Podcasts about nfocus

Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers Podcast. On this episode, Chris, Simon and David are joined by first time co-host Rachel Kibler. The Peers discuss the topic of making work visible.David starts us off with the banter on the topic of fashion mistakes, everything from dress down fridays to bright shirts being used as a prank. David also hints at his 80's fashion challenges and his ties he wore as a teacher.Rachel kicks off the main topic, giving the back story of where the topic came from. Having to create a coherent story on how to show when a project is good to go live and how the testing can be made visible. They all discuss the value and cost of testing and how to articulate this to PMs in projects. The conversation goes on to different techniques to show value and how to help get everyone onto the same page. What techniques can you use to make it visible to stakeholders?Twitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024 and 2025, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers Podcast. On this episode, Chris, Russell, David and Simon talk about how we can ensure Quality has a seat at the table of discussions, projects and all such scenarios where it should be there.Before that, Mr Banter (Chris) leads us off down a wonderful trail of memories of social media when it all began, everything from MySpace, Bebo, Friends Reunited and MSN Messenger covered and of course, the old Twitter during the pandemic.Simon leads us into a the topic, and mentions a comment Stephen Platten made on one of Chris's posts about a Culture of Quality on LinkedIn. Here is Stephen's comment:"How do you see us making sure we get our feet at the table so to speak? How do we get senior stakeholders to take notice?"Of course it depends on the context, and what influence is needed. It's also about who needs to care? Depending on the context and the problem you are having. The best way to get started is to look at engaging your senior leaders or the leadership level that make decisions in the context. It may be a need to educate and showcase the value that can be provided by being involved. The Peers dive into their own experiences and ways to help influence the decision makers to include a voice of quality.What challenges have you had in this scenario?contactUs@TestingPeers.comTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024 and 2025, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

Today's guest is the amazing Olivia Britton – Publisher of NFocus Magazine and Executive Director of the Music City Food and Wine Festival!We dive deep into all the details of this year's event – from how it's coming together behind the scenes to what attendees can expect during one of Nashville's most anticipated weekends. Olivia walks us through the full experience, including the highly-anticipated Iron Fork, which is happening right in the middle of the Grand Tasting!We break down the list of contestants, chat about who we think has the edge this year and why, and share some of our favorite Iron Fork memories from years past. Plus, we catch up on where life has taken us and what's next on the horizon.This episode is packed with energy, stories, and a look behind the curtain of an event that celebrates the very best of Nashville's food scene.

Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers. Chris, Russell and David are joined by the returning Sam to talk about a topic close to all testers hearts, the ability of storytelling.Before diving into the main topic, Russell asks the Peers what their favourite cars are, lots of classics mentioned including the almost predictable choice from Russell of the AC Cobra (which he may have mentioned before).Part of the testers role includes storytelling, whether this is in bug reports, presentations, or just discussions with team members, it is key that the right story is told to bring everyone along the journey. Sam tells of his adventures at Agile Testing Days where a musical was performed to tell a story, possibly taking story telling to a new level (for testers anyway)The key with story telling is making it relevant to it's audience, which will enable them to invest effectively.What are your tips for good storytelling?contactUs@TestingPeers.comTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.Support the show

Hello and welcome to episode 125 of the Testing Peers podcast.This time, joining Chris, Russell and David is the returning guest host, Al Goodall.Before diving into the main topic, Al asks the group to think about book collections, a nice mix of techno-thrillers and classic prose on offer.Russell kicks off the main discussion around testability, what is it in which context?The Peers talk through implementation, pitches, prompts, value, maintainability and more.Chris also brings out the TestSphere card deck to look at the Testability Quality Aspect card.What does Testability look like in your context? Have we mastered it? What can we do better? The Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.Tickets available here: https://testingpeerscon.com/ticket/If you wish to Sponsor the conference: https://testingpeerscon.com/partners/If you wish to volunteer for the event: https://testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/contactUs@TestingPeers.comTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

Hello and welcome to the latest episode of the Testing Peers podcast.This week join Chris, David, Shey and Russell as the Peers talk about transformations.The banter for this week's episode comes from Shey, asking the group which sport they would have love to have been a professional in.Then the Peers dived into the main topic, introduced by Shey. We talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of our experiences with transformations. What role do we, as testers, play in transformations? We are by very nature, change agents.The group discuss the somewhat forced transformational change that the Covid pandemic had on workplaces, and how organisations have diverged a lot in the new normal.What are your experiences with transformations?The Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.Tickets available here: https://testingpeerscon.com/ticket/If you wish to Sponsor the conference: https://testingpeerscon.com/partners/If you wish to volunteer for the event: https://testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/contactUs@TestingPeers.comTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers podcast. David, Russell and Chris are joined by Sergio Friere to talk about all things Professional Development.Sergio leads the banter and asks the peers what their oldest memories are, everything from canal boat parties to visiting a zulu hut are mentioned, with ages ranging from age 3-6ish between the peers.As we start the main topic, Sergio shares his journey of going into teaching now to educate students on testing (win for #MakeATester). He shares how he made the decision to jump into this and his learnings once taking on the role.The peers share their own journeys of professional development and offer tips to the listeners to focus on their own development to grow their careers.What have been your key learnings on your professional development journey?The Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.Tickets available here: https://testingpeerscon.com/ticket/If you wish to Sponsor the conference: https://testingpeerscon.com/partners/If you wish to volunteer for the event: https://testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/contactUs@TestingPeers.comTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors - NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years! nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

Seasons Greetings! Thank you for joining us for our fifth annual podcast at Christmastime, this year's festive cheers with the Testing Peers brings Russell, Simon, David, Tara, Beth & Chris together to refine the holiday season backlog [see the footnote after the sponsor message for more details].Who doesn't feel the festive warm & fuzzies over a refinement session?Before we jump in, Russell warms us all up with an ice breaker based on Christmas drink preferences.The we all dive in.Chris (the business - in this case) has populated a series of epics for the team of Peers to commit to delegating Christmas on time.Christmas Tree Size Estimation Framework: From desk-sized (1) to forest-worthy (6).Epics:Festive Décor: Lights, trees, & cosy vibes (no tinsel, for the pets!).Festive Events: Baking nights, light tours & Secret Santa.Gift-Giving: Thoughtful presents, no gimmicks.Holiday Self-Care: Quiet evenings & avoiding burnout.Traditions: Advent calendars, holiday movies, & music playlists.Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from us all here at Peers HQThe Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.Thanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing & fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers & they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk & info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.Holiday Season BacklogThe Peers embraced their festive spirit by creating a "Holiday Season Backlog," blending testing concepts with holiday preparation! Here's the breakdown:Christmas Tree Size Framework6: Forest5: Town Square4: Shopping Centre3: Fancy House2: Modest House1: DeskDefinition of Ready (DoR): 3 Peers agree it's readyDefinition of Done (DoD): Santa's approval!

