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Mona McCoy had always dreamed of traveling, but could never afford it. Then, in December 2020, she watched a YouTube video of a guy who lived in his van, and it changed her perspective. After watching it, “I thought, ‘I can do that for vacations and save on motels and be able to cook in the van,’” she says.



Her job at a car dealership allowed her to purchase a van at a wholesale price in March 2021. She outfitted it with essentials like a bed, shower and cabinets to create a livable space for travel. That November, her plans shifted. “I decided I'm going to sell everything I own and move completely into the van and save money,” she says.







At first, she continued working, but when her boss sold the dealership the following year, she decided it was time to travel. “I hit the road full time,” she says.



Now, at 66, she’s spent the past two years traveling across the U.S., living in her van. She finances her travels through Social Security checks, an <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-smart-money-moves-to-plan-for-financial-security/">emergency fund</a>, and a modest income from her YouTube channel,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thisvanlifeofmine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> This Van Life of Mine.</a>



McCoy’s story reflects a growing trend among older adults seeking freedom, simplicity, and adventure in <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-plan-for-retirement/">retirement</a>. Of the 3.1 million vanlifers in the U.S. in 2022, <a href="https://rv-pro.com/features/van-lifers-explain-how-they-embrace-life-on-the-road/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4% were retired</a>, reported RV Pro, though that figure could be on the low side based on how many older people are on the road.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lure-of-the-open-road">Lure of the open road</h2>



After traveling to Africa in October 2024, 72-year-old Natalie Hill was inspired to embark on her own van life journey. “This trip was life-changing for me,” she says.



When she returned, she realized meeting interesting people and experiencing nature were missing from her life. While exploring her options, she came across the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLslKBpzJILet9KTmTTC4tMEVxLSqxizVU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#VanLife</a> trend on YouTube, particularly among mature women. “I'm going to live in a van in the U.S.,” she decided after watching the videos.



Before purchasing a van in December 2024, she launched a YouTube channel,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@mylifeinavan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> My Life In a Van</a>, to document her journey. She decided to test out van life before fully committing by taking several shorter trips.



On her first trip, she ran into a few problems, but they didn’t deter her. “My shelving structure collapsed. I didn't have enough power. The food I brought was terrible. I was freezing all the time. It was a disaster. And it was like, ‘I'm sold. I'm doing this,’” she says.



So, what kept her interested? Meetups, scheduled events where others living the van life come together to connect. “Meetups build a sense of community,” she says.



She’s currently in the process of purchasing a larger van. Once that happens, she says, “I'm going to sell my house [and] hit the road full time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-van-life-tips">Van life tips</h2>



Feeling inspired to have an adventure? Here are some expert tips for embracing van life in retirement.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-test-drive-with-small-trips">1. Test drive with small trips</h3>



Before you sell everything you own and hop into a van to travel the country, try it out first, since you might not like it. Hill says she met one part-time van lifer who rented a van and then went to a local store to purchase “a mini fridge, a bed frame, a mattress, a little plastic dresser, some food and water, and she was ready to go,” says Hill. It’s an easy, low-cost way to test the lifestyle before making a full commitment.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-have-an-emergency-fund">2. Have an emergency fund</h3>



&nbsp;Even though living in a van is less expensive than renting or owning a home, there are still costs involved in maintaining your vehicle, and sometimes they’re unexpected. McCoy says it’s important to have an emergency fund before you begin your van life journey.



“You're living in a mechanical vehicle, and mechanical things break down all the time,” she explains. When she first started out, she says her tires were not rated for a heavy-duty van, causing them to come apart. “With only 20,000 miles, I had to come up with $1,000 to buy an extra set of tires,” she says. Fortunately, she was able to cover the costs using her emergency fund.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-use-apps-to-find-free-parking-and-water">3. Use apps to find free parking and water</h3>



Across the U.S., there are 245 million acres of public land—mostly in the western states—managed by the<a href="https://www.blm.gov/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Bureau of Land Management</a> (BLM). Van lifers often use this land for free parking, typically for a limited stay of 14 days, though this can vary by location. McCoy explains that you can use apps to find BLM land or other free parking options, such as Cracker Barrel parking lots. She also uses apps like<a href="https://thedyrt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Dyrt</a> to find free water, which she uses for both showering and drinking.&nbsp;



Chris Lowe, 57, and Bobby Brown, 67, are a couple who are part-time van lifers. They received so many compliments on their self-built van that they now own a company called<a href="https://www.boujeebuilds.com/boujee-builds-home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Boujee Builds</a>, where they build vans for others. They also recommend using apps like<a href="https://www.campendium.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Campendium</a> or<a href="https://www.harvesthosts.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Harvest Hosts</a> to find parking. They explain that some 24/7-hour gyms offer free parking, which apps can help locate. 24/7 gyms can also come in handy for shower facilities.



Besides traveling in the U.S., Lowe and Brown rented a van and traveled around New Zealand. There, they used the app<a href="https://www.madcampers.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Mad Campers</a> to find parking. “It's just a really cool way to travel,” says Lowe.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-keep-safe-while-traveling">4. Keep safe while traveling</h3>



McCoy stresses the importance of always being aware of your surroundings when traveling. “I have, on a couple of occasions, pulled into a place and got a weird feeling that I didn't like it there, so I moved on,” she says. She notes that she never stays somewhere overnight that doesn’t have cell service. “I have a tribe of ladies that we follow each other on Google Maps. I can see where they are at any given time and they can see me,” she adds.



McCoy finds staying at Cracker Barrels to be very safe. “I feel they are 99.9 percent of the time in good neighborhoods. I have never had any problems staying a night at a Cracker Barrel or a Walmart,” she says. “I also like mom-and-pop truck stops. I know ladies that prefer Love's and Pilot's, but I do not.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-attend-meetups">5. Attend meetups</h3>



The van lifers interviewed emphasized the strong sense of community formed at scheduled meetups. Hill says she has stayed in touch with several women she met through these events. “Even though there might be 60 or 70 women there, you gradually get to know [them], and then you might meet them again at another meetup.”



McCoy shares a similar experience. After one meetup, she became friends with a woman and stayed in her driveway for a couple of nights to explore the town.



“It's like an instant bond with someone who is in a van,” Lowe says.&nbsp;



Brown adds, “We spent three and a half hours doing van tours,” where they check out each other’s vans. He recalls being surprised by everyone’s friendliness and willingness to show their van to him.



Hill says she’s “made more new friends in the last three months than I have in the last three decades.” Van life is not only a great way to travel but also a way to find a sense of community.



Photo from Inside Creative House/Shutterstock.com

Discover how older adults are finding freedom and adventure in van life. Plus, get tips on van living in retirement.

Mona McCoy had always dreamed of traveling, but could never afford it. Then, in December 2020, she watched a YouTube video of a guy who lived in his van, | SUCCESS

Embracing Van Life in Retirement

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Embracing Van Life in Retirement | SUCCESS

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Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Success Magazine and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her at Bluesky @CherylMaguire

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Cheryl Maguire

What are the best ADHD coaching programs?

Longevity &amp; Performance

Longevity &amp; Performance Archives

Longevity &amp; Performance | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

ADHD coaching through Shimmer offers affordable, virtual care for adults. Learn how this coaching platform is transforming access to behavioral support.

Learn how Christal Wang created a cost-effective ADHD coaching platform.

ADHD Coaching: How Christal Wang Built Shimmer | SUCCESS

ADHD Coaching: How Shimmer Is Making Support Accessible

ADHD Coaching: Support Through Shimmer | SUCCESS

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Learn how Christal Wang created a cost-effective ADHD coaching platform for those seeking treatment at an affordable price.

A table full of miscellaneous garage sale items including records, hats, and dishes next to a rack of clothes

Money

Money Archives

Achieve financial success and freedom

When my mom sold the house I grew up in, she sold everything. For months leading up to her move, she kept telling me about all the sales she was having. One day, she mentioned she’d sold 20 empty pickle jars for $20. I couldn’t believe it! I thought, “If she can sell used pickle jars for $20, I definitely need to start selling my stuff too.”



That moment marked the start of my journey into selling unwanted items. I began by listing things on <a href="https://craigslist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Craigslist</a> but eventually switched to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook Marketplace</a> after a friend recommended it. My mom wasn’t the only great <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-sell-without-being-a-slimy-salesperson/">salesperson</a>—one of my friends was too. I asked them countless questions and picked up some valuable tips. (I still occasionally consult them for advice on pricing items or writing a listing.)



