Collaboration can mean more than promotion… it can mean $$$$$$!! What a concept, right?! Why, as women, do we sometimes stop short of working together to help our bottom line? For years, that’s what I did. I would promote and help my Girlfriends all day.. but actually create a REAL revenue stream with them? Ohhhhh scary! That attitude changed after meeting Laurie Baggett at the Spark and Hustle Conference in Atlanta last month.

I INSTANTLY liked Laurie Baggett… she has a 100 watt smile and is just the nicest woman you can meet. But she’s more than personable… she’s one smart cookie who knows we are more powerful together than we would ever be apart. She also realizes that multiple revenue streams in this economy is a good thing. (Check out this Good Morning America story!!)

Girlfriend, who can you collaborate with to make more money? I have already talked on the phone w/ Laurie several times about expanding my horizons… and it’s already taking shape. Dream BIG… and work together, Ladies!

The last time I saw my Girlfriend Kim was at the lake a couple of weekends ago. As usual, this time of year, everyone’s in the water…just trying to stay cool. In fact, she and I were talking about how darn hot it was…when Kim stopped mid sentence and grabbed a child swimming by. That child happened to be one of mine playing a game of tag. (I remember thinking: Son, what did you DO?!) Kim called an official break in the game and insisted the game wouldn’t resume until she got a big hug. My 11 year old son grinned from ear to ear and gladly wrapped his arms around her neck. I had been so caught up in our conversation that I hardly noticed the game going on around us. Not Kim. She always had an eye on the children and hugs were a must.

Born in 1960 in Missouri, Kim met the love her life, Fred, in Grove and they married in 1984. Her pride and joy were her children: Paige and twin boys, Heath and Garrett. She enjoyed  dancing, Garth Brooks and being with friends at Grand Lake. THAT is where I met Kim.

Although Kim didn’t go to OU…that is the reason we actually met. You see, my husband and I were tired of sitting by ourselves on our boat. So, I convinced him to cruise around our favorite cove to see if I could find someone (NOT 20yrs old in a thong) to tie off with. I finally spotted two boats tied together–one with OU in the name and one with an OU flag. Since my hubby and I are University of Oklahoma graduates, I thought we might have something in common. That was seven years ago, and one of those boats belonged to Fred and Kim. As their friends began to mesh with ours…our “lake crew” was born. (The pic at the top of this blog is of all us girls with Kim–she’s second from the left.)

Last Wednesday night, Kim began having trouble breathing. By Thursday morning she was dead. The blood clot took her life fast and without much warning. Her husband, three children and all of her friends were in total shock. She had so much life to live!

I want to tell you about Kim for two reasons. I really don’t feel like I can get back to work until I know that YOU know about her. Also, I think there are so many things to be learned from her life and her death. It is with her family’s blessing that I write this blog.

What Kim Taught Me

Hug Often

Kim did NOT ask for a hug from my son a few weeks ago because she knew she was going to die. Kim expected (and got) hugs from my kids every time she saw them. And they’re not the only ones. She insisted her own teenage twins would never be too cool for her embrace. Kim knew the secret to feeling loved is kind words and hugs…often. In fact, after hearing about her death, both of my kids remembered Kim hugged them the last time they saw her.

I vote we take a lesson from Kim and hug children often. They need that reassurance, physical touch and reminder that we’re always there for them. They may think they’re “too old” for that…but sometimes that’s when they need hugs the most. Kim knew that.

Family Comes First

For Kim there was little doubt that family was her number one priority. She loved taking care of her husband and kids. Recently her daughter Paige moved to LA. When we talked at the lake several weeks ago, Kim beamed with pride as she talked about her daughter’s new job and the success awaiting her. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think Kim and Paige still talked on the phone five times a day…but Kim was so impressed with her daughter’s drive and fire (matching her auburn hair). The other loves of her life were her twin boys — Heath and Garrett. Although they are typical 16 year olds, they never minded hanging out with her on the boat. Those boys will never doubt their mother’s love.

