What is a personal growth plan

That question was posed to me the other day. And then I saw the same question today. I took this as an element of “synchronicity” (see blog about The Artist’s Way) and decided maybe I better evaluate and think about my “Personal Growth Plan”.

You may ask, like I did a while back, what IS a personal growth plan?
This is a plan that you have developed to help you grow as a leader and as a person.
The plan should include:

1. Identifying key areas of your life that you wish to develop.
2. Find resources to help you in those areas.
3. Setting aside planned time each day for your personal development.
4. Surrounding yourself with mentors or other like minded people to encourage you on the journey.

A few resources you may enjoy:
The Success Journey by John C Maxwell
Make Today Count by John C Maxwell
Personal Development by Jerry Lopper

For a 3 year plan to Personal Development download, print and begin reading this!

In other words, a personal growth plan is growth – and it will not come overnight! It is a daily journey!

Happy Trails to You!!!

The Go Giver – Law of Receptivity

Our last law was the Law of Receptivity – The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

What are your thoughts on this law?
Were you able to apply it this week?

To recap, here are the The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success:

The Law of Value
The Law of Compensation
The Law of Influence
The Law of Authenticity
The Law of Receptivity

If you enjoyed this book, then be aware that the author’s have another releasing this week February 18th. “Go – Givers Sell More”
You can visit here http://www.gogiverssellmore.com/ and download the first chapter.

The Law of Receptivity.

THIS is a hard one for me to accept. I was brought up just as mentioned in the book – with the teaching “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Isn’t it funny, how even though there weren’t any words after the phrase, our brain interprets and puts the words “so just give and give, but don’t receive anything, because then you aren’t a good person if you are expecting to GET”.

I really liked the way Pindar explained the law of Receptivity in conjunction with needing to inhale AND exhale breath.

I had to read the pages twice to really let it sink in….and I think it’s still sinking…..

So, last week, something so simple as allowing my mom to make dinner for us two nights. It was HARD to do. She is 65. I’m younger. I should be caring for her. She has mediocre health. I should be the one preparing meals FOR my parents, not accepting meals. But, I decided this week to let her do it – and just give a hearty THANK YOU.

Is it as easy as that to apply the law? And how does it all come full circle?
I don’t KNOW YET! But, I know it will!

And now with these laws under my belt, I’m ready to start applying them in all facets of my life!

LOST – How to find a home based business

If you are aware of pop culture – or see the ads on television, then you know that here in the United States a very popular show will be airing it’s last season. The show? LOST.
It all started with a crash landing of they airliner Oceanic 815 on a “deserted” island. The entire 6 seasons have spanned not only the island but other foreign countries. There have been deaths, life, exploration, personal relationships, drama, a little bit of dry wit comedy. And I suppose the ultimate question will be, are the all doomed to be “lost” in some way, or will they finally be “found”?

When looking for a home based business, you may feel a little lost as well.
There are so many choices – so many decisions. It can be overwhelming!

You probably already know that this is a tedious process, and some promise instant money in your pockets in less than a week. You could easily be sucked into a scam so here are a few pointers to help avoid this trap.

1 No Contact Information or Limited Contact Information. Most scam artists don’t want you to be able to locate them easily. After all, if you could find them easily, so could the authorities. That’s why they often only give an email address (usually from a free provider like Yahoo or Hotmail) and/or a post office box. On the other hand, reputable companies DO want you to be able to contact them quickly and easily. They’ll offer several ways… telephone, physical address, email, fax, etc. If you are looking into becoming a distributor with a company follow the link to the company’s main website. Look for that information there as well.

2 No Verifiable References or Testimonials. Do they list Web site addresses or email addresses for the people who supposedly gave the testimonials? Is there a way to contact the satisfied customers? Will they give you contact information willingly of satisfied customers? Remember, if the emails aren’t listed on the website, it doesn’t mean they are not available. They are just protecting their customer’s privacy! Something we all can appreciate.

3 Make Thousands With No Work On Your Part. This is the biggest lie on the Internet today. Everyone loves the idea of making thousands of dollars while they sleep. Is it possible? Yes! That part isn’t a lie. The statement that it will take no work on your part is the lie.

4 Rushing You To Make A Decision. I’m talking about the business opportunity companies that – instead of answering your questions – pressure you to go ahead and buy in.The bottom line is this: Any company offering legitimate business opportunities will want to talk with you, will want to give you all the information you need, will not give a false appearance of credibility, and will have verifiable references that you can contact. Beware of anyone who does not offer these things.

The home based business I have enjoyed working with is a Candle Company. I chose this company because I love candles and was always looking for “just the right candle”. During my searches, I was thrilled to find Scent-sations and became associated with them in 2005.
When you are looking for a company look for something that connects with you – it will be much easier to have the passion to grow your business if you enjoy the product!

