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Lori Bruton

Author | Writer | Lifestyle Blogger |Speaker

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Hi, I'm Lori.
Author, Speaker, Coach, Ghostwriter

Eat the Dessert First: Start Living Life on Your Terms

August 8, 2022 by Lori Leave a Comment

Bread Pudding Dessert @drdepot photo by Lori Bruton

I agree with this Helen Keller quote, “Life is short and unpredictable. Eat the dessert first.”

In my book, The LORI Factor:  Live the Life You Were Born to Live, there is a chapter called, Lifestyle:  Start Living Life on Your Terms.

Are you living life on your terms?

I know I wasn’t, until I made different decisions. As a result, I stopped letting life happen to me. I stopped allowing other people’s opinions become my reality.

I remember when somebody mentioned something my mother said. I said I hadn’t talked to my mother that day. He said I meant your mother’s voice that’s in your head. Whoa! He was right. I loved my mother, but many words she said were not the truth. A phrase I kept hearing from her was, “You can’t do that,” and “Your sister would be the one to write a book.” Hearing that repeatedly programmed me to believe it.

Note:  Be careful who and what you believe, or you will be deceived.

Thankfully, I learned to tune into a higher voice of the One who taught me my voice matters and that I can do anything that I put my mind to, like writing books. Renewing my mind, changing, and upgrading my thoughts and words were the beginning of living life on my terms.

The Serenity Prayer says:  God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

It does take courage.

These powerful words made a big difference, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9 NLT

Focus on the things you can control. You can’t control the past. Be present. Get unstuck. Instead of resisting change, embrace it.

That doesn’t mean accepting everything being dictated around you. Stand up for what’s right. Unmask yourself. Let your voice be heard.

I used to feel invisible and was taught to be quiet and not to interrupt until I got a LARGER vision of myself beyond what people told me and beyond my circumstances. It’s time to speak up and let my voice be heard because you need to hear this message of hope, encouragement, and empowerment.

By the way, it’s not a coincidence that you are reading or hearing this right now. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Paint a picture in your mind of what your best life looks like. Hold that vision, write it down, and make it plain, as it says in the living Word of God in Habakkuk 2.

Keep it before your eyes.

When you can visualize the life you desire, it puts you in the driver’s seat. Visualization is a powerful tool. What do you love? Where are you? What are you doing? Who is with you? See it, hear it, taste it, smell it, and feel it.

Engage all your senses.

Be specific. Picture your dream vacation or dream car, for example. Soon your dreams become reality. Take action. I put myself in the driver’s seat on a boat recently. I have been writing more and getting articles published. I am a travel writer and am stepping into that lifestyle.

Driving Pontoon Boat
Drive the Boat

Start where you are. Take yourself places in your mind first. Do things in your own backyard that are local.

Explore. Take a road trip.

I live in the “gorges” Finger Lakes region where there are beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and parks. Watkins Glen is a must-see place. From Canandaigua to Ithaca NY, I got to experience accommodations, adventures, relaxation, and amazing food including:

Capt. Bill’s Dinner and Sunset Sightseeing Seneca Lake Cruise

Summit to Stream where I took out an ocean kayak on Seneca Lake

Keuka Watersports at Champlin Beach in a kayak on Keuka Lake

Bed & Breakfast at Oliver Phelps was the first B&B in Canandaigua

Rogues Harbor Inn is a lovely historical B&B near Cayuga Lake

Corner Pub at Rogues Harbor Inn has great food and service at the Inn

Ciao! Was had authentic Italian food with Tuscan flair and delicious dessert

Ithaca Massage Station was a relaxing, pampering experience

NaturLuxe & Stars is where I had my first glamping adventure in style

Jerlando’s Ristorante & Pizza Co. has salads, Italian food & more

Nickel Pit’s BBQ has tender, tasty barbeque with warm service

True Love where I swooned over the schooner and talked to the Captain

Come sail away on the True Love Schooner on Seneca Lake Watkins Glen NY
Sail True Love

I made a decision. I found a way no matter what my bank account or circumstances looked like. No matter to those trying to set me up to fail or making assumptions. No more putting my life on the back burner and taking care of everyone except myself.

