Making Things Happen

Hi y’all! We are so excited to share that we are starting a...

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:26:00 -0400

Hi y’all! We are so excited to share that we are starting a accountability challenge that we will conquer together monthly throughout 2013! Starting with Clearing the Clutter in April! We know a big part of Making Things Happen is all about community. We will sharing our encouragement, failures, successes and little wins on clearing the clutter during April. Isn’t it the perfect challenge to start out spring with?

We really want to lift each other up, so make sure to tag your instagrams & tweets with #mth2013 #MTHclearingtheclutter.

Now get over to Lara’s blog to go through the steps in detail, but here is an overview of what we will be CONQUERING in April.

Your Clearing the Internet Clutter To-Do List

1. Do a social media free weekend. Take (at least) one weekend off in April of social media. You can do it and I promise you won’t fall over and die. (I made it happen last weekend and I am still here to tell you how awesome and refreshing it was)

2. Gut your facebook and twitter feeds.

3. Gut your blog list. See google reader even says so. Simplify.

4. If you have twitter, facebook or specific distracting blogs in your toolbar delete them. Right now.

5. Clear your computer desktop. Then fill it with a beautiful screen, like the amazing FREE ones Lara has designed .

6. Unsubscribe. Cool Tip :: Search unsubscribe in your email search and boom here are all the emails that you can go through and UNSUBSCRIBE!

7. Install Rescuetime or Leechblock or any other limiting device to your browser. To really put the stop to your i-spend-all-day-on-facebook-and-get-nothing-done syndrome.

8. Do a happy dance you rocked this!!!

(I will be posting the physical clutter steps soon as well, but if you are ready for more they are in this post as well)

Remember Progress not Perfection!!! Reach out if you are struggling. Keep us up to date with what step you are on and how you are CLEARING the clutter!!! We are SO excited to see all the hard work that is going to be done!!!

YEA!

Gina Emily and Lara aka. your biggest cheerleaders!

We’ve made it to the end of the week, y’all! Happy...

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:49:36 -0500

We’ve made it to the end of the week, y’all! Happy Friday! We hope you’ve accomplished all that you set out to do this week.

We’d like to wrap up the week by introducing you to our Making Things Happen 2013 Conference guest speaker, Amber Housley. Amber founded her creative studio in 2007 which encompasses her many passions and talents. Her wedding and design work has been featured in notable media such as Southern Weddings, Southern Living, Bridal Guide, Style Me Pretty and Martha Stewart.com. With a passion for helping other small businesses succeed, she shares inspiring content, strategic business coaching and community building through her Amber Housley Inspired workshop series. Raised in Southern California and Las Vegas, she and her husband moved to Nashville and haven’t looked back. With a full-fledged southern plantation wedding and a sweet little boy born one year later, they truly feel like they are living the sweet life each day. Amber also enjoys sharing home entertaining, recipes, decor and gardening how-to on her lifestyle blog at amberhousley.com

We asked Amber a few questions to see what fired her up:

What have you made happen since you first attended MTH? What has changed since then?

Amber: In the two+ years since I attended MTH, I feel like I’ve been on an amazing journey that is just getting started! The most significant, I relaunched my business from Sweet Life Designs to the Amber Housley brand. I’ve doubled my business year over year. I challenged myself to get my work published and since then I’ve appeared in Southern Living, Southern Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Munaluchi Bride, Bridal Guide, Wedding Planner Magazine and the Sage Wedding Pros blog. I continued to better myself and my business by attending many conferences, workshops and seminars, some of which I later returned as speakers for. I was featured by MarthaStewart.com as a ‘Dreamer Into Doer’ and also developed and launched the Amber Housley Inspired national workshop series for creative women entrepreneurs. Most importantly, I’ve learned to embrace my gifts, celebrate them, and focus on what matters — which is a huge shift in my thinking prior to MTH.

What is your best piece of advice to those who want to make things happen?

Amber: There will never be a perfect time for anything. I tell this mantra to myself and my friends all the time: “done is better than perfect.” So many times we hold ourselves back from this or that because we think there is some magical perfect time when the stars align and we will finally be ready. We say to ourselves, “if I just do A, B and C, then finally, I’ll be ready for D….” Guess what, if you are always waiting for the perfect time, you’re never going to launch anything.

What are you most looking forward to about the MTH2013 Conference?

Amber: I’m most looking forward to connecting with other creatives. I get so fired up being around other creatives who want more out of life - for themselves, for their businesses. I look forward to new friendships to be made through the MTH connection. Many of my closest friends are those that I met through the MTH network and I’m so grateful for the experience that has brought these talented and driven people in my life.

What fires you up?

Amber: My family, giggles from my son, designing weddings and developing new products, throwing great parties, southern culture, authentic + fearless women, growing flowers and vegetables in our yard, ballet flats + pretty dresses, swimming in the caribbean sea, afternoon coffee breaks, smart + creative marketing campaigns that speak to my inner geek, receiving a sweet note or card in the mail, helping others with their creative businesses

What’s next for you?

