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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

DON'T FREAK OUT! Consistency for Small Business Growth

Why is consistency important in small business growth? Especially a small home business? It's not only the important but the cornerstone! It also translates into all areas of your life!
Being in the health and wellness industry, I am guilty of the exact same feelings of discouragement and wanting to throw the towel in when I don't see immediate results!  All that focused planning of my food, intake, and exercise, why can't I be at a lean ripped up machine in just a matter of a couple days?  Honestly, I always notice that my body doesn't change much, weigh different, or really "see" the efforts of my labor until the 14th day!  Weird, I wake up on the 14th day, and boom, I can see it!
Or how about the time where I started washing dishes in my hometown restaurant when I REALLY wanted to be a "bus girl." Even though I didn't get tips being a bus girl, it just allowed me to have that feeling of success and not being the one trapped in a hot kitchen scraping uneaten food off of plates and throwing them in the wash. My time did finally come to graduate into the main dining where I could finally dress in a black skirt and white shirt, and the white shirt would actually stay white!  But I had to put a ton of effort, prove my skills, prove my work ethic, prove my determination for growth, prove I am the girl to move!
Why is your home business any different than any other venture of growth in your life?
There is no difference! Why would you decide to make a big change in your life, one that will improve the quality of your life, invest time, money, and stress in the efforts of getting started then do nothing or drop off because the growth of your business isn't happening when you want it to?  Only you can answer that question for yourself, yet so many people do just this.
No business should be treated like a hobby and especially your own business you must take it seriously and be consistent on a daily basis.  Don’t think that things will happen overnight it takes time and committing yourself.
I hear many times from people working on developing their business say, “I tried that it didn’t work” or "I don't have upline support." Most often time it's easier to put the blame on someone else or even put the blame on the business model itself.
But what it really boils down to is consistency. Doing the right activity over and over.  Now we have to be realistic!  You can't expect to see life changing results in a matter of a couple months.  There is no possible way but you must be persistent and consistent. Because just like riding a bike, it's tough to get the bike rolling as you start to pedal, but once you are rolling it's rolling with less effort! But as soon as you hit the breaks and stop, to get rolling again is tough! Sometimes you may even be caught in the middle of a steep hill!
I run with the motto, "Things always work out in the end". I'd be honest in saying I don't stress out about meeting deadlines, meeting challenges, and even meeting the personal quota and goals I set each month. Even when the month starts to near it's end, my stress level starts to rise and I start working even more on activity to produce the results I'd like.  But what I find happens, is that because I was consistent, never putting the breaks on for the months leading up to the end of this month, the breadcrumbs and efforts I was laying down the whole time turns around and pays off.
Here are some suggestions to ensuring your activity is productive and not just a matter of busy work that you keep fooling yourself with.

1) Set a 90 day activity journal.  Record your activity for 3 months, as well as the productivity.  If you are failing to see the fruition of the efforts you laid down in the beginning of the 90 days come around at the end of the 90 days, time to re-evaluate your activity.

2) Re-Evaluate your Daily/Weekly/Monthly Schedule - It's easy to be busy. But being busy with activity that fills your time producing no results will only frustrate you.  Use a calendar to schedule out your appointments of work and activity on each day and follow it! Be sure to move on to the next scheduled task that is on your schedule.

3) Don't be Scared to Ask for an Honest Opinion! - After being diligent in your efforts of work and activity, find your mentor, sponsor, or direct manager and ask for some constructive feedback.  As hard as that pill is to take, someone that you have in this position above you should be able to deliver just the news you need to hear while giving you that drive and determination to make those changes for a better result.
As more is learned about your efforts, schedule, and areas needed for improvement, more of the inefficiency is removed, exposing that still more can be learned — and so on — creating an ever increasing spiral of productivity and results. But that can’t happen without consistency.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

How to Start Running! I am not a Runner, I just Play one!

