What Propelled Me to Create The Daring

August 18, 2008

There is an interesting story behind The Daring that goes back to the fall of 2001. I would like to invite you to read it.  Please go to the website -  under the About Us section you will find The Daring Story.

I believe that we all have a deep desire to live more daringly, to be all that we can be … to have an exciting and fulfilling life.  But, at the end of the day, only a few of us dare to step out of comfort zone, follow our hearts and embrace life with passion and gusto. It is even harder if we try to go at it alone without some level of encouragement, support, access to knowledge and leadership from women who have been there and done that so to speak - and, at the same time, not be limited by geographical boundaries to find the support and the knowledge we need. 

So many women offer products and services that are not limited to a specific geography (the world can literally be our playground) and now with the cost of gas it becomes even more practical to have the opportunity to reach out to other likeminded women without always having to leave your home. 

In my opinion, women tend to do business differently. We turn to other likeminded women for support and inspiration. And once we find the right support system, tools, ideas and connections, we have the strength to aim higher and the confidence to see and seize the opportunities before us to create the life, business or career we crave and to fulfill our personal and professional aspirations.

To validate my thinking, however, I did a lot of research to ensure that I was not the only one wanting what I was looking for and not finding it  So, before creating The Daring I spent over 18 months interviewing successful daring women to find out number 1:  what they all had in common - what were the traits that they exemplify in their daily lives (and that’s how I came up with the 7 Principles of Successful Daring Women) and number 2 what had contributed the most to their success.

There were three things they all agreed on:  1. Follow in the footsteps of successful leaders who can guide you, teach you and inspire you, 2. Surround yourself with likeminded people who want you to succeed and reciprocate with same, and 3. Dare to Promote Yourself … you have to be seen in order to be successful .. you have to show up, speak up, stand up and stand out.  I would add to that, you have to be emotionally resilient.

So every woman out there has those same needs but not all have the means and the access to knowledge, expertise, connections and support at a price they can afford.

That’s exactly why I created The Daring.  A place where women could speak their minds, share their dreams, make friends, negotiate deals, strut their stuff, empower and inspire one another to take bold actions and risks to live a more fulfilling, abundant and prosperous life…, in short to embrace a more Daring lifestyle. 

We offer our members over 10 different ways to increase their visibility, gain free exposure and promote their unique products, services, programs and events to our community.  Nothing speaks to success like a successful entrepreneur or professional so The Daring has assembled a first-class lineup of Success Experts to guide you. Women who have excelled in their fields and achieved great success are involved with The Daring to help our members to soar. They’re sharing their powerful lessons, empowering knowledge and intimate secrets to success.  We host Virtual Coaching and Community Support Calls where our members ask questions, requests for help and share their successes.  We will soon launch The Daring Women Series and so much more.

The International Community of Daring Women is exactly the type of network a woman needs if she is ready to step up and take ownership of her life and goals.

“Life Begins at the end of your comfort zone! Let Francine and The Daring Dare You to realize your full potential!”

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Join 1 Million People Who Are Finding Their Purpose

June 27, 2008

I knew right away that I needed to share the enclosed information with you. You will see why. I encourage you to take action, as I did, and to pass the information forward to the people you care about. They will thank you for itI am currently supporting a ground-breaking launch for my friend Manny Goldman, founder of PersonalGrowth.com. He has partnered with Jim White, PhD, in the launch of “What’s My Purpose?”

On Wednesday, June 18th, Jim White made a bold and inspiring post to his blog.

http://www.whatsmypurpose.com/blog/800867

Jim declared that he’s starting a movement to encourage 1 million people
to seek and live their true life’s purpose.

Why? Because not only will it help 1 million people create inner and
outer ‘wealth’ - including a deeper sense of happiness, contribution,
prosperity and freedom…

It also has the potential to transform the world.

A heart-driven, purpose-driven life is the source of immense power and
solution and positive result.

Jim’s bestselling book (aptly named “What’s My Purpose?”) addresses not
only the importance of ‘purpose’, it describes concrete steps to unlocking
your life’s purpose.

Jim’s book has already sold 200,000 copies and the momentum - and impact
- is growing globally.

“Living on purpose” is the secret to success for many, including hugely
successful people such as Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, and even
Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield and T. Harv Eker.

Finding true purpose is the most important step you will take in your
quest for an extraordinary life - one that includes greater wealth,
greater contribution, greater happiness and the freedom to live
life on your terms.

I agree with Jim. When 1 million people live fully aligned with their
talent, passion and vision there will be a ripple effect on the well-being
of the planet. Imagine living in a world where poverty, war and hatred
are distant memories. Your choice to live a purpose-driven life is the
solution, for you, for your family and community, and for the world.

Learn more and Get Involved, as I did, at:
http://www.whatsmypurpose.com/blog/800867

Jim provides you with free tools to immediately begin discovering and
living your life’s purpose.

All it takes is openness - a willingness to live a bigger life. I
encourage you to go to Jim’s blog and make a comment about how you’re also
committed to finding and living your life’s purpose. While there, please
download his free tools to further your journey.

