Category Archives: Home Business

June 1, 2007 · 2:00 pm

Schools Out!

Schools out for the Summer!

 Yes….it is the time of year that I have always relished, ever since getting off the bus after completing my first year in school!  Ahhhhhhhh, yes! That incredible feeling of FREEDOM after nine long months of being on someone else’s schedule, doing work others wanted me to do, a bit of boredom in the routine of classroom exercises, lessons & homework day after day. There was nothing like hopping off the school bus and running down the street….with the sun shining ever so brightly, the wind blowing gently and the sounds of all the kids laughing & screaming and chattering on and on about their summer plans. It was truly one of the most memorable moments of my childhood!I use to think that my excitement was because I had 3 months in front of me where I could DO NOTHING…..but looking back…that wasn’t it at all.  (Actually I think that I may have even been more productive in the summer than during the school year – attending swim practice every morning, planning & carrying out lavish carnivals for muscular dystrophy, putting on neighborhood plays, going berry picking for hours, working on earning every outdoor Girl Scout badge possible, going to summer camp etc…etc…etc….)  The joy was because I had the FREEDOM to choose what I wanted to do in the summer….noone was telling me what I had to do or had to learn, I got to make my own choices.

Years later as an adult….I thought I would truly never have that feeling again (even though as an educator I still had summers off…there was still the pressure of planning next years lesson plans, cleaning out my classroom, students calling in the summer for letters of recommendation).  Well….I have recently come to realize that one of the GREATEST joys of owning my own business is that it lets me have that same incredible, awesome sense of FREEDOM….all year long!

I have the freedom to choose:

1. When to work & when not to work…..it is so great to be able to look at my summer schedule and plan out all the things I want to do and then choose when to work my business.  I truly can have it all….summer afternoons at the pool with my kids, camping trip vacations, early morning coffee while reading the paper on the back porch & making money for my family doing something I love.

I have the freedom to choose:

2. How much money I want to make each and every month! Did you know that there are many different ways to make money when you own your own direct sales business?  WOW!   Now I don’t now about you… but in my former job as a high school teacher…there was one way and one way alone to make money….show up, do the job and get the same paycheck every 2 weeks regardless of the time or energy I expended or how well I did the job.  Now I get to decide how much money I want to make each month and then I do it!  I decide each month whether I want to make $200 a month or $2,000 a month (or as your business grows $5,000, $10,000 or more a month!) Isn’t that great?

I have the freedom to choose:

3. Who I want to work alongside!  This is so great!  Many of my clients and success line are my friends and family members!  It is so very AWESOME to attend conventions, meetings, business events, and go on coffee chats & have conference calls with my closest lifelong friends, former students, and my family members! The relationships I have developed thru my business have been life changing both in clients & consultants who have become dear friends.  (And I plan to recruit even more friends and family to my team along the way!)

I have the freedom to choose:

4. Where I want to work my business! I can choose to work in my home or out of my home.  I can choose to travel anywhere I want to  do business.  Get out the map…decide where you want to travel this summer and set up business in those areas!  (Personally I want to have team members in every state in the USA!)

I have the freedom to choose:

5. What parts of my business I want to emphasize! Its so great to be able to use your talents & expertise….and do what you do best. You need a balanced business of  that includes the basics od shows, sales, recruiting, downline management, special events & customer service  but….you can emphasize and spend more time on the parts you enjoy the most. Believe me I did not always enjoy getting up at 6am every morning to ride my bike to swim practice in the summer….but I loved the swim meets….everyone cheering wildly as you came in first place, the enthusiasm & unity of being a part of a team and ESPECIALLY getting those gold medals, blue ribbons and seeing your name in the newspaper the next day — perhaps its a bit like not enjoying making daily phone calls or looking for new contacts BUT loving the results of $$$ sales, home events & recognition within your team or even nationally in your company!

Yes….I am free! And I love it! With my own business, I have the “summertime” freedom everyday of the year…..does it get any better than that?

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Filed under Home Business, Monday Motivations

February 2, 2004 · 2:39 am

What do you really want?

I had to chuckle yesterday morning as I overheard (and I was not eavesdropping….when you live in a small 1400 square foot home with 8 people…nothing is private) the conversation three of my daughters were having as they were in the bathroom getting ready for church.  It went something like this.

Amy: I really want to have kids!  But…..I really, really don’t want to get married.

Grace: I really, really want to have kids too!  But…..I really, really, really don’t want to get married….and you can’t have kids unless you get married. (I’m so  glad the 5 year old already has that instilled in her)

Rebekah: Well………I really, really, really want to have kids!  But (said emphatically)…..I am not going to get married! Grace: (running thru the house) Yeah….I don’t like boys! I only like Daddy!Amy: (with despair & frustration in her voice)  I know BUT……..I really, really, really want to have kids! And I really, really, really, really don’t want to get married.  <sighing> What am I going to do??

