Top Ten Favorite Songs

Organize for Success® Turns 10 

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I have been posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day throughout the month of May, and this is the last in the anniversary blog series. The grand prize for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years will be awarded tomorrow, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute, video conference productivity consultation.

I've left the most challenging of my lists to write for today, which is top 10 favorite songs. I am a huge fan of music, and my interests are far-ranging, from country to classic rock, top 40 to R&B and so many in between. Therefore, I can't really limit my favorite songs to a top 10, but here is a representative list of my favorites:

10. "Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band (2008) - I'm a big fan of Zac Brown Band's unique sound, particularly with this really chill song and how it excellently highlights Jimmy De Martini's fiddle skills alongside Zac's singing. Plus, this band puts on a great concert, whether in a large amphitheater or a small group of radio listeners in the Entercom Communications Greensboro studios.

9. "Only Wanna Be With You" by Hootie & The Blowfish (1994) - The entire Cracked Rear View album is outstanding from "Hold My Hand" to "Let Her Cry" to "Time" and everything in between, but "Only Wanna Be With You" is my favorite of this fabulous band's tunes. I even got to ring in 1996 with their New Year's Eve concert in downtown Winston-Salem! These days, I continue enjoying Darius Rucker's talents with songs like "Alright", "Come Back Song", "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", "Southern Style", "Wagon Wheel" and "If I Told You", the last of which has a distinctly Hootie feel to it. So many good sing-along songs!

8. "We Are The Champions" by Queen (1977) - My freshman year at East Forsyth High School, our football team won the state 4A championship, and this song became the team's celebratory anthem for the remainder of the year. Anytime I hear "We Are The Champions", I immediately flashback to the fun of that victory and all the ensuing celebrations throughout the year. Go, Eagles!

7. "Sweet Tea" by Cravin' Melon (1997) - This band out of Clemson, SC, takes me right back to my days at Wake Forest University, and, as a true southerner, this song speaks to my love of good, ol' sweet tea, especially the really sweet kind of sweet tea. It's hard to not sway and sing along as this upbeat tune plays.

6. "Hold On Loosely" by 38 Special (1981) - Although 38 Special's "Caught Up In You" follows closely behind, similarly to "Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, I couldn't have a list of favorite songs without "Hold On Loosely". There's something to be said for a classic rock song that gets you singing and grooving along from the very first beat.

5. "Carolina In My Mind" by James Taylor (1968) - The home in which I grew up had a rather large yard, and, although I'm the six of seven siblings, most of my older siblings were out of the house when I was in middle school as well as my freshman and sophomore years in high school before we moved across town; thus, it fell upon me to mow all that grass. Each week, I'd put a cassette of James Taylor's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 into my Walkman, plug in my headphones and get to driving the lawn mower around. It was great! Although every song on that record is wonderful, I'm from the state of North Carolina so "Carolina In My Mind" has a special place in my heart and tops my list of favorites from JT.

4. "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk The Moon (2014) - One of my favorite things is finding catchy songs that my youngest nephew, Lucas, will dance and sing along with me. Initially, it was "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice, which Lucas told his mom "is Aunt Happy's song", but I think this happier alternative might've superseded that. We do alter the lyrics to "Come on and dance" since we aren't supposed to say "shut up", but it's still fun.

3. "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" by The Four Seasons (1975) - I am a fan of almost anything that Frankie Valli (lead singer of The Four Seasons) performs, hence why my friend Beth and I had to go see the Jersey Boys musical when it came to Durham Performing Arts Center; however, "December, 1963" is definitely my favorite. As soon as that opening beat starts, I can't help but want to start dancing; its energy is infectious.

2. "Not a Moment Too Soon" by Tim McGraw (1994) -  Technically, I could fill this entire list with Tim McGraw songs as he's my all-time favorite musical artist, and this same album had multiple hits ("Don't Take The Girl", "Down On The Farm", "Refried Dreams", "Indian Outlaw"); yet, "Not a Moment Too Soon" truly tops my list of Tim McGraw songs, even above "Felt Good On My Lips" that he and I sang together in Las Vegas as well as "Unbroken" that he serenaded me with in Charlotte. This song is hopeful, makes it easy to sing along and was perfect cruising the curves on Hopkins Road in Kernersville when it was first released.

