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Dreams Change Nightly. Should Visions Change Daily?

Ask Auntie Paige, Get to No University, Grown Up Ganja, Hotel Photography, Hotel UGC, Living The Dream, User Generated Content, Vision Quest Hospitality Photography, Vision Quest Media

Your dreams change every night as you process new information and data. Shouldn’t your vision do the same?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Most people have no idea how to define their DREAM or articulate their VISION – much less create a plan to live the life they deserve. I created a framework called Get to No University to help you do that. I am testing myself to see if I can reverse engineer my framework as I pursue my own vision.

Why It Matters:

I want to be able to articulate my vision in a straightforward and concise way. I’m doing that through a repetitive process – a system that I created designed to help me understand and articulate my vision.

  1. Step One – What Is?
    I listen to my Morning Recalibration meditation on my Breethe app and ask myself a series of questions to determine “What is present in my life at this moment?”
  2. Step 2: What If?
    When the meditation asks, “If you could live the most aligned life in perfect harmony with the blueprint of your soul, what would that look like?” I stop the meditation, set the timer for 10 minutes, and write a stream of consciousness narrative of my dream.
  3. Step 3: What Now?
    When the timer stops, I copy and paste it into Chat GPT and enter the prompt – Write a summary of my vision for today with the three main points or ideas. Based on the summary, I decide on the number one next most important action step.

My Vision for Today – Curated Content Safari

The dream is to establish a successful content creation business that combines curated content safaris in Quincy and Nicaragua, retreats, and a 90-day coaching program, helping participants enhance their pitching and prospecting skills. Participants will have the opportunity to earn commission through sponsorships and user-generated content clients, while enjoying a memorable trip with various excursions and amenities.

  • The business model involves charging a flat fee for the retreat and coaching program, with the potential for participants to earn commission through sponsorships and user-generated content clients.
  • The program aims to establish partnerships with sponsors, tourism boards, and local businesses, creating a vested interest in the success of the retreats and coaching cohorts.
  • A system of accountability and support will be implemented, including daily question submissions, a notification system for quick answers, and rotating cohorts to ensure continuous growth.

Plans vs. Priorities

Based on my vision for yesterday, my next most important first step was to contact a hotel that I know is sourcing UGC creators. I “planned” to find their contact information and send an intro email. But that’s the problem with plans. The best laid plans lead to the biggest disappointments.

I did not complete my Number One Next Most Important Priority yesterday.

Not because I got lazy. Not because I got busy. But because something else popped up that was exponentially more important and more exciting and potentially more profitable in a life changing way. Life changing potential outranked long shot potential.

By setting my Vision for the day, I was able to evaluate whether the potentially game changing email that came in was a distraction or a redirection. I measured based on the VISION and my VALUES, not based on a rigid to do list.

Get to No University: A Framework to Define Your Dream and Pursue Your Vision

destination product photography

Do you have a framework for defining your Dream? Do you know how to clearly and concisely articulate your Vision? I created one and now I am going to test it out. I am going to pursue my vision out loud and be the first student of Get to No University. Let’s see what happens if I take my own advice!

By setting my Vision for the day, I was able to evaluate whether the potentially game changing email that came in was a distraction or a redirection. I measured based on the VISION and my VALUES, not based on a rigid to do list.

Do you have a framework for defining your Dream? Do you know how to clearly and concisely articulate your Vision? I created one and now I am going to test it out. I am going to pursue my vision out loud and be the first student of Get to No University.

Let’s see what happens if I take my own advice!

Mastering Smart Brevity with ChatGPT, the Key to Unlocking My Writing Potential

Ask Auntie Paige, Get to No University, Grown Up Ganja, Hotel Photography, Hotel UGC, Living The Dream, User Generated Content, Vision Quest Hospitality Photography, Vision Quest Media

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Here’s What I Think – I talk too much.

I know this. If you know me, you know this. If you are married to me, you REALLY know this.

And so my husband bought me the book Smart Brevity as a surprise because he knows I love Mike Allen and he knows I want to be a writer. Gutsy move for a husband to give his wife a book about the Power of Saying More with Less!

Why It Matters: Attention Spans are Short

In today’s fast-paced world, our attention spans have become shorter, and the ability to convey ideas succinctly has become a vital skill. It is an ability I do not currently possess.

