Uncategorized | Kaira Rouda

2 12, 2010

Real You: The difference

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:15:52+00:00December 2, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The difference

What is your brand's difference? Your unique, authentic differentiation? Do you have one? Of course. It's you. You are your personal and business brand's unique competitive advantage, but often we don't articulate our differnce clearly. Obviously. Proudly. Why? It's easier to hide. It's a lot easier to appear corporate, "professional". To blend in - to not attract attention. To play it safe. But why? Don't allow your personal or business brand to be more of the same. All of the great brands in the world are unique. They stand for something. They have personality. I'm writing this from the seat on a Virgin America flight. Their staff is spunky, their planes are clean. They are different. It feels different to be on one of their flights. Richard Branson is different. He stands out. He's a personality and a defined personal brand. Can you and your [...]

23 11, 2010

Real You: A word from a frequent flyer with metal implants

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:15:56+00:00November 23, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: A word from a frequent flyer with metal implants

If you listen to the news, you realize there is a growing alarm over the TSA's full-body pat downs. Here is what you may not realize. All of us with metal implants - knees, hips, etc. - and other medical conditions have grown accustomed to the humiliation of additional screening since 9/11. Sure, we put up with it. We're patriotic. We were the ones in a big line in the glass cages, waiting for additional screening. We're the older women with hip and knee replacements. Yep, that's us. We were wanded - sometimes well, sometimes aggressively. Usually once the TSA agent figured out the limb or joint that beeped, we'd be quickly wanded and on our way. So we got good. We got really good at wearing no metal, anywhere but where the implant is. Sweatpants. Sports bras. Yoga wear. Nothing that would beep. No [...]

18 11, 2010

Real You: What ‘no’ means

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:16:05+00:00November 18, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: What ‘no’ means

Has someone told you 'no' lately? When you're pursuing your dreams and stepping into your power and going for it, it's tough to face. Especially if you're asking for a favor, especially if you're asking for a favor from a woman you admire. But what you have to remember - even if someone you'd like to have be your mentor says no, or even if a co-worker won't cover for you, or even if you really need the help on your charity board - you have to respect the other person's ability to set boundaries for herself. Give her the benefit of the doubt. Try to understand her no to you is nothing personal. In fact, it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with her and her life. Accept it. Appreciate it. And move on. Life's too short to question other [...]

25 10, 2010

Real You: That’s what friends are for. . .

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:16:11+00:00October 25, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: That’s what friends are for. . .

Just back from my college reunion and I had a blast. Meandering around campus, buying things at the bookstore, cheering at the football game, sharing memories at parties - and well, just reconnecting. Friends - new and old - help us stay connected to ourselves. They remind us of who we were, and who we've become. They cheer us on, reflect our passions back to us. And they remind us, always, to count our blessings. Each and every one.

20 09, 2010

Real You: Choices

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:16:17+00:00September 20, 2010|aha, authors, choice, Kaira Rouda, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Choices

I am stuck. Doesn't happen much, because I try to be a woman of action. Afterall, my refrain is put your passion into action. But here's the problem. I need to choose a cover for my novel - Here, Home, Hope - being published in May 2011. But there are two good choices and I'm not sure which one to go with. People do judge books by their covers. It's arguably the biggest, most important decision surrounding a book. The cover conveys visual cues about tone, subject, substance and so much more. And well, that's why I'm stuck. Please, if you like to read women's fiction and you have an opinion one way or another, please let me know! The choices are here, on my Facebook Fan Page, Kaira Rouda Books. And, of course, I'd love for you to become a fan. Pick a cover, [...]

13 09, 2010

Real You: Synergy!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:16:28+00:00September 13, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Synergy!

Just finished a great interview with Deborah Shane on her radio show. We talked about everything we are both passionate about: the power of women in busness, entrepreneurism, personal branding and more. If you missed it, here is a link so you can listen in! Listen to internet radio with Deborah Shane on Blog Talk Radio . It's great to find synergy with someone. When you do, celebrate. Help each other. Grow together. That's what life is all about!

10 09, 2010

Real You: Waiting is the hardest part

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:16:33+00:00September 10, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Waiting is the hardest part

Today, I'm waiting. I am not a patient person. And that may be an understatement. So this feeling I'm feeling is not comfortable. But really, the entire process of book writing is filled with a lot of waiting - so I should be okay with it by now. But I'm not. Today I'm waiting to see the second round of cover comps. It's true, that saying, you really do judge books by their covers. So to me, the cover is huge. Monumental. And if you're a visual person like me, waiting to see what the book designer selects to represent your words is agonizing. Sharing my waiting has helped. Thanks for listening. And, when the waiting is over and my novel has a face, so to speak, I'll share that, too!

25 08, 2010

Real You: This is what happens in Vegas

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:16:39+00:00August 25, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: This is what happens in Vegas

We decided to take a last-minute, end of the summer family trip and where did we head? Las Vegas, of course. Yes, while it may not spring to mind as a wholesome family bonding spot, no matter where you travel with your kids, it can be a chance to bring you all closer together (literally in our case via the road trip). And here's what happens in Vegas: we talked, we laughed, we went to a show every night, we swam in huge pools and wandered through immense hotels. And now, we're back. Gearing up for school to start. Reconnected to technology, responsibility, and work. I'm glad that what happened in Vegas - for our family - will stay, not in Vegas, but in our memories for a lifetime.

3 08, 2010

Real You: The entrepreneurial spirit

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:16:46+00:00August 3, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The entrepreneurial spirit

It’s the decade of the entrepreneur! It’s true. Today’s U.S. economy is fueled by 29.6 million small businesses, led by people just like you, people who are entrepreneurs who made their dreams into reality. Truth is, the only way to begin the journey of entrepreneurship is to start. And start today. Each one of us is in a unique position to approach our work in a fresh new way. One that’s real and authentic to each of us as individuals. What compelled me to write my book, Real You Incorporated and to create the 8-step Real You Process, is the last few years as I’ve watched people not satisfied doing things the same way. I’ve spent the last 20 years of my life as a leader in business, as the vice president of several companies, and always, as an entrepreneur. When I created my most [...]

23 07, 2010

Real You: The power of your voice

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:16:57+00:00July 23, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The power of your voice

One of my favorite people, voice coach Arthur Joseph, has worked with an amazing line-up of celebrities, sports stars and ordinary folks in addition to his work with singers. His message, quite simply, is your voice is the window to your heart and soul. In his world, your voice is your Real You. The ability to speak clearly, to be heard, to voice your opinion is essential today, probably more than ever. Because even with technology and instant communication, when you have a chance to face one person or a room full of people, it's your voice, your words and their power that will either make them hear you or not. And there is nothing like voice to convey emotion. (I'm saying that and I'm a writer!) Case in point: just spoke with my 15 year old on the telephone. He's at camp in Maine. [...]