If you were like me you found yourself frequently getting overwhelmed trying to figure out how to effectively promote your business, what training to get, and actually implementing what you learned. You also may have run into some snags along the way because you didn’t understand small key parts of the training that weren’t explained well or were left out altogether.

There is so much information to tap into online. I found myself learning all kinds of marketing techniques and just feeling scattered, unfocused, and unproductive. I needed a system that was streamlined and simple. It also needed to be easy to duplicate for my team members.

I found a few systems that had parts of this but it wasn’t free. I first had to be a member of their team and be in their MLM downline before I had access to their training. The marketing information (although weak) was there at a price but the support still wasn’t there. So many times I found that even though they said they would be there for me, they weren’t.

I wanted to find free training that had value and more importantly I wanted to find effective methods that I enjoyed doing. Some of the methods I learned were just not right for me. That was another reason that I didn’t implement a lot of what I learned because I dreaded actually doing it. I didn’t want to look at my marketing as a necessary evil.

I finally found the support and simple system that I was looking for. I’m so glad I found them too because I learned that what I was “saying” in my marketing was actually not “attractive” so it didn’t really matter what marketing methods I used, it wasn’t going to be as effective. Those same mistakes I was taught for so many years is what I see everyone else doing too. I now know why there is over a 90% failure rate in home business start-ups.

They took the time to get to know me and help tailor a marketing plan that was right for me. They kept it simple and the support was there if I needed it. I don’t have to pay them anything, I don’t have to join their company, there’s no “selling” going on, and what I have learned is priceless.

If any of my marketing frustrations sound familiar to you I’m sure you can see the value in finding the right system that is simple and fits your needs. If you are building a team you also know how important it is to be able to direct your team to something that is totally duplicatable.

I challenge you to Stop the Marketing Madness! Get back to simple. It may save you many headaches and heartaches.

You’ve heard the saying “Ignorance is bliss”, well that saying may be true in some situations but definitely not when it comes to choosing a company for your home business.

You know that having residual income for years to come from one single transaction is definitely the way to go. No more trading hours for dollars at the J-O-B. But did you know that you may be setting yourself up for failure if the company doesn’t have certain attributes?

Surely you (unlike me, ha ha) have never chosen a company because you fell for the hype from the “expert” because the company pays daily, or because you “looove” the product, or the best one yet – because it was crucial to get in now during the prelaunch?!

Did you know that some companies’ pay plans are set up to reward the “big hitters” and not the part-timers? Do you know how many distributors you would need to bring on board or how much product you would have to sell to bring in $5,000 or $10,000 per month? You might be surprised at that number – if they can even give you one. And some companies will take away your residual income if you aren’t bringing in so many distributors per month or quarter.

The pitfalls are numerous – so don’t fall prey to unscrupulous business practices. And let me tell you, even some of the better known companies are practicing this stuff. Dennis, a business associate of mine had built up a quite sizeable monthly residual income and lost it all because the policies and procedures stated they could terminate any distributor at their own discretion – and they did!

Can you imagine the frustration of finding out your company doesn’t have your best interests at heart? It wasn’t until I became a critical thinker and put into practice what I learned in Success In 10 Steps that I finally had reassurance that I was standing on a solid foundation with my MLM company.

Download your free copy of Success In 10 Steps now at:

http://www.jillcaldwell.successin10steps.com 

If you have made the decision to start your own home business and jumped onboard with the perfect company and the perfect products you are probably excited and anxious to get the word out. This opportunity is perfect and you know that everyone that hears about it is going to “see it” like you did.

But wait a minute. People will actually be interested and you think you will need to know all the answers. You need to know all about the company, the management, the products, the costs, what do the products do, how does the shipping work, what about the compensation plan, what’s in the back-office, what’s in the policies and procedures… and the list goes on. So you put off your marketing strategies until you can study a little bit more…

You’ve studied some more, a week or so has passed now you’re ready to do some marketing. Well there’s definitely a learning curve there. What works the best and gives quick results, is it easy or complex, what is your upline doing, and so another week passes…

 This is a real business so you think you need to set up a real office. Let’s get set up right. You go shopping and buy all the little tools and supplies you will need to be organized. Wow – that was expensive and you haven’t made your first dime yet. If you like it organized you can spend another couple of days just arranging and rearranging.

And if you’ve bought leads that phone headset is like a fifty-pound weight because you’ve heard it’s a numbers game and you will have to go through a lot of no’s to get to those yes’s.

Now you’re thinking you may have bit off more than you can chew. You’re enthusiasm has waned and now you are even second guessing your decision to even start this thing.

Now that I have scared you to death I must tell you that it does not have to be that complicated! In fact it can be quite simple. The secret is – it’s not about the company or the products or even about you. When you learn to attract interested people to you, listen to their needs and know exactly what to say and where to direct them, you don’t have to know it all or “sell”. It can be really simple and enjoyable, and the best thing is – It Works!

Call me at the number below or to find out more go to:

http://jillcaldwell.mentoringforfree.com

Listen to this hilarious poem read by my friend Bob Bassett. I’m not sure but he may have written it as well. It’s style is reminiscent of Dr. Seuss’s poems. I heard a few things in there that really hit close to home for me – ha ha.  

Getting Ready To Get Ready - Audio  

In Mark 4:3-8, Jesus says:
“There went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”

Did 2009 live up to your expectations? 

