C. Nzingha Smith's Blog, page 11

Quote of the Week- C. Nzingha Smith

"Let go of yesterday, you made it! Don't use yesterday's state of mind to make today's decisions." C. Nzingha Smith


Happy New Year! We have officially ushered in a new year! Happy 2012! 2011 is over and we have an opportunity at a brand new start, a brand new beginning and a host of possibilities for our futures.



2011 for many was a year of constraint, trials, unrest, confusion, chaos as well as a host of other negative adjectives I could name as I reflect on world issues, national, regional, local and even personal. 2011 was also a year of tests for many. Great news! I made it through! You made it! We made it! 2012 is a new year, we have so much to look forward to and so much to be excited about, if we are in the right mindset, with a renewed perspective, a clear vision and a strengthened will and determination for reaching our goals and living on purpose.



I do not believe in making new year resolutions because I find they are compulsive and empty and are more accurately identified as wishes. Instead of resolutions, I write down goals for the year, make them specific and put a time limit on when I plan to reach them. This strategy sets me up for a higher chance of success instead of failure and I have the flexibility to adjust a goal or the timeline because there are strategies and steps in place for me to actually achieve them. This year I am taking it up a notch, not only have I set goals for myself for the entire year, I am breaking the goals up by quarter. I am working with my business coach specifically on what I am looking to accomplish during the first quarter of 2012 as this will set the stage for the rest of the year and determine how successful I can be at more long term goals.



One thing I should point out that I realized as I identified my goals and the things I wanted to accomplish this year...habits, faulty thinking patterns, negative self talk were going to have to change or be destroyed if I really want to reach my 2012 goals and get to the next level in my career and life. I realized I would need more structure to maximize my work day and productivity, I would have to change my circle of associates and friends, I would have to leave my past behind and destroy the negative things that have been holding me back. Saying all this to say, you will have to take the time and clear out the clutter, get not only your physical self in order but your thoughts, habits and beliefs as well. You know what doesn't work for you. So now that you know, do something different. All life is is trial and error.



Yesterday is over and tomorrow will worry about itself, stop and use now to set yourself up for better results in 2012 by dealing with and ridding yourself of those things, people, habits that are not going to get you to where you want to be in life, in love, in health, etc. Yes, it is a new day, a new month and a new year. However, if you drag old things into a new place you are going to continue to get the results you have always had and if those results really worked for you, you would most likely be in a better place in life already. Change your mind this year and open yourself up to a world of possibilities in all areas of your life! I am looking forward to having a lot to celebrate with you throughout this year!



What are you doing to set yourself up for success in 2012? Let me know your thoughts!



~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer an author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and pr consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages. Connect with her at www.cnsmithbooks.com or www.snc2ink.com.

Writing to Aid Those Suffering in Silence-Fundraiser

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Online Ticketing for Writing to Aid Those Suffering in Silence - Fundraiser
C. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer an author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and pr consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages. Connect with her at www.cnsmithbooks.com or www.snc2ink.com.

Quote of the Week- Henry Ford

"To see a thing clearly in the mind makes it begin to take form." -Henry Ford, Theosophist Magazine, 1930


Former NFL player Isaac Bruce spoke over the summer at a summit I attended in Chicago. He spoke about the importance of our "practicing seeing". We need to get back to a place of taking time out to daydream. Give ourselves permission to let our minds wander and see ourselves in light of our imaginations. Getting outside of where we are even if just for a moment. Remember when you used to sit in class and doodle on your folder as you daydreamed about the intricate details of a crush asking you out or how fabulous your life would be when you grew up and were successful? Our imaginations, abilities to fantasize and see beyond our current circumstances are being killed off by trashy reality television, stress, bills and the list goes on.