1. "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang (1980) - There's a party in every playing of this song! As a child, I'd run around everywhere, singing and dancing to this tune, even if the music wasn't actually playing. I love the beat, I love the lyrics, I love how easy it is to sing along to this song, and I love dancing to it!

Bonus - I'd be remiss if I didn't specifically highlight a handful of the many tunes that are perfect for belting out while driving down the road and immediately beckon me to the dance floor with the opening beats of their music, like "Dancing On The Ceiling" by Lionel Richie, "No One" by Alicia Keys, "September" by Earth, Wind and Fire or "Summertime" by Will Smith. Actually, anything by those artists is pretty amazing, but I digress.

What is your favorite type of music? Which is your favorite song? Were you unfamiliar with any that I listed here?

Top Ten Tools to Be Healthier

Organize for Success® Turns 10 

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I will be posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day through Wednesday, May 31st. Each Sunday, my team will randomly select from those who commented on the prior week's "top 10" blog posts for a gift card giveaway and free download of one eBook via OrganizeForSuccess.biz/shop The grand prize for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years will be awarded on Thursday, June 1st, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute video productivity consultation.

Rising temperatures often encourage healthier habits. As this is Memorial Day, I thought you'd want some tech tools to make it easier to adopt healthier habits. Here are my top 10 such tools:

10. App to Suggest Healthy Recipes - The ShopWell app is a great place to start as it helps you better understand the nutrition in what foods you are already eating or evaluate a product you are interested in eating while at the grocery store. Fooducate offers healthy alternatives to foods you love and empowers you to achieve your goals with recipes to eat better. With Foodfully, track what food you have in the fridge and craft your meals around what is closest to spoiling. By using a Real Plans subscription, you can choose from recipes suggested for your family's size, schedule and preferences or import your own recipes. Through a gatheredtable subscription, you can create customized weekly meal plans from the healthy recipes provided to meet every taste or diet requirement; then, create your grocery list from the indicated ingredients and choose if you'd like to schedule delivery of the necessary groceries. Or be inspired with recipes on Allrecipes, BigOven, Epicurious, Food Network, Real Simple and Yummly.

9. App to Save on Supplies for Recipes - Flipp lets you easily browse flyers for the brands you prefer, clip whatever you want directly to your shopping list and highlight deals that will save you even more; based on advertised prices and coupons, you will know how much your total will be before even entering the store. Every time you shop, Wallaby tells you which of your credit cards will maximize rewards, minimize interest and take advantage of special bonuses; plus, this tool tracks your spending data, alerting you to suspicious activity or increased spending. Both Ibotta and Shopkick will reward you for shopping with cash or gift cards, and Slice Drops will securely access your e-receipts to automatically request a refund whenever the price drops for something you bought.

8. Grocery Delivery Service - Sometimes, a hurdle to eating healthier is getting out to buy fresh fruits, veggies and lean proteins. If you shop at Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Publix or Safeway, your local grocery store might already offer the option of home delivery. Yet, the options don't end there. If you are in a market that has launched with Shipt or Instacart, there are additional options; plus, many metro areas have added Amazon Prime Now service, where your groceries can be delivered for free within about 2 ours of placing your order if you are a Prime subscriber. Alternatively, consider a concierge service; here in Raleigh, choose from Errand Girl, Metro's Other Woman or Sweeps.

7. Hand & Stone Mobile - Whether to alleviate certain areas of discomfort or rejuvenate from everyday stresses, expert massage therapists offer a service that is of huge benefit when aiming to live a healthier life. With Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa's mobile app, you can find a spa, book an appointment or simply learn more about massage services, which include Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Hot Stone, Trigger Point and Pre-Natal options.

6. Sleep Cycle or Pzizz - The Sleep Cycle alarm clock tracks your sleep patterns and wakes you up during your light sleep, which leads to awaking more naturally rested instead of waking during REM cycles. On the other hand, Pzizz allows you to fall asleep quickly, stay asleep more easily and wake up feeling refreshed.

