Tag Archives: leader

Interview with Ryan Mohamed: consistently ranked as one of the Country’s Top Loan Officers year over year in Northborough, Massachusetts.

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Dan Manginelli: Ryan, when people search for the best loan officers near Northborough, Massachusetts, your name consistently comes up. What do you think has helped you become one of the country’s top-producing loan officers year after year?

Ryan Mohamed: I think it comes down to communication, consistency, and always putting clients first. My goal has always been to simplify the mortgage process and make the home financing experience easy to navigate from beginning to end. Buying a home can feel overwhelming, so my team and I focus heavily on education, responsiveness, and making sure clients feel comfortable and informed throughout the transaction.

Dan Manginelli: Many borrowers ask how to find highly rated mortgage professionals in Northborough. What should they look for?

Ryan Mohamed: Buyers should look for experience, strong customer reviews, communication skills, and a loan officer who stays involved throughout the process. A reliable mortgage professional should explain loan options clearly, answer questions quickly, and help clients feel confident with their financing decisions. Trust and transparency are critical in this business.

Dan Manginelli: Reviews for home loan officers in Northborough often mention customer service. Why is that such a focus for you?

Ryan Mohamed: Customer service is everything. I take pride in being available to clients from application to closing. My team works hard to keep borrowers updated, answer questions quickly, and make sure every step of the process moves smoothly. Whether someone is purchasing their first home or refinancing, we want the experience to feel simple and stress-free.

Dan Manginelli: People also compare mortgage brokers and lenders in Northborough, Massachusetts. What makes working with Rate different?

Ryan Mohamed: Through Rate, we’re able to offer competitive mortgage products, strong technology, and efficient processing systems while still providing highly personalized service. Buyers today want speed, communication, and convenience, and our systems help us deliver all three while keeping clients fully informed throughout the transaction.

Dan Manginelli: What advice would you give someone choosing a reliable loan officer in Northborough?

Ryan Mohamed: Buyers should ask about experience, loan options, responsiveness, and how the lender handles challenges when they arise. It’s also important to work with someone who takes time to educate clients instead of just quoting rates. Every borrower’s financial situation is different, so clients deserve a customized strategy that fits their goals.

Dan Manginelli: Many buyers are first-time homeowners. How do you help those clients specifically?

Ryan Mohamed: First-time buyers often need extra guidance and education, and that’s something we really focus on. We walk clients through the entire process step by step, explain loan programs clearly, and help them understand what to expect before, during, and after closing. The goal is to make sure they feel confident and prepared throughout the experience.

Dan Manginelli: Buyers also compare local mortgage rates and lenders near Northborough. What should they understand about rates?

Ryan Mohamed: Competitive rates matter, but service and execution matter just as much. Buyers need confidence that their lender can communicate effectively, solve problems quickly, and close on time. Our focus is providing both strong financing options and a smooth customer experience from beginning to end.

Dan Manginelli: Final thoughts for anyone searching for experienced home loan officers in Northborough, Massachusetts?

Ryan Mohamed: Buyers should work with someone who is accessible, experienced, and committed to making the process as easy as possible. Whether someone is purchasing a first home, refinancing, or investing, having the right mortgage professional can make a major difference in both the experience and the outcome.

Time Flies, Don’t It Baby…

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Time is going to go by. And what you do with the time you get is going to make all the difference.

Can you remember last month? You probably can. Can you remember July of 2006? You probably can. You probably remember graduating from high school.

(How funny was your hair?) Some of you even remember early childhood events. No matter what you remember (or forget), one thing we can all agree on: Time just keeps on moving. “Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future…”

No matter what you’ve checked off your list, no matter what you’ve done to try to make it stand still, time just keeps going by.

Now, when you started in business, think about what you expected of yourself. You were going to conquer the world. You were going to make a million dollars because you knew how to do it. Your mind was fixed, and you were determined. But as time passed, you began doubting yourself or even getting a bit too comfortable.

You got the “yeah buts.” I’ll do that, but…. I could try that, but…. But, but, but. I’ll do that tomorrow. I’ll make those calls tomorrow. I’ll do whatever it takes – tomorrow.