Now, with over $5,000 in sales under my belt, I consider myself an expert. If you’re thinking about downsizing like my mom or just want to get rid of some extra stuff around the house, here are some tips to help you sell your items and boost your profits.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-give-yourself-time">1. Give yourself time</h2>



If you’re planning to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-living-with-less-can-give-you-more/">downsize</a> in a year or more, starting to sell your items now can help you maximize your profits. Some items take time to sell, and if you’re not in a rush to get rid of them, you won’t feel pressured to lower your price or even give it away for free. One item I sold—a pirate sign—took almost a year to sell. But I received the full price of $40 by waiting and it probably helped that it was near Halloween.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-photos-make-a-difference">2. Photos make a difference</h2>



Naturally, you’ll want to include pictures of your item for sale. When photographing it, check that there isn’t anything in the background so your item is highlighted. Also, make sure it’s clean and well-presented with good lighting. I usually post two or three photos of the item with different angles (front, back and side). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-pick-your-price-correctly">3. Pick your price correctly</h2>



One of the most challenging parts of selling items is figuring out the right price. Price it too high, and no one will buy it. Price it too low, and you won’t earn as much as you could have. Plus, pricing too low can lead to a flood of interested buyers, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming to manage.



My rule of thumb is to price items at 50% of what I originally paid for them. After I determine that price, I search Marketplace for similar items to see what others are asking. I also look up the item online to check its current value. Occasionally, the value of an item will have increased since I bought it. In those cases, I base my price on 50% of the current value instead.



Some buyers will accept the full asking price, while others may try to negotiate for a lower one. If you’re not open to negotiation, you can state in your listing that the price is firm. However, some buyers may ignore this and still make lower offers.&nbsp;



When I’ve just listed an item, I usually respond to lower offers by saying, “I appreciate your interest, but I’m not lowering the price at this time.” Even if an item has been listed for over a year—like my pirate sign—I might still stick to my asking price.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Deciding whether to negotiate depends on factors like whether getting rid of an item is more important than getting your full asking price.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-stick-to-your-guns">4. Stick to your guns</h2>



Most buyers don’t try to negotiate after agreeing to purchase and pick up an item. However, I’ve been caught off guard before. Once, while answering questions about an item, a buyer unexpectedly asked for a discount. For some reason, I said yes, and I’ve regretted it ever since. I think I wasn’t prepared for the negotiation. So, always be ready for a buyer who might try to haggle—even at the last minute.



It’s important to remember that this is a business transaction, so you shouldn’t feel bad about sticking to your price or accepting a higher offer when you have multiple bids. Also, I always try to stay professional with buyers, even when they annoy me—for example, by offering less after I’ve clearly stated the price is firm or asking about the size when it’s already listed.



Sometimes, buyers might ask for an item for free, claiming they’re donating it to charity or going through hard times. While you can choose to offer it for free if you want, don’t feel obligated—this is still a business deal, and it’s OK to prioritize your own needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-play-it-safe-nbsp">5. Play it safe&nbsp;</h2>



Although I haven’t personally experienced any safety issues with buyers, I’ve heard some concerning stories from others. To stay safe, I never give out my cellphone number—all communication is done through Facebook Messenger. I also make a habit of checking a&nbsp; buyer’s Facebook profile before agreeing to meet with them. This helps me confirm they’re real. You can usually tell by looking at details like their number of friends, photos and when their account was created (this is listed on their profile). You can also search current online scams to make sure you are not being targeted.&nbsp;



Typically I only accept cash but I have also accepted Venmo if we have mutual friends or the buyer appears to be a trustworthy person. Sometimes I use this option if the buyer wants to pay me upfront, and I’ll leave the item in a safe location by my garage.



Beyond earning money and promoting eco-friendliness, I love the idea of giving my unwanted items a second life. As the saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”



Photo from New Africa/Shutterstock.com

Successful Facebook Marketplace sales can take time. Here are 5 tips for improving your listings and making the sales.

When my mom sold the house I grew up in, she sold everything. For months leading up to her move, she kept telling me about all the sales she was having. | SUCCESS

5 Tips for Successful Sales on Facebook Marketplace

5 Tips for Successful Sales on Facebook Marketplace | SUCCESS

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Every summer our family of five likes to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/travel-mood-elevator-mental-health-benefits-of-traveling/">travel</a>. Last year, we wanted to venture to Paris but between the high cost of airfare and the Summer Olympics, it just wasn’t feasible. Instead, we opted to go to the Caribbean Island of St. Martin on a direct flight from Boston Logan International Airport.&nbsp;



This unique island comprises two countries with open borders, so there are no checkpoints when crossing over into each one. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Martin-overseas-collectivity-France" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saint-Martin</a> 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 <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Caribbean/St-Maarten-Tourism-Growth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TravelAge West</a>. A St. Martin <a href="https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/st-maarten-sees-growth-in-tourism-and-cruise-arrivals-in-early-2025#:" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newspaper</a> reported that the island saw a 7% growth in cruise tourism at the start of 2024.



We stayed at the new <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/sxmdb-jw-st-maarten-dawn-beach/experiences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort and Spa</a> 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 <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/travel-tips/">travel</a>, 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.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-french-side-saint-martin">The French side: Saint-Martin</h2>



On the French side, the official language is <a href="https://frenchcaribbean.com/St-Martin/Helpful-Info/Language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">French</a>. However, most people also spoke English and did so with us once they realized we were Americans. The street <a href="https://www.st-martin.org/us/learn-more/culture-and-heritage/a-symbolic-border/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">signs</a> and menus were also written in French but often had English underneath. The official currency is the <a href="https://www.sunsail.com/blog/st-martin-vs-st-maarten-the-french-and-dutch-side" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">euro</a> 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 <a href="https://www.vacationstmaarten.com/our-island/marigot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marigot</a>. My daughter loves crepes so I researched the best crepes in Saint-Martin and found <a href="https://www.st-martin.org/us/restaurant/ti-breizh/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ti Breizh</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.st-martin.org/decouvrir/nature/ilet-pinel-a-saint-martin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Îlet de Pinel</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.st-martin.org/restaurant/karibuni/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karibuni</a> restaurant for lunch while listening to the employees speak French and watching the boats pass by in the harbor. C’est magnifique!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dutch-side-sint-maarten">The Dutch side: Sint Maarten</h2>



On the Dutch side, <a href="https://www.sunsail.com/blog/st-martin-vs-st-maarten-the-french-and-dutch-side" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dutch</a> 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 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OysterBayStMaarten/posts/monday-karaoke-at-obbr-good-times-never-seemed-so-good/2561785270499672/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">karaoke</a>. The whole experience—the singing, the ocean views and the cobblestone patio—reminded us of the musical theater production of <a href="https://mamma-mia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mama Mia</a>, 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 <a href="https://www.vacationstmaarten.com/our-island/philipsburg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philipsburg</a> is the <a href="https://www.dutchblondesxm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dutch Blonde Beach Bar and Restaurant</a>, 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 <a href="https://pancakes.amsterdam/about/pancakes/dutch-pancakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pannenkoeken</a> while viewing the beautiful Caribbean ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ready-to-pack-your-bags">Ready to pack your bags?</h2>



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

Learn why St. Martin is a must-travel destination and explore some of the best activities it has to offer.

Explore some of the best activities it has to offer.

Why You Should Travel to St. Martin | SUCCESS

Why You Should Add Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten to Your Travel Bucket List

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Learn why St. Martin is a must-travel-to destination and explore some of the best activities it has to offer.

Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

For some people, being in the military is a lifelong career. For others, it’s a springboard to entrepreneurship. Veterans Shelby Dziwulski, Raquel Riley Thomas and Aubrey Carlson applied their fine-tuned military skills, like discipline, hard work and team building, to become successful entrepreneurs. Their enterprises are among the over 5% of U.S. businesses that are veteran-owned, according to the <a href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/annual-business-survey-employer-business-characteristics.html#:~:text=According%20to%20the%202022%20Annual,%25)%20were%20owned%20by%20women." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Census Bureau</a>. Learn more about their journeys to success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-u-s-naval-academy-to-luxury-travel-concierge">From the U.S. Naval Academy to luxury travel concierge</h2>



Growing up near the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Shelby Dziwulski frequently visited on weekends with her family. She knew she wanted to be a Navy pilot and regularly watched the movie Top Gun.



When it was time to go to college, Dziwulski accepted the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship at the University of Maryland. Then, she enrolled in flight school. “I got my wings in 2015,” Dziwulski says. Even though her military career as a Navy search and rescue pilot was challenging, she found it to be a “very positive experience.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ShelbyDziwulski3of3-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-78494"/></figure>



Photo courtesy of Carl James



While stationed at different ports, she often found interesting places to stay—like a renovated Airstream beachfront property in Australia. “My squadron mates started noticing and said, ‘How do you find this stuff?’” This was the impetus behind her company, <a href="https://authentecotravel.com/about-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Authenteco Travel</a>, which helps other people find unique accommodations while <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-traveling-the-world-is-the-best-investment-in-yourself/">traveling</a>.



