Sam Baker wrote his first book at age 95. Now, at 102, the WWII veteran is an award-winning author. According to Baker, his longevity of life comes from his willpower to keep reinventing himself.

Baker is no stranger to hard work. Over the course of his life, he’s seen, heard and done a great deal. After earning an engineering degree, serving in the Marine Corps, and working for three decades as the world’s first GPS salesman with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Baker decided that in his retirement he wanted to do more than just sit around and play bridge. 

At 95, he got his first computer and sat down to write a children’s book. At the urging of his daughter and son, he decided to get the book published and printed—thus making him an author.

After the first book, Baker knew he could do more. He went on to write four more books. One book was inspired by one of Baker’s real-life relationships, a late-in-life friendship formed with a fellow veteran turned veterinarian. Baker used his friendship and the legacy of his late friend to develop a series of books in which a mouse overcomes challenges and sees success in his own way. 

Here is a snippet of mine and Baker’s conversation:

Maleeka Hollaway: Tell me, who was Sam Baker before he started writing books? 

Sam Baker: Well, he was a grandfather. He was a member of the community and he was enjoying life with his lovely wife. And as I’ve said before, I was pretty level until I read the reading reports that were published by the Arizona Republic of all the schools in Arizona… It was miserable. Some of the students in ninth grade were failing reading. Well, reading is the foundation of this building we call education. If you can’t read, how do you progress? 

MH: Reading those reports, is that what prompted you to start writing children’s books? 

SB: Yes. I said to myself, if something’s got to be done, can I give my little bit? I had a charming childhood. My mother let me do everything I wanted to do, but she never knew what I did otherwise. I don’t know how she would’ve put up with it. My father was a farmer…And so I created a book, The [Silly] Adventures of Petunia and Herman the Worm.

MH: You’ve had a pretty decorated life. You have had a few careers. And so what would you say, Sam, out of everything that you’ve done, [what] do you feel like you are most proud of having completed? 

SB: Well, it may surprise you. My greatest pride is that when I was director of the National Genetic Survey…when I left their organization, 45% of my professionals had advanced degrees. I think that’s one of my greatest accomplishments because these people now knew and could converse with the experts. I was so proud of the fact that I had that many people taking advanced degrees and increasing their knowledge of the subject matter we were trying to do. 

MH: What’s been the most rewarding thing about writing the books? 

SB: The thank yous that you get from the children and the unexpected ways of saying and giving thanks to you. How do you rate a thank you when it’s a hug around the neck from a four-year-old? It just melts your heart.

MH: What is one piece of advice you would give someone who wants to reinvent themselves like you did? 

SB: If you start, don’t give up. It becomes easier as you go along. [If] they’ve got all the education they want, great. If not, education is the key to it all. To everything you want to do. Education is the key.

MH: And how many more books do you think you’ll write? 

Sam Baker: One more. It’s called Prince. I’ve got three chapters already read…all of it is up in my head, and I’ve typed those three chapters.

MH: What’s the secret to living a long, successful life? 

SB: I have no idea what is the secret to long life. Colon cancer has taken the lives of so many in my family that I have devoted ample time to its prevention. I think that a happy and successful marriage has played its part, and perhaps giving love, not hate, has added years.

Photo courtesy of Ruby Rideout.

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It’s conventional to see the new year as the time to set new goals and intentions, but don’t overlook the dawning of a new month. The next time you flip the page on your wall calendar, remember to be courageous and bold. Now is the time to start believing in yourself and the successes you can achieve. 

Get the best possible start with this list of 60 new month quotes to get you in gear for making the most of the next 30 days.

Happy New Month Quotes And Wishes

It’s a new month; let’s make it a joyful one! Did the last four weeks leave you exhausted and somber? Read these happy new month wishes and quotes. They’re perfect for creating a positive mindset so you can think about the possibilities instead of any gloomy limitations. 

• “Let this new month bring you more opportunities, success, joy, gladness, laughter & fun than ever before.” ―Rajesh Goyal 

• “Life changes very quickly, in a very positive way, if you let it.” ―Lindsey Vonn

• “You can get excited about the future. The past won’t mind.” ―Hillary DePiano 

• “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the now the primary focus of your life.” ―Eckhart Tolle

• “Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over.” ―Guy Finley 

• “One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.” ―Iris Murdoch

• “You must believe, and then you’ll see it unfolding right before your eyes.” ―Wayne Dyer 

• “Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss.” ―Deepak Chopra 

• “Change is ours, if we want it.” ―Karen Casey 

• “My life is bigger than I am.’ Remind yourself of this statement.” ―Wayne Dyer 

• “Your past does not equal your future.” ―Tony Robbins 

• “I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.” ―Herman Melville 

Related: 100 Uplifting Quotes About New Beginnings

New Month, New Goals Quotes 

The beginning of a new month is the perfect time to set new goals. Think about what you’d most like to accomplish and any longer-term projects on which you can make strides over the next four weeks. Setting goals at the beginning of the month helps to make you more focused, setting you up for success. Take a look at these new month, new goals quotes. 

• “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” ―Eleanor Roosevelt 

• “Make at least one definite move daily toward your goal.” ―Bruce Lee

• “Goals are dreams with deadlines.” ―Diana Scharf Hunt

• “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” ―Tony Robbins

• “The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.” ―Dalai Lama 

• “I believe in goals. It’s never a bad thing to have a dream. If something is really what you want to do, just do it. Whatever your goal.” ―Richard Branson 

• “We aim above the mark, to hit the mark.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson 

• “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” ―Earl Nightingale  
• “Success is goals, and all else is commentary.” ―Brian Tracy 

• “Dad said it best: ‘A goal properly set is halfway reached.” ―Tom Ziglar 

• “Your goal is to eliminate any distance between what you desire and that from which you pull it into your life.” ―Wayne Dyer 

• “Identify your problems, but give your power and energy to solutions.” ―Tony Robbins 

Related: 15 Inspiring Quotes to Help You Find Joy

New Month Motivational Sayings For Work And Life 

Staying motivated is always one of the biggest challenges, especially when the new month dawns. Don’t get flustered and overwhelmed about how much you have to do. Instead, hone your focus on strengthening your sense of perseverance. These new month motivational quotes for work and life will help maintain your momentum. 

• “The future of life as we know it is being determined by everything we’re doing—and not doing. Now.” ―Oprah Winfrey 

• “Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” ―Lolly Daskal

• “You can’t make yourself feel positive, but you can choose how to act, and if you choose right, it builds your confidence.” ―Julien Smith 

• “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” ―Norman Vincent Peale
  
• “You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery, and always challenge yourself to try new things.” ―Nate Berkus

• “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” ―Franklin D. Roosevelt 

• “You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.” ―Deepak Chopra 

• “No matter how far away from yourself you may have strayed, there is always a path back. You already know who you are and how to fulfill your destiny. And your ruby slippers are ready to carry you home.” ―Oprah Winfrey 

• “Motivation will almost always beat mere talent.” ―Norman Ralph Augustine 

• “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” ―Theodore Roosevelt 

• “You may have thought that nothing ever goes right for you. It’s time to put all that negative stuff in a box, as it’s in the past. Now it’s time to look to the future with a lighter heart.” ―Angela Donovan 

• “To me, ultimate power is the ability to produce the results you desire most and create value for others in the process.” ―Tony Robbins 

 Related: 40 Action Quotes to Help You Take Initiative and Inspire Your Next Move

Short New Month Inspirational Quotes

Sometimes the first few days are the busiest of the month. You’re reflecting, planning and getting all your ducks in a row to come out on top. During this busy time, take a few moments to read these short new month inspirational quotes for a quick pick-me-up. 

