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Articles by Debbie LaChusa

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40 articles by Debbie LaChusa · showing 40

Browse every published article connected to Debbie LaChusa, or search within this exact expert archive.

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Choosing vs. Following: The True Path to Joy, Fulfillment, & Success

Do we choose our own path? Or does it choose us? Are we creating our lives? Or are we following some grander plan that’s already been laid out? Are we in control of what happens to us? Or are we simply in control of how we respond? Big questions to be sure. I was raised to believe we not only choose our own path, but we’re in charge of making it all happen. I was taught to set goals and achieve. Needless to say I’ve always been very independent. I moved out and got married at age 19, put myself through college, and eventually started my own business.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,830 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Cold, Hard, Cash... Not!

While we jokingly call it “cold, hard cash,” there’s nothing cold about it. It’s definitely an emotional substance, at least in terms of what it represents for most people. We’ve seen the television commercials showing Publisher’s Clearinghouse awarding million-dollar prizes to unsuspecting winners. They jump for joy. They smile from ear to ear. While we jokingly call it “cold, hard cash,” there’s nothing cold about it.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,279 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Starting a New Career at 50

The older I get the more life changes I seem to encounter. Of course you expect major changes to take place when you’re younger. You start your career. You get married. You have kids. Of course those things change your life in a big way. And they did mine. But I pretty much thought that would be the end of the major upheavals until, well you know… I finish my days on this earth. Nope, not the case. I began a series of major changes about 8 years ago when I found myself wanting more than just the status quo. As a result, I sought out more, and change after change ensued.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,466 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

How Much Money Do You Really Need To Be Happy?

Have you ever asked yourself that question, thought about it, and given yourself an answer? If you’re like most people, you don’t have a definitive answer. Rather, your answer is simply “more money than I have now.” I remember when I graduated from college and got my first advertising agency job earning $10,000 a year. It wasn’t a lot of money, but I was thrilled to get the job. At one point I set a goal: To make my age in terms of income. So, by the time I was 30, I wanted to be making $30,000 per year. And by the time I was 40, I’d be up to $40,000 per year.

Primary topic: Life Balance

2,031 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

The Secret to Finding a Profitable Niche

The other day I was trading emails with a potential client who was struggling to find a profitable niche for his coaching/consulting business. He had been testing the waters but feared he wasn't doing something right. That he was missing some secret step that would magically tell him if his business idea truly had wings. I wanted to share what I shared with him, because I know he's not alone. I believe many people think there must be a magic formula or secret step to uncovering whether or not the idea they have for a business is one that can actually make them money.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,158 views2.5/5 (2)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Busting The Money Illusion

In the success industry there's a lot of talk about money. In recent years, I find that more and more coaches, experts, and gurus talk openly about how much money they make and how much money they can help others make. I suppose it's all in an effort to inspire. To show people what's possible. But are they sharing the whole story and is it a responsible way to market? Consider this... A friend of mine was at a business-building conference when a prominent business coach stood up and shared with the entire crowd, “Sometimes it costs a million to make a million.”

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,365 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Are We Truly Free And Independent?

The dictionary defines "independent" as: • not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an independent thinker. • not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; free: an independent businessman. • not dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc. • not relying on another or others for aid or support. As I consider this definition, I realize we are not truly independent.

Primary topic: Life Balance

2,173 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

How Much Should You Invest In Your Business?

If you're a solo professional running your own service-based business-such as a coach, consultant or other "expert"-you may wonder how much money you should invest each year in activities to grow yourself and your business. How much should you spend on activities such as marketing, and professional or personal development? It's tough to find an answer to that question.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,343 views2.5/5 (2)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

What Children Can Teach Us About Happiness

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us lose our ability to find happiness in life's simple pleasures. Granted life is more complicated for adults. We have responsibilities such as jobs, bills, and children. But far too often we let these responsibilities squelch our innate happiness. We begin to believe that happiness, or the lack of it, is based on what we do or what we have. We recognize that we experience joy when we get a promotion, a new car, or a new client and we begin attributing happiness to these things.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,434 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Is It Really A Wealth Mindset?

