A Healthy Dose of Ellen- Why Laughter is good for your Health

BlueSky Marketing is a holistic marketing communications company dedicated to communicating about the needs of holistic health in everyone's life. Gone are the days when people only had a massage for luxury reasons, or went to the Chiropractor when they could not move their neck, instead people are recognizing the huge impact on taking care of one's health regularly and committing to solutions that promote healthy living. That being said, I am in the process of building my client list of Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, Herbalists, Nutritionists, Holistic health care practitioners etc. and delivering them with marketing solutions through PR, blogs, content, e-News, e-Marketing, collateral, and event and lead management. As I reach out to people in the community (I live north of Boston, MA). I am making such incredible connections every day. My life has changed so much for the better and I feel alive again. I have such a burst of energy every morning and I enjoy being a woman owned business that is receiving so much support and love.

I had heard about Ellen DeGeneres and her infectious sense of humor and have known about her for years. The fact that I had not seen the Ellen DeGeneres show before was that I had been working full time every day for the last 10 years and I was never home at 9:00 am to sit with a cup of coffee and watch TV. The minute I saw her show I was howling on the floor with a fit of giggles. I couldn't stop laughing. I have never had that much fun or laughed that much watching TV. I noticed that the more I laughed the better I felt. I thought here is a Woman that I want to be like and would someday love to meet. I was thrilled to see a real, live, woman on TV who didn't look miserable or like she was completely wiped from the drains of everyday life. I saw this woman who was alive and well and happy in her skin and a joy to be around. I have since become a huge Ellen fan and joined her Facebook page and try to see as many episodes as I can. I love the fact that when I see Ellen I just light up and think about the possibilities. That is why the name BlueSky has always been with me and I named my company BlueSky Marketing, because "The Sky's the Limit when your Health's in it". I know that when you are healthy and aligned to what you are born to be and do in this world you can achieve anything. I know that when I look into Ellen's eyes she's always had that spark inside that said "I'm going to make it, I'm going to live the life I always dreamed of". It would be an honor to meet Ellen and when I connect with the money that I would win from this promotion, I would put it to great use for the start up costs for my company. I know in due time, I will be able to pay it back. I believe a helping hand to pay it forward will always result in an opportunity to pay it back...it's the law of nature :)

Steps to Success

This past Friday night I was blessed with the opportunity to see Jack Canfield live in the 8th row front and center at the Stadium in Woonsocket, RI along with my friend Courtney from LoonyBus, http://www.loonybus.com/. It was an event that was sponsored by Heavenly Goddess a fabulous Spa products company in RI that was enamored with Jacks awesome motivational speaking presentations and his amazing best selling book, the Success Principles http://www.thesuccessprinciples.com/. He was invited to speak in front of the sales team as well as many other avid fans. I have been following Jack's work for the past two years and I have seen a huge transformation in my own life. I know that with daily application of these principles I have seen healthy changes. I once was a stressed out corporate marketing professional that always felt harried and running on fumes trying to keep up with the multitasking fat rat race. I realized that I was not pacing myself and not in alignment with who I am, what I can offer and in touch with my intuitive health. Since the beginning of this year that I really have taken stock in who I am and how I can harness the power of all the talents I have inside of me in a way that flows and clarifies my vision for my ideal life. I am thrilled to be connecting to so many people in the health and wellness field and allowing myself to let the process unfold as it may. I have a strong belief that I can achieve my goals in a highly successful way. I know we tend to measure success by dollars and numbers, but the real success for me is the paradigm shift inside that has allowed me to be free of the anxiety that was holding me back from my true self and purpose. I understand we all need to make a living to survive, but it is in the "living" that the money will come. I have always known that I am in the right career it has just been a realization that I was not in the right environment. The right environment is key to any success and growth. As I look at the package of seeds I just received to plant flowers this spring and right on the back it says Care: "Growth is maximized in nutrient rich soil with moderate moisture and a sunny location. Remove fading plants and seed pods to promote further bloom". I think about the care I give my plants and how integral it is to do the same for me. I learned that I didn't perform well in a damp, dark, negative, poorly lit cubicle space with no windows and that I thrived when I could breathe fresh air, see the sun and spread out in a open and airy creative space. Every day I see more of my talents and insights begin to bloom and in due time I will see the fruit of my labor of love. I enjoy the journey every day of creating and building BlueSky Marketing and connecting with wellness professionals. I am learning so much about the market and the amazing holistic health and nutritional supplements that are available to live a more strong and vibrant life. As I continue to learn more I have connected with Yoga instructors, Zumba Dancers, Athletic trainers, and runners for a cause. As I type this blog, I see the Boston Marathon on TV and the determined faces of all the runners from different background and levels of experience. I know that every step lead to a longer distance and a better time for each runner. These runners didn't just wake up today and say I'm going to run 26 miles, but they all said I am going to take one step closer to completing the 26 mile Boston Marathon and I will cross the finish line. I am grateful for every step I take each day and with BlueSky in front of me I know I can see clearly now.....the rain is gone :)

Wellness in the Workplace. :)

Fitness, Health & Wellness are not just for the office marathon runners anymore, it has become "cool" to be well and "hip" to be slim. So on those days when your at the office and you feel your body morph into the 1970's low back chair with the cigarette burn on the arm and your eyes are a red blur from squinting while trying to read your employee handbook and the weeks of vacation you have left. Isn't is time to take a look at if you are working well..or not?

