New Site for Full Wattage! is Here
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I have moved my blog to the website dedicated to my new book Full Wattage! The new site is filled with lots of articles and posts to help you live a more purposeful and engaging life worth celebrating.
You can access it at www.FullWattage.com/blog
I think you will enjoy it 
See you there…
Liz
So You Think You Can Speak?
By · CommentsI am thrilled and very honored to be representing the D.C. Chapter of the National Speakers Association in a National contest called So You Think You Can Speak?
Here (below) is the official press release as well as my winning video. I’ll keep you posted as to the results. Keep your fingers crossed for me
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN SPEAK? LOCAL SPEAKER SAYS, “YES!”
It’s been said that most people would rather die than give a speech, but not local motivational speaker Liz Fletcher Brown. Ms Fletcher Brown was recently nominated the Rising Star of the D.C. Area Chapter of the National Speakers Association, and now competes for the National title.
For the first time ever, the National Speakers Association, which is the leading association for those who speak professionally, is conducting a contest called So You Think You Can Speak. The winner will have the honor of being awarded the title NSA Rising Star 2011.
Having won the contest on the local level, Ms Fletcher Brown now competes with other speakers from across the country for one of six spots in the finals, to take place at the association’s annual convention in Anaheim, CA in July 30 – August 2nd 2011.
Ms Fletcher Brown is a “thought leader” in the field of personal transformation. She specializes in high energy, motivational, thought-provoking and content rich keynotes and workshops that help participants have the right attitude for success, even in challenging times.
She brings to all of her work an infectious enthusiasm and a unique combination of dance as a dramatic teaching metaphor, engaging stories and practical ideas to enhance attendees working and personal lives.
Fire the Judges in Your Life!
By · CommentsOne of the greatest causes of stress in our lives comes from self criticism and judgment. We are our own worst enemies.
Yet, how we see ourselves will be the greatest determing factor in our success or failure in every area of our lives.
Maybe it’s time to fire the judges and get bigger about who you are…
Self Image: Fire the Judges in Your Life and Get Bigger About Who You Are!
Will Make you Feel Like Dancing
By · CommentsWhat a fantastic collection of dance movies… almost 40 in all. It certainly made me feel like dancing. Enjoy!
Sometimes You Need an Adventure
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Yesterday I was feeling somewhat unmotivated and didn’t have my usual energy. The words I used were “like a slug”. Just didn’t seem able to get much accomplished.
By late afternoon my husband, Francis, was done with work. He doesn’t usually finish that early and so he wanted to take advantage of it. His idea was to go for a boat ride on the Chesapeake Bay. And he wanted me to go with him.
I felt I needed to stay home and “be productive” to make up for my rather non-productive day.
But he insisted. So off we went.
It started off lovely and very soon I was so glad I chose to get out of my office. By early evening there were so many boats out on the water. It was beautiful.
But then a storm rolled in. The sky got rather dark and you could hear the thunder in the distance. And it kept getting closer.
We decided to try to get back to the dock as quickly as possible. I have to say, it was rather exciting. We flew through the waves, staying just ahead of the storm, all the while keeping our eyes glued for crab pots. The sky continued to get darker and darker.
We were almost back when the sky opened up and the rains came. And it was heavy. Very heavy! Within seconds we were both soaked through.
Luckily there was no lightning, for which I was grateful. But it rained so hard it was difficult to see. Despite that, when I looked at Francis with water pouring off him I couldn’t help but laugh. He laughed too.
It was still torrential when we reached the dock, so we quickly took care of the boat and ran for the house and dry towels. We both felt exhilarated. I had been transformed from a slug to an energizer bunny. I felt so alive and energized.
It made me realize that we all need a bit of adventure now and then to get us out of our routine. And it doesn’t need to be something huge. For me, a simple boat ride out on the bay did the trick.
Today I still feel energized from it, and, yes, I’m getting things done
So what do you need to do to add more adventure to your life?
Sometimes, it seems like a luxury, but taking time out to renew and revitalize us can actually lead to getting much more done in the long run. And it’s a lot more fun.
National Dance Day: Get Up and MOVE!
By · CommentsThis Saturday, July 31st is National Dance Day, a grassroots movement that encourages people of all ages to get up and MOVE!
Created by Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer and co-creator of the hit FOX series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE and founder of the Dizzy Feet Foundation, the aim of National Dance Day is to promote health and self-esteem through the art form of dance.
Events are taking place around the country, including flash mobs in L.A., N.Y.C. and Washington D.C.
Wanna take part? Then just learn this simple dance (see video below), and find an event near you.
And if you will be in the D.C area Saturday, see you on the Mall.
Why Affirmations Don’t Always Work!
By · CommentsIn a recent post I wrote about the law of attraction, and that whatever you put your focus on, you get more of.