Amber: Continuing to embrace my many passions and talents. Professionally in 2013 I’m going to launch a wedding invitation line as well as many other products for weddings and social parties. I also will be a more active blogger and share many projects and articles that speak to the core of the Amber Housley brand: weddings, parties, entertaining and entrepreneurship. I am looking to partner with some lifestyle brands in the development of content for the Amber Housley blog and I would also like to challenge myself to work in the TV medium in some way. I’d like to develop my Amber Housley: Inspired workshop series in an online webinar format. Personally, I am going to continue to find ways to be a supportive and encouraging wife to my husband and an attentive mom to our son by giving uninterrupted time and scheduling ‘family fun days’. I will continue my on-going pursuit of eating healthier and goal of looking awesome in a bikini as well as setting aside time for new creative experiences and classes with friends.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy Valentine’s Day! We know the holiday is not about...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:34:00 -0500

Happy Valentine’s Day! We know the holiday is not about chocolates and flowers but about faith, hope and most of all, genuine love. It’s about making what matters happen and taking the time out of our busy schedules to encourage one another. We like Valentine’s Day around here!

Nobody encompasses that genuine love and innate grace better than our Making Things Happen 2013 Conference guest speaker, Emily Thomas. Emily says her job as Creative Director of Southern Weddings Magazine is her dream job. She thinks weddings are magical and believes that anythings that brings people together with such a pure focus deserves to be thoughtfully and joyfully celebrated. When she is not working as a creative super-force for Southern Weddings Magazine, she works to inspire others toward a rich, full life through her personal blog, Em for Marvelous. She is passionate about serving God and loving people, personal finance, the outdoors, and her husband, John.

We asked Emily a few questions to see how she’s made things happen:

What have you made happen since you first attended MTH? What has changed since then?

Emily: I have actually attended MTH twice — the first time was in Dallas in 2010, and the second time was in Chapel Hill in 2012. Since 2010, I have been part of a sea-change at Southern Weddings that brought an entirely new mission to the work that we do. I might not have thought it possible at the time, but I love my job even more now than I did then! In 2011 my personal blog went through a complete overhaul from Peach & Pearl to Em for Marvelous, and I’m so happy to now have a place to write that’s a perfect reflection of who I am. Oh yes, I also married my high school sweetheart!

What is your best piece of advice to those who want to make things happen?

Emily: Put yourself out there with boldness and confidence, but first, make sure that you have the goods to back it up — whatever that means for your situation. If, for example, you’re asking for a job, make SURE you have what the company needs and MORE before you ask. Be over prepared in every way. If you’re not objectively ready for it (aside from just wanting it), then don’t ask for the job — perhaps ask for a learning opportunity instead.

Also, stop worrying about things that don’t matter. I know that might sound impossible or even a little harsh, but I think most people who let worry consume them LIKE wallowing in it just a little bit because there’s safety in paralysis.

What are you most looking forward to about the MTH2013 Conference?

Emily: As an attendee, I am looking forward to having a time to refresh and refocus my attention squarely back onto the things that truly matter. No matter how “good” we are, I think we all need a restorative pause at least once a year! As a speaker, I am hoping to challenge some of the ways “things have always been done” and encourage attendees to forge their own path — one that makes sense for them and is inspired by what fires them up.

Emily: What fires you up?

Oh my word, lots of things! Being productive and efficient with my time; creating work that resonates with others; saving money and giving money away; writing thank you notes and letters; feeling content and satisfied; delighting and surprising others; budgeting; work that has a larger mission; the smell of freshly-cut grass; exploring new places; laughing with John; weekend hikes; singing old hymns; an afternoon spent reading a book; the outdoors; being prepared; and the ocean.

What’s next for you?

Emily: Honestly? I already have my dream job, and I have no plans to change that anytime soon! I know there are always changes around the corner at SW (the beauty of having Lara Casey as your boss!), but I am content professionally. In the world of Em for Marvelous, I’ve challenged myself to branch out with the products in my shop this year, so keep an eye out for some new handcrafted goodies coming down the pipeline over the next few months. The biggest “what’s next” for me, though, is (fingers crossed!) moving into a house! The one we are hoping to buy is definitely a fixer upper, so I foresee lots of weekends spent painting and ripping up linoleum in my future!

Remember, TODAY is the very last day to register at our early-bird rate. Come and make things happen with us!

Goodness, friends. We were so overwhelmed by the incredible,...

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:04:00 -0500

Goodness, friends. We were so overwhelmed by the incredible, wholehearted, passionate entries for our scholarship on Lara’s blog. It was nearly impossible to choose two winners.

We are THRILLED to announce Kendra Oxendale and Kandace Mccorrister as our recipients! So excited to see so many of you in MARCH!

Remember, early bird rate ends TOMORROW. Register here.

Photo by Lauren Larsen Each of our guest speakers for the Making...

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:18:00 -0500

Photo by Lauren Larsen

Each of our guest speakers for the Making Things Happen 2013 Conference are truly remarkable women. One thing they all have in common is that they have made their businesses AND their lives happen. We promote a balanced lifestyle and these ladies are quite the role models.

Today, we would like to introduce you to Stefanie Miles of Lavender Joy Weddings. With a background in public relations, graphic design and counseling, Stefanie began Lavender Joy Weddings in 2010, with a special passion for intimate and family-style events across Texas. She brings a thoughtful curator’s eye to event design, seamless planning in event management, and a passion in the joy found in the refining journey of marriage. She’s married to her husband Patrick, and they love traveling, supper club and their doxi, Ripken.

We asked Stefanie a few questions about how she’s made things happen:

What have you made happen since you first attended MTH?