At first, she mostly worked with military members who needed help navigating the rules and regulations related to military travel. Eventually, she expanded her clients to other types of travelers with specific needs, such as those with medical issues or disabilities. Dziwulski’s business now has clients who have a broad range of backgrounds and requests.



She credits her military training for her grit, which has helped her be a successful business owner. As an entrepreneur, she worked 16- to 18-hour days for three years straight, including weekends. Her Navy training helped her persevere through challenging times. “If I didn’t have my military experience, I would not have been able to do what I did with Authenteco,” she says.



When carving your own path, Dziwulski says mentors can be helpful, but they can’t solve every problem you’ll come across. Dziwulski says that’s when it’s important to trust that you have the answers. “No one’s advice is as powerful as your own intuition,” she says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-u-s-army-to-a-media-and-entertainment-powerhouse">From the U.S. Army to a media and entertainment powerhouse</h2>



Stemming from a military family, Raquel Riley Thomas wanted to “keep the tradition going” by joining the U.S. Army. Her initial plan was to get some experience and then go to college. “But I liked it so much that I ended up staying in,” Thomas says. She eventually went to Hampton University on an ROTC scholarship and then was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 2002 as an ordnance officer, reaching the rank of captain.



However, in 2009, her 3-year-old daughter asked her a question that changed her life: “How come there aren’t any princesses [who] look like me?” She was referring to being a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/my-personal-development-journey-as-a-black-woman/">person of color</a>. After that, Riley Thomas decided to enter a beauty pageant to change the narrative and act as a role model for her daughter. She remembers thinking, “I’m going to win this pageant. And I’m going to give the crown to my daughter because I want her to feel like there is a princess [who] looks like her.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SM24_SEPOCT_FEATURE_MILITARY.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-78495"/></figure>



Photo courtesy of Roy Cox Photography



Riley Thomas did end up winning the Mrs. Maryland America pageant, advancing to the national level. “I became the first African American to win first runner-up in the 40-plus year history of that pageant,” she says. After she competed, she became the second Black judge in the history of that pageant. “I was making some history here, not even realizing that was [what had] happened,” she says. “I loved the camaraderie, and it kind of reminded me of being in the military.”



She purchased the Mrs. America franchise in Washington, D.C., and later bought the ones located in Pennsylvania and Delaware, which eventually prompted her to launch <a href="https://www.aoagwllc.com/meet-raquel-riley-thomas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC</a>. “We started as a production company with a division of public relations, and it became a talent management [firm],” she says.



Her military background helped her organize and remain focused on her business. “It makes you focus on what is happening in front of you,” she says. In the military, they also maximize your expertise; Riley Thomas uses this same strategy with her business. “I have experts from all sorts of all backgrounds, and by doing that, [it] builds the great team that we have,” she says.



If you are <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-you-should-start-a-business-now/">starting a business</a>, Riley Thomas suggests having a budget and researching the industry you plan to enter. “Learn from those who’ve come before you,” she says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-u-s-navy-helicopter-pilot-to-hospitality">From U.S. Navy helicopter pilot to hospitality</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/0036Aubrey_Retouch-1-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-78575"/></figure>



Photo courtesy of Mike Diedoardo



Aubrey Carlson grew up on a farm in Illinois and wanted to attend college. However, her parents were unable to afford tuition, so she opted for a full-cost ROTC scholarship at the University of Maryland. After college, the ROTC scholarship requires that you serve in the military.



When it was time for her to select a military specialty, she was unsure which one to choose. “I knew nothing about the military,” she says. Growing up in her small town, she never saw women working in anything but “regular jobs.”



“I didn’t even know women could be pilots,” she says. “I just never even saw that.” When she realized that was an option for her military service, she thought, “That looks really cool. And so, then, I was really inspired.”



When Carlson began flight school she soon learned, “You couldn’t have fear; you had to trust in your instructors and yourself,” she says. Even though Carlson knew little about the military or aviation, the adrenaline of flying became addicting to her, propelling her to success. Luckily, it was a skill that came “pretty natural” to her—while also being the most challenging thing she’s ever done, she says.&nbsp;



Reflecting on her career, Carlson loved serving as a Navy helicopter pilot, traveling the world and making lifelong friendships. “The biggest gift my 10-year Naval aviator career gave me was confidence,” she says. Despite her positive experience, when her commitment was ending, she decided she wanted to try a new career path. She was unsure about her next step but positive about one thing: “I’m never going to write a resume,” she says. This meant she wanted to be a business owner.



After owning some different businesses in the food sector, she ended up in real estate and renovated a run-down home with her fiancé. “It really sparked our interest, and we did a real estate course through another military veteran,” she says. They grew their business by purchasing and renovating homes and then renting them out as short-term vacation rentals. Other people were so impressed with her design style in their rentals that they asked, “Can you design mine?” So, in addition to renting the properties, she now offers a design service through her business, <a href="https://www.saltandskylodgingco.com/about-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salt and Sky Lodging Co.</a>, which she co-owns with her fiancé, Brad Hylton.



If you are unhappy with the business you own and it doesn’t work out, Carlson says it’s OK; you can try another one. She and her fiancé owned multiple businesses before they co-owned their current one, where they discovered a gap in the market of short-term vacation rentals. Her focus is on designing with eco-friendly materials, including kitchen utensils, toilet paper and recycled products. “I’m going to do it the way I live my life, which is environmentally responsible,” she says.



Carlson’s military experience helped her be a successful entrepreneur. “The first rental property we bought—it went horribly wrong,” she says. “If we stopped there, we wouldn’t have this business.” During her service, she learned that you need to keep moving through failure, which helped her cope with challenges. She says the grit and adaptability that she learned from the military have helped her to be successful in her business.&nbsp;



This article originally appeared in the <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-september-october-2024-daymond-john.html">September/October</a> issue of SUCCESS Magazine. Featured photo courtesy of Mike Diedoardo.

Three female veterans share their military transition experience and use their skills to become successful business owners.

For some people, being in the military is a lifelong career. For others, it’s a springboard to entrepreneurship. Veterans Shelby Dziwulski, Raquel Riley | SUCCESS

Making the Transition From Military Service to Building Businesses

From Military Service to Building Businesses | SUCCESS

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Amy Pickard, who throws death parties, holding hands with a faux skeleton at a bistro table

Amy Pickard

Amy Pickard Archives

Amy Pickard Archives | SUCCESS

celebration of life

celebration of life Archives

celebration of life Archives | SUCCESS

Death party

Death party Archives

Death party Archives | SUCCESS

end of life celebration

end of life celebration Archives

end of life celebration Archives | SUCCESS

end-of-life duties

end-of-life duties Archives

end-of-life duties Archives | SUCCESS

When <a href="https://goodtogopeace.org/bio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amy Pickard’s</a> mother died suddenly in 2012, she was understandably grief-stricken. But she also felt frustrated and overwhelmed, since her mother didn’t plan ahead for her death.&nbsp;



“I would have given anything to talk to my mom just one more time, but it wasn't to hear her tell me she loved me; I needed her to tell me the friggin' Wi-Fi password!” Pickard says.



Since her mother lived far away, Pickard didn’t know what bills needed to be paid or what to do with her mother’s now-deceased body.&nbsp;



“I just said, can you put her [body] on ice? Because I have no idea what is going on,” Pickard recalls. In an effort to normalize death and create a death-positive movement, Pickard teaches people how to throw a death party and add some humor to the inevitable and often daunting end-of-life duties.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dealing-with-uncomfortable-death-duties">Dealing with uncomfortable death duties</h2>



Pickard refers to all of the different decisions that need to be made and tasks that need to be completed after someone dies as “death duties.” She says these duties are “the hellscape of details forced upon a grieving loved one after their person dies.” This includes responsibilities such as cleaning their house and sorting their belongings, making funeral arrangements, settling their finances and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-estate-planning-and-what-documents-should-be-included-in-yours/">closing their estate</a>.&nbsp;



After her horrible experience with her mother’s death duties, Pickard wanted to help others avoid the same issues. “I was preaching the gospel of advanced planning to my friends,” she says. Surprised at how her friends took to the lessons, Pickard thought, “I have a message here. And it's landing.”&nbsp;



In 2014, she created a long list of questions related to when someone dies. The list was a booklet called <a href="https://goodtogopeace.org/services/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Departure File</a>, which she still sells today. She included, “all the minute, everyday things that came up that I had no answer to, like ‘Do you have a storage space?’”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-to-go-death-parties-are-changing-the-narrative">“Good To Go!” death parties are changing the narrative</h2>



Pickard realized most people think of death and dying as morbid and creepy, so they don’t like to talk about it. She also knew most people would probably not want to answer the questions in the Departure File, so she decided to create a party where everyone filled out the answers.&nbsp;



“I thought, ‘I'm a good communicator, I'm an extrovert and I have a sense of humor, so why not have a party?’” she says.



