Liken to the home, your brand is what others see first. It’s your package. Your online presence speaks volumes, and the colors you’ve selected is the uncommon thread that is mostly glanced over. Selecting colors for your on-line presence is as important as selecting your message. In fact, it’s more important because color is universal.

Here’s what I mean: Take the Coca-Cola brand, red. It’s been around for what seems forever and we can say that Coca-Cola owns the red color category. There’s an emotional aspect attached to the brand. It reads excitement and high energy. There’s also a product information aspect to color. Here’s where I’m going. At the onset of the diet and weight lost fad, Coco-Cola introduced the Diet Coke. So, what did its brand experts do? They had to include a product signifier to distinguish the can from the traditional, excitable, high energy product. The information was shared with its consumers through none other than color, otherwise the consumer could pick-up the original product thinking it was the diet product. The Diet Coke has the signature red brand, but is signified with a combination of silver and white. Silver suggests the product is reliable and intelligent while white added the information of purity and sacred. Dieters loved it!

If you have informational products attached to your brand, it good to think about the emotion behind your packaging, what you want it to convey to your niche market, and the direction your brand should take. Use a palette that is part of the experience or message you want to share. This also applies to your web sites and blogs.

Because of the internet, color is universal. You want your color brand to spark a positive consumer attitude that supports your mission. Black in some cultures designates death, negativity, or something is bad for you. Therefore keep in mind creating a common look and feel that appeals to all cultures. Think outside of the box and use color in a unique way. Each color has personality and your color brand has a loud voice. There should be continuity of your signature color thumb-print on your website, blog, and information products. and in design vernacular, less is more.

1. Engage the process. Don’t merely pick your favorite color or a color palette that your web designer suggests, approach your color brand thoroughly and with acuity. Don’t complicate or settle in the process. Become inspired. You want to own it. Much thought was engineered in the color palette of my site, Designing for the King. Here is a typical example of thinking outside of the box. These colors were manipulated to be a part of the experience which is trustworthiness, peace and dominance.

2. View it from client’s perspective. I’ve visited websites and have seen packaging that hollered at me because their was so much of one bold color. See your clients and visitors collectively and individually like young and old, varied disciplines, and inside and outside of your niche.

THIS IS HUGE: HERE’S A COMMENT FROM A VISITOR TO MY BLOG HERE:

“Good points raised here. I am grateful to you for that, however you deserve more thanks than that. I suffer from color blindness (deuteranopia in my case). I mainly use Opera browser (no idea if that changes anything), and a consider a bland a number of web sites
are challenging to comprehend thanks to a careless range of colours used. However, here, as the range of colors is good, the design is extremely tidy and pleasant to comprehend. I don?t know whether it was a premeditated and conscious undertaking, or just the ?luck of the draw?, but I still thank you.”

3. Beware of influence. Your color brand should inspire visually. Given, not all people like all colors. But the influence is in how the colors are packaged. How can your colors inspire your niche market?

It is not enough to have a color brand, say red (I’m using this because it’s a common color). Explore color palettes, be deliberate in your color message, listen to your design within, and design it in a way that you own it.

Thank you for reading this post. I enjoy sharing my passion with you and also enjoy reading your comments.

Sharing my Passion,

Deana

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. You may reprint this article
in its entirety with author's contact and bio information.
Deana Murphy is The Expert on Lifestyle Design, media personality,
a dynamic speaker, an award winning best selling author who has been helping
people for years design a home they love, transform their lifestyle,
and showing them how to feel good from the inside out and unleash their
greatness. She has been interviewed for O at Home Magazine, Empowering Everyday Women,
Spectacular Homes, SORMAG, and Meredith publications to name a few.

1. BELIEVE!
Know your passion, embrace its power. It’s what helps
you to achieve your cause.

2. DON’T QUIT BELIEVING
The only approval you need is the one that speaks within you!

3. BELIEVE REGARDLESS
Hang with those who have your answer and
remove those who have your problem.
To go up you’ve got to sow up!

4. BELIEVE ANYWAY
Listen to your inner GPS. If it is saying, stay in your lane,
then stay there!

5. ONLY BELIEVE
To accomplish great things, you must not only act,
but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

As always I so much appreciate you reading my posts and I enjoy reading your comments. Go ahead and share with me today. Oh one more thing, share this with three people you know. Send them this link.

