I work at home and there are two three things that keep me sane during the week:

1. Pandora.  It’s an online radio station that’s free. I pick the genre of tunes I want to hear and it plays exactly the type of songs I like. I have several stations for different moods: pop, easy listening, and classical.

2. Grooveshark. When I want to hear specific songs, but not actually buy the music… I type in the artist and/or song name in the search bar and Grooveshark will play what I want, as many times as I want.

3. Facebook. Hey, it’s my watercooler! If I don’t have a real-life one, I’ve gotta go virtual! I catch up on all the gossip AND know exactly which so-called “busy people” waste time nursing kittens on Farmville.

Right now I’m giving thanks to all of you.

Thanks for giving me this great space to allow my creative juices to flow, voice what’s on my insanely active mind, and tell you what’s up in the business world.

Blogging with Twolia has been one heck of a ride.

I’ve had a great time being a part of Twolia during the continual growth. I’ve been here as new bloggers were brought onboard to unleash their sweet fury, share their fashion fetishes, and delve into TMI regarding not-so-savory relationships and savvy celebrity gossip among other topics.  Now there’s also a store, videos, music, and astrology reports.

Growth sweet growth.

But, as nothing is permanent in life, with growth comes inevitable change. My life is busy these days and so is business. Because of this, I have found myself taking a look at la dolce vita and thinking about my own growth and changes.

Some things in my life will stay very much the way they are while other things, naturally, will have to go.

Among some of these changes, I have decided, is to bid farewell to my Diva Mogul blogging days here at Twolia.

I’ve had fun being a part of the blogging team and virtually meeting so many magnificent fellow Diva Moguls.

Know that this isn’t the end of me! I’ll be lurking around Twolia from time to time, reading and commenting or listening to the latest tunes from groovy chicks like you.

Take all this as further proof that…You can take the girl out of Twolia, but you can’t take the Twolia out of the girl!

You can also keep in touch with me at EntrepreneurGoddess.com. My contact information is on that site, so take note. And, as usual, you can follow me on Twitter @egoddess.

[Cue the Sound of Music] So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen good-bye…

Wishing you success in business and in life,

Katie

I’m a hot mess this week. Business is heating up and I’ve once again found myself neglecting everything else in life to ride the wave.

> The Gym? Oh yes, I do have a membership. I forgot!

>Clean clothes? If I want to be seen and sniffed in public, I better get washing (yep, I work from home).

>Food? With every meal out, the waist goes out.

>The house? Lucky for me, I live in a culture where people call before they come a knockin’.

>The hubby? He’s hinting…

If I don’t shape up and take time for ME, this Diva Mogul just might find herself joining in on the Operation Muffin Top(ple) Madness at Twolia.

I must take drastic measures to save myself before it’s too late…

My advice: No matter how busy you are, take time each day to live a healthy, harmonious lifestyle. You’ll ride the wave of sleek longevity.

Now I’m off to take my own advice!

Speaking of muffin tops, check out this celebrity stylist tip about buying pants your size… (Muffin top prevention advice available at 2:02)

http://www.vimeo.com/3589999

Or rather, one of the MUCHO reasons why I’m self-employed.

What’s my reason? I love to travel.

That’s right, I find it a bit more than a minor nuisance to have to ask  (or beg) someone for permission to take a day or even a dozen days off. It’s annoying and seems so Spanish Inquisition:

-Why do you need time off?
-What are you doing?
-Where are you going?
-When will you return?
-Does it really have to be THIS month?
-But Jane Doe has already chosen those days for her vacation time…

Get my drift? Been there, done that…I’m so OVER it. The Europeans have grasped the new concept of vacation time, but the good old US of A still seems to be living in the Dark Ages. I refuse to take part.

The other day, my husband and I found $40 ROUND TRIP TICKETS to Mexico! Do plane tickets get any cheaper than that? A few short minutes later our trip was booked. Sure, we had to rearrange a few meetings AND we’ll be working on projects. But, thanks to email, Skype, laptops, and wireless Internet… we’ll enjoy a change of scenery.

Corporate America doesn’t understand that this is, in fact, a very effective way to conduct business. Their loss.

I know what I have to do and when I have to do it.  This method works just fine for me. It doesn’t matter where I am.

_

I love speaking with women business leaders and successful entrepreneurs. My favorite thing: directly asking what, in their opinion, has made them so successful. As usual, I’m always amazed at not only the answers and sound advice, but their eagerness to share.

A few months back, I had the pleasure of interviewing Marilyn O’Neill, Founder & CEO of Nautilus Environmental. Here’s what she has to say about success in the business world:

• Treat people well irrespective of their position relative to you; people remember your kindnesses (they also remember your petty moments, I have a tendency toward sarcasm and can do some damage speaking before thinking).

• Demonstrate your abilities - start to do the next job you want to learn without expectations.

• Thank the people who have helped and guided you and generously congratulate others on their accomplishments when you can be sincere. I still have cards of congratulations and encouragement people wrote to me when I started Nautilus; they mean a lot to me.

• Be fair.

• Learn who you are and be that person (both are an ongoing process). Try to see change as an opportunity and operate from intention toward your wishes instead of from the fear or avoidance of uncertainty.

• Learn about leadership (start with you – lead yourself) and try to operate from that space no matter your level.

I did it, I did it! I didn’t cheat…not once!

>>How I feel: Superb. I didn’t read, worry, or discuss the economy in any negative way for an entire week. In fact, the topic was so far from my mind that I only just remembered that it time to discuss my experiences.