During the parties, Pickard tapped into her sense of humor by creating death-themed soundtracks with songs like “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Stairway to Heaven.” She also had everyone bring a potluck dish based on the recipe of a loved one.&nbsp;



She didn’t have a business plan when she started; instead, she learned as she went along and as her business evolved. Her parties are now referred to as “Good To Go!” parties, though guests have also described them as “Death Tupperware Parties” or “Fete du Mort” shindigs.



People who attended the initial parties “were blown away by it—all of us felt a beautiful kind of electricity in the room,” Pickard recalls, noting that no one else was hosting these types of events. “It is unbelievable how important this is, and how in denial our entire society is over the one absolute positive thing that we know with 100% certainty is going to happen,” she says.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-normalizing-the-death-positive-movement">Normalizing the death-positive movement</h2>



In a bid to overturn this cultural thinking, Pickard considers herself to be part of the <a href="https://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/history-of-death-positive-movement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">death-positive movement</a>—a way of thinking that encourages people to have end-of-life celebrations and speak openly about death, dying and corpses.&nbsp;



The modern-day concept of the death-positive movement dates back to the 1970s, but the death-positive movement was further popularized in 2011 by Caitlin Doughty, a mortician who believes people should change their perceptions about death. On her website, <a href="https://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/our-story/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Order of the Good Death</a>, Doughty says death should be a part of your life. “Accepting that death itself is natural, but the death anxiety and terror of modern culture are not,” Doughty states on her website.



When Pickard’s father died, the experience was opposite that of her mother’s death. Pickard attributes that to the fact that he filled out the Departure File and talked openly with her about advanced planning. When she first created the Departure File, she wanted to help others and didn’t consider how it could one day help her. Like her mother, her father died suddenly. When he was intubated in the hospital, she gave a copy of his Departure File that included his advanced care directive to the staff. Their response was, “No one ever does this. This is amazing.”



Before Pickard’s father passed away, she said to him, “You know that everything is taken care of.” She says the look of peace on his face in response brought her comfort. It was at that moment she understood that advanced planning also brings peace to a person before they die.&nbsp;



“It was such a weird, ironic moment that the company that I created for others actually helped me and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-a-christmas-funeral-taught-me-about-grief-and-good-memories/">helped my grief</a>,” she says. “With [my dad’s] instruction, I felt empowered. I felt I was honoring him.” The directions he provided also eliminated any uncertainty she may have faced making decisions about duties related to his death.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planning-for-death-is-planning-your-life">Planning for death is planning your life</h2>



Even though “Good To Go!” parties are humorous and lighthearted, there are still times, understandably, when people are grieving. Pickard handles these situations by offering a tissue and trying to help them understand that, “when you plan for your death, it's actually planning your life.”



She explains that people prepare for natural disasters by stocking up on candles and getting a generator, but they don’t plan for their death. “We spend more time building a burrito than we do thinking about what we want to happen when we die,” she says.&nbsp; Advanced planning is a way of letting people know how you want to be remembered, she adds.



Pickard recently expanded her business to help people declutter their homes while simultaneously creating advanced planning regarding their material things. She refers to this task as legacy organizing.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“I am helping people organize their homes for their death,” she says. She explains that her services are similar to that of a “death concierge.” She says, “I encourage people to clean out their places with their families. And that way, you make new memories. It's actually fun.”



This lighthearted approach to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/digital-life-after-death/">death and advanced planning</a> underscores Pickard’s mission with “Good To Go!” parties. “I'm not a doctor; I'm not a lawyer. I am just literally a girl that's lived through grief and wants to help other people get through it too.”



Photo by Bobby Tewksbury

Amy Pickard is shifting the cultural narrative around dying by adding humor to end-of-life duties and throwing death parties.

Amy Pickard is shifting the cultural narrative around dying by adding humor to end-of-life duties and throwing death parties. | SUCCESS

Nobody Likes Dealing with Death—Until They Attend One of Amy Pickard’s Humorous ‘Good To Go!’ Parties

Planning a Death Party: Normalizing The Death-Positive Movement

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young man with backpack traveling in busy street

Organizing and accessing working memory are all types of executive function skills that are necessary for most types of travel—and people with ADHD sometimes struggle with these skills. This can make traveling for business or pleasure especially stressful.&nbsp;



There are many factors like weather or traffic that are out of your control, but there are also tasks within your control that can be daunting. If you are flying, you’ll need to remember to bring a passport or driver’s license to get on your flight. But if you forget to bring your proof of identification, then your trip just got even more complicated.



In addition to remembering important paperwork, you will be on the move in less familiar surroundings—so there’s a risk of misplacing things along the way or getting distracted when you’re going through airport security. Then there are the aspects of scheduling and timeliness that you need to consider for meetings, flights or tours, which may also pose a challenge.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-adhd-travel-tips-to-help-make-your-trip-a-success">6 ADHD travel tips to help make your trip a success</h2>



Those with ADHD can use <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/adhd-techniques-to-focus/">certain techniques</a> to help improve their executive functioning. But even if you don’t have ADHD, you can use the following expert ADHD travel tips to plan and enjoy a successful trip.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-visualize-the-trip">1. Visualize the trip</h3>



Before you even leave your house, envision yourself traveling to your destination. “One of the things that trips us [people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder] up is what we haven't thought about,” explains Caroline Maguire, M.Ed., an ADHD coach and founder of the Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families Course at the ADD Coach Academy, who also has ADHD and travels frequently.



According to Caroline, “This pre-planning visualization is like a little movie in your mind” that can help you consider challenging scenarios and then plan accordingly so you create better outcomes. For example, if you picture yourself on the plane at lunchtime, then you might realize you will probably be hungry. This way, you can plan on packing a lunch to prevent feeling angry due to hunger.



During the planning process, Cena Block, a certified ADHD coach and productivity expert, suggests utilizing time-blocking. “Allocate specific time blocks for each activity or segment of the trip, including travel to airports or tour locations. Incorporate buffer time between activities to accommodate potential delays,” she says.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-plan-your-travel-outfits">2. Plan your travel outfits</h3>



Most people are better at remembering items when they have a routine. When you travel, your routine of placing your car keys in a tray by the door, for example, is no longer an option. You can avoid losing necessary items by keeping them on your person. “I think it's really important in the planning stage to think about what you're going to wear,” says Maguire. If you wear outfits with lots of deep pockets, then it’s easy to keep your keys, phone and other documents on you instead of leaving them in the airport waiting area. 



Another great option is to use a crossbody bag that stays securely on your body, even when you’re seated, so you have one less item to forget. “If you have a crossbody bag or [your] money is in a belt on your chest... then you're not dependent on your memory,” says Maguire. “It's autopilot, and it's less of me having to depend on me remembering these external things.”



Another suggestion when packing is to organize your clothes. This will help you remember what you need so you can easily find items when you are at your destination. “When packing clothing, get some jumbo-sized Ziploc bags and pack entire outfits,” says Abigail Levrini, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, the author of <a href="https://amzn.to/4azJC0Z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Succeeding with Adult ADHD</a> and the owner of Psych Ed Connections. 



She also suggests that you label the bags with the days that you will wear the outfits and put everything you need for that day in each bag. This is more efficient than packing all your clothing in one big heap that you will need to rummage through.



Block adds that you should be a minimalist when packing. “The biggest skill to master is to streamline packing by only bringing necessary items, reducing the likelihood of losing belongings amidst clutter,” she says.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-create-a-go-bag">3. Create a “go bag”</h3>



If you have a bag that’s always packed with necessary items like toothpaste or Dramamine, then you will be less likely to forget these items when packing for your trip. “It's just packed so that when I go somewhere, I don't have to rethink of everything,” says Maguire about her go bag. Another option is to use a travel checklist, but it’s possible to forget to pack something if you get distracted.