I am NOT a runner and by no means, will I claim to be an expert! BUT, what I will have to share is the aspect of just getting out there, no excuses, and just following through.
When it comes right down to it, when I am sitting comfortable in my chair, and I say in my head, “I’m gonna go running”, there’s a SMALL window that can easily derail my efforts.  Being careful to not sit down at my computer, if taking too long to figure out how to get Pandora to work on my iPhone, or even just not finding the perfect pair of sneakers, all can be an easy excuse for me to say- Oh well! I just won’t go. I WISH I established that “runner’s high!” What is that? HOW do you actually get that, can I buy it so this becomes easier???
I have decided to start my days at least with a quick jog around the block. Cross Training is very important, especially when your body gets used to doing the same type of work outs all the time.  I’m normally not a runner, I really should be saying jogger. To be very candid and honest, most of the time it’s because I just hate getting those shin splints and so sore!
So in my ventures to stick this out and start “jogging” more, I started to do some research on how to avoid those shin splints. I have found I tend to be a heel strike runner. Eh, that’s what I get for being a novice! And after watching many training videos on how to land more on your ball of your foot and roll onto your toes, it just doesn’t come that easy. I could have SWORN my high school track teacher says long distance runners run heel/toe and sprinters run on their toes. Well, we know I’m not going out for any records, so feel comfortable on the heel. But, those darn shin splints come fast!
So I watched videos, read articles, and they suggest landing on the ball and rolling off to toes.  I understand this will take practice, just like everything does, but the morning I ran this way I felt slower, it was harder because I had to keep thinking, “Stay off your heel”, “don’t point your toes” “just land neutral” “just be loosey goosey”….seriously, everything was rolling through my head to try and make that happen.  Eh, not sure if I succeeded or not, but I did wake up the next day with my shins and calves more sore. Could it be because of 2 days running in a row or because of my challenge in foot position?
My 3rd day, I snapped some pics while running, and what do you know, the proof is in the picture. 
I’ll keep working at it. It’s something I know I just have to keep practicing. As with everything, you will get better with practice, and I may just find that I might practice this so much, I may actually start to enjoy this!
Well, to tell the truth, I should whisper and tell ya, It’s actually been kind of enjoyable!”
I grew up in a small country town in upstate NY. To find myself in a place where I have been able to actually enjoy my scenery, and put myself back into the world of nature that I actually enjoy, has been nice!  I have been able to figure out that Pandora account on my iPhone, take in the lush scenery around me, get some sun in which I enjoy, and feel good about actually following through with doing what I said I would do!
What is really cool is living in an area that brings me joy! All the things that I have been building up to, and finding a moment of peace in my day to take in the scenery, enjoy the sun, listen to my favorite tunes, and not feel the pressure of constantly feeling like I should be doing something for work or for someone else.
I enjoy that the park across from my road and is the same name as my father’s name. I look forward to seeing that everyday as a mark of completion.
These are my moments, and I should protect them.  Who know’s if I’ll ever become a “runner”, but just to enjoy something different for a moment has been nice!  Being able to step out of my comfort zone and to be vulnerable as a novice.  There is no excuse.  Even if you only have a spare moment in time to do something quick for your work out, those 10-15 mins is better than nothing.  No excuses! You have your gym equipment. You have your gym membership. It’s free.  Just open your front door and go! Squats, walking lunges, and push ups are an extra BONUS!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

5 Unhealthy Diet Foods that Can Make You Gain Weight

Eating healthy and finally deciding to take charge of your health and fitness is a great step in achieving the fountain of youth and quality of life!  It’s a fact! People who are fitter and healthier are happier!  A quality diet is essential for good health, but as s novice jumping into this so-called healthy food world, you can easily be fooled. Just jumping into the world of “diet” food conjures up feelings and thoughts of negativity.  My mother use to think that whenever she had to drop some pounds, she would have to eat grapefruit, cottage cheese, and lettuce for all of her meals.  Doing is surely a way to set yourself up for failure in the long run.  That’s not a normal daily diet, and is a quick temporary fix.
Be careful about the so-called diet healthy food.  Companies know how to fool their consumers with just a play on words. Check out some of the common words that easily fools someone into reaching for this so-called healthier version:
  • Fat Free
  • Reduced Fat
  • Low Fat
  • Sugar Free
  • No Added Sugar
  • Diet
We easily can believe that these foods in this category are healthier and the version we should choose, right?  This is an easy mistake to make.
Typically, those words cover up the real story of what is hidden: Full of Sugar, Chemicals, High Carbs, High glycemic index….I could go on!
Think about candy.  Isn’t sugary candy like starbursts, lollypops, jellybeans etc fat free? Why yes! But it’s loaded with artificial ingredients and sugar!
Check out some of the so-called diet good for you items that we so easily get wrapped up in using:
1) Diet Soda – Fewer calories and sugar yes, but research has shown that dieters actually gain weight when drinking this for long periods of time.
2) Smoothies – If you can blend it, it must be good for you, right? Wrong! How many calories are in that smoothie? Sometimes you choose items to add that have high levels of sugar, fat, and calories. It all adds up!
3) Pre-Packaged Frozen Diet meals – Easy for you to heat and eat, but loaded with sodium! These types of foods need artificial preservatives, that’s why they are in long term freezer storage!
4) Yogurt!  Most common choice of yogurt is loaded with calories, sugar, and fruit!
5) Popcorn!  - What? Popcorn is in the category?  Most often times people pop the 3 or more serving bags, and then eat it all! They are loaded with calories, sodium, and preservatives. Stay clear.
General rule of thumb is to choose fresh foods with limited processing.  If you stay simple with your food choices, you will get greater healthier results. Stick to lean meats cooked grilled, baked, or broiled. Fresh vegetables and fruits. And always remember to keep an eye on serving and portion sizes.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