Sharing my Passion,

________________________________________________

Photobucket

Deana Murphy is The Expert on Lifestyle Design, media personality,
a dynamic speaker, an award winning best selling author who has been helping
people for years design a home they love, transform their lifestyle,
and showing them how to feel good from the inside out and unleash their
greatness. She has been interviewed for O at Home Magazine, Empowering Everyday Women,
Spectacular Homes, SORMAG, and Meredith publications to name a few.

Imagine what life would be like if negative energy would suddenly convert into the positive. That alone would jump-start your engine to an enjoying life simply because you now see the glass half full instead of half empty. Begin viewing life from the productive view instead of the critical.

My birthday is less than a month away. Reflecting on my life experiences I’ve released myself from appraising past mistakes and hurts. Instead I’m heeding to life’s lessons with gratitude of having explored ways that doing life didn’t work out! Therefore, I know now not to take that route again and move on. It’s time for a re-birthing of the greatness within. And it feels so good! We are in total control of our lives. The sagging economy doesn’t determine our successes or failures. Only we can do that.

It’s time to open your heart, take a deep breath and be thankful for the preciousness of living. Always there’s something to be thankful for. Do you have running water? Do you have indoor plumbing? Can you read these words in this post? Can you smell dinner from the kitchen? Get the picture…you have a great deal to be thankful for. Seeing life through thankful eyes encourages unspeakable joy which speaks to the greatness in your heart.

Life is too short to dwell on sorrow and distress. Don’t allow the economy and others negativity to stress you. When thinking on enjoying life, the three “F’s” comes to mind:

1. Forgive… Forgive yourself first.
2. Forget…Snap out of it. It’s over!
3. Focus… Look ahead of you.

Forgive How many times have you said, “if only I’d…. The reality is, you didn’t. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Then forgive others for having hurt or mistreat you. What do you gain with unforgiveness other than depression, heart disease, and hypertension? Make a quality decision today.

Write down all of the mistakes that you’ve made. Look in the mirror and say aloud, “I forgive myself for having done this. I now released myself from all guilt and pain.” Now write down all the names of people you may have hurt. Call out each name and say aloud, “Forgive me.” Finally write down all names of people who have hurt you. Call each name aloud and say, “I forgive you. I release you from all liability.” Now say aloud, “I am thankful for this opportunity to be free.”

Forget Forget about the past. You cannot change what has happened. Do all things without complaining and disputing.

Focus Reach forward onto the things that are ahead of you. Keep your aim high and your eye on your greatness.

By doing these three things, you will jump-start a life full of abundant joy from a thankful heart.

Thank you for stopping by to read my post. I appreciate you and your comments.

Sharing my Passion,

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. You may reprint this article
 in its entirety with author's contact and bio information.
Deana Murphy is The Expert on Lifestyle Design, media personality,
a dynamic speaker, an award winning best selling author who has been helping
people for years design a home they love, transform their lifestyle,
and showing them how to feel good from the inside out and unleash their
greatness. She has been interviewed for O at Home Magazine, Empowering Everyday Women,
Spectacular Homes, SORMAG, and Meredith publications to name a few.

I can recall times when there were so many different projects on my plate and I’d work a bit on one then jump to another. But nothing was coming to completion. It appeared I was just merely going in circles, playing musical projects. There’s no formula for being flawless in this journey called life. But I have some good news for you. There are ways to redesign your life to function as you were originally designed.

Think about this. When you plant a seed in the ground, it always produces that which it was intended. For instance, plant an apple seed and what do you get? Apples! Plant a flower seed and what grows? Flowers? When God created you, He already planted the seeds inside you for a specific purpose and vision He purposed for you to grow into. But distractions, procrastinations, disgusts, bewildering, indecisiveness and fatigue sometimes are inflicted by others. You know, the things people say or do that causes you to become blinded to the vision and purpose seeds originally planted inside of you. Upend this lifestyle today. Become acquainted with you. Redesign your life. Here are the top six ways to do this:

1. Caution yourself
You were placed here for a reason. There is a life’s design seed in you beckoning to blossom into your purpose and destiny.

2. Take back control
Okay, you’ve swerved off the path for a moment. It happened. Don’t dwell on the time lost. Move on and find yourself.