Your go bag can also be the place where you store essential travel documents like your passport. “Designate a travel essentials zone,” says Block. “I love to use a plastic Velcro-closed envelope to store all travel documents, reservations and receipts so it’s easy to find, even when you’re not looking.” She also suggests using your phone to take a picture of all documents, just in case you misplace them.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-always-do-a-360-degree-sweep-of-an-area-before-you-leave-it">4. Always do a 360-degree sweep of an area before you leave it</h3>



Sometimes people with ADHD lose items when they aren’t paying attention to where they placed something or when they get distracted by moving on to the next thing. “Something that I always do with students that I think would work really well here is to take a 360[-degree] view of your environment,” says Maguire.&nbsp;



She explains that this means you take a moment before you leave an area to search under and behind your chair, or anywhere else within 360 degrees of the space that you were in, to make sure you have all your belongings. If you get into the habit of always doing this check, even when you’re not traveling, then you’ll be more likely to remember to do it when you are traveling—and less likely to leave things behind.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-stay-hydrated-and-well-rested">5. Stay hydrated and well-rested</h3>



Research has shown that <a href="https://www.addept.org/living-with-adult-add-adhd/top-8-reasons-your-adhd-brain-needs-more-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep deprivation can cause ADHD symptoms to worsen</a>. Those without ADHD also experience <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8340886/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attention, memory and decision-making challenges when sleep-deprived</a>, according to research. Similar studies found that a <a href="https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2023BeatTheHeatWinners/Contest_Innovative_KentPrecision_CognitiveEffectsHydration.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lack of hydration</a> can affect your memory and focus. Due to these reasons, Maguire plans her travel based on when she will be well-rested, which might mean scheduling a later flight.



“I am really difficult when I haven't had sleep, and it affects my cognitive processing,” she says. She also always brings a bottle of water wherever she goes since she has noticed how dehydration can affect her memory. “People make fun of me for this—when I land, if I don't have an extra bottle of water, I go and buy one.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-remain-calm">6. Remain calm</h3>



Even the most experienced traveler can feel overwhelmed when traveling. “I think my biggest challenge, and I'm sure every ADHD person would agree on this, is to stay calm,” Maguire says. “I get sensory overload in airports.”



When Maguire notices she’s starting to feel overwhelmed, she takes deep breaths and tells herself that she’s OK. Sometimes removing herself from a chaotic place by going to the restroom is also calming.&nbsp;



Block suggests using “mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or grounding exercises to manage travel-related stress.” This way, no matter what disruptions or delays may occur, you’ll ultimately be in control of your experience.



Photo by Twinster Photo/Shutterstock.com

Traveling with ADHD? Don’t worry! We spoke to experts and rounded up the 6 best ADHD travel tips to help make your trip a success.

Traveling with ADHD? Don’t worry! We spoke to experts and rounded up the 6 best ADHD travel tips to help make your trip a success. | SUCCESS

Experts Share 6 ADHD Travel Tips for a Smooth, Worry-Free Trip

6 ADHD Travel Tips to Make Your Trip a Success

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Philanthropy

Philanthropy Archives

Philanthropy | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Growing up, <a href="https://www.reclypt.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rachel Ceruti</a> had an appreciation for the environment, but she didn’t consider herself an environmentalist nor had she started upcycling clothes. Her awareness of environmental issues developed after her Peace Corps trip in Uganda, Africa. While she was there, she learned about how secondhand clothing is shipped to Africa and then ends up in landfills.&nbsp;



“We are, as a Western country, dumping on these developing economies and impacting their local economies. It’s now their issue to take care of these clothes that we produce and that we wore,” she says. “East African Community (EAC) actually banned secondhand clothes from coming into their countries because it was such a problem.”&nbsp;



Ceruti is now the founder and CEO of Reclypt, a company that’s focused on creating change through the <a href="https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circular economy</a>, which means never wasting materials. There are many ways to eliminate waste, such as reusing, recycling and upcycling.



The main focus of her business is related to preventing textiles from ending up in landfills. “Textiles and landfills are incredibly harmful,” she says. “As textiles break down in landfills, which can take anywhere from a couple of months to 200 years, they are emitting greenhouse gases that are impacting our environment.” She also explains that polyester, which is one of the most widely used clothing fibers in the world, never fully decomposes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-upcycled-clothing">What is upcycled clothing?</h2>



At its most basic form, upcycling clothing is taking old or damaged clothes and transforming it into something new. Upcycled clothes can be made from used or damaged clothes, unwanted textiles, clothing scraps from textile factories or surplus garments or fabrics (also known as “deadstock”) that would otherwise end up in landfills.



Upcycling is not only a way to repurpose fabrics and old clothes, but it can give a mix-and-match approach for designers with new items being refashioned from a combination of materials.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-upcycled-fashion">Exploring upcycled fashion</h2>



While attending various events in New York City, Ceruti learned about the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-maya-penn-became-one-of-the-most-socially-conscious-entrepreneurs-of-gen-z/">sustainable fashion</a> world. “I kind of fell into fashion. I have no fashion background. My style is just classic New Yorker dark colors,” she says. “Despite not really having a background in fashion, I knew that everybody wakes up in the morning and asks themselves, ’What am I going to wear?’” She explains that the answer to that question has so many implications to the environment, to social issues, to economies and politics—so that led to her exploring upcycle fashion.



Ceruti explains that upcycle fashion is when designers or brands use clothing that was going to be thrown away and then they make it into something new and elevated. When she first learned about it, she says her “mind was blown” since the clothing was a combination of artwork, creativity and fun. She began a blog about upcycle fashion, highlighting people in the field.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-community-through-shared-environmental-interest">Building community through shared environmental interest</h2>



As her blog evolved, her community responded by saying, “We want to do the upcycling [and] we want to keep things out of landfills.” She then spearheaded <a href="https://www.reclypt.com/shop/p/mending-accountability-club-kt6s9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mending clubs</a> and <a href="https://www.reclypt.com/shop/p/swaps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clothing swaps</a>.&nbsp;



“Mending clubs are when people come together to repair their clothes,” she says. “Swaps are when people bring clothes they don’t wear anymore and they exchange them for other people’s clothes.” Her business followed the same trajectory as the pandemic. When people began returning to in-person jobs, they were seeking a sense of community. People were, “seeking a third space, a place that’s not home or work or school—a place that you just go and there’s good conversation,” she says.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Beige-Blue-Minimalist-Merry-Christmas-Card-Landscape-1024x726.png" alt="" class="wp-image-75526" style="object-fit:cover;width:450px;height:450px"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carli Neustadt</figcaption></figure>



To help foster a sense of community, Ceruti added <a href="https://www.reclypt.com/shop/p/circular-salons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circular salons</a>, which are meetings that promote discussions. Sometimes the circular salons are informal meetings, whereas other times the focus is on networking or <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-bibliotherapy-therapeutic-book-club/">book clubs</a>. Her business also offers upcycle workshops. Last month, they had a yarn upcycling workshop wherein attendees brought sweaters to the event that they didn’t want to wear anymore with the goal of turning them into something that they would wear. She explains that they unraveled sweaters and then they used the unraveled yarn to knit and crochet so they could create a new clothing piece.



For Earth Month in April, Reclypt is hosting an all-day event called <a href="https://www.reclypt.com/playground-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Circular Fashion Playground</a>. The purpose of the event is to explore “all aspects of circular fashion through panels, upcycling workshops, swaps, lessons, pop-up markets, mending clubs, repair cafes and more.”



Ceruti’s business earns money through membership fees that offer access to the workshops and clubs. They also sell upcycle brands and mending kits. “Currently, we have this amazing brand that will unravel secondhand sweaters and make baby clothes out of them,” she says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-upcycle-clothes">How to upcycle clothes</h2>



To learn more about how to upcycle, Ceruti suggests searching on social media with the hashtag “upcycle” to see examples of easy ways you can upcycle items you own. For example, instead of recycling an empty jelly jar, you could use it as a cup or container to hold mending supplies. She also says it’s important to find a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-keys-to-consistent-community-growth/">community</a> of people who enjoy upcycling so that you can support one another and exchange ideas.&nbsp;



Other ways you can help keep textiles out of landfills include buying fewer clothes, buying or renting clothes from secondhand stores and participating in mending or clothing swap groups.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-befriending-the-competition-to-encourage-collaboration">Befriending the competition to encourage collaboration</h2>



If you are starting your own business, Ceruti says, “Get different perspectives.” One way to do this is to befriend your competition. She explains how befriending the competition can lead to collaboration about how to do things in a better way. She also suggests hiring an accountant and a lawyer to set up the business. “If your back-end is a mess, your life’s a mess. So, I wanted healthy financial habits and healthy accounting habits from the beginning,” she says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-respect-the-journey-of-environmentalism">Respect the journey of environmentalism</h2>



Being involved with issues related to the environment can feel overwhelming. “I always like to talk about giving yourself grace,” she says. “This applies to yourself [and] the world around you.” She explains that there are times when you might need to use a single-use plastic cup or purchase a new piece of clothing. When this happens, she says try not to judge your actions or feel upset about it, as that will only leave you feeling defeated.&nbsp;



She also says that everyone is on their own journey related to environmental issues. “You might be on level 10 of this journey and someone else is on level two, and you just can’t judge that,” she says. “I’m not going to be 100% sustainable overnight. Neither are they.” Instead of being critical, she suggests providing guidance, education and engagement.&nbsp;



Ceruti explains one of the most rewarding aspects of her business in upcycling clothes is interacting with the upcycling fashion community. She says that her community is, “accountability, it’s friendship, it’s learning new things [and] it’s going outside your comfort zone.”&nbsp;



Photo by Iryna Imago/Shutterstock.com

Upcycling clothes gives old or damaged textiles new life. Learn how Rachel Ceruti is creating change and building community through upcycling.