Stefanie: I first attended Making Things Happen in 2010, and again as an alum in 2012. Since that first MTH, I have taken intentional time to transition careers by building a values-based brand and business, pursued mentoring from people that have given invaluable advice and guidance, incorporated better daily processes in both my personal and professional life, launched a networking group in my home city that encourages and supports collaboration in our industry, and sought to put the Lord and my marriage first, always. I’ve been blessed to have my work featured on Style Me Pretty, Southern Weddings, Rue Magazine, and numerous other online publications, and to have experienced wedding days with amazing clients that I now call friends.

What has changed since then?

Stefanie: Life has had quite a few ups and downs since that first MTH - good days and the kind of days we don’t want to ever admit that we have (you know what I’m talking about!)…but I consistently feel more confident in my ability to take action towards the life I want to live. Sometimes this means very practical steps and sometimes this means the very difficult steps to be still and breathe and trust the Lord with where I am in the process. I’m building a business that I’m truly proud of - that I believe serves couples and their families well during a very meaningful season of their lives.

What is your best piece of advice to those who want to make things happen?

Stefanie: Fight fear and comparison! Don’t give your thoughts or energy to what others are doing or what you feel like you ‘should’ be doing. Listen to your heart and give yourself room to be truly authentic in your choices. Lasting change has happened for me when I get gut-level honest with MYSELF about how I need to grow + change. It’s not always about changing your circumstances or looking for the next thing to DO…but getting a change in perspective, and then taking steps towards that, bit by bit! Making things happen is about identifying what matters most to you, and taking the steps that will help you live the life you want to live.

What are you most looking forward to about the MTH2013 Conference?

Stefanie: Listening to and coming alongside the attendees as they do the work, doing the work again myself, and dance parties with Gina!! Honestly, I can’t wait to hear the stories of the attendees. The process and journey of clarifying what really matters most to you and moving towards those goals - these stories inspire me to no end!

What fires you up?

Stefanie: Time reading the Bible & in heart-encouraging community, supper club with friends, listening to clients’ desires and interpreting their ideas into a beautifully curated design and experience, snuggling with our doxi, investing in people, fresh florals, chatting with Patrick in the kitchen while he adds his own flavor to a new recipe, championing marriage - even when it seems impossible, a hot cup of clean coffee, and noticing and appreciating the simple joys in the midst of everyday life.

What’s next for you?

Stefanie: Saying yes to the right things and the things that are most important! Continuing to clear clutter and organize and create spaces + processes that reflect who I am - in my home and in my business. Adding the right people to our team, and making prioritizing living well and with contentment over the to-do list. Creating more through product + food styling. More date nights. More dinner parties. More laughter and love and gratitude and joy. Take a peek at my Making Things Happen in 2013 Pinterest board here: http://pinterest.com/stefaniemiles/making-things-happen-in-2013/

Ever heard that the early bird gets the worm? Well TOMORROW is the last day for early-bird registration and there are some huge savings. Register now!

Perhaps its because I have a two-year old (goodness gracious,...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:30:00 -0500

Perhaps its because I have a two-year old (goodness gracious, when did THAT happen) or perhaps its because I always wanted to write and illustrate children’s books growing up (still do!) but this is one of my favorite sayings ever. We have everything we need to make things happen. Making things happen is all about action. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other (even when its scary) and DOING. Lara and I talk a lot about action in our Making Brands Happen Webinars. “Action is the forward process of DOING SOMETHING.” Dr. Seuss knew what he was talking about here.

I remember five (FIVE!) years ago when I wholeheartedly (terrified) made my plans to go to the first Making Things Happen Intensive in Watercolor, Florida. Little did I know…

Haha, I can’t even begin to write what happened next. And none of it happened because Lara is amazing (even though she is!) She didn’t tell me any secret or give me any magical powers. But I did the hard work by getting myself to that room. While I was in that room I let my guard down and (for the first time) really began to make plans and determine ACTIONS that would allow me to live the life I wanted.

A handful of questions we often get from people who are interested in coming to MTH (and joining our amazing community of over 700+ fired up friends):

Do I need to own a business or have a business dream to come to MTH? I just want to make life happen. Oh friend. Amen! I own a business but half the time at MTH I end up making plans to make MY LIFE happen. If you are someone who wants to live a life on fire, who wants to make what matters happen… MTH is perfect for you.
Is MTH a faith-based intensive? We (Gina, Lara and myself) find our stories deeply rooted in our faith and we share them honestly, but MTH is not a faith-based workshop. We love welcoming attendees from all walks of life, all religious backgrounds and in all stages of making what matters happen <— whatever it is that truly matters to them! MTH is all about releasing fear and making WHAT MATTERS happen.
I’m scared. I have Doubt A, Doubt B and Doubt C about coming. I’m emailing you to tell you my doubts in the hopes that you’ll tell me they’re ok and that I should come anyways. Oh I get these emails daily! I know I can speak for Lara and Gina that they do too. And I love these emails. Seriously, friends, email me your doubts. I’ll tell you if I think MTH will be beneficial for you. Be prepared for me to blow your doubts out of the water, though. Emily(at)emilyley(dot)com.

“You are the one who’ll decide where to go.” You’ll either get yourself in that seat you’ve been lying awake at night thinking about or you wont. It’s up to you. Hope to see you there :) EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS IN TWO DAYS!!!!! (THURSDAY!)

xo,

Emily

PS: Email me. I mean it. My inbox is exploding but that’s ok. I’d love to talk with you about MTH and what it means to me and what it’ll mean to you. Seats are filling up FAST!