5. App to Suggest Workouts - I'm a big fan of music so I like how Fit Radio pairs your workout to the perfect playlist for pace, goals and workout specifics. The Nike+ Training Club App lets you challenge yourself with 100+ workouts from Nike Trainers and athletes, including 15-minute options, so you can create the plan that works best for your needs. The Yoga Wake Up app delivers yoga audio sequences you can do from bed for an easier transition from sleep to be awake and alert. If you want to get started running, follow the Couch to 5K running plan to be ready for a 5K race within 2 months. If you already like to run or walk, Runkeeper provides a community with whom to set goals, track your workouts and stay motivated to see ongoing progress. Zova communicates with you as your personal trainer, combining all your workouts to five you a single score for staying on track to success. Additionally, there are plenty of subscription options you can access from anywhere via your mobile device. Tone It Up provides free, daily workouts and fitness tips. Aaptiv combines the motivating instruction of a personal trainer with playlists that match your preferences to keep you going. Pear Sports uses Performance Enhancing Audio Research to put a trusted voice in your ear that goes beyond tracking your workout data so you can make sense of your results, adjusting as needed for your goals. YogaGlo offers yoga and meditation classes online for all experience levels, styles, length of class, teacher preferences and interest.

4. Meditation App - The top-rated app for making mediation simpler is often Calm, which gives each day a keyword to fuel your meditations towards your goals for breathing, sleeping and boosting overall relaxation. The Headspace app teaches you to meditate in 10 minutes a day over a 10 day stretch. Then, designed by a team of Harvard psychologists and meditation experts, Simple Habit meditations are 5 minutes and personalized for all kinds of life situations, which more easily empowers continuing this new skill. Both the Buddhify and OMG I Can Meditate apps work cross-platform to provide meditation options for any location or experience, tracking your results each time your designated device is connected to the Internet. A subscription to the Gaia app lets you stream over 7,000 exclusive videos, all of which are designed to boost your consciousness. Finally, the suite of applications from Meditation Oasis offers various options designed to meet many different goals.

3. Workout App for Folks with Limited Time - Time is a very limited resource, and you might need to adjust your tools for getting moving based off the amount of time you have available. Seven offers short workouts that will dramatically improve your well-being using nothing more than a chair, a wall or your own body weight. Likewise, 7 Minute Workout Challenge app is another app designed with your busy life in mind, providing a different portfolio of workouts that provide results when you are short on time. Sworkit offers fitness options that match a wide variety of interests, including options that are as short as 7 minutes.

2. Sweat - The largest female fitness community offers resistance, cardio and recovery workouts to be done anytime and anywhere, like 28-minute workouts that fit into super-busy schedules. Plus, it offers meal plans with weekly shopping lists and provides healthier options for foods you like best. Choose from weekly, quarterly and package subscription options with a community to support you.

1. MyFitnessPal - This app offers a free calorie counter for tracking all that you eat. Coupled with a record of all your physical activity that shows how many calories are burned by each movement, it helps folks lose weight the good, old-fashioned, healthy way, burning more calories than consumed.

With which areas of your life do you struggle most to be healthy? What is your favorite tool to aid in your efforts at healthfulness? Are you going to try any of those listed here?

Top Ten Favorite Movies

Organize for Success® Turns 10 

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I will be posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day through Wednesday, May 31st. Each Sunday, my team will randomly select from those who commented on the prior week's "top 10" blog posts for a gift card giveaway and free download of one eBook via OrganizeForSuccess.biz/shop The grand prize for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years will be awarded on Thursday, June 1st, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute video productivity consultation.

As we're in Memorial Day weekend, I thought you might want some inspiration for movies in the instance that your cookout is washed out with rain. Therefore, here are my top 10 favorite movies:

10. A League of Their Own (1992) - Set during World War II when all the men are fighting the war, two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing rivalry. The female baseball players are endearing while Tom Hanks' character is the perfect compliment, especially as he explains that "There's no crying in baseball."

9. Sex and the City 2 (2010) - Whenever Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha come together, it's an ideal reminder of how strong friendships can be and how great it is to have friends who are so different from one another. I specify the second Sex and the City movie as it features both Chris Noth as Mr. Big as well as John Corbett as Aidan, and that is certainly all the better.

8. The Longest Ride (2015) - This movie deliciously juxtaposes the world of bull-riding with the world of those appreciating modern art, weaving in romance and action alike. It stars Scott Eastwood, son of Clint Eastwood, and was partially filmed at my alma-mater of Wake Forest University. Plus, I'm a huge fan of its ending!