Upcycling clothes gives old or damaged textiles new life. Learn how Rachel Ceruti is creating change and building community through upcycling. | SUCCESS

Rachel Ceruti Is Curbing Environmental Waste By Upcycling Clothes

How Rachel Ceruti Is Upcycling Clothes Through Community

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Most building developers try to maximize their profits by developing all their owned land. But Angelos Michalopoulos and his wife, Vassiliki Petridou, are opting for the opposite approach. They are choosing to build on only 1% of the land they own so they can afford to preserve the rest of it.



As Greek natives, they grew up with an appreciation for nature. Michalopoulos was raised in Athens. His father was a landscape architect who inspired him to love the environment. “Nature is truth. Nature doesn't lie like people do. And that's why we tend to feel very comfortable with nature, because it gives us a linearity and it grounds us,” Michalopoulos explains. “Greece is a country that has almost an innate love of the environment.”



Petridou shares her husband’s views about nature and had a similar upbringing. “Our generation here in Greece, as children, [we] spend a lot of time outside, playing soccer on the grass and running around in open spaces. It was a childhood that was <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ways-to-get-outside-and-why-you-should/">very connected to nature</a>,” she says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-michalopoulos-and-petridou-s-story-starts-with-love-of-greece-and-family">Michalopoulos and Petridou’s story starts with love—of Greece and family</h2>



Michalopoulos and Petridou first met in 1983 while attending Cornell University in New York. They married in 1987 during a civil ceremony and then had a traditional ceremony in Athens. The couple welcomed triplets in 1994 and twins in 1998 while living on the Upper West Side of New York City. During a family vacation to the island of Ios in Greece, they decided to embark on what Michalopoulos refers to as an experiment with owning and preserving land.&nbsp;



He explains that there are three different ways to manage land you own. The first way is to leave it untouched and do nothing. “And then just wait for everything to economically self-destruct until the generation after the [next] generation decides that this idea has not worked well,” he says.



The second option is to do the opposite—build on all the land that you own. He offers an example of how this has happened in other parts of Greece. “The way of Mykonos and Santorini, which [are] overdeveloped and have the profit maximization as the flag and the ethos of the whole experiment,” he explains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-their-passion-project-preserving-99-of-their-land">Their passion project: Preserving 99% of their land</h2>



The last option is the one that Michalopoulos and Petridou chose with their land. “We propose a way where we will develop 1% of our area and then leave 99% untouched,” he says. “We felt that was the only way that we can give to our children,” he says. On that 1% of land, they own two resorts—<a href="https://www.calilo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Calilo</a> on the beachside and <a href="https://www.agaliahotel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agalia</a> on the portside.



Michalopoulos explains that he hasn’t left the entire land untouched because he’s using the money earned from the resorts to maintain the preserved land and pay the taxes on it. “This has to be economically sustainable. If it's not sustainable economically, no generation… will ever support this venture,” he says. “We need to make sure that not only in our lifetime, but also the lifetime of our children and then onwards, this plan, this experiment—because it is an experiment—will succeed, and the only way to do that is to be financially viable.”



In 2004, the couple began purchasing land before opening Agalia hotel and Calilo resort in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Michalopoulos and Petridou now own a quarter of Ios island and credit their profitability to developing only a small portion of land over an extended period of time.



Besides needing to be economically sustainable with their land, they opened the resorts so people could appreciate the beauty in Ios. “The whole project is also a very active project of hospitality—to be able to share this island that we fell in love with, with other people,” Petridou says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-calilo-and-agalia-luxury-hotels-so-special">What makes Calilo and Agalia luxury hotels so special</h2>



Certain people make the island especially meaningful: Three of the couple’s five children currently work there. They try to maintain healthy relationships by <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/join-the-family-business-without-the-drama/">keeping work separate from family time</a>. “You put this into compartments,” Michalopoulos says. “We put limits on the actual time you [discuss business] and then you can enjoy the family business.”



When they do talk business, a major focus is the brand’s commitment to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/sustainable-business-practices/">sustainability</a>. The hotels take an eco-friendly approach with waste management, power lines and water collection. <a href="https://luxurios.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LuxurIOS</a>, the duo’s hospitality company, which manages Calilo, promotes sustainable tourism in Greece.&nbsp;



“Sustainability is the only solution to the overdevelopment of the other islands,” Michalopoulos says. The websites for Calilo and LuxurIOS both describe Michalopoulos and Petridou’s detailed vision for how they plan to preserve the island.



Michalopoulos explains that “People monetize beauty.” He says that it’s understandable why they do so, but it’s important to not overdo it.&nbsp;



“The big lesson that the last 100 years have taught us is that nobody demolishes buildings,” he says. “We just keep on building and building and building, which means that once we make them, once we build them, they're there, and they become part of a problem instead of part of the solution.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-michalopoulos-and-petridou-s-secret-loving-their-land">Michalopoulos and Petridou’s secret? Loving their land</h2>



Although he firmly believes in his experiment of preserving the land he owns, he’s not suggesting all builders follow suit. “Every person is responsible for their own ethos and for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/defining-your-purpose-living-with-intention/">their own principles</a>,” he says. “I don't want to export my way of thinking to another person who sleeps every night with a conscience. For me, this is the right thing to do.”



Petridou also points out that many large building developers don’t have any connection to the land they are developing. “They don't quite feel what exactly is happening by taking over something beautiful and creating it as another cash machine,” she says. “There's no one that actually cares about what's happening on the island and the series of villages. I think they're a bit disconnected.”



There are many reasons Michalopoulos and Petridou love their island. “It has really an innocence. The moment you step foot, you belong,” Petridou says. She explains that most hotels recreate what people have already experienced before. But when you visit their island, she says you can experience an authenticity that embraces everyone. “We opened the door for people to come in. And it's a very, very welcoming island.”



Photo courtesy of LuxurIOS.

Angelos Michalopoulos and Vassiliki Petridou, founders of the luxury hotels Calilo and Agalia on Ios in Greece, talk sustainable development.

Angelos Michalopoulos and Vassiliki Petridou, founders of the luxury hotels Calilo and Agalia on Ios in Greece, talk sustainable development. | SUCCESS

Angelos Michalopoulos and Vassiliki Petridou Own a Third of Ios Island in Greece—Here’s Why They Won’t Develop More than 1% of It

Calilo and Agalia Hotel Founders’ Mission to Preserve Greece | SUCCESS

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Kathy Abbott first president and CEO of Boston Harbor Now

As a young child, Kathy Abbott spent her summers on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Her parents were environmental conservationists who helped her to appreciate nature. Abbott also had two aunts who brought her to the Cape beaches and woods. While exploring the natural habitats, her aunts would identify vegetation and animals. These interactions helped Abbott to notice and attune to her environment.&nbsp;



At age 14, Abbott’s family moved to Cape Cod full-time. In her new school, Abbott enrolled in a class at Falmouth High School called “Cape Cod Environment” that focused on horticulture, forestry, landscaping and geomorphology.&nbsp;



“It was when I was taking that class that I realized that this is what I wanted to do,” she says. A line under her yearbook photo underscored her life goal: to “save a tree.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kathy-abbott-s-road-to-ceo-wasn-t-easy">Kathy Abbott’s road to CEO wasn’t easy</h2>



Now at age 66, Abbott is the first <a href="https://www.bostonharbornow.org/people/kathy-abbott/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">president and CEO of Boston Harbor Now</a>. Created in 2016, <a href="https://www.bostonharbornow.org/about-us/history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston Harbor Now</a> is a merger of two nonprofit organizations—Boston Harbor Island Alliance and Boston Harbor Association. As the leader of the new civic nonprofit, Abbott oversees the Boston Harbor waterfront and the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.



Even though she’s now a successful CEO, the road to get there was long and bumpy. Abbott says she experienced discrimination on “multiple fronts” as an openly gay woman working in male-dominated conservative organizations.&nbsp;



Her first encounter with discrimination occurred after her sophomore year in college, when she tried to get a summer job working for the Department of Public Works (DPW) in Falmouth. Instead of allowing her to apply for a job, the DPW director said to her, “We only hire boys from the football team,” and suggested she “walk across the street and go get a job at the recreation department because that’s where the girls go.”&nbsp;



Abbott felt the full sting of that rejection. “I'll never forget that quote,” she says. “I was gobsmacked that somebody would say that.”