We consider ourselves so very lucky to have had the opportunity...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:13:58 -0500

We consider ourselves so very lucky to have had the opportunity to meet so many extraordinary people since Making Things Happen began. One of these friends is our MTH 2013 Conference guest speaker Nancy Ray. Nancy is a talented photographer based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nancy’s passion for photography is feuled by one thought: that the moments she captures are the very first records of a marriage, a heritage, a new family tree. They are the moments that will be passed down from generation to generation - all in the form of photographs. We adore that idea!

We asked Nancy a few questions so you, too, could get to know her!

What have you made happen since you first attended MTH? What has changed since then?

So many things! I re-branded my business, raised my prices, learned the importance of valuing people, photographed magazine editorials, hired team members, had work featured on several wedding bogs, taught 4 photography workshops, paid off my house, set office hours, and have grown my business to a place I never imagined it would be in just a few short years. In all of this, I would consider my greatest accomplishment this: achieving a greater work-life balance. Time with my husband and family is more intentional and meaningful than ever.

What is your best piece of advice to those who want to make things happen?

Know that what you get out of this conference depends on what you are willing to put into it. During the conference: get ready to be real and vulnerable. Afterwards: stay consistent with your decisions for the days, weeks, and months to come. Small changes over time = a big change.

What are you most looking forward to about the MTH2013 Conference?

Nancy: Being in a room with inspiring, uplifting, authentic women who live their lives to the full! I have so much to learn from each of you.

What fires you up?

Nancy: Scripture. Running. Feeling sun on my skin. Painting my nails. Coffee. Open windows. Lit candles. Beautiful light. Worshiping Jesus with a new song. Creating new meals. A clean home. Organization. Setting goals with William. Waking up early and being well rested. A cold glass of whole milk. Local produce stands. Fresh flowers. Completing a journal. Snuggling with Will on a cold night. A clean car. Freshly baked bread. Water skiing. Reading a good book. Doing a budget. Creating music with my youth group kids. Handwritten letters. Dinner parties. Completing a Dave Ramsey baby step. A good pen. Homemade ice cream. Public speaking. Swimming laps. Laughing until my stomach hurts with my mom and sister. Laying down on my back in the sunlight. Walking Winston. Movie nights. The smell of clean laundry in my neighborhood. Antiquing. Giving a meaningful gift. Giving a life changing message. Giving my excess stuff to ministries. Giving.

What’s next for you?

Nancy: Reading more. Growing more. Loving more. Teaching more. Giving more. As I look ahead at what the future holds, I simply want to effect more people. I want a stronger marriage, I want adventurous travel, I want my life and business to bless others. I’m not interested in accumulating more stuff, but instead I want to embrace what matters. With that in mind, I am so excited for what’s to come!

We can’t wait to see y’all in March!! Remember, this Thursday is the very last day to save over $1000 with our early-bird registration!

We are so excited for you to meet our fabulous guest speakers at...

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:07:03 -0500

We are so excited for you to meet our fabulous guest speakers at the Making Things Happen 2013 Conference on March 13th and 14th in Chapel Hill, NC. These ladies are all MTH alums and they are walking examples of how to make LIFE happen. Throughout the week, we will be introducing you to each of our lovely guest speakers. First up, the talented Michelle Edgemont!

Michelle launched her wedding design company in November of 2011. She specializes in modern-quirky decorations and florals that help her creative clients throw conventionality out the window. She has tripled her business in one year by facing her fears straight on and by making sure that each project she works on makes her feel uncomfortable. She recently spoke at AltSummit, creates custom DIY projects for HGTV, contributes to Brooklyn Bride and Revel, and is currently working towards writing a book proposal to shop around. Michelle lives in Brooklyn, NY with her musician husband, Adam.

Want to get to know Michelle better? We asked her a few questions about her MTH experience.

What have you made happen since you first attended MTH? What has changed since then?

Michelle: When I first attended MTH I did not have my own business. I was dabbling in selling small, crafty items on Etsy and really wasn’t reaching my full potential. Since then, two years ago, I launched my full wedding design company and tripled my business in one year. I’ve learned to face my fears and take big steps toward being a successful business woman. My work has since been featured in Styled Me Pretty, Brooklyn Bride, Southern Weddings Magazine, WellWed Magazine, Ruffled, and 100 Layer Cake. I’m also a regular DIY contributor to HGTV. I’ve learned how to not let fear stop me from doing what I want to do, to set boundaries within my business with my clients, and to really implement the Life Is Too Short motto every day.

What is your best piece of advice to those who want to make things happen?

Michelle: My best piece of advice for others who want to make things happen is realize that running a business means constantly living in the space between jubilation and terror. That if you aren’t afraid of your next project, it probably isn’t challenging you enough or making you better. That if you don’t even have a business yet, just a tiny spark of an idea in your brain, that with the right tools and intentional decision making, it can be a success. That, although you will hear it a million more times after this, life truly is too short to not be doing exactly what you want to be doing.

What are you most looking forward to about the MTH2013 Conference?

Michelle: I’m most looking forward to going through the Making Things Happen process and comparing what I write down to what I wrote down two years ago. A lot happened in two years, some of it will be the same, although some of it will be wildly different.