In 2003, I was introduced to the world of personal development. While I have learned many valuable lessons since then, and I have grown (i.e. "developed" I guess you could say), looking back I also believe that some of what was being shared was not what it appeared to be.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,390 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Life Without Facebook: The Anti-Social Media Experiment

I've made the decision to try life without social media. What that really means is getting off Facebook. While I have accounts on Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn, I rarely visit those sites. But Facebook is different. For some reason, even when I vow not to visit, it draws me in. Calls to me. Compels me to log in and browse my feed. And yet when I do, more often than not I walk away aggravated, not inspired. So why do I keep going back? I'm not sure, but it's definitely time to step back and re-evaluate.

Primary topic: Life Balance

2,680 views4/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Forget Balance. Try Harmony Instead.

My inability to effectively balance my work life and my home life is what led me to start my own business in 1998. I was never one of those people who dreamed of being an entrepreneur. In fact, for years people kept telling me I should start my own business, and I always said no. Until stress and burnout led me to it as a last resort. After years of struggling with balance, and the stress and chronic health issues that came along with it, I realized starting my own business might be a good solution. It would give me more control over my time and allow me to be home with my kids.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,341 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

The Body Heals Quickly. Why Doesn’t the Mind?

A cut medically known as an avulsion. Not really even a cut or a gash. Basically, the removal of a chunk of flesh. After a visit to the ER, where the doctor told me there wasn’t much he could do—after all, there was nothing to stitch up—I had no choice but to give it time to heal. For several days I wore a large gauze bandage around my thumb. And, I discovered I pretty much couldn’t do anything that required the use of my right hand. I fumbled through for a few days, and as the doctor instructed, as soon as the injury began to heal, I removed the bandages and let it breathe.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,534 views5/5 (2)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Guilted by Gurus

If you've ever been to a personal development seminar, or a free teleclass, or read a sales page for a program promising to teach you how to become more successful or make more money, odds are you've heard or read the following... • If you're not fully committed to your own success this program is NOT for you. • If you can't find the money then you really don't want it that badly. • You have to be willing to invest in yourself if you want to become successful. • If you want to succeed you have to be willing to do whatever it takes.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,338 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Are You Playing Small?

A friend emailed me the other day and confided that after hearing so many "successful" people talk about the concept of playing small, she wondered if maybe we were. We've both chased big success and found that instead of finding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, all we really did was lose ourselves. So we have stepped back. We are much less conce ed with the size of our businesses, email lists, social media friend lists, and all of the other ways we used to measure our success. Instead we are finding what fulfills us and serves others.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,174 views2.5/5 (2)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

A Shift From Luxury To Fun

Have you noticed that recently the luxury car companies are focusing a lot more on fun than luxury? As a former advertising executive (it actually feels like another lifetime!) I pay attention to advertising. And I've noticed a shift in the television commercials for several luxury car brands, namely Lexus and Mercedes. While they used to sell their cars as status symbols, and luxury indulgences, as something to aspire to, they aren’t focusing on that so much these days. Rather, their TV commercials focus on how fun these cars are to drive.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,312 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

I Wanna Be A Billionaire… Or Do I?

In 2010, Travie McCoy's song Billionaire soared to number three on the Billboard Hot 100, sharing its aspirational lyrics, “I wanna be a billionaire so fricking bad, buy all the things I never had.” The song shares the dream of fame and fortune. And, I think on some level we'd all like to experience what that might be like. We believe if we had that much money many of our problems would be solved. And frankly, some of them might be, but not all...

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,620 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Marketing is like Fertilizer

WIIFM is a popular marketing acronym. It stands for "What's In It For Me?" But the "me" it's referring to is your ideal clients, not YOU as the business owner. Yet it seems many business owners are applying this acronym literally. Peruse the plethora of online marketing promising to teach us how to get more clients and make more money. While the intention may be good-trying to help people build a successful business-I believe the focus is in the wrong place. Yes, your business needs clients and it should make money and be profitable.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,118 views4/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Obsessed With Success: A Lesson From American Idol

I recently heard another American Idol contestant was kicked off the show for reportedly lying about his past. It seems nearly every season the show disqualifies a contestant for glossing over life details that violate the show's rules.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,424 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Let Go, Move On, Be Happy

I’ve lost many things in my life. Jobs. Grandparents. Pets. Money. A house. A business. Even my identity at one point. I’ve watched my parents lose their parents, my husband lose his father, my daughter lose teenage friends. I’ve seen that in the moment these losses feel insurmountable. Yet, I’ve also seen time heal the pain. I’ve seen people move on and find happiness again. And, I’ve done so myself.

