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8/4/2023 0 Comments

#MusicWeLove

Ghost Dance - The Doors

A secret of mine that I have never shared until now, to avoid heavy judgement and societal backlash as well as possible abandonment to a desert island somewhere where I would never be found; is that I have never truly really loved The Doors. There I said it. I mean I don't hate them.....is that better?

With the exception of one song. One HUGE exception. This song, Ghost Dance, which I ran across and rediscovered recently. Just like an old friend you bump into on the street one day and instantly remember how much, how deeply you love them. It's like you've never parted ways as you hug and catch up.

My favorite line of the song?

"Oh great creator of being,

Grant us one more hour

To perform our art

To perfect our lives"

Click to listen to Ghost Dance by The Doors

Aren't we all just hoping we have more time; as we realize more and more that none of the time we have is promised to us anyway?

So, what amazing things will you do with your time today?

Love,
The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialMediaMarketing #SocialSecretary #SocialHour #TheSocials #MusicWeLove #ListenMoreTalkLess #TheDoors #GhostDance

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7/21/2023 0 Comments

#SocialSecretary

The Power of the Business Card

Speaking of business cards ( I realize we were not actually speaking on them but had to break you into the conversation currently underway in my head). Do we still love them or no? What is the consensus on this particular day; or more so what does the court of public opinion have to say?

A little Google trip led me to believe that yes, as of today we still do love a business card or two but will probably end up losing them and just googling their number anyway. Am I right? Because honestly if you met someone that strikes your fancy enough, chances are you'll remember their name and be able to find them on the good old world wide web. I think anyone, given the intense enough desire to find another person or company, can usually be pretty successful in their search. Unless of course, said person is in the witness protection program.

These days you can find anyone online. Although, it might not really be them....but that is a different story.

Nonetheless, I still love cards myself; mainly because they are on pretty paper with pretty colors of course. Says the lady that loves office supplies.
It kind of makes me wish, as my love of old office equipment ensues, that we could still employ a rolodex or two. Do you know those old relics? I have found them over the years at yard sales and have many times tried to justify bringing one home but alas, the internet won that battle a long time ago. (Although they seem to be great for storing recipes!) We just don't need them and the most cards I've collected are maybe 25 personally and maybe 150 at a tradeshow for work. Those 150 were always carefully transported back to the office by the most responsible hungover tradeshow attendees to the office. There they were carefully imported (typed) into an excel sheet labeled something like "TradeshowYaDaYaDa2010".xls. This was the new bible for making those sales.

Ah, yes the Rolodex. Used before Google to stash like 5,879 business cards that never ended up being filed alphabetically and so it was a bit of a goose hunt.

Unless of course, you had a REALLY GREAT SECRETARY. Then of course they were in perfect order and your boss never missed a beat or a meeting because of it. And he never really knew what disorganization was or who on earth ran things like magic, just that things were seamless. Unless of course he did know and in that case, you had a REALLY GREAT BOSS.

I don't miss those days (endlessly hunting through paper for things we find so easily online now) but I did love thumbing through so many different cards, all unique to their lovely owners. It's almost like you can feel how hopeful some were, new companies - new people - new contacts. It's almost like you could see the ink still drying. The pride of having a new card; the hope of a new enterprise.

Then of course the old fuddy duddy cards. The super old(er) and successful folks used the most boring of white papers with the flattest and least descriptive of fonts to announce their name, title, and hopefully, a way to contact them. Many of those don't even want to be found anymore. Well in all actuality they don't NEED to be found; their success is already made and talking to them was like getting into a club or talking to their secretary for the rest of your life.

Honestly, having run so many offices myself; supporting bosses in all shapes, colors, and temperaments; it was those old successful ones that are always the most annoying to get on the horn. Not always, but mostly. It becomes a game of tag between one secretary and another until we become friends out of necessity and respect. We would then secretly devise a plan; unknown to both bosses, to how exactly we will get them at the same place at the same time. Why? We get sick of phone tag too. Secretaries have WAY too much to do for that.

The new business owners? The hungry ones? Two categories really. They either answer on the first ring or return the call almost immediately or you hear from them way too many days later; signaling someone either disorganized or at the very least; in need of a great secretary. One that keeps the ship sailing in the right direction from behind the scenes.

In my quick search on the power of the business card, Google led me to this gem of an article in The Atlantic.....the business cards that built the Atomic Bomb?. Notice, the perfect care of them all, there are no torn edges or scribbles on them, they are under lock and key I would guess, and kept out of most prying eyes. The cards were cared for with the same level of respect as the people they came from were.