• “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” ―Lao Tzu

• “The beginning is the most important part of any work.” ―Plato 

• “It is never too late. It’s never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.” ―Jane Fonda

• “Celebrate endings for they precede new beginnings.” ―Jonathan Lockwood Huie 

• “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” ―Oscar Wilde 

• “Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” ―Gloria Steinem 

• “’Hope’ is the thing with feathers-/ that perches in the soul.” ―Emily Dickinson 

• “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” ―Paulo Coelho 

• “The answers keep unfolding as your life expands, if you’re willing to see things for what they are―and what they can be.” ―Oprah Winfrey

• “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” ―Ruth Bader Ginsburg 
• “Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.” ―Michelle Obama 

• “Forever is composed of nows.” ―Emily Dickinson 

Quotes And Sayings For The Beginning Of A New Month 

As the new month approaches, read these quotes and sayings for the beginning of this exciting period in your life. Develop a positive mindset and embrace new horizons. These quotes and sayings for new beginnings help you create the right perspective. 

• “The morning was full of sunlight and hope.” ―Kate Chopin 

• “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson

• “We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” ―Nelson Mandela 

• “There is a morning inside you waiting to burst open into light.” ―Rumi

• “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” ―Eleanor Roosevelt 

• “Never feel guilty for starting again.” ―Rupi Kaur

• “It always seems impossible, until it is done.” ―Nelson Mandela 

• “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” ―Maya Angelou 

• “Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.” ―Germany Kent 

• “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” ―Martin Luther King, Jr. 

• “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” ―Dolly Parton 

• “We can’t control events. We can’t control people. But we can control what life means to us.” ―Tony Robbins 

Get Excited For The Month Ahead  

Sometimes we just need the right wise words to create a transformational state of mind for the best new beginning. No matter what challenges appear in the next four weeks, these 60 quotes will help keep you feeling happy, inspired and motivated. Reflect on what you want to achieve and set the right goals to get you to the finish line.

Photo by fizkes/shutterstock.com

The post 60 New Month Quotes to Inspire Motivation All Month Long appeared first on SUCCESS.

This unique island comprises two countries with open borders, so there are no checkpoints when crossing over into each one. Saint-Martin is an overseas collectivity of France while Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the kingdom of the Netherlands. No matter which side of the island you’re on, you feel like you are in Europe with a Caribbean twist.

Tourism to the island has been growing for a number of years in part due to the Dutch-French duality experience, according to travel advice site TravelAge West. A St. Martin newspaper reported that the island saw a 7% growth in cruise tourism at the start of 2024.

We stayed at the new JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort and Spa for a week on the Dutch side of the island, but it was only a five-minute drive to the French side. The plunge pool outside our room was our favorite feature of our stay. As we cooled off in the pool, we appreciated the ocean views of two islands, reminiscent of the landscapes you’d see in Italy or Greece. If I wanted a larger place to swim, I could walk just a few steps to take a dip in the ocean—by far the closest my hotel room has ever been to the water.

While we were there, we rented a car so that we could experience both sides of the island. Driving was a bit tricky with all the speed bumps and winding roads, but it was definitely worth it. Typically we use public transportation or walk when we travel, but neither was an option due to the lack of public transit, large hills and few sidewalks. We couldn’t even walk to the resort next door and a cab ride would’ve cost $50 round trip. We were able to explore the entire island (both countries)—beaches, restaurants, historic forts and more—which wouldn’t have been possible without a car.

The French side: Saint-Martin

On the French side, the official language is French. However, most people also spoke English and did so with us once they realized we were Americans. The street signs and menus were also written in French but often had English underneath. The official currency is the euro but U.S. dollars are accepted at most places.

Eat crepes in a French café

One of the most French experiences we had—and my favorite experience overall—was eating breakfast at an outdoor café located in the Saint-Martin capital Marigot. My daughter loves crepes so I researched the best crepes in Saint-Martin and found Ti Breizh. Our waitress, who was also the owner, warmly greeted us with a “Bonjour.” She seemed to know the other customers, chatting with them in French as they read the newspaper while eating their crepes. We ate our délicieux meal while people-watching the passersby.

Take a ferry to Îlet de Pinel

For a French experience similar to the French Riveria, take the five-minute ferry to Pinel Island, or Îlet de Pinel. We rented chairs and an umbrella for the day. Besides catching some rays on the beach, you can also hike a trail to view the other side of the island. We dined in the Karibuni restaurant for lunch while listening to the employees speak French and watching the boats pass by in the harbor. C’est magnifique!

The Dutch side: Sint Maarten

On the Dutch side, Dutch is the official language but most people spoke English. During our stay on the island as a whole, we heard more French than Dutch spoken mostly due to people speaking English on the Dutch side. The official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, but the U.S. dollar is accepted at most places.

Karaoke at the Oyster Bay Beach Resort

Next to our hotel was the Oyster Bay Beach Resort. We ate dinner there one night and then ventured over to the bar area to watch other guests perform karaoke. The whole experience—the singing, the ocean views and the cobblestone patio—reminded us of the musical theater production of Mama Mia, just with slightly less seasoned singers. It may not have been a Dutch experience, but there was definitely a Greek vibe to our adventures that night.

Dutch Blonde Beach Bar and Restaurant

Located in the Sint Maarten capital Philipsburg is the Dutch Blonde Beach Bar and Restaurant, which has a windmill like those the Netherlands is famous for, just a little smaller and less functional. You can dine on Dutch cuisine like pannenkoeken while viewing the beautiful Caribbean ocean.

Ready to pack your bags?

Even though we didn’t get to go to Paris, our trip to Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin was incredible and allowed us to experience a variety of European-like countries in addition to the Caribbean. We hope to return one day, so bon voyage or fijne reis—depending on which side of the island you’re on!

Photo courtesy of FredP/Shutterstock

The post Why You Should Add Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten to Your Travel Bucket List appeared first on SUCCESS.

“I [posted] an orange peel candy recipe one day, called it ‘Scrappy Cooking’ and just could not believe the response,” Bodrug says. “People were so excited about this prospect of reducing food waste in their home and using commonly wasted food to make recipes, and I knew immediately that it would be a good concept for a cookbook.” She was right. Her book Scrappy Cooking: 140+ Plant-Based Zero-Waste Recipes That Are Good For You, Your Wallet, and the Planet, which teaches readers how to be savvy with ingredients that are already stocked in their kitchen, reduce food waste, eat well and save money, quickly hit No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. “If I can make it, I promise that you can, too, because nothing’s fancy or complicated,” Bodrug says.