Thank you for joining us for episode 121 of the Testing Peers Podcast.This time, join Chris, Tara, Russell and David as we discuss tools for testers.Before diving into the main topic, to mark the festive period, Tara poses the ice-breaker question of the Peers' favourite Holiday movie.It's a Wonderful Life, Die Hard, Home Alone, Spirited, The Grinch and Violent Night are included.Then we move on to the main event.....tools for testers.The Peers discuss screen readers and recorders, AI, computers, phones, tablets, post-it notes, to-do lists, whiteboarding tools, dictating tools and more.As testers, we all use tools everyday. What's in your toolkit?Are there any tools that you couldn't live without?What are you looking for in a tool? How do you navigate the sales pitches?Can there be one tool to rule them all?Do we listen to music while we work?The Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.Tickets available here: https://testingpeerscon.com/ticket/If you wish to Sponsor the conference: https://testingpeerscon.com/partners/If you wish to volunteer for the event: https://testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/contactUs@TestingPeers.comTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors – NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years!nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in toucSupport the show

Welcome to another Testing Peers podcast episode.This time, join Chris, David, Richard Bradshaw and Al Goodall (whose surname Chris had some real issues remembering, sorry Al!)In this episode, the Peers talk about the role of the SDET. Is it SDEad?To break the ice, Al leads the group into a discussion about the best live albums, in our humble opinions. Shout-outs to Linkin Park, Sky, Raye, Live Aid, Iron Maiden, U2, Seal and Hoobastank!The main topic dives into the main topic - the role of the SDET.What does it mean? Is it a synonym for a test automation engineer? Are you a tester if you're an SDET? What does the role of an SDET look like where you work?Chris asks his favourite AI tool for a definition to stimulate the conversation."The main difference between a software development engineer in test and a test automation engineer is focus and responsibility. An SDET focuses on bridging the gap between development and testing processes. And a test automation engineer focuses on designing and implementing automated tests."The Peers talk about context, focus, tooling, frameworks, responsibility, problem-solving and quality!What do you think the future for the SDET is?The Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.Tickets available here: https://testingpeerscon.com/ticket/If you wish to Sponsor the conference: https://testingpeerscon.com/partners/If you wish to volunteer for the event: https://testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/contactUs@TestingPeers.comTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors - NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years! nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

Welcome to another episode of the Testing Peers. On this episode, Chris is joined by Vernon Richards, Heather Carter and Richard Hinton to talk about career journeys and making that decision around next steps.Before that, Heather kicks off the banter by asking for 2 Truths and 1 Lie from each of the hosts. You'll need to listen to work out which ones are which.Chris starts the conversation about what is next for our careers, and the topic moves toward Personal Brand/Professional Reputation and the importance of being able to stand out. The key aspect discussed is channelling your passion and shouting about it. Heather also talks about setting her own company and the branding related to that. Discussion moves to looking into going out on your own and Richard talks about the challenges of contracting while also setting up your own business.Heather's business page here: https://wearetether.com/Chris talks about his job searching experiences and how he started with his values, key quotes and some of his challenges.There's a lot of power in sharing knowledge and continuously learning and this is a key theme in the discussion.What are your next career steps?The Testing Peers Conference is happening on the 13th March 2025.Tickets available here: https://testingpeerscon.com/ticket/If you wish to Sponsor the conference: https://testingpeerscon.com/partners/If you wish to volunteer for the event: https://testingpeerscon.com/volunpeer/contactUs@TestingPeers.comTwitter (https://twitter.com/testingpeers)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/testing-peers)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/testingpeers/)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TestingPeers)We're also now on GoodPods, check it out via the mobile app storesIf you like what we do and are able to, please visit our Patreon to explore how you could support us going forwards: https://www.patreon.com/testingpeersThanks to our brand new sponsors - NFocus Testing.nFocus are a UK based software testing company. They've been supporting businesses for 24 years by providing services that include burst resource, accelerated test automation, performance testing and fully managed testing services. In 2021, they launched a Test Automation Academy to create amazing testers and they've now created jobs for 48 people in our industry in just under three years! nFocus were a big part of PeersCon in 2024, really grateful for all they do supporting the Testing Peers.www.nfocus.co.uk and info@nfocus.co.uk for anyone wanting to get in touch.Support the show

[[:encoded, "Practicing yoga and mindfulness has many health benefits. Yoga is a low-impact form of exercise that can lead to better heart health and help with back pain relief that many entrepreneurs can use. Mindfulness and meditation can lead to better cognitive health and improved moods. In addition to the health benefits that mindfulness and exercise bring, they can contribute positively to our business success as well.nnIn a fast-paced business world, learning how to slow down is immensely important, and can give you an edge over your competitors. Not only that, but calming our minds and being able to craft a clear vision and leave room for inspired thoughts is a practice that we can refine and utilize to push our business forward.nnLet's now explore the six ways that mindfulness and exercise can impact your business success. nn1. Mindfulness gives us clarity over our business visionnMindfulness is being aware of your thoughts, your feelings, and your environment. It's the act of removing ourselves from the hustle and bustle of our current state, and creating space for our mind to wander and to reconnect with ourselves. By practicing mindfulness, we can gain important insights into our vision for our business.nnYou can practice mindfulness with just a few simple steps:nnFocus on Your BreathingnStart a steady pattern of breathing in, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling out. Feel the sensation of your breath as it comes in through your nose and out through your mouth.nnBe Aware of Your BodynAs you breathe, start to be more aware of your body. Pay attention to how you're feeling and the places where you are holding tension, and breathe through it to release the tension.nnLet Your Mind WandernGive your mind the freedom to wander. You may be surprised where it takes you when you're not hyper-focused on your to-do list (or Prioritized Action List (PAL) as I like to call it).nnAllowing ourselves the space to be present in the moment helps strip away things that may seem more pressing. You may be stressing about how to move your business forward and practicing mindfulness could bring you back to a place of remembering your “why” and what you're truly passionate about, which could provide clarity into a longer-term vision.nn2. Meditation keeps us calm in the face of tumultuous timesnMeditation helps us take a step back and refocus ourselves. When your business is in the midst of difficult times, meditating can help us to regain control of our emotions and prevent us from slipping into negative thoughts that aren't productive.nnBeing able to regulate your emotions is important, especially as a leader that others look up to. When you practice meditation, you have a better understanding of yourself and what's going on in your brain. For example, if you're feeling anxious, you can better identify what's making you anxious. Rather than spiraling into a negative train of thought, you can take control of your emotions, figure out where the anxiety is coming from, and think of a solution for it.nnRunning a business can be stressful and being able to stay calm with the many challenges business ownership brings is an invaluable skill.nn3. Yoga teaches us how to focusnWith many yoga poses, you literally have to focus on a specific point in order to keep your balance. It's an incredibly accurate metaphor for learning how to focus when you're juggling the many aspects of your business.nnWhen you're practicing yoga, you're focusing on your body and its positions. In a similar way, we need to be able to focus on ideas that can impact our businesses in the face of many distractions. Yoga teaches us how to stay in the moment and eliminate distractions, so we can arrive at the breakthroughs we need.nn4. Meditation helps us learn and process new informationnWhen we practice meditation, weSupport the show

