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Alaa Hassan

The Most Passionate eCommerce Coach & Advisor

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You Gotta Read The Book “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk

September 27, 2014 by alaahassan

Crush it by Gary Vaynerchuk

Everyone has something that they’re passionate about. They wish they could do all day and night without having to worry about money. And, while those people are wishing, other people are doing. Gary Vaynerchuk is one of those people. In his book, “CRUSH IT! Why NOW is The Time to Cash in on Your Passion,” Gary talks about how he turned his own passion for wine into a lucrative career and illustrates how you can harness the power of the Internet to turn your own interests into a career. Or at least, that’s what the dust cover says. And that all sounds dandy, but does the book deliver on its promise? Find out in this “Cash in on Your Passion Book Review.

If you’ve ever watched any of Gary’s videos or heard him speak live, you know that he’s a passionate person. His energy and intensity is glaringly obvious within the first few moments that he has your attention. That’s probably why he’s so popular. You want to keep listening. Well, I’m happy to say that the same level of intensity applies to his written words. Translation: the book is a real page-turner. Honestly, I’m glad I had the opportunity to review the book.

It’s no secret that there are some books about success that were written by some questionable people. Either they haven’t truly achieved success themselves or they seem to stumble upon it accidentally. Gary’s rise to fame in the blogosphere and business world is evidence that he is not one of those authors. He truly has what it takes to be successful and inspire others to do the same. 

This book will inspire you to do great things in your life, but you have to be strong-willed enough to follow through on the steps Gary outlines for you. Actually, those steps are one thing that help this book stand apart from others in the same category. Many self-help books provide great information but fall short when it’s time to present actionable items.  

In another “Cash in on Your Passion” book review, the reviewer is a little harsh about Vanyerchuck’s topic selection. He felt that the actionable items were obvious to most people. I definitely do not agree. Sure, I was familiar with most of the topics presented, but I found the fresh perspective that Gary provides refreshing. After each chapter, I had to stop and take notes because my mind was racing with new and inspired ideas. 

The only drawback is that the book is a little shorter than I expected. Don’t get me wrong; I do appreciate that I didn’t have to read through a bunch of filler to get to each point, but I think there were some things that could have been explained in further detail. Overall, I would say that this book is definitely worth a read. And after you’re done, you can review the book to let us all know what you thought. Was it a life-changing experience? 

5 Simple Ways to be Happy at Work

September 27, 2014 by alaahassan

How to be happy at work?

Many people truly believe that the phrase “happy at work” is an oxymoron. But there’s one thing those people are missing. There’s one person pulling the strings here. One person who can either make you happy or so miserable that you can’t stand waking up every morning. Are you thinking of your boss right now? It’s not your boss. Actually, that person is you. Regardless of your current situation, you can be happy at work with a little effort on your part. After some time, it’ll feel less like effort and more like habit.

Make a friend

If you want to be happy at work, find a friend to make the experience more personal. You spend so much of your time here; it would be a shame to go it alone. Just be sure to find someone positive. You’re not looking someone to commiserate with. You need someone who will lift your spirits and make you feel better about your job.

Use breaks to recharge 

These days, so many people work through their breaks without taking a moment to themselves. It’s no wonder so many people hate their jobs. Instead of “powering through” lunch, take some time to relax and recharge. Don’t think about work, deadlines or your boss. Consider yourself off the clock until your break is over.

Stop competing 

We seem to be conditioned to compete against one another. But with this outlook, we’re always measuring our own success against other people’s progress. Imagine a friend at work gets a really big promotion. Before the event, you were happy. Now, you feel inferior. You feel like his success somehow detracted from your own. That’s no way to live. Instead, set goals for yourself and strive to achieve your own personal success. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.

Be grateful 

Sometimes, being happy at work is as easy as deciding to be happy. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with problems, look on the bright side. Tons of people are out of work right now, but you have a secure job. You get along with most people in the office. You’re good at what you do. You see, your life isn’t so bad after all. 