Transformation starts in the kitchen

While many people might assume grocery stores and restaurants are the perpetrators creating the bulk of the food waste, Bodrug cautions that’s not the case. According to the 2024 Food Waste Index Report, most of it stems from households.

“If we’re pitching almost 30% [of food] on average, $1,700 per family of four in the United States, it’s nonsensical,” Bodrug says. “I think it’s because we’re so busy, right? We’re in a society where we’re go, go, go. We’re all working really hectic jobs. We’re heading to the grocery store with no plan, buying food. It spoils quickly. Unfortunately, we waste a lot of food. But we can’t afford to, from both an environmental and a financial perspective.”

A recipe for big impact

Preventing food waste isn’t just about saving money; it’s also about helping our planet. This type of waste accounts for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to United Nations data. When food decomposes anaerobically in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Decreasing food waste at home can significantly cut these emissions. While airline emissions often make headlines, Bodrug emphasizes that real change can begin at home. Additionally, wasting less food conserves resources—such as water, energy and land—used in food production.

“When I was writing Scrappy Cooking, I didn’t want it to be this encyclopedia of just extremely scrappy things like banana peel bacon or how to use your coffee grounds and granola,” Bodrug says. “We have all of that in the book, but the foundational recipes are staples that I hope people can interchange—the produce and protein items in the recipes—because this is how I personally cook and reduce waste in my home.” With over 7 million followers across her social platforms, Bodrug’s influence holds the potential to create lasting change. Her Scrappy Cooking series has landed her features on the Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America and more. By highlighting this important issue and offering practical tips, Bodrug can help people reduce food waste at home, save money and boost their mental and physical well-being.

The intention, she says, is for readers to make the recipes using the food that’s already available rather than having to run to the grocery store every time they’re making a new recipe. “I want to really empower people to cook because I feel like it’s a lost art to learn how to cook and be confident enough to make these swaps in their home,” she says. Bodrug notes that bread is the most commonly wasted food in the world. When it toughens, she recommends blending it into breadcrumbs seasoned for added flavor, rehydrating it with coconut milk for French toast casserole or making croutons for a panzanella salad.

Placing a tall order

While fighting food waste might feel like a glass-half-empty endeavor, Bodrug isn’t one to shy away from adversity. She’s used to carving her own path and describes herself as a “self-taught cook,” having learned about nutrition and health through her own well-being pilgrimage.

In 2015, when the World Health Organization classified red meat as group 1 and group 2 carcinogens, Canadian-born Bodrug was struck by how this completely contradicted the dietary recommendations of her country’s government and that of the United States. At the same time, her father was a stage 2 colon cancer survivor. Backed with a bachelor’s degree in media theory and journalism, Bodrug dove into researching the science behind healthy food choices and found indisputable evidence that the best path to health and longevity promoted eating a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle.

Compelled to embrace veganism wholeheartedly, she faced two major obstacles. Bodrug had never eaten a plant-based meal in her life and didn’t know how to cook. Undeterred, she started an Instagram page and blog to document her journey. Her simple, delicious recipes and nonjudgmental approach quickly attracted millions of followers, which led to her first cookbook, a New York Times bestseller, PlantYou: 140+ Ridiculously Easy, Amazingly Delicious, Plant-Based, Oil-Free Recipes.

Eight years into eating primarily plant-predominant meals, Bodrug says she feels great. “I think fueling our vessel with healthy food is just going to benefit you to do whatever you want in life and then additionally help you save money, reduce waste and be a healthier human being,” she says.

To reduce food waste in your kitchen and save money, Bodrug suggests following these practical tips:

1. Be more intentional by planning your meals ahead. 

Spend an hour on the weekend to decide what you’ll eat for the week and consider using dinner leftovers for lunch. “The lowest hanging fruit to reduce your food waste is never bringing the food into your home in the first place,” Bodrug says.

2. Shop your fridge and pantry before you fill your cart. 

Take stock of what you have so you only buy what you need. This can stop you from overbuying and letting perishable items go bad.

3. Take advantage of your freezer. 

Is your spinach wilting or are your bananas browning? Use your freezer. Bodrug advises not to limit yourself to fresh produce; frozen fruits and vegetables are just as healthy, if not better, as they’re frozen at peak ripeness. Buying frozen can also save money.

4. Understand packaging dates. 

“Best-before” dates in North America often lead to unnecessary food waste. According to Bodrug, these dates indicate peak quality, not expiration. Instead of discarding food right after this date, rely on your senses. If it looks, smells, feels off or shows signs of mold, compost it.

5. Think twice before you toss. 

“Twenty-five of the recipes in the book are earmarked as kitchen raid recipes,” Bodrug says, where you can run a quick scavenger hunt for about-to-spoil items to toss in. The book also includes a handy “Got This, Make That” index. 

This article originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of SUCCESS+ digital magazine. Photo courtesy of Carleigh Bodrug.

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Governments, businesses and individuals all have a role to play in meeting this urgent goal. Here’s everything that sustainability experts want you to know about net zero by 2050:

What is net zero, and why 2050?

“Net zero” means no net production of carbon. Richard Bartlett, founder and CEO of Green Hearth, explains that “there will always be some activities that generate carbon. So, the goal of net zero is to minimize carbon production, and then capture the carbon we cannot avoid producing.”

Benjamin Leffel, Ph.D., assistant professor of public policy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, further explains that net zero means that the “emissions released into the atmosphere are equal to how much is absorbed by carbon sinks, like forests, or captured by carbon capture tech.” As a result, no net carbon is released into the atmosphere.

Ryan Lynch, global practice director for sustainability at the British Standards Institute, stresses that net zero will not be achieved if organizations make no effort to reduce emissions and just buy carbon removal credits. (Buying credits means paying others to capture carbon on an organization’s behalf.) Rather, net zero requires reducing emissions “and then what’s physically impossible to eliminate is what you purchase a carbon credit for,” he says.

Why did the IPCC choose 2050 for the target year? When the panel modeled the pathways that could be used to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, it found that global net zero would be achieved by the early 2050s—thus net zero by 2050.

What does the net-zero goal entail?

Leffel explains that “we need a complete transformation of how we produce, transport and consume energy.” The energy sector—as well as cities, businesses and national leaders—play a major role in achieving net zero, along with all levels of governance—local, regional and federal.

Lynch adds that while 2050 is a long-term goal, organizations must first focus on the next five to 10 years. They should gain a thorough understanding of their current emissions, including what they burn on-site, purchased electricity that releases emissions elsewhere and “scope three emissions, like a product’s end of life, waste from operations and the product’s use.” Then, organizations should consider the impact, expense and feasibility of changes, a process that Lynch’s team facilitates for clients.