Now let me tell you about the best part about the nature of time: It goes by way too fast, but…You’ve got more coming. If you’re reading this, you are lucky. You got another day. You got all the time today has to offer, which is great! You got to wake up, love the people you love, do the things you can do and make the most of all today has to offer. Whatever went wrong yesterday, and no matter what could go wrong today, you still get another chance at it. For today, time is officially on your side. And you can take action today to make the most of it.

Now, if you don’t believe that, think about when you diet or when you work out. If you don’t work out, you get another chance tomorrow unless you do the “yeah but.” Yeah, but it’s cold in the morning; yeah, but I don’t have time at night. When you’re trying to eat healthy, each new day counts. Yesterday, you ate a whole pizza? Guess what. Today is a whole new day. You get to change, recommit, think outside the status quo and take action today.

Time is going to go by. It’s going to become tomorrow and next month and Christmas and New Year’s—for most of us. And what you do with the time you get is going to make all the difference.

Have Fun and Make Dreams Come True.

You can get more from Wake Up! at www.ManginelliGroup.com/Wakeup

Moses and His Mouth

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Confidence

Is there any better confidence boost than being chosen by God himself? You wouldn’t think so, but despite the fact that Moses was singled out to lead the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt and hand-picked to receive the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai, this father of the faith urged God to bestow the honor on someone else. The problem? Moses wasn’t confident speaking in front of large groups and was thought to have a speech impediment. It’s surprising, then, to learn that he’s mentioned more in the Bible’s New Testament than any other Old Testament figure. Sometimes others see our potential much more clearly than we do.

The Blueprint For Confidence

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It’s never too late to be who you might have been. ~ George ElliotThe Blueprint For Confidence

The Blue Print For Confidence

So much of what happens in our lives, the decisions we make that propel us down one path or the other, all comes down to confidence. Whether we have it or whether we project it.

Confidence – meaning “assurance, poise, self belief – is the fuel that allows us to fly, the lack of which keeps us grounded. Confidence attracts confidence and gets us to try new things, even things seemingly beyond our reach. New jobs, daring adventure, that new relationship you thought was out of your reach. It makes or breaks us, in terms of success.

So, the question is: How do you get confidence?

Your attitude is a choice in building it, but there are some sure-fire ways to start building more confidence in your life.

One: Set yourself up for success by choosing to feel good about yourself.

Now, that seems simple enough, but think of it this way: Have you ever lost a little weight and it seemed like every time you turned around, someone was saying, “You look great. Oh my gosh! What is it about you? Did you get a haircut? You look phenomenal.”You felt good about yourself that day. And you probably felt empowered and more accomplished at work that day, too.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of wearing something you feel good in. That pair of jeans or a shirt that people always compliment. Your power suit. That great pair of shoes. When you feel like that, you have an extra boost of confidence to attempt bigger, better things. Nothing’s going to stop you, and you can do anything. That’s how you want to feel about yourself every day.

Two: Repeat after me: knowledge is confidence.

The more you know, the more confident you feel to talk about it. So that’s an easy one, right? There is no reason why you shouldn’t be learning every single day. It’s a win-win: a confidence builder that keeps on giving and giving.

Whether you’re in real estate, shoes or automotive sales – or whatever you do for a living – you can separate yourself from the pack by knowing more about your product, your market, your competition, etc., than anyone else in your company. It’s that knowledge that gives you confidence.

So, tonight, instead of watching 30 minutes of TV, make it 30 minutes to success. Devote 30 minutes to researching new information about your trade, and see how well that information serves you the next day.

Prepare and project.

But it’s not just about building your own confidence, also important is the way you express yourself, handle yourself. The way you project confidence. It’s in the way you carry yourself. It’s in the tone of your voice, the way you approach sharing the knowledge and passion you have for your work.

There are a lot of people that just ‘wing it.’ The presentation, the sales pitch, they just flat out ask for whatever it is they want.

Believe me, you can always tell when someone is winging it; they are just talking about what they know, instead of what the other person really wants to know.

Preparation builds confidence. Think back to when you prepared for a test at school. You studied by yourself and with others, and you felt like you knew it all. The day of the test, you knew in your mind that you were prepared. You knew the answers. Now think of the time you didn’t prepare for the test. You ‘winged it.’ You had very little confidence that you would pass, in fact you had such anxiety that you made yourself feel sick-sick enough to stay home from school.

