You are your most important investment!

As we head toward the New Year, it is common practice to evaluate ourselves and to even resolve to make changes.  While we can recognize areas of our lives that need improvement, why is it that so many of our resolutions turn into wishful thinking instead of genuine change?  The reality is that change is hard!  I have heard it said that it only takes a moment to start a bad habit, but it can take a lifetime to break it.  Some psychologists estimate that it takes 5 to 6 weeks to establish a new habit.  So, not only do we need to evaluate what we need to change in our lives, but we also have to have a plan in place to promote the change.

Recently, I made a significant investment in myself by taking a course that included several weeks of life coaching.  (I think that coaching is the new word for mentoring.)  I have been a bit surprised by how helpful it has been at keeping me focused and motivated toward change.  Each week my coach helps me establish new goals for the next week, and knowing that I will have to give an account to my coach motivates me to get my list done.  Accountability is a huge motivator for change.  I really should not be surprised by how helpful coaching has been.  In essence, as a professional counselor, it is what I have been doing for the last twenty years for all of my clients. 

So, let me recommend that you consider hiring a life coach in 2012, even if it is only for a few weeks.  Look at the cost as an investment in yourself.  How much would you pay for a better you?  We all need someone to cheer us on and to tell us what we need to do differently and how to do it.  Then, once you are moving in a positive direction, pass it on by finding someone else to coach and encourage.  The blessings of doing so are too many to count!

Home Biz Lady: Less sometimes really is best

Home Biz Lady: Less sometimes really is best: When inviting someone to consider a new business opportunity, less is best. One of the things that they emphasize with the company that...

Less sometimes really is best

When inviting someone to consider a new business opportunity, less is best.  One of the things that they emphasize with the company that I now work with is how important it is for folks to make a decision about this business opportunity only when they have 100% of the information.  It is so tempting to try to explain a portion of the business when first making contact.  Unfortunately, this usually results in people making their decision without enough information to make a ‘good’ decision.  By ‘good’ decision, I mean one that is made from a position of strength and not a position of weakness.  Having 100% of the needed information allows a person to look at the opportunity from multiples directions.  The more information a person has the stronger and more appropriate their decision will be.  In contrast, having only 25 to 50% of the needed information prevents a person from gaining a full perspective of the opportunity resulting in a weak decision.  Both “yes, I’ll do this” and “no, I won’t do this” can be weak decisions.  A weak “Yes” comes when someone has not counted the cost to see whether they have the time and resources to commit to the proposed venture.  The result can be that they fail to schedule the needed time to work the new business or it does not produce in accordance with their unrealistic expectations.  In either case, they give up.  A weak “No” comes when someone knee jerk reactions to one aspect of the opportunity that they don’t like or they think is not feasible for them to accomplish.  Instead of seeking more information to address their concerns, they shut down and dismiss the opportunity completely.  Sometimes if they just made the time to hear all of the facts, their questions would be answered and their concerns allayed and they would not have missed out on a great opportunity.  So, remember less is best until you can set a time to give a person 100% of the information that they need to make a strong decision.

Ideas on Evaluating a Home Business Opportunity

There are lots of sites out there offering to help you work from home.  Make sure you do your homework before buying into any home business program.  Some programs offer ways to set up a website, promote others’ products, and receive a commission.  I looked at some of those, but my lack of computer geek skills made the concept too intimidating.  I thought about Pampered Chef, but I lack the cooking skills and the time to do their demonstrations.  A friend approached me about Stream Energy and Ignite, their marketing division.  I groaned and immediately dismissed the idea, but eventually I took a look at their program, and it started to make sense.  I was looking for something that I could put 5 to 10 hours a week into when I had free time.  Also, the appeal grew when I realized I was not selling a product but rather a service with a savings.  Not having to push products was a huge plus. 

If you are looking to start a home business here a few things to think about:

1.  How much time can you devote to it each week?

2.  What skills do you already have that will help you succeed?

3.  What skills do you need to develop to succeed and how will you develop them?

4.  What are you passionate about?  Are there programs out there that fit your passions?

5.  What are your personal and financial goals for your business?

6.  Do your homework.  Read blogs of successful home business people.  What are they doing right? 

7.  Look for a coach – someone who has had success in the business and is willing to teach you.

8.  Don’t be afraid to fail, fail, fail, fail…eventually you will succeed.

9.  Remember: DO it don’t just TRY it!

Network Marketing

If you put the words ‘social’ and ‘network’ together, many people think of Facebook and similar sites that allow people to connect in a positive way.  When you put the words ‘network’ and ‘marketing’ together, some people will scowl and presume you are trying to scam them.  Throw in the word ‘pyramid’ and people shut down and refuse to listen any further.  Why is this?  It is probably because there have been some companies that have lured people into their programs by making grand claims of quick wealth with little effort.  Those who have attended their presentations often left with dreams of big houses and fancy cars.  When their initial efforts yielded meager results, discouragement set in, and it was easy to quit.  Then, when this happened to enough people, this form of marketing got a bad reputation among the general public.  I think it is time to realize that ‘network’ and ‘marketing’ are words that can be paired successfully, and Facebook is modern proof of this.  A self-published book entitled The Shack became a best seller thanks to social network marketing.  The Facebook Fan Page exists to market products, websites, companies and much more.  By networking with Friends, word spreads about good deals, good products and helpful websites.  If someone approaches you with information on a network marketing business, do not panic and run the other way.  Take the time to listen, and then if it does not interest you, graciously thank them for sharing.  If it does interest you, make sure you enter into it with realistic expectations.  No one gets rich without working hard and being persistent.

Do not Try

I have found that when I set out to 'DO' something instead of just 'TRY' something, I am far more likely to get it done.  As I listen to feedback about the business that I joined last week, it seems to me that many jump in and give it a TRY hoping to make big bucks quickly.  Then, when they encounter negative responses from people that they thought for sure would join them in their endeavor, they allow discouragement to set it.  I am told by one who is now making at 5-figure a month salary after 19 months in this business that those who succeed in it are those who are too dumb to quit.   Persistence, determination and commitment are the keys to accomplishing any task.  Maintaining a positive attitude is essential to surviving 'No's from potential customers and potential colleagues.  I admit that it has already been tempting to give up, but I am determined to DO this and not just TRY it.

Starting a home business

Who doesn't want to work from home and earn some extra cash?  I have heard lots of talk about how important it is in this crazy economy to have multiple streams of income just in case one dries up.  Well, I knew I didn't want to sell stuff and travel about doing home demonstrations.  My one Aunt has her pink Cadillac from Mary Kay, so I know that with hard work programs like this can really produce income.  After a lot of prayer and examination, I finally committed to becoming an associate for an energy company.  The startup costs were low and seem easy to earn back in bonuses.  I like the idea of helping people save money on their energy bills instead of selling them a product.  Plus, I only have to sign up my customer once, and as long as they use energy, I'll get paid each month.  This program is simple but not easy.  Most people give up, but those who stick it out and work hard, seem to have extraordinary success.  I suppose that's true of any job.  So, I have planned to devote 5 to 10 hours each week to this new business.  My objective is to find 15 customers and 5 people to join my team.  I'll be blogging about my experiences as I take this new business journey.