Meet – Determine Your Why

Absolutely no doubt in my mind. Network marketing is not easy,
and don’t let anyone try to tell you otherwise!
You may be laughed at by friends and family members. You
also be criticized. Co-workers may show some resentment.
Joy stealers and Dream stealers doing everything to zap
the life out of you and tell you it can’t be done. Prospects WILL hang up on
you. Companies you may sign up with will go out of business.
Your Upline may ignore you, customers may complain about
product, and distributors under you will quit.

You know what? That does NOT matter IF
You KNOW your WHY and your WHY is BIG!

I remember reading a book almost 25 years ago -
it was the book about Mary C Crowly, the original
owner and founder of “Home Interiors”.
She had a saying:

“If it’s to be, it’s up to me!”

Try repeating those words:

IF IT’S TO BE, IT’S UP TO ME

AGAIN: “If-It’s-To-Be, It’s-Up-To-Me!!”

AGAIN: “IF–IT’S–TO–BE, IT’S–UP–TO–ME!!!”

YOU – YOU – YOU are the only one responsible for the success of your
business!

It doesn’t matter what anyone else does or doesn’t do, it
really comes down to you and your desire or your “WHY”.

So, before you read anything further YOU need to know
and get a vision of 100% clarity on why you are in this business.
Your “WHY” needs to be larger than life; something that will
scare the bajeezers out of you. In fact, a couple of months ago
I read someone explaining your WHY or your DREAM – and he said
that if it doesn’t SCARE you. If your WHY and your DREAM doesn’t
make you shake in your socks, then it’s not big enough.

For me it’s my husband, and our college son.
See, my husband retired out of the 9-1-1 business.
He now works “for fun” because he paid his dues for
23 years. I work in the corporate world for the assurance
of funds to put our son through college debt free.
But I see 65 and 70 year old people HAVING to work -
and I do NOT want to be 65 years old and HAVING to work.
I want a retirement – so that my husband and I will be
free to travel, spend time with our son and his family (when
he gets one), and not have every single day driven and
designated by ‘the clock” or “the man” (also known as
a 9-5 job)

This has become my WHY, and my Passion!
And network marketing is my chosen path through which
to journey to get there.

So, I challenge you. Determine YOUR WHY.

I can make one promise to you – this will be the most
important factor in determining your success in this
business.

If you have already thought about this then that is great!
Let’s visit or revisit your goals and dreams together!

So, your homework – get a notebook, one you really think is
nice and that you will enjoy writing and working in.
You will be creating your blueprint and designing YOUR
future.

What is YOUR WHY?

Meet Rejection Free Sponsoring

i don’t know where my upline found this nugget…
It touches on several different points I’ve read from several different
areas…
But here it is in a nutshell -
Enjoy the read. Learn the lessons! And I can’t take any
responsibility for any of the great content – just
sharing with you!

The Phone Is My Friend!
=======

So why don’t most people follow up by phone?
Because they’re afraid!

Why are they afraid?

Well, let’s take a look at the truth about fear.

What is it really?

F.E.A.R. => F-alse E-vidence A-ppearing R-eal!

Most people are afraid for a two reasons:

1. They are afraid of rejection

2. They don’t know what to say

It really boils down to feeling unprepared! Well, my friend,
we’re here to help you slay those dragons and conquer those
fears once and for all!

===================================
Rejection-Free Sponsoring!
===================================

Rejection is a state of mind! Here’s a fact you need to get
clear on right now! Ninety-five percent of the people you
talk to are NEVER, EVER going to join your business no
matter what! It doesn’t matter how great your company is or
how nice you are or how diligently you follow-up. Those are
the statistics.

So when you realize and accept that, you’ll no longer feel
rejected when someone says NO! You’ll simply look at is as
another person you have “disqualified” in your search for
the 5 percent. And the quicker the “No”, the better!

Success Chart

It’s the last day of the month…and IF you were one those people that were so busy
still finishing up 2009 in January…
And IF you did not set any new year changes, goals, attitudes….
And IF you are saying to yourself I don’t know where to start….

NOW is the perfect time to start!

Anything in life is met by setting goals, and doing the steps necessary to
reach the goal. Sometimes, we set those goals in our minds without even
thinking about it…it comes natural.
Such as when you were a child and you wanted to talk, and walk.

But some goals you have to decide upon.
As a child, you wanted to learn to read, to write…
As a youth maybe you wanted to be chosen as cheerleader, or on the football team
(back when I was a kid, THOSE had to be tried out for and chosen..things may
have changed by now..)

And then, as a young adult you had goals and decisions to make..
Go to college? Go to work to make a living? You set your goal,
and did it….

And now you are an adult….and it seems as though the
somewhere in the fuzz of transitioning to adulthood, the skill of
making goals and reaching them becomes lost.

At our recent Regional Conference, Dare to Dream Big In Texas one of our
presentations was on “Make your Goals and Track Them.” (as taught by
Tim Sales). I had been exposed to this training because of doing
our team’s Foundation Training…… The trainer had 20 minutes, no sweat – right?