Confidence isn’t rocket science. It’s a simple of matter of doing all you can to be the best you can be. And the great news is: You can do it now. You can fix it now. Whatever it takes to boost your confidence, make it up to yourself. Wear or buy more of that thing you wear that makes you feel sharp, professional, stylish and smart. Look the part of the successful person you are. Spend time everyday learning as much as you can about what you do. Empower yourself to succeed by digging for knowledge that sets you apart from the pack.

Confidence may not be something you’re born with, but you can grow it with a little effort.

YOUR BEST… ON PAPER
What do you have right now, this very day, to be confident about?

Write it down.

What skills or attributes are you most proud of and how do they help you in business and in life?

The 4 Things People Want From A Leader

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Business Executives Running in a Race

“You can have everything in life that you want if you just give enough other people what they want.” Zig Ziglar

It’s no secret the world is in a protracted economic crisis caused by many different and competing factors–and it may be awhile before recovery really takes hold. It’s enough to make people lose faith in just about anything. But Rob Goffee, author, Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School and former Director of Human Resources for the BBC, argues that if we lose faith in our leaders, we stand to lose everything. Great businesses, he insists, led by great people will bring our current difficulties to an end.

The very definition of leadership, according to Goffee, is the ability to excite people to exceptional performance. What’s more, people want exceptional performance everywhere–our schools, our hospitals, our local businesses, even our sports teams! Goffee and his students asked over 1,000 people what they wanted from leaders in these tough times and they arrived at four things, listed here in order of importance:

Community. People want to belong to something. Being part of a team is highly motivating.

Authenticity. People want to be led by a real person they can trust. We know instinctively when leaders are only in it for themselves. Performance is always the first thing to suffer and if demoralization sets in, there may be dire consequences to the entire organization.

Significance. People want to be recognized for their part in the contribution to the whole. We want to have meaning but, again, not just bring home a paycheck. Individual recognition is one of the most critical functions a leader must fulfill regularly.

Excitement. Leaders, from local business owners to CEO’s, have the ability to transform organizations and enrich lives. If leaders are not excited about what they are doing, you can be sure the employees are dragging quietly behind them.

Effective leadership is an authentic, skillful role performance. It requires lots of action, and it’s always difficult, but it’s always worth it. Try it with those who follow you and share these tips with your clients and colleagues!

Try Something New

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When was the last time you really tried something new?

new

When was the last time you tried a new restaurant, a new route home, a new vacation stop? I guess what I am really asking is, when was the last time you were out of your comfort zone?

As years go on and on and we get older, we get in such a routine that we get stuck and resist anything  new or different. When you were young you were all about new things; new roller coasters, new faster water slides, new places and new people but somewhere along the ride of life you stopped the desire to change. More than that you don’t want to get out of what you know is comfortable. I challenge you this week to make yourself focus on the new (change). Drive a different way home, change your radio stations in your car, go to a restaurant you have never been. If you really want to break out of your rut , make some calls to new prospects (lead generate) today. Remember when you first got in the business, you made the calls, you went on appointments, your days were filled with new and exciting adventures.. Then, somewhere in your path to success, you lost that drive and zeal. Now it’s time to take your life back and get out of that box that is closing in on you year after year. Embrace the change, see change as a growth pattern of your life and start having fun again! If you take this challenge, you really will start to see a new you and get that smile back!

Moving Forward

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We’re moving through February and I am still on a quest to figure out what it will take to make you all want more. It all comes back to a quote from Napoleon Hill in his book, Think and Grow Rich, “No man will be willing to make a change until he is ready.” So I am changing my quest to figure out when will YOU be ready?

Game of Chess

A lot of us are taking action but some of the action is just to say we are doing it and not really putting in the maximum effort to accomplish what it is we need. So it made me think, not just about getting sales but about life. I feel “it’s not what you do in life, it’s how you do it!” You can go to a gym and be there for an hour but if you just walk around and talk, that’s not working out. Think about your time at the office, you can be there for 10 hours a day but with no new phone calls or any action that is lead generating, how do you expect to get new business?

