Freedom To Live Your Dreams Takes WORK

Thursday, April 12, 2012

IMPORTANT notice, US governement wants more of your $$$$

I thought htis was important, so I'm passing it on to you. It's time we all call our congressmen and let them know we won't stand for this:

ON JANUARY 1, 2013, THE US GOVERNMENT WILL BE REQUIRING EVERYONE TO HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT FOR SS CHECKS.

WONDER WHY?

Subject: HR 4646

Be sure to read entire explanation

Watch for this AFTER November elections; remember this BEFORE you VOTE, in case you think Obama is looking out for your best interest.

A 1% tax on all bank transactions

Monday, February 27, 2012

Flying Blonde

A plane is on its way to Detroit when a blonde woman in economy class gets up and moves into an open seat in the first class section.

The flight attendant watches her do this, and politely informs the woman that she must sit in economy class because that's the type of ticket she paid for.

The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Detroit and I'm staying right here."

After repeated attempts and no success at convincing the woman to move, the flight attendant goes in

Tomorrow

Have you ever put off something and said you will do it "tomorrow"? One thing I've noticed is that tomorrow never seems to come.

A better idea is to get things done when they come to mind. Take action and get busy. Things you put off, you will end up putting them off again and again.

Sometimes it's something easy to do, yet something easy to do is just as easy NOT to do. Don't put things off. Just take action and get them done. If you do things NOW, you'll feel so much better.

J

Drugs

I feel there are way too many drugs in our world today. For every ache and pain we are given a new prescription. You take one drug, and there is a side effect that you need to take to offset that.

I don't believe in too many drugs, therefore, I'm not quick to take them. I usually look up and try natural alternatives.

I was cleaning out a cabinet this week, and I found and old prescription from 2004. I had no clue what it was so I went to the web to search. I asked for drugs starting

Saturday, February 11, 2012

MLM Is Truly A Great Opportunity

If you're looking for a home business, you have to find one that fits you. I've been in the Network Marketing or MLM Industry for over 15 years now. MLM is truly a great opportunity.

In this industry, just like any other, it takes time to learn and grow. You have to develop skills and stick around long enough to grow your business. MLM is something that people can start as a home business, for very little up front costs. They can develop the needed skills and build a side income or

Web Cams

I know some people seem to be wild about vidoe chats and web cams. I don't happen to be on of them.

I've worked online from home for years. I love the ability to hope across the hall to my office, jump online and chat with my team, or prospects. I do not want to feel like I have to get dressed up and put on make up to be online. I choose to work in comfort, that's why I love my home based business.

Occasionally I will flip on my web cam when someone calls, but only if I've do

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Melanoma

Many people are not aware that Melanoma is very dangerous and comes from over exposure to the sun in your early years. A friend shared this vidoe with me from You tube, that is one I'd like to pass on to all teens and sun love.

Click to watch and share.

Please pass this on as it may save a life.

MLMBlonde

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Change

What do you think of the word change? Whether you love or hate change, it's enivitable. Life changes, people change and the world changes.

If you want to succeed in anything, you have to be able to adapt to change. You may work for a company that changes the way they do business. You may end up laid off and have to adjust to looking for a job, only to find your job market dried up. You may have to change and learn a new skill.

You may be in business for yourself. The world

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Watch this Video

Watch this video.

If you would like to try sending a card click here.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Salt Lake City

As you read this, I'll be headed out to Salt Lake City, Utah. Depending when you're reading this, I may have already arrived. Isn't technology great?

I'm so excited to be seeing all my old friends, making new friends and learning what 2012 has in store for us all!

This year will be one of signifcant changes and improvements. I'm looking forward to working with many new people and helping them achieve their goals and dreams! Together we can all make a difference in the world, one

How To Get out of a Funk

Is there a time in your life where you really feel like NOT doing anything? IF you're building a business do you ever feel bogged down, bored, or just plain lazy? If so what do you do to get out of that "FUNK"? How do you motivate yourself?

I've found this happens to people all the time. They just get sidetracked or let life get in the way. What I've found myself, is when I don't feel like doing any thing, I force myself to get busy doing something. The more I make myself d

Friday, December 16, 2011

I'm Sold On Apple.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and got to spend time with family and friends. Hard to believe another Christmas has passed already.

I also hope today there are many new MAC users, and lots of new MACS were under the Christmas trees. I'm sold on Apple.

I guess you could say I'm a total Apple convert. For about 10 years, my friends with Apples, were forever telling me to get a MAC. I thought about it, even went to the Apple store to look but always chickened out.

In the ba

I'm Sold On Apple.

Apple Store In The Mall of America

I just went on a trip to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis Minnesota.

On my flight, I used the Delta Internet on board.I was able to send some holiday cards, do some email, and work online. After landing, the next day I turned on my MAC and nothing happened. I had a white screen only and it would not boot.

I thought the hard drive must have crashed although, I didn't think they did that often. I tried everything but the computer wouldn't boot. On black Friday, I went online and made an

Christmas Shopping

IT's the season to be jolly, and busy :))

I'm very thankful I've got most all of my Christmas shopping done. My cards and gifts have been completed, and now I can relax the last week before Christmas.

How about you?

One thing I did notice this year, Black Friday started earlier than normal, with most stores opening at midnight. Crowds were crazy but more organized than normal. IF you've never experienced Black Friday I have a short vidoe clip of those shopping at Kohl's in A

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Take a bite out of your holiday event calendar. Christmas is only 16 days away – have you scheduled or sent your holiday cards and gifts?

Are your holiday cards Done.

There is no place like home for the Holidays...remind them with the perfect Holiday Card & Gift from Send OUt Cards.

SendOut Cards Holiday Video Link:

Who has time to send Holiday Cards?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Holiday Gifts

"***THIS POST IS ONLY INTENDED FOR OUR SENDOUTCARDS CUSTOMERS***

Effective immediately, Sendoutcards customers now have access to our Photo Store - photo books, canvas prints, calenders, photo prints and posters. As of next Monday the ability to create your own business cards will be added to the system.

While this system is still in Beta Testing there have not been any problems with it so we wanted to open this up to all customers for the holiday season! HOPE YOU ENJOY IT! Take a won

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Holiday Season

It's officially the holiday season. I know it seems to come earlier each year. I actually saw Christmas items on sale in September this year, but I ignore them.

In my book the official Christmas Season starts NOW, right after Thanksgiving. I have a cute new Holiday Video to share. I hope you enjoy it.

If you have not yet sent your holiday cards now is the time to start. I have an easy way to get the job done. If you'd like to, feel free to try a card free on me.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Apple Mail

I'm still using Snow Leopard and debating the upgrade to Lion. Today I almost had heart failure with my Apple mail. I was on the phone, I went to open a message on my Mac to take a look at an email with the person on the phone.

I have no idea what I did, but all of a sudden a message came up that said did I really want to open something like 30,000 messages. I had a ton of mail on my Mac from the past years. Of course I didn't want to open that many messsages.