To clarify, I was not talking about writing or saying affirmations. I think we’ve all tried that. You know… when you stick those million-dollar bills that you can buy for a few cents all over the ceiling above your bed so you see them first thing in the morning.
And the little sticky notes on the bathroom mirror, on the fridge, and all over your computer screen that read, “I am wealthy beyond imagination. All the money I need comes to me easily and in abundance.” All those reminders about how wealthy you are.
Then an unexpected expense shows up and you completely lose it. (Been there, done that!) Or you constantly worry about money. You hang onto things you don’t really need because you don’t want to let them go. You act in every way as if you were broke.
Where are you putting your attention? What are you really focusing on?
The universe doesn’t look at what you write down on those pieces of paper, or what you tell yourself 20 times or 20,000 times a day. It looks at what you base your actions on. It looks at what you are calling real by your thoughts, and words and actions…..then it gives you even more than of that!
The universe assumes that what you put your focus on must be what you want. Otherwise why would you be spending so much time thinking about it?
What you say you want and what you actually focus your attention on are not always the same thing!
So instead of focusing your energy on what you don’t want, focus instead on what it is that you do want. And amazing things can happen!
And when something comes along in life that doesn’t match your vision, don’t make a big deal of it. Tell yourself it is just an anomaly, and as soon as possible, get back to focusing on what you want.
Whatever You Put Your Focus On…
By · CommentsHave you ever noticed that whatever you focus on, you get more of?
When I was in my teens we lived in a cul-de-sac of about a dozen houses at the end of a fairly busy street. My brother Richard was flexing his boundaries and stayed out way past his bed time.
It was late, and the neighborhood was very quiet as he stealthily made his way along the street and up the path to our front door. All of a sudden, out of nowhere there was a cacophony. Lights snapped on, curtains swung open and shouts could be heard in the street.
Apparently, under the stress of thinking about what would happen if he was caught coming home so late, he forgot about the empty glass milk bottles standing like soldiers guarding the entrance to the front door. Normally, in the morning they’d be magically replaced with full bottles of rich, creamy milk.
He was so focused in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the milk bottles … until he walked right into them, and sent them crashing down the stone steps making enough noise to wake the whole neighborhood.
After he had been reprimanded by my mum, not just for being so late, but for making such a commotion, I asked him what happened. He said, “I don’t know. I was trying so hard to not make any noise. I didn’t want to wake anybody up, especially mum.”
He was so focused on what he didn’t want, and that was exactly what he created.
The subconscious mind doesn’t understand “didn’t” or “not”. It just notices where your attention is, and assumes that must be what you want more of. Otherwise, why would you be spending so much time thinking about it?
Have you ever looked at your life and wondered why it didn’t always match what you really wanted? Consider the possibility that what you say you want and what you spend your time focusing on may not always be the same thing. Whatever you put your focus on, you get more of!
Smile…
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I was recently taking a dance class and the combination we had to learn was very demanding. Everyone was having a hard time with it.
Then, just when I was beginning to get the hang of it, the teacher told us to reverse it. Yikes! I barely could get through it as it was, and now I had to switch the whole thing in my head. Every step, every gesture or arm movement that had been to the right was now to the left and visa versa.
I wasn’t the only one having trouble. All around the studio dancers were getting frustrated and there was at least one collision (luckily nobody got hurt).
But then, unexpectedly, and somewhat out of character the dance teacher told a brief but rather funny story of an on-stage collision that happened early in her career. Everyone was laughing.
Then she told us all to try the combination again. This time, everyone did it perfectly…. while still smiling.
Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as a smile can have such a positive impact?
So the next time you are feeling frustrated or stuck, try smiling. It might help you, too.
Let me know how it goes….
No Time For Play? Think Again.
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When you are feeling stressed out, how does that affect your creativity?
And I’m not just talking about the more obvious creative aspects of your work. But also think about your ability to deal with a challenging client or coworker.
Or being able to create enticing win win situations or joint ventures with other professionals.
Or how about coming up with new ways to serve your clients or customers that make you really stand out.
Or thinking up an unusual way of marketing yourself, an idea or a product.
Or even your ability to develop new work habits that make your life easier.
How, well do you do any of these things when you’re stressed out?
One way to open yourself up to being more creative is to simply break out of your normal habits for a short period of time. And a great way to break out of your routine is to bring some playfulness and spontaneity to your work environment. You will find that some of your most creative flashes will come when you are having fun, if you allow yourself!
Ann McGee-Cooper in Time Management for Unmanageable People wrote, “The more we work, the more tired we get, the less creative or open-minded we are, and the less we accomplish, so we get further behind and then we think we have no time for play.”
Isn’t that the truth!
So, think about some of the things that you loved to do as a child? The more wacky the better?
Is there any way you can incorporate any elements of those things into your workday? Especially on days that you know are going to be tough on you.
Taking time out to add fun and playfulness to your day WILL actually re-energize you, and get the creative juices flowing so that you actually get more done in less time. Try it!