Chances are you had very good intentions but did you find that not all you wanted for the year materialized?  Looking back at the year and reassessing, although it may be daunting, is necessary. There may have been some unexpected challenges that fell in your path that were beyond your control. But hopefully you can pick yourself up, brush yourself off and look forward with renewed optimism.

This is not the time to be critical of ourselves but this assessment is just a tool that you can use to create a better future. Look at what has taken you further away and closer to your goals. Be sure to include your successes no matter how small.

 Did you have any goals? 

I’ve learned that we do need goals. Someone said “Life will not go according to plan, if you do not have a plan!”  Your goals should be very specific with steps written out on how you are going to get there and refer to them often. If you really want to go the extra mile you could actually view pictures (with you in them if possible) of the goal you are wanting to achieve. Really look at the picture and imagine the thrill as if you’ve already achieved it. That may sound a little “woo-woo” but stranger things are being proven these days.

Here are 6 questions to ask to help identify your goals:

                 1. What is the specific goal that you want to achieve?

                 2. Why do you want to achieve this goal?

                 3. Where are you currently starting from as it relates to this goal?

                 4. How will you achieve this goal? List each individual action step

                     and deadline.

                 5. Who will be involved in helping you achieve this goal? Identify

                     their specific role.

                 6. When will you achieve this goal? Identify a specific date.

Something that gets between a lot of us and our goals is our limiting self-talk. We may actually be sabotaging our success with negative thoughts about doing or achieving something. If there are any fears or doubts about doing a task to reach a goal you can bet you’re going to hear that little negative voice telling you “You can’t!” and throw a bunch of silly excuses in your way.  Recognize that it’s just your fear talking and you can override it by negating that thought with a positive one. Give yourself some encouragement and even speak it out loud. 

 Even the tiny steps you take to move forward builds over time and will propel you to your dreams.  Be consistent with taking steps forward no matter how small and believe that you will get there.

Another helpful tool is evaluating the “Wheel of Life”. Below is an example. Draw your own and fill up each area depending on your level of satisfaction starting at 1- extremely unsatisfied up to 10- extremely satisfied. You may find that your wheel is a little out of balance and some areas need more attention. It’s also good to re-asses every three months or so.

Let’s be kind to ourselves and know that we can start 2010 stronger, wiser and with more positive determination than ever before.

Also – don’t forget to have The Attitude of Gratitude daily.

I am looking forward to a wonderful 2010, I hope you are too!

  

It’s so easy (especially this time of year during the holidays) to let stress get the better of us. There’s more traffic and more people than ever in a hurry and being rude. This compounded with the stresses of the over-scheduled calendar, under-funded bank account, and gift buying can make anyone a little testy.

Every year when Christmas is coming I say this will be the year that it will all run smoothly and I will get through it feeling calm and peaceful. I am improving slightly if I make a strenuous effort – ha ha, but it is compounded with my sons birthday being 2 weeks before Christmas. (I guess I will always have an excuse.)

If you feel this way, do you know the destructive affect this is having on you and your health? If you give into these negative feelings and stressors you are allowing your body to go into the “fight or flight” mode which served us well thousands of years ago but not so much now (unless you need to react quickly to miss that little old man going 40 miles per hour on the interstate).

During this “stress” mode most of your bodily functions (like digestion and blood flow to the brain to name a few) are severely impaired. You are literally “dumbed down” and I think you know what that can lead to! Being brain power impaired and angry doesn’t mix well. Detrimental adrenaline and other chemicals are dumped into the blood stream and if repeated, over time will wreak havoc on your whole system causing a cascade of serious health issues.

I hope you will take a serious look at yourself and know that you are in control of your feelings, emotions and reactions. Yes, negativity may rear it’s ugly head but recognize it quickly and put it in check.

I am reminded of a new project my son is doing now. He is in a group that must work together to create a story with a “flip”. I hadn’t heard “flip” used in this way before but it is a place in the story when the main character has a change of heart. For example what happens in the story “The Scrooge” to make him change from being a humbug to a happy and giving person is the flip.

Now I am not saying you are a Scrooge, but you probably know where you could make some adjustments. I like to take the attitude of gratitude and I can literally say I have had an attitude adjustment or a “flip”. Life is a gift from God and we should treasure it. I make an effort to think of things everyday that I am grateful for.

When you spend more time in gratitude you will experience a shift. I know of a friend that received a gratitude stone as a gift. She carries it with her and it is a reminder to find everyday things to be grateful for.

We can even live in gratitude by giving. When we can give a gift freely without expecting anything in return we are truly in the attitude of gratitude. At the same time if someone gives you a gift even as small as a compliment, accept it graciously and let them know how much you appreciate it.

There will always be stress in our lives but how we react to it is the true test of who we really are. Stay in the attitude of gratitude to God every day and you will be rewarded greatly. 

This video is pretty goofy but it cuts to the heart of what people need to feel validated! It made me smile - I hope it does you too.

And one more thing…

You are amazing!

You are a very special person and you deserve the best!

My friend David Wood posted a great recording on his blog.

This is an older recording from Dave Severn titled “Pigs Don’t Know Pigs Stink”.

He tells some very inspirational and humorous stories of those with dreams and those without dreams. It comes back from the days of the Amway “craze” but still holds the same truths today.

Click on the picture to go to his blog post, then click on the video to listen.
 

or go to:   http://workwithdavidwood.com/pigs-dont-know-pigs-stink/

ENJOY!

This came from someone I look up to and admire - Diane Hochman