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Please note that this blog has moved to my website - DoreenRainey.com.  Please visit the site to see the latest entries!

For Those Who Have Nothing

I was talking with a client a while back who relayed a story of a woman who always had something negative to say about how my client was running her business.  This woman felt the need to critique, complain, give unrequested negative comments, and dole out advice on how she would do things differently.  Finally, having had enough, the recipient of this constant unsolicited feedback finally bit back.  What did she say?

"My crap (she used another word) is better than your nothing."

Now, I'm not sure if that was an original statement, but it was new to me and I immediately understood her message behind it.  What she meant was that if you think what I'm doing doesn't meet your standards, it's still better than your nothing.

It can be so easy for people who are not doing anything to have something to say about what you are doing.

They are:

• not moving forward in their business
• not advancing in their career
• not managing their money well
• stuffing their face with donuts while telling you to start running instead of walking

Do you know anyone like this:

• They don't like your logo, but don't have one of their own.
• They want to tell you how to manage your relationships when they have broken families and unhealed hurts.
• They want to tell you how to get ahead in life when they haven't made any strides for themselves.
• They are quick to point out mistakes, missteps, and mishaps not realizing that they don't have any because they aren't doing anything.

To hear these people talk, they want you to believe they have it going on. But when you look a little closer, and check their action, there is no substance. They want to talk as if they have it all together, but they are really those who have nothing.  And for those that are in the trenches everyday - working...doing...taking action - feel free to tell that person, "my ___ is better than your nothing".

Of course, the key to this is knowing which person YOU are in the scenario.

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 RADICAL Success Coach Doreen Rainey helps her clients take charge of their professional and personal life. She is the founder of the Get RADICAL Women's Conference with Jillian Michaels and Niecy Nash taking place on March 26th in Washington, DC. For more information about the 2011 conference, visit the website. Registration is now open!

Register for RADICAL Conference - Bring a Friend FREE!!

Have I got some RADICAL news for you! 

As our team is putting the final touches on the event, we wanted to do something more, something bigger, something bold…something RADICAL!

And we think we’ve got it!

We’ve heard from so many women telling us that they wish their family member, friend, co-worker, or client could attend the conference with them. They know how much information, resources and networking will be available and hoped there was a way for others to come.  Well, we want to make that wish a reality.  We are excited to announce that every woman who registers for the conference can bring another woman FREE!

Yes, that’s right! When you register for the Get RADICAL Women’s Conference, you will get a General Registration to share with someone else. This conference will be so powerful and transformational that we want as many women as possible to have the opportunity to be a part of it. So, after checking with the hotel for the extra space, we are thrilled to be able to make this offer.

This “Bring-a-Friend” program allows so many more women to hear the stories, strategies, lessons learned, and get the tools and resources that these powerful speakers will be sharing that day.  Our lineup includes Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser, Niecy Nash from Clean House, Emmy Winner Rhonda Britten, Founder of the Fearless Living Institute, Ali Brown, CEO of Ali International, and Deborah Owens, Financial Expert and Author of A Purse of Your Own.  We hope you’re as excited about this as we are. 

To take advantage of this offer, simply register. You'll then be able to give us the name of the person who will be attending with you. You can click here to get more information and to register. If you don't know who you want to bring - no worries. You can register now and tell us later.

We hope to see you in a few short weeks!

Today, I Issued a Refund

I just logged off from my banking system after issuing a refund to a client.  I couldn't be happier!

Now, before you jump to conclusions about the client, let me just say that I LOVE this client. Not only have we been friends for a while, but when she became a client, I've been honored to help her start and grow her new business.

The reason why I issued a refund lies completely with me.

A couple of months ago, we were talking about a service she needed that not only could I do for her, but at the time, didn't mind doing.  It wasn't part of my core business (coaching, speaking, consulting), and it wasn't what got my juices flowing, or a service that I would want to expand to other clients.  It was just something I thought would be fun to work on, add value to my client, and help her move forward in this particular area of her business.

But after a couple of months of working on this special project, I began to feel stressed about it.  Because it wasn't a part of my core expertise, everything took longer than anticipated.  Because it wasn't what got my juices flowing - the sweet spot of my business - I would hesitate to work on it or put it off until all of my other projects were done.

The results?

I became frustrated, stressed, and angry - with myself. What seemed like a good idea at the time had turned into a nightmare.  And last night, I decided to face the truth.  I didn't have the time, energy, or the real expertise to continue with the project.

Has that ever happened to you? You started something with good intentions, but somehow, it got way off track?  You soon realized:

• I really don't have time for this.
• This isn't fitting in with my overall goals.
• This isn't serving me or my client.
• This isn't turning out like I thought it would.
• I don't have the skills, tools, or expertise to really do it justice.
• I just need to let go and move on.