Smile more often 

When all else fails, trick yourself into being happy at work. Go ahead and fake a smile every now and again. It really will make you feel better. Your body produces serotonin (a feel-good chemical) every time you grin and show those pearly whites. 

There’s a difference between understanding your job isn’t the right fit for you and hating work. If it’s not the right fit, search for one that is better suited for you. And in the meantime, use these tips for being happy at work while you’re still there. You’re the only one who can change your attitude, and you’re also the one who stands to benefit most from your efforts. 

Help, I Can’t Find My Passion!

September 27, 2014 by alaahassan

How to Find my Passion

Some people seem to come out of the womb with an obvious passion for one thing or another. Maybe they pick up the guitar at an early age or can’t be pried from their easy-bake ovens as children. These people go on to become famous musicians and world-renowned chefs. But what about you? Where is your passion? We get so many emails on this topic, and that’s why we’ll cover all the bases in today’s article, “Help, I Can’t Find My Passion!”

Truthfully, I was once like you. I couldn’t find my passion with a flashlight in a paper bag. Seriously. When people asked me what I would do if I won the lottery, do you know what my response was? Nothing. Isn’t that terrible? It was pretty depressing because I knew it meant I was living a life without purpose. Fortunately, I learned a few easy, and a few not –so-easy ways to truly find my passion, and that’s when my life really began. It all started with a few questions. 

What makes you truly happy? 

I’m not talking about on-the-surface kind of happy. I’m talking about the times when time flies by and you don’t even notice; you simply don’t care. For me, there were a few things. That’s when I started to realize I wasn’t a lost cause after all. Things were starting to come together. I was on the right path to find my passion.

What do other people recognize?

Don’t think about what other people want you to do for a living or what would impress them. Think about what you’re doing or what you’ve done when you get the most compliments. Do people consistently “ooh” and “ahh” over your sketches? Or maybe everyone in your company comes to you when they need help writing a particularly compelling email. Whether you’re drawing, writing, selling or doing something else, if people always seem to recognize that you have talent in one area, it may be something worth pursuing. For me, what made me happy and what other people recognized as talent were exactly the same, and I realized that I would find my passion at this exact intersection.

What would you be willing to do for free?

Although I learned how to find my passion before getting to this last question, it’s not as easy for everyone. Sometimes people get past the first two questions with a list of two or three things. If you need to narrow things down further, ask yourself which you would do for free. Keep in mind, of course, that you aren’t going pro bono. This is just an exercise to help you find your true passion. 

By now, you should be well on your way to finding a rewarding and fulfilling career. And you’ve probably realized that the answer to the question, “How can I find my passion” was inside you all along. There are many reasons why we struggle with this, but it’s usually

6 Most Popular Passions I've Noticed People Have

September 27, 2014 by alaahassan

Find Your Passion

Whether you know it or not, you’re a passionate person. There’s one thing that you love above all others. But for some people, it takes a little soul searching to find out what you really love.

While you’re mulling that one over, let’s take a look at some of the most popular passions. Maybe you’ll see something that strikes a chord.

Music

With all the singing and talent competitions around these days, it’s easy to see that we’re a nation obsessed with music. And why not? Music can be inspiring. A simple melody can put a smile on your face and change your entire mood. But while we all enjoy music, some people enjoy it a little more. These people play instruments, sing or dance. Maybe they even do all of the above. 

Food

Again, our nation is obsessed with this passion. Maybe a little too obsessed. But it’s important to note that a passion for food doesn’t mean overeating. It means that you truly enjoy cooking or tasting new things.  You enjoy talking and/or writing about your meals almost as much as you enjoy eating them. 

Exercise

Staying fit and healthy is definitely a passion for many people. It’s probably one of the most productive of the popular passions because it will keep you (and maybe others too) in great shape and feeling amazing. If you’re passionate about exercise, you probably don’t skip more than one day per week. You enjoy all kinds of workouts, sports and you enjoy helping others make fitness a priority in their lives. 