I went to hit a key to say

Apple Mail

Monday, October 31, 2011

Three Blondes In Mexico

Three women go down to Mexico one night to celebrate college graduation. They got drunk, and woke up in jail, only to find that they are to be executed in the morning, though none of them can remember what they did the night before.

The first one, a redhead, is strapped in the electric chair and is asked if she has any last words. She says: "I just graduated from Trinity Bible College and believe in the almighty power of God to intervene on the behalf of the innocent.." They throw the switch

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Apple Iphone 4S

I just traded up and got a new Iphone. I was disappointed it wasn't a 5, but finally decided the upgrade would be worth it. If you had a previous IPHONE it was easy to set up, and sync with Itunes.

I found a great article reviewing the phone. Hope it helps you decide if you want the upgrade.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Warren Buffet's Answer To The Economy

I was sent the following interview and I totally agree. I have always felt our congressmen should be no better than the average person. His views here have good merit.

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling:

"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election

The 26t

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Do You Follow Up?

A month or so ago, I attended a home show. I was looking for several different things I wanted for my home. I was very interested in researching ventors with the items I was interested in.

I stopped, and talked to many vendors. I entered their "drawings" and put my information into their bowls and asked that they contact me. I was totally amazed at the lack of follow up.

Yes they sent me home with literature, and phone numbers, etc. They paid for brochures and marketing materials they w

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Take Charge Of Your Life

Security comes when you take charge of your life. Are you in control of your life or does someone else pull the strings?

Do you have a job? Do you have a boss you report to? Is your JOB secure? These are all things to think about.

If you want to be in charge of your own life, you need to make plans to do that. Don't count on that Job being their forever. Create a plan B.

There used to many things you could do, however, life has changed over the past 5-10 years. Investments

Thursday, July 28, 2011

GMC Terrain

Just rented a 2011 GMC Terrain to be able to take a longer test drive. We had it for a week, which gave us time to test and find the pros and cons.

Overall it was pretty decent. The car handled very well, and got some decent gas mileage. We drove all over New York State, and were surprised that when stopping for gas most of the time, we'd used only 6 or 7 gallons.

We decided to take the mileage and found it was getting 22-25 mpg in a combo of city and highways. We didn't think that was

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Want To Be A Walmart Greeter

Thanks to Joelene West for sharing this funy article about Wal-Mart. I am passing it on and hope you enjoy it.

Jennifer, a manager at Wal-Mart, had the task of hiring someone to fill a job opening. After sorting through a stack of 20 resumes she found four people who were equally qualified. Jennifer decided to call the four in and ask them only one question. Their answer would determine which of them would get the job.

The day came and as the four sat around the conference room table

Friday, July 01, 2011

Five Years

Time waits for no one. Where do you plan to be in five years? Have you given that any thought?

I've found that time passes quickly, even quicker than you think. What seems like a short time may well be two or three years ago. Five years goes quickly. If you don't believe me, watch how fast it goes from when you have a new born baby, till he or she enters the school years. BLINK. Time is gone.

It's the little things you do today, that will determine where you will be in five year

Greeting Cards

A few Weeks ago, I decided to sort thru the thousands of greeting cards, I've accumulated over the past 6 years. I didn't realize I had quite so many. I decided to take a count and see how many there really were.

When I got them all together in one place, it was a big overwhelming. It took me about 3 hours. It really brought back lots of memories, though seeing the amazing card and photos of families and how they have changed over the years.

I decided to save all my favorites and a

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Greeting Cards

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Cheap Hotels Adelaide: Simply The Best

While studying places to visit in Australia I came across the following article that talks about an area in Australia I'd not heard of called Adelaide. It also talks about hotel discounts in all of Australia. I thought I'd share it here:

Adelaide has always been a popular destination in Australia whether you are looking beauty or culture. Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and attracts large number of visitors every year. This city offers a delightful mixture of colonial b

Niagra Falls, NY Trivia

Happy 4th of July.

I thought Niagra Falls would be a great place to be on the 4th. With the beautiful falls, I thought they might have Fireworks over the Falls. I did some searches online and found an article about the falls. I found some of the Trivia facts quite interesting.

Here is the article I found:

You've probably heard of Niagara Falls but how much do you really know about it? You will learn about twenty trivia facts about the Falls. You will discover the answer

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Travel Weather Differences

I live in Florida. By May, we have temperatures ranging from 80-90 degrees. If you've lived in the south long, you learn that is the norm. It's hard to think about packing when you are visiting different areas and places.

I spoke with my daugher the past week and asked her what their weather was like, thinking that it would proabably be at least in the 70-80 range by now. I was surprised when she said they had been having weather this week about 30- 40 degrees.

I really had to s

Monday, May 02, 2011

What Is Really Difficult?

I do NOT know the author of the following article. I did not write this one. I found it most true & intriguing. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as it is very thought provoking.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Difficult! Difficult! What is really difficult?

Is a home-based business difficult? It is difficult when you must produce a report on a Saturday afternoon and cannot attend your son's football game.

It is difficult hearing the cell phone ring on Christmas morning and you cannot see the exc

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Start And Stop

How many people do you know that start and stop things? Have you ever joined a gym and plucked down good money, only to end up not going after your first month or so. Many people sign up a contract for a year or more at a gym and don't even go half the time.

The same is true with many people that want to grow a business. They join. They start to work. Then they don't take time to learn and focus on what they are doing. They start and stop. Unfortunately, it's human nature sometime

Monday, April 25, 2011

Are You Serious About Building a business?

The people that succeed are those that stay FOCUSED and CONSISTENT. Those are the 2 key words. How committed are you? Are you serious about building a business?

It's very easy to start a business or an mlm business, and it's also easy to succeed IF you are consistent in what you do. Unfortunately, it's also sometimes easier to do nothing. That will cause you to fail.

You have to commit to do something each day to grow your business and stay FOCUSED on it so you do not get distracted

Get More Referrals

It always amazes me and I wonder why most business people do not get more referrals. If they used their head and thought about the customer that is buying from them, they would know that the fortune made AFTER the sale.

I only give referrals to businesses that do a good job of staying in touch with me. By staying in touch, I don't mean constantly be calling or emailing me things asking me to buy more, or asking me to give them referrals. I never give a referral to anyone that does not de

Monday, April 18, 2011

Get More Referrals

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Free Is Quite Expensive

How many times have you had someone contact you to tell you about a new "FREE" opportunity. All you need to do is sign up, and sit back and wait for the checks to roll in.....right? Most of the time, if you fall for this, you'll learn free is quite expensive.

It may be free to sign up. It may be free to share with others, however, if no one pays anything, or buys anything or sells a product or service the end result will be that you earn NOTHING. You will be spinning your wheels an

Monday, February 21, 2011

Learning About Your New Mac

Remember, if you just bought a MAC, you can't hurt it. Experiment and use it. It's really simple. The hardest thing I had to learn was not to think so hard and just do things logically.

What if you could enjoy the internet without having to constantly reboot your computer when it bogged down? No more defragging, etc. No more clean up constantly. Well with Apple you can just do what you want to do easily.