3. Inventory your talent, desire, passion seeds
What are you good at? What do you do just for the fun of it? What would you do if you wouldn’t be paid to do this? Perhaps it’s something you’ve always enjoyed doing as a child. Perhaps it’s something you’ve always wanted to do but was afraid. Don’t be afraid. Remember, God has already planted the seed inside of you. Don’t allow it to rot in the soil of your heart. Give Him a good bang for His investment in you.

4. Revisit your goals
Let’s face it. Goals are the heartbeat to life. Without them you’re walking around with blinders on. Stretch yourself. Jump into the challenges that come your way. Reposition yourself. Push yourself to do the things you desire. Not only for yourself, but to shine in the face of those who told you that you can’t.

5. Stop Stressing
Put things in perspective. Use your mental energy in ways that you enjoy. As important it is to exercise your body, likewise it is with your brain. Crossword puzzles, reading for relaxing, visiting museums, listening to soothing music, and this one I particularly enjoy: thumbing through high-end magazines for selecting the furnishings for my next home. Use your imaginative energy on things you desire that will elevate your thinking. Laugh out loud often, like every half hour. Don’t take things so seriously; just be serious about making things happen.

6. Design your focus
You are drawn to your most dominate thoughts. Everyday I sit alone where it is quiet and focus on the design of my life. This is the most important aspect of redesigning your life. See yourself in, on, or at the desires of your heart. Then say out loud to yourself everyday what you are focusing on. If your focus drifts away, gently pull it back. Utilize the seed of imagination that God placed inside of you. Use it to your advantage and redesign your life.

No matter how old you are, how long you’ve been in a career path that you dislike, or what the naysayers are shouting, redesign your life today into the person of your desire. The seeds are inside of you. Water them and watch them grow.

I’m so glad you stopped by to read my post. Please leave me your comments.

Sharing my passion,

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. You may reprint this article
in its entirety with author's contact and bio information.
Deana Murphy is a dynamic speaker, award winning author and
 a conscious home and lifestyle expert who has been helping
 people for years design a home they love, transform their lifestyle,
 and approach life’s design in view of Spirit and family relations.
 She has been interviewed for O at Home Magazine, Empowering Everyday Women,
 Spectacular Homes, SORMAG, and Meredith publications to name a few.
 She has also appeared on HGTV and Fine Living.
 
 

Ready for a Change!

When I think about changing my home environment it reminds me of how Jesus changed the darkened, hidden places of my being into a ray of light and hope. With a renewed mindset and beaming anticipation I knew He had a purpose for my life. I was ready for a change. Venturing into a home make-over, whether one room or the entire home, can produce this same optimism. But before you jet out to the store to make your purchases, prepare your mind for the change. Consider what you want your home to accomplish for you. More importantly, how can your home design unify your family? Do you want it to remind you of the warmth and security of your home as a child? Or would you like it to help cancel the pain of the past? What about a design that will accommodate every family member’s desires and needs?

Too often we acclimatize lifestyles and living at home to the layout and features of the home. Imagine how our lives would be if God didn’t first re-arrange the universe. He designed His world in His majestic display of power with purpose. The same holds true for every design or decorating endeavor we undertake. Design changes should spring forth out of a renewed mindset. I’m not only talking about designing to appeal to forms and aesthetics. And I’m certainly not referring to making changes because your best friend or neighbor’s home is outdoing yours. That’s not the right mindset, that’s meddling. Creating the right home design mindset means to have a plan.

Design a Plan

Looking back over Scripture it is apparent that God did nothing without a plan. From the design of the world in Genesis to the soon and coming King in Revelation, His plan has always been wooing His people to Himself. It didn’t matter how impossible the darken world looked, God had a plan for the design of His world. He knew exactly what He wanted His design to do for Him and His family. This says to me that we must do no less when designing our home. Let’s consider the gathering or family room for example. This room generally serves as a multi-purpose area where we relax and entertain, play and work, or watch TV, read and do homework. But we certainly can’t engage all these activities simultaneously. And someone has to plan the room’s layout and décor for incorporating these activities. Then the schedule must be planned.

Meeting of the Minds

Actually the way you live at home determines how you should plan your design. If relationships are centered in your heart, then making a place that unifies the family and connects family with friends is one way to define the purpose of the home. Perhaps working from home defines a major purpose for redesigning the home. Evaluate the use of each space. I often advise my clients to have a design meeting with their families. In this meeting discuss what is important to each household member, write it down, and be willing to compromise and be flexible when possible. While function is a major consideration in the design process; what’s paramount is the emotional and spiritual well-being of the entire household. Here are a few suggestions to discuss in the design meeting:

Objection

• What is the main purpose for making design changes? More space? Ab better lay-out? New purchase? Reworking some existing things? Insulation to stifle the sound of drum practice or electric games?

