Need More Bloggers?

This post may containΒ affiliate links. In the event of a sale, I get rewarded a small commission, at no extra cost for you. These funds help me keep my blog up and running to provide you with great content so thank you!*

Get Blogging is a great way to find resources to expand your business, ideas, even your brand awareness.

I joined up with them a few years ago just to get some blogging gigs and make some extra cash.

Starting today February 20, 2023, through Friday, February 24, 2023, their running an affiliate challenge for bloggers and creators. I’ve placed the information below πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡

Bloggers, creators, influencers! Please join us on the Get Blogged 5-Day Affiliate Challenge between Monday 20th and Friday 24th of February 2023.

Won’t you join me in this challenge?

Sign up for your business for free and start letting others help you with growing your content and blogging needs.

I’m looking forward to competing this week. Are you?

Gain The Advantage!

Alicia Osmera

My Interview With Shoutout Colorado Magazine

Thank You to Shoutout Colorado Magazine for reaching out to interview me.

You can read the interview here πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡

https://shoutoutcolorado.com/meet-alicia-osmera-author-entrepreneur-respiratory-therapist/

Gain The Advantage,

Alicia Osmera

The Great American Dream, Is It Gone?

Have you ever sat down and thought to yourself; Β β€œWhere has the great American dream gone”?Β 

In the past 10 years the U.S. Government reports that more than 3.5 million jobs have been eliminated in the past 10 years! What’s more frightening is that an estimated 55% of jobs created in the next 5-10 years will be at or just slightly above minimum wage. The modern two income family earners are not able to provide and care for themselves or their families like their parents.

At age 50 —Β 75% of the population has less than $5,000.00 saved up for retirement. Not to mention that if they were to take ill who’s going to take care of them? Medicare, Medicaid is not enough. Once you have worked so hard all of your life to earn your pension unless you’ve made a sustainable amount then you’re stuck with state run care. (I will not get on my soapbox about that issue).

What’s happened to the middle class?

Today if you’re making more than $27,500 a year you are doing better than half of this country. Realistically that’s not enough to buy food, pay the mortgage, car payments and other needs. The fact is that this is one of the reasons why both parents are working in a two parent family. Sometimes both parents are working multiple jobs to just barely make ends meet. Over the last few years the cost of living has risen but not the paychecks!
Once upon a time, most American families could afford a nice home, two cars, a motorcycle, a boat and a nice vacation at least once a year. I remember taking at least two vacations a year with my parents when I was younger. We were middle class and we were happy. But now I ask you; β€œWhere is the American Dream”? Has it dies right in front of our eyes? The middle class is getting screwed at every turn. We work hard for what we have and it’s still not enough! Does every American need to be at the poverty level or below? Does every American need to be at the upper class level or above it?

After World War II the American Middle Class was thriving. Men were returning home from war opening new businesses, employing more people and happy to be alive. Β People wanted to work hard to earn what they had and keep it.
One of the biggest reasons that people come to America is to find the β€œAmerican Dream”. It seems like now the illegal aliens that are coming to America are getting everything handed to them. But at what cost?

Some surprising facts:

According to a new CNN polls, 59 percent of Americans believe that is has become impossible for most people to have the American Dream.
The American Dream is impossible to achieve in this country.
So say nearly 6 in 10 people who responded to CNN Money’s American Dream Poll, conducted by ORC International. They feel the dream β€” however they define it β€” is out of reach.
Young adults, age 18 to 34, are most likely to feel the dream is unattainable, with 63% saying it’s impossible. This age group has suffered in the wake of the Great Recession, finding it hard to get good jobs.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 36 percent of Americans under the age of 35 own a home. That is the lowest level that has ever been measured.

Right now, approximately one out of every six men in the United States that are in their prime working years (25 to 54) does not have a job.

25 percent of all American adults do not even have a single penny saved up for their retirement.

The New Truth

We cannot survive alone here in America with a traditional β€œJOB” (Just Over Broke) or under whatever your case maybe. So what is the answer?

Donald Trump endorses network marketing as a great way to earn an awesome income from home. Now I know what you’re thinking it’s a scam. Really then …….
Why are women the top producers in network marketing? 89% of women are top earners. If network marketing was a scam then why is it so successful?

PLAN B IS NOW!

Have you got a PLAN B? Have you had the OPPORTUNITY? The time is NOW!
The opportunity is HERE! Find your PLAN B and learn all you can to create the financial freedom your family deserves today.

GAIN THE ADVANTAGE!

The Golden Circle

Have you ever watched the video by Simon Sinek titled, β€œStarts With Why”?Β  He makes interesting points to ponder on.

All great leaders think, act and follow the same way.  Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King and the Wright Bother’s for example.  They communicate the exact same way.  It is the complete opposite of everyone else and from what we are taught in sales and marketing techniques.  All Simon Sinek did was β€œcodify” it.    What he did next totally made sense to me.  The light bulb in my head went on and I am approaching my business in the same way.

Draw a target on a piece of paper.  Make three circles,  one big, one smaller inside the big one and then another smaller one inside that one.  Then inside the smallest circle write in “Why” , the middle circle write in “How”, and in the outside larger circle write in “What”.

For example he talks about Apple and how they’re easy to understand and everyone gets it.  Most marketing and sales are done by things like, β€œWe make great computers.  They’re beautifully designed, simple to use and user friendly.  Want to buy one?

What’s the difference with Apple?  Here’s how they actually communicate.  β€œEverything we do, we believe in challenging the status quot.  We believe in thinking differently.  The way we challenge the status quot is by making our products beautifully designed, simple to use and user friendly.  We just happen to make great computers.  Want to buy one?”

     Remember that people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it! 

