International Women's Day March 8th

 International Women’s Day Sunday, March 8th

 Give To Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction; it's intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.

 

At work, at home, and in the community, there are many ways to overtly advance women.

 

Give respect • Give donations • Give visibility • Give knowledge • Give funding

Give justice • Give resources • Give a voice • Give protection • Give truth

Give equal pay • Give celebration • Give sponsorship • Give mentoring • Give credit

Give budget • Give introductions • Give workshops • Give opportunities

Give Safety • Give training • Give stretch assignments • Give momentum

Give role models • Give growth • Give access • Give time

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.

IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911, supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country-, group-, or organization-specific. IWD is a movement, powered by the collective efforts of all.

A note from Debra:

It really doesn’t take much effort to raise your sisters to greatness, but any small effort could mean the world to someone. Simple things like making sure they are recognized for their work, that they feel safe, that they feel heard. Mentoring and pouring truth into their lives. Respect and love. Valuing them. Being a solid friend. Praying for them.

There is no room for jealousy, backstabbing, clawing, name-calling, and stealing another woman’s man. When women have never experienced the goodness of others, the wholesome training and mentoring from another person, or the love of Christ, these things will happen because of a lack of confidence and insecurities. Raise your girls and lift up women to be confident, sure, respected, and valued.  Teach them humility, honesty, and to live a moral life. Teach them strength. Instill in them that they are the Daughters of the most high King!

 

This Sunday, March 8th, reach out to a fellow sister and tell her how much you appreciate her! Pray for women around the world who are being persecuted every day.

Debra Lee | Author & Keynote | Biz & Life Coach

DLBizServices.com

Leading with Clarity in times of Uncertainty

 

Leadership, for the most part, is about taking people on a journey. The challenge is that we're often asking people to follow us to places we've never been. Here’s an example: a pandemic combined with an economic shutdown that's left us teetering on the brink of economic meltdown while we navigate social unrest during an election year. Like many, this was my first time leading through this combination of events. A lot of pivoting was required.

If you're an intuitive leader, you know the thing people want from you most, you can't provide. Because what people want from you most right now is certainty. You can't provide certainty because it rests in a realm we have no control over—the future.

When you cannot provide certainty, you must provide clarity. You can be uncertain, but you cannot afford to be unclear. Our mandate as leaders is to be clear even when things are not certain. Clarity is honest, and clarity is enough because it is perceived as leadership. 

Clarity says, "I don't know what the future holds, but here's what we're going to do in the meantime." Clarity says, "I don't know what's going to happen, but we're going to prepare for whatever happens." Clarity says, "Here's the plan for now, and we will adjust the plan as circumstances demand." Uncertainty is our opportunity to lead well.

One of my favorite biblical examples of this principle is found in the Book of Joshua. As the nation of Israel prepared to cross the Jordan River into the promised land, Moses passed the leadership baton to Joshua. When Joshua took over, the days of wandering were over. It was a new day and a brand-new leadership context. They were transitioning from wandering to warring, from wandering around to settling down. 

It's no wonder that Yahweh spoke these words to Joshua as he stood there, overwhelmed by this new responsibility and the uncertainty it brought.  God said, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). This changes everything. The basis of Joshua's courage and the foundation of his leadership was the presence of God.

He knew he couldn't provide certainty, so he provided the next best thing—clarity. Joshua gave them something to do immediately. He told them, “Get your provisions ready. Three days from now, you will cross the Jordan right here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own’” (Joshua 1:11). It does not get any clearer or any more specific than that. Everybody knew their assignment; everybody knew the time frame, and everybody knew what to do next. But nobody knew what was going to happen, including Joshua, and including you.

 

Lead with clarity through uncertainty. It can be challenging, but it will show your courage and strength in the face of adversity, giving others confidence for the next steps.

 

Debra | Author & Keynote | Biz & Life Coach | DLBizServices.com

Research source unknown

Singularity Watch: Agents Just Crossed the Line | AI info

 

Singularity Watch: Agents Just Crossed the Line

 

We’re in the age of agents now. Not “chat with a bot” AI, but “give it a goal and it goes to work” AI. Foundational models are racing into agents too. OpenAI has agent mode, Atlas browser, and Codex. Gemini has Project Mariner, Opal, and AI Studio. Anthropic has Claude Code and Codex. And then you’ve got the wild west side of it: OpenClaw, a local, open-source agent that people are running on their own machines and controlling through everyday messaging apps like Slack or WhatsApp.