It does so many things you struggled with in Windows, automatically. Don't s

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Making The Switch From PC's To APPLE

For many years, I had friends that had apples. I had a PC. I fought with all sorts of things. I learned how to defrag, backup, clear out cookies, temp files, set up multiple virus protection programs. I also learned how to fix most things, although many times my Apple friends would tell me I should move to Apple.

For many years I didn't. In the back of my mind, I think I believed if I switched, I would spend a lot of time relearning everything. I also didn't understand how I'd ever s

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Valentines Day Is Coming Up

It's almost Valentines day. Did you know that over 141 million greeting cards are sent out on Valentines, making it the 2nd most popular day to send out cards. It's a time where loved ones exchange cards and gifts.

There is a very interesting story on the history of Valentines day on the web. It gives us an idea of how it started.

It's time to start thinking about the present time, and what we're going to do for Valentines. Do you have plans? Will you send your sweetheart some flo

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Apathy

I had an interesting call this afternoon from a very nice gentlemen. Somehow he found my name, searching for direct sales people. He told me he was looking for real "go getters", and I replied "Aren't we all?". He indicated that most of those he talked to were very apathetic, and didn't card to work.

This lead to a very interesting conversation about apathy, and how people seemed to have changed over the past 20-30 years. . I had to agree with him for the most part. It's sa

Sunday, January 23, 2011

I Decided to Change My Life

One day I decided I was sick and tired of the way I was living, and decided to change my life.

I was tired of living paycheck to paycheck. I was a little better than most in that I did have a paycheck. I knew people that didn't. Still I was weary of having more month at the end of my money.

At the time I was not sure what I was going to do to change my life, but I knew if I didn't it would only get worse. You can't stand still. You either move forward or backwards. I started l

Friday, January 21, 2011

Free Housecleaning For Those Undergoing Chemo

If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.

All they have to do is sign up and have their doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in their zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help thes

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Looking at 2010 & Businesses

2010...the year of transitions. People were getting laid off, downsized, companies closed, The average workplace was about midway between the extremes of high threat and high opportunity. The personal stakes were relatively low but high on stress as people entered work everyday threatened that they might be leaving that day, week, or month without their job.

The threats are nothing like those imposed by a mugger or a sweatshop boss. But threats to livelihoods around the country nonetheless.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Traditional Business or Home based business

Anytime anyone starts a business, they want it to be successful. It doesn’t matter if it’s only a part time business or a full time business that is located in your home, office, on the Internet or more. There are a few things that one can do in order to run a successful business for yourself. You must have developed and implemented a plan that will ensure your success from the beginning.

Here are a few helpful tips that will allow you to run a successful business:

Business plan. Reme

Thursday, December 16, 2010

What's The Secret Between Failure And Success?

Many people try to grow a business, but the majority or them fail or quit. Have you ever thought about the reasons? Why does one person seem to rise to the top and another one seems to start and fail, over and over?

Actually it's not really a secret.

I believe the difference is very subtle. The one that succeeds is the one that simply does something each day to grow their business. It’s the little things done over time that make a huge difference. A person that wants to s

What's The Secret Between Failure And Success?

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

What's The Secret Between Failure And Success?

Finish your Holiday Cards

Are you looking for an easy way to finish your holiday cards?

Tune in on Thursday Dec 2 or Saturday Dec 4 for a FREE webinar on sending holiday cards fast and Easy.

Click to Register for the Free webinar.

What's The Secret Between Failure And Success?

What's The Secret Between Failure And Success?

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sunday, August 01, 2010

New Home And Blog

I've decided to move and build my own blog to help others learn about business building. I'll be talking about network marketing and how you can make more money from home to take more vacations. I'll be talking about traveling and enjoying life, which is something everyone should do.

Now that my business is running smoothly I can travel and vacation more. I LOVE traveling, How about you?

Come visit me at my new site.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Holidays are here

Wow what a year. It's almost over can you believe it?

I'm thankful to be in the Greeting Card business at this time of your. Our cards are flying out the door. If you've not sent yours yet, try a couple on me. http://SendMoreCards.com

Click play and take a test drive. I'll be happy to call you and show you how you can send hundreds of cards very simply in 30 minutes or less.

Merry Christmas to all.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Watch my new Card Video

What are you doing today?

Always Remember Today is the First day of the rest of your life.

Are things going the way you want them to? If not, what are YOU doing to make things change. Do you want to make a difference? EVERYTHING in your life starts and ends with you.

NO one can stop you but YOURSELF.

Live today like it is the last day of your life.

What would you be doing if time & money were NO object?

Make a difference, Become all that you can be. Start NOW. Your future is waiting.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Getting & Keeping More Customers

Any business today needs "CUSTOMERS". Once you get a customer you want to Keep that customer. What better way to keep a customer than keep in touch.

What if you could touch each of your customers 5 times a year for around $5 a customer? KEep your name out there and so you they will remember you when they need something, as well as send you more referrals.

If you'd like more information simply fill out my form below:

Friday, May 22, 2009

Who likes Puzzles

Just got a suprise yesterday. It was a puzzle from Professor Word Search. I had not seen these before. The professor made a neat puzzle for me. It's quite a challenge.

If you like puzzles try to solve the mystery and see how long it takes you to Solve the mystery. Click here:
Enjoy

Sunday, May 17, 2009

What is your dream?

How would you like to take a cruise around the world? I found one the other day, where you could leave out of Florida, go thru the Panama Canal, on up thru Alaska, Russia, and down thru China and end in Australia? It was a 107 day trip, for about $30K per person.

Would you like to go? I thought maybe after arriving in Australia it might be fun to stick around for a month or 2 and then cruise back. The other option for going back that I thought about was flying back as far as Hawaii, and staying there awhile and then back to the states.

Does a 6 month trip around the world sound fun? What's stopping you from doing it?

Anything is possible, if you dream big and then take action to make those dreams happen. Too many people never get what they want because they stop dreaming. They give up on life, they settle for the world of living pay check to paycheck.

Don't let that happen to you. Dream big and then go out and make all your dreams come true. Live a life of freedom and teach others how to do that too.

Start now. No time like the present. If you want things to change you must change too. Hope to see you on the beaches of the world.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Alan's Song Listen Up

Alan wrote a song. He sings the song and the backup, plays all the instruments (done through his small multi-tract in-home recording studio), then put the video together so the pictures 'sinc' with the lyrics --- the song is about and the pictures are of actual family members.

What I'm asking is that you please 'click' on the link below and forward this e-mail to all your e-mail friends.

IF THE VIDEO RECEIVES ENOUGH CLICKS then several things are possible: 1) he can receive compensation (Alan lost his job in December so income is a good thing) and 2) the video could be 'picked up' by a 'label' if it receives enough clicks, which could lead Alan into a whole new career --- one he's desired for many years.

If you have a website where you can 'link' his video it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Anyway . . . thanks for your help --- PLEASE FORWARD AND CLICK AWAY ---

Monday, February 16, 2009

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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Monday, February 09, 2009

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.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Customer Service Trenches

When running a business, you may find yourself removed from the day-to-day operations of your company. You have a lot of administrative tasks that only you can handle. While all business owners find themselves in this situation from time to time, it would be wise to step out of that role and deal with your customers one on one.

