Tag: Conflict Resolution
The Big Reveal
So here’s a snapshot of my 2017 Vision Station. The upper board is used to illustrate the goals that I want to accomplish in the upcoming year. I prefer words overs pictures so that I am free to imagine myself completing the goal as I see fit. Pictures tend to stifle my creativity and don’t exactly give me the motivation that I need.
The lower board is my interactive space. This is where I post my objectives, resource list, action plan, focus word and theme song. I also have a folder to capture ideas and notes. In the past I created separate boards for my business and personal goals but my Career Confidence Coach, Kandis Webb helped me to realize that the two should be conjoined. As an entrepreneur, I am the face and brand of my business. It’s only right that I incorporate those terrific, quirky and unique qualities about myself into my business model.
Same goes for you.
So what’s the point of a ‘theme song?” It’s a proven fact that music stimulates the create thinking process. While you’re being magnificent and churning out new ideas, you need a song that resonates with you. I chose 2 for 2017. The song Unfamiliar by Common is awesome. I absolutely love this song. It reminds me to be open and receptive to the unfamiliar because great opportunities, relationships and partnerships often show up when you least expect it. My 2nd song is Location by Khalid. I love, love, love it! That one line when he says, “What’s the Move and I Got You,” reminds me to be spontaneous and open to new adventures.
I chose to tackle my fitness goals first. I was ready and there was no point in putting it off. I began training with @sakinareneefit on December 20th. In two weeks I’ve dropped a pant size and gained lots of energy!
Wanna know what goal I may struggle with a little?
(ex-spouse)
To get to a state of cool may take me awhile but I’m working on it! ( don’t judge me)
Now the only thing left for you to do is decide that you’re ready to gain focus, clarity and most of all Peace in manifesting your 2017 goals.
Positioned for Peace: Your Action Plan For A Peaceful Lifestyle in 2017 is available throughout the month of January for your employees, community group, ministry, social club or group of friends. The workshop includes a PowerPoint, worksheets and team building exercises. You provide the location and I’ll provide the expertise.
I’m ready to share what I know. Are you ready to receive? Contact me today!
Peace In Action,
Melissa
Enough Already 2016!
For some 2016 has been a very rewarding year while others, including myself have experienced a whooping number of challenges and lessons. Social media outlets have been bombarded with hashtags such as #sitdown2016, #is2016overyet and #bye2016, all in the spirit of moving on and moving forward from an exhausting year of unexpected tragedy.
Right now the media is heavily focused on the deaths of many of our favorite entertainers. These back to back tragedies have left a cloud of gloom hovering over much of our nation.
The senseless murders of unarmed black people at the hands of police officers has the black community on edge and searching for God’s hand of justice in at least one of these cases.
And countless numbers of individuals are unemployed, homeless and in need of healthcare.
oh and let’s not forget the resurrection of racism in mainstream America
It’s a lot to deal with…but that’s what we do best.
We deal with the unexpected. Isn’t that what life’s about? Since no one ever really knows when tragedy or misfortune is going to strike, it’s kind of a hit or miss situation right? If many of us had the opportunity to stay home or face uncertainty a lot of people would just stay home. After all, we’re doing the best that we can with the resources and opportunities that we have.
So 2017 is right around the corner and I’m certain that it will hold its fair share of unexpected events. Start preparing now by understanding exactly where you are mentally and emotionally with all that has happened in this year and use those feelings and experiences to make a difference in the year to come.
Here are 4 quick and easy things that you can do to reset, refocus and get ready for the New Year:
- Summarize your 2016 in one word. My word for 2016 is endurance. No matter what event interrupted my peace or tried to steal my joy, I endured.
- Decide what kind of year you’ll have in 2017. 2017 is my year of Strength. No more enduring what’s handed my way but having the strength to create new opportunities that reflect my vision for my life.
- Write specific goals to accomplish in 2017. Now’s the time. No more procrastination.
- Write positive affirmations for each of the following areas of your life. Spiritual, Relational, Financial and Occupational. Post them in a visible location so that you can repeat them daily
After you complete this simple exercise, stop thinking, go out and have some fun!
Life is meant to be lived so get used to it!
Peace,
Melissa
Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Me!!