As Bartlett notes, first doing “simple things that have the biggest impact for the lowest cost” is wise when considering what investments, behavioral changes and business models people can embrace to reach net zero.

Offering the right incentives plays a large role in meeting this goal. Bartlett, who has 18 years of financial experience, explains that “if businesses want to reduce carbon from power consumption, an easy way to do it is investing in solar panels, but that investment competes with other investments businesses make. So, it’s most effective to find a way to finance solar energy so that businesses have a net savings in their energy bill, which is attractive for them.”

Leffel and Lynch suggest that federal governments can help promote sustainability with an inflation reduction act to spur investment in new sustainable businesses and research into technology that could displace fossil fuel consumption.

Who has signed up to participate in the goal?

According to a report from the U.N., 107 countries have pledged to meet the net-zero goal as of June 2024. More than 11,000 companies, cities, educational institutions and financial institutions have also vowed to cut emissions in half by 2030. In 2016, there were no U.S. states with net-zero targets, but now 19 states have them, Leffel reports.

While these commitments are encouraging, countries’ commitments to the net-zero goal range from laws to policy documents to just announcements from a government official. To produce results, action and robust criteria for what constitutes meaningful action are needed.

For more information, Net Zero Tracker has compiled data about which countries, regions, cities and companies have committed to net zero and what measures they’re taking to reach this goal.

Are we on track to reach the goal by 2050?

Unfortunately, governments’ current commitments are not enough to reach the goal. According to the above report from the U.N., increased commitments are needed from the six largest greenhouse gas emitters: China, the U.S., India, the European Union, the Russian Federation and Brazil.

Leffel argues that cities and businesses also need to pull more weight, as they produce more than 70% of world emissions. On the bright side, his research shows that sustainability efforts from cities and businesses reinforce each other at a local level, and some companies are delivering on targets. However, he also notes that “the bad actors—the monopoly of oil and energy companies—are very powerful.”

Lynch says that additional challenges to our progress include “financing, political will, entrenched monetary interests in fossil fuel infrastructure and misinformation,” which affect citizens’ decisions about what they should buy and whom they should vote for.

What role do governments, businesses and individuals play?

To achieve net zero by 2050, everyone has to participate. Governments must encourage behavioral changes through continuous, incremental economic pressure and foster an economic environment that supports sustainability. To raise the bar of what’s possible for their countries, nations should incorporate in their emission reduction commitments the promises made by local businesses and cities. Local municipalities can also support sustainable infrastructure and homes.

A key change for businesses is to stop relying on carbon offsets. “Carbon offsets are like entering a gym and saying, ‘Could you work out for me? I’ll pay you for it,’” Leffel says. “But even if that actually worked, you’re still left with your lack of gains from not working out yourself.” In other words, buying carbon removal credits instead of actually decreasing emissions limits the positive global impact we can make.

We can help by supporting businesses with emission reduction plans. We can lobby elected officials for change, especially local officials, like mayors and city council members. We can also demand that employers support climate action and, if finances allow, make personal choices, like buying an electric car or eating less meat (the U.N. reports that meat production releases more emissions than most other food industries). Educating ourselves matters too, as 15% of Americans think climate change is fake, according to a 2024 University of Michigan study.

Is net zero by 2050 possible?

Reaching net zero by 2050 requires immediate changes and becomes less feasible the more we delay action. But, ultimately, it is achievable and progress is possible.

Bartlett notes that the price of solar panels is much lower than it was 10 years ago, and our collective ingenuity means that new technologies are made every day to help us. To create a brighter future, we must continue shifting our mindsets to understand the environmental impact of our daily activities.

This article originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of SUCCESS+ Magazine. Photo by fahroni/Shutterstock

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I’ll admit that I, too, adopted a sense of anxiety about wildlife when we moved from town to an 11-acre property in Saratoga, New York. Shortly after moving in, we learned that our property was part of a coyote highway. I worried (or, more accurately, lost sleep) over whether they’d harm my horses—and I wasn’t new to the country. I was a farm kid.

“Wildlife has been on the landscape for millions of years, and finding ways to coexist is important to recogniz[ing] their intrinsic value as animals and their benefit to people,” says J.P. Rose, the urban wildlands policy director and senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, based in Tucson, Arizona. “Predators—specifically coyotes, mountain lions and bobcats—play a crucial role in our ecosystems and keeping them healthy.”

He cites mountain lion populations as an example. Mountain lions have been completely eradicated by humans in the eastern U.S., and as a result, there are much higher deer populations. This has caused issues with ticks and Lyme disease, as well as vehicular collisions.

“People and wildlife both benefit when we respect wildlife and give them room to live on a landscape,” he adds.

Wildlife species aren’t much different from humans—they’re simply looking for ways to survive in an ever-changing landscape.

A big-picture perspective on wildlife

Animals, especially large carnivores, need plenty of space to roam. Specifically, they require up to 50, 60 or even 100 square miles, says Keith Bowers, senior landscape architect, restoration ecologist and founder of Biohabitats, a firm that does ecological assessments, planning and design.

“We’re facing a huge biodiversity crisis where species are going extinct at a faster rate than they have in human history,” he says. “The No. 1 reason species are declining and going extinct is because of habitat and habitat fragmentation.”

Habitat fragmentation happens when a large, continuous area of natural environment, like a forest or grassland, is broken up into smaller, isolated areas for shopping malls, subdivisions, agricultural expansion or road development. The animals that once thrived in these areas are disconnected from the natural resources they need to survive. As a result, human to wildlife interactions are increasing.

It’s not uncommon to see (or know a friend or neighbor who has seen) coyotes, mountain lions, moose and other large mammals strolling through developed neighborhoods. But coexisting entails more than locking up trash cans and encouraging wildlife to keep a safe distance from homes and shopping plazas.

“We need to think about the larger picture and say, ‘How can we design the road base and our infrastructure in such a way that we’re not only not fragmenting habitat, but can we design it in such a way where we’re restoring habitat?’” Bowers explains. “The first level is a continental scale level, which is thinking really big across North America and how we can rewild and reconnect corridors.”

Wildlife corridors

Wildlife corridors, such as bridges, overpasses, culverts, tunnels and fencing, are being integrated into highway and road construction. Strategically designed to attract and direct wildlife, they create safe passage for large mammals moving across land.

According to Bowers, for the last two decades, the Wildlands Network has been working on reconnecting big corridors up and down the Rocky Mountains. Planning of safe passage corridors must be considered at all levels, from a continental North American perspective to regional, state and municipality perspectives, through comprehensive zoning plans.

Reconnecting wildlife corridors is as much about human safety as it is about protecting wildlife. According to 2008 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, there are between 1 and 2 million vehicle-wildlife collisions in the U.S. each year. Annually, this results in over $8 billion in property damage, 200 human deaths and 26,000 injuries. The University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies also found that in 2020, deer caused 1,112 crashes, four deaths and 28 critical injuries in Minnesota alone.