You will often see this arrangement at busy restaurants and retail stores. Managers will greet guests, make sure their needs are being met, and even walk them through their business transactions. They will go through the steps that their employees would do to ensure a sale, and interact with customers on a personal level.

Why is this important for a business owner? There are a number of reasons why you should take time to work in the customer service trenches.

Your customers get to know you. People enjoy meeting the owners of the shops that they frequent. If they see you and your business as a human operation, and not a corporate conglomerate, they will identify with you personally. This builds customer loyalty, as they will return often to enjoy the camraderie you bring to your business.
You will inspire your employees. When they see their boss working just as hard as they are, unafraid to do any menial task, they will increase the level of customer service. They realize that you genuinely care about the success of your business, and that the customers are precious to you. Workplace morale will increase, and everyone will benefit.
You will have hands-on experience about what works and what doesn't within your business. Practices that sound good in the planning stage don't always implement well. When you have tried them out for yourself, you can see what needs changing, and will have a good idea of what will work best for your business and your customers.

You may not always have time to get your hands dirty and personally work with your customers one on one. Yet every time that you do, you will learn a lot of valuable business lessons. Take time to meet with your customers and bring them the satisfaction they are looking for, and you will see your business flourish.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Set Your Goals Around Your Customers' Needs

Many businesses focus on the bottom line when they set their goals for the year. The amount of profits they want to earn, or the amount of new customers they want to draw to their business. While these are all clear, measurable goals, they miss a key component of customer service.

Your goals may not be the customers' goals. Your customers may never know how much money that their purchases really earn you. They will not know that they are included in the statistics of your PowerPoint graphs at the third quarter sales meeting.

The customers will only be aware of the experiences they have when purchasing and using your products. Very rarely will any additional concerns come to their minds.

How should you include your customer service needs into your yearly goals? Here are some ways to make the customers' goals your goals.

Include increased customer satisfaction as one of your goals. Set a percentage you would like to strive for. Arrive at a base number, by sending out surveys to your customers, and let them rate your services on a scale of 1 to 10. Then send out the same questions at the end of the year.
Allocate a higher percentage of your budget to increasing the quality of the services your customers did not rate very highly. The more time and energy you devote to what your customers ask for, the better your customer service quality will be.
Spend time retaining your existing clients. While a business will surely grow by attracting new customers, it will flourish when it provides existing, loyal customers with the ultimate care. The increase in word-of-mouth advertising that your customers will provide will make these efforts worthwhile as well.

Have you set your business goals to include your customers' needs? What has worked for you, and what has not? Share your experiences here.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Go To Where Your Customers Are

There are many times when your customers will not come to you when they have a problem with your business. They may have the impression that you are too busy to address their concerns, or they were not as interested in your product as they originally thought. However, they will most likely tell their friends about their experiences with your business, whether in person or online.

As a business owner, you need to be aware of what is being said about your company. There could be easily fixed problems that you would never know about, because none of your customers thought to tell you directly. In person, there is not too much you can do, besides reading the letters to the editor section of your newspaper, or listening to the conversations your customers are having within your store walls.

However, online communications can give you a bit of an edge. You can set up searches for your business name, so whenever someone talks about your business, you will be notified. Google search notifications are a good place to start. These will appear in your inbox daily, letting you know what word of mouth press your company is receiving.

You can also use the search function on Twitter, to see if anyone is addressing your company. Surprisingly, many people tweet about a company, just to see if they will get a response. Use this to your advantage, and respond as soon as possible to any customer concerns.

There is another great service available for business owners who want to keep track of their public image. Social Mention is a search engine that tracks your business name on blogs, microblogs, comments, and even video. This tool could prove to be very valuable for your business.

Using the online tools available to you to address customer concerns is an excellent way to build customer loyalty. Once they know that you are listening, and are ready to address their needs, they will come to you with any additional concerns they may have. This technique will build your business, and soon you will only be hearing good word of mouth advertising from here on out.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Keep It Simple For Your Customers

To draw customers to your business, you need to keep their options as simple as possible. The moment a customer is frustrated with your business is the moment they disconnect from you in their minds. They may not leave right away, but they will have one eye open to your potential competitors' offers.

Keep the customers' purchasing options simple and well-defined. For example, many cell phone service providers offer unlimited calling plans where customers are charged a set fee per month, no matter how many phone calls they make. While many customers may never test the limits of such a plan, they enjoy knowing the exact cost up front. This is a much simpler arrangement than calculating what time of day is cheapest to make a phone call.

Include petty costs in your overall price. Restaurants are a prime example of when this can make or break a sale. If you find that you are losing money because many of your customers request extra tomatoes on their sandwich, you have two options. You could require a 5 cent charge whenever they ask for extra tomatoes, or you can add additional tomatoes to your sandwiches and increase the price by 5 cents. Customers naturally question any additional charges to their meals, and may feel taken advantage of over such a small amount. When you include your operating costs in the product prices, your customers understand the tiny increases.

Limit the number of options you present to your customers. The more choices given to a customer increases the feeling of making the wrong choice. This unintentional indecision leaves customers grasping at straws, or not making a purchase at all. Show customers exactly what you have to offer, and how it stacks up to the competition. With the necessary information, they will be able to make an informed choice. They will also feel confident when purchasing from you, since you make the choices as clear as possible.

Making the buying experience for customers as simple as possible is not difficult. Think through the options you are presenting your customers, and make sure they are the best ones for you and your customers. When you make life easy for your customers, they will be happy to return to your business, assured of exactly what they are getting.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

View Your Business Through the Customer's Eyes

You may have all of your systems in place to give your customers the best possible service. Yet it is important to give these systems a trial run before your customers use them. You may come across unexpected hang ups, that could turn business away.

Go through the steps your customers would take to find your business. If you are online, make sure your ads are pointing to the correct page on your website. If you own a brick and mortar business, follow the directions you give out to arrive at your storefront. How easy is it to find and access your business? Is there any way you can simplify the process for potential customers?

Attempt to find out more about your business. Your website needs to clearly explain what you do, and how it benefits the customer. Your about me page should explain who you are, what your company does, and why you are passionate about your product. In your community, you should be involved in local business organizations, and your chamber of commerce. Be sure any public listing about your company has accurate information.

Purchase your product. Check all the links that your customer needs to click on to process their order. Make sure they are easy to read, easy to find, and work correctly. Make errors throughout the shopping process, to see what pages your customers might see. These pages should make it easy to fix the problem and continue shopping. Go to your store and purchase a product from one of your employees. Ensure that all quality systems that you have put in place are being followed.

Allow a friend who doesn't know much about your business repeat this process. Allow them to research your business naturally, using the systems they would for any business. Ask them what was easy and what was difficult.