Many people who work in an office don't event realize that they are working in conditions that are not conducive to the best results. The florescent lights and lack of O2 and sometimes H2O make it difficult to concentrate and to stay motivated throughout the day. The way a person is positioned in their chair and the angle they are at in relation to their computer or desk is critical to how their body feels and functions.

There is a whole study on Ergonomics and how the right product and positioning can ease you while work and benefit your ability to work in a safe, comfortable and enjoyable way. Gone are the days when it was all pain and no gain. Have you ever seen a productive miserable person? I mean OK, so perhaps there is the occasional disgruntled employee that wouldn't be happy or productive if you made their office space out of T-Foam and Lazy Boy chairs, but the majority of us would be delighted to feel better at work, have a sense of pride and to know that we are doing more than just contributing to the bottom line.

Many of us have known this for a long time and now the big boss is paying attention because an increase in health, means increased productivity and efficient and ultimately more wealth for the company. There are many cost effective ways to implement a healthy workplace. A "well" workplace doesn't have to be an expensive overhaul. There are several ways you can start to make changes that will have a big impact on the quality of life for everyone. Here are some simple, yet highly effective ways in which you can get started http://www.wellnessproposals.com/wellness_proposals_free_wellness_tool_kits.htm

Gone are the days when supporting a wellness plan for employees was just laughable. Now many companies (who get it) are seeing the value in having employees who don't fall asleep at their desk or daze out in the conference room from lack of oxygen. Do you ever notice how it feels like you are on a stuffy, stank plane (with no windows) in some offices? Now imagine that for 8 hrs a day, 40-50 hrs a week! Last Paycheck Please!

Then there is the insurance side of it. Some companies have even been able to negotiate with health insurance providers to lower their premiums in trade for a wellness program in place. With proven studies on preventive health maintenance of one's body and mind it has now become an excellent alternative for employees to offer various forms of wellness services at their company. To learn more about how you can make your company a Well Workplace, I would review the services that WELCOA (Wellness Council of America) offers as well as their free list of resources at http://www.welcoa.org/wellworkplace/.

Also depending on what state you live there may be program in effect to help you and your companies along the wellness the road. I know that in MA there is a new Mass in Motion effort http://www.mass.gov/massinmotion/http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Health+&+Wellness+Programs/ that has been in effect since January 09. To see if your city & sate has a similar program check out

All the Best,

BlueSky Marketing " The Sky's the Limit, when you Health's in it"

In Health and Wellness......

Are You Brand New Ready?

Just recently I was pushed into a career defining change. My safe, little, cubicle haven had a small earthquake and I was out of a j.o.b. so with that I packed up my highlighters, a 100 MB USB flash drive and my ipod and leaped out of the door with my parachute half packed. Although I managed to land safely with just a few bumps and bruises; my ego was a bit squashed and I think I stepped on my "brand". Once I got a grip and the adrenaline started to even out I realized that I was in need of a "brand new makeover". I collected all my marketing pieces and started to put the strategic puzzle together. A press release over here an event roll out over there and advertisements and case studies sprinkled in between. Then there was the resume. Oh the dreaded resume. The two page document in which all of our career accomplishments are to fit efficiently and effectively in 10 point font all the while making sure it stands above the crowd to say, "look at this savvy marketer, I AM your marketing solution for your business". As I read my resume over and made editorial changes at least twenty times, it occurred to me that my resume did not stand out at all and it certainly wasn't an "a-ha" we need this professional on our team ASAP kind of feel. I knew I needed to take all the best of me and really shine it up. This is definitely not the market to be in the background with a few line listed accomplishments noted here and there. This is "American Brand Idol" and you better be in tune, have some damn shiny white teeth and a song that states I am here and you need what I've got! Once you take inventory of who you are and where you want to be, then you can start to construct a brand around you that is congruent with your business and personality traits. One key survey I found to be useful in defining my personality type is the Myers Briggs Personality test. Feel free to try it yourself for free http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp. It will really provide you with some insight as to why you behave and think a certain way. My personality type is an ENFJ which is "E" for Extrovert, "N" for Intuitive, "F" for Feeling and "J" for Judging. The test will give you percentages so you can see where you are higher and lower on the scale. If you already know this about you, then you are a step ahead but if not it is a great tool to use a predictor for whats types of positions you would be the most successful at and if you are moving in the right direction.

