Relaunching SheMogul

Hey Ladies,

I know that I have not been posting lately. Don't worry, SheMogul isnt going anywhere. I will be relaunching the blog, and I will also have tons of great content for you to read. April 1st will be the day! Look out for SheMogul goodies.

Thanks for reading,

Shameka

It's never to late!!!

I stood at the barre watching myself in the mirror imagining that I could perform an effortless pirouette. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins. I was super excited to be a part of the beginners ballet class. I had been juggling the idea around in my head for years, then I was plagued by fear of being the only adult in a beginners ballet class. I could see the little girls in their tutu's laughing at me. Finally being able to afford the classes was definitely as issue.
Now it has all come together and every Thursday night I put on my pink ballet shoes and I stand in first position waiting on my instructor to show me how to do a correct Tendu. The amazing part about the whole experience is that the women in my class are all different shapes, sizes, and come from different back grounds. I thought I would stick out like a sore thumb but instead I blend right in with the women who are pursuing their interests.

I can't explain to you how good it feels to follow a dream. It makes life worth living! Now my question for you is what is your dream and why are you not following it? Is it because you have a full time job? Kids? Not enough money? What????? What is it that is holding you back? First you must figure that out before you can go on!

Shameka

Fairly Legal!!!!!

I recently had an unexpected surgery. My gallbladder had to be removed, it was rotten. Well that is what Dr. West told me. So I have spent the last fourteen days hold up either in the hospital or on my mom's couch afraid to move because my stomach muscles were beyond sore. So what else is a girl to do besides watch the tube all day.
 I got to catch up on all the shows that I have been missing due to work or school, and I found a new show to add to my weekly line up. My Thursday nights belong to Fairly Legal. It airs at 10 p.m. eastern time on USA.



The one hour drama aired on January 20 2011 on the USA network with 3.9 million viewers. The show is centered around Kate Reed ( Sarah Shahi) a lawyer turned mediator who is dealing with her recent fathers death. Her geeky assistant Leonardo Prince (Baron Vaughn) is often covering for her when her young step mother Lauren Reed ( they hate each other) is looking for her. Kate is often called to mediate called suddenly to mediate or finds herself in situations where she is acting as a mediator.

I fell in love with the first show after watching the first episode. Add it to your Thursday night line up and tell me what you think.

Spending Smart: Working a Spending plan!

I don't make a lot of money, but I do make enough to have what I want and save a little. I am sad to say I have neither what I want or do I have a little stash put aside. The worse part about the whole ordeal is I have no idea what I spend my money on. That's super sad, and I know I am not the only one in this predicament. Believe me I have tried budgeting , but it just is not my thing. Budgeting my money makes me feel itchy, hot, and confined. So what's a girl to do!

DEVELOP A SPENDING PLAN! A spending plan is the opposite of a stuffy budget. Instead of planning what your are not going to spend, with a spending plan you commit your money to things that matter most to you. A spending plan is a great way to reach big spending goals such as a trip to Africa or that a new car that has caught your eye. Or even the seed money for that little venture that's been stuck in your mind for the last couple of months.

Isn't that a budget? No. A budget is a  defeating plan where all your money is allotted somewhere. If you happen to spend to much money you have killed your budget.

Read up on budgeting and saving here, is a great article from the San Francisco Chronicle.

Creating a spending plan is not as hard or taxing as you may think. Here's how:
1. Identify your financial goals  ( ex. paying off debt, buying a home or car, saving etc.)
2. Calculate your monthly income, include all extra money.
3. Think about your spending goals while allocating money to various bills and debt.
4. Next, take any extra cash that is not allocated to something and put it into a category  ( ex. spending money, grocery,  savings, or a car fund). During this step you prioritize your money. Now you know where you want most of your money to go. And what is most important to you. If you get to this step and their is not enough money commit to the places that you would like such as money to put into saving, to go to your daughter's ballet classes etc. then it is time to get another job.