I hope we all put our families first…like Kim did. She made no excuses or bones about priorities and would  do anything for her kids, their friends and other “babies” she treated as her own (including mine). They rocked her world.

Love Life

As any of Kim’s Girlfriends will tell you…Kim loved life. Paige insisted on a slide show at yesterday’s memorial. It was so perfect. While you wanted to shed so many tears over our loss, you couldn’t help but laugh at her sense of humor, joy and love for life during the slide show. Kim didn’t waste time talking about what she didn’t have…instead she enjoyed what she did have. And, sure, she wanted a place for everything and everything in it’s place…but she didn’t use that an excuse not to have fun.

Kim’s home was always spotless but that’s not what she’ll be remembered for. Instead she’ll be remembered for actually living life in that home she adored. Spills can be cleaned, but life can’t be lived over again. I think Kim would have no regrets.

Here Is My Question For You: How Can We Be Better Girlfriends During A Tragedy?

What do you say to a grieving family who suddenly feels like they’ve lost the glue holding them together? I’m probably not the one to ask…because I never know what to say. But what I learned through Kim’s death is that her Girlfriends weren’t really talking…instead they were “doing”. Two of Kim’s dearest Girlfriends, Tonya and Jennifer, were there immediately. While Fred and his children were still trying to come to grips with what had happened, these two incredible Girlfriends were helping make funeral plans, getting the kids funeral clothes and coordinating meals. God bless those two Girlfriends!

But the needs don’t stop there and apparently not everyone has that kind of support. I remember a Girlfriend of mine saying, after she lost her father, that her friends weren’t there for her. She had no idea what to say when someone asked, “what do you need?” She didn’t know…she’d never lost a father before. She was lost and bitter. That still makes me so sad. So, let’s make sure none of our Girlfriends or their families feel that way.

I learned from my Girlfriend Cindy about help after the funeral is over. Her Girlfriend’s son died in a car accident. Following the funeral, she went over to their home and helped write Thank You notes for the dozens and dozens of flowers that came in. When I saw all the flowers at Kim’s service, I volunteered to help with that. Several of us have also asked for the boys’ sports schedules so we can cheer them on in the stands.

What else can we do to help? That’s why this blog became two fold. I wanted to tell you about Kim AND hopefully better help her family and others through such a tragic time. If you’ve lost a loved one, what did Girlfriends do that helped you through? Did you need someone to sit there and simply listen? What about the anniversary? Maybe we can put together a complete list of what helps and what doesn’t. It’s almost impossible to know what to say…but maybe if we know what to do, we will be better Girlfriends in life and death.

I’ve replayed in my mind over and over…Kim hugging my son that day in the lake. Usually when the kids are playing tag in the water, some adult will tell them to go elsewhere to play or complain that the kids splashed them. (Hello?! It’s the lake!!) But not Kim. She lived life and showed those close to her how much they meant. Those are the memories we will all share and can learn from her example. We love you, Kim!

I was on a panel at an Atlanta conferenced called “Getting Paid What You’re Worth”. I have say, especially for women, this seems to be a tough one. We sometimes don’t value our own talents enough to charge what we should, much less what we’re worth.

Maybe that’s why I loved the speaker who talked after our panel – Michelle Pippin. She shows women how to take their business from whimpy to WOW. Her idea of the “Red Spoon” is brilliant. Why a red spoon? Well… listen at take notes:

You don’t want to give away your hard work and talents for FREE!! Instead, give people a taste… so they WANT to do business with you. I LOVE it! I also have put into practice Michelle’s idea of planning your week on Sunday night and batching similar tasks to keep you efficient and moving.

By the way, Michelle has a great newsletter and website. You really outta check it out. I look forward to her words of wisdom each week.

http://www.womenwhowow.com/

I, like many Girlfriends, have admired The Pioneer Woman for a couple of years. Not only does she talk about her romantic life on the ranch after meeting the “Marlboro Man”, but she cooks, photographs AND homeschools her kids. (Seriously?! All that pretty much classifies her as SuperWoman in MY book! Of course, I’m usually barely holding my city lifestyle together with duck tape and twine. But I digress….)

