Posts made in July, 2009

The Making of iPhone App – Vision Board!

Posted on Jul 24, 2009 in happiness, health, wealth | 5 comments

After the amazing and truly unexpected success of Gratitude Journal, I crafted another app with the intention to improve peoples’ lives — Vision Board Deluxe (iTunes link). It is such a sweet relief to finally have this little darling out in the world!

See, it took Apple a month to approve Vision Board. First a rejection, then a resubmission, and a lot of waiting and wondering in between.

In the mean time, I was flooded with lovely messages from folks itching to get their hands on this little gem, wondering when it will be available. And rightly so. I’ve had the luxury of using it daily for over a month and let me tell you, it’s powerful stuff.

I created vision boards before. Basically you go through magazines and cut out pictures that scream “I want that to be my life!” and paste them to a big tag board. You hang it someplace where you will see it daily so you attract those things in your life. That last bit is the clincher. Not quite matching with my decor, my vision boards usually ended up in the closet losing their effect.

That’s where the Vision Board app is so amazing. I have it with me all the time. If I’m bored in a meeting, waiting at the airport, or for my laptop to boot up, I flip through my Vision Board app. But most importantly I make sure I look at it every night before I go to sleep.

Too often we go to bed with our minds filled with negative thoughts from the day’s drama or tomorrow’s worries. Not only does it damage our sleep, but we’re still emanating negative energies the entire time we’re fast asleep. According to quantum physics and the law of attraction, these energies grow and attract more of the same in our lives. Instead, I recap the goodness from the day in my Gratitude Journal followed by dreaming about the future with my Vision Board. I go to sleep feeling positive and good and continue to give off those vibes all night long.

As a result, my life has shifted so quickly this past month. Something small like a note saying “Meet creative and inspirational women” manifests well over 150 of them one week later! An image of my ideal career leads to a phone call with someone who can open doors. Of course, it’s not the image that got me there, but looking at it, believing it, closing my eyes and feeling what it’s like to have it, and then acting on it.

Creating another iPhone app was a lot smoother the second time around. I used the same formula outlined in my book “Inside Secrets to an iPhone App” and the costs were pretty much on par with Gratitude Journal. Although I gave my superstar developer David Loewental a small bonus just because it is such a charm to work with him.

I had the amazing Scott Jackson create the genie icon which he whipped together on just one go. Impressive, no? All the other design work I did myself.

I have the mix of an amazing team that are not only unbelievably talented, but super cool too. Decisions are made in a second. Honest opinions shared respectfully. And everyone strives to have their very best to come through. It’s been so rewarding to work with such deep talent.

Best of all, all three of us have the same intention — to create something that improves the world, puts out good vibes and creates peace in others’ lives.

If you don’t have an iPhone or iPod Touch, I highly recommend Jennifer Lee’s Unfolding Your Life Vision Kit. It’s gorgeous and portable as well!

Visualization works. Athletes use it, performers, politicians …you name it. It’s a little secret weapon of very successful people. The key to attracting the life you want is to see it, really feel what it’s like to have it, then believe with all your heart that it will come. It might not be in the form your mind thought it would be, but you will attract what you put out in the world. So start collecting those pictures and put then on a tag board, in your iPhone app, or Jennifer’s Vision Kit. Give thanks, vision your future, live life to the fullest.

ps: I promised David I would share him with the world. This is really hard to do given I did this with my last developers and they got so popular I couldn’t afford them in the end. But David promises he’ll always be my friend even when he’s super successful.

David Loewenthal
phone: +1 206 612 6741
email: davidloew@hotmail.com

101 Things I Love

Posted on Jul 14, 2009 in happiness | 8 comments

Eat dessert first.

Rewarding myself is something I try to practice daily. It’s my way of taking care of myself – refueling – so I have the energy to take care of others. It’s not easy because we’re taught that indulging in what we love is selfish. But trust me, it’s vital to staying creative and feeling amazing. It sends a message that I am important and vital. And when I’m feeling good, others get the benefit of my strength.

So what is your source of rocket fuel? They say it takes 21 days to create a new habit so come up with your own personalized recharging plan. Start by listing 101 things that make you giddy and drunk with pleasure. Then make sure you add as many of these things to your daily routine. Once you get started, you can’t imagine a day without just a bit of me time.