What fires you up?

Michelle: My super talented husband, my amazing loving mom, the fact that I got through two half marathons last year and lived to tell about it, cooking healthy dinners, a million cups of coffee, the NYC marathon, making babies, ice cream sundaes, anything shiny, anything colorful, flowers, making floral arrangements and bridal bouquets, the thank you email/note from the couple after their wedding, Brooklyn, the view from my Brooklyn apartment, swimming in the ocean, making money doing what I love, being able to support other small business owners with the money I made from doing what I love.

What’s next for you?

Michelle: I have big ambitions for 2013: I have a rad idea for a book that needs to exist in this world and I’m going to write it, I’m going to resign from my day job, I’m going to keep trying to make a baby, I’m going to start adding video to my blog and website in some capacity, I’m going to figure out how to work less for more money, my husband and are finally going to find a church to attend in our neighborhood, I’m going to book five more weddings for 2013, I’m going to to try my hardest to stop shoving candy in my face and eat more vegetables.

Are you as excited as we are? Remember, today is the very last day to enter to win the MTH Intensive Scholarship!! Winners will be announced later this week.

I have been asked these questions numerous times about MTH2013...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:58:58 -0500

I have been asked these questions numerous times about MTH2013 :: What is Making Things Happen all about? Is it right for me? Do we focus on business? Is it going to help my business?

My answer ALWAYS is the Making Things Happen Conference is all about getting to your core of what matters and motivates you. Why you do what you do. Which I think is the base of everyone’s business.

It’s where it all starts.

In my book, this is the pivotal point to grow your business from. Start from the heart, your core, your REAL life. Then build from here.

The problem is everyday we are distracted by the busy of life. Running a business, being a parent, email after email, deadlines, etc. RARELY do we give ourselves a day with no distractions. A day with others just like you and Lara, Emily and I calling your heart to the table. Your real fear to the table.

Give yourself this gift and attend the Making Things Happen Conference.

With this new format, you get double the goods! Day one will be cutting through the cobwebs of why you do what you do. Refreshing your heart and setting your mind on what matters. Day two is chock full of awesomeness and steps to learn about your brand and business.

So it’s up to you. None of us can (nor want) to convince you to come. Don’t get me wrong, we want you there. I want you there. I want you to give yourself this gift more than anything. But now It’s your turn. The ball is in your court. Are you worth it? Is the base of where your life springs from worth it? Do you NEED this?

If your answer is yes. Get over here and register while the Early Bird Rate is still available (only until 2/14).

If your answer is no, maybe, or I don’t know. At least get over to Lara’s blog and comment to get a chance at the scholarship. Write your heart out there. It will be good for you. You only have till MONDAY the 11th for a chance to win. Why not? What do you have to lose.

As always, you can ask me more questions by sending me an email. But most of my MTH story is here. Happy Weekend y’all.

Gina Zeidler

Get ready to make big things happen with us!

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:22:37 -0500

Get ready to make big things happen with us!

Hi friends! We’re getting ready to announce the 2013...

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:13:00 -0500

Hi friends! We’re getting ready to announce the 2013 Making Things Happen Conference (a brand new two-day format that combines Making Things Happen + Making Brands Happen!). It will be held on March 13 and 14 here in beautiful Chapel Hill, NC. We chose this location because it’s very easy to travel in to. Details to come!

I have been SO inspired by all the comments and progress from everyone who has worked through the 2013 Goal Setting steps on my blog. I wanted to share a big list of some of the Pinterest boards people have created for 2013 inspiration. Enjoy!

- Lara

Here’s mine too : ) http://pinterest.com/laracasey/making-things-happen-in-2013/

https://pinterest.com/kellydellinger/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/maryemaier/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/illustratorerin/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/beingmts/making-things-happen-2013

http://pinterest.com/createmepapered/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/shaynicole/making-things-happen-in-2013-inspiration-board/

http://pinterest.com/valeriewoerner/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/milestonepaper/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/jaquelinefaria/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/inspirelove/mth13/

http://pinterest.com/amandacporter/making-things-happen-in-2013-things-that-fire-me-u/

http://pinterest.com/wakeupjuliet/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/fortheloveblog/mth-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/jenmilstudios/mth-2013/

http://pinterest.com/hales5/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/knicolephoto/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/molliel/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/magnoliarouge/mth2013/

http://pinterest.com/laurasyoung/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/sweetgoosiegirl/mth2013/

http://pinterest.com/lmf369/inspire-2013/

http://pinterest.com/sandypants10/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/luxtealife/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/twobevents/mth2013/

https://pinterest.com/cstarchenko/mth2013/

http://pinterest.com/psiloveyoub/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/ocstyle/the-phoenix-rises-making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/genevievederego/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/rachelmay/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/cehuggins/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/brownatl/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/amyraephoto/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/smlowry/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/kimameral/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/stephgirard/making-things-happen-2013/

http://pinterest.com/courtney_basik/vision-board-2013/

http://pinterest.com/kimameral/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/girlnpink80/making-things-happen-in-2013/

http://pinterest.com/jessicafmpls/making-things-happen-in-2013/

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Have a Making Things Happen 2013 Pin Board, too? Leave a comment here with your link!

Are you ready to make things happen in 2013? Join me as we walk...