7. Remember the Titans (2000) - Based on the actual events of 1971, this is the story of a newly appointed, African-American coach and his high school football team during their first season as a racially-integrated unit, starring the wonderful Denzel Washington. This is an empowering example of the impact high school football programs have bringing together their communities.

6. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) - Anne Hathaway plays a smart but sensible new graduate who lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly, the demanding editor-in-chief of a high fashion magazine who is played brilliantly by Meryl Streep. There are countless leadership and business lessons shared throughout.

5. Hidden Figures (2016) - This is the true story of a team of female, African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA early on in the U. S. space program as we raced against Russia to put a man in space. Great music and amazing acting from an all-star cast (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Coster, Jim Parsons, Kirsten Dunst) simply illuminate an inspiring story. It's empowering to see these females fight for opportunity and restores hope to see folks like Costner's character stand up for them getting the chances they deserved.

4. The Sound of Music (1965) - I find it absolutely impossible to watch this movie without at least singing along if not dancing, too. A woman played by the amazing talented Julie Andrews leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the seven children of a Naval officer widower, who is played by Christopher Plummer. I prefer the movie script to that of the musical play, but the music is undeniably perfect wherever and whenever. Additionally, as 1 of 7 siblings, I can nicely connect with the craziness of a large family.

3. Love & Basketball (2000) - Starting when a young Monica moves in next door to a young Quincy in 1981, this script follows their love-hate relationship from that point, when they are 11 years old, all the way through their intertwined lives of high school, college and professional basketball. Omar Epps is fantastic as Quincy while Sanaa Lathan plays Monica perfectly. Throughout their story, it's awesome to see the powerful impact of even the smallest details and interactions, in both long- and short-run.

2. Dirty Dancing (1987) - Set in 1963, this is the story of how Frances "Baby" Houseman stopped being a sweet, daddy's girl when she was taught to dance by the instructor named Johnny at a resort in upstate New York where her family had its summer vacation. I spent countless hours watching this movie over and over in my basement growing up, recreating the fabulous final dance for Baby with Johnny because, of course, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner." It's heart-breaking that Patrick Swayze passed away before a sequel could be created, particularly as Swayze was an outstanding dancer who happened to be a good actor, too.

1. Sweet Home Alabama (2002) - In this movie, a young woman who has reinvented herself as a brilliant fashion designer based in New York must return home to Alabama to obtain a divorce from her husband after seven years of separation. Reese Witherspoon does an excellent job of conveying an independent heroine torn between the past that created her and the future she has created. Although she can't go wrong choosing between Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas, it becomes clear throughout the movie how the person Lucas' character has made of himself is such a perfect fit for nurturing all aspects of Witherspoon's evolving character. As the witty refrain is shared, "You can have roots and wings."

What is your favorite movie and why? Are you going to check out any of these you've not yet seen?

Top Ten Salad Ingredients

Organize for Success® Turns 10 

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I will be posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day through Wednesday, May 31st. Each Sunday, my team will randomly select from those who commented on the prior week's "top 10" blog posts for a gift card giveaway and free download of one eBook from OrganizeForSuccess.biz/shop. The grand prize for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years will be awarded on Thursday, June 1st, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute productivity consultation via video conference.

In honor of this National Salad Month, let's cover my top 10 salad ingredients; although I'm a big fan of chicken salad in a bowl or on a sandwich, I'll focus on the traditional definition of salads, saving room by skipping over the leafy greens and salad dressing options:

10. Blueberries - That bright blue is a great pop for any salad, particularly as some nutritionists believe adding blueberries would be the most important change you could make to your diet.

9. Sliced Almonds - Adding almonds to my salad reduces hunger, promotes healthy weight and lowers cholesterol via lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E.

8. Bell Peppers - Particularly when I mix in green, yellow and red bell peppers, they add wonderful color to my salad. Plus, I really like each of their flavors and the texture they contribute.

7. Apple Slices - Whether the variety is Honeycrisp, Fuji, Jazz or Empire, crunchy slices of a sweet, red apple add such delicious flavor, color and texture atop any salad; plus, rich in antioxidants, flavonoids and dietary fiber, apples reduce the risk of cancer, hypertension, diabetes or heart disease.

