It's a New Year. It's 2018. Back in 1999, did you try to imagine what life would be like in 2018? It was so far away, no one was really thinking that far ahead. We were having enough trouble keeping up with changing technology, the intrusion of social media, and... Read more →
I just finished reading the second in a series of novels by P.C. Cast. The first novel, Moon Chosen, was consumed months ago, well ahead of the second book. I waited eagerly, month after month, for Sun Warrior to come out. When it did, I ran... well, ok, I drove,... Read more →
I have Today with Diane Forster It's been close to a year since I met Diane Forster at a woman's business conference. She was one of the most dynamic people there. During one session, the hostess of the conference called on Diane to tell the room a bit about herself.... Read more →
Early morning by Yvonne DiVita, blog founder 5:30 a.m. Rise. Slip on flip-flops. Stretch. Yawn. Try not to go through the entire day's work in your brain as you brush your teeth, because you know the day will NOT unfold the way you imagine. Shower or take a bird bath... Read more →
by Yvonne DiVita As a young girl in high school, my notebook was always bulging. The papers it contained had many a scribbled note or poem or story I'd started the day before, on it. The print was smudged, because I insisted on using pencil, in those bygone days of... Read more →
by Yvonne DiVita I'm a big fan of pen and paper. Pencil and paper. Crayons and paper. It harkens back to my youth when I literally carried a full pencil case around with me, with 10 -12 sharpened pencils in it. Accompanying this must have case of untapped imagination and... Read more →
You must read. And then read some more. In fact, put down the business books and read the classics. I'm talking Hawthorne, Virginia Wolfe, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Tolkien, even the not yet classics by Stephen King and others who invent entire worlds out of thin air. Yes, even Harry Potter. There is a wealth of learning in fiction. Read more →
A story does need credibility. Storytellers are allowed to borrow from memories that may not be so sharp, as long as the truth is not stretched too far. In business, you can take a personal memory and craft a business story around it. It serves to show your customer that you're human, just like she is. Mark Twain is one of my favorite authors. He was a master at storytelling. Read more →
by Yvonne DiVita This past week I had the pleasure of attending a conference for pet health insurance groups. It was illuminating in so many ways! Did you know that pet health insurance only reaches 1.5% of the American public with pets? I was pretty surprised by that stat. Surely,... Read more →
by Yvonne DiVita with Ally E. Machate I am privileged to receive a good many books in the mail, often unsolicited. As someone who finds books one of the best resources for business learning and success, in the world, I welcome most books with enthusiasm, as they come through my... Read more →