“The first wildlife crossings in Canada and the United States were advanced 25 years ago near Banff,” says Nina-Marie E. Lister, professor at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Urban and Regional Planning and director of the Ecological Design Lab. “A 10-year monitoring project showed very clearly how long it took wildlife to learn how and where to cross safely. Multiple generations of young [animals] know exactly where to go, and roadkill has been reduced by over 90%, so that’s an incredible statistic for success.”

Making your property more wildlife-friendly

Coexisting with large wildlife around your property starts with understanding their needs and behaviors. By making simple adjustments to your outdoor space, you can minimize conflicts while creating a thriving habitat for local species.

Here are a few strategies to make your home more wildlife-friendly while encouraging animals to keep a safe distance:

1. “Rewild” property perimeters

Let the edges of property lines become less manicured to give wildlife access to passage corridors away from your home.

“Taking down fences at the ends of our yards or allowing our gardens to rewild at the perimeters, [when] done in a strategic way, can improve connectivity and allow more coverage for wildlife to move safely across those landscapes,” Lister says. “The city of London, England, which is known for its manicured, pristine-looking landscapes, rewilded both Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park in sections. These are sections that include fallen logs and go unmowed and are allowed to be rougher-looking.”

2. Use wildlife-friendly fencing

Fencing may define the edges of your property or enhance curb appeal, but certain styles can prohibit wildlife movement and can create injury.

El Dorado County Fish and Wildlife offers detailed advice for wildlife-friendly fencing, including:

• Removing spikes, pickets and barbs from the top of fencing or covering sharp points with decorative covers
• Leaving a buffer between fencing and the road to give animals ample space to move without getting in the way
• Avoiding net fencing
• Choosing smooth wire fencing over barbed-wire fencing, where applicable
• Raising fencing high enough off the ground for wildlife to crawl under

3. Be active on planning boards

“Get involved with your local municipality and comprehensive planning or zoning process and help advocate for wildlife,” Bowers says.

Similarly, if you live in a community with a homeowner’s association, participate in planning and decision-making processes concerning wildlife.

4. Plant native plants

Native plants are an engine of life that supports countless species. Choose native plants over non-native types when you can. For example, oak trees harbor hundreds of native species, whereas crepe myrtles have almost zero because they aren’t native to the U.S., Bowers explains.

“I can’t stress this enough,” he says. “The one thing homeowners can do is plant and insist that native plants are planted in their community and in their yards.”

5. Avoid anticoagulant rodenticides

Anticoagulants are blood thinners included in bait blocks to kill mice and other rodents. However, predators that feed on rodents often suffer from secondary poisoning—so try not to use this type of bait.

6. Keep animals moving away from your house

Adam Hartung, CEO and managing partner of strategy and transformation consulting firm Spark Partners, saw animals dying from secondary poisoning and took action to find ways to keep them moving away from his home. Providing a water source on the periphery of his two-acre property adjacent to an open space is one way he accomplished this.

“I want to try to give the animals someplace to go beside my house by creating a positive environment for them,” he says. “I get inexpensive horse troughs that are only a foot tall and put water in there.”

7. Be strategic with outdoor lighting

Light pollution can also disrupt the natural behaviors of wildlife.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers a comprehensive list of strategies to counter its effects. Suggestions include warmer light tones, motion detectors, timers or dimmers and using blinds or curtains to prevent indoor lighting from seeping outdoors.

“[DarkSky] has tips on lighting principles,” Rose says. “Use motion sensor lights and make them directed at what you’re trying to illuminate as opposed to blasting the entire area.”

8. Consider conservation communities

Conservation communities are neighborhoods that are specifically designed to preserve open space and provide wildlife with habitat through safe corridors and protected spaces. Lagoon Valley in Vacaville, California; Prairie Crossing in Grayslake, Illinois; and Serenbe on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, are a few examples.

Coexisting with wildlife is critical

We have a dual perception of predators: They inspire fascination by evoking a sense of freedom, yet they simultaneously cause us to fear. Yet without strategic use of land, species will disappear, so finding ways to create properties where both humans and wildlife can thrive is essential.

“We’ve been spending a lot of time on climate and climate change, which is where we should be because that’s a huge issue,” Bowers says. “But even if we solve climate change tomorrow, there would still be this huge loss of biodiversity and a continuing decline in biodiversity.”

Numerous organizations focus on expanding wildlife corridors and providing homeowners education and tips for coexisting with wildlife. Here are just a few examples, if you’re looking for resources:

• ARC Solutions
• Biophilic Cities
• Cougar Conservancy
• Ecological Design Lab
• National Wildlife Federation
• Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing
• Wildlands Network

Photo by Saptashaw Chakraborty/Shutterstock.com

This article originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of SUCCESS+ digital magazine.

The post Can’t We All Just Get Along? appeared first on SUCCESS.

But, solitude isn’t a negative or scary state of being. In fact, it can be quite the opposite—and provide many advantages—if you only change your perspective. 

Although it’s a common misconception, solitude is not a synonym for loneliness. Rather, it is the act of being alone accompanied only by yourself. This space can be full of magic if you let it. It is a time for introspection, relaxation and to be who you really are with no fear of judgement. Solitude can even help to improve your critical thinking skills, creativity and self-awareness, as well as reduce stress. 

Learning to love your time alone and to make the most out of it can take some inspiration and dedication. So, we’re providing you with a list of solitude quotes that will help you approach periods of isolation with confidence and perhaps even excitement. 

Powerful Solitude Quotes to Embrace Being Alone

When you’re alone, the world is your oyster. There’s no one to tell you what to do or to interrupt your thinking patterns—a scary but also liberating thought. These first few positive solitude quotes can help us to start restructuring the way we view solitude. It’s an avenue to become reacquainted with yourself and to re-establish who you are and who you want to be. With this mindset, you can truly begin to appreciate your time alone. 

• “Be so fulfilled with yourself, that even when you are alone, you feel in good company.” —Irini Zoica
• “If you are never alone, you cannot know yourself.” —Paulo Coelho 
• “Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is richness of self.” —May Sarton 
• “Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren’t a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was.” —Cheryl Strayed
• “I restore myself when I’m alone. A career is born in public — talent in privacy.” —Marilyn Monroe 
• “Learn your way around loneliness. Make a map of it. Sit with it, for once in your life. Welcome to the human experience. But never again use another person’s body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilled yearnings.” —Elizabeth Gilbert
• “​​Our language has wisely sensed these two sides of man’s being alone. It has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone.  And it has created the word “solitude” to express the glory of being alone.” —Paul Tillich
• “The secret of a good old age is simply an honorable pact with solitude.” —Gabriel García Márquez

Related Link: 75 Joy Quotes That Will Brighten Your Day And Lift Your Spirit

Comforting Quotes to Overcome Feeling Alone 

If you’ve ever felt alone, you’re not alone. Isn’t it comforting to know that this feeling of separation is something that actually connects us all? We all inevitably fall into that withdrawn bubble at some point or another. But, there’s no shortage of ways to combat any negative feelings that solitude may spur on. The following “feeling alone” quotes highlight just a few including activities like getting lost in books or music. 