6. Broccoli - As mentioned in my "top ten favorite foods", broccoli is hands-down my favorite vegetable, and those large, flowering heads are an ideal addition to a fresh salad, providing a flavorful ingredient that's low in calories, has wonderful texture to compliment other components and adds excellent vitamins.

5. Boiled Eggs - I love how this high protein and low-calorie addition better controls my hunger. Plus, I feel like I'm really eating something when I add two halves of an egg to my salad.

4. Green Peas - Having these little, green balls rolling around in my salad seems to add a bit of fun to the meal! Although low in fat and calories, these veggies are high in protein, fiber and micro-nutrients, helping manage weight, fight aging, protect my heart, boost my immune system, provide anti-inflammatory properties, lower bad cholesterol and give me energy.

3. Orange Slices - As oranges scream spring and summer, they add sweet flavor to any salad, providing an abundance of vitamin C, dietary fiber and plenty of helpful vitamins.

2. Salmon - Adding salmon to my salads sneaks in much-needed nutrients, especially omega-3 fatty acids. As a back-up meat, I'd go with grilled chicken, but salmon is definitely my preferred option.

1. Cucumbers - These vegetables offer valuable anti-inflammatory properties, fight infection, boost energy and fill me up while not adding too much weight. I like how they are good for my heart, taste really delicious and provide lots of water to keep me hydrated without drowning myself drinking liquids.

What are your favorite salad ingredients? Are there any on this list you'd like to try?

Top Ten Favorite Foods

Organize for Success® Turns 10

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I will be posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day through Wednesday, May 31st. Each Sunday, my team will randomly select from those who commented on the prior week's "top 10" blog posts for a gift card giveaway and free download of one eBook from OrganizeForSuccess.biz/shop. The grand prize package for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years in business will be awarded on Thursday, June 1st, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute productivity consultation via video conference.

Today, let's talk favorite foods, including some recipes and restaurants. While there is much discussion about whether folks eat to live or live to eat, I lean towards the "eat to live" camp. I think I'd forget to eat more often than actually eating if I didn't use meals as a time to connect with others or get a headache that reminds me it's time to refuel. However, our bodies need nutrition to function properly, and it's important to pay attention to our bodies' needs. With that in mind, here is today's top ten list, which are all foods that feed my soul as well as nourish my body:

10. Soup - Depending on my mood, my favorite soup can waiver between lentil, tomato bisque or bean and bacon. I absolutely loved the tomato bisque at Joule Coffee + Table; however, with its closing in December 2016, I think this favorite recipe from Ashley Christensen might've become hidden for awhile. I have wonderful memories of bean and bacon soup with Dad at Mayberry Ice Cream Restaurants, and I really like how lentil soup is both flavorful as well as filling, especially for lunch on a cold, dreary day.

9. Grilled Cheese - Whether lining the outside of the bread with butter or the new option of mayonnaise before grilling, you can't go wrong with a fresh, hot, grilled cheese. I especially like the Grown Up Grilled Cheese from Jubala Coffee, and a good grilled cheese is always an excellent pairing for any of the aforementioned soups.

8. Shrimp and Grits - There are plenty of tasty options for shrimp and grits, but I especially like the Crispy Shrimp and Grits from Driftwood Southern Kitchen as it's a little bit different from others.

7. Hot Dog - I prefer the red, Bright Leaf hot dogs made by Carolina Packers in Smithfield, NC, and, when I get mine from Char-Grill, I like to pair them simply with slaw and ketchup. It's a quick, easy and inexpensive way to shop local right here in NC.

6. Salmon - My favorite fish is a nicely grilled salmon, and, as long as it's not cooked too long, there are so many tasty variations; however, my favorite is the Cashew Salmon from Winston's Grille, which pairs well with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.

5. Sweet Potato - There is no wrong way to serve this root vegetable. From baked with cinnamon sugar and butter to as a casserole such that it's mashed with marshmallows on top, sweet potatoes can be good enough to eat for dessert.

4. Broccoli - Hands-down my favorite vegetable, broccoli is its best steamed with a little bit of butter on top; however, it's also mighty good as a casserole. Whether fresh or frozen, it's flavorful while being low in calories, but it must be broccoli, not broccolini.