Here is your focus for this week. If you are going to do it, do it great! Don’t just show up, don’t just do it half asked. If you’re going to be in the game, play your hardest! Think about your time that you spend this week at the office and as you are sitting there, ask yourself, “am I doing the most productive thing at this moment?” If the answer is no, time to start doing it great! Make this week count!

It’s All In Your Head

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When I try to think ‘big picture’ about what makes people successful in business or in life, the first and most obvious part of the ‘big picture’ to me is this: It’s all in your head!

Meaning, it’s what’s in your head that sabotages you. Our minds are powerful tools that can be used to both imprison and free us.To be successful,we have to be mentally strong enough to respond to whatever happens in a positive, pro-active way.

Mental toughness is a process. It just doesn’t happen overnight. It’s like any kind of strength training. You start out slowly, with smaller weights. You learn to pick and choose the options that work best for you, where you are.

When something terrible or unexpected happens, youmay be prone to thinking, “You know, that’s just my luck. Stuff like this always happens to me.”
Or, even when things are rolling along smoothly, you may be one of those worriers—that personwho always assumes theworstwill happen in any given situation.

Self-image is a tough thing for all of us. We all have our own insecurities, our own sense of inadequacy, even failure. And if you really just want to try to hold on to what you have, that negative self-image will always speak louder in your head than anything else. People with half your ability will accomplish more in life only because they believe better things about themselves. Their perception makes for a more successful reality.

The beginning of mental conditioning is training yourself to recognize and acknowledge the strengths you already have. Everyone says, ‘If I could just live up to my potential,’ but to be honest, I don’t buy that.We’re always looking for abilities we wish we had, rather than recognizing the gifts and skills we already have.

Why do you suppose that is?

Everybody’s afraid of what others think.When you close your eyes, that person is in your head, saying what you think they think about you (and it’s never good).We’re always afraid that someone’s going to pull the curtain back and find out we don’t know asmuch as we think we know.That somehow we’re not as accomplished, smart or successful as they are.

Even when all the talent and know-how and drive and determination is already there to succeed, just a whiff of fear will kill it before it even begins.

That’s why it’s essential to ‘retrain’ your mind to work FOR you, not against you. Train it to take the time to gain perspective, to respond, not to react.To think: ‘What are my options here?’

Whatever the situation—whether it’s personal relationship trouble or challenges in business—you always have options. Mentally, you lay it all out: What do I really want to do? What is the best way to respond to get what I want?What will be the best scenario short-term? Long term?

Each option comes with a given consequence, so you train yourself to think through those as well. Some of the consequences automatically rule out the option.

Once you narrow down the options, keeping ‘mind over matter’ means you learn to play to your best strength and go with the option you know you’ll be best at, the response that will work best for you.

If you see yourself as a person who already has the talent and skill and drive and determination to get things done…If underneath all that is a fundamental belief that you deserve to succeed in everything you work hard at…

How and where and who you envision yourself to be is how and where and who you are…and will be.

Always…
be willing to try…
be actively learning…
lead by example…
believe you add value to whatever you do…
be open…
be contagious…
Is this you? If not, begin each day retraining yourself to think, speak and act in affirming, intentional and positive ways. To change your perspective is to change your life.

The Value of “Thank You”

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There are certain times of the year when thankfulness seems more plentiful. Thanksgiving Day is a natural time to pause and count our blessings, while the Christmas holiday is a natural time to be thankful for the family, friends and celebrations that add meaning to our lives.

The rest of the year, most of us don’t say ‘thank you’ nearly enough.

I know the importance of those two little words, though. That’s why I make sure to say ‘thank you’ to all those who help me do what I do:

• Thank you for working alongside me.

• Thank you for your loyalty and belief in me.

• Thank you for your strength to get through the frustration and the tears.

• Thank you for your drive to work hard and be the best you can be.

• Thank you for your part in helping us grow by leaps and bounds.

Taking time out to let those around you know they are appreciated, that the work they do is noticed and valued, goes a long way. It can turn a promising newcomer into a top producer. It can make a committed team member really shine. It can make the people around you not just willing but eager to help you look your best.