[[:encoded, "Practicing yoga and mindfulness has many health benefits. Yoga is a low-impact form of exercise that can lead to better heart health and help with back pain relief that many entrepreneurs can use. Mindfulness and meditation can lead to better cognitive health and improved moods. In addition to the health benefits that mindfulness and exercise bring, they can contribute positively to our business success as well.nnIn a fast-paced business world, learning how to slow down is immensely important, and can give you an edge over your competitors. Not only that, but calming our minds and being able to craft a clear vision and leave room for inspired thoughts is a practice that we can refine and utilize to push our business forward.nnLet's now explore the six ways that mindfulness and exercise can impact your business success. nn1. Mindfulness gives us clarity over our business visionnMindfulness is being aware of your thoughts, your feelings, and your environment. It's the act of removing ourselves from the hustle and bustle of our current state, and creating space for our mind to wander and to reconnect with ourselves. By practicing mindfulness, we can gain important insights into our vision for our business.nnYou can practice mindfulness with just a few simple steps:nnFocus on Your BreathingnStart a steady pattern of breathing in, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling out. Feel the sensation of your breath as it comes in through your nose and out through your mouth.nnBe Aware of Your BodynAs you breathe, start to be more aware of your body. Pay attention to how you're feeling and the places where you are holding tension, and breathe through it to release the tension.nnLet Your Mind WandernGive your mind the freedom to wander. You may be surprised where it takes you when you're not hyper-focused on your to-do list (or Prioritized Action List (PAL) as I like to call it).nnAllowing ourselves the space to be present in the moment helps strip away things that may seem more pressing. You may be stressing about how to move your business forward and practicing mindfulness could bring you back to a place of remembering your “why” and what you're truly passionate about, which could provide clarity into a longer-term vision.nn2. Meditation keeps us calm in the face of tumultuous timesnMeditation helps us take a step back and refocus ourselves. When your business is in the midst of difficult times, meditating can help us to regain control of our emotions and prevent us from slipping into negative thoughts that aren't productive.nnBeing able to regulate your emotions is important, especially as a leader that others look up to. When you practice meditation, you have a better understanding of yourself and what's going on in your brain. For example, if you're feeling anxious, you can better identify what's making you anxious. Rather than spiraling into a negative train of thought, you can take control of your emotions, figure out where the anxiety is coming from, and think of a solution for it.nnRunning a business can be stressful and being able to stay calm with the many challenges business ownership brings is an invaluable skill.nn3. Yoga teaches us how to focusnWith many yoga poses, you literally have to focus on a specific point in order to keep your balance. It's an incredibly accurate metaphor for learning how to focus when you're juggling the many aspects of your business.nnWhen you're practicing yoga, you're focusing on your body and its positions. In a similar way, we need to be able to focus on ideas that can impact our businesses in the face of many distractions. Yoga teaches us how to stay in the moment and eliminate distractions, so we can arrive at the breakthroughs we need.nn4. Meditation helps us learn and process new informationnWhen we practice meditation, weSupport the show

[[:encoded, "Practicing yoga and mindfulness has many health benefits. Yoga is a low-impact form of exercise that can lead to better heart health and help with back pain relief that many entrepreneurs can use. Mindfulness and meditation can lead to better cognitive health and improved moods. In addition to the health benefits that mindfulness and exercise bring, they can contribute positively to our business success as well.nnIn a fast-paced business world, learning how to slow down is immensely important, and can give you an edge over your competitors. Not only that, but calming our minds and being able to craft a clear vision and leave room for inspired thoughts is a practice that we can refine and utilize to push our business forward.nnLet's now explore the six ways that mindfulness and exercise can impact your business success. nn1. Mindfulness gives us clarity over our business visionnMindfulness is being aware of your thoughts, your feelings, and your environment. It's the act of removing ourselves from the hustle and bustle of our current state, and creating space for our mind to wander and to reconnect with ourselves. By practicing mindfulness, we can gain important insights into our vision for our business.nnYou can practice mindfulness with just a few simple steps:nnFocus on Your BreathingnStart a steady pattern of breathing in, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling out. Feel the sensation of your breath as it comes in through your nose and out through your mouth.nnBe Aware of Your BodynAs you breathe, start to be more aware of your body. Pay attention to how you're feeling and the places where you are holding tension, and breathe through it to release the tension.nnLet Your Mind WandernGive your mind the freedom to wander. You may be surprised where it takes you when you're not hyper-focused on your to-do list (or Prioritized Action List (PAL) as I like to call it).nnAllowing ourselves the space to be present in the moment helps strip away things that may seem more pressing. You may be stressing about how to move your business forward and practicing mindfulness could bring you back to a place of remembering your “why” and what you're truly passionate about, which could provide clarity into a longer-term vision.nn2. Meditation keeps us calm in the face of tumultuous timesnMeditation helps us take a step back and refocus ourselves. When your business is in the midst of difficult times, meditating can help us to regain control of our emotions and prevent us from slipping into negative thoughts that aren't productive.nnBeing able to regulate your emotions is important, especially as a leader that others look up to. When you practice meditation, you have a better understanding of yourself and what's going on in your brain. For example, if you're feeling anxious, you can better identify what's making you anxious. Rather than spiraling into a negative train of thought, you can take control of your emotions, figure out where the anxiety is coming from, and think of a solution for it.nnRunning a business can be stressful and being able to stay calm with the many challenges business ownership brings is an invaluable skill.nn3. Yoga teaches us how to focusnWith many yoga poses, you literally have to focus on a specific point in order to keep your balance. It's an incredibly accurate metaphor for learning how to focus when you're juggling the many aspects of your business.nnWhen you're practicing yoga, you're focusing on your body and its positions. In a similar way, we need to be able to focus on ideas that can impact our businesses in the face of many distractions. Yoga teaches us how to stay in the moment and eliminate distractions, so we can arrive at the breakthroughs we need.nn4. Meditation helps us learn and process new informationnWhen we practice meditation, weSupport the show

[[:encoded, "Do you multi-task? Do you know that those who multi-task are not as effective or as efficient as those who focus their efforts on one task at a time? It's true. When you divide your efforts and your thoughts among different and differing tasks, you are doing a disservice to yourself and to the tasks you're attempting to finish. nnWhen you're focused, you are honing in on the completion of one task. Focus helps you give all your attention to the project in front of you. Focus also helps you complete more projects rather than having multiple projects in various stages of completion. You will feel better, happier and more motivated to work on the next task when you can cross one off your current to-do list. nnLet's explore five benefits that focus will bring to your work and your life. nn1.tYour stress levels will plummet. When you're focusing on more than one task at a time you will feel overwhelmed. Lack of focus makes you feel as though you have too much to do and not enough time to do it. In fact, you probably don't have as much on your plate as you imagine, you just have too many things on your plate in various stages of completion, but you're not checking anything off your to-do list. It's the multiple incomplete projects that add to your stress and to your feeling of overwhelm. Focus will enhance your clarity and that will let you clearly see the path ahead and allows you to focus your efforts toward making great progress. When you're not focused you likely feel unmotivated, frustrated and more stressed! nn2.tFocus enhances momentum. When you see that you're completing items and checking them off the to-do list, you feel more motivated to keep up that forward momentum. Making progress is motivating. Seeing progress encourages you to work harder. The snowball effect of making progress is motivating! nn3.tYou will be more engaged. If you have a vested interest in completing a specific project you will be more engaged in it. Chances are you're not afraid of hard work, but you are fearful or tired of feeling overwhelmed. When you're overwhelmed, you feel as though “nothing, or not much, is getting done” and that is not motivating. When you're on a winning team – even if you're the only one on the team! – you are more engaged in the outcome and the steps to get you there. nn4.tFocus helps you feel in control. When you're focused, you are in control of the tasks in front of you and in the steps to achieve the goal. Removing distractions, whether it's from a messy desk or from co-workers dropping by to chat or if it's from the house that needs to be vacuumed will help you stay focused on your tasks at hand. It is easy to procrastinate and “blame” it on items “beyond your control” that includes chatting with coworkers or giving in to personal tasks that need to be done if you work from home. Give yourself the grace to understand there are sometimes distractions that are beyond your control, but those instances are likely rare. Know what distracts you and remove them from your day as much as possible. Close the office door. Tell yourself the housework can wait until you break for lunch or you are done working at the end of the day. Reward yourself for being laser focused.nn5.tYour attitude will change – for the better. When you're focused you will achieve even more. When you're positive and optimistic toward achieving your goals, your emotions will change. You will be happier, and you will meet challenges ahead of you with a smile and determination. Your smaller milestones achieved will make the culmination of the larger goals seem within reach. n nFocus is more important to success than you may imagine. nnWhat if your focus helped you attract more clients? If you have a lack of focus, a potential client will see that in your conversations. To be attractive to a client they need to Support the show