When we can't see ourselves where we want to be, who we want to be with, the lives we wish to have, there is no way we will ever get there. Close your eyes and imagine. This week take the time to "practice seeing." See yourself receiving that coveted award, see yourself on the red carpet, in the radio station doing an interview, on a popular morning talk show, wherever it is you are trying to go. Go there in your mind first. See yourself there. What do you have on? Are you nervous? Did you enjoy being there? I am learning how to let my mind wonder, I doodle on random pieces of paper and see where it takes me. I often come up with the best ideas, get answers to problems and am able to get refocused once I let my mind do what it does naturally, wonder. Seeing beyond where you are is imperative in reaching your goals in life. It helps you keep a perspective and prepares you for when you arrive. If you have seen yourself doing something over and over then it becomes second nature and there will be no need to be nervous or anxious. Who hopes for what he already has?



Let your mind shape the world you are going into as we look toward a new year of new hopes, new goals and infinite possibilities. Here is a great post on Visualization: http://lifebydesign.hubpages.com/hub/Visualization---I-cant-visualize--How-can-I-learn_1 for further reading.



How often do you give yourself permission to fantasize, let your mind wonder and get lost in your thoughts? Let me know your thoughts.



~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer an author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and pr consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages. Connect with her at www.cnsmithbooks.com or www.snc2ink.com.

Quote of the Week- Henry Ford

"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goals." -Henry Ford



What are you looking at? I have had to constantly ask myself this question over the course of the last few weeks. The answer has been; all the wrong things lately. I'm racing to complete tasks I have let pile up but that can't go undone and into the new year. As of late, I have allowed myself to get distracted by the insignificant. One "no", a disinterested blogger, no feedback from a book club, etc.



We by human nature are prone to the negative first and it takes four positives to negate one negative statement or experience. A rejection, an isolated  "not interested" or a single opt out of my newsletter, seemed as if I was allowing these small things to tip my scale way too much. As I have become aware of it, I realize I was losing focus on the bigger picture. Does one "no", one rejection, one opt out really matter in the grand scheme of things? Not in real life, when there have been a larger, more significant number of interested, excited clients and customers who have found value in my products and services. Is one bad comment or rejection going to matter when the numbers are in the thousands, hundreds of thousands and then the millions? Not so much.



Everyday I have to tune into my focus and make sure I am clear on where I am striving to get to and this helps me not become easily distracted by the obstacles which arise daily if not by the hour. As I mentioned last week as a writer, business owner and dreamer the road to success is not a sprint, it is a marathon and like any good runner, we have to keep our minds focused on the finish line ahead. Maintaining focus and having clear goals are essential in being successful and reaching the finish line. Maintain your focus this week and only give energy and attention to the things that truly matter in the end.



What are you looking at? How do you maintain your focus? Let me know your thoughts!



~C.C. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer an author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and pr consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages. Connect with her at www.cnsmithbooks.com or www.snc2ink.com.

Weekly Reflection- Perseverance

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1




What does it mean to persevere? To persevere means to persist in anything undertaken, maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles or discouragement, continue steadfastly. 




The road to success and achieving your goals beyond your wildest imagination is not a sprint, this here is a marathon. Pacing yourself, preparing in advance, constantly surrounding yourself with people who are able and willing to cheer you on as you go along are imperative to you not only finishing the race, but winning it! Set your own goals and put your blinders on so you don't get distracted by what others are doing and how they are progressing in comparison to you. We each have our own race to run. Focus solely on running your good race. Remind yourself there is no competition. You are unique and so are your gifts. No one else on earth is able to do what you can do like you can do it. You just have to start and once you begin, you have to persevere in spite of, staying focused on the end result and pushing past the pain. You are past the point of now return, know that giving up is no longer an option.




What are some methods you use to continue to persevere and keep going on your race to your destiny? Let me know your thoughts!




~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer an author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and pr consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages. Connect with her at www.cnsmithbooks.com or www.snc2ink.com.