You’ll be joining countless people who are claiming their success and their
place in a better world. Thank you for taking action

http://www.whatsmypurpose.com/blog/800867

To your success with purpose,

Francine Allaire
Purpose and Prosperity Coach and
Founder of The Daring

P.S. A word of caution. The mere act of committing to seek your purpose
can have a profound effect on your life.

You may find opportunities and insights flow to you as you signal
your willingness to the universe.

Wealth and happiness and calm may start flowing to you with an ease
you’ve never before realized.

Here’s that link to get you started:
http://www.whatsmypurpose.com/blog/800867

 

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Social Media Program - Don’t Miss Out

June 22, 2008

Join us Starting Monday June 23rd

*** What Exactly Will You Learn? ***

This is a huge topic. But after giving it a lot of thought I realized there are several most important things you need to know.

1) You need to have a central place to connect all your social networking activities too. The best way to do it is to have a blog. So the first call will be all about BUSINESS blogging.

2) You need to master at least a couple of social networking sites and harness their power to build profitable relationships.  I chose Facebook and Twitter (but we’ll mention other websites as well) So calls #2 and #3 will be about strategies for using those two sites to attract more clients and build your business.

3) Doing it all effectively. If you aren’t careful, Social Media Networking can overwhelm you very quickly! Let’s not let it happen to you!

And the call #4 will give you the exact strategies and the tools you need to manage all your daily social network activities with only a few keyboard strokes in a few minutes per day.

These calls are free to listen to. And if want to get the  MP3 recordings, and complete transcripts of each call, you can request them (for a small fee) once you register.

http://www.themarketingmentors.com/cmd.php?af=729109&u=www.fromcontactstocontracts.com

*** Social Networking Sites Facts that Will Shock You **

I actually suggest you print out this article for future reference

(facts and stats provided by Adam Urbanski, The Marketing Mentors) 

You are about to discover shocking stats about the world’s sixth most popular website and how you can use it to attract new clients and grow your business… With only a few minutes of attention each day,  you can use this new media to…

=> grow your list of newsletter subscribers,

=> find and connect with new strategic partners,

=> generate direct sales of your products and services! .

And there is more…

 *** Look WHO Is Already “Playing” Here ***

 Here are some of them: 

==> Seth Godin (yes, the guy who wrote “Purple Cow”, ”Permission Marketing”, “Unleashing the Ideavirus”  and too many other books to list here) 

==> Dr. Joe Vitale (yes, the start of the movie “Secret” and author of dozens of books!) 

==> Joe Sugarman (the guy behind the multi-million dollar success of BlueBlocker sunglasses) 

==> Malcolm Gladwell (author of “Blink” and “The Tipping Point”)

==> Mark Victor Hansen (creator of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series)

==> Jack Canfield (co-creator of “Chicken Soup…”, “The Success Principles” and many others!)

I could go on and on… But I think you get the point!

*** You Can “Tweet” Your Way to More Clients. Really! ***

 If multi-millionaires, world-class consultants and coaches, and even huge companies, like Southwest Airlines, Comcast Communication, and Box.net “stoop” to the level of having a Twitter account - well, I thought I better get one too!

*** Just Look at These Numbers ***

Adam did a lot of homework and he found shocking data about LinkedIn, Myspace, Facebook, and other such sites.

It would take too long to list it all here, so I’ll just share a few details about Facebook for now.

–> It’s the 6th most popular website in the world! 

–> It has over 60 million active users!

–> 250,000 new people join Facebook EVERY day! 

–> It gets more than 65 BILLION page views per month!

–> 56% are 25 years old and older

–> Over 55% of members are WOMEN!

 –> 35% of members earn more than $60,000 per year 

–> 23% make over $100,000 per year

Again, do I need to continue? Still think this is just a fad. Still think you can afford to ignore this media? 

Think again!

 *** What Are The Reasons You Should Get Involved? ***

For one, whether you are participating or not, your current (and potential) customers are talking about you online right now!

If you’re not a part of this conversation, you have no idea if what they say is good or bad! 

You also miss out on important data about exactly what your customers are shopping for and how they make buying decisions. Don’t you think it’s invaluable to find out those things?

Also, if you’re not involved, you’re missing out on an amazingly easy opportunity to increase your search engine rankings and grab a ton of targeted, free traffic coming to your site when you grow your “social footprint.”

But, if you go about it the wrong way, you will likely end up wasting a lot of your time at best.  It might even cost you your reputation if you make mistakes that - unfortunately - can’t be erased!

*** So How Do You Take Advantage of This? ***

I admit once again - only a few weeks ago I was totally ignorant about all of this. 

But once I realized how powerful social media sites and online networking are, and how quickly you can leverage them to grow your business, I want to tell you all I’ve learned. And even things I don’t know yet!

That’s why I invited four world’s leading Social Media and Networking experts to be my guests on a series of four calls I’m hosting next week.

These are no lightweights! They are frequently mentioned in prominent business media - like Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, Fast Company, and too many TV and radio stations to even start listing.