Is this happening to you right now?  Do you have a client, an organization, a project, a committee...anything...that you've now realized is not where you need to be spending your time, giving your effort, or exerting your energy? If yes, you should consider taking a deep breath and letting them know. Once you do, you will feel an incredible sense of relief and freedom.

I made that call last night.

She completely understood - and while we won't be working on THAT project together, she's still a coaching client and moving forward, doing incredible things in her business.

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 RADICAL Success Coach Doreen Rainey helps her clients take charge of their professional and personal life. She is the founder of the Get RADICAL Women's Conference with Jillian Michaels and Niecy Nash taking place on March 26th in Washington, DC. For more information about the 2011 conference, visit the website. Registration is now open!

It's Your Time...Are You Ready?

Have you ever had that feeling that something big is about to happen? That a major change for you is brewing in the air? Have you told someone "This is my time"?  Yet, you still struggle a little to put the all the pieces together? If so, you don't want to miss the 3rd Annual Get RADICAL Women's Conference.  Whether it's your career, health, finances, business or just getting it together all the way around, you'll get clarity, strategies, and tools to help you create the successes you're working on.

Hundreds of women have already registered for the upcoming Get RADICAL Women's Conference and I have had the privilege of talking with several of them.  Some said they just "knew" they had to be here because this is exactly what they needed in their lives right now.  Others have said they had to move appointments, figure out child care, and make arrangements at work. A few said this is the first time they will be traveling alone, and while they are a little nervous, they were coming anyway. For some, the decision to come was considered RADICAL for them, but they set aside their fear because they are ready for massive changes in their life.

That's what this conference is all about! It will be powerful, transformational, and FUN!

Whether your focus is on building or changing careers, starting or growing a business, understanding how to better manage your finances, creating more balance, managing your roles (wife, mother, daughter, friend, sister, caretaker) or infusing more fun in your life, this is THE event to attend. Filled with practical, informative content, opportunities to network with other successful women, and the chance to design tangible action steps to move your closer to your life's goals, you will leave empowered, motivated, inspired AND with the tools and resources to get to the next level.

Here are what some of our attendees have said:

"The speakers are strong business women sharing their successes and failures, to help other women succeed and grow.I was given a number of tools and directions to go in to address problems I am having in my business and personal life. I truly left there with a lighter heart than I came in with and a sense of direction I have not had in a while."

"All the speakers were SO dynamic and vibrant. Their energy literally lit up the room and together all created an all-star team willing to share their skills and knowledge to help us all get better."

"I originally attended to see Jillian more than anything but I got SO MUCH from the other speakers. When I got home, I couldn't stop telling my husband all the amazing "ah-ha moments" I had. It was a wonderful empowering, eye opening experience!"

"Loved the conference. I left with a renewed feeling that I can do anything! I can be bold. I can be courageous and I'm going to get radical! Thank you so very much for a great day." 

Taking place on March 26th at the Renaissance Washington Hotel in Washington, DC, the Get RADICAL Women's Conference is designed to give you the information, strategies and tools you need to take charge of your professional and personal life.  Our expert speakers, including Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser, and Niecy Nash, Award Winning Actress, and Ali Brown, Award Winning Entrepreneur and self made millionaire, will be sharing their stories and advice on how you can get what you want in your career, finances, business, health and life balance.  You can learn more about each speaker's topic on the Program page on the web site.

Registration Options:

General Registration: A full day of interactive workshops with all our speakers - Jillian Michaels, Niecy Nash, Rhonda Britten, Ali Brown, Deborah Owens and Doreen Rainey.

VIP Registration with Ali Brown: Attend an exclusive luncheon with Ali Brown, CEO and Founder of Ali International. She was named by Forbes.com as the #1 Entrepreneur to follow on Twitter, as well as being named one of the fastest growing companies by Inc. Magazine. If you're a business owner, or have aspirations to be, you don't want to miss this chance to "pick her brain" about how she grew her business 333% during the recession.

VIP Registration with Rhonda Britten: How about a private breakfast with Emmy Winning Rhonda Britten, Founder of the Fearless Living Institute? As the life coach for the television show Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club, Rhonda is armed with the knowledge and steps you need to overcome whatever is holding you back from going for your goals.  She'll be sharing her insights on overcoming fear, getting unstuck and answering your specific questions.

Tickets for one, or both, of these events are included in our VIP, Platinum and Diamond registration packages.  These packages also include special seating, exclusive check-in area and other goodies. Please note that these tickets are extremely limited.  Our VIP programs sell out well before the conference takes place, so to make sure you've got a spot, simply click here to register today!

Grab your seat today! http://getradicalconference.com/registration

It's your time...are you ready?