Well, it soon became very evident, that folks from other cross line teams
had never been exposed to any type of “Goal Tracking” training.
I know this because several of them came up to me and said so.

Now, perhaps they hadn’t listened to their upline and the training is there….
Or perhaps they learned about the thought but didn’t think it was important
at the time.
BUT, as we all know to get ANYWHERE, you have to know how you are going
to GET there.
And that is what setting goals and tracking is all about!

SO, if you started your year out, and haven’t really made any plans of where
you want to be on Dec 31, 2010…You have TIME.

Tomorrow starts a brand new month. Feb, March and April will give you
89 days to begin your journey!

I encourage you find a way to track your goals.

Micheal Clouse presented a wonderful goal tracking plan that you
can use for any type goals , not just business related. This is
the tracking design he shared with us on a whiteboard… Your
Daily Method of Operation

Success_Chart_Vertical

Going Beyond the Map

Image via Wikipedia

A phrase was uttered to me on Sunday that has been reverberating in
my mind and heart….
Go Beyond the Map

The discussion was about the early explorers and the fact that their map was
incomplete. But, they didn’t really know how much or to what extent. And
it wasn’t until they began their explorations “beyond the map” that they
truly found everything “new”…
It happened with the early Spanish explorers…
It happened with early American settlers….
It happened with Lewis and Clark…..

And then, it’s more than just geographical explorations…

Think of all the medical and industrial explorations that brought
us this great life we know enjoy….

All because some people pushed themselves “beyond the map” as they
then knew it…

So, in continuing my thoughts for this new year….and this new decade…

I think it’s time I went “beyond the map”.

How about you? Are you ready?

Make goals.
Try new things.
Explore new ways to get from point A to point B.
Make a detailed list of the actions you need to DO to get there.
And do you think you don’t have TIME to get there?
Try reading the article about overcoming the no time syndrome
Time by Micheal Clouse. I bet you have more
time than you think!

The Go Giver – Laws #2 and #3

Law #2 – The Law of Compensation -
“..how many people you serve, and how well you serve them”
Law #3 – The Law of Influence
“..influence is determined by how abundantly you place
other people’s interests first.”

I was able to apply both the laws today at work.
We had a special project that needed massive action.
The company organization that needed to do it doesn’t have
a supervisor right now. There is someone filling in, but she still
has her current organization to run.
I took the initiative to help the other organization and get
“down and dirty, roll up the sleeves” and get the job done.
I placed that organizations needs (to look good by getting
their tasks done) ahead of some of my own tasks that
needed to get done. True, what THEY needed to get
done directly affected ME on Monday. BUT, 2 weeks ago,
I would have just gone on with my own huge pile of
duties on my desk. Instead, I rethought my actions
and applied the Laws. Don’t even know if anything
will result later…but I knew that I “helped the team”
and was able to walk out of the door at the end of the
day feeling good about the decisions I made.

Build your business with this thought…

“I don’t need YOUR attention….I need to have YOU attention”

A few weeks ago someone posted on their blog regarding typos and
how their Subject Title was suppose to be “…Your attention” but they
had accidentally left off the “r”. So, instead the subject line read
YOU attention. The phrase has had me thinking ever since…

About needing YOUR attention, and needing to give YOU attention.

What does this mean? It means quit looking at your business prospects
(whether it be a new retail sale, or a possible new team member)
and thinking to yourself “listen to ME, look what I have, give ME YOUR attention”,
but instead focus on THEM…what can YOU do for THEM…Give them YOU attention.

Get it?

Think about it….

My Wii Fit Fun

So, why am I enjoying my Wii Fit so much??

Well, first, I’m out of shape so anything I can do to help myself get back into
shape.
Second, I hate going to gym because I am so intimated by all those skinny young
things toned and trimmed, and there I am all…NOT young, NOT trim, and NOT
toned, lol. I do not like my routine having to be either walking in place on a
treadmill or riding a bike in place. We live in the country and walking
early in the morning or late at night is not a favored choice for me because
then I’m intimidated by the skunks and coyotes.
Third, I like the program with the Wii Fit because it’s “bite-size” portions of
exercising and I can change it up (do some strength, do some aerobics, end
with Yoga, etc).
Fourth, it’s FUN for me (but I like computers, and playing games, and game
systems) and if something is FUN you are more likely to DO IT.
Fifth, it charts my progress with the game, so no need to keep a separate
log or calendar if “when did I exercise last, for how long, and now what do
I weigh”
Sixth, as you accomplish the basics, you open up more challenging
(for instance this morning I opened up a new series of “steps” for the
step aerobics used with the balance board! Had to put in 800 steps within
a 10 minute time period)
Seventh, I know I can build up with the Wii Fit to the Biggest Loser
(Which I purchased, tried one time, and nearly collapsed on the floor, lol)

Some say the Wii Fit is “slow” but for someone (me) starting out with a
routine it’s perfect – I need the variety to keep me motivated!