Spring is in the Air

Hi, Creatives! The first day of spring is Tuesday, March 19th. I don't know about you, but spring is my favorite season of the year. Not only is my birthday in May, but I feel reenergized but the sight of the blooming trees and the smell of fresh flowers. In fact, this is the time to open up the windows and let the stale air out of our homes; and more importantly, this is the time to open up our lives in order to let new energy in. Hold up! Let's press pause on this thought for a second.

What does it mean to let new energy in? Does this mean that we should move differently? Does this mean that we should set new goals? Does this mean that we should reevaluate relationships? Yes, Yes, and Lawd, Yes! Spring is the time for us to do all of the necessary cleaning so that we can enjoy the rest of the year in peace and self-awareness. I don't know about you, but I am certainly looking forward to rejuvenation and the opportunity to establish new goals for myself.

Here are 20 ways for us all to reset our mindsets and embrace fresh beginnings:

• Declutter Your Space: Start with a thorough spring cleaning of your home and workspace to clear out the old and make room for new energy.

• Set New Goals: Reflect on what you wish to achieve and set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

• Create a Vision Board: Visualize your dreams and aspirations by creating a vision board that represents what you want to achieve.

• Practice Gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself daily of the things you are thankful for, fostering a positive mindset.

• Meditate Regularly: Incorporate meditation into your daily routine to reduce stress, improve concentration, and enhance overall well-being.

• Network and Connect: Attend networking events or join new groups to meet like-minded individuals and expand your personal and professional circle.

• Explore New Hobbies: Take up a new hobby or revisit an old one to spark creativity and bring joy to your daily life.

• Focus on Self-Care: Prioritize self-care by ensuring you get enough sleep, eat healthily, and engage in activities that relax and rejuvenate you.

• Limit Social Media: Set boundaries around your social media usage to reduce comparison and focus on your own journey.

• Read Inspirational Books: Choose books that motivate and inspire personal growth and mindset shifts.

• Embrace Nature: Spend time outdoors, go for walks, and connect with nature to ground yourself and find peace.

• Volunteer Your Time: Giving back to your community can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

• Practice Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to boost your self-esteem and confidence.

• Learn Something New: Take a class or workshop to learn a new skill or deepen your knowledge in an area of interest.

• Prioritize Physical Activity: Incorporate regular physical activity, such as yoga, dancing, or walking, to improve mental and physical health.

• Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor who can provide guidance, support, and wisdom as you pursue your goals.

• Listen to Uplifting Music: Create a playlist of songs that uplift and motivate you.

• Cultivate Mindfulness: Practice being present in the moment to reduce stress and increase happiness.

• Redefine Success: Reflect on what success means to you and adjust your goals and expectations accordingly.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, to maintain motivation and a positive outlook.
  

Implementing these practices can help foster a mindset of growth, positivity, and openness to new opportunities this spring.

You know my motto: Do You What Makes You Happy! Do What Brings You Joy! Do What Keeps You Grounded!

Happy Spring,

Christine

BMSC Introduces the "30-Sec Pitch Creator for Small Business Owners"

Happy Leap Year, Creatives!

As we embrace the extra day this Leap Year brings us, I'm thrilled to unveil something special that has been brewing at Baring My Soul Creations. Today, I introduce to you our latest innovation designed to empower small business owners like us: the "30-Sec Pitch Creator" ChatGPT 4 bot.

In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, the ability to succinctly articulate the essence of our business can make a world of difference. Whether it's networking, social media engagement, or securing potential clients, a compelling pitch is invaluable. Recognizing this, we've harnessed the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT 4 to develop a tool tailored for small business owners seeking to refine their messaging and elevate their brand.

The "30-Sec Pitch Creator" is more than just a bot. It's your personal pitch consultant, ready to guide you through crafting pitches that resonate. With a focus on clarity, impact, and authenticity, our bot leverages the power of AI to help you distill the essence of your business into a 30-second pitch that captivates and convinces.

Here's how it works: simply feed the bot some basic information about your business, and it will generate a tailored, engaging pitch. Whether you're at the beginning stages of your business journey or looking to revamp your existing pitch, this tool is designed to support you in making your mark. And to get started, simply click the "Let's Get Started" button. It’s your first step towards creating a pitch that not only tells your story but also opens doors to new opportunities.

At Baring My Soul Creations, we're committed to providing inspirational products, services, and activities that empower and uplift. The "30-Sec Pitch Creator" is our latest endeavor to support you, the creative and dynamic force behind your business, in achieving your dreams.

So, as we leap into this extra day and beyond, let's harness the opportunity to redefine our narratives and pitch our way to success. I invite you to explore this exciting new tool and discover the potential it holds for your business.

Remember, we are all about doing what makes us happy, doing what brings us joy, and staying grounded. Let's continue to plant our seeds and grow together, making every pitch not just heard but felt.

To your success,

Christine Booker

Baring My Soul Creations

Paid in Full

You must live under a rock if you haven't seen Tariji P. Henson speaking out about the unfair payment and treatment of women of color in Hollywood. Her message rings loud and clear in the ears of many Black women because we KNOW exactly what she is saying without her even uttering another word. In fact, I can visualize most of us nodding our heads in agreement while looking at one her many interviews on television. Even after recently starring in the new adaptation of "The Color Purple" and starring in many acclaimed movies and television shows, Tariji is still asking the question many of us are afraid to ask - "Haven't I paid my dues in full?" She is asking the same question Monique, the comedian and actress, asked and was ostracized and criticized for asking it. It's a question some of us fear to ask on our jobs for fear of retaliation and mistreatment.

But, here's the thing...Black women have overpaid our dues a long time ago. Some of us have had to raise families without the help of fathers. We have had to train supervisors who were less qualified than us. We have had to raise the children and clean the houses of other women, and yes, we have even been experimented on, without our consent, for the advancement of medicine! If we are waiting on "society" to see us as equally qualified, talented, skilled, and capable as our counterparts, we will be waiting forever! So, let's collectively ask ourselves what do we truly care about and why?

This is the question that may release someone from being held captive by a deaf audience. You see, I am retired now, but prior to retiring I worked my way up to Senior Program Analyst, which was a high-paying salary. I was a diligent and dedicated worker and took pride in any program or project I managed. But, now that I've had some time to sit with myself, I realize that I spent an unnecessary amount of time and energy trying to prove an obvious point...trying to prove that I was just as intelligent and qualified as my colleagues and that I deserved to be in the room. I found myself wanting the "award" more than I wanted the "reward." Operating in this self-depriving way was problematic, exhausting, and stressful. If I had asked myself every morning, "What do I truly care about and why?", I would have found peace of mind by knowing my worth. Today, my response to this question is locked and loaded: "I care about myself because I am worthy of success and happiness." This response is what lead me to try my hand at entrepreneurship in 2021, like so many of other Black women.

In retrospect, 2021-2023 seemed to be years of self-discovery for most of us. Relatively, 2024 seems to be the year of truth-telling. So, here's our truth: Black women are the most resilient, most caring, most intelligent, most talented, most creative, most "get it from the mud" human beings on this earth! We may be imitated, but we will NEVER be duplicated. Therefore, our salaries should reflect what we individually bring to the table. Most importantly, Black women do not owe anyone more than what we have to give, and we certainly don't have to prove anything to anyone. So, the next time someone tries to make you cash-in on your abilities, just say "Oh, Honey...Check your records...I'm paid in full."

Stay blessed,

Christine