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:46:59 -0500

Are you ready to make things happen in 2013? Join me as we walk through the process of setting goals and getting prepared for an amazing new year! http://laracasey.com/blog/2012/12/27/goal-setting-making-things-happen-in-2013-part-1/

There are 56 days left in 2012. Get ready for a great 2013 NOW...

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:22:46 -0500

There are 56 days left in 2012. Get ready for a great 2013 NOW and start clearing the clutter….

mth2011:

Imagine that I’m literally sitting right next to you at your desk right now. Hi : ) OK, how did you do yesterday? Did you download? If not, start now. It’s never too late to commit to seven days of clearing the clutter. Get on it! For those of you that already committed (Rock on, ladies!), ready to do it again today? 10 minutes. Go! Write everything in your head that’s taking up precious mental space. From that list, pull three things to focus on today - maybe it’s three additional steps from your items yesterday. Write actions steps for each (physical, doable in under 2 minutes) and do them. Just three actions for three items on your download list. 18 minutes to make things really start to happen. Do the work. No tricks here; just focused action. Re-read yesterdays post. I promise you’ll learn something new reading it again.

*When you are done downloading for Day 2, you can move to the next step…

Step 2 - Clear the Clutter: Internet and Physical Junk

CLEAR THE INTERNET CLUTTER

What distracts you most during the day from really getting things done? Make a list of your top 10 distractions. Go. Most people’s lists start with Facebook, Twitter, looking at other people’s blogs, email, the Internet, our to-do list, worry, etc. Why do we gravitate toward those things when we don’t want to do the hard work? Because we don’t want to face reality. After your download yesterday most of you said you felt lighter, free, energetic and downright excited about the future just from facing reality - just from 10 minutes of writing! Hello! Lightbulb! Facing facts obliterates fear. One of my favorite posts I ever wrote: To Name Your Fears is to Destroy Them. Distractions from facing reality are drugs. They are enticing and lure us in when we don’t want to face the world. You may think that sounds dramatic, but when the average human spends about 55 minutes on Facebook and Twitter a day, I’d say that’s pretty tragic. What could that time you waste on social media be used for? When people tell me they have “no time to work out” I ask them how much time they spend on Facebook/Twitter/blog stalking every day. 15 minutes a day (some of you are more in the one hour+ range) adds up! How much time do you really NEED to spend on social media? Even if you use it “for business” how much time do you really need? Thanks to Boxcar collecting all of my social media feeds and committing to only look at it twice a day (for maybe 3 minutes), I have gotten myself to the point where I will look at Twitter maybe once a day for 35 seconds. It used to consume me. I had so many silly fears: What if I don’t know everything about everyone? What if I miss something? Um… reality check. WHAT AM I REALLY GOING TO MISS??? I was missing my life by living an hour of it a day on social media. You risk missing real opportunity if you don’t stop kidding yourself thinking that Twitter and Facebook are your lifeline to the world. Social media is important. It can be used wisely. You do what’s right for your needs. More often than not, though, it’s used as a distraction, not the tool it has the potential to be. So, today you have two challenges.

Gut Your Internet:

1. You may hate me for this first step, but you will love me after - guaranteed! This weekend, no Facebook or Twitter, OK? If you are wincing already, think hard about why you are so attached to it. Take one weekend off of social media and just see what happens. You won’t die. You might actually get out of the house and get some rest - or have a real conversation with someone instead - or stop comparing yourself to others - or use that brain space to start the project you’ve been dreaming about - or get your head out of your iPhone and where it needs to be. The options are endless. I rarely tweet on weekends now. It’s been a huge positive change in my life. My marriage has improved so much since I weaned myself off my phone on weekends and after 6pm on weekdays. I’m present. AND I’m more rested, focused and productive. Quadruple win! I’m going to hold you accountable. Put “Social Media Vacation” on your calendar for this weekend right now. If you are brave, put it on your calendar for every weekend. Done? Awesome. Proceed…

2. Gut your Facebook and Twitter feeds so that when you do view them, they are full of inspiring, encouraging content that fuels you to be your best. Everything we read seeps into our subconscious. Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. - Unknown It’s your choice as to what you are feeding your mind. Make great choices. I follow a ton of inspiration feeds on Twitter. For me it’s motivational quotes, Bible verse feeds, authors I admire, mentors, etc. Your choice: positive influence or negative influence. Get organized, too. I have several twitter accounts and a couple weeks ago I realized I was following some people on all of my accounts. That clutter was making me not want to read twitter at all. So, I unfollowed some people on certain accounts so that I could actually focus on following them on others. I also unfollowed and deleted feeds that weren’t fueling me to be my best. I realize unfollowing people is a sensitive thing. I get it. But let me just say this: It’s just Twitter!

3. Gut your blog list. Let’s be real. Sometimes you read other blogs to keep tabs on your “competition”. You compare yourself to others. That ends now. Seeking inspiration through others’ work is fine as long as you are seeking it from professionals who are at the highest level. If you are “looking for inspiration” from people who are close to your ability, then you aren’t reaching high enough - you’re just keeping tabs and sabotaging your own value. Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. Take that to heart. Stop comparing; start studying real success. The higher you set the inspirational bar, the higher you will raise it in your own work. Clean up your blog list and do not accept anything less than what fires you up and pushes you to your fullest potential!

