Hey, I’ve been fired, Week 2
Filed under: building your business, dreams into reality, entrepereneurs, overcoming fear, positive attitude, time management, try try again
Surprisingly, now that I’ve been fired, Monday mornings are the worst day of the week. Usually, on Monday mornings, we ramp ourselves up for our work week. We drag ourselves out of bed and step into our workday routine. A lot of times, we hate Monday mornings. We feel like we’re heading back to confinement, after a weekend of freedom and doing exactly what we want to do.
So you would think that Monday mornings would be great, if you didn’t have to go into work. Freedom! That would probably be true, if there wasn’t a fear clamped firmly in my gut, settling wetly on my heart, a constant undertone of worry about the future, worry about how things are going to turn out, how does this movie end. . .
The loss of morning routines can be disconcerting and can aggravate worry and fear. So it follows that establishing an alternative morning routine can provide a sense of order and purpose to the day. Since I’m calling the shots now, I’ve decided to include things that I enjoy into my morning routine. But it’s also important to include things that maintain my self-discipline and increase my certainty of success.
On my list of enjoyable things: meditation, yoga postures, writing, hot bath, gazing into my cat’s adoring eyes, talking with my husband, watercolor, taking action. On my list of disciplined things: balanced breakfast, walking, catching up on emails, paying bills, waiting.
Taking action and waiting are a balancing act. I’ve signed up another 4 people in my business in the last few days, sent out a newsletter, written follow-up emails to everyone on the list, sent out samples and literature, gotten my downline pointed in the direction that’s best for each person. . . Taking action is the easy part for me. But it has to be balanced with waiting to be truly effective. I have to consciously make myself wait, wait for others to sift through the information in their brains in order to move forward; wait for the emails to be opened and read, absorbed; wait for the postal service to deliver the samples and literature; wait for the soup to simmer and be ready for lunch.
A friend told me: take care not to drive faster than your angels can fly. Last week, a couple of times, I drove too fast and splatted against the wall at the dead end because I missed the side street where the answer was patiently waiting for me. I put in motion a couple of projects that didn’t need doing. I left voice messages that were outdated after I opened my email and found the answers waiting for me there.
Progress is directional. If you have trouble taking action, then progress for you is convincing yourself to take action. If you’re doing too many things and spinning your wheels, then progress for you is slowing down and balancing your life. And when your life changes drastically, your directional progress may require a fresh look and evaluation of what’s really going on and what would be the best direction for your energy and focus.
So this Monday morning, I’m establishing a new routine, balanced yet active, thoughtful yet reaching out, generating a positive attitude, nurturing hope that turns into faith that turns into belief that turns into reality. I’m waiting yet taking action, balancing the two opposites perfectly in my heart, letting the joy blossom and grow, enveloping my day, guiding me toward the right thing to do.
How is your Monday?
You want to change the world? Transform yourself.
Filed under: learning network marketing, overcoming fear, overcoming obstacles, perfect business, positive attitude, try try again
- If anyone tells you that starting your own business is easy, you have my permission to laugh out loud. If anyone tells you that you don’t have to work hard, you can hold your stomach and roll on the grass. If anyone tells you that you can pay off your mortgage next month, please, gasp for breath.
But if anyone tells you that the hardest part of succeeding in your own business is working on yourself, please go very still and listen with every fiber of your being. You are talking with someone who has been down that road and grabbed the prize. You have found a leader who can help you succeed.
You should listen very carefully to people who have succeeded. You should ignore the blathering of those who have failed. They’ll only enable you to fail, too.
I’ve worked very hard to succeed at network marketing. Learning to talk with people was pretty fun, because it got easier and easier. Learning to describe our compensation plan was pretty fun, because I love describing how money flows into your bank account. Learning to burbble about our product was fun because I absolutely LOVE our product. All of that was easy.
What was hard, was me. Sometimes I was in a bad mood, and didn’t want to return phone calls. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed, and then sorry for myself, yearning for some time to just stare at the walls. Sometimes it was hard to pick myself up off the floor, because I had battered my self-esteem so thoroughly that I was numb with indecision and fear.
And so along the way, I learned to treat myself as well as I treat other people. I started asking myself, would I ever say that to someone else? Maybe I should take that back, and then forgive myself for even saying it.