 

The speed of this shift is difficult to wrap your mind around. Gartner says 40% of enterprise apps will have task-specific AI agents by the end of 2026, up from under 5% in 2025. Mark Zuckerberg went even bigger, predicting we’ll see “more AI agents than there are people in the world” in a short time.

 

Meanwhile, the OpenClaw community is already showing off multi-agent setups, including “dream team” swarms with 14+ agents under one orchestrator, as well as a an agent that autonomously created it's own phone number and voice skills to call it's owner to say hi. It's also worth saying out loud: when agents can run scripts and install skills, security gets real, real fast. To be clear, open source projects like this should only be experimented with by technical expertise.

 

It might sound dramatic, but this genuinely feels like an inflection point. A year from now, or five, we’re going to look back at these couple of months and recognize it as the moment our world changed forever. So here’s the challenge: pick one repeating task you hate, something you do every week, and start experimenting with an agent this month. If you don’t, your competitors will. 

 

Stoni Beauchamp | Founder/President

Ai-Dapt Academy LLC

8441 E 32^nd St N, Suite 110, Wichita, KS 67226

316-648-3588

Imposter Syndrome - What is it?

 

Imposter syndrome is characterized by persistent self-doubt. It refers to a long-lasting feeling of unworthiness that doesn’t match up with the facts or others’ perceptions.

It can lead to doubt and a fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evident successes. It can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and burnout.

When I started my first business, and it became a big success, I suffered from this syndrome for the first time in my career. I remember visiting with my mother and explaining that I did not feel worthy of the money coming in, the most I had ever made in my career. In her wisdom, she said,” You have worked very hard and made this business a success! Of course, you deserve the money!” I recognized my feeling of unworthiness.

Another business I started had me doing the same thing. Not feeling worthy. A wise woman pointed out to me that I was stuck because I was afraid of success! So, I got over it again and moved to new heights.

One time, I was hired as the Executive Director of a ministry. I knew before I started that most of the staff didn’t want me there because “women are not to run ministries.” I had a crazy inside voice telling me that I might get found out, that I was not worthy of such a position, that…ok, that went on for a while until I caught on to what was happening again.

By recognizing the negative thought patterns associated with imposter syndrome and altering them, a person can improve their self-perception and confidence. Mindfulness can help a person accept themselves as they are, reducing pressure to meet unrealistic expectations.

Keeping a list of accomplishments and reviewing it will help combat feelings of inadequacy. Seeking feedback from peers can alleviate feelings of isolation and self-doubt.

There is, however, a very positive spin on imposter syndrome. Here is a quote from Scott Galloway. “It’s actually good to have imposter syndrome. If you are not in rooms you don’t deserve to be in, you are not trying that hard.”

Keep showing up, stand in new rooms, put yourself in front of others, and watch the growth. With consistency, you will get better at who you were meant to be.

Here are some traits to know about this syndrome:

·         Having unrealistically high standards

·         Dreading being ‘found out’ as a fraud

·         Consistently feeling out of place or unworthy

·         Dwelling on negative feedback while ignoring praise and achievements

Here are the consequences of the traits:

·         Missed opportunities

·         Reduced productivity

·         Low Self-Esteem

·         Burnout

·         Loss of Confidence

·         Social Isolation

·         Depression

·         Anxiety

Facts: Imposter Syndrome is common among high-achieving individuals. Women & underrepresented groups are more likely to experience imposter syndrome. Around 70% of people have suffered from imposter syndrome at some point.

Note that the risk factors for this syndrome are found in both careers and relationships.

If you find yourself in any of the following scenarios, you could be at risk:

·         Being in a toxic or hostile environment

·         Achievement-oriented childhood

·         Perfectionist tendencies

·         Experiencing discrimination or bias

·         Low self-esteem or self-defeating thoughts

·         Defining success based on the job role

·         High need for external validation 

 

To overcome this syndrome, self-reflection strategies will help. If this is a major struggle, there are therapists who specialize in this, so reach out for help.

Be Well & Business Blessings!

Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author & Keynote Speaker

DLBIZServices.com 

#impostersyndrome #imposter #lifecoach #businesscoach #selfdoubt

Don't Worry About Tomorrow

 One of the easiest things to fall into is ‘worry’. We worry about our relationships, our finances, our basic needs, and our future. In fact, worry is often our first natural response in many situations.

Worry is a feeling. It’s a normal human emotion that involves thinking about potential negative events and their consequences. It’s a natural response to care and concern. Worry typically focuses on specific problems or situations and the “what ifs.” The problem arises when the mind starts spinning through what-ifs without productive outcomes. The key is to manage worry in a positive way.