• “Being alone is not the same as being lonely. I like to do things that glorify being alone. I buy a candle that smells pretty, turn down the lights and make a playlist of low-key songs. If you don’t act like you’ve been hit by the plague when you’re alone on a Friday night, and just see it as a chance to have fun by yourself, it’s not a bad day.” —Taylor Swift

• ​​“A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings. Remember that next time you feel alone.” —Mandy Hale
• “From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood. There was poetry for quiet companionship. There was adventure when she tired of quiet hours. There would be love stories when she came into adolescence and when she wanted to feel a closeness to someone she could read a biography. On that day when she first knew she could read, she made a vow to read one book a day as long as she lived.” —Betty Smith
• “Although I am a typical loner in my daily life, my awareness of belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for truth, beauty, and justice has prevented me from feelings of isolation.” —Albert Einstein 
• “Seek to be alone much to commune with Nature and be thus inspired by her mighty whisperings within your consciousness. Nature is a most jealous god, for she will not whisper her inspiring revelations to you unless you are absolutely alone with her.” —Walter Russell
• “Although she continued to knit, and sat upright, it was thus that she felt herself; and this self having shed its attachments was free for the strangest adventures. When life sank down for a moment, the range of experience seemed limitless.” —Virginia Woolf
• “Man is, at one and the same time, a solitary being and a social being. As a solitary being, he attempts to protect his own existence and that of those who are closest to him, to satisfy his personal desires and to develop his innate abilities. As a social being, he seeks to gain the recognition and affection of his fellow human beings, to share in their pleasures, to comfort them in their sorrows and to improve their conditions of life.” —Albert Einstein

Related Link: 75 Uplifting Mental Health Quotes to Comfort You When You’re Struggling

Inspirational Quotes On The Power Of Solitude 

Solitude is a powerful tool at your disposal. It shows a great deal of strength to be independent and capable of spending uninterrupted time in your own head. But, it can also breed amazing results. In the following “being alone” inspirational quotes, brilliant celebrities and historians share what solitude means to them and how it’s impacted their lives. 

• “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “I’m actually really interested in living more of a life of solitude. It’s really nice to just have time to be alone, and be expansive and know that you’re enough. I wish I could tell my younger self that.” —Lady Gaga
• “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.” —Charlotte Brontë
• “Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.” —Bell Hooks
• “The right to be let alone is indeed the beginning of all freedom.” —William P. Douglas 
• “Solitude is a silent storm that breaks down all our dead branches; Yet it sends our living roots deeper into the living heart of the living earth.” —Kahlil Gibran

• “Solitude is not the absence of Love, but its complement.” —Paulo Coelho

Related Link: 100 Inner Peace Quotes to Be Your Guide Through Difficult Situations

Thoughtful Quotes On Being Happy Alone 

Not only is it possible to feel completely content and at ease alone, but you can even feel at your happiest during these times. The following “happy being alone” quotes remind us that we can use solitude to do all the things that bring us joy, even if that’s just mentally resetting. It’s a privilege to just be with yourself. We can settle in and appreciate these moments of silence and tranquility. 

• “Knowing how to belong to yourself is an art in a world where everyone is finding their home in others.” —Renuka Gavrani
• “I have to be alone very often. I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.” —Audrey Hepburn
• “Closed in a room, my imagination becomes the universe, and the rest of the world is missing out.” —Criss Jami
• “I’m not alone! I’m with myself. And myself is fabulous.” —Eva Longoria

• “Solitude is the soul’s holiday, an opportunity to stop doing for others and to surprise and delight ourselves instead.” —Katrina Kenison
• “Live alone in your mind — that is happiness. To have nobody to care for and never minding who cares for one is the way to be free.” —Swami Vivekananda 

Positive Sayings On Walking Alone

Sometimes in life, you may choose a path of solitude on purpose. You must be the captain of your own ship, and at times, that will mean that you can’t just follow the crowd. Staying true to your own values and making independent choices may lead to isolation, but it means you have integrity and personal strength. When situations like these arise, use these quotes for standing alone to build your courage. 

• “There is a magic in walking alone, in thinking alone: If there is no one to contact you around, the universe starts contacting you!” —Mehmet Murat ildan
• “I have a good life, I remind myself. There are plenty of people who love me. They’re just not around at the moment.” —Cynthia Hand
• “There is no support so strong as the strength that enables one to stand alone.” —Ellen Glasgow 

• “I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.” —Bobcat Goldthwait
• “You need courage to see things differently, courage to go against the crowd, courage to take a different approach, courage to stand alone if you have to, courage to choose activity over inactivity.” —Jim Rohn
• “Why does no one tell us how important it is to enjoy being single and being by yourself? That time is defining and amazing and nothing to ‘sure’. It is being alone that will actually set you up the best for being with someone else.” —Drew Barrymore

Introspective Phrases On Solitude & Self-Reflection 

When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to sit with your thoughts and feel your emotions? Solitude puts things in perspective for us, at times de-escalating our feelings and quieting a busy mind. But, it also makes room for introspection. We can check in with ourselves, increasing our self-awareness without foreign noise. This practice is key for personal growth and these sayings will help to inspire your reflection. 

• “I think alone time is good to know how to be alone with your own thoughts. I think it just helps you kind of be a better, more grounded person.” —Carrie Brownstein
• “The greatest thing in the world is for a man to know that he is his own.” —Michel de Montaigne
• “Remember: the time you feel lonely is the time you most need to be by yourself. Life’s cruelest irony.” —Douglass Coupland

• “Alone time is when I distance myself from the voices of the world so I can hear my own.” —Oprah Winfrey
• “If isolation tempers the strong, it is the stumbling-block of the uncertain.” —Paul Cezanne
• “Loneliness is and always has been the central and inevitable experience of every man.” —Thomas Wolfe
• “I am no more lonely than the loon in the pond that laughs so loud, or than Walden Pond itself. What company has that lonely lake, I pray? And yet it has not the blue devils, but the blue angels in it, in the azure tint of its waters.” —Henry David Thoreau

Use Solitude to Your Advantage 

Solitude is not a void to be feared but a space to be embraced. It offers a chance to relax, recharge and reconnect with yourself in ways that hectic social interactions often cannot. Whether it’s getting lost in a book, taking a quiet walk or simply sitting with your thoughts, solitude allows for deep reflection and self-discovery. It strengthens your independence, sharpens your mind and nurtures creativity. The ability to be content in your own company is a quiet yet profound kind of strength. So, next time you find yourself alone, don’t rush to fill the silence. Listen to it. 

We hope these solitude quotes have shown you the brighter side of being by yourself. Learn from the experiences of celebrities, writers and leaders and find comfort in knowing that the feeling of aloneness is universal, but also a beautiful opportunity. 

Photo by eldar nurkovic/Shutterstock

The post 40 Positive Quotes On Being Alone & Embracing Solitude appeared first on SUCCESS.