Back on task…

I was thrilled when my Girlfriends Tracy and Amy invited me to tag along during their afternoon w/ Ree. We drove to Pawhaska and, true to form, Ree was the hostess with the mostest. She was even prettier than her pictures when she greeted us at the door (is that possible?), her ranch house was decorated like no other (she decorates TOO?!) and the snacks and sangria were homemade (YUM!). Yes, you might want to hate her… if she wasn’t so darn adorable. During the afternoon that we spent with her, she was both humble and elegant… approachable and classy… simple and sophisticated. You could have heard a pin drop when Ree told tales of ranch life, we giggled like little school girls and slurped down every bit of that sangria. It was, by ALL accounts, a perfect Girlfriend afternoon.

Before we left, I ask Ree if I could interview her about Girlfriends for my website. (Nothing like putting her on the spot, huh?) She didn’t even hestitate before gracious agreeing. (Thank you Ree!)  So, here is the Pioneer Woman… unplugged. There’s no script, photoshop or signed consent forms. Just an adorable (and wildly popular) women who has my upmost respect and gratitude.

I hope you enjoy this clip because this women has style, grace and a great Girlfriend nature!

Thank you Tracy Barrett & Amy Synar for letting me join you!!!!

Who says you can’t make a life changing connection on social media? A year or so ago, I met the fabulous Tory Johnson through Twitter. No, a tweet didn’t make the relationship. You can only develop a real connection through social media if you close the computer and actually talk with the person. (What a novel concept!!)

One look at Tory’s amazing bio.. and you know she’s the real deal.  While you may know her best as the Workplace Contributor for Good Morning America, she does so much more to empower women and help them turn their passion into profit. For instance, she’s the CEO of Women for Hire. I believe in surrounding yourself with THE BEST people possible (Hello?! Girlfriends 2.0!!).. so I truly enjoy my connection w/ Tory.

Therefore, it was such an honor when she asked me to be a featured speaker and a panelist at her very first Spark and Hustle conference. What would I talk about?! (More importantly, what would I wear?!) But Tory had it all worked out. She said “Your topic is How To Reboot With Gusto”. (Ohhh… I likee!!) So, at the end of July (and following two other conventions) I teetered in my high heels to Atlanta.

You know those “ah ha” moments where you say… this is where I’m supposed to be?That was me in Atlanta. When Tory looked at us and said “Are you ready to turn your passion and potential into SERIOUS profit?”.. I was sold. Suddenly, the conference was more than a speech for me. It was a game changer!

For three days… we talked about concrete ways to make more money. How to collaborate not just for promotion but for profit. How to maximize your contacts into cash. How to give away nuggets of value in your business so folks want to buy the whole kit & kaboodle. I’m at a point in my business (1 year) that these are all the things I NEEDED to hear. Best of all, these were tools we could put to work on Monday to make a difference.

I wanted to bottle everything up and bring it home to share. Knowledge is only power when you share it. So, before I left, I cornered some of the movers and shakers from the conference to give you their BEST tips to make a difference in YOUR business. Today I’m starting with Tory… but over the next week, I’ll introduce you to other women who have tidbits that are game changers. Remember, I only try to surround myself w/ the best… and I’m proud to say these ladies are truly some of the best.

I hope you enjoy!! And please know… Tory and I working on something very exciting in the future. I can’t let the cat out of the bag yet… but just know I want all of you to have the full experience I just had.

And speaking of surrounding myself with FAB women!! Thanks to Adrienne Kallweit and Diane White for coming with me to Atlanta to hear me speak. Girlfriends, it meant the world to have you there and I know you got as much out of Spark and Hustle as I did. Love you!!