When we worry, we try to take control of something we have no control over. If we could control it, we wouldn’t be worrying about it. We’d fix it. Jesus says we shouldn’t spend our time worrying about basic things, because God knows what we need and will provide it for us (Matthew 6:25-26)

God takes care of the birds, the flowers, and the rest of creation, but Jesus says that our lives matter more to God than all those things. If God takes care of His other creations, we can trust that He will also take care of us. Worrying about the future can’t make it any better: it just makes today worse.

The fear of the unknown can sometimes paralyze us in the present. Instead of worrying about the future, Jesus tells us to trust God. God is the only one who can control what’s to come. Since He is all-knowing and all-powerful, He is the only one who has power over the future.

So instead of anxiously ruminating on “what if”, we should trust God. We should make the most of each day and let tomorrow take care of itself. As Jesus says, each day has enough trouble of its own, and tomorrow is unknown, so don’t fixate on what might happen tomorrow.

If you struggle with worrying, ask God to give you peace. Begin to shift your perspective from worrying about tomorrow toward focusing on what God has put in front of you today. Your trust in God grows, and your worries lessen. Remind yourself of how much God cares for you. He will never give up on you. He will continue to take care of you and direct your path.

Rest assured, when you put your faith in the right place, you can manage worry in a positive, productive way. Focus on today only and what today holds, then live in peace knowing that God’s got you!

Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author & Keynote Speaker

DLBizServices.com

What in the World is Going on?!?!

 I’ve been getting this question a lot lately. Before I begin my dissertation, LOL, here are some things to remember:

• ·        God is in control.

• ·        This world has been through great turmoil before, and it came through it.

• ·        This is just a ‘period of time’ the people in the world need to endure.

• ·        God is not going to sweep in and fix this mess for us.

• ·        We need to remain faithful.

So, I begin. Remember, Satan knows what the Word says, and what it says about him. Yup, he knows God’s Word, like personally knows it, like in your face knows it. He knows he can’t escape his demise, so he is going to drag whoever he can with him as he goes down.

We know we are getting closer and closer to the end of times. We do not know when, nor are we supposed to try to figure it out. To make sense of this, know that each year we are alive, we get closer to the end. Even Christ followers who were alive centuries ago knew that each year brought the world closer to the end.

Some mistake us for crazy Christians doing doomsday stuff. No, we simply understand that God’s time is different from ours, and we believe what the Bible says: to be vigilant and aware, and to be ready for that time.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” – Matthew 24:42

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:6

“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” – Mark 13:33

Because Satan knows his time is drawing near, he is pouring on the fuel right now, wreaking havoc around the world. Remember, he is a great deceiver and manipulator, a tempter and destroyer of lives. He’s a fallen angel who is a bit upset because he couldn’t be in control of things. Thought he was greater than God. Well, he got sat out at the curb, and we have had to deal with him since the sad saga that happened in the Garden of Eden.

I’m currently teaching the book of Revelation. Revelation is a hybrid of apocalypse and prophecy, written in the framework of a letter. Its purpose is to inspire us to overcome all obstacles by steadfastly holding on to faith. The central message is clear: God is in control of all history, Christ will return, and He will come in judgment, rewarding those who have remained faithful to Him.

When reading this book, people often try to identify the characters described, such as the Antichrist, the prophets, and the evil figure who comes before the Antichrist. Some try to determine whether the United States is still around during the battle of Armageddon, or whether certain references refer to the Pope. Some like to jump to the mark of the beast, 666, and try to figure that out. As far as the Antichrist, a warning: only God knows the person and has chosen that divine name for that person. Do not be tempted or go around stating that you believe so and so is the Antichrist. None of this is necessary, nor are we to know. That defeats the whole purpose of the book and our faith.

The book begins with a blessing for those who read, hear, and take its words to heart, and ends with a warning not to remove any of its words. Everything written in between shows God’s love for His people, His patience, His power, and His judgment. It’s a roadmap; it’s a heads-up. It should stir great compassion in us for those who don’t know and spur us to share the Word with others.

In summary to the question, “What in the World is Going on?” The simple answer is Satan.

Stay strong, my friends, strong in faith. Don’t let Satan distract you; stay focused on the things that truly matter. Stay informed, don’t put your head in the sand and hide, and we will get through this…together, boldly and in faith.

Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author & Keynote Speaker

DLBizServices.com

Food 4 Thought!