I sat in my bedroom nursing Joy and laughing…..their dilemma is not unlike many of our own.We really, really, really want to …….lose weight.  But…..we really, really, really, really don’t want to exercise. We really, really, really want to …….have some extra money.  But…..we really, really, really, really don’t want to be on a budget.

We really, really, really want to …….be current with our photo albums. But…..we really, really, really, really don’t want to let go of our perfection. We really, really, really want to …….have daily devotions.  But…..we really, really, really, really don’t want to get up early. We really, really, really want to …….have a successful business.  But…..we really, really, really, really don’t want to make those client contacts

And just like my girls…..we go back and forth in desperation and frustration over what we really, really, really want to do (or earn, or make, or be) AND what we really, really, really don’t want to do.  And more often than not we let the thing we really, really, really don’t want to do STOP us from doing the thing that we really, really, really want.Now I am very confident that age & hormones will solve my girls dilemma fairly easily and that they will overcome their objection to getting married and that they will find awesome godly men who want as many kids as they do. (which is a lot….thanks to me telling them that babies are one of the greatest gifts God can give you and that I want dozens of grandchildren!)But what will we do to overcome our own objections and to press in & do the very thing we don’t want to do in order to get the very thing we want? (did you follow that??)Here are seven simple steps:

1. Make a list (not just a mental one….a written one) of exactly what you really want in life.  

2.  Below that list write down an action list of everything you know you need to do to make what you really want become a reality.      

3. Put a star by all the actions that you really, really, really don’t want to do. (or dread doing)

4. Decide that you are going to overcome your fear, disdain, distaste for that activity and that you are going to do it ANYWAY because you are not going to let your own objections STOP you from getting what you really, really, really want!5. Call a friend who you can ask to hold you accountable.  Tell them what you really, really, really want.  Tell them what you are going to do everyday to get what you really, really, really want.  Tell them the specific things that you really, really, really  DON’T want to do and give them permission to ask you every week if you have done those things.  Tell them you  want to be held accountable and that you are counting on them to bug you. (and mean it)6. Get up everyday and do those actions.  If you are like me and want to see that you are making progress. (Ok, so I’m a former teacher!)  Buy yourself a grade book…write in all the things that you are going to do under the assignments and then check off everyday that you complete those activities  If at the end of the week you have NOT done them consistently say to yourself….”I will not allow my own personal objections stand in the way of  getting/achieving/being what I really, really, really want.”7. At the end of every week that you have consistently done the business building activities that you have objected to….reward yourself with a treat and celebrate your success because you are on your way to achieving what you really, really, really want!

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Filed under Consistency, Goals & Dreams, Home Business, Monday Motivations

January 30, 2004 · 12:00 am

Taking those first steps

In just a matter of days…. Joy will be toddling thru our house!

 

Yes…..”Joyful” our precious 11 month old baby girl took her very first tiny baby step all by herself last night.  And if you would have lived within blocks of our home……there was NO WAY that you would have missed out on this event as her 5 big sisters cheered & screamed wildly. (You would have thought they had just been told they were going to Disneyland)

The thrill & excitement of a baby taking those first steps doesn’t ever get old. (This is my 6th time around this block..and its still just as exciting as the first one!) It also doesn’t happen overnight.  She’s been walking around the coffee table for months & standing on her own consistently for weeks.  Her sisters have been coaching, coaxing & coaching her, practicing with her & cheering her on!  You can see the look of excitement in Joy’s eyes, you can sense her anticipation & wonder as she ponders taking those first steps…you can feel her apprehension & fear as to what might happen if she decides to just take off. And what seems like a HUGE in insurmountable feat today, will, in just a few short weeks seem easy & very doable…..in fact it will be as if taking those first steps were really no major accomplishment at all. In another year from when she is running through the house like it is her own personal race track…we will be hard pressed to remember this eventful day when it took everything in her to attempt one very small wobbly step.

This is just the first of many “steps” she will take in her life.  There will very soon be her first major fall….her first birthday…..her first real words (besides MAMA & DADA)….her first day of school….her first words read…..her first math problem solved…her first bike ride….her first time swimming across the pool….and on & on & on (and I don’t even want to think about her first day behind the wheel, her first day of college, her first love) Many of these will be preceded with that same sense of excitement, anticipation & wonder of something new ahead, of reaching out for a new goal or dream……as well as that same fear & apprehension of falling or failing or just plain uncertainty of what lies ahead. And hopefully she will continue to have her own private cheerleading squad that will coach, coax, & practice with her every step of the way & then cheer wildly with each successful accomplishment.