I learned to let myself stare at the wall, when that’s all I could do. That wasn’t too hard. What was harder was not beating myself up for wasting time staring at the wall. If that was what I needed, then that is what I would give myself.
I learned to recognize that I’m a very hard worker, and that I work better if I’m filled with joy. I learned to focus on the joy, and consistently turn away from the ickies. I went on an icky fast. And just like any determined fasting effort, the ickies started to drop away. Then I learned how to not put them back on. I am icky-slim. I move through the world, icky-free.
Every once in a while, I’ll pick up an icky and give it a try. You know what? It tastes icky now. I have the ability to choose between joy and icky, and I’ve learned that joy tastes way better. I’ve learned to discern the difference.
So I have succeeded at network marketing. I make all the money that I want, that I need. That’s nice.
I have succeeded at network marketing. I am joyful; I laugh easily, from the heart; I smile at everyone, and they smile back, brightly. I am transformed.
That’s more than nice. That’s wondrous.
You want to change the world? Transform yourself.
I’ve been fired, Day 3
Filed under: MLM, finding new prospects, giving up, network marketing, overcoming fear, overcoming obstacles, perfect business, positive attitude, solving problems, try try again
Day 3 hit me hard. It was a day of anxiety and disappointment, but now that I’m sitting here in Day 4, I can see that it was a reality that I created for myself.
Huh?
What I mean is that I had huge expectations. I envisioned my conference room filled to the brim with 40 people, that they would all enthusiastically fill out the enrollment forms after hearing my brilliant presentation, and that they would each run out and find 5 of their friends for our next meeting and the avalanche would carry us all along to the promised land.
Well, there were less than 40 people, and although the presentation was brilliant, not everyone signed up and rushed out to find their friends. So I slipped into a slump and landed in a great big puddle of fear. My poor husband; he helped me limp along while I gave in to despair and waited until there was a glimmer of positive thought and blew gently on that ember so that it could start to warm my soul.
In actuality, I made 3 extremely promising contacts that have become even more promising this morning, only 18 hours later; I have a list of 20 new emails and phone numbers for follow up from enthusiastic people who weren’t able to make it to last night’s meeting, and I have a clear idea of my next step. Oh, and did I mention that I have 3 new enrollees?
And yet that icky fear is still clinging to my ankles, threatening to rise up and swallow my heart, and render me incapable of motion.
It’s all in my head. Yesterday was a GREAT success. At any other point, my heart would be dancing a jig, and I would be grinning at everyone within radar range.
Thank goodness for self-honesty. It’s important to be able to look inside and discern the source of discord. Stress is the difference between the way we want something to be, and the way it actually is. Stress diminishes when you work with things the way they are, instead of the way that you want them to be.
So when I look at what really happened yesterday and my reaction to what happened yesterday, it’s easy to see that the cause of my stress is this impending deadline of needing to make this work within 2 months. I felt that my very survival depended on the presence of 40 enthusiastic enrollees at one meeting. I created this reality for myself that told me I failed, when actually, I succeeded.
Being in business for yourself is more than just making things happen, like getting people to a meeting, training them, mentoring them. It’s also about personal growth, managing yourself, taking responsibility for your reactions, monitoring your world view. I’m a much stronger person today than I was yesterday, because I had to lift some pretty heavy weights, and I did it. I’m a bit bruised, but even that is evaporating as the minutes tick by.
Despair doesn’t get you anywhere. Clear thought, positive attitude, taking action: those get you wherever you want to go. So, I’m leaving despair behind, and turning my face toward my next positive action, which is to follow up with the 25 people that I met yesterday.
Day 4 awaits!
I’ve been fired! Day 2
Filed under: MLM, building your business, dreams into reality, entrepereneurs, giving up, network marketing, overcoming obstacles, perfect business, positive attitude, solving problems, try try again
The aftermath of being fired can start to set in a day or two after the main event. I’m focusing on all of the positive things that come to mind. Like, it’s a gorgeous blue-skied day out there, and I’m not stuck in a cubicle, oblivious. I’m still sitting at a computer, but it’s my computer, and I’m working on MY business.
My business partner and I planned a big meeting for tomorrow. We planned it last week, got the room reserved, checked our slide shows and music mix, printed out fliers and put in motion all of the little details that ensure a successful meeting.
I was planning on taking the day off anyway, to really focus on the meeting, but now I have a whole extra day to get things in order. Also, it’s not a huge, late-night push to get it all ready, so I’ll be well-rested and full of genuine enthusiasm tomorrow.