Akin to you holding tight to your social account passwords, rolodexes were frequently just as much guarded with lock and key. I kind of love that, don't you?
I can hear at least 3 tech guys I know get quite annoyed with me as I say, they were much safer than the internet too. It doesn't seem to matter what password manager you try; don't all of them get broken into? Doesn't all of our data end up being breached? If not a bug, it's a breach, and if not a breach then someone on the dark web can get what they want in secret anyway; leaving no privacy that seems real anymore.

Not cynical over here or anything, just a bit realistic as I wax poetic about business cards of all things and the seemingly safer days of paper files.

The business cards that built the Atomic Bomb. Photo Credit: The Atlantic

And then there is the card I happened upon the other day. A lovely artist lady I met and as we talked, she handed this handcrafted and one of a kind card to me. Quite simple, beautiful, vibrant and a wonderful way to showcase her talents. She may not be building an atom bomb but she can paint and create art; and doesn't that say something.

As it turns out, she handmade all of her business cards.

It's a great idea really; showing off your talent AND ensuring the chances of your card being thrown out slim to none....at least for a long time. Why? No one, not even grumpy butts that seem to grumble about everything, find it easy to throw away art. Most will hang on to it.

Artists can really stand out with this method and hopefully bring in some long overdue cash money from their skill; that which evades many. I would highly recommend it as a way to stand out and dole out cards in a more imaginative and cheaper fashion.

Photo Credit: The Uptown Secretary

I really was just going on about all of this because I designed my business card today. As I sat and played around with some ideas and set a timer as to not go off track, I started thinking of all the cards I have had over the years and all the ones I've seen. The permanent feel of a new title/card and then later on in life; how transitory it all really is.

I'm happy with how mine turned out and after putting it away for a while, made some changes and decided to stick with it. It's just a silly business card anyway isn't it?

Sometimes. But other times; it means that one big break; that one great connection; that one magical step where everything changes.

Business cards are all about the power of connection aren't they after all?

They also can travel around without our knowledge; unable to be tracked or reported on or connected. They are just so sneaky.

Social media has gotten us so trained to see such great heights as "1 MILLION" subscribers, or 20,000 LinkedIn connections; all powerfully successful things to be admired of course!

Still, it doesn't take away from the magic of having your business card fall into the right hands does it?

Here's to new business ventures for all who try. To those that strive for something better; and to build from scratch. To being scared and hopeful at the same time and moving forward with courage anyway. To listen to yourself, and avoid the naysayers. To learning, listening to the wise ones, and then doing what you were going to do anyway. This time, with more wisdom than you had before.

Also, in the event of a total bust; remember, it's not a failure. No, seriously. It's just a way to learn. Chances are the next one would be a smashing success. If you take what you learn and simply try again.

There is always another business card that can be printed. Another idea that will meet it's mark. This time right on target. Like a missile that has your name printed on it.

Of course it does. Because this time you built the damn missile yourself, got the stencils out, and painted your name on it with permanent marker. When it hits your bullseye smack dab in the middle; it was like failure was never even an option.

Lastly, there is always a better you to step back onto the red carpet, as you arrive into this game we call life again.

I guess the tightrope of it all is, you have to learn when to take the L and what attitude you're gonna have regarding it all. Both of which are completely within our control right? Absolutely.

The last part of this particular tightrope is to not let anyone tell you otherwise.

This is perhaps the most difficult of terrains you'll ever walk on.

This is the stage of the race where you're within inches of the finish line and someone sneaks right in to push you off the rope, or you let yourself be pushed, or you jump. Your vision turns blurry, your prize begins playing hide and go seek, your mind softens.

I would suggest some really good earplugs.

In the most dire of circumstances, I would suggest going it alone.

Achieve what it is you have deemed you are here to achieve.

Only you get to decide that.

Love,
The Uptown Secretary

"There is always a better you to step back onto the red carpet, as you arrive into this game we call life once again"

References:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/01/the-business-cards-that-made-the-bomb/424278/

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials BusinessCards #Nostalgia #Art #Design #Rolodex

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7/9/2023 0 Comments

#ArtWeLove

Graffiti Art

Spied in Seattle WA. Artist unknown.

Artist Unknown. Photo Credit: The Uptown Secretary

Paper, torn; and laid out on brick.

This was mostly hidden as it was way up high and in a place off the beaten path.

Love,

The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #Graffiti #HiddenInPlainSight #ArtSavesLives

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6/28/2023 0 Comments

#MusicWeLove

Random Finds.....