If you talk about what you believe, you will attract those who believe what you believe! Market from the point of view to find out β€˜why” they need your product or services not β€œwhat” they need.  How are you approaching your market place niche?  From the inside out or the outside in?  **Go to YouTube and watch the video ***  It will explain the Golden Circle in detail.

Leaders inspire us.Β  We follow leaders for ourselves, not for them.Β  Remember to ask yourself, β€œWhy” you have the ability to inspire those around you or to find others who inspire them.

As Always,

Gain The Advantage!

Alicia Osmera

footnote  all materials were taken from the video by Simon Sinek titled “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”.

Happy 303 Day Colorado

This post may contain affiliate links. In the event of a sale, I get rewarded a small commission, at no extra cost to you. These funds help me keep my blog up and running to provide you with great content so thank you!*

I found out today that this is Denver’s 14th annual 303 Day.

us-images.blogspot.com

I’m a Colorado native.  Born and raised in this beautiful and majestic state.  I never knew celebrating Denver’s first area code was an actual thing.

Celebrations are happening all across Colorado. 

Below, I’ve linked my favorite five articles of celebrations and how Colorado got it’s first area code.

Using the  DuckDuckGo browser, I came across Uncover Colorado .  I never knew that this newsletter, magazine was a great resource for all things Colorado.  Mind Blowing!

Flyer for Channel 93.3’s 303 Day celebration at Mission Ballroom. Photo by: Channel 93.9

Westword Magazine has a whole article on Celebrate the 303 From Crocks to Cannabis.  It’ a very interesting article to read.  I suggest that you take the time to look it over, and see if there’s anything new to learn about Denver, Colorado.

Did you know that Colorado had a 303 Magazine?  No, me either.  I signed up today and will be getting their newsletter of all the great information and things to do in Denver and Colorado. 

One of Colorado’s oldest newspapers The Denver Post, has written an article by their arts and entertainment reporter, John Wenzel titled, How to celebrate Denver’s 303 Day? With live music, food, and drink deals.

As promised, Colorado got it’s 303 area code back in 1947.  The 303 area code is used primarily for Denver and its surrounding suburbs. It was one of the first 86 original numbering plan areas (NPAs) created in 1947 when AT&T introduced direct distance dialing to every major city in America.

Then in 1988 it was split up into two other parts 719 and 970, then again in 1995 the area code 720 was added.

All in all, I think celebrating area code 303 is an awesome thing to celebrate. After all, it was my original area code until 2002, when I got a new cell phone. I was sad like Carrie Bradshaw was in the Sex and The City movie scene where she had to get a new area code.

Please provide feedback in the comment section.

Gain The Advantage!

Alicia Osmera

National Random Acts of Kindness Day 02/17/23

Today is the National Random Acts of Kindness Day.

Why does kindness need to be on the calendar? As human beings, shouldn’t we all be practicing kindness every day?

Princess Diana said it best, “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you”.

Today I’m challenging you, my readers to do something that you normally wouldn’t do to show kindness to someone else.

I’m not sure what that looks like for you. I have faith that each one of us will figure out what, where, and when our intuition will guide us to the correct person to be a blessing to.

Have a wonderful day and be kind to everyone out there.

Gain the advantage!

Alicia Osmera

Happy New Year 2023

I’m so ready to close out 2022. I don’t know about you, but this year has had it’s ups and downs.

I am not one to make New Year’s Resolutions , however in 2023 I’ve decided to change things up.

I’m starting a new chapter in my life for 2023. I’ve decided to make a vision board. Oh, sure I’ve made them in the past but I didn’t apply myself to keep it up. Let’s face it, I got lazy!

What is a vision board?

Psychology Today has a great article by Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. titled; What is A Vision Board And Why Make One? Using this as a guide you can make a vision board that suits your needs, wants and desires.

Here are a few boards to look at and get an idea for your own.

Once I have mine started and looking great, I’ll share it with all of you.

I’ve added the link to one of my favorite New Year’s songs.

Dana Krall, What Are You Doing New Years Eve

I wish you all the joy, happiness and health in the new year.

Gain The Advantage,

Alicia Osmera

Merry Christmas

Dear Readers,

I want to say Thank You so much for hanging in there with me throughout all these years.

When I started this blog, it was because I thought it would get me “recognized” as a serious writer, blogger, all around information giver. It’s not any of these things.

Seriously, these past months have been hard for me to even sit down and write a blog post, much less the sequel to the book I wrote called Terror In The North Tower.

Between being the caregiver to my husband and other family matters going on, I feel that I’ve neglected all of you.

This has never been my intention!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.

Gain the advantage ,

Alicia Osmera

Monday Motivation Series -Finale

Today marks the end of my five motivation series. Please leave me a comment on whether or not you’ve found any value in this series.

The one quote that keeps my going every day says; “When God pushes you to the edge of difficulty trust him fully because two things can happen either He’ll catch you when you fall, or teach you how to fly.”

The last few years have been a challenge for me, both personally and professionally. I’ve had a few jobs working for different companies. The last two, I thought were going to be my last ones until I retired. God has a quirky sense of humor.

These last few years are not what I had planned for my life. Trying to find anything positive from it all gets hard.

Trying to break out into freelance work has been difficult for me. Either I haven’t found the right niche, or I lack the experience that certain companies want.

Sometimes I feel like giving up on my dreams, other times I push myself to keep trying. One day. One day it will happen for me.

May you have all your dreams come true and stay MOTIVATED to keep moving forward .

Gain The Advantage,

Alicia Osmera

When Bloggers Think About Bringing Their Blogs To An End

Renard tells bloggers that it is okay for them to continue blogging if they are unable to pay their WordPress.com renewal package fee.

When Bloggers Think About Bringing Their Blogs To An End

This is not my work. I hope you found it interesting.

Gain The Advantage,

Alicia Osmera