Do you want to reach the top? Don’t forget to say ‘thank you’ along the way to those who are helping you achieve that goal.

Who can you thank today and for what? Don’t wait. Do it now.

Change Your Perception, Change Your Life

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We’ve all heard it said that ‘perception is reality,’ but have you thought about the fact that a lot of the adversity we face in our lives is rooted in our perception?

So, what is perception? Perception, defined, is ‘the process of using the senses to acquire information about the surrounding environment or situation.’ It is also an impression, an attitude or understanding based on what is observed through your thoughts.

So, what is your perception of your career, your life, your finances? Is your perception part of the problem or part of the solution?

If your perception of the economy right now and anything that is happening in the world is that it’s all on the skids and that buying and investing in anything at this time is ludicrous, that is your reality. There is nothing I could say, no evidence I could present to change your perception or the resulting reality.

Now, 80 percent of Americans worry about things that never happen. But every now and then, out of all of those hundreds of things we worry about, one actually happens, confirming the perception that what you worry about will happen. But a vast majority of the time, we worry about things that never come to be.

That worry spills over to the people in our lives, creating perceptions in others that may or may not be reality based. Negativity breeds negativity. Hopefulness breeds hopefulness.

The other day, I was out with my children, riding bikes, when we came across one of our neighbor’s sons. This was the conversation that took place between the two boys:

“Hey! Did you get a new bike?” the five-year old neighbor kid asked.

“Yes,” answered my son, enthusiastically.

“I wanted a new bike, but I couldn’t get one because of the enonomy.”

The ‘enonomy’? How could a five-year-old kid know about the economic impact on his desire for a new bike? Somewhere in his house, his parent’s perception of the economy trickled down to him.

Think about this: In the past eight hours, what have you communicated about your life, about your career? Whatever industry you’re in—whatever role you’re filling at present—what kind of perception are you operating under? Are you approaching what you do with a positive outlook? Are you focusing on the problem or on the solution? And how do you relate your perception to others?

Times are tough. Challenges are part of the journey. But if you change your perception, it will change the reality of your life.

What’s holding you back?

Charles Schwab is dyslexic, but that didn’t stop him from achieving success in the business world through the investment firm that bears his name. The 55th richest person in the U.S. according to the 2008 Forbes 400 list, Schwab started a foundation that provides support, encouragement and resources for families impacted by learning disabilities.

Changes to Underwater Refinance Plan Going Into Effect

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On October 24, 2011, President Obama announced plans to open up refinancing to more homeowners who are underwater. This proposal was a revision to the previous Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and is now known as HARP 2.0.

Some of the major changes under HARP 2.0 include:

No underwater limits: Previously, borrowers whose loan-to-value limits were greater than 125 percent were ineligible to refinance. Now, borrowers can refinance no matter how far their homes have fallen in value.

Appraisals may be eliminated and underwriting relaxed for most borrowers: Being able to use this program may save time and money, and remove some of the anxiety from the refinancing process.

Deadline extended: Borrowers now have until December 31, 2013 to get refinanced under HARP 2.0.

These changes will be put into effect by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac the week of March 19, 2012.

It’s also important to note that the HARP 2.0 Program is for loans that were secured by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac prior to June 1, 2009.Currently, loans obtained after this date are not eligible for this program. You can determine whether your mortgage is owned by either Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae by checking the following websites:

Give me a call or send me an email if you want to learn more about these changes. I’m always happy to answer any questions you may have!


Mind Over Matter

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mindmatter

 

Before Disney was ‘Disney’

Walt Disney is remembered as one of the most successful film producers, directors, animators and entrepreneurs of all time. More than 40 years after his death, The Walt Disney Company owns, among other assets, five vacation resorts, 11 theme parks, two water parks, 39 hotels, eight movie studios, six record labels and 11 cable TV networks. In 2007, the company had an annual revenue of more than $35 billion annually. But not everyone believed in the future Academy Award winner. Walt Disney was once fired from a newspaper job because he ‘lacked imagination and had no original ideas.’
[Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com]

When I try to think ‘big picture’ about what makes people successful in business or in life, the first and most obvious part of the ‘big picture’ to me is this: It’s all in your head!