Commit to your goals and dreams. Create your life by design. Writing, speaking, wealth, wellness, travel, and more are possible. Get on the road, on the plane, or on the boat to wherever you desire to go.

Tiramisu dessert at Ciao! Ithaca NY
Tiramisu at Ciao!

 

Eat the dessert first.

Can you see the person you are meant to be?  Take the Journey to Hope and Transformation (which I talk about in my first book).

Get my book, The LORI Factor:  Live the Life You Were Born to Live, for more ideas on how to live life on your terms.

Tell me the actions you took. The first action was you read this blog. Thank you and congratulations. What spoke to you the most?

Let’s celebrate each step together. Let me know how I can help. Choose life and live life to the fullest.

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: accommodations, adventure, author, B&B, bedandbreakfast, boats, books, camping, canandaigualake, captbillssenecalakecruses, cars, cayugalake, celebrate, change, choices, ciao, cornerpub, death, dessert, dinnercruise, drive, eat, empowerment, encouragement, explore, fingerlakes, flights, food, foodie, glamping, gorges, helenkeller, hikes, hope, inspiration, ithacany, jerlandos, journeytohopeandtransformation, lesbrown, life, lorisstories, lorisstoriesbythewater, love, message, naturluxeandstars, nickelpitsbbq, oliverphelps, parks, power, restaurants, roadtrip, roguesharborinn, sailboat, senecalake, speak, speaker, theglen, thelorifactor, transformation, travel, trip, vacation, vision, visualization, waterfalls, watkinsglenny, words, write

You Need Help but Don’t Know How to Be Helped: 7 Ways to Lighten Your Load

June 18, 2021 by Lori Leave a Comment

Need help?

I get it. You are doing everything yourself. You know you’re overwhelmed. You need help, but you may not think anyone else can do it all as good as you can.

You think you have all the control by keeping it all in your hands. You think every detail must be perfect every time.

What result are you getting by doing it all yourself? This is the picture I see. You strive to accomplish all your goals and build your business while you keep working your job, taking care of your home and family and more. It’s all too much. You are burned out and stressed out. You push yourself. You’re not eating right (if at all) and you’re hardly sleeping. You are running on empty.

Your life is so out of balance that all your plates are crashing to the floor. Have you ever seen the circus guy spinning all those plates?

Is that what you want your life to look like? What if I could provide a better way?

Let’s dive deeper into each of the 7 ways to lighten your load.

A Better Way
  1. Start with your mindset and perceptions.
  2. Know that perfection is an illusion.
  3. Holding onto control results in losing control.
  4. Make a decision.
  5. Make a list.
  6. Identify the type of people you need and get referrals.
  7. Hire a coach and/or a virtual assistant or whomever has the right skillset to fill your needs and lighten your load and bring your life into better balance.

 

1) Start with your mindset and perceptions.

We are our own worst critic. You recorded a video and end up holding onto to it or deleting it because it’s not “perfect” or whatever you perceive is perfect. Remember, it’s not about you, it’s who needs your help. You are robbing the people you could be helping by not sending that video, not writing that blog or book, not giving that speech, or not sharing your products and services. How do I know? I almost gave up on writing my books and thinking I wasn’t a good enough writer, speaker, coach, and teacher.

I kept going when I saw how my services and content were truly making a difference in many lives, even saving lives. Yours will too.

2) Know that perfection is an illusion.

What is perfection anyway? Most would agree it means without flaws or defects. Life in general has plenty of flaws and defects, especially we humans. It’s those flaws that show our authenticity. It lets people know you’re real and not afraid to take risks and make mistakes. Of course, you do all you can to make it your best. But when you strive for perfection, think about how much more time is being stolen from you. Embrace who you are, flaws and all. See how letting go of the illusion of perfection frees up your time, gives you peace, and brings amazing people into your life.

3) Holding onto control results in losing control.