As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, I’ve faced challenges in writing and speaking concisely, which has hindered my ability to communicate effectively in both my personal and professional life. I frequently feel the need to preface my communications with the words of Blaise Pascal, “I apologize for the length of this letter; I didn’t have time to write a short one”

I am practicing my writing on Medium by posting daily about whatever interests me and then selecting posts to publish on my blog. By using Medium as a platform to practice writing within the framework of “Smart Brevity” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz, I aim to hone my skills and make my ideas more accessible to a broader audience.

The Message: ChatGPT, a powerful AI language model, is my tool of choice to help me organize my thoughts into a consistent format.

By providing a custom prompt, I can effectively structure my writing while maintaining the essence of my message.

I created a prompt using ChatGPT where I can freely write what I want to say in as many words as it takes for me to convey my message. I then ask ChatGPT to organize MY writing and MY words into the format I desire and remove the fluff.

Here are the key aspects of using ChatGPT in this process:

  1. Personal Growth: By practicing the principles of Smart Brevity, I can improve not only my writing skills but also enhance my communication in other areas of life.
  2. Adapting to the Audience: As people increasingly prefer short-form content, mastering brevity enables me to connect with a wider audience and make my ideas more impactful.
  3. ChatGPT as a Writing Companion: The AI model provides valuable assistance in organizing and structuring my thoughts, ultimately helping me achieve my goal of writing more concisely while still maintaining my own voice and message.

My Final Thought: A Quest for Less

Embracing the power of Smart Brevity and utilizing ChatGPT as a writing companion can transform the way I communicate, allowing me to share my insights with the world more effectively.

Join me on this journey by following my progress here and on Medium, and let’s learn the art of saying more with less together.

Dear Nora,

I wanted to write to you today to talk about something that I think might be helpful for us in our daily life – the concept of smart brevity.

As someone who also struggles with processing language, I understand how frustrating it can be when our message gets lost in a sea of words. Sometimes, we feel like we need to use more words to make sure people understand what we’re trying to say, but that can actually have the opposite effect.

Smart brevity is all about saying more with less words. It’s about finding the most concise and impactful way to communicate our message, so that people can understand us better. This is especially important in today’s fast-paced world, where attention spans are getting shorter.

One way that I’ve been working on using less words to say more is through a book called “Smart Brevity” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz. They provide a framework for communicating effectively in a concise way, without losing the essence of our message.

But there’s another tool that I’ve been using to help you with this – it’s called ChatGPT. It’s an AI language model that can help me organize my thoughts and communicate more effectively. I created a custom prompt where I ask ChatGPT to decipher the messages you send me. I ask you to tell me your message in as many words as it takes for me to convey your message, and then ask ChatGPT to remove any fluff and restructure your words into a more concise format.

I think this concept of smart brevity could be really helpful for you, especially with your auditory processing disorder. It might take some practice and patience, but I believe that with time and effort, we can learn to communicate our message more effectively and clearly.

Remember, it’s not about how many words we use, it’s about making sure that our message is understood. I hope this helps, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to talk more about this.

With love,

Auntie Paige

Living the Dream: Writing a Book on Self-Discovery – Our Way

Hotel Photography, Hotel UGC, Living The Dream, Vision Quest Hospitality Photography, Vision Quest Media

Dear Nora,

As we embark on this journey of writing our “book”, I want to take a moment to explain why we are starting with a blog instead of diving right into a book. Our way of thinking isn’t linear, and we want to write the way we think. We’re only writing to each other, which means that if no one else follows along or understands, our definition of success is still met because the goal is to help us learn to communicate more effectively with each other and the people we love.

The beauty of writing a blog about writing our book is that it allows us to have daily conversations about the things we learn while chasing our dreams, even if we don’t know where those dreams will lead us. By focusing on the process of learning and self-discovery, rather than a specific end goal, we can grow and evolve in ways we never thought possible.

Our journey of self-discovery and personal identity so far has taught us that true success comes from embracing our differences and using them to our advantage. By opening ourselves up to the world and sharing our unique perspectives, we can make a profound impact on others.

The reason we are writing a blog about our process of writing our book is that our stories are not just for us, but for everyone who may benefit from hearing them. By sharing our journey of self-discovery, we can inspire others to embrace their unique qualities and find success in their own way. In doing so, we are not only expanding the impact of our personal growth but also contributing to a more inclusive and understanding world.