Primary topic: Life Balance

2,312 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Happiness Lessons From an Octogenarian

My dad just turned 80 years young. As I get older I'm realizing that my dad has taught me a lot about how to be happy. Although he wasn't really "teaching" me... more like setting a great example by the way he has lived his life. Unfortunately, as is common with kids, I didn't appreciate or realize most of it until now. My dad was very successful in his career.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,874 views4/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Clearing The Confusion Around Branding

Branding has become a buzzword and trend in the online business and personal development industry over the past few years. It seems that suddenly everyone is a branding expert: graphic artists, web designers, business coaches, and even photographers. While some of these people may be very skilled at making your brand look good, it’s crucial for you to understand that developing a brand, and executing a brand, are two very different disciplines. Do not confuse them or let anyone else confuse them for you. Brand Development

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,216 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Changing The Rules In The Game Of Success

I was interviewed recently by The Oxford Student, the student newspaper at Oxford University in England. The interview quickly moved into a discussion about students and success. The student interviewer shared with me the pressure University students feel to strive for high grades and fill up their resumes with extracurricular activities in order to look attractive to potential employers upon graduation.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,279 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Has Good is Good Enough Killed Quality?

When I worked in advertising agencies and we created a print ad or any other piece of marketing, it saw many eyes before it went public. It was created by experts, and critiqued, reviewed, and proofread by multiple people inside the agency. After that it went to the client for approval, and only then did it see the light of day. Fast-forward to today and the Internet Marketing world. It seems to be all about "good is good enough." I can't even count the times I've heard the advice: Forget trying to be perfect... just get it out. Even I've shared this advice in the past.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,894 views1/5 (2)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

In the Grip of Money

While most of us don't like to think we're driven by money, the truth is we are. In a recent survey I conducted among 500 people, 70 percent reported that at least half of the decisions they make in their life are driven by money. Additionally, 55 percent said money played a large role in decisions about how to spend their time. How did we get this way?

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,254 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Four Money Belief Patterns

According to a study by researchers at Kansas State University and published in the Jou al of Financial Therapy there are four money belief patterns that may have a negative impact on our financial health: 1. Money Avoidance

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,411 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

The Problem with Marketing Today

Marketing is essential for a business to succeed And, there's a simple, age-old formula for marketing that goes like this… "Offer the Right Product to the Right People at the Right Price and the Right Time" It's taught in business school as the 4 P's: Product, Place, Price, Promotion. It's what I learned when I studied marketing in college and got my degree. It's the strategy I used for years in my marketing career. It's even the basis for the "system" I taught in my very first marketing talk back in the mid-1990's. The 4 P's are about STRATEGY.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,383 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Finding a Brand Name You Can Own

As a coach, consultant, or other service professional, your marketing will work a lot harder for you if you establish a brand name, instead of simply doing business under your own name. You'll want to make sure the brand name you choose strategically represents the work you do or the products and services you sell, and you'll want to make sure no one else is already using the name. There are several, simple and free, web searches that anyone can do in just a few minutes, to learn if a potential business or brand name is already being used.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,281 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Does Money Make Us Happier: The Ongoing Debate

In the 1970's, Richard Easterlin, who was an economist at the University of Pennsylvania at the time, published what has become one of the best known studies on the connection between money and happiness. Dubbed The Easterlin Paradox the study determined that economic growth in countries doesn't necessarily lead to greater satisfaction among the people living there. Here's what was written in a New York Times article about The Easterlin Paradox:

Primary topic: Life Balance

2,239 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

What Really Makes Women Happy?