Here are nine steps you can take now:

1. Decide on a cohesive theme

“Creating a welcoming and relaxing yard begins with thoughtful design and planning,” says Jennifer Cassels, president of outdoor decor retailer The Blissful Place. Once you’ve decided, on your overall layout and decor, “get to work and start dividing your space into distinct areas—like an entertainment area with seating, a garden for greenery and color and pathways that seamlessly connect the different spaces.”

Decorative elements like rustic stone and ceramic pieces “blend beautifully with greenery, while metallic accents add a sleek, modern touch,” she notes.

2. Start the groundwork

Before you can make your garden beautiful again, you need to wake your plants up “from their deep winter slumber,” says Raine Clarke-Wills, founder and head consultant designer of Raine Garden Design. She suggests starting by removing leaves and other debris, trimming off dead growth from grass and flowers and clearing out garden beds to bare soil. 

Once that’s done, turn over the earth and cover it with a layer of compost and mulch, advises Valeria Nyman, chief product officer at Taim.io, a platform that helps people learn how to cultivate gardens. “That combo feeds the soil and insulates it for spring planting,” she says. 

3. Choose your summer flowers now 

Winter is the perfect time to order summer flowers and seeds, according to Clarke-Wills. “Take the time to explore seed and bulb varieties that inspire and excite you, and think about the colors, textures and blooms that will ignite your garden to life,” she says. 

She suggests choosing plants that attract butterflies and bees to make your garden more lively. She also recommends thinking about how your garden will look from inside the house to create a cohesive aesthetic. 

4. Plant early

You can get an early start on growing some plants, even if there’s still snow on the ground. Plants like peppers and geraniums “benefit from an early start to take full advantage of a longer growing season,” Clarke-Wills explains. This planting should be done inside. Chrissie Handley, a lawn care specialist and gardening expert at Online Turf, recommends using indoor seed starters and moving them outside when the weather warms up. 

“Egg carton starters are a popular DIY method,” she says. “Herbs like dill, parsley and basil are good herbs to start indoors, [and] pansies and petunias are good floral starters.” 

If you don’t have a sunny window, don’t worry. An inexpensive grow light “can save you from leggy, weak seedlings,” Nyman says.

5. Pay attention to patio furniture

Patio furniture that’s been neglected all winter may need some TLC. Before spring arrives, Clarke-Wills recommends examining your outdoor furniture to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced. You can apply a fresh coat of varnish or paint before spring arrives. If you need to replace your furniture, order it while it’s still chilly outside, and it should arrive in time for spring. 

While you’re at it, don’t forget to clean your patio. Clarke-Wills advises using a powerwasher as well as dusting off your firepit.

6. Choose the right lighting

Don’t overlook outdoor lighting. “The right lighting can create allure, illuminating the space with a graceful glow that allows you to enjoy your outdoor haven as day shifts to dusk,” Clarke-Wills says. 

Instead of using one type of lighting, Cassels recommends layering. “String lights overhead, lanterns along walking paths and accent lighting in garden beds provide a soft, inviting glow after dark,” she says.   

7. Change your space to reflect how you use it

As spring approaches, Clarke-Wills suggests re-evaluating how you use your outdoor space and making adjustments accordingly. “Do you want to bathe in the spring sunshine, or would you prefer to create dappled and protective shade?” she asks. 

Depending on the answer, it might make sense to rearrange your patio furniture or add accessories. For example, if you want to spend evenings outdoors while it’s cool, consider adding a firepit or patio heater to your seating area. If you like to be outside in the hottest part of the day, add a pergola so you aren’t in direct sunlight.

8. Make sure your seating area is inviting

“A well-designed sitting area blends comfort, style and functionality,” Cassels says. To create a backyard perfect for entertaining, arrange seating in a circle or semicircle shape around a coffee table or firepit to encourage conversation. 

She also advises having a variety of seating options, such as chairs, chaise lounges or benches to suit different preferences. “Ottomans and side tables are also wonderful as they can be used for holding drinks, magazines or decorative accents,” she says. “Add outdoor throw pillows, cozy blankets or a vibrant rug to elevate the look and make the area feel welcoming.”

9. Choose the right materials

When it comes to selecting outdoor furniture, Clarke-Wills suggests choosing weather-resistant materials that require minimal maintenance and prioritize comfort. Vanessa Carter, creative director and art advocate at Paint Vibe, recommends using natural materials like wood or stone throughout your yard to create a welcoming feeling. You can also add stone or wood planters around your garden. 

Helpful Products for Your Garden

Here are some products you can get now to help get your yard ready for spring and make it as welcoming as possible. 

Deck Box

A Keter deck box is a great way to keep your yard tidy. The Signature 150 is made out of durable, weather-resistant material that mimics the look of wood. It can also double as a place to rest drinks or display plants. The deck box is big enough to hold seating cushions, throw pillows, blankets and other items when they need to be stashed away during bad weather. 

Outdoor TV

Why watch your favorite movie or a highly anticipated game indoors? A Furrion television, made for use outdoors in full sun, is a great way to extend your time outside during the spring while watching your favorite shows. 

Pretty Planters

The Journeys planter from Hooks & Lattice has a modern look with etchings that resemble tree branches. It comes in three sizes, which can be used individually or as a set. Its versatile look means it can work in traditional gardens or in those with a contemporary twist. 

Fire pit

To make cooler nights cozy outdoors, consider a Breeo fire pit. These fire pits are a good choice because they are smokeless and come in a variety of sizes. Many include heat deflectors to make sure everyone around the fire stays warm. Breeo has a number of bundles so you can customize your fire pit, whether you want to use it for grilling and searing or for making s’mores. 

Perfect Patio Set

Wayfair’s Waldman outdoor seating group comes with two armless chairs, two corner sofas, 10 cushions in a variety of colors and a coffee table. The set is made out of brown weather-resistant wicker that resembles the look of wood.

Photo by Ground Picture/shutterstock.com

The post 9 Great Ways to Upgrade Your Yard for Spring appeared first on SUCCESS.

I am, of course, talking about PowerPoint parties. The first time I went to one, I genuinely didn’t think most people would do the homework. 

I was wrong. At both parties, every single person showed up ready to go. It made for a full, fun but entirely manageable evening that you might want to try. 

What’s a PowerPoint Party?

PowerPoint parties have been around, at least as early as 2012, though a viral 2018 tweet and the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic (when people were looking for virtual entertainment) brought the topic into the public eye. Since then, these parties have continued to remain popular. 

The idea is simple enough: Ask each guest to arrive with a PowerPoint they’ve created. The point of the party is to have everyone present their PowerPoint while following whatever rules have been put into place. It’s a great way to share about a topic that you love and the perfect ice-breaker for people who don’t know each other all that well. No small talk is needed—you can jump straight to the really important things in life, like discussing which superhero would win Miss America. 

How to Throw a PowerPoint Party

Here are a few tips to make your PowerPoint party a success.