[[:encoded, "Do you multi-task? Do you know that those who multi-task are not as effective or as efficient as those who focus their efforts on one task at a time? It's true. When you divide your efforts and your thoughts among different and differing tasks, you are doing a disservice to yourself and to the tasks you're attempting to finish. nnWhen you're focused, you are honing in on the completion of one task. Focus helps you give all your attention to the project in front of you. Focus also helps you complete more projects rather than having multiple projects in various stages of completion. You will feel better, happier and more motivated to work on the next task when you can cross one off your current to-do list. nnLet's explore five benefits that focus will bring to your work and your life. nn1.tYour stress levels will plummet. When you're focusing on more than one task at a time you will feel overwhelmed. Lack of focus makes you feel as though you have too much to do and not enough time to do it. In fact, you probably don't have as much on your plate as you imagine, you just have too many things on your plate in various stages of completion, but you're not checking anything off your to-do list. It's the multiple incomplete projects that add to your stress and to your feeling of overwhelm. Focus will enhance your clarity and that will let you clearly see the path ahead and allows you to focus your efforts toward making great progress. When you're not focused you likely feel unmotivated, frustrated and more stressed! nn2.tFocus enhances momentum. When you see that you're completing items and checking them off the to-do list, you feel more motivated to keep up that forward momentum. Making progress is motivating. Seeing progress encourages you to work harder. The snowball effect of making progress is motivating! nn3.tYou will be more engaged. If you have a vested interest in completing a specific project you will be more engaged in it. Chances are you're not afraid of hard work, but you are fearful or tired of feeling overwhelmed. When you're overwhelmed, you feel as though “nothing, or not much, is getting done” and that is not motivating. When you're on a winning team – even if you're the only one on the team! – you are more engaged in the outcome and the steps to get you there. nn4.tFocus helps you feel in control. When you're focused, you are in control of the tasks in front of you and in the steps to achieve the goal. Removing distractions, whether it's from a messy desk or from co-workers dropping by to chat or if it's from the house that needs to be vacuumed will help you stay focused on your tasks at hand. It is easy to procrastinate and “blame” it on items “beyond your control” that includes chatting with coworkers or giving in to personal tasks that need to be done if you work from home. Give yourself the grace to understand there are sometimes distractions that are beyond your control, but those instances are likely rare. Know what distracts you and remove them from your day as much as possible. Close the office door. Tell yourself the housework can wait until you break for lunch or you are done working at the end of the day. Reward yourself for being laser focused.nn5.tYour attitude will change – for the better. When you're focused you will achieve even more. When you're positive and optimistic toward achieving your goals, your emotions will change. You will be happier, and you will meet challenges ahead of you with a smile and determination. Your smaller milestones achieved will make the culmination of the larger goals seem within reach. n nFocus is more important to success than you may imagine. nnWhat if your focus helped you attract more clients? If you have a lack of focus, a potential client will see that in your conversations. To be attractive to a client they need to Support the show

[[:encoded, "Do you multi-task? Do you know that those who multi-task are not as effective or as efficient as those who focus their efforts on one task at a time? It's true. When you divide your efforts and your thoughts among different and differing tasks, you are doing a disservice to yourself and to the tasks you're attempting to finish. nnWhen you're focused, you are honing in on the completion of one task. Focus helps you give all your attention to the project in front of you. Focus also helps you complete more projects rather than having multiple projects in various stages of completion. You will feel better, happier and more motivated to work on the next task when you can cross one off your current to-do list. nnLet's explore five benefits that focus will bring to your work and your life. nn1.tYour stress levels will plummet. When you're focusing on more than one task at a time you will feel overwhelmed. Lack of focus makes you feel as though you have too much to do and not enough time to do it. In fact, you probably don't have as much on your plate as you imagine, you just have too many things on your plate in various stages of completion, but you're not checking anything off your to-do list. It's the multiple incomplete projects that add to your stress and to your feeling of overwhelm. Focus will enhance your clarity and that will let you clearly see the path ahead and allows you to focus your efforts toward making great progress. When you're not focused you likely feel unmotivated, frustrated and more stressed! nn2.tFocus enhances momentum. When you see that you're completing items and checking them off the to-do list, you feel more motivated to keep up that forward momentum. Making progress is motivating. Seeing progress encourages you to work harder. The snowball effect of making progress is motivating! nn3.tYou will be more engaged. If you have a vested interest in completing a specific project you will be more engaged in it. Chances are you're not afraid of hard work, but you are fearful or tired of feeling overwhelmed. When you're overwhelmed, you feel as though “nothing, or not much, is getting done” and that is not motivating. When you're on a winning team – even if you're the only one on the team! – you are more engaged in the outcome and the steps to get you there. nn4.tFocus helps you feel in control. When you're focused, you are in control of the tasks in front of you and in the steps to achieve the goal. Removing distractions, whether it's from a messy desk or from co-workers dropping by to chat or if it's from the house that needs to be vacuumed will help you stay focused on your tasks at hand. It is easy to procrastinate and “blame” it on items “beyond your control” that includes chatting with coworkers or giving in to personal tasks that need to be done if you work from home. Give yourself the grace to understand there are sometimes distractions that are beyond your control, but those instances are likely rare. Know what distracts you and remove them from your day as much as possible. Close the office door. Tell yourself the housework can wait until you break for lunch or you are done working at the end of the day. Reward yourself for being laser focused.nn5.tYour attitude will change – for the better. When you're focused you will achieve even more. When you're positive and optimistic toward achieving your goals, your emotions will change. You will be happier, and you will meet challenges ahead of you with a smile and determination. Your smaller milestones achieved will make the culmination of the larger goals seem within reach. n nFocus is more important to success than you may imagine. nnWhat if your focus helped you attract more clients? If you have a lack of focus, a potential client will see that in your conversations. To be attractive to a client they need to Support the show