Today officially marks my business anniversary. I’ve been in business for myself for 1 year today! I can honestly say that it has been an adventurous and humbling experience. I am excited about the things that I’ve been able to accomplish but I am well aware that I have much more work to do. I still have a LONG way to go in creating a steady flow of business and clients but it is very rewarding to know that I am building a legacy from the ground up that will hopefully one day provide a necessary and undeniable service to others.
CHEERS! 
One the other side of every blessing is a challenge. There have been many aspects of owning a business that have been tough. Sometimes things haven’t always panned out as I had hoped and personal challenges have led to lengthy distractions.
Today I am sharing with you one of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned thus far.
“As an entrepreneur, if you don’t show up for your self, no one else will show up either.” ~Melissa Rivers
I am what you call a soloprenuer. I open and close the store, I am maintenance and janitorial, accountant and timekeeper, product developer and facilitator as well as; visionary and laborer.
For the past year, I’ve handled all of these positions on my own. Although I feel capable and empowered to do them all, I believe that I’ve been hindered in some ways by taking on so many responsibilities.
You can’t possibly be as creative and engaging while you’re tending to all the organizational needs.
Do yourself a favor by creating a system of processes and sticking to them. Do all the normal things like be organized, work diligently and take a lunch break. While you’re doing those normal things incorporate some of the more tedious tasks such as creating a solid business plan, a marketing plan and an evolving financial plan.
Business and personal finances should never mix and if you work from a home office make sure you WORK from it. Don’t take your laptop to your bedroom or to the kitchen table. Utilize that office space!
Since it’s my anniversary, I’m feeling really generous. Let me share one more tip of advice to my fellow business owners or those up and coming. This small piece of advice can make or break your company.
You must NETWORK!
Get out and socialize amongst others who are doing the things that you do and those who share your same or similar interest. Don’t be afraid to join professional clubs, meetup groups or community organizations. Networking is necessary for mental and creative stimulation. Also, it is very important to hire a coach. You need a business coach and a financial coach. You cannot be the mastermind and the shopper all at the same time. It just won’t work.
Lastly, I want to share with you our new, official logo! I am so excited to have worked with Ryan Johnson of PMD Designs on this masterpiece! It incorporates solutions, unity, connectedness, diversity and compromise. Shoot me an email and let me know what you think about it.
I thank you all for trusting me in your inbox each week. I appreciate the comments, feedback and always on time encouragement. I am hopeful that things will only get better from here.
Peace In Action,
Melissa
When Peace is Your Business
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and I am spotlighting the Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network (CVAN) for their work in helping battered women and their children find safety and peace during troubling times.
I first learned about CVAN as a Girl Scout Leader searching for a community service opportunity for my girls. I found a cute little boutique full of women’s clothing and toys that accepted donations from the community. Upon researching this store I discovered their mission. The store was just a means of support for the many programs that CVAN provides and the shelter that it operates.
CVAN has been in operation since 1982. They provide services such as: a 24-hour hotline, housing, peer counseling, children’s program, formerly battered woman’s advocacy, woman’s jail program, teen program, court advocacy, community education and support groups.
I’ve been connected with CVAN in various capacities for more than 10 years. CVAN is an integral part of Cabarrus County but that reach is nationwide. CVAN has successfully assisted women throughout the United States in finding safety from their abuser.
The following is a list of patterns and behaviors to look for in an abusive mate:
Safety Planning
Signs to look for in your partner:
- Quick involvement with you
- Isolates you from others
- Blames others for their problems
- Gets upset easily
- Controlling behavior
- Explains how you are always wrong
- Speaks disrespectfully of women
- Says hurtful things to you
- Expects you to be perfect
- Threatens you
- Hits, chokes or shoves you
- Cruel to children and/or animals
- Inappropriate sexual requests
In the United States a woman is abused every 15 seconds.
If you or someone that you know is a victim of Domestic Violence, there is confidential help for you. You can speak with a representative at the following number: (704) 788-2826.
Please check out CVAN’s website at:www.cvan.org for more information. 
Peace In Action,
Melissa
And Finally…
Positioned For Peace
There are three remaining steps to being an effective Peacemaker. Let’s do a quick recap before I give you the remaining three.
