I was listening to the religious channel and the preacher was talking about God. She basically said "What you see by faith, God will give it to you." I am a Catholic and I believe in God. I have faith, and believe that God will help me overcome many obstacles, but there are a lot of people that are not of the same faith as I.
As I sat there and watched the one hour show, I started to think about the power in positive thinking. It works in the same way as faith and beliefs.If you have faith in yourself, and believe you can do something, you will be successful.
Let's take me for example. I am a registered nurse who had worked in obstetrics and NICU for about 20 years. I got injured on the job and had multiple surgeries. I experienced complications and subsequently became disabled. I could no longer work as an RN, in essence I can't even work outside the home. Sure I went through a time of feeling depressed because I couldn't do what I loved anymore, and I didn't know what was out there for me to do. I was a nurse. Nursing was my life, my career. I didn't let my situation stop me. I wanted to make something of myself despite what life had dealt me. I wanted success. I just had to find it.I did a lot of research on the Internet and found out that I wanted to start a home business. As I sat there and listened to what was involved in getting started in a home candle business , I thought at first, how am I going to accomplish this? I have no knowledge of business or the Internet. I told family and friends, and they were skeptical. They told me "What are you thinking?" My husband said "Are you in your right mind?" Well, I needed to prove them wrong. In essence, this gave me the drive and push I needed.
Well, back to the topic, Positive Thinking. You need to have it to be successful in life. You have to work with it, meaning you can't sit there and wait for success to come to you. You have to take responsibility for yourself and work on your success. No one is going to do it for you.It is so powerful, that if you believe and remain positive, along with hard work, you can accomplish anything.
You are going to remain where you are in life if all you think about is what you now have or don't have. Dread and fear are two things that bring about failure. Bad attitude and the wrong mindset can also lead to failure. You can help yourself to change and have a better life if you change your mindset and attitude. You can change what you have or don't have by setting goals. Tell yourself "I can do something about my life." "I can change my situation." Ask yourself these questions:
1.What do I want to accomplish in life?
2.What can I do to accomplish this?
3.What do I want to do when(not if) I become successful?
4.What are my goals? What do I want to accomplish in one week? A month? A Year from now?
You need to sit and make a plan. Set it up with daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Break down the activities you need to do this by daily, weekly and monthly. Re-evaluate your goals and plan weekly and monthly and change it as needed. For example, my goal was to learn as much as I could about the home business I started and the Internet. I set aside 6-8 hours everyday to research books and articles on topics related to marketing because my goal is to have a successful on line business and to promote that business to others who want the same success. So in order to achieve this I had to learn how to market on the web, promote myself, and lastly my business. I listed to what the directors and executives in the business had to say. I approached people and talked to them about what I was promoting. I even wrote articles and posted in my blog about what I was able to accomplish.
Here are a few things to do to promote positive thinking, attitude and success:
1. Make a dream board. This can be a piece of poster board with pictures of objects that stand for each of your goals. Put this in a place where you will see it everyday. It gives you that push you need to keep your positive attitude.
2. Look at yourself in the mirror every morning and say "I am a success." Keep that positive attitude all day as are out and about because positive thinking makes you more approachable to others.
3. Make yourself do something that scares you. Take yourself out of that comfort zone. For me, this was talking to people about my business on the phone. I set my plan to talk to 2 new people each day, and I overcame my fear.
4. Write in a blog or journal daily or when you accomplish something that makes you feel good. This gives you positive reinforcement that you are a success and you can do anything you put your mind to. Go back once a week and read you postings. It will give you a sense of accomplishment which will boost your positive attitude.
5. Write and publish articles. Get out of your comfort zone. Let others know you are successfully showing them what you learned as you worked to achieve your success.
6. Be persistent. You need to keep going even if you might have setbacks along the way. Be consistent with your goals and plan of action. You will be able to see progress, even in small ways.