In honor of International Women’s Day 2021, Her Story of Success was honored to join Collective615 for ChallengeHER, an event celebrating women who are affecting change in Nashville and beyond. As part of the event, Her Story of Success CEO Leah Glover Hayes hosted a panel discussion with three incredible women who are affecting change in Nashville and beyond — Mignon Francois, Domonique Townsend and Alexis Isham. They discuss some of the challenges they’ve faced as women business owners, especially during the difficulties of COVID-19. The women also share some amazing lessons about the things that have kept them going in times of hardship, and they talk about some of the ways we can all help each other succeed.  Their Stories of Success Mignon Francois was living on her last $5 when a neighbor asked to order cupcakes from her home bakery. Mignon took that $5 and continued to multiply, eventually building The Cupcake Collection into a multi-million dollar business. Mignon’s bakery helped revitalize her Nashville neighborhood, and she’s been honored as a Woman of Legend and Merit by Tennessee State University and an Emerging Business Leader of the Year. The Cupcake Collection, which now includes locations in Nashville and New Orleans, also won Black Enterprise Magazine’s Family Business of the Year Award.  Listen to Mignon’s full episode here. Domonique Townsend spent years being undervalued by the companies she worked for, and when she decided to take the leap to start her own business, she knew she was ready to reach a higher potential. Domonique is the founder of We Optimize Work, a company that creates strategies and systems to help working moms and mom CEOs. As an operations coach and workflow expert with more than 10 years of engineering experience, Domonique is able to help moms manage their work and raise a family without compromising their sanity or goals. Along with her years of industrial engineering experience, Domonique has trained or coached more than 3,100 people, and she’s a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.  Alexis Cook Isham had to take a break from college after being diagnosed with Lymes Disease, and during her time off, she built friendships with people experiencing homelessness in Nashville. Alexis and her friend Corbin decided to build a business that would help people overcoming homelessness and other challenging circumstances. The result was Unlocked (recently rebranded under the name Resera), an ethical jewelry brand that employs and empowers women survivors overcoming homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration and forced relocation. Alexis is an Ingram Scholar alumna who graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2018, and she’s passionate about using her leadership to increase opportunity and elevate the voices of marginalized women. Sponsors: The ChallengeHER event was sponsored by HeyHey Creative, White Door Events, nFocus, Kathy Thomas Photography, OneHope, Walker Brothers, Johnson Squared, Copperheart Creative, WesterHouse Weddings, Nashville Audio Visual, Our DJ Rocks, Suzie Marketing and Bibs Balloons

Join Brand Boutique Elite and Annie Koshy on Branding and Marketing on the newest viral app, Clubhouse. Check out the Brand Boutique Elite Podcast here: https://bit.ly/brandboutiqueelite "Giving voice to the voiceless through thought leadership, photography, media, and the arts." Annie Koshy empowers individuals to be true to their personal story and branding. As an award-winning model, actress, photographer, media professional, and emcee with a flair for community leadership, Annie uses her vast experience to help individuals and companies develop their brand strategy. Through years of accumulated experience, she has distilled that knowledge to save you time, money, and effort enabling you leverage and access. Annie conducts virtual and in person workshops and pieces of training, has given keynote addresses, and is a featured host for national and international events. Her disciplined work ethic combined with skill in business networking is Annie's trademarked style and she is recognized as a visionary, heart-centric leader in the community. Annie has been featured in a lead role in a short film, 'A Bloody Mess' (2019), which has received over 30 nominations and awards. Her second film is a feature-length documentary biopic called 'F•E•A•R: Face Everything and Rise' (2020), has already garnered over 19 awards in just three months of release. Annie is the award-winning author of the book, HOW TO BE YOUR BADASS SELF: A Guide to Using Your Inner Energy for Brand Success, a book on branding and marketing strategies influencing individuals and businesses globally. Annie was recently featured on CTV National to speak about her work, was written about by her alma mater, Ryerson University, and was most recently published as being amongst the top media influencers through a UK publication, MSN. Annie is a host with Sauga 960AM, as part of their weekend host lineup with her show, nFocus with Annie J Koshy, where she engages in lighthearted banter and conversation. The link to the website for 'A Bloody Mess'. https://flyawayfilms.ca/ Film FEAR: Face Everything And Rise - Trailers About the Host: Farhana Cannon, Global Social Media + Brand Expert Farhana has a 15-year in-depth resume that includes numerous B2C lifestyle and luxury brands as well as B2B companies. Her specialty in social media marketing strategy, content creation, influencer marketing, branding, and events, brings a unique and profitable outcome to all of her campaigns. Farhana has taught courses on best digital marketing practices at Bunker Hill College, and has spoken at numerous industry events around the world. She is also a speaker with Powerteam International and speaks on stages with Bill Walsh. She is currently on a national tour with The Small Business Expo, leading an Instagram Marketing Workshop.

[[:encoded, "If asked, what is the one defining quality that sets great leaders apart from their wannabe counterparts, it would have to be their ability to maintain focus on the important issues.nnSure, once behind closed doors, even the most successful leaders probably have moments of indecision, procrastination, and uncertainty, but even the sharpest minds need to take a break occasionally.nnFor the majority of us, the power to focus on one task at a time and see it through to completion is not an innate gift. Focus is a learned response, so if we want to achieve the professional, personal and social goals we imagine, we have to first learn how to focus on what we want.nnWe now live in a frenetic, activity-filled, multi-tasking, instant gratification society, so it is easy to get lost in the distractions that bombard us from every angle. nnHow many times have you found yourself on the phone talking to a client, while reading your emails, hitting the “Reply” button and then typing out a response? Where is your focus while you are completing a number of individual tasks at the same time?nnFocus requires that we learn to differentiate between the “urgent” and the “important” tasks. Urgent tasks are distractions that cause us, subconsciously, to put off or delay the important projects. And it's the important tasks that lead us to our objectives and goals.nnResponding to urgent emails, answering the phone, or checking your text messages can all be categorized as urgent tasks. We are conditioned to believe that these urgent tasks require our instant attention because they keep us busy and make us feel important and needed.nnWe think, “This will only take a minute,” when, in fact, urgent tasks can often take a lengthy amount of “minutes” to complete.nn11 Guidelines for Helping You to Stay Laser FocusednnThe power of focus lies in your ability to distinguish the urgent from the important; and concentrate your energy on the important.nnThese guidelines will help you to re-direct your focus and prioritize getting the important things done first.nn1.tWrite down the important tasks you have set yourself for the day. These are the results-driven projects that require your complete focus.nnPrioritize those tasks according to their importance, as they relate to goal achievement, and then plan a strategy for completing the most important task first.nnVisualize the entire process and how it will look once it's completed. Keep that image at the front of your mind.nn2.tClear your desk of everything except the important project you are working on. If necessary, make a pile of paperwork on the floor. You can always pick it up once your important task is completed.nn3.tBlock out a time in your daily schedule to attend to the urgent matters. Most of us find we are at out lowest ebb early in the afternoon, so this is an ideal time to take care of anything “urgent”.nn4.tDon't answer the phone. Imagine you are in a meeting and can't be interrupted. nn5.tTurn off your email client and shut down the automatic email notification system.nn6.tTurn off your cell phone or shift the ring tone to “silent”.nn7.tClose down any programs on your computer that could cause you to become distracted. Remember to turn off RSS feeds.nn8.tClose the door to your office. If you work in an open plan space where there is a lot of noise around you, consider buying a pair of ear plugs.nn9.tWork attentively. If you find yourself getting distracted, re-visualize the project in your head and the action steps necessary to complete them. nn10.tTake regular breaks. Very few of us can remain laser focused for long periods of time without losing the plot, so take a 5 to 10-minute break every hour.nnIf you sit at a desk, get up, stretch your legs and take a few deep breaths, do some sit-ups, or push-ups or take a wSupport the show