When we hold onto control, we think we keep the power. Resistance is the enemy within. Resistance has power over us. It rears its ugly head whenever we set out to better ourselves and others. Especially with personal and entrepreneurial endeavors, resistance wants to win so that you don’t. It keeps you distracted. It wants you to give up. When you release control, watch how things will flow. You will breathe easier and feel more relaxed.

4) Make a decision.

You are no longer stuck in the illusion of perfection. Good job! You are releasing and no longer resisting. Excellent! Now it’s time to make a decision and give permission to allow others to help you. You are unique but that doesn’t mean other people can’t do work that will please you. Stay in your lane and let the ones who have the skills you don’t or the skills that are similar and will complement yours come alongside, lighten your load, and produce amazing results.

Make a List

5) Make a list.

Grab a pen and paper or your computer. Write down all the tasks and projects you are doing now. Include business and personal.

I know a colleague who brought in help to clean her house and care for her children while she worked on her business. That gave her focus and productivity, and she didn’t have to face a sink full of dishes. That’s a win if you ask me.

List what you are getting done and what needs to get done. List what you enjoy doing and what you don’t. Delegate what you don’t enjoy or don’t have the skillset to do. Make a wish list of the whole picture and what it looks like when everything is in place and running smoothly. Do what you do best and delegate the rest. Speakers speak and writers write.

What are the pieces someone else can do for you? Maybe it’s social media posting, blog writing, repurposing videos and audios to use as social media content. You may need email or calendar management or someone to make calls or do bookkeeping for you. What about technical needs, such as website and webinar support? For domestic needs consider a nanny or housekeeper.

6) Identify the type of people you need and get referrals.

You made a decision. You made a list. Look how much progress you made so far. Prioritize your immediate needs. Identify the type of people who can support you. Assistance comes in many forms personally and professionally. Ask around and get referrals.

7) Hire a coach and/or a virtual assistant or whomever has the right skillset to fill your needs and lighten your load and bring your life into better balance.

If you didn’t know what to put on your list, hire a coach to evaluate where you are, where you want to be, and help clarify how to get there. This may sound like it’s costing you more time and money. In the long run, it will save you time and money. Find a way to fund your immediate needs. The tasks you are not getting done, get help or be okay with those not getting done. Your revenue will grow. You will have overflow. Right now, it may seem daunting and overwhelming. There is a better way. One step at a time and readjust as needed.

Now that you know how to be helped, how can I lighten your load? Let’s have a conversation and discover what I can provide or who I can refer you to. Text “HELP” to my text only number: 844-394-4798 or go here: https://loribruton.com/contact/.

Here’s to your success, lighter load, more balance and living a life you love.

Lori Bruton
Author, Speaker,
Copywriter, VA

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: accomplish, balance, coach, complete, control, critic, decision, delegate, distractions, enemy, entrepreneur, goals, help, list, mindset, overwhelm, perfection, permission, power, productivity, referral, repurpose, resistance, results, skills, social media, speak, stuck, virtual assistant, workload, write

Be Fiercely Unstoppable

April 29, 2021 by Lori Leave a Comment

Greetings,

It’s time to be strong and courageous. No more waiting.

Zig Ziglar said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Can you relate?

How many of you have goals and dreams you want to achieve? I didn’t know speaking was one of mine. We all have a story to share. Let your voice be heard.

I decided to let my voice be heard. It may not be polished and perfected yet, but my message is authentic and vulnerable. May my message impact many lives.

What are you pursuing or holding back in doing? No more fear or self-doubt. Be fiercely unstoppable. People are waiting for you to step up and be heard, whatever that looks like for you. Dip your toe in and tune in to many amazing speakers. I am privileged to be one of them.

I invite you to join this community of like-minded people working to grow their businesses and sharing strategies and methods that work.

Are you an entrepreneur or want to be? You may be an author, speaker, coach, copywriter, branding expert, software developer, web designer, or personal chef. The point is that you’re the one who makes all of the decisions for your business. That can be a lot of pressure sometimes.

You still have time to virtually attend The Fiercely Unstoppable Entrepreneur Summit this weekend. I am speaking about The LORI Factor on May 1 at 9:15am EST. This event is hosted by Dr. Elizabeth Clamon.