Gardening

This is probably the most peaceful of the popular passions. If you’re a gardening enthusiast, you really enjoy the quiet, serene nature of this hobby. You love the fact that you can cultivate something beautiful from a simple seed. When you’re not in the garden, you’re thinking about what you’re going to plant next. 

Animals

Most animals cannot defend themselves from humans, and many can’t survive without our help. That’s why animal care and welfare is a passion for many people. These people spend time volunteering at shelters and adopt animals who desperately need placement. 

Travel 

Some people don’t like to travel. They’re happy spending their entire life in one area without feeling the need to explore. But those people are few and far between. Travel is among the most popular passions because most of us have the urge to visit faraway lands and experience different cultures. It’s truly a life-altering experience to submerge yourself in the culture of another nation. I’m not talking about going from Montreal to New York (although, there are definite cultural differences there). Montreal to Beijing would be a better example of the experience that passionate travelers seek. 

Now that you’ve seen the most popular passions, do you have a better idea of your own? Remember, it’s not enough to “kind of like” these things. You have to want to eat, sleep and breathe these things. When you find something like that, you’ve found your true passion. 

20 Ways to Find Out If You're Suffering from Cell Phone Addiction

September 27, 2014 by alaahassan

Are you addicted to cell phones?

Here’s a list of things you do with your phone without even noticing you do them.  If you agree with 6 of them, you really need to evaluate your phone use or see a specialist.

  1. You turn back if you forget your phone at home
  2. You Have to look at your phone before going to sleep
  3. You text non stop to everyone on earth
  4. If you don’t get any app notifications, you feel like a loser
  5. You check apps multiple times even though there’s nothing to check on them
  6. If you’re battery is dying, you feel that you are running out of breath & you will die soon
  7. When having a meal with others, you check your phone at least 3 times (without it ever making a sound in the first place)
  8. You get irritated when someone bothers you during your phone time (ex..your kids, spouse or parent)
  9. You get pissed at everyone who tells you that you’re addicted to your phone
  10. You constantly think about calls or messages you may receive (and never end up getting)
  11. You choose to spend time on your phone for hours instead of calling a friend for 5 minutes
  12. You constantly forget your keys or wallet before leaving the house but you always have your phone in your hand
  13. You take cell phone breaks at work (and even while going to the bathroom)
  14. You hear your phone ringing but it never ran in the first place (sometimes you even feel it vibrating….you seriously have issues)
  15. When you drop your phone, you feel your heart breaking and hope to God that your screen is not shattered ( and you feel victorious when everything is alright)
  16. You secretly check your phone under the table as not to be rude (btw…that’s still rude…..who checks their crotch at a table???)
  17. You ask restaurants to charge your phone while eating a meal and then your mind constantly thinks about those missed notifications
  18. You interrupt people to show them a photo or video on your phone
  19. You can’t stop texting or checking Facebook while driving
  20. You hate going to places where there’s no WIFI

So are you addicted???

10 Must-Read Books About Personal Branding

September 27, 2014 by alaahassan

Personal Branding Books You Should Read

The benefits of developing a personal brand are numerous. It will increase your visibility, perceived value and earning potential. Although developing your personal brand may seem like a intimidating task, there are a lot of books out there that will guide you in creating a brand that will elevate you and make you stand out in a competitive market. Here is a list of my top ten books that will give you that little push and guidance in developing a brand that will work for you. It is time to grab the bull by the horn and take control of the brand that you want to be associated with.

Reinventing-You

 

Reinventing You By Dorie Clark
http://www.amazon.ca/Reinventing-You-Define-Imagine-Future/dp/1422144135

“In Reinventing You, branding expert Dorie Clark provides a step-by-step guide to help you assess your unique strengths, develop a compelling personal brand, and ensure that others recognize the powerful contribution you can make.”