Going through these four steps will help see where your money is actually going opposed to where your would like it to go. Creating a spending plan if you stick to it will help you reach your financial goals.
Here's another good article.

I have created my spending plan, I see where my money is going , and now I have decided that I need to make a little more to reach my financial goals. Create your spending plan and let me know how it works for you!

SELF SABOTAGE?

 I was reading this interesting post on A Black Girls Guide to Weight Loss, a very inspiring weight loss blog focused on black women. The post was all about recognizing and defeating self sabotage. So I got to thinking, the wheels got to turning and churning. My question is what does self sabotage look like in money matters? Matters of the heart? The reaching of a seemingly unattainable goal?

Well it's the same as eating the brownie or donut when you made a commitment to a healthier life style. You have basically talked yourself out of the agreement you just made to yourself and back into the bad habits that keeps you stuck in misery. You want to pay down debt? Well, put any extra money that you have toward that debt until the debt is gone. Don't talk yourself into buying that new bag or pair of shoes. Trust me you wont die without them!

You have decided to find Mr. Right? Well whats keeping your from finding him? If your are sizing up every man that comes your way or comparing him to the one before him...that's sabotage! You haven't even given the brotha a chance. He's wrong before he could ever be right. Don't judge a book by his cover, take the time to get to know him first.

I have noticed that I have been constantly asking myself why I haven't reached my goal of seeing my name in the bylines of a magazine or on the covers of a newly released novel in Barnes and Nobles. Honestly I have been defeating my own self. I have been my own worst enemy. Every time I come up with a new idea for a novel I tell myself that I am not a good enough writer, the publishers are going to tell me no, my idea doesn't make sense or my favorite...it's been done before. And then six months later I wake up and say....I could have had a book published by now. And the story continues...

Ericka K. of A Black Girl Guide to Weight Loss  writes that we must do five things to combat Sabotage:

• Be accountable for what we choose
• Divert or avoid those things that defeat us
• Be conscious of our decisions
• Challenge ourselves
• And reforming our thinking!

So What next? Take some time out and write down what keeps your from reaching your goals. What things do you tell yourself? What have you uncovered about how you sabotage yourself. Share with us.


Shameka

Russell + Jet = A Richer Life Now!

Russell Simmons on the cover of Jet December 27/ Jan 3rd issue.



 I was browsing the isles at Publix when I saw Russell's smiling face on the cover of Jet. Hummm? My curiosity was piped just that quick. I'm a magazine fiend so any time a new issue hits the stands with a hot cover and informative, entertaining articles I have to buy it. Why? I don't know! I just have to. I guess it's a simple pleasure of mine.

As soon as I saw his face I had to see what Russell was telling us in Jet. Well I'm excited to say that Russell has blessed us with a new book, Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All. Published by Gotham books this book hit selves earlier this month. Critics have been raving over this book. Why?

Well Russell does not give us the coveted business secrets that make him a filthy rich, he shares the life lessons and secrets that make him filthy rich. If you are looking for a get rich guide to material wealth, this book  isn't for you. If your looking for the rare nuggets of inspiration that can help you keep taking that next step, see something in your life a little bit different I challenge you to pick it up.

It will definitely be on my book self soon!

Pick it up, Read it!

Shameka



SheMogul Defined!

What is SheMogul? It is forum, resource, or guide for women who have taken charge of life. It is for those who are inspired by the lives of people like Russell Simmons, Tyra Banks, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle and Barack Obama among others.

I started this blog because I am a woman who is a Mogul at heart. I may not have the millions to change lives but what I do have is the heart to change my life and the lives of those around me. So for all you women who are trying to become business women,  who are raising families and still consider themselves fierce. For those of you who are bigger than your small town, or who have visions so big they seem overwhelming, this is the place to find that confidence to take it the next level.

Here you will find pieces which appeal to your businesswoman sensibilities, your savvy ways, your need to have the best, and guide to changing the lives of others. I encourage you to join the convo! Live the life of a Mogul on a budget!

Enjoy,
Shameka