 💥

 

☝

😍

😁🪴

👏👏

👈

Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author | Keynote Speaker

DLBizServices.com

#foodforthought #lifecoach #confidence

Great Visuals Attract!

 

Graphic Creation by DLBizServices.com

If you are not good at graphic design for your social posts, newsletters, website, and business sales tools, hire one! (Yes, my team and I do that!☺)   Ever wondered why some content stands out more than others? What grabs attention, builds trust, and drives action?   Neuroscience studies show how our brains respond to different types of communication. One of the biggest takeaways? Visual content triggered memory 74% faster and boosted emotional intensity by 26%.   The new language is visual, and businesses today need to design to be remembered. DLBizServices.com Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author | Keynote Speaker #graphicdesign #neuroscience #visual

Don't give up on cold leads!

 

Those cold leads are GOLD! Don’t give up on them! I have been sending information to some of my cold leads for years, like lots of years! And believe it or not, eventually, some reach out to me, ready to do business. Yes, cold leads go into another category in your CSM, but keep them active until they tell you, ‘no way, no how!’ And they say that THREE times! Here is a link to an article to prove the point!     The $119 million reason you should never give up on a cold lead  DLBizServices.com Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author | Keynote Speaker #coldleads

Attracting New Customers

 

Debra Lee, Biz Coach & Life Coach

Most small businesses are looking to increase their customer base. If you're one of them, here are 10 tried-and-true tips to help you attract more customers. Strategies to attract new customers to your business: 1. Offer new customers discounts and promotions Consumers today are still looking for value and deals. Lure them into your business by offering introductory discounts, running specials such as buy 2, get 1 at half price, or offering free gift wrapping on the first 3 purchases. Bargains like these can attract new customers who have been considering doing business with you but need an incentive to change their shopping habits. Then track what they buy, and which offers they redeemed, so you can better target them with future marketing messages that will cement their loyalty. 2. Ask for referrals Once you've earned a customer’s loyalty, put it to work by asking for referrals. Current customers are one of the best sources of new customers. But you can’t be passive and wait for them to bring colleagues, friends, and family to your business. Instead, take control and create a systemized approach to actively solicit referrals from your satisfied customers. Build referral-generating activities into the sales process. Send follow-up emails to ensure customers are satisfied with their purchases and then follow up with another email asking for referrals. Consider offering incentives if the sale price warrants it. This approach works well for real estate agents, for example. 3. Recontact old customers Go back to your lapsed customers' contact list and market to those who haven’t done business with you for a while. Create a regular schedule for this, such as quarterly, and select customers you haven’t seen in six months. Reach out to them via email, direct mail, text, or phone with a “We miss you" message, offering a deal or promotion if they’ll come back. 4. Network There’s no better way to raise brand awareness than meeting new people and telling them who you are and what you do. Join your trade association, your local Chamber, and networking organizations. Attend Meetup events. If you own a local business, even attending PTA meetings can be a good networking opportunity. Approach networking with a “How can I help you?” attitude, rather than thinking, “What’s in it for me?” 5. Update your website Online search is the primary way both consumers and B2B buyers find new businesses. That means your website has to do the heavy lifting so customers can find you. Review your search engine marketing and search engine optimization tactics and techniques, including ensuring your site is mobile-friendly. Even your site design makes a difference. Too many graphics can slow your site’s load speed, which is a turnoff for customers. If you don’t have the expertise in-house, hire a website design company and/or an SEO expert to help. 6. Partner with complementary businesses Teaming up with businesses that have a similar customer base but aren’t direct competitors and then strategizing how you can market to one another’s customers to drive new business is a smart way to attract new customers without spending a fortune. For instance, if you sell baby products, working with a business that sells maternity clothes would be a great partnership. 7. Promote your expertise You can generate interest and even create buzz by showcasing your industry expertise, attracting new customers, and driving more business from your existing client base. Volunteering to speak on industry panels, giving a webinar or workshop, speaking at industry events or to groups your target customers belong to, or holding educational sessions are just a few ways you can make a good impression on potential new customers and clients. This technique works particularly well for B2B business owners.   8. Take advantage of online ratings and review sites Consumers in both the B2B and B2C worlds frequently turn to online rating and review sites before doing business with a company they are not familiar with. Make sure you monitor those sites and respond to any complaints. Make the most of positive reviews by linking to them on your website. Post signage in your store, office, restaurant, or other location encouraging customers to share their perspectives. Social proof is powerful, and new customers are more likely to give your business a try if they see others praising it. 9. Participate in community events. Surveys show that most people prefer to support local, independent businesses. Raise your profile in your community by participating in charity events and organizations. Sponsor a local fun run, organize a holiday “toys for kids” drive, or supply a Little League team in your city with equipment. All of this raises your profile and helps attract new customers. 10. Bring a friend This idea is similar to referrals but requires customer participation. Offer 2-for-1, “buy one, get one free,” or “bring a friend” deals to encourage your loyal customers to introduce their friends and colleagues to your business. For instance, a restaurant could offer a “buy one entrée, get a second for free” special to attract more customers. Brainstorm ways to get new customers. Think of these strategies as a starter list. Add your own ideas. The key is to get started now, so when next year rolls around, you’ve expanded your customer base. DLBizServices.com   #customers #newcustomers #bizcoach #lifecoach #strategies Extra Resource: Rieva Lesonsky