They preach what they practice - not practice what they preach (big difference!) And they all agreed to answer as many questions as we can fit in a 70-minute call - and without wasting your time on sales pitches!

These calls are free to listen to. And if want to get the MP3 recordings, and complete transcripts of each call, you can request them (for a small fee) once you register.

http://www.themarketingmentors.com/cmd.php?af=729109&u=www.fromcontactstocontracts.com

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The Secret to Being Happy

June 14, 2008

One of the biggest problems today is that too many people are not happy.

We look for external stimuli to make us happy. We expect our significant other to make us happy and divorce him when he doesn’t. We expect our children to fulfill our dreams for them and are disappointed in them when they do not. We expect money to solve all our problems and make us happy, then, we can’t understand why it doesn’t once we have it.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I will be happy when…”?

I will be happy, when I start making more money in my business.

I will be happy, once I am married.

I will be happy, when I get a promotion.

I will be happy, when my children are grown and I have more time for myself.

Pages and pages of examples could be given.

Another way to view this statement is, “I will do this, when that happens.” Have you ever made that type of statement? I hear people say it all the time. You are making your happiness contingent upon an external event.

Happiness is not an external thing. Even once you have something external, the happiness it brings you is short-lived. For example:

You have waited for that special relationship. The significant other is great, but you still have a negative attitude. You were happy during the initial stages, but now it seems routine.

You have always known that a promotion would get that new home for which you and your spouse have been waiting. You got the promotion, the money is great, and you buy that home. After the beginning excitement wears off, things go back to the same routine, just in a different house. Your happiness falls back to your previous feeling before the promotion.

You and your spouse know that you will be happy, once the children are grown. You will not have to work so hard to provide for the family, and you will have more time to enjoy your relationship and home. Well, the children have grown, but they can’t afford to live on their own. All three children are still living at home…for free!

Look at all the time in the examples above that people wasted not being happy! Then, when they got what they were waiting for, the happiness was fleeting. Again, it’s because happiness cannot be gained from anything external.

THE SECRET TO BEING HAPPY

It’s incredible how many books have been written on the topic of being happy. Yet, so many people are not. Do they not read the books? There are people who read such books all the time and are still not happy.

With so many unhappy people in the world, being happy must be an extremely difficult thing to achieve.

Haven’t you known or met that person who always has a great smile on their face, a smile in their voice, and a skip in their step? You want that too…don’t you?

So what is the secret to finding happiness?

Believe it or not, the secret is known!

It is easy to do - no complicated actions.

It is quick to do - no long-term procedures.

You can do it anywhere - no special requirements or equipment are needed.

Anyone can do it!

The secret?

Determine yourself to be happy!  That’s right, happiness is a simply a choice.  And the good news is, you are the one who gets to decide.

It’s an internal process.

True happiness that lasts is an internal process. Nothing from outside you can make you happy or unhappy. As in any situation, your reaction determines whether the event is stressful for you or not. It is the same with happiness.

If upon waking each morning, you state strongly to yourself, “I am happy today”, then you will be. Whenever you encounter stress, just mentally reaffirm, “I am happy today”, the stress will be there, but your reaction will be minimal.

That person who always wears a smile and has a skip in his step, seldom experiences stress the same way you do. She is happy, and being happy allows the stress to roll of her back better.

So, make your determination every morning.

Intend to be happy. Tape affirmations that say, “I am happy today” all over your home and at work.

Say it aloud to yourself often throughout the day, especially on those days with many stressors. Continue to say it, until you believe it.  Act as if.

Then, put a smile on your face and confront the outside world. When you are happy, you have the world in your hands!

To bring joy back into your life

KEEP CONNECTED:

Perhaps in your rush to get everything done and stay on top of it all, you’ve forgotten to stay connected to your friends and family.

Even scientific studies have agreed that happy people have good relationships, so if you’re feeling in a funk why not call a friend, go for a coffee or arrange some down time with your husband or children? The interaction can give you an energy boost and help you set priorities that really bring you joy.

REMIND YOURSELF ABOUT THE GOOD:

It may sound redundant, but taking time to think about what IS good in your life can really increase your happiness.

Are you feeling down about something at work or how you’ve been dealing with your kids? Combat those feelings by consciously thinking about what you’ve done RIGHT. While acknowledging where you can improve is good for you, beating yourself up about mistakes or unfairness will only break your spirit.

GET A HOBBY:

Sometimes all we need is a little diversion to bring happiness back into our life. Challenging yourself and enriching your life with interests outside of your daily routine can bring back a zest that may have been missing.

DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE:

It’s easy to become absorbed with your own problems and disappointments, but simply looking beyond your immediate surroundings and seeing where you can help others can bring great feelings of satisfaction and joy.

You don’t have to do much - holding the door for someone, bringing your co-worker a coffee or picking up groceries for an elderly neighbor can fuel your ‘feel good’ chemicals and remind you that happiness comes from our own attitudes and actions.

If despite your efforts you feel that your lack of enjoyment in life may be linked to more serious conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders, please consult your physician about necessary steps you must take to get back on track.

SIMPLY DARE TO BE HAPPY… FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON!

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