Make any necessary changes, and then let your customers try out your system, and accept their feedback. No matter how intuitive your business is to you, it is brand new to your customers. If the process is not as simple as possible, your customers will be unlikely to purchase or to return. The more times you look through their eyes, the more chances you will see to improve your business.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Admit Your Business Mistakes

We all make mistakes. It is part of what makes us human. However, as business owners, we develop a strong sense of perfectionism that makes it difficult for us to even recognize our mistakes, let alone admit to them.

Yet you can turn wary customers into loyal ones, by being transparent and direct when it comes to admitting and fixing your mistakes. Customers will stick with a business that is open and honest with them, and will flee from one found to be covering their tracks. Here are some tips on how to deal with your business mistakes.

Have quality checks. Whether these are weekly reviews or point by point inspections, you need to have systems in place to be on the lookout for potential mistakes. This reassures the customer that you are looking out for their best interest, and are committed to offering a quality product.
Admit to yourself when there is a problem. Many business owners put up the blinders when evaluating if mistakes have been made. If you cannot admit it to yourself, you cannot fix the problem for your customers. Do not let your pride or fear of failure hinder you when building your business.
Decide on the best way to fix the mistake. Do whatever it takes to make things right for your customers. Then, choose the best way to communicate the error and the steps you took to fix it to your customers. If you can tell your story before irate customers tell all of their friends, you will appear to be in control of the situation. This will establish you as a strong business who isn't afraid to get your hands dirty to deliver ultimate customer service.
Ask for feedback. After you have done everything you can think of to rectify the situation, ask your customers if there is anything else you can do. Their answers may surprise you, and give you new insights about your business practices.

Have you seen any examples of a business freely admitting its mistakes? Or have you dealt with a business that handled their mistakes poorly? Share your stories here!

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Listening to Your Customers

How do you know what your customers want? Have you ever thought about asking them? Listening to your customers is one way to guarantee that you are providing the best possible products and services that will meet their needs.

In order to listen to your customers, you need to create methods of listening. Here are a few possibilities.

Create a poll on your website. Ask them something simple, as in "What would you like to see more of on this website?" Be sure to leave an "Other" option, and include a contact box where they can leave additional comments. It may turn out that what you thought they wanted couldn't be farther from the truth.
Ask them about the quality of your service. When your transaction is complete, ask your customers if there is any area in which your business could improve. You can do this face to face, via email, or through a survey. The answers may surprise you.
Offer customer support. Have a telephone number or email address they can contact at any time to get immediate answers to their questions. What may be an easy process for you may be difficult for the average consumer. Give them the chance to explain their problem, and offer solutions as soon as possible. Without this in place, customers may turn elsewhere rather than continue to puzzle through your business.
Value their opinions. Nothing is worse than the feeling that you are not being heard. Once you have gathered information about your customers' needs, follow through. Implement necessary changes that will make their experience better. Be sure to let them know that you were listening, and are striving to improve the quality of your business.

What methods of listening does your business have in place? Have you seen a business that truly values what its customers have to say? Join in the conversation

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Customer Service Through Social Media

With the new online landscape of social media, customers have higher expectations from their favorite companies. With the internet, customers have instant access to your website, your supporters, and your detractors. They can make quick decisions about how your service stacks up to the competition, and whether your business is one they are interested in working with.

How can you use social media to improve the quality of your customer service? Here are a few tips.

Create a website. If you don't have a website telling people about the services you have to offer, you might as well be invisible to your customers. Customers want to know everything they can about you, from your business history to your current policies. Having a website reassures customers that you are easily accessible and willing to work with them with any difficulties they might have.
Include a blog. A blog allows readers to stay up-to-date with the latest sales, information, and changes within your business. Providing customers with fresh posts on a regular basis will show that you are keeping an open channel of communication with your readers, should a crisis occur.
Build a presence on other social media networks. Should your website be unavailable for any reason, you still need a way to communicate with your customers. If you are already established on other sites such as Twitter or Facebook, your customers will turn there to find out the latest updates on your website status. You can also use these sites as an additional channel for customer service, answering any questions as your followers have them.

What unique ways have you used social media to improve the quality of your customer service? Have you seen a company embracing these tools to provide quality customer care? Share your stories here.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Are You Building Relationships with Your Clients

If you want to truly live your dreams, and build a solid business, the first thing you need is customers. Once you get customers, you want to hold on to them. It's very important to develop long term relationships with your customers. Happy loyal customers are cornerstone to your business.

IF you keep your name in front of your customers, they will also remember you when someone is in need of the service you offer. Therefore it's quite important to build and develope strong relationships.

I have a friend who just started up a blog on relationships and success. If you want to learn more on that subject click to visit her site.

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season.

Monday, December 15, 2008

How's your business? Happy Holidays.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

How's your holiday going? Hope it's a jolly one. I was out finishing up my holiday shopping this weekend. Certainly don't see signs of any recession here. It took me 20 minutes to get out of the mall after we found the car.

How's your business going? Is it growing fast, or is is stagnant? This is always our busiest month of the year, and this year is no exception.Volume wise, in another day or so, my volume will be exceeding last years already with half a month to go. We are definitely growing and growing.Since they announced a recession, each month our sales have increased.

I'm sure there are a lot of people focused on that recession, and those that do focus on that, will see the negatives. I don't listen to negative news and I focus first on things I CAN control and do something about. I expect the best, so I get the best.

Are you growing your business, or are you focused on the negatives?

Remember if you think you can or if you thank you can't you are absolutely RIGHT. You get what you look for. Focus on what you can do and do it now.

If you are in the network marketing business, it is the best time in the world to work fast and grow. People out there are hurting and need help. People with JOBS are not secure. IF they have a job it's a great time to help them start something on the side so that they can build security, in case that company decides to shut their doors.

Don't live in gloom and doom, share the light. Show others now while there is time for them to start. Don't wait till it's to late. Reach out and help someone today. It's the holiday time. Time for giving and sharing. Don't stop working and growing your business, just cause it's the holiday.

Holidays are the best time of the year and the best time to reach out and help others. It's the best time of the year.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Boy am I behind the times

I've been learning a bit about the blog directory type things, it's kind of interesting.

I found this cool one called blogarama. If you have a Blog you might want to check them out. Looks like a cool thing to do so Iisted my blog with them.

Monday, November 24, 2008

List your blogs

blogarama.com

Happy Thanksgiving

Just want to take a minute to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Don't eat too much turkey. Good luck with your holiday shopping on Black Friday.

Everyone is talking about the "recession" but I'm not seeing any recession here, cause I refuse to participate. I hope you will join me in lack of participating in that nonsense.

See you at the top everyone.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Holiday's are ahead

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Just go to the store and see. Christmas trees are all around
and we have not even had Halloween.

It's a great time to start thinking of finding an easier way to
get your holiday greetings out. What if there was a way
you could do that right from the comfort of your home,
without going to a store?

What if you could create a beautiful family photo and make
it into a holiday card, or newsletter and send it with the
click of a mouse right to the postal mail box.

Well, you can... If you want. Ask me how. I'll be happy
to let you try a few free. All you need to do is ask me

If you're looking for Christmas Cards, Thanksgiving cards,
or Hanukkah I can show you how to send out those special
custom holiday cards, get them done now in under 30 minutes
and have more time to enjoy the holidays.