4. If you have Twitter or Facebook bookmarked in your toolbar, delete it. Don’t make it easy. I know you. Don’t give yourself an excuse to be conveniently distracted. Set yourself up for success and move that Twitter icon to the last page of your iPhone apps while you’re at it.

5. Clear the clutter on your computer desktop. If this is overwhelming, start small. Just three tiny action steps forward today: close all browser windows and all programs (except this blog post of course), make folders, drag clutter into appropriate folders OR trash it. Just like email: make decisions. Clean it up.

6. Unsubscribe, unsubscribe, unsubscribe. You don’t need every newsletter known to man. It’s inbox clutter! How much of the email you complain about is actual email? Gut it. Turn off email notifications and all SMS notifications from Facebook and Twitter, too. Do you really need an email about every “like” and a text message tweet distracting you from your real work? No. I only get emails for direct messages, so I can reply via email if needed. Otherwise, everything goes to Boxcar and I don’t look at it more than twice a day for a couple minutes max. I do not miss that email/social media mess.

7. Install RescueTime to measure your productivity on your computer and/or LeechBlock for Firefox to literally put the brakes on your social media usage. You can set LeechBlock to only allow a certain amount of time on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Once you exceed that allotted time, the site shuts off. It’s brilliant! Put the parental controls on and start training yourself to make things happen. Is it worth curbing your social media usage so you have more time with your kids, to work out, to dream and to finally act on what you really want? Yes. 100% YES. Real life > Facebook.

CLEAR THE PHYSICAL CLUTTER

OK, here we go. Write down (download) every space you are in control of and write three tiny action steps under each area that you will do today. Example: Ten Areas x 3 Two-Minute Steps = One Hour to start to clean ALL of the pysical clutter out of your life. Remember: do not attempt all of this in a day. Just giving you an example of what’s possible if you’re ready for some hard work. If you can only handle three spaces today, just do three. 18 minutes MAX. If you do more, awesome. Don’t Windex anyone along the way, overachievers! The goal here is to START. Possibilities: Your office. Your desk. Your purse. Oh yeah. You don’t need scissors, 8 lipsticks, 12 pens and the kitchen sink in there. Your car. Oh boy! I hear this one all the time… especially from planners. How many times have you been embarrassed by the state of your vehicle? How many times have you tried to hide it from clients? Hello! Clean it up! Set yourself up for success. Put storage bins in your trunk if you have to. Your house. This is a big one, so remember to break it up into separate rooms. Divide and conquer. Everything doesn’t have to be spic and span in a day. But, I bet you could fill that there trashbag up in a matter of 5 minutes if you start walking around. Make it fun. Pump up your favorite song. Most songs are between 3-6 minutes… Just enough time for three action steps. You have till the end of that song to collect the physical clutter in one space and get rid of it! (Be green. Recycle, if possible.)

So, first write out every space you are in control of. Next, write out action steps that you can do today with just you and a trash bag. If one of your steps requires you going to buy storage containers or something else, try to clean another space that you can do now - today - without any extra stuff. Pump up the music and get movin’! Every piece of clutter you let go of will allow you to let something else - something great - into your life. If it doesn’t help you make things happen, it’s trash - on the Internet and in your environment. I used to get stuck holding onto “sentimental things” because I felt emotionally attached to them. Then, I realized that a clean slate helps me get emotionally connected to what really matters. Clearing the clutter allows me to focus on doing my best work. So, TRASH IT. The Skittles in your desk, the Christmas cards from 2008, old magazines, old business cards, negative twitter feeds, old files on your desktop, old bookmarks and the idea that you cannot do this today. You can. We’re all doing it with you - me included. Baby steps. Action steps. Done, done and done! For everything you get rid of, you open your life to let greatness in. Simplify and gut everything. Take no prisoners! Today’s motto: clutter out; greatness in. Get on it and leave a comment weighing in on your progress. Even if you do the Internet housekeeping now and cleaning when you get home (for those of you with day jobs), let me know how each step goes. Baby steps. Do what you can… and at the same time challenge yourself! Hard work pays off. If you want change, choose it. Act. Your comments yesterday helped to encourage so many people to make big things happen! So, plan, act and weigh in. I’m excited for you! Who’s up for trashing some clutter today?! - Lara

DO more of what fires you up. When you are living out your...

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:05:00 -0400

DO more of what fires you up. When you are living out your passion actively - not just thinking about it or planning when you’ll do it, but DOING it - life happens. Real, full, life. DO more of what fires you up. When you are actively doing the things that make you come alive, you find an endless well of creativity, giving, love, energy and inspiration. Life gets richer in the best ways possible. Write a list of all the things that fire your heart up and post it where you can see it all the time! Then… DO them.

It’s been such an inspiring day seeing all the Making Things Happen alum post their lists of what fires them up in our private Facebook group! I encourage you to post yours too and share it on your blog or Facebook or wherever! MTH alum, share yours too! You never know who you’ll inspire or connect with. Post links to your lists here and feel free to use this template to create yours! I’m working on my new list now (here’s my list from last year - I still love it all!) and will post it soon, too! - Lara

Our last cross-country Making Things Happen tour is slowly...

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:55:00 -0400

Our last cross-country Making Things Happen tour is slowly drawing to a close. Yesterday we had the most amazing day with 30 women in Chicago. Today we fly to Atlanta and tomorrow we will have our last intensive until next year (when we’ll be hosting a different type of MTH in Raleigh, NC only).