1. Have your tech in place

Getting started is easy—just figure out how you’re going to show off your attendee’s presentations. A TV works great, as does a projector. Just make sure that you have all the cords you’ll need to get the presentations from your phone or computer to the bigger screen. (Usually this means an HDMI cord, an adapter, or the ability to do some type of screen casting). 

2. Establish rules 

Here’s the thing about PowerPoint parties: People will talk more than you expect. Even the quietest person gets awfully loquacious when given a clicker and pictures of their favorite fandom. 

There aren’t any hard and fast rules, but generally you want a slide limit and/or a time limit. It may seem overly strict, but trust me when I say that you’ll be glad you enforced these elements. Personally, I prefer asking everyone to stick to five to 10 slides and three to five minutes max, as it gives room for sillier slides and also ensures that everyone will get a chance to go. 

3. Have fun

Remember, these PowerPoints aren’t for looking “professional”— they’re for having a good time getting to know people better. I highly recommend encouraging the silliest presentations possible. This is your moment for bad ‘90s word art and dizzying animations. Let your inner middle schooler out, and really embrace the absurdity of it all. 

The title slide for my most recent presentation analyzing the movie Wicked’s best moments. 

Ideas to Get You Started

Neither PowerPoint party that I attended used a theme, but for those who are new to the concept, think their attendees may be a bit shy or just like the idea of reigning in the chaos a smidge, a theme can help. Similarly, if you are attending an open-ended party (or hosting one) and want some ideas for what to talk about, below are some of my favorite suggestions. 

• Convince everyone to partake in your favorite TV show, movie, book or podcast. 
• Rank something. Anything. One of my friends made a “definitive list of the best types of chocolate” and put milk chocolate at the bottom just to watch our collective outrage. 
• Explain your favorite niche interest. For instance, at one party someone explained the basics of color use in video game design (and the way that it tells you what you can and can’t interact with), and I have not stopped thinking about it two years later. 
• Analyze which of your friends would win The Hunger Games and how the others would die. (Maybe skip this one if you’re hanging with people you don’t know well.) 
• Swap PowerPoints with someone else without giving each other any context on the topic you chose. 
• Use it as an excuse to bring props to give away. One person brought cuttings of their plants and another brought beer samples of beer they’d made. 
• Create a “Top 10” list of the most attractive characters from your favorite fandom. One of my friends even went so far as to give each a separate numerical ranking on cuteness, hotness and sexiness.  (Probably best to avoid topics like these if you’re having this party with coworkers). 

Photo from bbernard/Shutterstock.com

The post How to Throw a PowerPoint Party That Everyone Will Love appeared first on SUCCESS.

But what if your diet could become your secret weapon? Superfoods—nutrient-dense powerhouse foods—offer more than just physical benefits. They also fuel cognitive performance, reduce stress and keep energy levels steady.

When you prioritize what goes on your plate, you’re actively investing in your entrepreneurial success. Here’s how incorporating the right superfoods into your routine can transform your performance.

The science behind nutrition and mental performance

The brain, like any high-performance tool, functions best when fueled correctly. Eating foods that are dense in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and essential vitamins can support brain functions like focus, memory and stress management.

Some research has indicated that deficiencies in specific nutrients may result in impaired cognitive function, including decreased attention, learning and memory. Conversely, a nutrient-rich diet can enhance cognitive performance throughout one’s life. 

For instance, iron deficiency was once considered the most prevalent nutritional problem worldwide, affecting an estimated 2.5–5 billion people. Iron is crucial for neurological functioning and development, and a deficiency can lead to cognitive impairments. Similarly, deficiencies in iodine, iron, zinc and vitamin B-12 have been linked to cognitive deficits in children, impairing attention, learning and memory.

By making nutrient-rich foods a staple in your diet, you can help give your brain the support it needs to stay sharp, focused and ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.

Top superfoods for energy and focus

Incorporating these five superfoods into your diet could significantly impact your ability to stay energized and sharp throughout the day:

1. Blueberries

One of the most well-known “super fruits,” blueberries are packed with antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and improve cognitive function. They also enhance memory, which can be a game-changer during high-pressure moments.

2. Avocados

Avocados are loaded with healthy fats that support sustained energy and brain health. They also promote blood flow to aid with heightened focus.

3. Dark chocolate

Opt for dark chocolate with 70% or more cocoa. Flavonoids in dark chocolate have the potential to boost attention and lower stress levels for a perfect midday pick-me-up.

4. Nuts and seeds

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts and chia seeds are among the most popular brain boosters. They can provide lasting energy without the crash that sugary snacks cause.

5. Leafy greens

Spinach and kale are high in iron, folate, magnesium and vitamin K, all of which can combat mental fatigue and improve clarity.

How superfoods can help you manage stress

Stress is an unavoidable part of entrepreneurial life, but these superfoods can help you manage it more effectively:

• Ashwagandha and matcha: These plant-based nutrition sources contain adaptogens that can lower cortisol levels, which enhances your ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Turmeric: This vibrant spice contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound that can boost brain health and resilience.
• Fatty fish: Salmon and sardines are rich in omega-3 DHA, a nutrient linked to improved mood and reduced burnout risk. Regular consumption of fatty fish was found to be associated with larger brain volumes in areas connected to memory and learning.

Since our brains can use 20% of our regular calorie intake, fueling with superfoods becomes that much more important.

Seasonal superfoods: Maximize your nutrition with fresh options

Eating seasonally is a simple yet powerful way to ensure that you’re getting the maximum nutrient density from your food.

During colder months, incorporating seasonal superfoods like winter herbs and spices into your meals not only adds flavor but also can offer peak nutritional benefits. Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that support stress reduction and cognitive health.

Whether blended into a morning smoothie or used to season a nourishing soup, these winter staples can help entrepreneurs stay energized and focused throughout their busiest seasons.

How to incorporate superfoods daily

The best part about superfoods is how easy they are to include in your routine. Here’s how to make them a seamless part of your day:

1. Start with smoothies

Blend spinach, blueberries, chia seeds and protein for a nutrient-packed breakfast. Add a pinch of turmeric for an extra brain boost.

2. Choose healthy snacks

Replace chips and processed snacks with nuts, dark chocolate and berries.

3. Upgrade your meals

Add avocados to your lunch or incorporate turmeric into soups and stir-fries.

4. Hydrate smartly

Trade coffee for green tea or matcha, which offer sustained focus without the jitters.

These small, intentional changes can help you build habits that enhance energy and focus—which are essential qualities for success-driven professionals.

Take control of your nutrition for lasting success

Your diet isn’t just fuel—it’s also the foundation for how you think, feel and perform. By embracing superfoods, you can optimize your energy, sharpen your focus and bolster your resilience.

Start small: Swap processed snacks for nutrient-rich alternatives, experiment with adaptogens like matcha and make hydration a priority. Over time, these habits will translate into greater mental clarity and less stress.

Success in entrepreneurship is about leveraging every tool at your disposal—and with some intentionality, seasonal superfoods might just become your new secret weapon.

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