So let’s keep writing, keep discovering, and keep shining – together. Our stories matter, and by embracing our unique identities, we can make a real difference in the lives of others.

With love,

Auntie Paige

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Living the Dream: Writing a Book on Self-Discovery – Our Way

  • When it comes to pursuing success and achieving our dreams, there is no one-size-fits-all approach but there is a one size fits ME approach.
  • Each individual’s journey is unique, and it’s important to find what works best for us.
  • In dedicating to blog about the process of pursuing our dream of writing a book, Nora and I will be exploring OUR journey of writing a book on self-discovery and personal identity – in OUR own way.

Miscommunication and Dreams: When Aligned Minds Don’t Think Alike

When Nora and I started communicating with each other, we quickly realized that we were discovering new ways to express ourselves. We hoped that we would be able to learn from each other and share what we learn with others so that they too can benefit from our experiences. However, because of my imprecise use of words and my tendency to forget that Nora’s neurosparkle does not include an internal concept of time, I told her that we would write a “book.”

In truth, I have always wanted to examine and verbalize the framework I developed as an undiagnosed neurodivergent woman and share my story with the world. The title “Get to No University” has always been in my mind, but what it looks like in reality is still unclear to me. When I shared my dream of writing a “book” with Nora and asked her to write it with me, she immediately understood what I meant, but we quickly realized that we were talking about two different things.

The problem was that I was speaking of “book” in the conceptual sense, and Nora was thinking of it as a physical, finite object. This led to misunderstandings, as we were discussing two different sets of problems. However, we soon realized that the key was to focus on the process of writing and communicating with each other, rather than the end result of a “book.”

Writing a Blog About Writing a Book About Writing a Blog

As neurodivergent individuals, both Nora and I have brains that don’t process information in a linear way. This means that the traditional method of writing a book, which often involves initially organizing our thoughts, doesn’t work for us. Instead, we have found that writing a blog allows us to embrace our stream of consciousness style of problem-solving and deal with issues as they arise in our minds.

By writing a blog, we are able to naturally close the loops and answer our questions as they come up. This approach allows us to delve deeper into the topics we are exploring and to share our thoughts and insights in real-time with each other. We don’t need to worry about sticking to a strict outline or trying to fit our ideas into a preconceived structure. Instead, we can follow our natural thought processes and explore the topics that interest us.

Embracing a Stream of Consciousness Approach

Additionally, writing a blog allows us to receive feedback from our audience, whether that’s just each other or others who may be following along sometime in the future. This feedback can help us refine our ideas and gain new perspectives on the topics we are exploring. It’s a collaborative process that allows us to learn from each other and grow together.

How Neurodivergent Thinking Can Be Misunderstood

It’s easy to dismiss someone’s train of thought as a non sequitur, especially if their thought process doesn’t follow a linear path. However, just because we may not immediately understand how someone arrived at a certain conclusion doesn’t mean that it’s not a valid thought.

This was something that I learned when Nora and I started discussing the idea of writing a book together. The day after we discussed writing a “book” Nora asked me if I was finished which was challenge one. The following day she began a weeks-long obsession with questions about how many copies we were going to print and how we would distribute them. At first, it was frustrating to have to answer questions about shipping a book that was still a concept, but I soon realized that her questions were actually incredibly valid.

I had to learn that Nora and I have different ways of processing information, and that’s okay. Nora’s mind works in a way that is incredibly focused on results, and that means that she’s always looking ahead to the next step. Her questions about shipping and printing were not a non-sequitur, but rather a necessary step in the process of writing a successful book.

When Non Sequiturs Aren’t Actually Non Sequiturs

It turns out that Nora was right to ask the question about what happens if our book is successful.

To become a New York Times bestseller, a book must meet certain criteria, including being widely sold and having a significant impact on the cultural conversation. The New York Times uses a combination of data to determine its bestseller lists, including sales from a variety of retailers, such as independent bookstores and online retailers like Amazon. Kindle sales do count towards bestseller status, but the total number of Kindle sales is not released to the public.

Nora’s questions about shipping and printing were actually valid and something I needed to understand BEFORE the book was written. They were a reminder that, even though we were still in the early stages of planning, we needed to think ahead and consider all the possible contingencies. In her mind, we were writing a book that would be successful and people would want to read it, including those who would want physical copies. By considering the logistics of printing and shipping, we were able to get ahead of potential roadblocks and ensure that our book would be successful both in print and digital formats.