If you want success, you have to have the right mindset and a positive attitude. You have to overcome your fears. You can't passively sit and wait for success to come to you. You need to be energetic and active in finding what is needed for your success. If you are passionate and have drive, positive thinking will make your success a reality.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Starting a Home Business
Starting a business is hard work and requires dedication and commitment on your part. You must be willing to invest time and energy to that business in order to become a success.
Being fairly new to the network marketing business, I started by reading anything I could find out there on the Internet. That process has led me to a wealth of information.
Here are some things that I found to be important as you build your business:
1. Building your business is not only selling the products:
The first and most important fact is that you need to sell yourself first. People need to see you as someone who is committed, knowledgeable and trustworthy. You need to convey to them your professional side. Let me ask you, would you want to buy from a complete stranger?
I would be wary if a stranger came up to me and said he had the next best thing and I would be a fool not to buy. I need to know more before I take that leap. The more people know about you, the more they are willing to listen to what you have to say and they can trust that you know what you are talking about.
2.Building a Business DOES require Work:
There are people out there that are selling get rich schemes, telling you that they can help you build a down line for you with no effort on your part. The truth is, getting and maintaining your business does require work on your part. No one can build your business for you. Sure, your sponsor and up line are there for advice and a knowledge base , because they were in your shoes at one time in their careers and know the best way to get business off the ground.
Another thing, most people are under the assumption that when they start a business they will have a lot of free time. That really is not the case. It is a well known fact that 95% of marketing businesses fail in their first 3 years.
So why develop a business to begin with? Well, honestly, it is a long term process. You need to be willing to devote time, and be willing to stick it out for the long haul. You won’t begin to see dramatic results until about 3 years into your new venture. You will notice progress along the way, but it doesn’t happen overnight, or as the old saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a Day.”
You need to devote at least 8-10 hours a week to getting the business started, promotion and advertising, building and maintaining a website and so on. You will also need to devote another 5-10 hours or more weekly to educating yourself on your business through books, articles, etc on marketing ,networking, and MLM. Remember to get out and sell yourself by joining networking groups and business forums.
3. Advertising YOUR Business is not the Best way to Promote Your Business:
Remember how we talked about the need for people to get to know you first? Well, you need to market yourself by networking. Join business and networking groups and forums, post advice and questions in forums, create a presence. Make sure your are a frequent visitor to those places because just making one post will not help you in the long run. Create and publish articles and newsletters on topics that you have knowledge about. Be willing to help others by sharing your knowledge.
4. Communication and relationships are what builds your business:
You need to be willing to interact with people. You want to show people you know what you are talking about by creating newsletters, articles, and blogs. Get them published online and well as off line. This will also give you a sense of accomplishment that you are working to make yourself a success.
There is much more to learn in order to get your business started but if you are serious about wanting success, set goals for yourself on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. Devote time to achieving those goals. Get your name out there, educate yourself and others, and finally market yourself and then your business. This is a start, but if you work at it you will find success in network marketing and will get customers coming to you for not only your product but for advice and help in order to achieve their own success also. This sounds like a win-win situation. Good luck.
Being fairly new to the network marketing business, I started by reading anything I could find out there on the Internet. That process has led me to a wealth of information.
Here are some things that I found to be important as you build your business:
1. Building your business is not only selling the products:
The first and most important fact is that you need to sell yourself first. People need to see you as someone who is committed, knowledgeable and trustworthy. You need to convey to them your professional side. Let me ask you, would you want to buy from a complete stranger?
I would be wary if a stranger came up to me and said he had the next best thing and I would be a fool not to buy. I need to know more before I take that leap. The more people know about you, the more they are willing to listen to what you have to say and they can trust that you know what you are talking about.
2.Building a Business DOES require Work:
There are people out there that are selling get rich schemes, telling you that they can help you build a down line for you with no effort on your part. The truth is, getting and maintaining your business does require work on your part. No one can build your business for you. Sure, your sponsor and up line are there for advice and a knowledge base , because they were in your shoes at one time in their careers and know the best way to get business off the ground.
Another thing, most people are under the assumption that when they start a business they will have a lot of free time. That really is not the case. It is a well known fact that 95% of marketing businesses fail in their first 3 years.