It would be plum pleasing pleasure to have you there. Get your complimentary ticket here:  https://bit.ly/LoriSummitMay2

Much Love and Success to you,
Lori

Lori Bruton
Author, Speaker,
Copywriter

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: authentic, author, businessowner, coach, courage, dreams, elizabethclamon, encouragement, entrepreneur, faith, fear, fearless, fiercelyunstoppablesummit, goals, grow, hope, inspiration, love, message, motivation, personal development, personalgrowth, quotes, speak, speaker, story, strategies, thelorifactor, vision, voice, vulnerable, zig ziglar

Sleep Deprived perhaps?

October 26, 2020 by Lori Leave a Comment

Trouble sleeping?
Trouble Sleeping?

Here is what I know. Sleep affects everything! Especially since the pandemic and increased stress, sleep has been disrupted and interrupted in many cases. Is this true for you?

You know me as an author, writer, and speaker mainly. Why am I talking about sleep? Without wellness, which includes sound sleep, everything is affected personally and professionally. It throws off our life balance. I teach about how to have more balance in 7 key areas of life using the Oola framework. Getting quality sleep is essential and very Oola.

It will feel so good not being tired, right? I am sharing this Young Living blog with you. Rest assured that these valuable resources may be the answer to help you function better naturally. Make the decision to support your wellness. Love yourself. Take care of you. Feel better. Be better. Get started here.

Let me know if you want me to teach you more. I have virtual classes available. Message me or text my text only number: 844-394-4798.

Quiz: Tell us your bedtime routine for a sleepy time diffuser blend

 

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: answers, author, balance, blog, books, classes, coach, corona, covid, decisions, educate, essential oils, faith, feel better, guide, hope, love, oola, pandemic, read, resources, rest, sleep, sleep deprived, speak, speaker, stress, support, teacher, tired, tools, virtualassistant, wellness, write, young living

Breakthrough Call with Alec Stern

July 4, 2020 by Lori 17 Comments

How many of you need a breakthrough? It’s coming. Believe it.

What can you do to get there? OQP is essential. What is OQP? Les Brown said, “Surround yourself with OQP (Only Quality People).”

I want to talk to you today about the quality people I have met. Manny Lopez from Network of Influence has been a key connection. He is a master of connecting people and providing huge value. He knows how to serve his way to success. My connection with Manny has resulted in hearing influential speakers such as Les Brown, Forbes Riley, and Alec Stern.

The legendary Les Brown is an international motivational speaker and author. His new book just came out called:  You’ve Got To Be Hungry:  The Greatness Within To Win. Les has made a huge impact on my life.

Forbes Riley, Award-Winning TV host, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur. She is inspiring and helps people perfect their pitch.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Alec Stern recently. Alec has more than 25 years of experience as a founder, mentor, investor and hyper-growth agent for companies across various industries. He is an innovator with extensive expertise in growing and scaling companies, startup and operational growth, go-to-market strategy, strategic partnerships and more.

As a primary member of Constant Contact’s founding team Alec was one of the original 3 who started the company in an attic. Alec was with the company for 18 years from start-up, to IPO, to a $1.1 Billion-Dollar acquisition. Alec has also been a Co-Founder or founding team of several other successful startups including, VMark (IPO & acquisition), Reacher Grasper Cane, and MOST Cardio amongst others.

Performing hundreds of keynote addresses Worldwide, Alec has become known as America’s Startup Success Expert for his popular sessions at conferences like Secret Knock, CEO Space International, City Summit, Powerteam International, and Habitude Warrior. In 2019 Alec was the Keynote speaker at three out of the top five “Inc. Magazine Must Attend Conferences for Startups and Entrepreneurs in 2019.” While on tour, Alec has shared the stage with the likes of Tom Bilyeu, Jack Canfield, Les Brown, Kevin Harrington, and Mark Victor Hanson. Alec was selected to the Influence 100 Authority List by Influence Magazine which recognizes his contribution to helping and advancing startups and entrepreneurs worldwide. He has also recently been featured on the covers of several other magazines including “Small Business Trendsetters,” “Success Profiles” and “Business Innovators.”  Alec was honored with the “2020 City Gala Visionary Award” and the “Habitude Warrior Conference Global Awesome Visionary Award” for all his accomplishments as an entrepreneur as well as speaking before thousands of entrepreneurs and startups each year.

