During the drive down to Florida, I listened to several podcasts. I was particularly stirred by the comments of …Brian Tracy……. discussing how to be more successful. Brian Tracy, a renowned motivational speaker and author, has provided numerous insights on success and personal development over the years. One of the points he spoke about is the Clarity of Goals. In the words of CHAT GPT “Tracy emphasizes the importance of setting clear, specific goals. He suggests that successful individuals have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and break down their goals into actionable steps. Clarity in goals helps in staying focused and motivated.” 
In thinking about that during my drive I had no distractions and could specifically see what I have as my goals. I do have two, one is to Grow Advanta Strategies, LLC to expand the concept and offerings. The second is to improve my watercolor paintings AND be juried into an art show. The sentence is simple but the actions to make these happen are much more complex. One of the suggestions is to tell people about your goals. Therefore, now you know. If interested, you can watch the ups and downs of achieving personal goals. I was energized hearing the podcast. I had bought a cassette tape and listened to it more than once in 1983 when I started The LRF Design Group. I was very successful in that business and retired from it. Although the message is always floating around, and I help others create specific goals and strategies. For me own life, I was a little careless. I’m reupping. More later
From Fearful to Fearless:
Every confident speaker once shook in their shoes.
How to Answer “Tricky” Questions
When you stay calm, clarify with repetition, and bridge back to your core ideas, you guide the dialogue rather than chase it. The result? You come across as thoughtful, credible, and persuasive exactly the qualities clients and colleagues remember.
Fear is a Signal
Fear is a signal - not a stop sign Even the most polished designer has felt that familiar flutter before stepping on stage or into a client presentation. Your palms sweat, your voice trembles, and your perfectly crafted ideas suddenly feel tangled. But...
Grammar Matters
In a world where your words represent your brand, grammar isn’t just about correctness it’s about credibility. You can have the best ideas in the room, but if your sentences stumble, people stop listening. When you speak (or write) with precision, you project professionalism, confidence, and attention to detail qualities every successful designer and business owner needs.
Think Fast, Speak Smart
When someone tosses a tough question your way, your brain might go blank before your mouth opens. That’s normal—but it’s not permanent. The trick is to pause with purpose, not panic. The repeat-pause-answer method lets you buy time...
Social Savvy
Elegant events aren’t just about the wine and the lighting they’re where lasting professional connections begin. With confidence, curiosity, and a graceful goodbye, you can turn any gala or awards night into an opportunity for genuine rapport.
Sweat Palms
Swap sweaty palms for confident handshakes.
Tell Me More
A few months ago, I watched a young designer at a networking event nervously circle the coffee station. She rehearsed “So, what do you do?” at least four times before finally approaching a woman from a major firm. Five minutes later, they were laughing...