3. Pimento Cheese - I prefer Musten and Crutchfield's Pimento Cheese, which is made in my hometown of Kernersville, NC, but whatever kind of pimento cheese used by Jubala Coffee on its delicious biscuits is certainly a great second option.

2. Biscuits - I've grown up loving Bojangles' biscuits, but, since its opening back in January of 2011, Jubala Coffee's biscuits have found a place in my heart. These sweet, made from scratch and highly addictive biscuits pair equally well with apple butter, honey, season jam, pimento cheese or fresh berries and whipped cream.

1. Macaroni and Cheese - I'm a sucker for macaroni and cheese in any form or fashion, but I do have a couple that top my list. Y'all have not lived until you eat the Macaroni Au Gratin from Poole's Diner, but the Ashe Co. Pimento Mac-N-Cheese Custard from Beasley's Chicken + Honey is a nice second option.

Now that we are all sufficiently hungry, it's your turn to share. What are your favorite foods and from where can I get them for a taste? Are there any here that you'll try?

Top Ten Favorite Colors

Organize for Success® Turns 10

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I will be posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day through Wednesday, May 31st. Each Sunday, my team will randomly select from those who commented on the prior week's "top 10" blog posts for a gift card giveaway and free download of one eBook from OrganizeForSuccess.biz/shop. The grand prize package for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years in business will be awarded on Thursday, June 1st, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute video productivity consultation.

Today, let's cover my top ten favorite colors:

10. Sunflower Yellow - This warm color is bright, vibrant, full of energy and so happy! Sunflowers are my favorite flowers, and I can't seem to look at them without smiling. The yellow of sunflowers has the same effect on me, regardless of whether I see it in household decorations, articles of clothing, nature or anywhere else.

9. Portobello Mushroom - As opposed to the harshness of black, this gray offers a softer neutral. Plus, one of my absolute favorite pairs of shoes happens to be a pair of knee-high boots made of suede in this particular color. They go with nearly anything I wear in the fall or winter and always make me feel great. Such a versatile color!

8. Tangerine Orange - This sassy color screams summer to me, including the energy of kids running around outside, the warmth of the best time to be on the beach (4-7pm, of course) and the many tasty treats available at local farmers markets. It happens to be one of my favorites to wear year-round but especially when it's warmer.

7. Rich Chocolate Brown - This shade of brown is my preferred neutral. Further, it's the exact shade of Tim McGraw's eyes, which I got to gaze into as he serenaded me with "Unbroken" back in 2015. Finally, as a dedicated chocoholic, I must admit how I've often shared the question of "Don't we eat meals in order to get to dessert?!?"

6. Greenery - This refreshing shade reminds me each day is a new beginning; it's up to me to ensure I invest my limited time in the best ways to make the world better than I entered it. This revitalizing color reminds me of early spring, when nature is renewed, flowers flourish and the outdoors is a little fresher. It's such an enlivening color!

5. Old Gold and Black - I am well aware that this item on the list is actually two different colors; however, these will be forever linked as one in my mind. The colors of my dear, old Wake Forest University as well as my sorority of Kappa Alpha Theta are both black and gold, which makes this pair one entity.

4. Deep Turquoise - This color merges together the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, creating visions of peaceful, tropical waters and an escape from everyday life. It has depth and is intriguing while instilling calm and restoring my energy reserves. Not to mention what a great shade it is for jewelry!

3. Dusky Royal Magenta - Pairing together confidence, warmth and energy, this radiant shade of bright purple is expressive, creative and engaging. I find it to be full of life and truly sparkling, a color for all seasons that conveys courage and vitality. This color lifts my spirit to effectively meet whatever challenges arise.

2. Orange Popsicle - This vibrant color reminds me of September, the month in which I was born. Most folks think of it as autumn; however, summer lasts through September 22nd, and I think this color represents that transition well, especially the many Creamsicles® after school that stretched out our celebration of summer.

1. Dark Emerald Green - I absolutely love Pantone's description of this color when it was introduced as the 2013 color of the year: "Lively, radiant, lush... A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony." To me, it conveys joy, love, health, happiness and wholeness. In addition to being the official color for Organize for Success®, I feel good wearing this color, and it's my go-to year-round. It is truly my favorite!

Which colors are your favorites and why? Are there any on this list you'd like to consider closer?