I thought I’d have more people bring up the state of our economy in social situations, but it really never came up. Surprisingly enough, it’s possible to survive socially without being “economically educated.” Listening to radio and TV news is impossible on this diet, however. I avoided NPR like the plague this past week.

>>Goals accomplished/Lessons Learned: When I began my Financial News Diet, which I should have really labeled a Fast, I had two goals in mind: peace of mind and business growth.

Did I accomplish my goals? I have complete peace of mind about the financial situation in the world because what I don’t know, I feel right now, can’t hurt me. When I listen to the news about bailouts, corporate greed, and bad spending my blood has a tendency to boil. I have free will. I can choose to read or not read along with my reaction.

Business-wise, I can’t say that I’ve noticed immediate business growth, but I wasn’t expecting this. Rather, business growth will be come as a result of me changing my state of mind and not feeding into the worry the media projects into the world.

>>What I missed: I have to admit, I wanted to check the financial news for the first two days of the Diet but didn’t. By the third day, I didn’t care as much as the first two. Right now, I could honestly care less. Here are some of the headlines I have missed:

-Economic concerns send shares lower (NY Times)
-Get ready for a wave of bank failures (CNN)
-Taiwanese economy slumps into recession (CNN)
-US tries a trillion-dollar key for locked lending (NY Times)
-Let housing crash (Reuters)

…and a bunch of talk about some stimulus plan.

Here’s what I want to read more of in the upcoming weeks/months:
-Creativity is key to weather recession in fashion (Reuters)

An article like this can give me some information to work with and actually grow my business. Couldn’t agree more!

>>Where I’m going from here:  Reading and listening to the media going on and on about doom and gloom doesn’t directly benefit my life or business in a positive way, instead it begins to have a negative impact in many areas.

I will make an effort to stay informed about the things I can change and have an impact on me. Life goes on and business transactions still happen. Think creatively. There’s more to life than the economy (I really want to add the word “stupid” right here, but won’t).

I asked, they answered.

My question: What’s your favorite item at work you can’t live without?

I love asking these type of questions on Twitter because they always range from the practical to completely random. Such a simple question and 140 characters can give you a fascinating glimpse into daily lives, careers, and humor.

Here’s what some of my Tweeple have to say:

My favorite response: @DavySunshine and his desk disco ball. Now that is a man who knows how to party at work.

Favorite item: Beverages won hands down. Later on, I got a few more responses about the importance of coffee at work. Like this one:

Whether you’re on Twitter for business or pleasure, it’s a great way to grow your network, meet fascinating people, and find the best entertainment both on and offline. Consider joining Twitter if you’re not already there and see what it’s about.

Find out more about using Twitter as a business tool.

Follow me on Twitter: @egoddess

Doesn’t there need to be some email marketing etiquette established in the business world? The state of email marketing and e-newsletters today really gets my blood boiling. It really strikes a wrong chord within my body.

Here’s a confession: I don’t read most of the e-newsletters I receive. I delete 99% without even opening. I receive way too many and I don’t have time to read them all. Truth is, most email marketing stuff is boring (B-O-R-I-N-G) and rehashes the same stuff over and over and over again. I don’t care about your 70% off jewelry sale because I was never asked to be put on your marketing list AND your jewelry simply isn’t my taste. And no, I don’t need to be told for the umteenth time how to dress for success by a 70 year old lady who has suddenly discovered the Internet and a thing called Constant Contact and weekly newsletter by email.

Want me to read your e-marketing stuff? Here’s how:

• Send something out quarterly (MAXIMUM).

• Only send something out if you have something interesting or unique to say.

• Ask me if it’s okay to be put on your marketing list AND tell me how often you’ll be sending stuff out.

• Remember who I am and what I do. This goes for everyone on your list.

December is either a hectic and stressful month at work or the complete opposite. Which category do you fall under?

Category #1: It’s crunch time in the office. The boss has waited until the last minute to get the final reports in and he wants you to do it all. On top of that, you have clients calling who want their projects finished and they want them done NOW. Your evenings as you know them (a relaxing meal at home, a glass of wine, Desperate Housewives, and feet up on the coffee table) have been discarded in favor of Chinese take-out in the office as you madly try to beat the inevitable end of the 2008 calendar year.

Category #2: You’re getting paid to sit on your rear and do nothing for the rest of the year. This is commonly known as dying of boredom. As the calendar year comes to a close, fewer clients are spending money and the phones go quiet. You spend the morning buying holiday gifts on Amazon and you now have an account on Perez Hilton so you can give your two cents on Beyonce’s latest look. You arrive at the office close to 10am, take two hours for lunch, and leave promptly at 4:01pm.

In either case, you’re probably going mad.

It’s Monday and I’m not a happy camper. Maybe, just maybe…I have an ever so teeny tiny case of the Mondays. I know, it’s against my own company policy, but I’m human.

What a bummer that the world, once again, has started revolving. The only physical reminders of the fabulous weekend are the bottles hanging out in the recycling bin and a huge container of lonely stuffing.

There was something so relaxing about not being inundated with emails and not having to talk business. Any traces of anxiety vanished for the weekend as well as that always “gotta be on top of the game” feeling. I felt as relaxed as I could after such a gigantic meal.

What are you doing to make the Post-Thanksgiving Back to-Work Blues more bearable?

If you work for “The Man” you’ve probably already started your Christmas countdown calendar. Just keep it out of sight and continue working hard. Oh, and don’t forget to put a smile on your face and sound cheerful

Hopefully by tomorrow I’ll be loving life in the business world again.

PS- If you greet someone in the elevator on your way to the office who says, “Well, I guess it’s back to the trenches…” just smile and refrain from slapping.