[[:encoded, "If asked, what is the one defining quality that sets great leaders apart from their wannabe counterparts, it would have to be their ability to maintain focus on the important issues.nnSure, once behind closed doors, even the most successful leaders probably have moments of indecision, procrastination, and uncertainty, but even the sharpest minds need to take a break occasionally.nnFor the majority of us, the power to focus on one task at a time and see it through to completion is not an innate gift. Focus is a learned response, so if we want to achieve the professional, personal and social goals we imagine, we have to first learn how to focus on what we want.nnWe now live in a frenetic, activity-filled, multi-tasking, instant gratification society, so it is easy to get lost in the distractions that bombard us from every angle. nnHow many times have you found yourself on the phone talking to a client, while reading your emails, hitting the “Reply” button and then typing out a response? Where is your focus while you are completing a number of individual tasks at the same time?nnFocus requires that we learn to differentiate between the “urgent” and the “important” tasks. Urgent tasks are distractions that cause us, subconsciously, to put off or delay the important projects. And it's the important tasks that lead us to our objectives and goals.nnResponding to urgent emails, answering the phone, or checking your text messages can all be categorized as urgent tasks. We are conditioned to believe that these urgent tasks require our instant attention because they keep us busy and make us feel important and needed.nnWe think, “This will only take a minute,” when, in fact, urgent tasks can often take a lengthy amount of “minutes” to complete.nn11 Guidelines for Helping You to Stay Laser FocusednnThe power of focus lies in your ability to distinguish the urgent from the important; and concentrate your energy on the important.nnThese guidelines will help you to re-direct your focus and prioritize getting the important things done first.nn1.tWrite down the important tasks you have set yourself for the day. These are the results-driven projects that require your complete focus.nnPrioritize those tasks according to their importance, as they relate to goal achievement, and then plan a strategy for completing the most important task first.nnVisualize the entire process and how it will look once it's completed. Keep that image at the front of your mind.nn2.tClear your desk of everything except the important project you are working on. If necessary, make a pile of paperwork on the floor. You can always pick it up once your important task is completed.nn3.tBlock out a time in your daily schedule to attend to the urgent matters. Most of us find we are at out lowest ebb early in the afternoon, so this is an ideal time to take care of anything “urgent”.nn4.tDon't answer the phone. Imagine you are in a meeting and can't be interrupted. nn5.tTurn off your email client and shut down the automatic email notification system.nn6.tTurn off your cell phone or shift the ring tone to “silent”.nn7.tClose down any programs on your computer that could cause you to become distracted. Remember to turn off RSS feeds.nn8.tClose the door to your office. If you work in an open plan space where there is a lot of noise around you, consider buying a pair of ear plugs.nn9.tWork attentively. If you find yourself getting distracted, re-visualize the project in your head and the action steps necessary to complete them. nn10.tTake regular breaks. Very few of us can remain laser focused for long periods of time without losing the plot, so take a 5 to 10-minute break every hour.nnIf you sit at a desk, get up, stretch your legs and take a few deep breaths, do some sit-ups, or push-ups or take a wSupport the show

[[:encoded, "If asked, what is the one defining quality that sets great leaders apart from their wannabe counterparts, it would have to be their ability to maintain focus on the important issues.nnSure, once behind closed doors, even the most successful leaders probably have moments of indecision, procrastination, and uncertainty, but even the sharpest minds need to take a break occasionally.nnFor the majority of us, the power to focus on one task at a time and see it through to completion is not an innate gift. Focus is a learned response, so if we want to achieve the professional, personal and social goals we imagine, we have to first learn how to focus on what we want.nnWe now live in a frenetic, activity-filled, multi-tasking, instant gratification society, so it is easy to get lost in the distractions that bombard us from every angle. nnHow many times have you found yourself on the phone talking to a client, while reading your emails, hitting the “Reply” button and then typing out a response? Where is your focus while you are completing a number of individual tasks at the same time?nnFocus requires that we learn to differentiate between the “urgent” and the “important” tasks. Urgent tasks are distractions that cause us, subconsciously, to put off or delay the important projects. And it's the important tasks that lead us to our objectives and goals.nnResponding to urgent emails, answering the phone, or checking your text messages can all be categorized as urgent tasks. We are conditioned to believe that these urgent tasks require our instant attention because they keep us busy and make us feel important and needed.nnWe think, “This will only take a minute,” when, in fact, urgent tasks can often take a lengthy amount of “minutes” to complete.nn11 Guidelines for Helping You to Stay Laser FocusednnThe power of focus lies in your ability to distinguish the urgent from the important; and concentrate your energy on the important.nnThese guidelines will help you to re-direct your focus and prioritize getting the important things done first.nn1.tWrite down the important tasks you have set yourself for the day. These are the results-driven projects that require your complete focus.nnPrioritize those tasks according to their importance, as they relate to goal achievement, and then plan a strategy for completing the most important task first.nnVisualize the entire process and how it will look once it's completed. Keep that image at the front of your mind.nn2.tClear your desk of everything except the important project you are working on. If necessary, make a pile of paperwork on the floor. You can always pick it up once your important task is completed.nn3.tBlock out a time in your daily schedule to attend to the urgent matters. Most of us find we are at out lowest ebb early in the afternoon, so this is an ideal time to take care of anything “urgent”.nn4.tDon't answer the phone. Imagine you are in a meeting and can't be interrupted. nn5.tTurn off your email client and shut down the automatic email notification system.nn6.tTurn off your cell phone or shift the ring tone to “silent”.nn7.tClose down any programs on your computer that could cause you to become distracted. Remember to turn off RSS feeds.nn8.tClose the door to your office. If you work in an open plan space where there is a lot of noise around you, consider buying a pair of ear plugs.nn9.tWork attentively. If you find yourself getting distracted, re-visualize the project in your head and the action steps necessary to complete them. nn10.tTake regular breaks. Very few of us can remain laser focused for long periods of time without losing the plot, so take a 5 to 10-minute break every hour.nnIf you sit at a desk, get up, stretch your legs and take a few deep breaths, do some sit-ups, or push-ups or take a wSupport the show

Deborah Triplett is an image taker and garden maker. She is the principal photographer at Deborah Triplett Photography, where she has been a working professional photographer for over 25 years. Her work has been shown at 1650 Gallery, Diane Hughes Gallery, Spirit Square Gallery and at The Light Factory. Deborah was the primary photographer for Skirt Magazine and a contributing photographer for NFocus, Charlotte Viewpoint and Charlotte Magazine. She is the founder of Yard Art Day, a city-wide event in Charlotte held every Labor Day where neighbors place art of their own creation in their front yards. She is a gardener and caretaker of Flowerhead Farm, a private garden of whimsy and delight. Deborah studied photography at Artography in Los Angeles and earns her on-going education in the school of life. This episode is perfect for anyone interested in photography, what is beautiful, wabi-sabi, yard art, confronting cancer, and love of family and friends.   Deborah describes the photographs she takes and what is most important in her work. She identifies what she looks for through the lens of her camera. She reveals the one thing she wants other people to know about her. She answers whether she thinks of her photography as art. Deborah discusses what is beautiful to her and how her sense of beauty has changed. She describes what someone would see in her garden and how it reflects who she is. She talks about Yard Art Day and how it makes her feel. She shares her love for ‘outsider artists.’ Deborah reflects on two of her own personal Yard Art Day projects. She reflects on growing up in Elkin, North Carolina, and the love and dysfunction of her family. She discusses repeating family patterns and what she learned in therapy. She reveals who she loved as a child and the person she daydreamed of being. Deborah recalls moving to New York City and her work as a stewardess. She remembers being the ‘old lady’ to the drummer of Blood Sweat & Tears. She tells the story of making the cover of Playgirl magazine. She describes her first marriage and what she learned. Deborah recalls how her second marriage led to her career in photography. She shares why she returned to North Carolina and the moment that shifted her life. She talks about being diagnosed with lung cancer and the choice she made. She answers why it is important to her to talk about cancer. Deborah reveals the most important thing in her life and what really matters. plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Wabi-Sabi To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning  