Can I tell you how humbled I am by the response to my post about winning an American Girl doll? WOW!! We have some incredible young girls out there. (If you think not… then read all of the responses to my original blog! Amazing!)

I actually couldn’t even pick the winner myself. I was so humbled by the responses that I put a committee together to chose. We all wanted to give each outstanding girl a doll!! Again… wow. So, we did what any deadlocked group would do.. we put all of our fab candidates in a bowl and drew a name.

And the winner is….

Jessica’s daughter!!

Here’s what she wrote about her little girl:

“I would like to nominate my 8 year old daughter. She is a beautiful, amazing girl who will help anyone who is in need of help. My husband and I are both active duty military members and we have to go away for deployments, training, etc quite often. So when other kids’ parents are deployed, etc, she knows what they are feeling, etc and will be there to listen to their worries/concerns or just there to give them a hug. She is also very into recycling and will pick up trash whenever she sees it on the ground. She also does very well in school and will help her little sister out whenever she needs it. She’s also involved with numerous projects such as Backpacks for Love and Toys for Tots.”

Congrats to Jessica’s daughter… but more importantly thank you to the women who nominated their daughters, neighbors and friends. There are some amazing little girls out there who will grow up to be amazing women. As I said before… I am humbled and inspired. (Even my own 8 year old daughter read through all the nominations and was forever changed by them. She did two “extra credit” things yesterday and told me she “wanted to make a difference like the other little girls on the website”. Who says one or two people can’t change the world?)

Also a huge thanks to American Girl for choosing me as a Parent Partner and agreeing to give away a doll. They are truly special and they’re working to empower, inspire and help little girls everywhere. That message is powerful and does make a difference.

Again… thank you!!!

My love for American Girl began not in childhood (they weren’t around then), but instead 8 years ago. The Junior League asked me to emcee an American Girl Fashion Show. Having a son and an infant daughter, I had no idea what it was all about, but they convinced me it was very cool so I said “yes”. From that fashion show forward, I was hooked. I loved the historical dolls, the Just Like Me dolls and the wonderful message it sent young girls: You can be whatever you want to be. I immediately got my daughter her first Bitty Baby and in the years since, we’ve gotten several others and read the books often. I’ve also continued emceeing the fashion show.

I’ve also been impressed with the company as a whole. When Santa delivered my daughter’s Just Like Me doll one Christmas,  her nose, cheeks and fingers were way too pink. So, my daughter and I called Santa’s elf at the North Pole in charge of the American Girl dolls. She said it was frostbite from Santa’s sleigh and that we could send it back. Not only would Santa replace the doll, but the slightly damaged doll would be fixed and sent to a little girl who wanted an AG doll but couldn’t afford it and didn’t get one for Christmas. (That story still makes me smile!)

So when American Girl called and asked me to be an official Parent Partner for their Shine On Now Initiative, I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough! I love the concept: inspire our daughters to make a difference while American Girl gives money to charity. What more could you ask for?! So what does all this mean to you? A lot.

Just go to the interactive Shine On Now site with your daughter. For ever charitable act she does, she gets a FREE star. For every star contributed to the effort, American Girl will match it with a $1 donation. The goal is to collect a million stars by July 31st, 2010. That million dollar donation with pay for books, clothes, dolls and money for four charities: Kids in Distressed Situations, Save The Children USA, National Association of Children’s Hospitals and National Wildlife Federation. Plus, every time your daughter contributes a star (she can donate up to 100 each day),  her name will automatically be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl doll.

But wait… that’s not all!! As a Parent Partner, I will also give away a My American Girl doll!

Along with American Girl, I want to honor the girls who make a difference in their families, schools and communities.  So, up until July 31, you can nominate a deserving girl to win her very own My American Girl doll which she will have the opportunity to fully customize!  To enter this giveaway, tell me about a deserving girl, the wonderful things she does for her family, friends or community and why she is deserving of her very own American Girl doll. Please do not disclose the child’s name but do describe her life, her activities and the grand things she does for others! You can just put that information in the comments section of this blog.