• Do you want your home to reflect your spiritual life? If so, what would you need to do to be ready to reflect this? Would it be more patience with each other? Like-mindedness with your spouse? Unselfishness?

• Does your lifestyle define how you live at home? What functions must be performed for each room?

Editing

• Walking through the home and carefully looking at each room, what do you see that needs to be done?
• What do you see that needs to be removed? What isn’t needed that can be donated or just simply thrown away?
• Are there any hard places in your heart needing editing? What about spurts of anger over something simple as tidying up behind someone or taking out the trash?

Ambiance

• What kind of atmosphere do you want? Do you want it to be peaceful? energetic? restful? loving?
• What kind of atmosphere can you create that will sustain His Presence?
• Atmosphere is very important to the Lord. Remember that He transformed space  to separate the waters so He could design an atmosphere called heaven.
• How is the atmosphere of your heart? Does it need renovating? Only a touch-up?Do you have the right spirit in your heart? What about your attitude?

• What style, objects and activities will be pleasing to the Holy Spirit? Everything that looks good may not necessarily be sanctioned by God.

Bringing Order

• How can you arrange your activities to undermine any negative habits and keep the home in order.

• Assess your needs for bringing clarity to what to do with what you have.
• Which spaces can you use in nontraditional ways if functional issues arise?
• In what ways can you adjust and show more love and respect for each other?

Sentiments

• How can you incorporate past places of influence into the design?
• How can you incorporate those pleasant childhood memories into the design?
• How can you incorporate priceless family traditions into the design?

Cultural

• Are there any cultural influences and can it be included?
• Talk about your differences and how to effectively translate them into the design.

Preferences

• What are your likes and dislikes?
• What are your individual interests?

Bonding

• When and where is family time together? It maybe as simple as sitting around the table sharing your day.
• Remember children are people too. Don’t make the design so important that they aren’t allowed to enjoy it.

Differences

• Discuss personalities, values, and memories. This carries a high price in keeping peace at home.

Improvements

• What changes will benefit everyone and fortify the family?
• What are some practical ways to improve on what you have?
• How can you better designate the existing spaces to meet your family’s needs?

These lists are not all inclusive, but know how vital it is to do this. So much time is used when planning activities to entertain friends, but planning the details with the right mindset for living at home is oftentimes overlooked. When you think about it, you spend more time in your home than any other place, which makes home design the most influential art form. In view of that, home is an important part of health, spiritual and well-being of your family.

Making changes in our lives and homes is essential and always necessary. I challenge you to begin this spring/summer season with the approach of looking at home design from a different perspective. Yes you are eager to finally decorate those neglected and tough to tackle areas. You’re longing for a fresh start. But be mindful of your family’s needs, surrender any selfish ways of doing things. Renovating allows for a fresh start. Renovate your heart of those hidden attitudes so that His plan and creativity can rise up within you. Your home is a good gift. Design it with the right home design mindset.

I always enjoy reading your comments and thanks for reading my posts.

Sharing my Passion,

Deana

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. You may reprint this article
in its entirety with author's contact and bio information.
Deana Murphy is a dynamic speaker, award winning author and
 a conscious home and lifestyle expert who has been helping
 people for years design a home they love, transform their lifestyle,
 and approach life’s design in view of Spirit and family relations.
 She has been interviewed for O at Home Magazine, Empowering Everyday Women,
 Spectacular Homes, SORMAG, and Meredith publications to name a few.
 She has also appeared on HGTV and Fine Living.
 
 
 

This post is sort of a re-post of  what I wrote during the Christmas holidays.  As I thought about Mother’s day and entertaining in general, I’ve decided to  post it again. Entertaining at home is what it is, entertaining at home. The same etiquette stands no matter what the occasion. So here it goes…

“Gee, this year the Butterfields and Hamburgs are coming. I must put my best foot forward. You know everyone will be talking about how lavishly I entertain my guest. Have to make a grand-slam first impression! Oh, I almost forgot; I must pick up those silver candlesticks at Bloomies while they’re on sale.”