101 Things I Love

1. Laughing until I have tears in my eyes.
2. Scuba diving.
3. Trying a new recipe.
4. Picking fresh veg from my new garden.
5. Going for a run at sunrise.
6. Watching a good movie that sticks with me for days afterwards.
7. Snowboarding on fresh powder.
8. Waking up in a foreign country.
9. Meeting people who openly express themselves.
10. Seeing an old couple holding hands.
11. The taste of white peaches.
12. Every single yoga class I have ever taken.
13. Driving through Europe with the top down on the convertible.
14. Walking in a warm tropical rains.
15. Dancing.
16. Reading a good book from start to finish in one setting.
17. Baking.
18. Eating what I baked.
19. Going someplace with no electricity, telephone, or internet.
20. Hooking up with a friend I haven’t seen in years.
21. Making new friends.
22. Hiking a mountain.
23. A cold beer after mowing the lawn.
24. The sounds of a children’s playground.
25. Seeing a show at Red Rocks in Colorado.
26. Meditating.
27. Taking photos.
28. Learning a new language.
29. Launching a new product.
30. Writing.
31. Riding my bike on windy country roads.
32. Listening to an opera singer in an old French chapel.
33. The new Mercedes GLK.
34. Getting my teeth cleaned. Really!
35. Swimming in the sea with the feel of salt water on my skin afterwards.
36. The smell of lilac bushes in the Spring.
37. Horseback riding in Colorado.
38. A free upgrade on my flight.
39. Afternoon naps.
40. Playing with my nephews and nieces.
41. Sushi.
42. Helping someone get ahead.
43. Hanging out with my family.
44. A cup of hot tea in the morning.
45. Chatting with my hairdresser as she makes me look gorgeous.
46. Putting together a cool new outfit with old clothes.
47. Shoe shopping in Paris.
48. Riding the trains through Europe, Asia, or India.
49. Picking berries then making crumble.
50. Banana pancakes.
51. Donating to a good cause.
52. Going to a black box theater.
53. Visiting any art museum.
54. The smell of fresh coffee.
55. Thunderstorms.
56. Riding on the back of Colin’s motorbike.
57. Farmers markets.
58. Getting a massage.
59. Sipping wine while listening to good tunes.
60. Picking out a present for a friend.
61. Riding in a massive semi-truck.
62. Taking a long hot bath on a cold winter night.
63. Sailing.
64. Crawling into bed with the smell of line dried sheets.
65. Find a color of lipstick that works.
66. Winning any sort of prize.
67. Throwing a party.
68. Taking in a view over a city.
69. Watching my friends win.
70. The sound of piano music.
71. Reading gossip magazines at the salon.
72. Drawing.
73. Comedy shows.
74. European chocolate.
75. The sound of my husband coming home.
76. Singing in the shower.
77. Discovery a great hole in the wall restaurant.
78. Soft sweaters.
79. Ice cream. Pretty much any flavor.
80. Dressing up for a party or show.
81. Buying plants.
82. Browsing book stores.
83. Writing a letter to a friend for no reason.
84. Trying unidentifiable food from stalls in foreign markets.
85. Giving a talk.
86. Listening to a good story (but not gossip!).
87. Cooking a grand meal with Colin.
88. Making the impossible happen.
89. Eating outdoors.
90. Stretching in the morning.
91. Doing my nails.
92. Getting a facial.
93. Working from home.
94. Laying in bed day dreaming.
95. Playing mind bender games on my iPod.
96. Finding a penny & leaving it heads side up for the next person.
97. Chatting with teenagers. It’s fascinating.
98. People watching at Waterloo station.
99. Playing with puppies.
100. Treating myself to a whole new outfit.
101. Redecorating the house!

Working together works.

Posted on Jul 8, 2009 in wealth | 12 comments

A couple weeks ago I ordered half dozen books about female entrepreneurship. I’m only on the first one and already feel it’s making a huge difference. The main message is that women’s approach to business is different than men’s. Mainly because women are natural connectors.

Women love to gab and can bond over something as small as a brand of tea. We don’t really need much more in common that a love for Jimmy Choo shoes. When I moved to South Dakota, I was lost without my female friends back in London just a quick text message away. They gave me confidence, support, and a bond I attribute to my success.

I half-heartedly tried to rebuild my girly group here with little success. To be honest, I wasn’t trying that hard because until now I didn’t realize just how insanely important it is. This past week I’ve made it a point to expand my female network every day and I’m taken back by just how easy it’s been!

Here’s just a few of my new amigas:

• Jennifer Lee of Life Unfolds. I’ve admired Jennifer from afar and now we have all sorts of good ideas in the mix. Jennifer is an extremely talented artist and and I’m so honored to work with her!
• Kelly Watson of WomenwiseMarketing.com. I have read her marketing blog for months and am doing a guest post.
• Jamie Ridler of Open the Door. Another inspiring artist who’s all about doing what you love, Jamie just launched a new website and will be giving away promo codes for my new app, Vision Board.
• Christine Kane of ChristineKane.com. A singer song-writer who first inspired me to create a vision board, Christine’s blog is one not to miss. She’ll be giving away my app as well.
• Valentina Ramos of ValendinaDesigns.com. Her fabulous work will be featured in my Vision Board app!
• Susanah Conway of Ink on my Fingers. Susanah is the catalyst who woke me up to the power of collaboration when she interviewed me on her blog last spring. She is an outstanding photographer and writer and I’m lucky enough to be taking her Unraveling eCourse.
• Leigh Duncan-Durst of LivePath. I just got back from a three hour rap session with Leigh and I have to say it’s so cool to have this talented woman living in the same town as me.

Don’t get me wrong. I love collaborating with guys too. In fact, there’s a few names of some amazing men I could add to the list as well. But for now, I’m focusing on my girly group. There’s just something about girlfriends that makes life complete.