Other ways to be in the running for my giveaway:

• Follow CindyWMorrison and AGShineOnNow on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway up to 3 times per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message:  Win an AmericanGirl Doll and learn about #ShineOnNow @CindyWMorrison http://bit.ly/AGgiveaway
• Blog about this giveaway, including links to this post and the sponsor as well as a complete description of the campaign/contest and prize. Make sure to come back here and let me know where I can find your blog.

Got it?

Let’s encourage our daughters to MAKE A DIFFERENCE … in the meantime, she might just get a special surprise for giving back! Tell all your Girlfriends!!

Kanakuk Reunion

All this started the week before when my Girlfriend and I sent our kids away to technology-less camp. We laughed and wondered if they could make it a WHOLE WEEK. What?! No X-Box? No text messaging? LOL… why do they need all that stuff anyway?

God definitely has a sense of humor….

Before the end of the week, my Girlfriend and I headed to a resort near camp to chill for a day before we picked up our kids. Since both of us can work remotely, we decided working alongside nature for a day would be a nice change of pace. WRONG! I woke up the next day only to find my cell phone didn’t have service at the resort and the internet didn’t work in our cabin. Holy Hannah!! I had SO MUCH to do! I didn’t have time for a vacay!!

With no other choice, I laid by the pool and TRIED to chill. Still every 30 minutes I was checking my phone and practically twitching that I couldn’t tweet, facebook, call or email. I felt I was in a heavenly hell. It was a beautiful backdrop but I was completely out of touch. HOW COULD I LIVE WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY?!!!!

As we left to get our kids the next day, I was caught somewhere between happiness (to see the kids) and a deer in the headlights (oh dear, what was I missing?!). Of course, the first emotion completely took over when I saw my kids and gave them a huge hug. But as the closing ceremonies began to wrap up… my mind began to wander back to my electronic-less existence and how I wouldn’t have cell or internet service until we drove back A DAY FROM NOW. That’s when the camp leader began talking about loving life and living a week without gadgets. Maybe he wasn’t just talking about the kids… maybe it was more than coincidence that my cell phone didn’t work at the cabin.

As we left camp, I stored my cell phone and computers. For the next day and a half I promised to pay complete attention to my children. No tweets. No cell phone checking. No work. Instead, I would embrace this world of no electronics and live the simple life. It was awesome… we talked, laughed, swam and napped. Other than the TV… we had no contact with the outside word. And you know what? No one died. No one fired me. And I’m not sure anyone really missed me. However, if I’d continued to check my phone every 30 minutes or continued to cuss the internet connection then my kids WOULD have missed me… and I would have missed out on the most special thing: my kids.

Don’t get me wrong. When I had a chance to call, email, tweet and facebook today… I felt whole. Oooohhhh… it was goooood. I was happy as a little lark as I plugged back into social media. However, I now have a much greater appreciation for UNPLUGGING. Social media and electronics are fabulous. Just don’t let it take over so much that you don’t enjoy everything else life has to offer. Whether it be a week at camp or a few days away, don’t forget to be a hero to those who matter most.

I currently do two blogs. One is geared toward empowering women (Girlfriends 2.0) and the other is all about reinvention whether it’s totally starting over or simply upping your game (Reinvention 2.0). Okay.. so I just wrote a really mushy Girlfriends 2.0 blog about the fact that my one year anniversary was staring me in the face. No wonder it’s an emotional anniversary since it was one year ago this month that my career, health, and home were all literally and figuratively struck. Now it’s time to take a deep breath and talk about how far I’ve come since TOTALLY reinventing myself because, yes, I was a mess a year ago.