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 RADICAL Success Coach Doreen Rainey helps her clients take charge of their professional and personal life. She is the founder of the Get RADICAL Women's Conference with Jillian Michaels and Niecy Nash taking place on March 26th in Washington, DC. For more information about the 2011 conference, visit the website. Registration is now open!

Standing at the Craps Table

I was talking with a dear friend the other day who shared her slight agitation with a couple of people she had recently come across who were experiencing great success in their careers - both monetary and in being satisfied and fulfilled.  

She reasoned she had gotten her education, held professional jobs, and was now a leader in her organization - having the title, staff and salary to go along with it.  Yet, how was it that these other people seemed to be happier, more fulfilled and richer than her? And, adding to that agitation, was the fact that these people were 10+ years younger.

I immediately thought of a conversation I had with Kim Snider over a year ago.  A financial expert, and one of the speakers at last year's Get RADICAL Women's Conference. What she said forever changed my perspective on what it means to live in a capitalistic society.  

Kim explained that the capitalistic system is built to reward people for taking risk.  A capitalistic financial system doesn't reward equally - and sometimes it doesn't reward at all.  The people my friend was referring to had taken great risks. And while they had some ups and downs, they were experiencing a tremendous payoff for those risks.

Now, that may not seem fair to some people, but that doesn't make it less true.  And that analogy can also be true beyond financial success - it can be true in business, relationships, your career, finding peace and creating balance in your life.  To gain any of those things to the extent that you want them, it will require risk on your part. That leads to the obvious question:

What risk are you willing to take to get what you want?

When I posed this question to my friend, she paused. Risk - taking a gamble - letting it all ride. Those were concepts that made her very uncomfortable.  She related it to gambling - and not only had she never been one to roll the dice, pull on the one armed bandit, or double down on blackjack, she wouldn't even step foot in the casino. That's when I explained that risk should be calculated.

Standing at the craps table and rolling the dice puts you at risk to lose big or win big - but in life, you want to put yourself in a position where the risk is calculated.  A loss may be possible, but the payoff could change the trajectory of your life.

Risk, just like doing something RADICAL, is relative. It has a different definition for each person.  Risk for someone could be finally changing their hairstyle, ordering something they've never eaten at a restaurant they've never tried, outlining why they deserve a raise and then go and negotiate for it, or joining a professional or social group filled with people they want to get to know.

Risk could also be separating yourself from some people in your life that don’t align with your beliefs, values or goals and focusing on developing more nourishing relationships. It could be tapping into your savings to start a business - or stopping the financial drain by closing a business.  

Whatever area in your life you are feeling a little restless with, a little dissatisfied with, a little disappointed with - think about the risk you may have to take to change it. Then decide if you want to stand at the table and roll the dice.

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 RADICAL Success Coach Doreen Rainey helps her clients take charge of their professional and personal life. She is the founder of the Get RADICAL Women's Conference with Jillian Michaels and Niecy Nash taking place on March 26th in Washington, DC. For more information about the 2011 conference, visit the website. Registration is now open!

The Inspiration From Others

As I wrapped up my time at The Biggest Loser Resort, I took a little time to reflect on all the amazing people I met during my time there.  It's so interesting to hear other people's story - who they are, what they have been through, what they have accomplished, and what some of their goals are. 

There was the woman who had beat breast cancer and was there to get back into working out. In kickboxing class, she saw the punching bag as cancer and beat the crap out of it - just like she had done with her own illness.

There was the 72 year old grandmother of 35 who hiked and attended all the classes. She shared how she started a private school that had become one of the top schools in her area.  Now, she was planning to open a summer camp that would combine theatre and agriculture. She proves every day that it's never too late.

There was the fitness instructor who had conquered her own health challenges by losing 95 pounds 3 years ago and was now helping others realize their full potential by encouraging them to stay focused on their goals.

There was the southern sweetheart with the charming accent and kind heart who encouraged everyone in every class. Working hard, pushing herself, and bringing everyone along with her.

There was young woman who always felt awkward and unaccepted and left feeling more confident and assured that she could do and be anything she wanted.

And there were countless others who climbed mountains for the first time, ran on a treadmill for the first time, picked up a weight for the first time, got in a swimming pool not caring how they "thought" they looked in a swimsuit, and those who just amazed themselves everyday with their strength, their courage and their ability to do more than they ever thought possible.

I felt honored to be around so many wonderful people and gleen from their drive, motivation and inspiration. It was an unforgettable experience.

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As the RADICAL Success Coach, Doreen Rainey helps her clients take charge of their professional and personal life. She is the founder of the Get RADICAL Women's Conference with Jillian Michaels and Niecy Nash. For more information about the 2011 conference, visit the website. Registration is now open!