Wow. What happened to the hospitality in entertaining? Here’s what I wrote on my fan page wall yesterday: (yesterday was actually back in December)

Don’t ‘dress to impress’ with your home’s decor this holiday season.That’s comparing your home with another; trying to measure up to or exceed. 2 Cor.10:12 admonishes that when we measure ourselves by another and compare with another, we are without understanding. Ouch!

I want to leave something with you that will have an indelible affect; Something that you can carry-over through the years and use over and over again. Many if not all of you will be celebrating Mother’s Day, during this season. You’ll be entertaining your friends and family in some format, whether at your abode or theirs. So along with that I thought it was appropriate to share with you my Kingdom blueprint for successful entertaining all the time with peace of mind, which is nothing short of good ole hospitality.

Friends and Family: You are Always Welcomed Here

I’m reminded of what Apostle Peter wrote:

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

1. Everyday Life at Home. Paul tells us in the book of Romans to practice hospitality. Generally, we take this as referring to guests in our home. But begin to practice hospitality at home by first living hospitably with your family. Do special things for them not only during holidays, but find ways to be a blessing any time.

2. Entertaining and Hospitality Home and home life is a gift from God. So there’s no need to become over-dramatic and stressed out thinking everything must be perfect before you practice hospitality. I used to feel this way. By the time my guest arrived, I was so tired and sometimes irritable from trying to have everything perfect that I couldn’t enjoy my guest. It is never about us or what we have, it’s about blessing others with what we are given to share.

3. Peace of Mind: Preparation. When I was growing up, my grandmother was always prepared for an impromptu meal because guest would drop by without calling. (That was the norm in the southern community where we lived). She always had a baked pie and/or cake in the refrigerator. She was prepared to share a meal with our unexpected guests. She would entertain her guest from a heart and love with hospitality. Staying prepared for an impromptu meal or an unexpected guest is simple. Keep simple things on hand like hard and soft cheese, crackers, fresh or frozen fruit, baby spinach, red peppers, green olives, nuts, a bag of linguine or noodles, etc. to prepare a quick and easy dish. Get the idea? Also, practice placing cloth napkins at the table setting even with a quick brunch or late lunch. This sends the message of hospitality to your family and guests that they are special. I prefer using cloth napkins over paper napkins because it practices Green Living and being a good steward of the Earth God designed for us.

4. Home Living: Be Creative Hospitality is also for you and your family, so live creatively at home with your beautiful things. My grandmother and mother would never use the good china and crystal-ware unless guest were coming. I admire them for the desire to share their cherished things with guest, but what they didn’t know is hospitality is the Kingdom way of home living. Use what you have in creative ways. Take a crystal glass and fill it with candy or mints. If you don’t have crystal, china or silver, there still are beautiful things you can pull out of your closet or pantry and use. A bowl or dish that you cherish can serve as a beautiful center piece filled with Christmas ornaments. After holidays are over, fill this same bowl with fruit, candles, nuts, potpourri, your favorite flowers or chocolate kisses.

Take the time to lovingly prepare for your guest, but seek to enjoy the relationship while communing and sharing together. Refresh your guest with yourself. Don’t allow what you don’t have to stop you from being hospitable and a blessing to family and guests. It is not about you, but those He places in your life that your hands can touch for Him. You never know when you may be entertaining angels unaware.

Sharing my passion,

Deana

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. You may reprint this article in
 its entirety with author's contact and bio information.
Deana Murphy is a dynamic speaker, award winning author and a conscious home and
 lifestyle expert who has been helping people for years design a home they love, transform their lifestyle, and approach life’s design in view of Spirit and family relations.She has been interviewed for O at Home Magazine, Empowering Everyday Women,
 Spectacular Homes, SORMAG, and Meredith publications to name a few.
 She has also appeared on HGTV and Fine Living.
 