KickStarter Project Launch

KickStarter Project Launch




Today is the official launch for the KickStarter campaign for my upcoming book; Letters To A Rapist, A Memoir. Click on the above link to view the book promo and video and to get more information on how you can be apart of such an awesome project! Help me spread the word by sharing the link on your Twitter, Facebook, Google + and LinkedIn pages. I have 35 days and counting to get the project fully funded! I can make it there with your help. ;-) Thank you so much in advance for believing in a dreamer. *blush* 




-C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer an author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and pr consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages. Connect with her at www.cnsmithbooks.com or www.snc2ink.com.

Quote of the Week- from Joe Zee

"If you get it all right on the first shot, where do you go from there." - Joe Zee




While almost every other fashion critic who viewed DW, Kanye West's new clothing line in Paris was negative and highly critical, Joe Zee opted to shed a brighter light on West's first attempt at breaking into the fashion business. Stressing he has time to get it right and make it better, something to work towards.




After reading this quote it made me reflect on how I was viewing my writing, my business, my marketing efforts for Lust-Have Recipes among a host of other things. Learning how to take constructive and even negative criticism is a must in business and as an artist. However, learning how to lighten up on ourselves and give ourselves room to grow is even more important. I am not sure about you, but I am definitely my own worst critic, I push myself very hard and if something turns out anything less than I anticipated I bring the hammer down. More recently though, I have taken a step back and am learning how to be more flexible with myself as I work to make my dreams come true. 




A lot of times outside circumstances play a big part in whether our efforts are successful. There is limited control we have over them and so giving ourselves permission to learn from mistakes, to do better next time and to not let our own criticism or that of others hinder us from trying again is a must. I encourage you this week to stay true to your goals and ambitions, but instead of being so hard on yourself if you fall short, encourage yourself instead. Remind yourself that this wasn't the only opportunity to get it right. You can learn from the mistakes and the more you try, the closer you are to perfection. Keep at it and since everyone else has an opinion about what it is that you do, how about you change yours to a positive one!




How are you viewing your mistakes? Are you devastated after something doesn't work out? What are your thoughts or tips at staying positive in spite of?




- C.NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer an author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and pr consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages. Connect with her at www.cnsmithbooks.com or www.snc2ink.com.

Quote of the Week- from Sheri Gaskins

"It doesn't matter how talented you are, if you can't motivate yourself to do what's necessary to succeed you will always fall short."  - Sheri Gaskins



Before I started pursuing my dreams as a writer and author I thought the mere fact of having talent as a writer and having an idea of the things I wanted to accomplish were enough. Then the light bulb clicked on and I realized I had to begin aggressively working towards it. Merely talking about it was getting me nowhere but frustrated. So I began to take action and put some work into it. So far so good I thought, this isn't hard at all, I can do this. Then resistance showed up and began to increase and as a result discouragement set in. I had to make the decision of whether or not to keep going and finish what I started or quit and go do something else. This is an uphill march and everyday I have to recommit.



Now I am getting a taste of what it really means to chase after and aggressively pursue your dreams. As I am blessed with each new day, I have to fight to keep the dream alive. I now personally know the meaning behind so many cliches we are quick to dismiss. The difference between the people who make it in life and are successful and everyone else is a hard work ethic, iron will and a fight to keep at it. To finish what they start and have the guts to continue to start and finish despite obstacles, doubt and emotions. Anyone can start something, however everyone does not have the ability to finish. If you are wondering why you are where you are, try looking back over your track record of how you finish.



Concentrate on motivating yourself daily this week, moving your emotions out of the way and committing to get your daily tasks completed. Set daily and weekly goals to accomplish. Each finished task moves you forward and closer toward your end goal. The first step is starting. However, get in the habit of finishing what you start and you will be much more fulfilled in life.



How does your finishing measure up? Do you think it is a direct result of where you are in life? Let me know your thoughts!



~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer an author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and pr consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages. Connect with her at www.cnsmithbooks.com or www.snc2ink.com.