Everything is working out for the best. I feel great! I envision a large turnout for our meeting. We have a powerful slide show, and great pre- and post-meeting activities. We did a run through last week, so both my partner and I know exactly what to do at every step of the meeting. I’ve had time to think everything through and pick up last minute oversights that might have involved some fancy footwork if they’d gone unnoticed.
I am so thankful that I’ve been working on my business part time, so it’s there for me to step into full time when I really needed it. I knew I would be building my business full time at some point, I just hadn’t planned on it being now. But just like starting a family, there’s not often the perfect time. Sometimes you just have to jump and swim as hard as you can.
I am surrounded by supportive, positive people; I have everything I need for tomorrow’s meeting, including a great business partner. We’ve been working together almost a year now, so we really know each other’s style and strengths. We’re a good team, and we’re so lucky to be in this together.
She still has her full time job, and my lay off scared her a bit, but that just motivates both of us to make every moment successful, positive, and full of focused activity and fun.
I keep going back to the fact that it is so important to have something that you can fall back on and build on your own, because corporations are crumbling all around us. Be ready for when it hits you, and your life will blossom instead of collapse. You can do it! I’ll show you how, because, whew, I’ve been there.
Choose your emotion
Filed under: learning network marketing, overcoming fear, overcoming obstacles, perfect business, positive attitude, solving problems, try try again
It’s easy to be in a good mood when you’re in a good mood. It can be somewhat harder to shift from a bad mood into a good mood.
Sometimes I wake up enthusiastic, with 24 ideas on what I want to write about, who I want to call, what I’m going to say at lunch, the messages I’m going to email my downline, my crossline, my upline. Those mornings are fabulous.
Sometimes I wake up weary. I curl up in a ball and just want it all to go away.
But those days are becoming more and more rare. I’ve been learning how to choose my emotion.
How?
Here are some clues:
1. Practice when it’s easier. Have you ever gone through child birth? Have you ever watched or coached someone going through child birth? There are breathing techniques that help you separate yourself from the pain. There are body positions that you can uses at different stages. There are things that you can do during child birth that will help a lot.
But you have to practice them ahead of time. If you wait until you’re in the middle of labor, and someone says, “Breathe, sweetheart, breathe”, your apt to take a wild swing and punch him in the jaw. You have to practice when it’s easier, so that you can draw upon your expertise when you’re in the moment and really, really need it.
2. Act consciously. When you feel yourself slipping into a mood, pay attention. I tell myself, “This is not where I want to go.” “This does not belong to me.” “This belongs to someone else, and I’m not that person.” I play great music, really loud, really quietly. I sing. I keep a collection of inspiring books, and open one up and read a few pages to get me back on track. I tell myself again and again, until it starts to take hold, “This is not mine. I’m giving it back to You.”
3. Be kind to yourself. If you’re too far gone to drag yourself out, let yourself wallow for a while. No berating. No self-flagellation. Turn away from those habits again and again. Realize that you’re here now, but you won’t be here for long. You’ll come out on the other side and return to the reality that fits you better.
4. Balance your energy. I have to admit that my most powerful tool is my Ayurvedic herbal drink. It shifts overwhelm to decisiveness. It shifts foggy-headedness to clarity. It shifts procrastination to action. It balances my energy, so I can exist in my best reality.
It’s all in your head, but that’s a marvelous thing. That means you can take charge and change it. Choose your emotion. And make it a good one.
Bean by bean, the bag gets full
Filed under: MLM, direct sales, dreams into reality, entrepereneurs, leadership, learning network marketing, make money online, network marketing, perfect business, positive attitude, try try again
Network marketing doesn’t often explode into being. Some people can do that, but not many. Most of us build over time, solidly, determinedly, cyclically.
I’ve heard people say that their business imploded 5 or 8 or 6 separate times before they hit the top. Mine has imploded twice. It might implode again. That won’t stop me. I KNOW in my heart of hearts, that this is the business that will help the most people the most. That’s MY life goal: to help people blossom into the best version of themselves.
I don’t care how long it takes them. I’m there for them. I match their effort. I lead them where they want to go.