This week's issue of the Scene covers a lot of ground, beginning with the eighth annual Nashville Fashion Week. NFW kicks off on April 3 at OZ Arts, and NFocus editor and Scene Contributor Nancy Floyd chatted with all six designers featured in this year’s opening-night designer showcase. Among those designers is Maria “Poni” Silver, the recipient of this year’s Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. In this week’s Scenecast, Floyd sits down with Silver to talk about her inspiration, which is rooted in the experiences of Silver's mother, a Dominican immigrant who lived in New York City in the 1970s. Scene editor D. Patrick Rodgers also talks staff writer Steven Hale about his story on the mock executions that take place at Tennessee’s Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. You can listen below, as well as on iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn (which is also available through Amazon Echo devices). Rate us on iTunes and leave a comment if you like what you hear.

In this week's cover package, we have a look at the state’s long and complicated relationship with cannabis — both industrial hemp, which can be grown by licensed farmers as part of a state pilot program, and marijuana, the use of which is still illegal both for medical and recreational purposes. Pick up a copy or visit nashvillescene.com to read more about that. But flip to the back of the paper and you'll find our run-down of this year's Academy Award nominees. In our latest Scenecast, Scene editor D. Patrick Rodgers, Nfocus editor Nancy Floyd, Scene and Nashville Post staffer Stephen Elliott, and Scene staffer Steven Hale discuss our picks for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress in a Leading Role, and more. We cover everything from the cultural impact of 'Get Out' and 'Lady Bird' to the performances in 'I, Tonya,' sound design in 'Dunkirk' and everything that's wrong with 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.' Fair warning: At least one of us did not like 'Three Billboards.' At all.

The Scenecast is back to celebrate the pinnacle of love in America: The Bachelor. Staff writers Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott and NFocus editor (turned resident Bachelor expert) Nancy Floyd sit down to talk about Bachelors and Bachelorettes past and present and why so many of them have roots in Nashville. They discuss heartthrob Luke Pell’s music career, Nashvillian Christen Whitney aka "Scallop Fingers," successful Bachelor marriages here in Nashville, Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s shortcomings and more.

These are the girls you’ve heard of — the girls you’ve literally heard. These are the Woo Girls, and they are everywhere, even on a suffocating night in Summer. Nashville Scene staff writer Steven Hale and nFocus editor (and Scene contributor) Nancy Floyd talk about Nashville's bachelorette scene, the companies that support it and how it's taken over downtown. Then, the pair break down the upcoming finale of The Bachelorette on ABC and Nancy, who has recapped the season for the Scene, makes a few predictions.

Special guesst will be Founder and CEO of F-O-C-U-S - President and CEO of Prestige Properties Real Estate - Creator of new and exciting fun, touching, and heartfelt FB blog - On her second vist to WREP, Ms Melanie Sharpe...We will discuss  F-O-C-U-S, and Melanie's latest venture. If you participated in the IRW (I Remember When'sday) yesterday, please call and let Melanie know what you thought. If you don't know about IRW, Melanie will explain. Will also talk with CEO/Agent of Online travel agency NFocus Travel specializing in leisure travel deals and niche markets: Jasmine McCalpin. Jasmine will talk about an upcoming evet this Saturday Feb 1. And as always...I will have something to say about "the system" and it's design to do exactally what it is doing to our people.  

Talking with CEO/Agent of Online travel agency specializing in leisure travel deals and niche markets: NFocus Travel. From Chicago, IL. WREPresenting Parkside School, and San Diego St, but most of all, Chicago's South Shore High School...Ms Jasmine McCalpin...We will discuss the idea and potential of home entrepreneurship, the travel industry and ideas for great travel fun that many of us fail to even consider, and what NFocus has to offer for those individuals, families, or groups who choose NFocus Travel to coordinate their travel itinerary. Tune in for another interesting conversation.

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about Confidence, Belief, and Effective Calendaring / Time Management.nnFocus on activities within your control. While you cannot control other people, communication is key for establishing effective accountability measurements to help ensure things are completed on schedule. nnSo what can you control? nYOU! nnWake up each day with extra Confidence because people need to take some of your confidence to help them get through whatever they are going through. You have to come across with confidence because you believe in what you do and how you can make a difference in people's lives. nnSo what do you need to do every night to wake up each day with extra confidence to help clients and prospects? What do you have to do each day to gladly give some of your extra confidence away to help others have more confidence in your and what you can do to help them?nnFocus on what you can control and do those things that put you in the highest probability position to achieve your goals for the reasons that are important to you. Stop letting things outside of your control affect you. nnOne of the success principles of any successful person is effectively calendaring and time management. The important part of calendaring is first to put all of the ‘right' activities on the calendar and then HONOR the calendar. For some, this is the hardest part to do. They let too many distractions or other things get in their way of honoring their calendar. nnAlways put yourself in the highest probability position to achieve your goals. Each activity has a desired result or outcome. You want to always ask yourself, what has to happen to help ensure, the best possibility, that you achieve your desired outcome. Prepare to achieve your goal. nnFocus on the results you want today, next week, next month, this year, and with every conversation and activity you do. Make sure to do whatever you need to do to wake up each day with extra confidence to give away. Believe in yourself and what you do and others will want to do business with you. Focus on what you can control and do those things and you will be successful – personally and professionally. Create your reality! You can do it!nnTo help keep you focused on the activities that produce the results you want, subscribe to The Accountability Coach Blog at www.AccountabilityCoachBlog.com. Invest in the 30-day Goal Achievement self-study program so you can begin achieving your goals in the time frame you want so you can have the life you want. Get started by going to: http://www.AccountabilityCoach.com and reviewing the program to see if this is right for you. nnAim for what you want each and every day! Until next time, make it a great day, today and every day."]]Support the show

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about Confidence, Belief, and Effective Calendaring / Time Management.nnFocus on activities within your control. While you cannot control other people, communication is key for establishing effective accountability measurements to help ensure things are completed on schedule. nnSo what can you control? nYOU! nnWake up each day with extra Confidence because people need to take some of your confidence to help them get through whatever they are going through. You have to come across with confidence because you believe in what you do and how you can make a difference in people's lives. nnSo what do you need to do every night to wake up each day with extra confidence to help clients and prospects? What do you have to do each day to gladly give some of your extra confidence away to help others have more confidence in your and what you can do to help them?nnFocus on what you can control and do those things that put you in the highest probability position to achieve your goals for the reasons that are important to you. Stop letting things outside of your control affect you. nnOne of the success principles of any successful person is effectively calendaring and time management. The important part of calendaring is first to put all of the ‘right' activities on the calendar and then HONOR the calendar. For some, this is the hardest part to do. They let too many distractions or other things get in their way of honoring their calendar. nnAlways put yourself in the highest probability position to achieve your goals. Each activity has a desired result or outcome. You want to always ask yourself, what has to happen to help ensure, the best possibility, that you achieve your desired outcome. Prepare to achieve your goal. nnFocus on the results you want today, next week, next month, this year, and with every conversation and activity you do. Make sure to do whatever you need to do to wake up each day with extra confidence to give away. Believe in yourself and what you do and others will want to do business with you. Focus on what you can control and do those things and you will be successful – personally and professionally. Create your reality! You can do it!nnTo help keep you focused on the activities that produce the results you want, subscribe to The Accountability Coach Blog at www.AccountabilityCoachBlog.com. Invest in the 30-day Goal Achievement self-study program so you can begin achieving your goals in the time frame you want so you can have the life you want. Get started by going to: http://www.AccountabilityCoach.com and reviewing the program to see if this is right for you. nnAim for what you want each and every day! Until next time, make it a great day, today and every day."]]Support the show