 

But one thing for sure you want your working environment to meet your work style and reinforce your brand. The home office should be designed for optimum productivity. You spend lots of time there. And besides, because you’re the boss you should have the best office in the neighborhood! So why don’t you? Consider these ways to help you with your home office design so you can increase your productivity and match your brand:

Let’s talk about ergonomics. If you want optimum productivity, the work space must be comfortable and healthy.  Another way of looking at ergonomics is how the human position interfaces with machines and equipment. Creating a good ergonomic working arrangement is important to protecting your health and influencing your productivity. Here are some vital ergonomic safeguards:

1. The Chair.  Your chair is the most important piece of furniture in your office. To reduce vertebrae pressure and minimize lower back pain slightly recline your chair. It should have a good backrest that’s wide enough to support your shoulders. Ideally, the front end of the seat should be curved. Experts say a good chair range from $500 to $1500.
2. Lighting. The next most important feature is good lighting. You don’t want eye strain. Lighting, whether artificial or natural shouldn’t be too bright especially on the computer. I have a screen over my monitor to reduce outside glare. Desk lamps should light the papers not the eyes.
3. The Desk. Before purchasing a desk, evaluate your needs. What is your profession? What equipment and technology is needed? Do you need lots of desk space?  Consider space allowance for computer equipment, telephone, office supplies, and elbow room. I believe a large table that’s height-adjustable is both cost-effective and practical. Then you can move from your keyboard to the side table without bending your shoulders.



4. The Keyboard and Mouse. Here is where you must be cautious. Having the keyboard and mouse wrongly positioned can cause wrist injuries. I know this first hand! The keyboard-mouse tray should be between 28 to 30 inches off the floor. Use the keyboard in a tilt position. The mouse if not properly used can cause wrist injuries by twisting the wrist instead of dragging the mouse.
5. The Monitor. Keep monitor below or at eye-level and eyes between 24 and 36 inches from computer screen

Let’s talk about successful branding.  Because you work from home doesn’t mean your company doesn’t have an image. Your office design should match your brand even though you may never see a client there.

Successful branding reveals that you to “look” and “feel” the brand. Think about this:  having a fashionable and refined image, the best business card and brochure design with outdated office furniture and equipment will make you feel like you’re half-way there. It’s sort of like you’re pretending to be there but are not. This can interfere with your confidence to project your brand to customers.Work your brand. Live your brand. Design your brand.

1. Let people know about you. Determine what you want them to know. Advertise, social media, etc.
2. Connect with virtual assistance. Warning! Make sure they love your brand and connect with your image.
3. Project good public relations. Keep your customers happy. Customers don’t care if your office is the corner slot on New York’s fifth Avenue or the hottest spot in your basement. Keep the promises made to them, have a return/refund policy (you’ll need it) and keep them smiling so they will come back.
4. Serve your brand. I had to learn this the hard way. But know that everything you do, say, and project to the public is either building or tearing down your brand image. Serve the public well, and do something for FREE. Seed-time and harvest is inevitable.

Let’s talk about space planning. Determine how your office will be arranged to make work comfortable and convenient.  In your empty space, place the desk first.  It’s the largest piece. Generally, the largest piece faces the focal point of the room.  The focal point can be a large window or painting. It is so vital to create boundaries likes these:

1. Separate from home activities. It is essential to build a home office design supportive of your own personal productivity.  If possible, select a separate room for you office with a door so that productivity won’t be lost by the temptation of a pleasure break for TV, a snack, or engaging in the day-to-day activities of the home.
2. Good ventilation. You don’t want to become tired and drowsy with the temptation of taking a nap.
3. Clarify your work schedule. One of the productivity stealers is the e-mail. I am learning to read my e-mails only after I’ve done at least two task that day. Write out your schedule each night for the following day and stick to it as much as possible.
4. Clarify family time. Write this on your schedule so there are no conflicts. Separate work life from family life and visa-versa.
5. Clarify ME time. Don’t burn yourself out. Schedule a time to get out and take a walk. I do, and it is simply divine. When I return, I showers and then resume my tasks. It beats talking prescribed lunch break and clocking back in to only find twice as much paper on your desk from the boss. Now, you’re the boss.
6. Clarify who you are and where you’re headed. Believe me, so many don’t have this ironed out yet. It takes quality time.

I’ve learned to become creative in my zeal to maintain my home office.  You can do this too. The entrepreneur is here to stay and we as well must learn to enjoy the ride. Remain steadily productive, nurture your brand, and I’ll meet you over the top!

As always, I truly enjoy sharing with you.  But moreover, I love your comments.