Are you thinking about taking your first steps with your business or towards a personal goal or dream? Maybe you’ve been at it for a while but have decided its time increase your pace from a leisurely walk to a steady jog or even an all out run. Or perhaps you have just had something give you a nudge or all out push towards pursuing your dream. Or maybe you’ve just made up your mind to make this the year you “go for it!”

You are filled with a sense of excitement.  You anticipate that great things are around the corner.  You wonder about all that may be in store for you in this upcoming year.  And yet at the same time you are filled with apprehension & fear.  What if I fail?  What if I fall down? What if I look stupid?  What if I am rejected?  What if I can’t handle it? What do we need to be able to forge ahead even through fear & uncertainty?  What will it take to attempt those first baby steps that will eventually turn into full confident strides?

I believe just like Joy last night we need 3 things.

1.  We need to really WANT to go forward! 

Our excitement and our hopes & dreams for the future must overtake our fear, apprehension & uncertainty.  Joy watches her older sisters run around the house….she sees the things that they can do….how fast they can go while she either sits in her high chair, or bobbles up & down in her bouncer or try’s to keep up with them through inefficient crawling. (and eventually begging to have them pick her up & carry her).  She really WANTS to walk.

 

Are you sitting around while others are doing, seeing & achieving the great things that you want for your life?  Do you know that it could as easily be you striding confidently through this life achieving great things….if you just step out in faith and take those first steps.

Do you really WANT it?  Overcome your fears, your apprehensions and your uncertainty & take that first small step today!

2. We need to press on and practice daily. (and expect to fall!)

The minute Joy got up today…the girls had her up on her feet practicing taking that one little half step.  And I’m sure they will not let her rest until she has taken 2 or 3 today.  I can already see a little frustration on her face as she struggles to attempt another step.  The excitement of yesterday as already began to wane & now the reality that this just might be hard work has set in.  And by next week just when she is making it all the way across the room she will then begin to fall……the reality will set in that in order to learn to walk….you must try, try & try again and that you will fall (& sometimes it will hurt!) over & over again.

 

We must do the same thing in our businesses and in our life…..practice daily.  This is most likely the hardest part. Taking one step & sitting down….taking 2 steps and wobbling over side ways…taking 3 steps and falling forward.  Our excitement of yesterday (when we first started our business…or got that first client…or scheduled that first home party… or had that first sale) begins to wane…we wonder why we are doing this anyway and we are frustrated both by our lack of skill and our regular falling down.

Yet if we give up now and don’t press through…look at all we will miss out on.  No…we need to keep picking ourselves up, keep pressing on and keep practicing daily.  (and don’t act surprised when we fall…it is part of the plan…no one can avoid it….so get ready for the bumps and bruises) Whether we are going for our first client, our first sale, our first promotion or our first incentive…..it is the same….we must practice, practice, practice & press on!

3. We need a personal coach and a cheering squad!

I think back to when my oldest daughter, Michelle began walking and wondered…did she have her own personal coach and cheering squad like Joy does?  After all there were no older sisters just Mom and Dad. Well…yes she did…..besides Mom and Dad’s complete focus (since she was the only child)…she had 150 teenagers at the high school I taught at performing the same service for her that the girls are now doing for Joy.  They coaxed and coached…they practiced with her and they cheered wildly with each and every accomplishment.

It makes a huge difference to our success if we are surrounded by personal coaches & a cheering squad of people who will be there every step of the way…..giving us encouraging words, providing great examples, giving us training, practicing with us and cheery wildly with each accomplishment.

These important people might be your family…as it is with Joy.  It might be close friends who are committed to your success….as it was with Michelle. If you are in direct sales it might be your upline, sidelines or downline.  It might be a life coach or business coach.  It might even be the books you read, tapes you listen to or meetings or conferences you attend.  You are really blessed if you have a team of coaches and cheerleaders from every area of life!

If you are lacking a personal coach or cheerleaders…take the time to find them today.  For those in business – call your upline or sponsor and set up a weekly call in phone appointment, sign up for the next sales meeting, call in to a training podium call or you may even want to hire your own business coach.  For life goals & dreams – talk to your family and/or close friends and tell them you need their encouragement, positive words and cheerleading. Find a life coach! Start each day reading a positive quote or inspirational story.  (This really works….even today as I scanned my card upon arriving at the gym…the computer spit out a greeting that read…”You look great!”  Wow!  What motivation it gave me to get in there & exercise.  Positive cheerleading can even come from a computer!)  Pair up with someone who has like goals & dreams and agree to cheer each other on with regular phone contact, emails & celebration lunches as you each accomplish your “firsts” in your business and life!

And remember “the first” that you accomplish today….will soon seem easy, doable & even come naturally and you’ll be moving on to bigger & better “firsts” in your life.

Gotta run……I can hear the girls cheering from the other side of the house…..”Joy just took 3 steps!” Take your first step towards your dream today! I’ll be here cheering wildly for you as accomplish them.