We don’t know if we will ever publish a #1 New York Times bestseller that has a significant impact on the cultural conversation but we know that what we are doing is helping us!

Embracing Neurodivergent Thought Processes in Collaborative Writing

Working with Nora on this writing project is teaching me a valuable lesson about embracing neurodivergent thought processes in collaborative writing. It’s easy to get frustrated when we don’t understand each other’s way of thinking or communicating, but that doesn’t mean that one way is better or more correct than the other. Instead, we should celebrate and embrace our differences, as they bring unique perspectives and strengths to the table.

I had to learn that Nora and I have different ways of processing information, and that’s okay. Nora’s mind works in a way that is incredibly focused on results, and that means that she’s always looking ahead to the next step. Her questions about shipping and printing were not a non-sequitur, but rather a necessary step in the process of writing a successful book. By working through her questions and concerns, we were able to identify potential challenges and create a plan that takes them into account.

This experience has taught me that we should trust each other’s thought process and be open to new and unconventional ideas. By doing so, we can expand our understanding of the world and discover new solutions to problems. Our neurodivergent thought processes may not always align with traditional thinking or frankly with each other’s particular neurosparkle, but they are still valid and valuable. In fact, they may be the key to unlocking new perspectives and approaches to writing and problem-solving.

As we continue on this writing journey together, I am excited to see how our different ways of thinking and communicating will shape our work and lead us to new discoveries. By embracing our own thought processes rather than trying to organize our thoughts, we can create something truly unique and impactful and let our message evolve naturally.

There’s No Such Thing as Starting Over: My Objective Experience with Optavia

Hotel Photography, Hotel UGC, Living The Dream, Vision Quest Hospitality Photography, Vision Quest Media

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Table of contents

Hi there! My name is Paige – otherwise known as Auntie Paige, and I am thrilled to be sharing my weight loss journey with you. In this blog post, I want to touch on three main points:

  1. I am not an Optavia coach and this is my genuine experience – I want to be upfront and honest about my intentions with this blog. I am not affiliated with Optavia in any way, and I am not being paid to promote their program. Instead, I simply want to share my personal experience with the program and document my journey for accountability and education.
  2. I lost 105 lbs on Optavia and maintained that loss within +/- 5 lbs for two years. I know the program works – Optavia has been a game-changer for me. With the support of the program and its community, I was able to lose over 100 lbs and keep it off for two years. However, like many people, I started to make excuses and ended up regaining 40 lbs. But I know that the program works, and I am excited to get back on track towards achieving my health and wellness goals.
  3. It’s easier to get back to somewhere you’ve already been than to go somewhere for the first time, so I am doing this blog to remind myself and to share my experiences. Partially for accountability and partially for education – starting Optavia may feel daunting, but I am motivated by the fact that I’ve been successful with the program in the past. By sharing my experiences and documenting my journey, I hope to not only keep myself accountable but also to educate and inspire others who may be struggling with their own weight loss journey.

In summary, I am excited to embark on this weight loss journey with Optavia and share my experiences with you along the way. With hard work, dedication, and the support of the Optavia community, I am confident that I can achieve my health and wellness goals and inspire others to do the same.

Almost There is a Shitty Place to Stay

My least favorite place to be is almost there so why is that the place I tend to stay? What is it that keeps me from reaching my goals and staying there?

There’s no such thing as Starting Over: Why weight loss is a continuum

Weight loss and health and fitness, in general, are not one-time events with a clear beginning and end. Rather, they are a continuum that we are constantly trying to find equilibrium on. We all have different lifestyles, preferences, and challenges, and we are all trying to figure out what works for us.

That’s why the real question is not “how do I start over?” but rather “what can I get away with?” In other words, what changes can I make that are sustainable and realistic for me, given my current circumstances?

As I start this blog series and recommit to reaching a healthy weight, I want to dive deeper into this idea of weight loss being a continuum, and why it’s important to understand that there’s no such thing as starting over. By recognizing that weight loss is a journey rather than a destination, we can approach our health and fitness goals with a more realistic and sustainable mindset.

So let’s explore this idea further and discover how we can find equilibrium on our own personal weight loss continuum.