Sharing my passion,

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. You may reprint this article
in its entirety with author's contact and bio information.
Deana Murphy is a dynamic speaker, award winning author and
a conscious home and lifestyle expert who has been helping
people for years design a home they love, transform their lifestyle,
and approach life’s design in view of Spirit and family relations.
She has been interviewed for O at Home Magazine, Empowering Everyday Women,
Spectacular Homes, SORMAG, and Meredith publications to name a few.
She has also appeared on HGTV and Fine Living.
 
 
.com

I see this as an opportunity to inspire and enlighten you with the hope that perhaps you will engage and take-on many if not all of these tips as a daily routine. For the record, I don’t know who is the author of this Handbook 2010, but I believe this is worth sharing. Simply profound and needed.

Handbook 2010

Health

1.     Drink plenty of water.
2.     Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince
and dinner like a beggar.
3.     Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants;
eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4.     Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5.     Always make time to pray.
6.     Play more games.
7.     Read more books than you did in 2009.
8.     Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9.     Get 7 hours of sleep.
10.   Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while
walking, smile.

Personality

11.    Don’t compare your life to others.
You don’t know their journey or destiny.
12.    Don’t have negative thoughts
about things you cannot control.
Instead, invest your energy in the
present moment’s optimism.
13.    Don’t over-do.  Stay within your limits.
14.    Don’t take yourself so seriously.
No one else does.
15.    Don’t waste your precious energy
on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake.
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need…
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner
about their mistakes of the past. That will ruin your
present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t
hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil your present.

21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appears
and fades away like the algebra class, but the lessons
you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.

Society

25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.
28.    Spend time with people over the age of 70 and
under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won’t take care of you if you become ill.
Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

Life

32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come.
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least

40.    Please forward this to everyone you care about, I just did.

I didn’t elect to do point 40, but I thought you’d like me to share them with you, so I invite you to share with others. And by the way, go ahead and live life out-loud! Have some unusual fun today, and don’t forget to smile!

As always, thank you for reading my posts. Drop by often and I appreciate your comments.

Sharing my passion,

Deana

So you want to sell your home and get the best return on your investment? From my experiences, buyers are looking for a well maintained home. Studies have shown that most buyers make a decision about purchasing a house within 15 seconds of walking through the door. Many buyers have made a decision before getting out of the car! Your furniture and personal décor style are not important to a potential buyer. For that reason, home staging is on the rise. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money. Staging techniques focus on improving a property’s appeal by transforming it into a welcoming, attractive product that anyone might want.

I’ve put together some simple touches that will peak the interests of the average buyer. The first impression will have a huge impact. When the buyer turns into your driveway, he/she should immediately be interested in seeing the inside.

Simple Touches for the Outside of the Home

• manicure your lawn and shrubs

• repair cracks in driveway and walkway

• remove oil stains in the driveway

• repair any chipped paint on shutters and siding

• remove old TV antennas from the roof

• power wash the brick exterior and add a fresh coat of paint to any wood siding

• check your gutters for proper drainage

• wash your windows inside and out

• keep walkway and doorway clutter free

• add a seasonal pot of flowers or plants near the front door (welcoming them in)

• spruce up your back yard. Buyers are attracted to back yards with a nice deck or patio. Eliminate any clutter and plan your outdoor furniture to give an impression of plenty of space for dining, grilling and entertaining.

• if you show your home in the summer months, have an exterminator spray patio and decks for ants. If your back yard is child friendly, spruce it up with a play area, sand box, etc. Buyers listen to their children. If you have a pool, make sure it is clean. If you have pets, make sure there are no signs of dog poop out there.

Simple Touches for the Inside of the Home

• eliminate any dusk and clutter. You want your home clean and smelling fresh. Clean from ceiling to floor, i.e., crown moldings (looking for spider webs), blades in the ceiling fans, walls, base boards to floors. If possible, hire a professional team to clean your home. It will be well worth the investment.

• repair any signs of leaks, wall cracks, dripping faucets, and lighting fixtures.

• clear counter-tops in kitchen and bath. Clean all appliances inside and out. Remove any appliances that do not work properly. You are not obligated to sell your appliances with the home. Place waste containers away out of sight.

• Remove all notes, magnets, pictures from the refrigerator door. What if a buyer detests this look?

• re-caulk around bath tub and any loose tiles. Invest in replacing towel bars and rings if they look old and tired. Remember to get rid of all clutter. Clutter on counter-tops close in a space and make it appear smaller. Don’t just throw it in cabinets and closets – buyers look at everything. Keep faucets and knobs shining.

