commitment.  If I want to be rich in the truest sense of the word, I need this to be my priority list:

1. Me! – I need to be number one.  As a mother of three young boys, this is very difficult to admit.  Moms understand we tend to put everyone else in front of us.  Then, if there is anything left over, we might use it on ourselves.  Admit it…more than likely we will find someone else to use it on though. 
2. My husband – Over 10 years ago I swore before God and all of my family and friends that I would love this man in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, etc.  Here I am several years later, not taking care of myself or him.  He always seemed to be second to last on my list (I was last if you were wondering).  God bless him, he still loves me and takes care of me as if I am the only person in his world.  I now need to return the favor.
3. My boys – I have to admit, they might have moved down a couple of notches.  But, before you throw me under the bus, follow me.  I have always put them above me or my husband.  But, then there was not much of either of us to give to them.  Now, if my husband and I are taking care of ourselves first, there will be so much more to give to them.  So, they really do win!
4. My extended family & friends – Without them, I don’t know where I would be today.  I have family and friends that have supported me and loved me throughout my whole life.  I also have friends that don’t have as many years under their belt, but they have sure made up for it in lifting me as they climb the mountain with me.  To all of my girlfriends out there…you know who you are!
5. My clients – I have to admit, I have some of the best clients in the world.  Many of them have come to me knowing the enormous commitment I have for my family.  They understand why my office hours are what they are and they support it.  They don’t mind getting a call the morning of their appointment to reschedule because I have a sick child.  They understand the value I bring to every hour of mine they pay for. 

I am sure there is more I am missing, but you get the point.  I am so thankful for all that I have and all those people in my life.  From this day forth, I promise I am committed to you in the order noted above.  With that said, I am now the richest woman in the world.

If your favorite activity does make a profit every year or so, there may be tax implications. You must report income to the IRS from almost all sources, including hobbies.

Here are eight questions that will help determine if your activity is a hobby or a business.

1. Is the purpose of your activity to make a profit? Generally, your activity is considered a business if it is carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit.
2. Do you participate in your activity just for fun? Hobbies – also called not-for-profit activities – are those activities that are not pursued for profit. 
3. Do you depend on income from the activity? If so, your activity is likely considered a business.
4. Have you changed methods of operation to improve profitability? If so, your hobby may actually be a business.
5. Do you have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business? People who carry out hobbies just for fun, often don’t have the business acumen to turn their not-for-profit activity into a profitable business venture.
6. Have you made a profit in similar activities in the past? This may indicate your activity is a business rather than a not-for-profit hobby. An activity is presumed carried on for profit if it makes a profit in at least three of the last five tax years, including the current year – or at least two of the last seven years for activities that consist primarily of breeding, showing, training or racing horses.
7. Does the activity make a profit in some years? Even if your activity does not make a profit every year, it still may be considered a business.
8. Do you expect to make a profit in the future from the appreciation of assets used in the activity? This indicates your activity may be a business rather than a hobby.

If your activity is not carried on for profit, allowable deductions cannot exceed the gross receipts for the activity. If you are conducting a trade or business you may deduct your ordinary and necessary expenses.

More information about not-for-profit activities is available in Publication 535, Business Expenses, available on the IRS.gov Web site or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

From www.irs.gov here are five important things the IRS wants you to know about claiming the home office deduction.

1. Generally, in order to claim a business deduction for your home, you must use part of your home exclusively and regularly:

• As your principal place of business, or
• As a place to meet or deal with patients, clients or customers in the normal course of your business, or
• In the case of a separate structure which is not attached to your home, it must be used in connection with your trade or business

For certain storage use, rental use or daycare-facility use, you are required to use the property regularly but not exclusively.

2. Generally, the amount you can deduct depends on the percentage of your home that you used for business. Your deduction for certain expenses will be limited if your gross income from your business is less than your total business expenses.

3. There are special rules for qualified daycare providers and for persons storing business inventory or product samples.

4. If you are self-employed, use Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home, to figure your home office deduction. Report the deduction on line 30 of Schedule C, Form 1040.

5. Different rules apply to claiming the home office deduction if you are an employee. For example, the regular and exclusive business use must be for the convenience of your employer.

For more information see IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home, available on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

I know you are probably saying to yourself I am thankful for what I have, but then you find yourself doing the same thing.  Stop for a minute and think about what you are thankful for right now.  Is it:

• The fact you were able to pay all your bills and not take any money out of the savings account or put anything on the credit card this month?
• Your car started this morning and got you where you needed to be on time?
• Your little one said their first word?
• Your spouse kissed you goodbye before they left for the day?
• You have a job?
• The fact you are an entrepreneur for one more day?

I am not telling you to stop thinking big.  I feel you should absolutely “think big”.  However, be thankful for what you currently have.  Someday you will have all the finer things in life if you put your mind to it, but don’t lose yourself in it.

I went to the eWomenNetwork International Conference and Business Expo this last weekend.  While I was inspired by all the wonderful speakers and brilliant women I was surrounded by, I also found myself overwhelmed with the thought of what I needed to accomplish.  This is when I had my “aha” moment and realized if I slowed down and was thankful for what I have right now, everything else will magically start to fall into place.

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to outline ten steps to financial summer survival.  Today is step one:

Take a Vacation – I know that seems counterintuitive, because that takes money, right?  I am aware of the fact that it takes money.  However, I am one of the worst culprits when it comes to not taking a vacation.  I can always come up with some excuse as to why we cannot, usually related to the family budget.  See if you think my logic makes sense, if you take a vacation, you will be refreshed and relaxed…ready to take on the world when you come back.  You will be less likely to get sick or burned out.  So, now you are ready to conquer the universe.  With all that extra energy, you will perform better at work, impress your boss, maybe you will end up getting a promotion, which all leads to more money in the future.  I don’t know about you, but I like that way of thinking.  It is worth spending some money now to rejuvenate…it will pay for itself in the future.

So, take my advice and go on vacation, even if it is a little one.  Something is better than nothing.  Get creative; you don’t have to go to Hawaii to get away.  Check out hidden treasures in your own back yard.  Living in the Sacramento Valley, I have Lake Tahoe or San Francisco within two hours either way.  Not to mention the Napa Valley or any of the other beautiful vacation spots.  Check out your neck of the woods and see what you can find. 

The most important thing is that you relax.  Go!  Have some fun…