Stumbled upon on a Youtube rabbit hole adventure and what a find it was.

Isn't it just beautiful?

Click to Listen: Go Go Penguin - Window

And below another.....as one rabbit hole of discovery tends to lead to another still.

Simply dreamy. Quite captivating.

Great music to work to, great music to dream to.

Click to Listen: Mammal Hands - Mansion of a Million Years

Shout out to Go Go Penguin and Mammal Hands!

I love finding new music!

Love,

The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #MusicWeLove #GoGoPenquin #MammalHandsMusicHeals #ListenMoreTalkLess

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6/28/2023 0 Comments

#ArtWeLove

Graffiti as seen in Seattle

"Listen girls, if you simply cannot stop yourself from being catty; you might as well pop some bubblegum and do something more productive with that mouth of yours."

Photo Credit: Graffiti as seen in Seattle taken by The Uptown Secretary

Isn't this just great! Wowza. Shout out to the artist; love love love it.

Keep on keeping on.

Love,
The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #TheSocials #SocialMediaManagement #ArtSavesLives #PopCulture #StareHard

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6/11/2023 0 Comments

#SocialSecretary

What's up with the name The Uptown Secretary anyway? What does that even mean?

It's simple.

Uptown is all about class, substance, and elegance.

It's about being high-class, fly, exclusive, in vogue, sharp, select, discerning, and strategic.

It's also about being cool, quick witted, media savvy, calculating, artful and intelligent.

Secretary is all about knowledge, wisdom, and confidentiality.

It's about having a silent partner that handles all the details it entails to promote your business with discernment and expertise.

A secretarius (secretary) is a person overseeing business confidentially, usually for a powerful individual (a king, a queen, a CEO, a business owner).

With The Uptown Secretary, you have found a partner that's strategic, confidential, and loyal to your business pursuits.

Meet us at the corner of class and strategy. We will see you there!

Resources:
www.wordhippo.com/what-is/another-word-for/uptown.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaMarketing #TheSocials #BusinessConsultant #Strategist

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6/9/2023 0 Comments

#SocialSecretary

The 8 Second Rule (not to be confused with the other one where.... yes you can still eat that.)

It's pretty widespread marketing knowledge now that humanity has lost it's collective mind and can only focus for 8 seconds or less on anything online. In a nutshell, marketers are pushed to create "content" that wraps itself around that rule like a snake...in order to grab the attention span derived mind of whomever it stumbles upon.

Now while this may be true, I have decided to be a rebel with a cause (a personality defect or attribute depending on your attitude) and buck that system. Meaning, I am not going to create anything for myself with that rule in mind.

While I can't change the world, I don't have to give in to the glaringly unhealthy way in which our minds are losing focus and ground everyday and jump on the bandwagon.

I also have a hard time believing that humans want this as I find more and more that people are getting tired of all the little things that the 8 second rule pushes us to do as marketers.

It's a matter of respect for humanity coupled with what is probably an extremely naive/glass is going to be half full again way of thinking that I strive to promote creating, marketing, and engaging with the intention on education and long term success.

I also think that all of this nonsense will at some point turn around. Why? Because we are hungry for knowledge, connection, and respect.

I happened upon a recent article where Gen Z is leaning towards throwing out their smartphones and jumping to archaic (yet so so freedom inducing) flip phones. I think this may show a positive sign that things are starting to tilt in the opposite way and that when we find something interesting, we have much more attention than 8 seconds.

The overall collective loss of attention coupled with so much dopamine from our online activities is not only affecting our ability to learn, understand, and comprehend information; it is also affecting the very way we relate and connect with each other.

Maybe Gen Z is going to turn this ship around. Don't you just love young people. I know I do. Let's give these kids a break, they have a lot to do.

Love,
The Uptown Secretary

References:
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/gen-zers-gobbling-flip-phones-rejecting-smart-phones

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #GrowthMindset #Let'sConnect

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6/9/2023 0 Comments

#SocialSecretary

Hello out there!

We are located in the greater Seattle WA area and can work with you from wherever you may be in the United States.
Our hours of operation are:
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST
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Consults can be scheduled by clicking the schedule button below.
We look forward to working with you!
Love,
The Uptown Secretary

Schedule a Consult Now

Design Credit: The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #HoursOfOperation #CallUs!

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6/5/2023 0 Comments

#ArtWeLove

Behold. The Glory of Design.

These phones make me excited. They are nothing short of bada$$.

Of course, office equipment and supplies always have had a way to this girls hearts.

Phone's back in the day couldn't do anything other than phone home E.T. but they were cool as hell.