5 Successful People Who Failed Horribly in Their Journey

"I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work." – Thomas Edison

Having success will take you time and effort. And SURE, many times you will fail before you are even successful.  Ask just about anybody who has become successful if they have ever failed in their journey towards acheiving their goals or dreams. Chances are you will get quite a few great stores and laughs at many of their failed attempts.
The difference between long-term success and failure is your reaction to it.  People who lead, are determined for success, accept it and learn from it.  Simple fact:
Failure happens. Live with it. Learn from it. Move on from it.

Your view of failure doesn't need to change or be avoided. Think of it this way, it's a chance to learn something that does not work!

If you're struggling in your online business, don't be afraid to try things that are “new” “different” or even go against the traditional approach of an online business.  The worst thing that can happen is failure… which is just a chance to learn and grow.

Proof in the point!  Here are a list of 5 hugely successful people, in which, all of them failed.  Of course everyone will fail in a small degree, but they all failed in a public and massive degree. Yet, they are viewed as hugely successful people because of their success and their ability to bounce back.

Bill Gates: Dropped out of Harvard and started a failed first business with Microsoft and co-founder Paul Allen called Traf-O-Data. While their initial idea wasn't successful, Gates' later work did, creating the global empire that is Microsoft.

Walt Disney: HUGE success today as it brings in billions from merchandise, movies and their theme parks around the world, but it wasn't an easy start. Disney got fired by a newspaper editor because the editor felt he lacked imagination and didn't have any good ideas. Later, he started a number of businesses that didn't work or last and most ended with bankruptcy and failure. He never gave up, and the rest is history!

Elvis Presley: One of the best-selling artists of all time, Elvis has become a household name even years after his death. But back in 1954, He was still a nobody and even got fired from the Grand Ole Opry after just one performance.  He was told: "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."

Oprah Winfrey: Most people wouldn't even know she had success a history of struggle because of her grand success these days in TV and other sources of media.  She's even one of the richest and most successful women in the world. She endured a rough road and often abusive childhood as well as numerous career setbacks including being fired from her job as a television reporter because she was "unfit for tv."

Babe Ruth: Can't even imagine someone not knowing his name or his success because of his home run record (714 during his career).  But of course, along with all those home runs came a long list of strikeouts as well (1,330 in all). Actually, for decades he held the record for strikeouts. When asked about this he simply said, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."

It’s just impossible for someone who has a fear of failure to achieve anything, because they have never tried. Never gave themselves the opportunity to succeed.

It is in doing, trying, and experiencing things you never did before that you grow and develop into success. Through practice you get better and better at the things you do.

Monday, October 03, 2011

Top 3 Tips to Start Your Day in your Home Business



Learn my top 3 tips on what you should do to start your mornings started off right and most effective in your home business.

1) Get Organized!
2) Make an action item or to-do list
3) Schedule when you will check email

Many times people who own their own business get caught up and distracted by the comforts of home or the chores of home. Your daily commute and prep time has been cut down to a seconds, or minutes, depending on how far your bedroom is to your home office space. ;)
Start each day with these suggestions, and you will be marked and planned to move through your action items with progress in growing your own home business.

Be sure to comment below and let me know your getting started tips for each day as well as what other topics you would like to see featured.