Give me a call at 813-987-2688 and I will show you. Put me
to the test, and let's talk about it.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Keeping up a blog

I've been very bad about keeping up my blog. I really mean to write articles and share ideas, and post to my blog, but somehow life gets in the way. I'm just very busy and having fun helping others learn how to be successful.

As our economy has been going backwards, more and more people want to learn what they can do to earn extra income or keep ahead of the game. I for one have refused to particpate in what they say is a recession. I'm in the greeting card business. I help people with their holiday greeting cards. I also help them with normal every day events like birthdays and anniversaries, weddings and deaths. No matter what they want to remember their friends and relatives.

Even when money is tight, and times are tough, people still want to send out cards. Here it is October already and the holiday season is coming quickly. I was in the store last month and was shocked to see Christmas trees for sale in September. I was really taken aback, thinking I had my calendar mixed up.

What I learned is merchants are trying to capitalize on the season and get people spending money. In my business, I know people still want to send out their holiday greeting cards. Since I can save them time money and gas, It is a no brainer. I can help them with their cards and gifts, and I can even help them make additional income if they want to make it.

It's a win win for everyone.

Hope your holiday season is the best one ever. Let's ignore the gloom and doom and just go make things happen. Let's make a difference.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Have you ever heard it said, people don't care how much you know till they know how much you care? It's very true. It's not what you know, sometimes it's who you know.

How to you get to know great people? Simple.....try networking. Many people join networking groups and events, and spend several days a week attending meetings, to get connected. That's all well and good if you have lots of spare time. I've found that running around just does not work for me.

To me, having to get out, get dressed up, drive to hotel meetings or groups, is just not something I enjoy doing. Don't get me wrong I love meeting people, and helping them but I've found the online world is much more fun and you're not limited to your local city or back yard.

I absolutely prefer the INTERNET. You can meet some of the greatest people online. You can network online just as you do offline. Today there are tons of communities, and places to go online to meet people, and build some great relationships.

A year or so ago, I met a great guy that was pretty new online. We chatted from time to time and I watched as he learned and became a real star at networking, coaching and mentoring people. He's now teaching others what he learned and doing an excellent job of it.

His name is Forest Marie. He writes a great newsletter with some fabulous advice and guidance. I think you'll enjoy his articles and learn a lot. Forest openly shares his knowledge. He's pretty amazing.

After all, it's about helping others. If you help enough others get what they want, you will succeed by default and never have to worry about it.

Hope to see you all at the top one day in the near future.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Blogging

I know lot of folks blog. They write articles and
some even hire people to write FOR them. I'm not
one of them.

I'm also not the best at keeping my a blog, as you can
tell this one is about 4 years old. Life just gets in
the way.

I started in Network Marketing a good 14-15 years ago.
I had my share of ups and downs. It's only been the last
7 or 8 that I've been doing this for a full time living.

You'd think I'd have tons of time to keep up a simple thing
like a blog, but for some reason I just never do. I stay
pretty busy with my team and helping them succeed. To me
their success is most important.

In this industry you learn it's NOT about you. It's about
others. Help others an you succeed. Put yourself first
and become a BORE and you will fail.

I do have articles over at my personal site that I do keep
up better than my blots. If you would like to read some,
just visit .

Meantime, I hope to be better at this blogging, but just
don't hold me too it.

Life is busy...but life is good.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

How Is YOUR Belief Level?

Do you think you CAN be a success or do you have doubts? It's not what you are or who you are that makes a difference but it's what you THINK you are. If you think you can, or if you think you can't, you are exactly right.

Have you ever seen a person that is highly successful, yet to you they look like a dork? They don't seem all that smart, yet they make a LOT of money. Then you see another person, dressed to the hilt, and mortgaged to the bone, that seems to be beautiful and smart, yet they are dead broke. WHY? ATTITUDE and BELIEF.

It's your attitude that determines your success and your future. It's all between your ears.

If you truly believe in your heart in what you're doing and where you're going, that belief will trigger your enthusiasm, and that will literally explode. Enthusiasm, passion and belief can carry you any place you want to go.

Have you ever heard anyone say "Ignorance on fire is much better than knowledge on ice any day of the week"? It's the pure and simple truth.

If you're excited about something and you know where you're headed people will come for miles around to join you and want to do what you're doing. If you do NOT believe in what you're doing, why would anyone else? People want to be around those with vision and passion.

We all have good days and bad days, ups and downs, but what will carry your thru is your passion and love for what you're doing as well as your belief level. When I'm feeling sad, I stop, start to count my blessings and think of only good things. I state my goals in the present tense, and read them daily. I focus on where I'm going as if I'm already there, and it propels me along.

I had a call yesterday from a girl, that wants to join my business (eventually). I say eventually because every time she calls, the first words out of her mouth are what is wrong today. She says she will save up the money to start her business, but this month the car broke down, last month the TV broke (like who would not be richer without a TV), or she had medical bills, but one thing after another. She is so focused on what is wrong, she is attracting other things to her.

Personally, these things happen in life to everyone, yet, it's how you react and how you focus that makes the difference. If you are always saying you are broke or don't have the money for something (no matter what) you never will. You have to reach beyond those circumstances, and start to act and live as if you DID have the money, believe that you are moving ahead. When you believe that, all heaven and earth will open.

Years ago, when I was struggling, having quit my job way too soon. I had a belief that I would succed but I made many bad choices and spent a few years struggling. I watched one mlm after another crash and burn, till I hit rock bottom. I didn't know where I was going but I KNEW it was NOT going to be back into that JOB world I left. I believed I would climb out of the whole, find a company that truly cared about distributors, and was honest and ethical. I was not asking much just that they paid on time, had good products and were fair to all. I had a belief I WOULD find it and I would do well in time.

It didn't happen over night but 3 years ago I found my dream company, jumped in and went to work and today I'm doing very well. I have been blessed to find a team of fantastic people to work with, and was honored to be named distributor of the year by my company last month. It was really an honor that has to go to my team, they are amazing people and I love all of them. I love the company, the product and everything has been going well. It truly started with a dream and a belief, and it happened because I KNEW it would.

When you hit bottom, remember, the only way you can go is UP, and it's your choice. You can chose to win or you can chose to WHINE. You can complain or you can do something about it. It's all up to you and it all starts with your belief.

So what about you? Where are you headed? What do you believe you can do? If your attitude stinks, change it. Only you can do that. If bills are getting you down, believe you can make that change and take action to make it happen.

Say this every day: "If it's to be, it's up to me." You can change your future if you believe you can. You can make a difference in the world, if you take action. NOTHING Starts without you putting thing in to motion, but I know that if I can do it, anyone can. I had no special skills, talents or anything more than a desire for things to change, and a willingness to take action and make it happen. I knew and believed I had to do something, didn't know what or how, but the belief fueled me into action and here I am.

POOF….. You ARE what you believe. Go to work and change the world, one person at a time. Make a difference. You can do it. You are special.

I hope to see you at the top one day.