Smart phones may be able to give you access to all the info in the entire history of the world and as much cheap dopamine as your brain can possibly handle but they will never come close to anything like these gems.

No matter what cell phone cover or wallpaper I've tried; the beauty of design that old phones had is simply without compare.

Plus the fun part was, you could go out to play and leave the damn thing at home!

The design was all about form and color; and how they fit into our homes and our offices. Not our pockets.

They also were about function. The ability to connect people to each other. However, manners were mostly still in mind and we didn't call before a certain time or after a certain time. Nor did we expect each other to be available 24/7. Mostly, it connected us but didn't replace the real life time we spent together.

We knew we could leave a message but didn't expect a call back anytime soon.

I miss the days of the phone being more of a function to connect us on a high level but in not replacing the in person time that we spend together in life.

These phones also didn't include the ability to text either which I am becoming more and more convinced each day may be the downfall of humanity.

My Dream Phone

A Close Runner Up

And Of Course A Red Phone. Why? Because Red Is The Best Color Of Course.

And when you needed peace and quiet....it was so much easier to give it all to each other back then wasn't it?

"Oh...I'm So Sorry Did I Leave The Phone Off The Hook Again?"

Right when I was on my way out the door of this blog post, I ran into the final image. Nothing like being lost in the woods and running across this old relic. The game of it all was, you also had to have a quarter in your pocket. Life was such an adventure back then.

You had to ask yourself a very simple yet profound question as you reached into your pants pocket with a bit of trepidation. "Am I feeling lucky?"

Looks A Little Spooky. Taken Somewhere Near "A Cabin In The Woods".

Love,

The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #TheSocials #SocialMediaManagement #ArtWeLove #PhoneHomeET #CommunicateHoweverYouWantJustCommunicate

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6/4/2023 0 Comments

#SocialSecretary

The Uptown Secretary is your go-to Social Secretary

We specialize in handling the social media management of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and small organizations.

We'd love to chat, schedule a half hour consult call with us to learn more about how we help you!

Love,

The Uptown Secretary

Schedule a Consult Now

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #Let'sChat

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5/30/2023 0 Comments

#WordsWeLove

Zen in the Art of Writing - Essays on Creativity

How to write? Ray says to have fun with it!

I can get behind that kind of wisdom any day of the week.

"You can't try to do things. You simply must do things." - Ray Bradbury

Design Credit: The Uptown Secretary

This book is so entertaining, fun to read, and full of so many gems to help you write. It's a quick read and I highly recommend.

Love,
The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaMarketing #TheSocials #RayBradbury #Zenintheartofwriting

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5/30/2023 0 Comments

#CreatorsWeLove

Struthless!

Wandering around the rabbit hole of YouTube one day brought me in touch with this dude whom I have come to admire and love. His videos are so creative, thought provoking, and real. I value authenticity and his originality, spirit, and heart shines through in all of his work.

#Struthless is deep thinker, goofball, philosopher, and genuine person.....I can't find anything not to love about his work.

He has great drawing advice and showcases his work too, organizational tips, mind hacks, and all around thought provoking videos.

I'm also SUPER excited to say that one of my photos made it into one of his videos! I took a picture of a heart leaf years ago in a beautiful park in my hometown and submitted it to him for his recent video. Check, check, check the video out. It's all about hearts yo! Also, it's about seeing the world more clearly with focus and intention.

Pnoto Credit: Yep....that's my heart pic there on the left above! I'm a little bit too excited that my sweet little heart made it's way all the way to Australia. Taken in beautiful Port Townsend WA/Chetzemoka Park.

Check out the video below!

Below is another video of his that's great. It's basically about putting a gun to your head so to speak to get the impossible done. It involves him running a marathon and is very entertaining while being super instructional too. It's just so genuine...and real....he's very honest about the struggle. As someone that also struggles, I can appreciate the candor!

I especially love the video above as when it was released I had just completed some research on Doschetvsky. You know, the old ancient relic that wrote such greats as The Gambler, Crime and Punishment, and The Brothers Karamozov. Well apparently, he was also quite the degenerate gambler and in a final cry to pay off his gambling debts he used the exact formula that Struthless did to run this marathon. He put a proverbial gun to his head.

"Having lost everything at roulette , Dostoevsky made one final wager: he bet a predatory publisher that he could deliver a novel within a strict deadline or he would forfeit the publishing rights and income to all past and future works."

Struthless also used this approach by creating a video and scheduling it to post to his YouTube that would ruin his career if he didn't complete a marathon.