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Filed under Goals & Dreams, Home Business, Overcoming

July 15, 2003 · 10:14 pm

Swimming Success

What a difference a year makes!

We just finished our second season on the recreational neighborhood swim team.  (and do I ever love the swim team…..it forces me to go to the pool every day….which gives me an excuse to “live” in my bathing suit and get my hair wet!)Last year at the beginning of our first season on a swim team my then 6 year old Rebekah could barely swim across the short end of the pool.  She was definitely in “over her head” in more ways than one!  On the first day of practice I took my seat by the pool, with a magazine in one hand & my Ice Venti Vanilla Latte in the other, thinking I would kick back in my beach chair during the hour long practice.  But…as I looked up at the pool I watched in dismay as my Rebekah struggled in the deep end of the pool gasping for breath and grabbing the lane lines every other stroke. I looked over at dear darling Dan & said…”I think she’s going to drown….is the coach going to jump in and save her?” That was her swimming debut…..she was horrible. She had no form, no technique,  no endurance, and really no clue what she was doing.  My first thought was…what have we done?  She needs to take lessons, she needs to prepare, she needs to live! (ok, so I didn’t think that they were going to let her drown…but I did almost jump in the pool to rescue her!) 

But what she did have was determination & enthusiasm!  She hopped out of the pool after that first day of utter failure and a very out of breath and exhaustedly blurted out….”When’s the next practice Mommy?”  Her eyes had that look of determination and her voice quivered with excitement.  Soooooo…rather than saying…maybe we should wait a year….I  kept my mouth shut about all my doubts and fears and said with mustered up enthusiasm….”Well it’s tomorrow, sweetheart!”

By the seasons end after practicing everyday and getting mostly “participant” ribbons at meets (those are the pretty multi colored ribbons that mean you didn’t place or you got DQ’ed by the stroke & turn judge…of course Rebekah loved them because they were much prettier than the blue, red or white ribbons!)….. she resembled a swimmer.

Now this year was AMAZING!  She started off the year riding on her experience from last year, still enthusiastic as ever (the girls began asking in March when swim team would start…I guess that’s what I get for taking them to the beach “off season” and letting them swim in the frigid Pacific Ocean), and determined to get as many blue ribbons as possible (her big sisters informed her that these were the best!).  She added to that a daily practice regimen and a little bit of goal setting ….and the results were PHENOMENAL!!!

Rebekah last week looked like a competitive swimmer!  Not only does she have her form & technique down and she consistently placed first (even competing against the boys)…BUT she is only 2 seconds away from “A” times which are the times that a National swim organization has set up for the very best swimmers.  Could this really be the same little girl that struggled to swim just one lap one year earlier??  Yes…what a difference a year can make in our lives.

Are you “in over your head” with your business or life?  Are you struggling to just get a breath and make it to the end of each day without drowning?  Do you feel like you have no “form” or “technique” and really have no idea  what you are doing?? Well, there is good news!  You are no different than Rebekah was last year this time.


Yes…she grew bigger & stronger and yes she had a great coach that trained her & encouraged her….but the number one difference in her results between this year & last year was the consistent daily practice!  Everyday she devoted one hour to her swimming endeavors. She swam laps…..over & over & over again….non stop.  She just jumped in everyday at practice did what she was told and now she has found success!Everyone who begins a direct sales business starts off the same…..no experience, no technique, and even sometime no clue where to begin.  The ones who are successful all have the same things in common…..Determination  —  Are you determined, as Rebekah was, to stay on the team??  Do you love your products and being a part of the awesome team??  Make up your mind that you will not quit…even when you are struggling for breath & can’t see the finish line….BE DETERMINED to stick with it until you achieve success!

Enthusiasm — This is the single most important factor to achieving great results in anything in life.  Are you excited about your companies products?  Are you excited about the income opportunity we all have in this awesome company that is breaking sales records monthly?  Are you a positive, upbeat and enthusiastic person.  If the answer is yes…..you WILL soon be winning blue ribbons & breaking records.  If the answer is no….begin to fill your mind with positive books, CD’s & videos and become the most enthusiastic positive person you know.

Consistent Daily Practice Add to determination and enthusiasm a regimen of consistent, daily practice (even when you don’t feel like it!).  Make those daily phone calls to potential contacts.  Call your current clients and tell them about new products. Take someone out to coffee and tell them about the income opportunity.  Work everyday at your business.  Attend meetings & conventions at every opportunity.  Practice, practice, and practice some more! 

And a year from now…..you will have a strong business –  winning awards, breaking personal records, promoting to new “A” time  levels and celebrating your success with the whole team!

Off to the pool with the girls……to begin training for the next event….the City Meet!  Won’t you start practicing today?

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Filed under Attitude, Consistency, Endurance, Home Business, Monday Motivations