What Works for Me May Not Work for You: My Optavia Experience

I want to preface this by saying that what worked for me may not work for you, and that’s okay. Everyone’s weight loss journey is unique, and it’s important to find a program or lifestyle that fits your needs and preferences. However, I wanted to share my personal experience with Optavia and why it has been a great fit for me.

First of all, I love the food and the schedule of the 5-1 program. The program allows me to have five fuelings throughout the day, and then I get to have one lean and green meal in the evening. This fits the way I like to eat and cook, as I prefer to have a structured schedule and stick to a routine.

Additionally, I appreciate the simplicity of the Optavia program. I do not like a lot of variety in my life – I have enough excitement running a business and living my life – so I want something that’s easy. With Optavia, I don’t have to worry about counting calories or macros. Instead, I can simply follow the program guidelines and trust that I am on the right track towards achieving my weight loss goals.

Of course, Optavia is not perfect, and there are certainly aspects of the program that may not work for everyone. For example, some people may find the cost of the program to be prohibitive, or they may prefer more flexibility in their eating schedule. That’s why it’s important to do your own research and find a program or lifestyle that aligns with your personal preferences and goals.

Returning to What Worked for Me and Documenting It This Time: My Objective Experience with Optavia

When I first did the Optavia program and lost over 100 lbs, I sporadically shared what I learned on a private Facebook group. However, I kept most of my experience private because I didn’t want to come across as pushy or salesy. I didn’t want to sound like I was trying to sell my friends and family on the program, even though I knew it had worked wonders for me.

However, now that I have regained some of the weight I lost, I realize the importance of documenting my journey this time around. I want to be objective and transparent about my experiences with Optavia, sharing both the successes and the challenges.

That’s why I want to emphasize again that I am not an Optavia coach. This is purely my objective experience with the program, and I want to share it for educational and accountability purposes. I believe that by documenting my journey, I can not only keep myself accountable but also provide insights and inspiration for others who may be struggling with their own weight loss journey.

So, as I return to what worked for me in the past and follow the Optavia program once again, I am excited to share my journey with you. I will be honest about the ups and downs, the successes and the setbacks, and I hope that my experience can provide valuable insights and encouragement for others who are on their own weight loss journey.

In conclusion, I am excited to document my objective experience with Optavia and share my journey with you. By returning to what worked for me in the past and approaching my weight loss journey with a sustainable and realistic mindset, I am confident that I can achieve my health and wellness goals once again.

My Objective Experience with Optavia: The Backstory

My dear friend Laura and I have been friends for over 30 years, and for most of that time, we have both struggled with our weight. We’ve tried every diet and weight loss program under the sun, but nothing ever seemed to stick.

So when Laura called me a few years ago to tell me about her latest diet – Optavia – I was skeptical. I had memories of friends trying to pawn Amway products on me and Facebook strangers friending me to try to sell me their latest multi-level marketing shake or supplement program. However, when she explained the program to me and how it had worked for her, I was intrigued.

At the time, I was at my heaviest weight ever and had just given the eulogy at my beloved great-nephew’s funeral. He died at almost 17 months old from a congenital heart defect, and it was a wake-up call for me. I realized that I had the opportunity to be healthy, and I wanted to honor his life by living mine to the fullest.

So I agreed to try Optavia. I was at a point where I didn’t care if I lost weight, but I was determined to be healthier. To my surprise, it worked – and it worked easily. I loved the food, felt satiated, and had more energy than I could imagine. The plan was easy to incorporate both at home and on the road, which was important to me as a busy entrepreneur.

Over the course of a year, I steadily lost weight until I reached my low of 146 lbs. It was the first time in my adult life that I had been at a healthy BMI for more than a short visit, and I felt amazing. I maintained that weight for two years, and I truly believed that I had finally found a sustainable approach to weight loss and health.

However, life happens, and I slowly started to regain some of the weight I had lost. It was frustrating, but I knew that I could return to what worked for me before and find my way back to a healthy weight. This time, I am documenting my experience to keep myself accountable and share my journey with others who may be struggling with their weight loss goals.

In conclusion, I know that Optavia works for me, and I am excited to return to the program and share my objective experience with others. By finding a sustainable and realistic approach to weight loss and health, we can all achieve our goals and live our best lives.