Watch the way your outside world starts to shift when...

 Be good to yourself!

Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author | Keynote Speaker | Blogger

Books: “It Is What It Is…But It Wasn’t A Tragedy” | “Making Wise Choices…the most important life skill to master”

DLBizServices.com

#showup #selfcare #grace #priority

Plastics in Your Home

 I’ve been downsizing and cleaning out the plastic storage tubs and food storage containers from my home for three years now. For one, if I have to buy storage containers to manage my stuff, I have too much stuff. Downsizing is a brain relief!

The second reason is research on microplastics entering our bodies/brains. I read about a study that lasted 4 or 5 years, and in every brain they studied, 100% of the subjects had microplastics.

Yes, even the old Tupperware is dangerous. I’ve replaced storage tubs with sturdy cloth storage boxes with lids I found on Wayfair (stackable, home-fashion, and useful) and have moved to glass storage systems for food. I’m still working on it, but I’m almost done with the task!

Ever touched Tupperware after it’s been stored for a while and it’s sticky? Ever open a plastic storage tub, and it stinks badly? Plastics break down and become unhealthy to be around.

Below are a couple of articles to help you stay informed.

Hidden two-letter code reveals if your plastic containers are toxic

 

4 Items in Your Kitchen That Could Be Leaking Microplastics Into Your Food

Be safe!

Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author | Keynote Speaker | Blogger

Books: “It Is What It Is…But It Wasn’t A Tragedy” | “Making Wise Choices…the most important life skill to master”

DLBizServices.com

#microplastics #safety #plasticstorage

The Story behind the Story...it's not about me

For Wichita, KS Area Ladies!

I’ve never really told the story behind the story. Most know that I started Ladies Circle Coffee about five years ago, when the pandemic was a big thing.

I remember countless women coming to me through my business (mainly the boutique and art gallery side of the biz) with such sadness. I would minister to them as I could. Many had lost husbands to COVID, family members, jobs, and had to move away, and were dealing with long-haul COVID themselves. It was a difficult time for many people.

Ladies Circle Coffee was born out of God’s calling. It was held at my business, where coffee was always on for anyone who walked in. It was a safe place for ladies to come and make new friends. It was a place of encouragement and support. It was a place where prayer requests were welcomed and prayed over. Many women who came to me for help never joined Ladies Circle, but they knew the invitation was there and where to go for prayer and support. One lady even gave me her tithe for doing what her church wasn’t doing at that time.

Most prayer requests come to me privately. The group never knows about them. They also never know about the life coaching sessions I have had because of Ladies Circle. The group, however, has seen significant results from prayer when we have prayed together for someone. There is power in prayer!

My confession. Ladies Circle is a ministry. It is much bigger than I. God has given me this opportunity, an open door, to minister to many women.  Over the last couple of years, due to many of my own life delios, I have struggled to honor this gift and keep it as God intended. 

In 2026, there will be a new vibe for Ladies Circle as we invite other women to join us in this ministry.  Ladies Circle Coffee & Dining Out is open to any woman who wants to join. Any religion, any belief, in business or not. Wife, mother, grandmother, single, married. All are welcome!

"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

It’s easy to join! Please email me at d.lee13@cox.net to get on the list!

You can make new friends at coffee, dinner, or both!

It’s a safe place, and conversation is wholesome!

Debra Lee | Biz & Life Coach | Author | Keynote Speaker | Blogger

Books: “It Is What It Is…But It Wasn’t A Tragedy” | “Making Wise Choices…the most important life skill to master”

DLBizServices.com

#coffee #coffetime #diningout #friends #women