I don’t do it for them. That’s pointless. If a mother never lets her child tie his own shoelaces, then that child grows up hampered. I take the time to show each person his or her next step. I hold the bicycle, running alongside, until she gets her balance, and then watch as she swoops toward her future, calling out encouragement and praise.
And bean by bean, my bag gets full.
I coach each person on how to run alongside the bicycle that someone else is trying to ride. I watch from a distance, my hand shading my eyes from the bright sun of their future.
I watch as, bean by bean, their bags get full.
We’re changing the world, one bean at a time.
Where are you going?
Filed under: dreams into reality, learning network marketing, overcoming obstacles, positive attitude, try try again
When we start a new venture, we don’t always know all of the details. Network marketing definitely falls into that category.
Maybe you can see the whole picture. Maybe you know where you want to go, but aren’t sure how to get there. Maybe you don’t have the slightest idea what you want to do; you simply know that things have GOT to change.
Congratulations!!! You’re ready!
There are a myriad of paths that you can take to business success. A good leader will help you sort through them and find the one that’s perfect for YOU. A good leader will say “Try this. This might be the plan that works best for who you are.”
A good leader will continue to show you the next step. Sometimes the next step will suddenly shine like a beacon, and you can flow forward on your own.
Sometimes you have to put your foot out into the dark before the stepping stone will begin to glow, showing you where to stand next.
Be impeccable in your thoughts and deeds. . .
and let the universe sort out the details.
Do your best, as often as you can. You’ll get better and better, and soon you’ll be showing others how to go where they want to go.
Don’t worry about the entire journey. Focus on where you want to go AND the next step to take you in that direction.
Let your heart guide you. Let your leader guide you. Blend the two, and you’ll end up where you want to be.
Yellow brick road
Filed under: dreams into reality, overcoming fear, overcoming obstacles, positive attitude, try try again, women entrepreneurs
All things are possible. An idea, a dream, starts floating around in your brain, bumping into things, coming into focus, melting into the background, floating, bumping, today, next week, last month.
An insight blossoms in your heart. You see something that speaks directly to your inner self and you know that this is important.
Do you let it go? Do you turn away, sighing?
You don’t have to.
Take the first step. Simply turn your attention to the idea, the dream, the blossom. Hold it firmly, gently, in your heart.
You’ve started.
Every journey begins with a first step. Progress is made, step by step.
Make a commitment to YOUR yellow brick road.
What’s your dream?
Filed under: MLM, leadership, network marketing, overcoming fear, overcoming obstacles, positive attitude, solving problems, try try again
In your heart, in the center of your being, what is the dream that waits, yearning to blossom?
I want to wake up . . .
when I’m finished sleeping.
I want to go where I want. . .
when I want. . .
with whomever I want. . .
I want to travel. . .
and find amazement in the world.
I want to study. . .
and explore all that fascinates me.
I want to help others. . .
and watch their eyes. . .
as their world transforms. . .
into their dreams.
I want to make a difference!
I want to be somebody!
I want my life to matter!
What do you want from life?
What do you believe is your greatest challenge?
If you take this step. . .
what does your life look like?
Where do you want to go?
How will you get there?
Connect with your enthusiasm and abundance!
I will lead
not follow.
I will believe
not doubt.
I will create
not destroy.
I am a force for good.
Step up!
Step up!
Step up!
Be a leader
Filed under: direct sales, giving up, leadership, learning network marketing, network marketing, overcoming fear, positive attitude, try try again
People want direction in their lives. Sometimes we get so bogged down in the details, that we need someone to step up and point in the direction that we want to go. It helps us end up where we want to be.
What is leadership?
Leadership is the ability to lead people to do things they wouldn’t normally do.
We all have the ability to become a leader.
Will you awaken your innate ability?
A leader is persistent, honest, inspiring, respectful, trustworthy, authentic, firm, confident, courageous, visionary, encouraging, supportive, loyal, organized, consistent.
You learn how to be a leader by practicing. Your learn how to be a leader by hanging out with leaders. Emulate. Internalize. Make it your own.
Sometimes it takes a while to develop your leadership. No worries. Just make sure you’re headed in the right direction.
If you’re not yet headed in the right direction, then turn so you’re facing the right direction.
If you’re not ready to face the right direction, then pray to your higher self, or God, or whatever is your source of inspiration. Pray for inspiration to turn in the right direction. Pray for the will power and the determination to turn. Pray for help.
You will get there. You will succeed.
Start now.
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