In a nutshell? Last May (2009), I found out I was getting laid off from a 20 year news career after major layoffs at the station. Within two weeks, I fell to the bathroom floor in the worst pain of my life. Turns out I had a grapefruit size tumor. Long story short.. I landed on a top ovarian cancer surgeon’s table and ended up with major surgery even though the tumor turned out to be benign. And if you think God doesn’t have a sense of humor? After a week in the hospital, I came home and JUST ONE DAY LATER, lightning struck our home. Seriously?! What had I done?!

The fact was.. I was a low as I could go!! Career – Nope. Health – Not so much. Home – eh, the outside was still standing. I had little left but friends, family and an attitude. While I didn’t go to business school (I’m a journalism major), I’m pretty for sure the major lessons I learned over the last year weren’t the kind of thing they teach in business school.

Build A Strong Support Network
My Girlfriends and family were unbelievable. They made me laugh when I thought I couldn’t (like bringing me a bedazzled grapefruit to the hosptal), they helped me establish my own business (when I never thought I wanted to), and they kept me going when my attitude alone wouldn’t have been enough. My true Girlfriends came out of the woodwork to make sure my kids didn’t have years of therapy, I believed in myself when I lost complete faith, and that I was a success in spite of myself. I’d never longed to have my own business. They showed me how to monetize my passions. WOW!!

You Must Have A Plan B
Hello?! Why did I think I could anchor TV news through at least two face lifts? I was under the false impression that if you did what you always did then you got what you always got. I was good with that! Then life changed on a dime. The one thing I’ve learned? Life changes no matter how you live your life and whether you try to make good choices. So, all of us BETTER have a Plan B. I didn’t.. and found myself feeling like a loser when life spun out of control. Since I didn’t know how to be anything other than a news anchor and investigative reporter, my best buddies (see above lesson) helped me realize I could write a book (I’m a journalist!), get on the national speaking circuit (I speak for a living!), and do some time of business consulting (I’d done marketing/branding for a living!). The point is, I didn’t know I could do any of that, until I was forced to. I suggest you design a Plan B NOW!

What You Don’t Know… You Don’t Know
Why bother wasting time doing stuff that isn’t part of your talent set. I’ve learned that I can spend hours figuring out how to do something that probably isn’t that important in the grand scheme. Is it better to just hire that done? I don’t ask that lightly because when my TV paycheck ended, it ended (no severance package!). So, every dime I’ve spent has been carefully examined. But the fact is, it’s better to hire someone to do my accounting books than me try to pretend I know how to do that (I’m a journalist, for goodness sake!). So, now I’m a big believer in outsourcing what you don’t know so you can concentrate and perfect what you DO know.

Think Outside Your Comfort Zone
For years, I thought EVERYONE should advertise on TV. Once I stepped out of that world though I discovered the power of (FREE!) social media. I could begin to market my brand beyond our viewing area. I worked to meet people outside of Oklahoma. A perfect example? I met a woman named Janet Powers from the Diva Toolbox through twitter. Next thing I know, I’d taken our “initial meeting” past the “cold call” and developed it into a real relationship. Now Janet and I have a weekly national radio show and I’ll be a speaker/presenter at the Diva Toolbox convention in Boston this September. That was WAY beyond my comfort zone, but it has already made a significant difference in my business.

I encourage you to figure out your business plan, do your accounting and put to use everything else you learned in business school. But for those of us who never stepped foot in those hallowed halls (Hello?! The closest I got to the business school in college was marrying my husband!) there are other lessons to learn. And now I believe those lessons are just as important as the businesses basics when it comes to your success.

I’ve lived all of this this last year. I’ve gone from a laid off former TV person who felt like a loser (not to mention other things going wrong in my life) to a woman who’s book is selling great guns, my speaker’s calendar is filling up and my consultant clients are second to none. Did I do that without help or blindly? Heck no! My friends make sure I survived and thrived and then I learned my way, step by step. I may have have a strike to every part of my life a year ago, but now? I feel in control and that I’ve learned life lessons that were hard to come by. I wasn’t in the business school but I’ve lived the life of hard knocks. I hope those lessons (and my life changes) will help you not just survive but thrive what life dishes out.