Captivate Customers with Authenticity: Elevate Your Seller Listings with 360-Degree Product Photography

Living The Dream, Product Photography, User Generated Content, Vision Quest Media

When Greg graduated from photography school in 1999, his first job was doing product photography for catalogs. Back in the olden days, brands relied heavily on paper catalogs to showcase their products. But as the world moved online, product photography evolved to meet the demands of e-commerce.

Fast forward to today, and product photography has come a long way, with innovative systems like Iconasys leading the charge with a cutting-edge 360-degree product photography system. That’s why when Greg saw the Iconasys system, he recognized that this innovative product photography solution was a perfect complement to the type of business we wanted to build.

Traditional vs. 360-Degree Product Photography

Product photography has become an essential component of e-commerce, and with the growing demand for online shopping, it has become more important than ever before. As a result, businesses are looking for innovative ways to showcase their products to their online customers. One such way is through 360-degree product photography, which provides a more immersive and interactive experience for customers. In this blog post, we will explore the process of creating 360-degree product photography and how it differs from traditional product photography.

Traditional Product Photography

Traditional product photography involves taking a single image of the product from a specific angle. The photographer needs to capture the product’s most important features and convey its look and feel to the customer via a static still image. The lighting, camera angle, and composition are essential in traditional product photography to showcase the product in the best possible way. However, it does not provide a complete view of the product, and customers can only see it from one angle.

360-Degree Product Photography

360-degree product photography, on the other hand, provides a complete view of the product from every angle. This type of photography is accomplished by taking a series of photographs of the product from different angles and then stitching them together to create a 360-degree view. This allows customers to see the product from all angles, including top, bottom, and sides, providing a more immersive and interactive experience.

The Process of Creating 360-Degree Product Photography

The process of creating 360-degree product photography involves several steps.

Step 1: Set Up

First, the product is placed on a turntable, which is rotated by a motor. The camera is then positioned at a fixed distance from the product and takes a series of photographs as the turntable rotates. The photographs are taken at equal intervals to ensure that every angle of the product is captured.

Step 2: Editing

Once the photographs are taken, they are then edited and stitched together using specialized software to create a 360-degree view of the product. The final result is a high-quality image that can be embedded on the website or used for marketing purposes.

Benefits of 360-Degree Product Photography

360-degree product photography provides several benefits over traditional product photography. Firstly, it provides customers with a more immersive and interactive experience, allowing them to see the product from every angle. This can help increase customer engagement and reduce the likelihood of returns or dissatisfaction due to incorrect expectations.

Additionally, 360-degree product photography can also help businesses stand out from their competitors. It provides a unique and innovative way to showcase products, which can help increase brand recognition and loyalty. It can also provide a competitive advantage in the crowded e-commerce space, where businesses are constantly looking for ways to differentiate themselves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 360-degree product photography is a powerful tool for businesses looking to showcase their products online. By providing customers with a complete view of the product, it can increase engagement, reduce returns, and help businesses stand out from their competitors. By adding more information about the process of creating 360-degree product photography and how it differs from traditional product photography, businesses can help potential clients understand the value of the service even more.

We are excited to offer this type of photography to the already robust catalog of approaches!

Writing to an Audience of One

Hotel Photography, Hotel UGC, Living The Dream, Vision Quest Hospitality Photography, Vision Quest Media

Introducing “Get to No University” – A Revolutionary Love Story

I am writing a book called “Get to No University – Using No and Why to Revolutionize the Status Quo”. There – I said it out loud.

As I wrote those words, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with anxiety. Get to No University is a title I have been carrying with me for years. It represents the framework through which I view the culmination of my life experiences, my journey with neurodivergence, and my unwavering belief that we can all make a difference in the world.

But for the longest time, I thought this book would be a self-help guide for others to follow in my footsteps. I soon realized that this was not the case. This book is not a how-to manual, but rather an epic love story. A love story that spans generations and embraces the power of saying “No” and asking “Why”.

The only person who I knew would truly understand the depth and complexity of this story is my beloved niece Nora. As I write this book and blog with her by my side, I am reminded of the importance of telling our stories authentically and with love.

Because if there is one thing I am good at, it’s storytelling. And if there is one thing Nora is good at, it’s love.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Nora: Defying Expectations and Embracing Unconditional Potential

As human beings, we are often categorized and labeled by society based on a certain set of norms and expectations. We are expected to follow a certain path, achieve certain milestones, and fit into a certain mold. Kids are measured based on arbitrary milestones and a standardized spectrum that may or may not tell a complete story of their abilities or capabilities.