Prior to applying, she had a five-week internship position as a laborer working for the National Park Service at the Minute Man in Concord, Massachusetts. “Luckily, I already had a job in the field, so I didn't feel totally annihilated,” she says. She heeded the DPW director’s advice and got a job managing the playground at the Falmouth Recreation Department. The job was a blast, but it wasn’t enough.



So Abbott locked in two other jobs that summer—one as a manager of a local pool and the other as the forewoman of a landscape crew that also managed a greenhouse. “I would have rather worked for the park department, but that was a great summer,” she recalls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-working-her-way-up">Working her way up</h2>



Abbott’s first position for the Boston Harbor Islands was an internship as a park ranger for Gallops Island during her undergraduate program at University of Massachusetts (UMASS) in Amherst. “I did everything from picking up the trash on the beach every morning to giving talks and walks,” she says. Her job was a combination of educating people who visited the island along with enforcing the regulations. “ It was a great experience, and I loved it,” she says.



After graduating college, she worked as a park planner for the Boston Harbor Islands for 10 years. To further her education, she received a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University. It was then that she had a “Goldilocks” epiphany when trying to figure out what type of environmental government agency she wanted to work for.&nbsp;



“National parks are too big. I'd never be able to make an impact or get anywhere, and clearly, municipal parks were too small. State parks were going to be just right,” she explains.&nbsp;



In 1991, Michael Dukakis was on his way out as governor of Massachusetts. It was an economic disaster, and with funding for government programs in flux, Abbott’s dual role as the assistant secretary and deputy commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM) wasn’t going well. “I thought—this was how naive I was—because I grew up there that I'd be the best person to take on this horrible task, not realizing what a personal toll that would take. It was brutal,” she says.&nbsp;



After almost two years in that dual role, Abbott weighed her options. “I’m a big believer that everybody should work in every sector. It makes you much more effective and able to work with each other,” she explains. “I really wanted to try nonprofits.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-passion-pays-off">Passion pays off</h2>



The next stop in her career journey was as vice president of programs for The School for Field Studies in Beverly, Massachusetts, an international study abroad program. “I hadn’t grown up with any money. So I hadn’t really traveled much at all,” she explains. “I got to see the world for about five years running around managing crises, because that's what we're doing—managing thousands of college age students in remote, incredibly exciting places.”



Even though Abbott <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-real-reason-traveling-makes-you-happy/">loved traveling</a>, she felt the urge to return working with the environment. “I just missed having a local impact. I grew up doing that, and I really missed it,” she says.&nbsp;



When the Boston Harbor Islands became <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boha/boston-harbor-islands-overview.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a national park in 1996</a>, the organization needed someone to oversee it. Abbott stepped in as the first president and CEO of the Island Alliance.



After six years in the position, Gov. Mitt Romney’s administration recruited Abbott to create a new organization called <a href="https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-conservation-recreation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Conservation and Recreation</a> (DCR), which would manage the state parks in Massachusetts. “I ended up with this history of mergers, startups and turnarounds,” she says. “Not for the faint of heart.”



Indeed, things would soon become more challenging.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facing-discrimination">Facing discrimination </h2>



After gay marriage became legal in Massachusetts on <a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-legal-same-sex-marriage-performed-in-massachusetts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">November 18, 2003</a>, Abbott married her partner of six years—a move “the Romney administration wasn't really happy about,” she says.



Nothing was overtly said to Abbott about her new marriage, but she noticed subtle changes in how she was treated after her wedding announcement appeared in the newspapers.&nbsp;



Despite Abbott being in the top 10% of state employees, Romney asked her to <a href="https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2005/02/05/rec-commisioner-quits-over-accident/50919178007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resign</a> due to poor snow removal of the parkway. Even though she sensed something like this would happen, she still wasn’t prepared for it.&nbsp;



“It was the best job I ever had. I loved it to pieces, and I'd probably still be there if things had gone differently,” she says.



Romney soon began running for president of the United States, which complicated Abbott’s search for a new job. When she interviewed for positions, her interviewers asked why she resigned. “Nobody wants to hire you to be their CEO if you might have been fired by the [potential] next president of the United States,” she says.



Despite these challenges, Abbott <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/8-habits-of-people-who-thrive-in-crisis/">believes the experience shaped her</a>. “I have absolutely no regrets, despite the impacts that it had on my career, because it taught me how important it is not to define yourself,” she says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kathy-abbott-becomes-boston-harbor-now-s-president-and-ceo">Kathy Abbott becomes Boston Harbor Now’s president and CEO</h2>



She eventually got a job at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Massachusetts and created several new programs that more than doubled the number of annual visitors. All the while, she kept receiving calls asking her to accept the role as president and CEO of the newly formed Boston Harbor Now. Despite responding “no” the first few times, she eventually agreed.&nbsp;



Abbott says one of her goals as CEO is “to help people understand their impact on nature and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ways-to-get-outside-and-why-you-should/">nature's impact on them</a>.” She hopes the people in Boston will recognize the way the environment contributes to their social, environmental and economic health, and one of her most important goals is making sure everybody has access to those benefits.&nbsp;



Even as the CEO, she still goes back to her roots as a park ranger when necessary. “The No. 1 way people rate their park experiences is by the cleanliness of the bathrooms,” she says. So when she recently saw a dirty bathroom during one of her trips, she grabbed a broom and sponge and went to work.



That may sound surprising, but it all comes naturally when passion is at play. Abbott concurs. “Figure out what you feel passionate about, and pursue it because things will come to you,” she says. They certainly have for her.



Photo by Arlan Fonseca for Boston Harbor Now.

Kathy Abbott fought discrimination throughout her career and prevailed. Now, she's the first president and CEO of Boston Harbor Now.

Kathy Abbott fought discrimination throughout her career and prevailed. Now, she's the first president and CEO of Boston Harbor Now. | SUCCESS

When Nature Calls, Boston Harbor Now CEO Kathy Abbott Answers

How Kathy Abbott Became the First CEO of Boston Harbor Now | SUCCESS

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Confused man at his desk who needs ADHD techniques to focus

Do you have trouble remembering where you placed your reading glasses? Or maybe you are lacking the motivation to do that load of laundry. There are some simple tips and tricks that people with ADHD use to improve their attention, memory and motivation. The good news is that anyone can use these techniques, says Ari Tuckman, a psychologist in Pennsylvania and the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/ADHD-After-Dark-Ari-Tuckman/dp/0367223937" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ADHD After Dark: Better Sex Life, Better Relationship</a>.



“The cognitive challenges of ADHD are exacerbations of universal issues,” Tuckman says. “We all get distracted and we all sometimes forget things.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-focusing-techniques-for-adhd-use-a-body-double">1. Focusing techniques for ADHD: Use a body double</h2>



ADHD coach Linda Anderson used the term <a href="https://add.org/the-body-double/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“body double</a>,” which is when a person does a task like laundry with you. The idea is that the person helps to anchor, or focus, the other person. Plus, you can complete the task faster with two people, and it's usually more engaging. But the other person doesn’t have to help you to be a body double; they can just be present, like two people working on different projects next to each other at the same time.



Caroline Maguire, a family coach in Massachusetts who also has ADHD, explains that a body double also creates accountability. Using the laundry example above, if you were to start playing a game on your phone instead of doing laundry, your body double can hold you accountable and remind you that you are off task.



Maguire further explains that a body double can act as a “second brain.” The person can “offload some of that executive function weight,” she says. They can do this by offering their opinion or by helping you do a challenging or boring task.



Another reason body doubles are helpful is that we are wired to connect, explains Tamara Rosier, a clinical psychologist, founder of the <a href="https://adhdcenterofwestmichigan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ADHD Center of West Michigan</a> and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain%C2%92s-Not-Broken-Strategies/dp/0800741331/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1696955007&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your Brain’s Not Broken</a>. “We tend to do things that other people do around us, and we're not even aware of it,” she says. She and her husband often do separate work at the dining room table, which they refer to as “study hall.”



If you can’t find a body double but need to get things done, then <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-new-normal-finding-routine-and-perspective-in-coffee-shops/">going to a public space like a coffee shop</a> or a public library can have the same benefits as a body double. If you need some motivation for your fitness routine, going to a gym or a fitness class can also act as a body double.&nbsp;



 Another option is using the website <a href="https://www.focusmate.com/how-it-works" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Focusmate</a>. Certified productivity and organizer coach, Cena Block, explains that the website provides an online accountability partner who works virtually at the same time as you. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-time-a-task">2. Time a task</h2>



There are a few different techniques related to timing and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-become-more-motivated/">motivation</a>. One is to time a chore, such as putting away laundry. If you realize that it only takes five minutes to do, then you will be more likely to do it next time. You could also say, “I’m only going to do laundry for five minutes,” and then set a timer. If you are unable to finish the laundry after five minutes, you might resolve to continue putting it away since there isn’t much left. 