- Be Informed
- Build Trust
- Build Your Tribe
- Gather Evidence
- Generate Solutions
- Solicit Feedback
AND FINALLY
7. Finalize Your Plan
8. Take Action &
9. Remain Consistent
There are many moving parts to being to being an effective, peace oriented leader.
I hope that you’ve found this list to be informative and necessary as you go about the work of building trust and community, within your organization.
If you need help, I am just a phone call or email away. I would love to work with you and provide guidance as you implement your peacebuilding plan.
“A team doesn’t win the championship if its players are working from different agendas.”
Peace In Action,
Melissa
Solicit Feedback
Positioned For Peace
6. Solicit Feedback
A skilled Peacemaker values and welcomes feedback from others. This simple act of humility builds trust and transparency amongst everyone involved. At this stage in the process, hopefully you realize that your work is not for you. You are simply providing a service to a group that has been marginalized or disenfranchised. This is a very important step in the peace making process and it will greatly affect your final action plan for change.
2 Ways to Solicit Feedback:
- Conduct periodic meetings and interviews to gather how those affected are responding to suggested solutions.
- Organize a focus group to observe suggested solutions in action. Gather feedback and make changes accordingly.
The Benefits of Soliciting Feedback:
Soliciting feedback connects those affected by the crisis to the solution. It builds trust and dependency to ensure full effort in achieving the stated goals. “It’s one thing to communicate to people because you believe you have something of value to say. It’s another to communicate with people because you believe they have value.”
Do Not Be Anxious
Welcome October!
It’s a new month with new opportunities and new blessings. This is your weekly reminder that God is still in control and working everything out for your good. There’s no need to be fearful, fretful or bothered. It will be fine.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month! As a survivor, I say “Thank you Jesus!”, as an advocate I say, “Please Schedule Your Mammogram!” As a fighter, I say “Exercise, Eat Right, Get Rest and Do Not Stress!”
Please tune in tomorrow for step 6 of Positioned For Peace. We have three more steps to cover as we breakdown the necessary requirements to be an effective Peacemaker. october-3-2016
Peace In Action,
Melissa
Generate Solutions
Positioned For Peace
5. Generate Solutions
At this point in the Peacemaking process, it’s time to generate solutions. A quick recap shows that you’re informed of the issues, you’ve gained the trust of supporters, you’ve built your tribe and gathered supporting evidence. Now is the perfect time to brainstorm solutions.
2 Ways to Generate Solutions:
- Facilitate meetings allowing those affected to express their perspectives and expected outcomes.
- Based on results from the meeting, designate tribe members to work within the affected groups to streamline expected outcomes and define how those goals can be achieved.
The Benefits of Generating Solutions:
Generating solutions reaffirms your commitment to make Peace, allowing for community involvement and participation. This is your opportunity to work with the people by understanding and acting on the needs of those involved. You will not be able to implement every solution but you’re making process toward a final action plan.
“Followers may doubt what their leaders say, but they usually believe what they do.”
Jazz Anyone?
If you’re a fan of Jazz that has a Big Band feel, you don’t want to miss this series. Concerts are held in the attic of Little Rock AME Zion Cultural Center. The atmosphere is smooth and relaxing! It’s the perfect way to spend your Sunday afternoon. Oh did I mention admission is only $5! It’s the perfect way to start your week off on a peaceful note.
Straight-Ahead Jazz Series 4th Sundays – April thru October
Every 4th Sunday from April to October ‘A Sign Of The Times of the Carolinas’ presents Straight-Ahead Jazz workshops and concerts from 4PM to 6PM at the Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Cultural Center located at 401 N. McDowell St. in Uptown Charlotte.
We celebrate Jazz – our “GIFT” to America – by presenting an audience participation jazz workshop featuring a jazz clinician from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. where we explain the basics of playing the ‘Blues’ and ‘Rhythm changes’.
Then from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. we play songs an array of songs in the Straight-Ahead Jazz Series genre. The First Set features the ‘A Sign Of The Times’ Core group and the Second Set features local musicians in an open jam session. Light Hors d’oeuvres provided.
The workshop is a FREE event and the Jazz concert is $5 to attend.
Spread “the word” by Telling-A-Friend.