Me 2.0- Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success

Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success
By Dan Schawbel
http://www.amazon.ca/Me-2-0-Powerful-Achieve-Success/dp/1427798206

“Me 2.0 shows job seekers and established professionals alike how to leverage the power of online media for personal empowerment and career success.”

 

be your own brand book

Be Your Own Brand: A Breakthrough Formula For Standing Out from Crowd
By David McNally and Karl D Speak
http://www.amazon.com/Be-Your-Own-Brand-Achieve/dp/1605098108

“McNally and Speak take you through the process of identifying the key components of your brand, conveying that brand to the world, checking how closely your brand aligns with important relationships in your life—particularly your employer—and assessing your progress along the way.”

self marketing power book

Self Marketing Power: Branding Yourself as a Business of One
By: Jeff Beals
http://www.amazon.com/Self-Marketing-Power-Branding-Yourself/dp/097974380X

“In a competitive, global economy, you need to stand out. Whether you’re hoping for a promotion, trying to land a major client or striving to make a difference in your community, one thing is for sure: The world has no room for shrinking violets. Self Marketing Power is a book about business, career and life success.”

branding pays book

Branding Pays: The Five-Step System to Reinvent Your Personal Brand
By Karen Kang
http://www.amazon.com/BrandingPays-Five-Step-System-Reinvent-Personal/dp/0988437503

“BrandingPays, a practical guide to strategic personal branding, will help you refocus your skills and experience so you are the best candidate for the job, career and business opportunities that you desire. Perfect for professionals, entrepreneurs and college students, the step-by-step BrandingPays methodology has been proven in Fortune 500 companies and leading business schools.”

the brand called you

The Brand Called You
By Peter Montoya
http://www.amazon.com/The-Brand-Called-Brand-Building-Indispensable/dp/0967450659

“Personal Branding is who we are, authentically and without anything held back, crafted and communicated in a way that maximizes our influence with the people who can make us successful. This is the focus of The Brand Called You, the most authoritative resource to date on what makes Personal Branding effective, the principles behind the success of any brand, and the strategies any business owner can use to become the inevitable choice for anyone seeking a product or service.”

the personal branding phenomenon book

The Personal Branding Phenomena
By Peter Montoya
http://www.amazon.ca/The-Personal-Branding-Phenomenon-Advancement/dp/1460995473

“The Personal Branding Phenomenon is about taking control, whether you’re an ambitious professional or entrepreneur. Instead of focusing on the right suit or business card, you’ll take a high-level, clinical look at how and why Personal Branding works – and how to leverage it to your advantage.”

career distinction book

Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand
By William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson
http://www.amazon.ca/Career-Distinction-Stand-Building-Brand/dp/0470128186

“Career Distinction outlines the proven personal branding process and provides case studies of successful professionals that will help you not only survive, but thrive, in today’s dynamic and ultracompetitive workplace. You’ll learn to manage your brand with innovative tools that enable you to differentiate yourself and stand out from your peers.”

high visibility book

High Visibility: Transforming Your Personal and Professional Brand
By Irving Rein
http://www.amazon.com/High-Visibility-Transforming-Personal-Professional/dp/0071456805

“Today, it’s not just what you know or who you know–it’s who knows you. High Visibility is the difference between being just a member of the crowd and becoming a highly recognized individual.”

the brand yu life book

The Brand YU Life: Re-thinking who you are through Personal Brand Management
By Hajj E. Flemings
http://www.amazon.ca/The-Brand-Life-Re-Thinking-Management/dp/0977138801

“The Brand Yu Life is a passionate account of personal branding, where the author mixes case studies, quotes, compelling graphics and workbook elements to help you discover your calling in life and build your personal brand.”

 

There are many books, blogs and guides out there on personal branding and just approaching the loads of material can be quite daunting. We love to hear from you and your feedback is very valuable to us. Which book(s) did you find the most helpful and inspiring? How has taking control of your personal brand helped your business or career?

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