However, what if I told you that there is a person in this world who defies all of these expectations? A person whose potential is so unconditional that it inspires those around her every single day.

When my beloved niece Nora was born, we all fell in love with her immediately and if you meet her, trust me you will too. Nora brings a light into this world that nobody can touch. She shines with a brilliance that is so uninhibited and unfettered by external expectations that it truly defies logic. There is no word for what makes her special, because she is simply one of a kind.

Nora was born with a one-of-a-kind genetic abnormality that created a unique combination of chromosomes, affecting the physical structure of her brain in a way that doctors had never seen before. While she shares similar traits with other neurodivergent people, including her Auntie Paige, her brain is truly unique and so is she.

This meant that there were no expectations or milestones for her development, leaving us as her family to learn FROM her and embrace her unique perspective on the world.

What Nora Can Teach Us About Embracing Our Unique Abilities and Overcoming Limitations

Can you imagine coming into a world where there is nothing but upside? Where everything you do amazes and shocks and thrills the people who love you? Can you imagine milestones being thrown out the window and you were only judged based on yourself? The only curve that your grade is based on is how well you’re doing compared to how well you were doing a minute ago.

Nora and Auntie Paige: Two Minds, One Heart, and an Epic Journey of Self-Discovery

As I write this book with Nora by my side, I’m reminded of the importance of asking why. It’s about questioning the status quo and not accepting things just because they’ve always been done that way. By asking why, we can challenge the norm and create change.

Together, Nora and I are exploring these concepts and how they can be applied to our own lives and the world at large. It’s a journey of self-discovery and transformation, and we invite you to join us around the cosmic bonfire as we learn how to revolutionize the status quo.

Underestimate Nora at Your Own Peril: The Surprising Insights of a Nonconformist Mind

Nora’s abilities may be uneven, but she constantly surprises us with her unexpected insights. One day, while I was texting my other niece about our plans for the week, Nora was watching my phone screen.

We knew that Nora had some ability to read and write on her own using voice-to-text or predictive typing on her phone or Kindle. But I didn’t realize that she also now had the ability to read and comprehend what I was writing.

As I was typing, Nora asked me when I was going to the lake. Trying to avoid her tagging along, I told her I wasn’t sure which was technically true because our plans weren’t firm yet.

To my surprise, she replied, “Why did you tell Liza Tillman that you were going to the lake on Wednesday?” It was then that I realized she had been reading my messages all along, and I had underestimated her yet again. This incident showed me that Nora sets her own milestones and is capable of more than we give her credit for.

The fact is, we are all one of one, with a specific combination of traits and preferences and gifts, quirks, and idiosyncrasies that make us who we are. Nora’s unique genetics have given her the ability to be completely and unapologetically herself, without the pressure of societal norms and expectations.

Most of us can’t understand that kind of unconditional potential because most of us are measured by what is considered “normal”.

In a world where conformity is often valued over individuality, Nora reminds us that being different is not only okay, but it is something to be celebrated. She inspires us to embrace our own individuality and to strive for unconditional potential.

Discovering Your Blueprint: Asking the Right Questions to Live an Aligned Life

But this book isn’t about Nora’s uniqueness or her genetic abnormality. It’s not about how I thrived in the world of business despite and because of my own neurodivergence.

In fact, It’s not about neurodivergence or any other label that society might put on us. It’s about revolutionizing the status quo and redefining success on our own terms.

We all have our own unique blueprint, our own set of strengths, weaknesses, and desires. This book and blog and my coaching practice are all about discovering that blueprint and living a life that aligns with it. And the key to discovering that blueprint is asking the right questions starting with WHY.

But the power of “no” is equally important. It’s about setting boundaries and not being afraid to say no when something doesn’t align with our values or goals. It’s about recognizing that we have agency over our own lives and can choose the path we want to take.

Revolutionizing the Status Quo: Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

We’re not here to change you. We’re not here to tell you how to live your life. In fact, we think you’re pretty amazing just the way you are. We’re here to teach you how to ask the right questions to live the most aligned life for the blueprint of your soul.

So join us on this epic love story as we share our journey of discovery, self-love, and revolution.