Life Goes On

Life changes over time but sometimes we don't even realize it until much later because it's changed so subtly.

A few weeks ago, I had to get up early to take the dog to the vet for an early AM dental work.

It was quite an experience.

The trip made me realize how much my life has changed over the past 7 or 8 years. I set my alarm for 6:45 AM. I didn’t realize it was still DARK at that time of day. The only time I ever get up that early is if I am flying someplace for a visit and happen to have a morning flight. I had changed vets, because I met a great new Vet thru a wonderful girl on my team. The only problem is he is at the exact opposite end of town and I live in a large town.

Since dental appointments for pets require they check in EARLY (between 8 and 8:30AM) , here I was up experiencing the early morning for the first time in a long time. Not being used to having to be anyplace exactly on a schedule, I always tend to forget the “drive time”. We left the house a about 7:40AM.

Of all the times,it was the first chilly day of the year and we set a record for a cold snap this early in the year. It was in the 40’s. Getting in my car, I found I was not even sure where the back defroster button was since I never had to use it before. It took me a few minutes to find the buttons to that, and the set the heater and off we went.

My first impression and thought as we started off, was WHERE are all these cars going at this hour. I had not driving in rush hour for a good 5 years.

Since it was close to 8 AM I thought they would already have reached their destination and be at work. I guess I was wrong cause there were plenty on the road. I don’t remember having seen this much traffic in many years and realized how spoiled I was.

Working from home, I’ve learned that when I want to go out I can chose to go out at times the traffic is the lightest. I never go out at rush hour like today. I was also thinking how silly it was to call this “RUSH HOUR”, when the traffic was moving at a snails pace. I have not seen this much traffic since my last trip to Minneapolis where it looks like this anytime day or night.

Waiting in traffic like this was very boring so I made a call to my friend Linda. She is an early riser, and was amazed to hear from me so early. I also realized about this time, that I had forgotten to bring a drink so pulled thru a drive thru for a coke to get me across town. Linda was laughing at me as she thought that was funny.

Now armed with a coke and more awake, I got back on the road. I decided to take the cross town expressway as it’s a toll road. I figured maybe those going to work every day would not want to pay $$$$ plus gas so it my be less crowded. It was a great decision.

Once I got to the entrance, I was counting my blessings. Because we visit the Orlando area, where my friend Jack lives, I had picked up a SUN PASS for when were were in that area. A SUN PASS is a little machine you stick on your window and don’t have to stop for tolls. I whipped that out, stuck it to the window and was on my way.

My instincts were entirely correct. Traffic on that road was very light, and I arrived at the other end of town in only about 10 minutes. The normal interstate with traffic would have taken me about 45 minutes or more. To me that was worth the extra $$$, but I could see where folks that had to do this daily, may find it out of their price range.

Gosh, traveling like this brought back memories of my life years ago. Early in my career, I worked a JOB downtown and fought traffic daily. Later after my children came, I stayed home with them for a few years. When I went back to the work force I decided no more wasting time in traffic. I looked for and found a JOB within 2 miles of my home where I reported for duty for a good 11 -12 years before finally getting fed up with the cubicle life style.

Thinking back I remember in those days, I used to be at work many times before dark, and came home many times after dark. What a difference the years make.

Making a decision to enter the world of Network Marketing didn’t come lightly. It came because I was pretty burned out on never having time and living paycheck to paycheck. Back then, I rarely had a vacation and when I did, it was usually a few days here or there. We might go to the beach for 2 or 3 days, but even then it was never long enough.

Today my life is much different. I am very thankful that I can CHOOSE to get up when I want, and can chose to come and go as I please. Today really made me thankful for the sacrifices I made to get here.

It was NOT easy working a JOB and trying to build a business at the same time, however, it was well worth it. I had to sacrifice for a few years, but what is a few years when you can be free.

Today made me realize I don’t miss those days of going to bed early even when I didn’t want to because I had to get up again when I didn’t want to. I do not miss scheduling my life around someone else’s schedule.

I love the freedom of our industry. I love helping others succeed. I know that if I can do it anyone can. I had no special talents. I was just determined to make it and retrain myself. I am very stubborn and when I set my mind on something I do not give up.

It is not always easy but it is well worth it. If you are in the JOB world today, and are looking for a way out, keep on going. Do not give up. You can do it, and you can succeed.

As long as you take action, and stay focused and work at it, little by little, you can build your own business, just as I did. Remember, it does take work, and action, but do not let ANYONE steal your dreams. Don’t give up, just DO IT.

Today is the FIRST day of the rest of your life. Make it count. Start your plan to get to where you want to go and make I happen. Tomorrow when you get into your car, for that commute to the JOB, think of me. I’ll be sleeping in, most likely till 9 AM or later. I do not get up to an alarm clock often. I get up when I wake up. You can too.

If it’s to be, it is totally up to YOU. What did you do today, that started you on the path to freedom? Ask yourself where you want to be tomorrow? Next week? Next Year?

Time to start your journey is TODAY. Today is all you have. Do it NOW. Hope to see you at the top in the future.

Diane


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The Customer is Always First

As business owners, we always strive to keep customers as our number one priority. However, anyone can tell you of their own bad experiences as customers, where the customer service did not live up to their expectations. Obviously, there is a disconnect between what the business is providing and what the customer wants.

Yet why does this happen? How is it possible that businesses who are putting their customers first are missing the mark on a consistent basis? Perhaps the problem lies in the little things that the businesses are doing, that make the customer feel unwelcome and unappreciated.

Here are some of the potential areas where customers begin to lose the feeling of appreciation when dealing with businesses.

• Greeting the customer. Some businesses skip this step altogether, to their downfall. Others do have a standard greeting, which falls flat and makes customers feel no different than the next patron. Make your welcomes special and personalized to make customers feel special.
• Lack of enthusiasm. Although everyone has a bad day from time to time, this feeling should never translate into treating your customers as less than special. A warm smile and joy in your voice should be the way you interact with your customers. If you ever appear at less than your best, your customers will pick up on these negative vibrations and not enjoy their experience with your company.
• Proper etiquette. Chivalry may be a dying art, but don't let the simple social graces translate into a poor experience for your customers. Open doors for your customers, and always let them have the right of way. Offer to help them with heavy packages, or if they have any special needs that make mobility difficult. Do whatever it takes to make their experience as simple as possible.

Putting your customer first can be very simple, if you keep the above tips in mind. Skipping over these ideas can put off your customers, and send them to your competitors. Let your customers know that you care, by doing the little things that can brighten up their day.