• a fresh coat of paint speaks volumes. Generally, neutral colors appeal to a larger population, but I simply adore color!

• pay attention to your floors. Squeaks will tell on you. Replace torn rugs, carpets or linoleum. It’s worth the investment to have on worn floors refinished.

  

  • illuminate the interior by opening blinds and curtains. Wash blinds and curtains so they are fresh. In our last home, there were no window coverings at all on most of our windows  creating an open and airy feeling.
  • open your interior space by getting rid of furniture you don’t plan to take with you. Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces clutter free. The buyer will look for plenty of storage. Garages house your cars and is not a place for storing everything.
  • be sure your furniture is the right scale for the size if the room and pieces are in balance. For example, don’t have a king-sized bed in a small bedroom and visa-versa.
  • clean out closets of all clothes and items you no longer use. Remove any items from the floors so air will circulate. Organized closets appear larger.
  • use scented potpourri and fresh flowers in kitchen and bath. Electric fragrances are dangerous and have been known to cause fires.
  • make sure there are no offensive pet odors. If you have pets, it may be a good idea to have a relative or friend to pet-sit them during the time you home is be shown. What if the buyer hates pets? The idea that one lived there could turn them from the sale. 
    • • before the buyers arrive, bake fresh bread or cinnamon rolls to give the space a welcoming aroma. Not a baker, boil cinnamon sticks in a pot just 10 minutes before they arrive. Remember to remove all pots from the burners to avoid the look of clutter.
      • make the home look as bright as possible by leaving all the lights on during the day hours.

    
    Don’t leave all of the leg work to your realtor. Check out the market selling price of similar homes in your area. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. How would you make a home purchase, from your head or from your heart? Follow suit. Congratulations. You’ve just graduated from “for sale” to “sold!”

I always enjoy sharing my passion with you, and I equally enjoy your comments. 

Sharing my passion,

Deana

Needing a home stager to help you sell your home?
I can coach you all the way from for sale to sold!
Call my office at 877.313.8797 today! 

Check out our amazing virtual interior design service at:
http://www.deanamurphy.com/success-store/home-design-redefined/

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. No parts may be duplicated
without permission.  www.DeanaMurphy.com  http://designingfortheking.com

These kids are fully charged and powered to resurrect every beautifully hidden painted egg, probably not so much to wolf them down but merely to simply have fun during their annual routine of seeking the competitive edge over their peers.

I’m reminded of how our lives sometimes can seem to slip into autopilot mode as the best within us are hidden from view while simply doing the routine things for the sake of just doing life… …competing for attention, recognition or  acceptance.

Just think about this for a moment. If we aren’t careful, life can sometimes become so mundane that we forget there is a rhyme and reason for being here. Our lives have purpose. We may not always know what it is but one thing for sure by running and rushing each day in search of the competitive edge will certainly not resurrect the dead areas in our lives. Gifting and talent, innovations and inventions dwell deep within us and today the challenge is RESURRECT THEM!

Take your destiny off autopilot. Write the vision. Read the vision. Speak the vision. Put your destiny in good hands – your own.

1.  Take your destiny off auto-pilot. Purpose today to opp-in and take advantage of opportunities that will better your quality of life. See the assistance of  like-minded people. Some things can’t be accomplished alone. And don’t just have a come-se come-si attitude, or whatever will be, will be outlook. Take control. Navigate by your gut. If you feel passionate about it, then do it.

2.  Write the vision. Make a list of the things that you feel and know needs resurrecting in your life. Perhaps it’s taking care of your body, exercising or clearing your heart and mind of the past so the new you can emerge, better habits, less distractions. Write down those areas that are dead that needs reviving.

3.  Read the vision. Read what you’ve written over and over each day.

4. Speak the vision. Speak what you’ve written over and over each day.         Speak in the first person, “I am,  I will,  I can.”

5. Put your destiny in good hands – your own. Step out, take action,        ignore the nay-sayers, stay focused, just do it!

Easter season brings to remembrance of Someone who was once dead; Who was resurrected by the power of divine purpose and destiny. This same power dwells within you. Give power to that purpose. Resurrect your life today!

I always enjoy sharing my passion with you, and I equally enjoy your comments. Happy Easter!

Sharing my passion,

Deana

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. No parts may be duplicated without
permission.  www.DeanaMurphy.com  http://designingfortheking.com