So why develop a business to begin with? Well, honestly, it is a long term process. You need to be willing to devote time, and be willing to stick it out for the long haul. You won’t begin to see dramatic results until about 3 years into your new venture. You will notice progress along the way, but it doesn’t happen overnight, or as the old saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a Day.”
You need to devote at least 8-10 hours a week to getting the business started, promotion and advertising, building and maintaining a website and so on. You will also need to devote another 5-10 hours or more weekly to educating yourself on your business through books, articles, etc on marketing ,networking, and MLM. Remember to get out and sell yourself by joining networking groups and business forums.
3. Advertising YOUR Business is not the Best way to Promote Your Business:
Remember how we talked about the need for people to get to know you first? Well, you need to market yourself by networking. Join business and networking groups and forums, post advice and questions in forums, create a presence. Make sure your are a frequent visitor to those places because just making one post will not help you in the long run. Create and publish articles and newsletters on topics that you have knowledge about. Be willing to help others by sharing your knowledge.
4. Communication and relationships are what builds your business:
You need to be willing to interact with people. You want to show people you know what you are talking about by creating newsletters, articles, and blogs. Get them published online and well as off line. This will also give you a sense of accomplishment that you are working to make yourself a success.
There is much more to learn in order to get your business started but if you are serious about wanting success, set goals for yourself on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. Devote time to achieving those goals. Get your name out there, educate yourself and others, and finally market yourself and then your business. This is a start, but if you work at it you will find success in network marketing and will get customers coming to you for not only your product but for advice and help in order to achieve their own success also. This sounds like a win-win situation. Good luck.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Reflections.....
I am sitting here doing some reflecting....
Another year is gone and we have just barely started 2008. I think of different milestones that have passed and more milestones that will approach in this New Year, a year that is just barely in it's infancy.
So I ponder the past year for a moment....it was a very difficult year for me with many challenges but on the other hand it ended as a very rewarding time in my life. People talk about regrets...I would say that I don't regret the decisions I made in the face of much adversity and challenge.
This past year has brought independence to my life, for the first time in a long time, I have felt a purpose for my existence....have come to terms with being disabled and unable to work in my chosen career as a Registered Nurse. I had been wrestling with that for a long time....a time span of many years that have come to pass.
I feel like I don't have to depend on others to carry me, but that I can let others depend on me for a change. I have found a new sense of self worth and these feelings and emotions have led me to become a better mother to my amazing daughter, who for the first time in her young life has found a way to express herself, despite her own disabilities.
Hannah and I have become a team....a Mother-Daughter tag team in a sense....and have come full circle from the previous year when I felt despair that she would never recover from the ADHD and mood disorder she was diagnosed with, and the many scary behaviors she was exhibiting. I had to let go and take one day at a time and I see now that we have come through this trying time in our lives and are stronger for it.I see a glimpse of the young women she is destined to become, as she is turning from infancy and little girl, and trying to be a "big girl".
I see Hannah trying to be more like me and this makes me want to be her Best role model. I want to show her that independence is a reality and that she can do anything she wants to do and that she doesn't have to give up anything.
This past year has also brought me into a time where I faced a struggle as to how to make ends meet.Unable to work, I did a lot of research online and found a wonderful person(or should I say God found her for me), who I feel has made the biggest impact on my life and become a mentor/partner in my home candle business. She arrived in my life at my lowest moment, with her amazingly upbeat personality, and taught me that with perseverance anything is possible.She was that inspiration I needed, because I saw what she was accomplishing in her life and she made it look so easy....
I, with no business background( just my knowledge of medicine and nursing) would be able to start a home candle business and successfully market online through my own website and blog.
If you approached me years ago and told me that I would do this, I would have laughed at you.
It is now a reality....
Not only has this opportunity transformed my life, it has made me feel alive for the first time in a long time. I am learning so much, I feel thirst for all knowledge I can find.I feel energized.
I have met a lot of wonderful people, a few who have inspired me and have mentored me, and many who have become my friends.