You can contact Alec here:  http://www.alecspeaks.com: 

This is a testimonial I wrote after the call with Alec:

Alec’s coaching and mentorship brings breakthrough and clarity by brainstorming ideas on how to position yourself, your message, and identifying action steps to success. I discovered that I am an Inspirational Thought Leader with a great message of hope and helping people find balance in an unbalanced world. Constant Contact with Alec Stern will launch you to new levels.

 – Lori Bruton, Author, Speaker, Coach & Freelance Writer

A big thank you to all these “Rock Stars” who have impacted my life. Who has influenced your life?

Let me impact your life. How? Grab a copy of my book. I am also available for writing services, speaking and workshops — text SPEAK to 844-394-4798 or message me.

Lori’s Stories are enriching lives and filling people with hope, love, and helping them find their purpose. Thank you for reading this blog. Leave a comment or message me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/loribrutonbiz

 

 

Filed Under: MY BLOG, Uncategorized Tagged With: alecstern, article, author, balance, believe, blog, books, breakthrough, business, connection, constantcontact, contentwriting, discovery, entrepreneur, faith, forbesriley, freelance, fulfillment, growth, hope, influence, inspiration, keynote, leader, lesbrown, loribruton, love, magazine, mannylopez, media, mentor, message, motivation, network, networkofinfluence, oola, OQP, podcast, purpose, quality, read, serve, speak, stage, storytelling, success, thoughtleader, value, virtual assistant, virtual services, write, youvegottobehungry

DID YOU GET BURNED?

June 18, 2020 by Lori Leave a Comment

It hurts, doesn’t it? The pain is real. Whether it was a physical burn, even a sunburn, it has lasting effects and takes time to heal.

Even if you didn’t take proper precautions or it was an accident, you still got scorched. You treat the wounds quickly, but each day reveals a different layer. Did you feel hot, get blisters, and experience peeling? It went deep inside, didn’t it?

What if you got burned in business? That hurts too. Maybe you don’t know how a project went so wrong when you thought it was a masterpiece that you poured your heart and extra time into. All the pieces finally came together, and you did your best to make it a masterpiece.

Communication and results went well before. Like staying in the sun too long, you felt fried. With every skin cell peeling off, it left you raw and exhausted. You wonder what you could have done differently? You question whether all this time was worth it when the goal is not only happy clients but receiving revenue. Instead you lost time, money, and your passion. Keep in mind, not every client is a good fit.

More bills go unpaid and you feel sick. You thought it was a solution, especially when revenue is essential. What if this type of work is not your calling or passion? Maybe it’s just a distraction even though you’ve successfully completed similar projects with excellence many times.

Let the layers fall off. Let the dead skin cells flake off (gross, sorry). You have new skin in the game. Play a different game. There is a new thing waiting for you. Discover what that is and jump in. Stop doing work just to please others or because you think it was your only skill and is familiar. No matter what your bank account looks like now, it will grow. You will be okay even if you don’t know how right now.

Don’t let yourself get burned. It will lead to burnout. If you have been feeling weary, it may be that you are not stepping into your greatness. Search your heart. Find your true passion. Get busy living instead of dying. The right people are waiting for you.

 

Message me on Facebook. Tell me your true passion and dream.

www.facebook.com/loribrutonbiz

Filed Under: MY BLOG, Uncategorized Tagged With: adventure, art, bills, burn, burnout, business, clients, communication, create, debt, dream, fail, humor, hurt, laugh, lesson, mission, music, oola, pain, passion, projects, purpose, quote, revenue, sail, sing, speak, style, sunburn, travel, write

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Hi, I'm Lori!

I'm a copywriter, blog writer, and ghostwriter, with a focus in the inspirational and travel niches. Need custom copy that motivates? Learn more about what I do!

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