The last way to use a timer is to see how quickly you can do the task, and then try to beat your record when you need to do the task again. Maguire explains that this use of the timer is “gamifying” the task and making it more fun. She says when she uses a timer this way, she feels “stimulated and motivated. My arousal levels in my brain are up and I'm racing toward [completing the task].”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-resparklize-the-task">3. ‘Resparklize’ the task</h2>



Barbara Luther, director of training at the <a href="https://addca.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ADD Coach Academy</a>, created this technique. “It's basically the idea that things need to be sort of shiny,” Maguire says. She explains that you might do a task like laundry for several weeks without an issue, but then you no longer want to do it. To “resparklize” or make the task interesting again, you need to find a new way to do it. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-name-the-time-block">4. Name the time block</h2>



Rosier suggests that you name your block of time and list specifically what you are going to do during that time frame. She explains that people with ADHD often have trouble focusing since they pay attention to everything around them. The goal is to figure out how to direct your attention. “It's like water going everywhere. How do we push that water to go in one direction?” she says. By naming the time block, you are helping your brain to identify what you need to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/13-undeniable-ways-to-get-sht-done/">focus on during that time</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-train-your-brain">5. Train your brain </h2>



“I've been brain training for 20 years,” Rosier says, adding that she plays games—think Sudoku, crosswords—that are not necessarily fun but require her to think. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2019.00221/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research studies</a> have shown that this type of brain training can help to improve your attention and memory. You can search for game apps by using the phrase “brain training” to find ones that would be a good fit for you.



Another type of brain training that Sid Khurana, a psychiatrist at Nevada Mental Health, suggests is “mental math,” or using your brain instead of a calculator to compute math problems daily. For example, if you are at the grocery store, calculate how much it costs to buy two gallons of milk without using a calculator. This type of brain training will help improve your working memory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-decrease-your-cognitive-load-nbsp">6. Decrease your cognitive load&nbsp;</h2>



People with ADHD can have trouble with their working memory or how their brain processes information at the moment. For people without ADHD, their working memory can be “overloaded” when they are trying to do too many things. The solution for everyone is to first recognize your cognitive load—something Rosier compares to a sponge. “How quickly does that sponge get saturated?” she poses. “Another way to put it is how much can you carry before you drop things?”



“I always ask people to be aware, ‘What is my cognitive load right now?’” Rosier says. Then if you realize that you are trying to remember too many things at once, Rosier suggests “downloading it” by <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-best-time-management-strategies/">writing the information on a physical list</a>.



Tuckman also discusses this overload by saying, “I think about signal and noise. Signal is the thing that you're supposed to pay attention to. Noise is everything that interferes with that.”&nbsp;



One way to improve your attention is to increase the signal and, at the same time, decrease the noise. In other words, avoid multitasking. In order to remember something, you need to first pay attention to it. This can be difficult if you’re distracted. Also, when possible, Tuckman recommends externalizing tasks. “If I put a Post-it note on the door, I can't help but see it,” he says. You can also use reminder apps to externalize what you need to remember.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-make-an-effort-to-pay-attention">7. Make an effort to pay attention</h2>



If you are always forgetting where your reading glasses are, then Tuckman suggests taking a few seconds to say, “I’m placing my reading glasses on the kitchen table.” This will help your brain to create a mental image of where you are putting it. If you do not remember where you placed the glasses, then your “attention is probably somewhere else than the task at hand,” Tuckman says, adding that “your memory is only as good as your attention.”



Photo by fizkes/Shutterstock.com

Does your brain feel scattered? Use these 7 expert-recommended ADHD techniques to help you focus, remember tasks and get motivated.

Does your brain feel scattered? Use these 7 expert-recommended ADHD techniques to help you focus, remember tasks and get motivated. | SUCCESS

7 ADHD Techniques to Improve Your Memory and Attention Span

Trouble Focusing? Try These 7 ADHD Techniques | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ADHD-techniques-to-focus-header.jpg

Side profile of Darley Newman standing out in Ghost Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico

At age 14, from the vantage point of a European cruise ship and her whole life ahead of her, Darley Newman realized what she wanted to do: see the world.



Now at age 44, she is the travel host, creator and producer of Travels with Darley, a <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9534144/awards/?ref_=tt_awd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daytime Emmy-nominated TV show</a> that airs on PBS and other networks. Its tenth season was released earlier this year. “I’ve taken a passion and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-questions-to-help-turn-your-passion-into-profit/">turned it into a business</a>,” she says. “I do feel that what I am doing is really helping people to learn about cultures and history around the world and see the world in a new, more insightful way.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-passion-project-to-full-time-pursuit">From passion project to full-time pursuit </h2>



Her show might be a success now, but she worked hard and started with little to get her dream off the ground.



“They call it ‘bootstrapping,’” Newman explains. Instead of borrowing money to start her first show, Equitrekking, she figured out ways to finance it. “I was <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-side-hustle-handbook/">an early side hustler</a>,” she says. At one point, she was working three different jobs, as a PR person, a freelance producer and a freelance writer on various projects. She saved money by working multiple roles—which she still does today, as a host, creator and producer.



“I really had to learn all aspects of production,” Newman says. She has an editor now, but that wasn’t always the case. “For many years, I was the editor,” she says. “I didn’t have the money to pay someone else in the beginning, so I was going to edit it because I really wanted the show to happen.”



Equitrekking began in 2006 as a series of short videos that Newman published on her website, before online videos were popular. Based on these clips, Tourism Ireland agreed to sponsor a pilot episode, which she was then able to take to PBS with the concept of recreating it around the world. PBS picked it up, and the series went on to <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441564/awards/?ref_=tt_awd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">win three Daytime Emmy Awards</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-experiences-and-feedback-to-pivot">Using experiences and feedback to pivot</h2>



Newman enjoyed creating the show until a frightening experience while filming led her to think about her next move.



“I was in Botswana, Africa, and I got charged by an elephant when I was horseback riding,” Newman says. At that point, she said the rides had become “harrowing, like I was on a runaway racehorse in Costa Rica, or in Belize, in the jungle at sunset.”



As she reflected on the show and whether she could continue, she realized that, while people often said it was a show about horses, to Newman, it was really about adventure. So, what if it wasn’t about horses at all?



Using her bootstrapping methods, she recut Equitrekking content, titled it Travels with Darley and posted it on AOL. The views it received told her this was worth pursuing. To finance the pilot episode, she entered a contest called Travel South, and organizations there decided to support the initial episodes. She later went back to PBS, who agreed to air the series. Once again, a little ingenuity had <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/side-hustles-simplified-from-idea-to-profit/">turned a passion project</a> into <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-steps-to-turn-your-passion-into-your-profession/">a sustainable business</a>.



That instinct for investing in herself has paid off in more ways than one. One savvy business decision she made was maintaining ownership rights, which has allowed her not only full creative control but also the freedom to repackage and distribute her content at will and to sell her show to different outlets, such as Amazon Prime, Wondrium and Create TV.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-darley-newman-on-making-an-impact">Darley Newman on making an impact</h2>



But the payoff for Newman goes much deeper than that. It goes all the way back to the first time she looked out over the sea, at age 14—on vacation with a friend, by the way—and dreamed about her future. To this day, the best part of her job is making connections with other people around the world.



“You get to understand how other people live and the struggles that they face and the joys that they have,” she says. It’s helped her broaden her own horizons, which she says has made her a better and happier person: “I’m always getting <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-get-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/">out of my comfort zone</a>, and that naturally happens on my travel adventures.”



She also believes her show has impacted others. “There is a ricochet effect,” she says. “Other communities may watch and learn about [someone’s] story and understand how they can make their own community better.” In that way, she hopes, “It’s like community building”—on a global scale.&nbsp;



This article originally appeared in the July/August 2023 <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-july-august-2023-chance-the-rapper.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">issue of SUCCESS magazine</a>. Photo by ©Chad Davis/ Travels with Darley.

Through a series of clever entrepreneurial decisions, Darley Newman turned her passion project into a successful TV show.

Darley Newman's show, "Travels with Darley", might be a success now, but she worked hard and started with little to get her dream off the ground. | SUCCESS

TV Host Darley Newman's Ingenuity Turned Her Passion Project into a Business

TV Host Darley Newman&#8217;s Ingenuity Turned Her Passion Project into a Business

How Darley Newman Turned Her Passion Project into a Business | SUCCESS

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