Diane "AKA MLMBlonde" Walker is a professional network marketer and author who has built her business using the power of the internet. She has also developed MULTIPLE income streams and is committed to helping others reach their dreams. She has a book coming out soon. For notice when it releases, go to http://jackanddianebook.com

For more articles by MLMBlonde visit http://mlmblonde.com

Reprinting this article is permitted with this footer included. Copywrite 2007 - Legendary Ventures

Friday, July 06, 2007

Be Accountable To Yourself

I was talking with one of my team earlier today and the subject came up of accountability. She shared with me it has taken her all this time to learn what it really takes to grow a business, and that is being accountable to herself.

As I thought of it, I thought that makes TOTAL sense. Think about this… if you want to build a business the top thing you need to do is take action. Many people take the action to start, and many go out and start sharing their business. They talk to lots of people, but they fail to follow up.

They also plan to work on their business. Sometimes they plan to but then the phone rings. It's someone inviting them to a movie, or out to dinner, or maybe a shopping trip. They think about that offer, and say to themselves, I'll work when I get back and go out just for a little while. After all, many work a JOB during the week so growing a business is in the spare time. Yet all too often they never get back to follow up with those they talked to. They spend time making excuses for themselves.

When they start they are all gun ho for a week or so, then, when things come up they need to do, they do not hold themselves accountable. Ask them if they are working their business or how it's going. They will say, fine. Ask them how much time they worked, and they begin backpedaling. They will say, they MEANT to work last week, but they were "tired" or they sneezed once so they must be coming down with a cold. Maybe their wife or husband, "demanded" they come watch a movie. They would have worked their business, but the MALL was calling them, or they thought they would watch one TV show before starting and fell asleep. When they woke it was too late, so they put it off another day. Or else, they could not make that phone call, because they misplaced the number. Then need to clean the office and get "organized". They are afraid to pick up the phone because the person they are calling might not be home, or might be eating, or whatever excuse they tell themselves.

I say if you want to make an excuse ANY will do. Just make a list of all the excuses you make, copy it and give it to your business partner and then when you find your business is not growing, you won't have to waste time making excuses, just say EXCUSE # 10 and move on.

If you ever intend to grow a business, you must be accountable. If you do not hold yourself accountable, you'll never make it in this business or any other. If you had a JOB, and decided to show up when you felt like it, you'd not have a job long.

If you commit to working 10 hours a week on your business, DO IT. Budget your time so you spend 10 PRODUCTIVE hours each week. Productive means talking to prospects about your products or services, and following up. The fortune is in the follow up. If you don't take time to follow up, you will one day run into that person you talked to at a meeting sponsored by someone else or worse yet, one day arrive at a company convention to find that person you "judged" as not interested is the key note speaker and lead distributor.

I've seen much in my career. I've seen MANY people that have told me they didn't follow up because they didn't want to bug anyone, only to later run into that same person and find they joined with someone else. The fortune is in the follow up and consistency. Learn to be accountable first to yourself and watch your business grow.

Speaking for myself, there have been many times over the years that I did NOT feel like working. It happens to everyone, you just get "lazy". I have found when I don't feel like working, I read my commitments and MAKE myself work anyway, and when I do, I'm always glad later I did. I take time off to enjoy life, but I also show up to work my business when I planned and don't let things get in my way. Stay on track, and over time, you'll be glad you did.

Early on you do have to work long and hard to get your business growing. If you want to have a future, it starts and ends with you. NO EXCUSES, just make it happen. Be accountable to yourself and you'll be glad you did.
I've always said you can make money or excuses but never both.

Hope to see you at the top one day.

Diane "AKA MLMBlonde" Walker is a professional network marketer and author who has built her business using the power of the internet. She has also developed MULTIPLE income streams and is committed to helping others reach their dreams. She has a book coming out the in a few months that will give a realistic look at our industry. http://mlmblonde.com

Reprinting this article is permitted with this footer included. Copy write 2007 - Legendary Ventures

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Sticking it Out - Will you?

So many people just get blown out of the water and fail simply because they didn't stick around long enough to have success. Success is the result of good old fashioned work and effort.

What about you?

Did you ever decide you'd like to change things? Maybe you're sick and tired of making your boss rich? Sick of being told to get up and go to work day in day out, rain or shine and not enjoying your job. You may want to do something different, but what?

You look around. You begin to think "maybe, just maybe", you could find something to do that could help you break free of that hum drum existence. You see something that seems "easy" so you sign up and get started with a network marketing company or some affiliate type program that you could work online and you jump in, with little or no experience.

You're excited! You think you found the answer to freedom. You tell a few people and they laugh at you, and tell you you're crazy. They burst your bubble but you set out to prove them wrong.

A few months pass, and you find you're not rich, and retired and the "work" gets old. After all you have a day "job" and then may have to come home and work on learning a 2nd career…so you start to fade away. Friends invite you out for a night on the town and it's much more inviting than trying to build your business, so you go. You drift away and you eventually either give up, OR see another offer where the grass looks greener so you jump over there. You start over again and again, maybe with 2 or 3 different opportunities, but NONE make you rich, so you give up. You decide this won't work.

On the flip side of the coin, maybe you did sponsor a few people, but with a few people, you still are not rich and this is too hard, so you quit.

I find that SAD. Many times, those that gave up, and quit, left behind someone they sponsored that went on to do well, and that one person could have made the difference in their life. Many times it's NOT who you sponsor, but maybe someone they sponsor or someone that leads you to a person that becomes a great leader. However, remember you quit, so you don't even know it. Some of the best leaders on my team, came to my organization as a result of people that gave up.

I made a vow to myself 15 years ago when I decided to break out of the working world, and learn about this industry they call network marketing. That vow was this, "no matter how hard it gets or how many times I have to start over, I will NEVER QUIT. I saw that there really were people that were earning a living and many of them I saw were really kind of goofy people. I thought, it they could do it, I could too.

I never bought in to those stories of billionaires, and that. I also found many times there are stories about lifestyles and most of the time, while they may be true or semi true, the stories are NOT stories but more paid advertisements. I never bought into that kind of thing. I found that misleading. The masses do NOT make millions,however, what if you could make a decent living? What if you could replace your full time income in a few years? What if you could make a little more than your full time income but work for yourself instead? That's more realistic and that is more reality.

Sure there are millionaires in our industry, just like there are millionaires in every industry, but at what price? To get that kind of income takes much hard work, much effort. In the traditional world it may even take 6 or 8 years of expensive colleges, and also starting at the bottom and working your way up, and it's not easy. Why would anything think that becoming a millionaire in the networking industry would be an easy task? IT IS NOT and most people won't make it to the top of ANYTHING but it a job or be it network marketing. It's doable of course, but it's really more of a pipe dream.

Now… if you are truly serious, and you want to build a residual income that comes in and grows over time like interest in the bank, you can do it but you MUST be realistic. You must work. You must find a product you can believe in and you must sell it. YES I said sell. I do not care what business you're in, you are either selling a product or a service, or there is no business. A real business depends on people moving products.

