Nothing to do but smile, smile, smile

A week from today Girls Night Out will be here! Details are wrapping up nicely. I have a ton of exhibitors and a whole party atmosphere planned. Someone's going to win a trip to St. Maarten and we're going to give the first 550 people a shot at winning $50,000! The fashion show has evolved tremendously and we were able to secure 2 major retailers (JJill & White House/Black market) to participate as well as a local independent store (Such A Deal Consignments). I've added an art gallery and wine tasting area which I think the ladies will enjoy. My especially spiritual room is booked solid with all kinds of readers (angel, astrology, tarot, palm) The relaxation station is ready to pamper with eyebrow waxing, facials, makeovers. The exhibitors are all excited as well. One thing I pride myself on is that I like to pass my passion for the event along to the vendors. The point is to be interactive with people. I like to refer to it as "shake hands and kiss babies". That's what its all about. You know the adage, you only have 1 chance to make a good first impression. Stand up, make eye contact with people, and for God's sake SMILE. which by the way is my topic for today.

Exactly what happened to the art of smiling anyway? I'm the weirdo who tries to smile at everyone - whether I know you or not. I'll hold the door open and smile. I'll let you pull out into traffic. Yep, I'll wave you through and smile as I'm doing it. Someone bags my groceries...I smile and say thank you. A smile is a foot in the door. A smile makes you stand out. Now, please, I'm suggesting you slap a big red nose on your face and sport a multi-colored wig and big shoes to become the "smiling life of the party" everywhere you go....there is such a thing as going overboard (lol) I'm saying that a simple smiles does so much. It brings happiness. It brings comfort. Have you ever had someone smile at you at just the right moment during a difficult situation...how did it make you feel? It's almost therapeutic. It instantly brings your tension level down a bit. A smile brings a vibe up a level and lowers negativity. Smiles connect us - for one brief moment - to someone else. They're contagious. Just like yawning. One person yawns and suddenly you have to yawn. It's the same deal with smiling. Unless you're the ultimate scrooge, I would have to assume that if someone smiles at you...you smile back.

Our culture needs to smile. In fact we need smiles so much that when I searched for song lyrics on one site there were over 12 pages of songs that had the word in its title. So come on, it's an easy...effortless thing (okay, some of you might find it a bit harder to get starter....but I know you can do it) Smile at people. It will feel weird at first. You might feel a bit out of your comfort zone. Let's all stop being so damn serious and self-protective. We humans need affection and interaction. You encounter dozens of opportunities each day. Some of you are saying "No I don't I sit in my office all day and don't see anyone" WRONG. You see people every day. Or should I say, people see you. Personalities ring through just as much through written communication - emails, facebook postings, websites, etc. as actual face to face. And if you spend most of your day on the phone, do you have any idea how important it is to have a "smile in your voice". You will receive the results of your smile immediately with the person on the other end. You'll hear "the wall break down" simply because you sound happy to be talking to them. Do you know that about 75% of all voicemail messages I receive begin with me hearing a smile in the voice from the person leaving the message followed by a compliment about my message. (have you ever received a compliment about your voicemail message?) People make it a point to say something to me...BECAUSE I SOUND HAPPY in my voicemail. What comes through about you in your message? Most people are serious. Serious & BORING that is. Because business is supposed to be serious. Nonsense. A big part of business is personality. Erase your message and re-record. Add a little personality to it. When you answer the phone...but a spring in your step, life is good! A person who can answer the phone with a smile is priceless to a business. You're selling yourself. Do you want to come across like a nudge or like someone who's good to be around and is upbeat and positive. Someone who likes what they do. If you like what you do, you must be good at what you do. Get it????

Can all this really happen because of a simple smile? YES IT CAN! It will become part of who you are. You're throwing something out there to others that's positive. Do you think people are drawn to the big "grump"NO WAY. People want to be near the person who's happy, upbeat and positive. I'm not asking you to become a cheerleader with a "rah rah" attitude. Even us happy people have limitations -- but that's simply living with the mindset of "everything in moderation".

Here's my "mom" portion of today's blog (hmm.....did just the word "mom" make you smile???) As you're getting dressed for your day don't leave the house without the most important part of your wardrobe, a smile. Turn that frown upside down. When you smile...the whole world smiles with you" You know the drill.

Put your money where your mouth is...with 1 great smile! It's free...its easy...it contagious...everyone has one. EVERYONE. So come one...say cheese!