I have successfully designed my own website and a blog and this accomplishment has inspired me to work harder to achieve more and experience all that life has to offer.
So, now I contemplate what a New Year might mean to me.....
I need to set goals. I, like many others, have dreams.Perhaps they are similar to your dreams.
I want the be a better mom to Hannah, a mom that she is proud of. I want to inspire her as much as she inspires me in her young life. She has overcome a lot of struggle in India as well as here in our home and I am so very proud of her.
I want to learn as much as I can about being a successful mother and entrepreneur.
I want to have a successful candle business and I want to help others achieve that success also, by being a teacher and mentor to them.
I want to help those children still in orphanages in India who have dreams still unfulfilled....a dream of a family and parents.(I receive updates from the agency we used to adopt Hannah, and recently they sent me 2 pages of children...at least 20 children..still looking for a family..still needing to be adopted.) This breaks my heart because all children should have a family, parents who love them as much as I love my daughter. If I had the money, I would do it all again.
If you are someone who is considering adoption, please contact me and I will give you the information on the agency we used for our adoption.
My Goals:
1. Build my business through retail, fundraising and team building:
--I will promote my website by sending out 100 business cards/scent samples each month.
--I will make contact with at least 2 groups( school, dance, sports, church,etc.) each month to
fundraisers.
--I will strive to have at least one home party/open house each month.
--I will attend at least one trade show, craft fair each quarter.
--I will use lead options each month to build my team by giving people the knowledge base to
make an informed decision to make a change in their lives and achieve the success they
dream of.
--I will listen in on at least 2 conferences weekly.
--I will attempt to attend at least 2 seminars this year.
--I will use my knowledge to teach and mentor my team, by scheduling monthly team building
meetings once a month.
--I will be available by phone, email or in person to my team for any questions or needs they
might have each month.
2.I will promote adoption:
--I will get word out on adoption and try to let others know about children still in orphanages
that need families.I will call my agency to see what I can do to help, possibly promote a
fundraiser to help cover costs of the children's upkeep in the orphanages.
3. Become a better mother:
--I will take time to listen to Hannah and let her express her emotions and feelings daily.
--I will read articles, books,etc. on parenting to become better at it.
--I will attend all school, dance drama functions.
--I will be available for Hannah anytime she needs me.
--I will schedule Mommy-Hannah time out weekly.
--I will sit with Hannah daily to do homework together.
--We will have quality time together in the evening before bed.
Well, I could probably keep going...but this is a start.
The year is fresh, and many opportunities and challenges will come along the way.....but as long as I take one day at a time and remember my dreams(and Hannah's dreams)....and my goals,
I am sure that this New Year will become just as successful.
For those of you who dream of a successful home business...more time with your family....those dreams are attainable.
Don't give up on your dreams, whatever they might be, because with work and perseverance....Your dreams will come true!!!!
Happy New Year!!!!
Another year is gone and we have just barely started 2008. I think of different milestones that have passed and more milestones that will approach in this New Year, a year that is just barely in it's infancy.
So I ponder the past year for a moment....it was a very difficult year for me with many challenges but on the other hand it ended as a very rewarding time in my life. People talk about regrets...I would say that I don't regret the decisions I made in the face of much adversity and challenge.
This past year has brought independence to my life, for the first time in a long time, I have felt a purpose for my existence....have come to terms with being disabled and unable to work in my chosen career as a Registered Nurse. I had been wrestling with that for a long time....a time span of many years that have come to pass.
I feel like I don't have to depend on others to carry me, but that I can let others depend on me for a change. I have found a new sense of self worth and these feelings and emotions have led me to become a better mother to my amazing daughter, who for the first time in her young life has found a way to express herself, despite her own disabilities.
Hannah and I have become a team....a Mother-Daughter tag team in a sense....and have come full circle from the previous year when I felt despair that she would never recover from the ADHD and mood disorder she was diagnosed with, and the many scary behaviors she was exhibiting. I had to let go and take one day at a time and I see now that we have come through this trying time in our lives and are stronger for it.I see a glimpse of the young women she is destined to become, as she is turning from infancy and little girl, and trying to be a "big girl".