Even if you have a JOB in accounting, someone in your company must be out there selling "SOMETHING" or your company is not going to be around long. You also had to sell, no matter what you do. If you went on a job interview, you had to sell them on hiring you. I don't know why people get scared when someone mentions "SALES". The world revolves around sales. No company survives without sales.

To be successful, you must be willing to get started with whatever you choose. You also must be willing to stick it out. The quote I live by (and I don't know who started it but it's been my very existence) is simply "Quitters Never Win and Winners Never Quit".

I chose NOT to quit. I chose to stay thru thick and thin. I decided if I stuck around long enough eventually I would find a winner of a company and product and move forward to build it. I had to start over many times but I never gave up and never let anything stop me and today I'm glad I did. What about you?

Remember…we all have the same choices. It's what we chose that makes the difference. You can chose to stay where you are in that job, and learn to live with it, love it and hope they don't downsize you….or you can chose to find something you can do to become independent, and build a future.

I am thankful I chose the later. My family on the other hand, chose the first "JOB world". This past year was a nightmare for both my kids. It breaks my heart to see, but they are of the menality that network marketing is like the company that started it all years ago, and they just don't believe in it even though they know I make a good living at it.

In 2007, I watched as both my son, and than later my son-in-law's companies came along and downsized them right out of their jobs that they had worked hard at to advance with. My son was fortunate enough to find another job within 2 months, and "start over" with a lesser salary where he can work his way back up. He also had to relocate and is presently stuck with a 500K home in another state he has to work on selling. This is the 4th time this has happened to him in his career. He has worked his tail off for the companies, and worked up running million $$$ operation only to have his head on the chopping block when they don't need him anymore or want to "cut back"

My son-in-law just lost his last "job" about a week ago. This has happened to him in the 15 years they have been married at least 5 times. He was relocated about 7 years ago to the north and a year later the company that sent him there downsized and closed that operation and he found himself without a job for the 2nd time in as many years. Each time he manages to find another "JOB" work hard, turn around operations for the company, and they take all his ideas, and suggestions, use them and then find someone that will work for less. This time, it is the company he WAS with, had a merger, they came in with all their own management staff. They downsized the entire company management and brought in their own… demoting everyone from the prior company and keeping them on…. (For 6 months or so). As soon as they learned about the new company they bought, they canned EVERY person from the old company cause they could now operate for less with people they didn't have to pay. So he's back in the JOB market.

Both of these are my "family". This is the "family" that has watched me build an income in network marketing thinking I'm not working, cause I don't report to a JOB. They also within the 4 or 5 companies they each were promoted thru got transferred to other states. Both were top performers in their companies so many times got sent on "trips" with company management, cruises and such and of course, I was the one to fly up and take care of the grandkids when they went. I didn't mind, I love traveling and I can work any place I have a cell phone and laptop…but again, perception. They think I don’t "work".

I say all this to say, many times your family can be your worst critic. Many times they don't GET it. Many times they think that JOB is security…but is it?

To me the reality is what I see, and in the Corporate America world these days there is NO Security. IMHO, I watch as big companys chop jobs, and ship our job over seas. Ever call for an air reservation, or a computer question these days and not be able to talk to a person that you can understand? Call your hotline for service? You talk to machines, that press 1 for this and go into a loop forever before finally gettting a live person. I'm not at all prejudiced, but I would like to talk to a LIVE person, that can speak fluent English. After all I live in America and am calling an American company. Bottom line, the companies are farming out our jobs overseas, cause they can pay peanuts and they only care about the bottom line $$$ so where is the security in that?

For my kids and family they are still trying to hang on to the past where you went to work for 40 years and retired with a gold watch. I think that only exists today in fairy tales. We have to carve our own future. If you have a good paying job today, consider yourself fortunate and blessed, but also stay on your toes because they may decided to hire someone for less and you may be out the door, just as my kids were this year.

Who's better off, them or me?

I could have quit early on, when people laughed at me or told me I was nuts. I could have easily thrown in the towel when companies failed me and closed, or I found out they were NOT what they said. Companies in network marketing are no better or worse than the corporate world in some cases so you do have to do your homework and find the right fit. However, with the skills and education I've gotten plowing thru the failures and weighing the options, I am thankful I didn't give up and stuck it out.

You have the same choices and same options. The thing is will you stick with it or will you give up and quit when the going gets rough. It is NOT an overnight thing, you will NOT be rich over night. You can make a living at this but it may take time to learn. If you are willing to get started and vow to NEVER a quit, you can become all you want to be.

I challenge you … take action. Action is the key and the future is here. Too many people put off making decisions, and then the years pass and they life in regrets. They WISH they had listened 2 or 3 years ago, but then again the only time you have is NOW. If you're considering doing something, do it NOW. Don't wait because tomorrow could be to late. Today is all any of us have.

Hope to see all of you at the top. Find something you love and get started carving out a future and don't wait another day. DO IT NOW!

Diane

Diane "AKA MLMBlonde" Walker is a professional network marketer and author who has built her business using the power of the internet. She has also developed MULTIPLE income streams and is committed to helping others reach their dreams. She has a book coming out the later part of 2007. Watch for the publication.

Click Here To learn more about MLMBlonde

Reprinting this article is permitted with this footer included. Copy write 2007 - Legendary Ventures

Friday, July 07, 2006

Are You a Member of the DRA

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Communication is Key

When you are building a business communication is a key. Keeping in touch with customers, or prospective buyers is very important. Email these days has become so abused, that it not longer is of any great value.

Ecards are cool yet not quite as effective as REAL cards. In addition as of late e-cards are not always safe, and many have sent viruses instea of greatings.

Sometimes people feel real cards are quite time consuming, yet I found a great new way to send real cards at the click of a mouse. REAL cards get printed, stamped and set for me, from http://mailoutcards.com It's a fabulous new service.

Communication is the key to your success.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Happy New Year all

This is going to be the best year of my life, things are falling in place and really rocking. NEVER give up on your dreams. Thought I'd share with some of you this great new traffic generator, that will help you with whatever it is you're building online. It is pretty cool. Try your free add today and start off 2006 with a big bang.

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Monday, December 19, 2005

Busy Busy Season

I love holidays. They are such fun but they are also a pain, as time seems to be so busy we never seem to get any thing done. This year is no exception.

One thing to be thankful for though is in FLorida at least we have not had a hurricane yet in December. It's getting here so we only have a good 5 months of freedom from watching for those silly things, and packing up and unpacking. It's been quite nuts lately. I'm hoping next season is better.

Have all of you sent out your holiday greeting cards, yet? I was glad to get my 800 or so done and out. Now I can relax, and just finish up my shopping, wrapping and all that other fun stuff.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Friday, December 16, 2005

Holidays are here

OMG, you can tell how busy it is this season. I have not even had time to visit my own blog. Christmas cards are BOOMING, business is rocking.

Have you sent your holiday cards yet? If not you can send a free one on me and try out this cool service I found called SendOutCards

Let me know what you think.

This blog is sponsored by GreetingCardLady a SendOutCards Affiliate