Meaning, it’s what’s in your head that sabotages you.Ourminds are powerful tools that can be used to both imprison and free us.To be successful,we have to be mentally strong enough to respond to whatever happens in a positive, pro-active way.

Mental toughness is a process. It just doesn’t happen overnight. It’s like any kind of strength training. You start out slowly, with smaller weights. You learn to pick and choose the options that work best for you, where you are.

When something terrible or unexpected happens, you may be prone to thinking, “You know, that’s just my luck. Stuff like this always happens to me.”

Or, even when things are rolling along smoothly, you may be one of those worriers—that personwho always assumes   happen in any given situation.

Self-image is a tough thing for all of us. We all have our own insecurities, our own sense of inadequacy, even failure. And if you really just want to try to hold on to what you have, that negative self-image will always speak louder in your head than anything else. People with half your ability will accomplish more in life only because they believe better things about themselves. Their perception makes for a more successful reality.

The beginning of mental conditioning is training yourself to recognize and acknowledge the strengths you already have. Everyone says, ‘If I could just live up to my potential,’ but to be honest, I don’t buy that.We’re always looking for abilities we wish we had, rather than recognizing the gifts and skills we already have.

Why do you suppose that is?

Everybody’s afraid of what others think.When you close your eyes, that person is in your head, saying what you think they think about you (and it’s never good). We’re always afraid that someone’s going to pull the curtain back and find out we don’t know as much as we think we know. That somehow we’re not as accomplished, smart or successful as they are.

Even when all the talent and know-how and drive and determination is already there to succeed, just a whiff of fear will kill it before it even begins.

That’s why it’s essential to ‘retrain’ your mind to work FOR you, not against you. Train it to take the time to gain perspective, to respond, not to react. To think: ‘What are my options here?’

Whatever the situation—whether it’s personal relationship trouble or challenges in business—you always have options.

Mentally, you lay it all out: What do I really want to do? What is the best way to respond to get what I want?What will be the best scenario short-term? Long term?

Each option comes with a given consequence, so you train yourself to think through those as well. Some of the consequences automatically rule out the option.

Once you narrow down the options, keeping ‘mind over matter’ means you learn to play to your best strength and go with the option you know you’ll be best at, the response that will work best for you.

If you see yourself as a person who already has the talent and skill and drive and determination to get things done…If underneath all that is a fundamental belief that you deserve to succeed in everything you work hard at…How and where and who you envision yourself to be is how and where and who you are…and will be.

Always…
be willing to try…
be actively learning…
lead by example…
believe you add value to whatever you do…
be open…
be contagious…

Is this you? If not, begin each day retraining yourself to think, speak and act in affirming, intentional and positive ways. To change your perspective is to change your life.

Smile Thieves

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People become what they think of themselves, good and bad.

It may sound strange to say so, but I want to talk about thieves. Not the bandit, shoplifter or pickpocket type, but the kind I like to call ‘smile thieves.’ We all know these people: You wake up happy and ready to conquer the day. You feel great, you look great. Then the smile thief appears and ruins your day with a comment like, ‘Isn’t that dress a little tight?’ or ‘What happened to your hair?’ These people rob you of your smile daily. They steal your confidence, your happiness and your zest for life on a regular basis.

Never give anyone the ability to change your day or mood. Challenges will come into your daily life and you will have to face them, but that’s different from willingly letting smile thieves wreak havoc. Often, these people are jealous of the happiness of others so they search for negatives in people like there is a reward for it.

People become what they think of themselves, good and bad. If you think of yourself as a beautiful, hard­working, successful individual and truly believe it, it will happen. If you see yourself as always struggling, living paycheck to paycheck, just getting by, that is what you will become.

You would never allow someone to reach in your pocket and steal money out of it, so why would you allow anyone to steal what is more important than money: your confidence. You have the power to make life great. If someone tries to change that with a negative comment, call them out on being a ‘smile thief.’

Whatever you do, don’t ever let anyone steal your smile.

5 or 53… It’s Easy

A smile is the most common facial expression and you can do it with as few as five pairs of facial muscles or as many as 53 (not surprisingly, it takes more effort to frown). Smiling also releases endorphins that make us feel better.

Write five affirmations that you can use each day to keep your confidence at an all time high.