Everyone is doing the Okey Cokey!

Put the UK in
Pull the UK out
in, out, in, out
Shake it all about.

If you haven't heard about the EU Referendum coming up on the 23rd June 2016 then you're probably a tortoise and are just coming out of hibernation in your shoe box under the stairs. For the rest of us, it's world wide news.

The British public have been given the chance to decide for themselves if they think we should stay in the EU or not. Everyone can and will be effected by either decisions but we need to decide and time is running out. No more sitting on the fence bull sh*t. We're about to make the biggest decision we've had to make in a very long time. I can't see us getting another shot at this kind of opt out any time soon.

I've made no secret of my decision to vote OUT. Yes, I know it'll be hard, yes there will be consequences for a while, but doesn't any change come with disruption? We need to look at the big long term picture and we need to vote for what we feel comfortable with.

Every one seems to have an opinion. On the off chance Barak Obama is reading this - You sir, can kiss my arse. If you think our great country will roll over because of you, you are sadly mistaken.

For those of you who are confused about what is going on, here are some, what I think are, impartial facts about The UK and The EU.

"- The UK joined the European Union in 1973 - Back then, it was known as the Common Market. But over the past 43 years, the EU has taken control over more and more areas which don't have anything to do with trade - such as our borders, our public services, and whether prisoner shave the right to vote

- When we (TheUK) joined, there were just 9 member states - Now there are 28, the most recent being Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia. Five more countries are being considered for membership: Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey. If they are let in, they will have the same rights as other member states.

- More than half of net migration to the UK comes from the EU.  More than a quarter of a million people come to the UK from the EU in the 12 months to September 2015- the equivalent of a city the size of Plymouth or Newcastle in just one year.

- While we're in the EU. the UK can't make trade deals on our own. This means we currently have no trade deals with key allies such as Australia, New Zealand or the USA - or important growing economies like India, China or Brazil. Instead of making a deal which is best for the Uk we have to wait or 27 other countries to agree to it!

- The EU costs us £350 million a week. That's enough to build a new NHS hospital every week of the year. We get less than half of this money back, and we have no control over the way it's spent - That's decided by politicians and officials in Brussels, rather than the people we elect here.

- You don't need to be a member of the EU to trade with it.  Switzerland is not in the EU and it exports more per person to the EU than we do. The big banks and multinationals might be lobbying to keep us in, but small and medium businesses feel differently. Only 6% of UK firms export to the EU, yet all have to abide by EU regulations on their business.

- EU law overrules UK law. This stops the British public from being able to vote out the politicians who make our laws. EU judges have already overruled British laws on issues like counter-terrorism powers, immigration, VAT, and prisoner voting. Even the Government's proposed new deal can be overturned after the referendum: It is not legally binding.

- There are risks with voting either way. Experts, politicians, and businesses are divided. People have to weigh up the risks and potential benefits of each course of action for themselves. "*

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you do it for the right reasons but more importantly - make sure you do actually vote!


Until Next Time,
Keep smiling, It's going to be ok.
Miss Make It Happen

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*Facts obtained from www.eureferendumfacts.org leaflet - you can get further information from the site or by texting FACTS to 88802 (Standards charges apply)

It Feels Like I've Known You Forever...

Two things happened to me yesterday that really stood out.

Firstly, I met up with an old friend who I haven't spoken to for over a year. We'd had a falling out some time back and we were meeting to build bridges. When I saw him, it felt like the past had never happened. We were meant to be friends and be involved in each others lives. Life is too short to hold grudges and keep people in the dog house. Turns out we'd been absent from each others lives during a massive turning point for both of us. If we had stayed friends would we have helped each other or been a hindrance, who knows? The important point is we were now talking again. Unfortunately, we only had about 90 minutes to catch up but in that time I couldn't help stare at my friend. His smile, his animated hand gestures, his passion for his work. He'd been through a lot and he was now happy. In fact, we were both happy. It didn't matter what happened in the past, My friend was happy and that's the important part. I'm happy for him. (Lots of 'Happy' in those last few sentences, did you pick up on that?)
If you are holding a grudge against an old friend, ask yourself this - If they died tomorrow, would you feel sad / miss them? If the answer is yes, pick up the phone and make amends. My friendship was salvaged because I received a text message that simply said 'I Miss You'. Do something today, before it's too late.

Secondly, I had a dinner booked. 2 of the people I knew and had previously met before, and the 3rd I had only ever spoken to on social media. We'd talked a lot and got to know each other but I was somewhat surprised how natural our friendship was after meeting for the first time. It was as if we'd known each other for years. Never underestimate the importance of building relationships over social media.Not everyone is a keyboard warrior / stalker / rapist. It really takes the awkwardness out of initial meetings!

Until Next Time,
Much Love

Miss Make It Happen

www.MissMakeItHappen.co.uk
www.twitter.com/MIH_Dee

Networking "Friends"

It was recently brought to my attention (by my mum) that it isn't possible for me to have so many "friends". After questioning what she meant it turns out that she believes that the people I meet whilst networking across the UK are not "friends" but acquaintances. 

So I pondered

At first I was a little defensive. Of course these people are my friends. I talk to them regularly, we visit each other and we pass business to each other. Then I got to thinking a little deeper. Was she right?? Was I in fact under the disillusion that these people were in fact my friends? 

Enter my friend of about 15 years. His view is that I have too many people around me. The higher the volume of "friends", the higher the risk of neg heads (I love that phrase) creeping in to the inner circle. Thus, draining my energy and making it harder for me to succeed. He was right. So I removed those people from my circles. New acquaintances, mates, long standing friends from school. GONE. And my life seemed happier over night. 

Back to my mums statement, I started to think about my networking "friends" a little more. Although I still refer to them as friends they now fit in to 4 beautifully titled categories. 

*FRIENDS* - the business contacts who are there for me when things get rough. 24/7. These are the people I'll pick up the phone to at 3am. The "no questions asked" crew.

*MATES* - the ones that are there when things go right then go AWOL when things aren't so great. I'll call these people back when I can. 

*ACQUAINTANCES* - people I've said hi to but not yet formed relationships with. These people will be promoted or relegated in the future.

*KNOB ENDS* - the arseholes you keep close enough just so you can keep an eye on. It's always a good idea to know when you're going to get stabbed in the back. 

So maybe my mum was right. Maybe I don't have as many friends as I thought I did. Don't get me wrong my "inner circle" is packed out with some pretty amazing people. But my networking circles have just become smaller. I like the idea of this. The total number of people is still the same, I've just made lots of little hierarchy type circles now. 

This whole blog has helped me realise who is REALLY important! who should be taking up my time. who I want to help achieve success and who can figure it out on their own. I urge you to do the same. Take time out and pick your way through your friends list on FB, go through the contact list on your phone, block the followers on twitter that make you roll your eyes. Be thorough. Be brutal. I guarantee after the initial shock of "what have I done??" Has worn off, you'll be smiling in a few days. 

You have but one life. Fill it with good things, good people and good thoughts. 

Much Love, until next time.

Miss Make It Happen

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