As a baby boomer woman, I was raised in an era when women were encouraged to fight for equality. Strive for independence. Seek career success. Be paid the same as men. Break the glass ceiling. And, like many women my age, that is the path I chose. I put myself through college. Set my sights on a successful career. Started my own business. Out-ea ed my husband. In many ways, I'm the poster girl for the independent, strong, successful woman. In fact, I believe this mindset is in many ways responsible for my constant striving for success that I detail in my book, Breaking the Spell.r

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,347 views1/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Happiness Is Not A Result

When we get an A in school, then our parents will be happy, and so will we. When we win the Little League game [you can fill in any sport here], then we'll be happy. When we finally have a lot of money, or no longer have to worry about money, then we'll be happy. When we get that new job, then we'll be happy. When we get married, then we'll be happy. When we get that new car, then we'll be happy. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. I call this "I'll be happy when" syndrome and you know what, it's a myth.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,253 views4/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Appreciating Life's Simple Pleasures

Last week I washed two cars and cleaned my house. These are things I haven't done in years. For as long as I can remember, I've had a housekeeper and I've taken my cars to the car wash. My time was too valuable to spend doing these menial tasks. My time was better spent building my business. I would be more successful if I paid others to do this work, and spent my time focusing on my areas of expertise. Or so I had been taught by mentor after mentor.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,670 views5/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Run Your Own Race

Running has taught me many life lessons. It's an activity that provides great wisdom. Both in terms of how it relates to life, and in the way it opens your mind and allows the voice of your higher self to come through loud and clear. Last week I was running at a lake near my home and this lesson was brought to life for me. You see, there are usually many people walking, running, and biking at the lake in the evening. And this night was no exception. As I was running along, I found myself passing another female runner.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,455 views4/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

The Problem with Goal Setting

Goals are a very accepted and highly promoted way of accomplishing what we want in life. It’s no wonder so many people advocate and practice goal-setting. Nearly every coach or mentor I’ve encountered and every success seminar I’ve attended advocates setting goals. And not only setting them but writing them down, and making them SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely). The argument is that people who write down goals achieve more in life.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,642 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

The Right Thing is Often The Hard Thing

I can't help reflecting on all the times I have had to make the hard choice in life. To forgo the easy path and take the tough one. It's mind boggling and reassuring at the same time. At least I know with hindsight that it always works out. It really is about letting go. The easy thing is usually the thing that's most comfortable, so we hang onto it. But that keeps us exactly where we are. It's what we know, even if it's not what we want. For that reason it's often frustrating. Because deep down we want something else, we just don't have the courage or strength to go for it.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,201 views4/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Yes, it's true, bad things happen to good people. But it's also true that... GOOD things happen to BAD people. And, BAD things happen to BAD people. And yes, even GOOD things happen to GOOD people. It's called life, folks.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,314 views4/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

It’s Not a Matter of If You’ll Fail, It’s When

Failure is inevitable. I know that may sound like a negative attitude, but it's the truth. And, it's not a bad thing. When you accept this fact, it transforms you. You no longer feel like a failure when something doesn't work out. You know it's par for the course, and you simply move on. We don't expect every relationship to succeed.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,363 views2/5 (1)

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

The Flow of Money and Life

Have you ever watched the flow of money in your life? As I’ve been endeavoring to simplify my life, cutting out things I don’t really need--and lowering expenses in the process--I find myself observing the flow of money more and more. I’ve worked hard over the past year to release my attachment to money and things as a representation of my worthiness and value.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,896 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Want To Be Happy? Seek Respect, Not Money

According to new research conducted by the Haas School of Business at the University of Califo ia, Berkeley, overall happiness is more related to how much you are respected and admired by those around you than the status that comes from how much money you have in your bank account. After considering all the evidence that higher socioeconomic status (higher income, wealth, or education) does not increase happiness and realizing that many theories suggest it should, the psychologists at Cal Berkeley decided to study the matter further.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,346 views

By Debbie LaChusaRecently published1 topic

Difficult Person or Difficult Situation?

I like to believe that most people are inherently good and are simply doing the best they can in the moment. Very often peoples’ actions are driven by fear or some other negative emotion, causing them to act in ways that feel difficult to us. And, we’re often quick to brand them as a difficult person. However, I’ve found that most times when we step back we find it’s not the person, but the situation, that’s difficult.

Primary topic: Life Balance

1,323 views

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