With all the products and services a marketer can brand, making sure your professional brand can be on e of the most challenging projects. It is however imperative that a marketer build his/her brand along the way. It is so easy to get caught up in what you are working on at the moment or the campaign that has you giving it your all, however your brand needs to be well positioned at all times. You always want to be seen consistent through managements eyes and easy to identify if you are in the job market and looking for a new marketing position.

You can heal your life and find your career path along the way

Just past the 3,500 smiling faces and eager eyes, came the beautiful Ms. Louise Hay out from behind the curtain and into the light of the adoring audience. For those who have never seen Ms. Hay it was a enlightening feeling. For although she was several rows in front of me on a wide open stage, I felt as though she was sitting next to me the whole time. As she addressed the audience at the You Can Heal Your Life conference and welcomed each of us to peaceful New York City :) we were inspired by her exuberant energy and her stories of how she has never felt better at age 82. Here we were in our thirties, forties and fifties with our aching backs and chronic headaches and Louise is on stage dancing with so much energy and life and we all thought "What's her Secret?" We'll its no secret anymore, its basic "Law of Attraction".

Are you Bloggin yet?

Having worked as a Marketing Manager for the last five years (both on the Product and Marcomm side) I have seen how the Internet has evolved into providing marketers a "think tank of marketing tools". From video viral marketing to quick and easy ways to create a web page, the Internet has provided thousands of tools at the small business owners finger tips and allowed for the marketing of their products or services through cost effective methods. That is why making sure your "bloggin" in this age of high tech gadgets with the ability to read online comments, feedback and insight into the products and services your company offers is such a key marketing method. Internet blogging has become the new frontier and from Johns article below it is clear we all need to be on board.


The New Frontier
By John Jantsch Entrepreneur Magazine - May 2008

These days, everyone's blogging. Is it time for your business to join the club?

Marketing methods have changed significantly since the dawn of social media. Luckily, many of the tools and tactics accompanying these changes are inexpensive and highly effective, regardless of your business' size.Blogs are one of the most notable social media tools. The rise of blogging to a mainstream activity is emblematic of the new consumer's desire to find relevant content, connections and communities online. Several years ago, the mantra was "Every business needs a website." Today it's "Every business needs a website with a blog." No matter your industry, your prospects have come to expect a blog from your business. And if you study some of the more popular blogs, it's easy to see why. Blog content is more naturally conversational; conversational content is viewed as educational and not sales heavy.

Blog content changes often, giving your customers fresh reasons to return. Blog readers can contribute directly to content by adding comments and participating in dialogue. There are other practical reasons for having a business blog: Posting content frequently makes you a better communicator and allows you to gain expert status in your industry--and it will make you a better salesperson. One of the most practical reasons to start and promote a blog is that search engines seem to love them. Just having a blog and posting content often allows your entire website and business to gain much better exposure from search engines. If you want to create a blog, my recommendation is that you start by reading other blogs. You can go to a site such as Bloglines.com and create a free account. This service allows you to find, read and subscribe to blogs of your choosing so that you can view all the new content in one place and get ideas for your own posts. As far as the software you'll need to run your blog, there are many choices, but you can't really go wrong with either Typepad.com or Wordpress.org. Each has its own strengths and special features. While setting up the software is relatively simple, you may want to look for extra help. A simple online search will turn up lots of folks who can help you get started. Once you get your blog going, it's important to build readership and traffic by creating new posts at least three to five times a week; submitting your blog to RSS and blog directories like Google, Technorati and Yahoo; and commenting on blogs and networking with other bloggers. Make thoughtful comments on blogs that target your customers, and don't forget to add comments on blogs written by journalists you might want to target. Creating an effective blog can feel like a lot of work at first, but the benefits will add up over time and give your business a significant competitive advantage.John Jantsch is a veteran marketing coach, award-winning blogger and author of Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide. Find out more at ducttapemarketing.com.

Climbing PoeTree ~ Hurricane Season Tour

For those of you that had an opportunity to see Naima and Alixa; the dynamic duo poetic storytellers of Climbing PoeTree, perform at the First Parish Church in Groton, MA two weeks ago on July 24th, what an eye opening and inspiring artistic performance. For those of you who did not hear or see them you definitely need to see them when their tour circles around again to the New England area in Spring 2009.

Climbing PoeTree http://www.climbingpoetree.com/ is the expression of a growing movement for radical social change. Poets, performers, print-makers, dancers, muralists, and designers, Alixa and Naima have sharpened their art as a tool for popular education, community organizing, and personal transformation. With roots in Haiti and Colombia, Alixa and Naima reside in Brooklyn and track footprints across the country and globe on a mission to overcome destruction with creativity.

The two women team are presenting; Hurricane Season Hidden Messages in Water; a 50 city multi media tour across the United States that interweaves spoken poetry, sound collage, shadow art, dance, film, and animation to explore critical issues facing humanity through the Kaleidoscope of Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath.

BlueSky Marketing; an Oak sponsor for this event is honored to be a part of this important voice.