All barriers to giving up were taken away. Unless of course you wanted your entire life completely destroyed.

So long story short? Can't get motivated? Put a proverbial gun to your head.

Struthless ran that marathon (spoiler alert!) and Dostoevsky wrote "The Gambler" in the nick of time; paying off his gambling debts with a story about....drum roll please.....gambling addiction.

Struthless gets a A++++ for his original, authentic, funky, smart, artistic, and funny ways. I really am so impressed by his work. He is a great teacher. In terms of being a creator, also an inspiration.

If you dig through his channel, he also has the coolest drawing videos.

Love,

The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #CreatorsWeLove #Struthless

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5/26/2023 0 Comments

#SocialSecretary

We love to communicate about your business for you!

We love to communicate and connect people to each other so your business and brand are in good hands with us!

We work with small businesses and entrepreneurs; managing their social media accounts and creating the written and visual materials and creations you need to build and grow.

The Uptown Secretary is here to be your partner in communications!

Schedule a quick consult to let us know how we can help you out using the button below. We would love to hear from you!

Schedule a Consult Now

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #CallUs!

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5/18/2023 0 Comments

#ArtWeLove

Graffiti as seen in the Emerald City

I happened upon this gem in 2022. So classic...so good.

Shoutout to @deboraspencer Photo Credit: The Uptown Secretary

I just love walking down the street and seeing art out of the blue like this!

Plus isn't is true. We can't go back to yesterday. No matter how much we may want to at times.

Love,

The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #DownTheRabbitHole #WeAreAllMadHere

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5/18/2023 0 Comments

#ArtBreak

Street Art in Seattle, WA - The Power of the Mural

As seen somewhere between 1st and 4th Ave. Vivid, bright, and masterful.

Shout out to @wakudastudio. Photo credit: The Uptown Secretary.

Shout out to @wakudastudio. Photo credit: The Uptown Secretary.

Shout out to @wakudastudio. Photo credit: The Uptown Secretary.

Shout out to @wakudastudio. Photo credit: The Uptown Secretary.

Shout out to @wakudastudio. Photo credit: The Uptown Secretary.

Pioneer Square in Seattle, WA. Photo Credit: The Uptown Secretary

Seattle is such a beautiful city; not just the landscape but the art and the culture too.

Love,

The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #TheSocials #SocialMediaManagement #ArtWeLove #Graffiti #Murals #Mushies

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2/24/2023 0 Comments

#WordsWeLove

How To Think Like An Entrepreneur

I strongly endorse this book for those aspiring to establish their own business; all those individuals who possess a daring spirit!

The book is written more like one long, beautiful essay; with eclectic narratives, hard truths, and wisdom that will inspire you to take action.

One of the most amusing stories is about the inception of Google, where the founders received an initial investment check of $100K, despite not even having a bank account! They then went out and celebrated their success at Burger King. These are my kind of people!

Overall, it's not your typical self-help book, and definitely a true treasure. A++

Love,
The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaMarketing #TheSocials #ReadMoreTalkLess #WritersRock

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2/5/2023 0 Comments

#MusicWeLove

I just love this dude's music....

Along with the original below, there is also a super great acoustic version out there where Mike reminds us that the point of life is to "live, live, live!"

Enjoy!

Love,
The Uptown Secretary

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaManagement #TheSocials #BestSongEver? #NoButIt'sPrettyDamnEpic #YouDon'tWantToRideTheBusLikeThis #YouDon'tWantToGetOffThisRollerCoasterAllAlone

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1/31/2023 0 Comments

#MusicWeLove

Elton John and Dua Lipa's Cold Cold Heart

This song is so great; I love it! It's perfect for long walks to clear your mind and rediscover joy.

Taking regular walks is an excellent way to rejuvenate your mind and body, especially if you work at a desk. If you're struggling with a particular problem, a walk can often provide a new perspective, ultimately leading to a solution. Returning to your desk after such a refreshing break can provide a newfound enthusiasm to tackle tasks and projects in a more positive and productive manner. Reduced stress levels can lead to higher quality work.

Whether you choose to listen to music during your walks or not, incorporating them into your daily routine will elevate your mood, reduce stress, and enhance your productivity.

Don't think you have time for it? Try scheduling a walk on your calendar each day for one week, make it a priority, and observe the difference.

Sometimes, the simplest of approaches can resolve the most challenging issues.

Love,
The Uptown Secretary

“Live for each second without hesitation”
― Elton John

#TheUptownSecretary #SocialSecretary #SocialMediaMarketing #TheSocials #ProvenWithResearch

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