It’s always crazy for me to share my full story with everyone in the room — everything from calling off a wedding to my scary pregnancy with Brady to starting a business from scratch. But what I’ve found, over the past week, is that the most important part of my story has nothing to do with those things. It has everything to do with me choosing God and choosing to infuse what I do with what matters most. That was when my life really started to change. As over 700 of you know, one of the most powerful excercises we do during MTH is one that helps us define what matters most. This is my list.

I’ve created printable lists for you to write what matters most for yourself as well. This serves as a daily gut check for me to be sure decisions I make are focused on the right things. Infusing these things into my business and thereby interweaving my business and personal life has been the best business decision I have ever made. We’d love to hear your fired up lists. You can download these printables here (blue ombre) and here (pink ombre). Simply click the link, then drag the image to your desktop to print or right click > save as.

I’m so excited for Atlanta’s MTH and am so honored to have met so many amazing men and women on this trip. It’s so incredibly hard (even harder for myself this time around) to leave our families, but there’s no doubt this work is worth it and so very, very important.

xo,

Emily

PS: If you missed my free iPhone Wallpapers (inspirational and pretty!) go here to download one or all.

You’re overwhelmed. You don’t have time, patience, money,...

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:47:43 -0400

You’re overwhelmed. You don’t have time, patience, money, sleep, rest, or peace right now. You’re not sure what’s going to happen next or how you will get through. You feel stuck. Not sure how to ride the waves instead of being trampled by them. You want the best for the people you love, but stress keeps you from being your best self. Stress keeps you from acting from a place of love.

Please imagine the following on a giant billboard outside your window: Fear isn’t tangible. You can’t touch fear. Which means, fear can’t touch you. The tough love is that it’s all in your head. How do you break out of it? ACT. Do something. Bit by tiny bit, build your life back up. Build it up new. Begin anywhere. Say it, send it, stop it, start it, move it, love, give, forgive, just do. It’s physical. Take the positive warnings fear brings, then make a decision and launch. It’s called a leap of faith for a reason. A leap not a hop or a step. It feels like flying, like you may not land, as if for a split second you are weightless. It’s scary. But, then you land and something crazy happens. You have sprouted real wings. You feel even better than you did in flight. Do not let fear, the intangible, paralyze you any longer. Life is too short.

Right now, stop. Breathe it all in. You can do this. Slow down and feel whatever you are feeling - anger, sadness, joy, pain, whatever. Feel it, then let yourself remember the great times, the sunsets, the water, the laughter, the joy, the excitement, and the sweet words. Remember the love. It’s still there. It never left in the first place. You’ve got this. God had it taken care of before he created the ground you leap from.

Everything you need, you already have.

Love,

Lara

I don’t know where to begin. I think I haven’t...

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 11:10:30 -0400

I don’t know where to begin. I think I haven’t blogged here much because the change I’ve seen in my life since starting this tour in 2009 is so remarkable, I just can’t explain it except to say - God is good. I know that sounds weird to some and I’m sure some of you are tuning out at this point, but stay with me. I was there. I was stuck. I was miserable. I was working 24/7. I had no marriage. I had no real good friends. I was trying to find my worth and identity in how I looked and how many followers I had and how fast my business was growing. I didn’t know any of this at the time though. There’s this verse that keeps coming back to me: For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. - Mark 4:22 Looking back, I know why I started this workshop and wrote that first post. I wanted so badly to break free. I knew I wasn’t using my full potential. I knew there was more I was supposed to be doing with my life and I was afraid. I wanted to be in the light. I wanted to feel weightless and like I was where I was supposed to be. I wanted a purpose. So, I went on a mission to find it. It didn’t happen overnight and it didn’t happen at ALL the way I thought it would. I could have never guessed that this would be my path. Now, here I sit in LA, about to do the MTH workshop and I am so grateful for every “mistake” and failure and plain old terrible step I took. They brought me here. ”Seek and you shall find…” If I could write a letter to the me of when this tour started, I would say…

Lara, you will walk through fire and it will be worth it. Real love and real life are worth every refining hard challenging tear-filled step you will take. You will cry a lot and it will be worth it. Your heart will break and it will be worth it. And one day, you will wake up and realize that God broke your heart to fill it back up with what matters. You’ll wake up and realize you are HAPPY. Content. Grateful. Full. You are enough. You have a purpose.

God is good, y’all. If you’re struggling with something that feels like bricks on your heart, know that this too shall pass. Make what matters happen. Just keep choosing GOOD. Keep walking forward. - Lara

Photo from when we were in Atlanta on the first tour when I wrote this.

Hello from the Phoenix airport! We’re headed to LA now...

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:50:22 -0400

Hello from the Phoenix airport! We’re headed to LA now after a life-changing time in the desert. Yesterday’s MTH was phenomenonal! Make things happen, friends!!!

Hi from the Austin airport! We’re headed to Phoenix now....

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:04:32 -0400

Hi from the Austin airport! We’re headed to Phoenix now. This is take four of this video. Ha! Enjoy, friends. We love you Austin!!!

Austin!!! What a GIFT today was. Each of you did the hard work...

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:13:48 -0400

Austin!!! What a GIFT today was. Each of you did the hard work and made decisions and said YES to what matters. Thank you from our whole hearts for inspiring us and giving us this powerful day. Make it happen, friends!