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about Confidence, Belief, and Effective Calendaring / Time Management.nnFocus on activities within your control. While you cannot control other people, communication is key for establishing effective accountability measurements to help ensure things are completed on schedule. nnSo what can you control? nYOU! nnWake up each day with extra Confidence because people need to take some of your confidence to help them get through whatever they are going through. You have to come across with confidence because you believe in what you do and how you can make a difference in people's lives. nnSo what do you need to do every night to wake up each day with extra confidence to help clients and prospects? What do you have to do each day to gladly give some of your extra confidence away to help others have more confidence in your and what you can do to help them?nnFocus on what you can control and do those things that put you in the highest probability position to achieve your goals for the reasons that are important to you. Stop letting things outside of your control affect you. nnOne of the success principles of any successful person is effectively calendaring and time management. The important part of calendaring is first to put all of the ‘right' activities on the calendar and then HONOR the calendar. For some, this is the hardest part to do. They let too many distractions or other things get in their way of honoring their calendar. nnAlways put yourself in the highest probability position to achieve your goals. Each activity has a desired result or outcome. You want to always ask yourself, what has to happen to help ensure, the best possibility, that you achieve your desired outcome. Prepare to achieve your goal. nnFocus on the results you want today, next week, next month, this year, and with every conversation and activity you do. Make sure to do whatever you need to do to wake up each day with extra confidence to give away. Believe in yourself and what you do and others will want to do business with you. Focus on what you can control and do those things and you will be successful – personally and professionally. Create your reality! You can do it!nnTo help keep you focused on the activities that produce the results you want, subscribe to The Accountability Coach Blog at www.AccountabilityCoachBlog.com. Invest in the 30-day Goal Achievement self-study program so you can begin achieving your goals in the time frame you want so you can have the life you want. Get started by going to: http://www.AccountabilityCoach.com and reviewing the program to see if this is right for you. nnAim for what you want each and every day! Until next time, make it a great day, today and every day."]]Support the show

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about 11 Guidelines for Increasing the Power of Focus. nnIf asked, what is the one defining quality that sets great leaders apart from their wannabe counterparts, it would have to be their ability to maintain focus on the important issues.nnFor the majority of us, the power to focus on one task at a time and see it through to completion is not an innate gift. Focus is a learned response, so if we want to achieve the professional, personal and social goals we imagine, we have to first learn how to focus on what we want.nnWe now live in a frenetic, activity-filled, multi-tasking, instant gratification society, so it is easy to get lost in the distractions that bombard us from every angle. How many times have you found yourself on the phone talking to a client, while reading your emails, hitting the “Reply” button and then typing out a response? Where is your focus while you are completing a number of individual tasks at the same time?nnFocus requires that we learn to differentiate between the “urgent” and the “important” tasks. nThe power of focus lies in your ability to distinguish the urgent from the important; and concentrate your energy on the important.nnWe discuss 11 guidelines to help re-direct your focus and prioritize getting the important things done first.nnStaying focused requires effort and determination, but like any project we want to achieve, perfect practice makes perfect!nnOn www.AccountabilityCoach.com, you have access to at least 11 free personal development resources you can take advantage of right now. To help keep you focused on the activities that produce the results you want, subscribe to The Accountability Coach Blog at www.AccountabilityCoachBlog.com. Invest in the 30-day Goal Achievement self-study program so you can begin achieving your goals in the time frame you want so you can have the life you want. Get started by going to: http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/bw/30dayStudyCourse.php nnAim for what you want each and every day! Make it a great day, today and every day."]]Support the show

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about 11 Guidelines for Increasing the Power of Focus. nnIf asked, what is the one defining quality that sets great leaders apart from their wannabe counterparts, it would have to be their ability to maintain focus on the important issues.nnFor the majority of us, the power to focus on one task at a time and see it through to completion is not an innate gift. Focus is a learned response, so if we want to achieve the professional, personal and social goals we imagine, we have to first learn how to focus on what we want.nnWe now live in a frenetic, activity-filled, multi-tasking, instant gratification society, so it is easy to get lost in the distractions that bombard us from every angle. How many times have you found yourself on the phone talking to a client, while reading your emails, hitting the “Reply” button and then typing out a response? Where is your focus while you are completing a number of individual tasks at the same time?nnFocus requires that we learn to differentiate between the “urgent” and the “important” tasks. nThe power of focus lies in your ability to distinguish the urgent from the important; and concentrate your energy on the important.nnWe discuss 11 guidelines to help re-direct your focus and prioritize getting the important things done first.nnStaying focused requires effort and determination, but like any project we want to achieve, perfect practice makes perfect!nnOn www.AccountabilityCoach.com, you have access to at least 11 free personal development resources you can take advantage of right now. To help keep you focused on the activities that produce the results you want, subscribe to The Accountability Coach Blog at www.AccountabilityCoachBlog.com. Invest in the 30-day Goal Achievement self-study program so you can begin achieving your goals in the time frame you want so you can have the life you want. Get started by going to: http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/bw/30dayStudyCourse.php nnAim for what you want each and every day! Make it a great day, today and every day."]]Support the show

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about 11 Guidelines for Increasing the Power of Focus. nnIf asked, what is the one defining quality that sets great leaders apart from their wannabe counterparts, it would have to be their ability to maintain focus on the important issues.nnFor the majority of us, the power to focus on one task at a time and see it through to completion is not an innate gift. Focus is a learned response, so if we want to achieve the professional, personal and social goals we imagine, we have to first learn how to focus on what we want.nnWe now live in a frenetic, activity-filled, multi-tasking, instant gratification society, so it is easy to get lost in the distractions that bombard us from every angle. How many times have you found yourself on the phone talking to a client, while reading your emails, hitting the “Reply” button and then typing out a response? Where is your focus while you are completing a number of individual tasks at the same time?nnFocus requires that we learn to differentiate between the “urgent” and the “important” tasks. nThe power of focus lies in your ability to distinguish the urgent from the important; and concentrate your energy on the important.nnWe discuss 11 guidelines to help re-direct your focus and prioritize getting the important things done first.nnStaying focused requires effort and determination, but like any project we want to achieve, perfect practice makes perfect!nnOn www.AccountabilityCoach.com, you have access to at least 11 free personal development resources you can take advantage of right now. To help keep you focused on the activities that produce the results you want, subscribe to The Accountability Coach Blog at www.AccountabilityCoachBlog.com. Invest in the 30-day Goal Achievement self-study program so you can begin achieving your goals in the time frame you want so you can have the life you want. Get started by going to: http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/bw/30dayStudyCourse.php nnAim for what you want each and every day! Make it a great day, today and every day."]]Support the show