I see Hannah trying to be more like me and this makes me want to be her Best role model. I want to show her that independence is a reality and that she can do anything she wants to do and that she doesn't have to give up anything.
This past year has also brought me into a time where I faced a struggle as to how to make ends meet.Unable to work, I did a lot of research online and found a wonderful person(or should I say God found her for me), who I feel has made the biggest impact on my life and become a mentor/partner in my home candle business. She arrived in my life at my lowest moment, with her amazingly upbeat personality, and taught me that with perseverance anything is possible.She was that inspiration I needed, because I saw what she was accomplishing in her life and she made it look so easy....
I, with no business background( just my knowledge of medicine and nursing) would be able to start a home candle business and successfully market online through my own website and blog.
If you approached me years ago and told me that I would do this, I would have laughed at you.
It is now a reality....
Not only has this opportunity transformed my life, it has made me feel alive for the first time in a long time. I am learning so much, I feel thirst for all knowledge I can find.I feel energized.
I have met a lot of wonderful people, a few who have inspired me and have mentored me, and many who have become my friends.
I have successfully designed my own website and a blog and this accomplishment has inspired me to work harder to achieve more and experience all that life has to offer.
So, now I contemplate what a New Year might mean to me.....
I need to set goals. I, like many others, have dreams.Perhaps they are similar to your dreams.
I want the be a better mom to Hannah, a mom that she is proud of. I want to inspire her as much as she inspires me in her young life. She has overcome a lot of struggle in India as well as here in our home and I am so very proud of her.
I want to learn as much as I can about being a successful mother and entrepreneur.
I want to have a successful candle business and I want to help others achieve that success also, by being a teacher and mentor to them.
I want to help those children still in orphanages in India who have dreams still unfulfilled....a dream of a family and parents.(I receive updates from the agency we used to adopt Hannah, and recently they sent me 2 pages of children...at least 20 children..still looking for a family..still needing to be adopted.) This breaks my heart because all children should have a family, parents who love them as much as I love my daughter. If I had the money, I would do it all again.
If you are someone who is considering adoption, please contact me and I will give you the information on the agency we used for our adoption.
My Goals:
1. Build my business through retail, fundraising and team building:
--I will promote my website by sending out 100 business cards/scent samples each month.
--I will make contact with at least 2 groups( school, dance, sports, church,etc.) each month to
fundraisers.
--I will strive to have at least one home party/open house each month.
--I will attend at least one trade show, craft fair each quarter.
--I will use lead options each month to build my team by giving people the knowledge base to
make an informed decision to make a change in their lives and achieve the success they
dream of.
--I will listen in on at least 2 conferences weekly.
--I will attempt to attend at least 2 seminars this year.
--I will use my knowledge to teach and mentor my team, by scheduling monthly team building
meetings once a month.
--I will be available by phone, email or in person to my team for any questions or needs they
might have each month.
2.I will promote adoption:
--I will get word out on adoption and try to let others know about children still in orphanages
that need families.I will call my agency to see what I can do to help, possibly promote a
fundraiser to help cover costs of the children's upkeep in the orphanages.
3. Become a better mother:
--I will take time to listen to Hannah and let her express her emotions and feelings daily.
--I will read articles, books,etc. on parenting to become better at it.
--I will attend all school, dance drama functions.
--I will be available for Hannah anytime she needs me.
--I will schedule Mommy-Hannah time out weekly.
--I will sit with Hannah daily to do homework together.
--We will have quality time together in the evening before bed.
Well, I could probably keep going...but this is a start.
The year is fresh, and many opportunities and challenges will come along the way.....but as long as I take one day at a time and remember my dreams(and Hannah's dreams)....and my goals,
I am sure that this New Year will become just as successful.
For those of you who dream of a successful home business...more time with your family....those dreams are attainable.
Don't give up on your dreams, whatever they might be, because with work and perseverance....Your dreams will come true!!!!
Happy New Year!!!!
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