So... You Want to Stay at Home? Part 2

Dealing with Fear

Part One left us in the Limbo Land of FEAR. But, in order to deal with Fear,  we need to ask oursellves "What exactly is fear and what am I really afraid of?" Some say that fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. I really dislike this acronymic definition because it trivializes what we feel. It makes our concerns seem small and it makes us self conscious. Others say that FEAR  is a human's natural instinct of sensing danger and then having a great need for safety. And that is true. When we encounter things that we don't understand (ie. direct sales) we do feel apprehensive. This is  because we haven't had experiences with it, or we have  heard about negative experiences with it or we simply don't want to do it because "i'm not a sales person". and "I don't want to be pushy".  However, I rather think that Fear is a process of thinking things through, while addressing our concerns about a given decision or situation.
The process goes through four (4) stages.:

F) ickle Feelings – being indecisive (waffling)

E) rroneous thinking – the information you thought you knew was wrong

A) rgurments from others – reasons why you shouldn’t

R) ationalizing the no and the  I don’t know – waffeling again  with the because of it all.

Each one of these steps has a solution to help you work through your decision of choosing to open direct sales business (or anything else) as a viable and valuable choice for you and your family.

Fear Solutions

I read a quote from someone the other day that goes like this: "When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change, then change will occur". I consider myself as solutions oriented, but I have to be extremely motivated to find those solutions. And that comes from my great need of safety. I can only assume that if you are reading this article, there is something in your life stiuation which might be considered painful.  (I am guessing that you wish to stay home, make money to replace and exceed  yourcurrent  income and still be comfortable and you are considering direct sales.) So, going through the F.E.A.R. process

• F:  Deal with your Fickle Feelings. Write down on a piece of paper what you feel. Acknowledge both the good feelings and the bad feelings. Once you have your list, look over it and understand why you feel this way.
• E:  Deal with your erroneous thinking. Ask for more information. Ask questions about the business and the products and/or services. Go with a perspective business partner (recruiter) to find out what is really entailed in the Direct Sales process. Go to a meeting with the perspective business partner. Ask questions of her leader. Use the wonderful tool of the internet and do the research. The point here is to get MORE information. Remember, information is power. And Power =Confidence.
• A:  Overcome the Arguments from others. That's really tricky because some people are just set in their negative thinking. In truth, they really don't want to see you hurt. And I agree. But you know what? The solution is above. While you are doing your  research, involve your staunchest critics (who just happen to be your  friends and family) and make them allies. While you get educated, they are being educated also. This will keep minds and the channels of communication open.
• R:  Overcome  the rationalizing of the no and I don't know. Do you know that a confused mind does nothing, and wafffeling causes you nothing but stress and confusion? Most people will make either a weak decision or an impulsive decision and say "O.K. I'll try." But, in the words of Yoda, "Try, there is no try. There is either do or do not." In other words Make a strong Decision  based on information and research. Once made in either case you will feel better.

Something to Think About

I recently read an article from my mentor LIsa Robbin Young which described being on the cusp of making a decision (crossing a threshold/answering the call in one's life). That decision may be starting a diredt sales business, moving to a higher level in your direct sales business, making a decision to stay at home, or it may be anything which is important to you. In that article, Lisa described people who are stuck, usually don't make  decisions. LIsa gave 10 steps to Cross the Threshold or Get Out of the Way. She stresses asking yourself these questions with ruthless honesty and No Judgement.  Here they are:

1.     Ask yourself what you really have to gain by not answering The Call for your life. Write it all down. No judgment, just ruthless honesty.

2.     Ask yourself who you truly believe is standing between you and answering The Call. Write it down, along with why you think they’re in the way.

3.     Ask yourself what you can do to clear the obstacles in your path. Get creative. Again no judgment, just creativity and honesty.

4.     Look at this list and mark off anything that will absolutely prevent you from taking the next step in your business. Anything that absolutely can’t get past to answer The Call.

5.     Now ask yourself what you have to gain by taking the step across the Threshold and starting your real journey. Write it all down. No judgment, just ruthless honesty.

6.     Ask yourself who you truly believe is standing on your side to help you Cross The Threshold. Write it down, along with why you think they’re your Friends on The Journey.

7.     Ask yourself what obstacles may come across your path on the first stretch of the journey once you cross the threshold. Think beyond your current situation, and maybe use some of the examples from above. This isn’t an exercise in conjuring worry, but rather, preparing for the potential roadblocks that are likely to come along.

8.     Look at these lists and identify which of your Friends on The Journey can help you best to handle these potential roadblocks.

9.     If you see an opening that isn’t covered, is it something you can handle? If not, set out to make a new Friend.

10.   If you get this far, congratulate yourself for all the hard work you’ve put in. It’s not easy, and most people won’t do it. Now you have enough ammo to decide if you’re going to press on or quit. But the decision is still yours to make.

So...Do You Still Want to Stay at Home? If so... It's time to Make the Decision to Cross the Threshold, Jump off the Cliff and Build Your Wings on the Way Down.

Part 3 will follow soon. Please stay tuned.

So... You Want to Stay at Home? Part 1

You're tired of your job...You can't stand your boss...You miss your kids...You hate getting up in the morning...You have too little time and waaaay too much to do...You have waaaay too much month at the end of your money...You are busteed, disgusted and you don't know who can be trusted... So...You Want to Stay at Home? And I don't blame you. But, you can't make any of your ends meet, so you'll just walk away from your dream, forget it and contimue to work a boring job, with a boss you hate, for not enough money, while getting up way too early, trusting your children to someone else and having way too much to do that it seems you don't get anything done and the thought of catching up is just simply too ridiculous for words. I say to you "Not so Fast".

You can Stay at Home!

Here's How:

It's called Direct Sales, Network Marketing and Party Plan! I know, I know... I can hear the gorans, moans and excuses. Let me be the first to say them:

• I can't sell anything.
• Will I really make any money.
• My husband/wife/significant other will kill me.
• I just can't right now.
• I just can't take that kind of chance.
• What about my real job?
• What about my education?
• Who will train me?
• What if I fail?

These are all good excuses to hold you back, keep the bosses foot on your throat, keep the wolves at your door and keep you dependent on an inadequate paycheck.

And it all boils down to FEAR!

Rightly so, but if I can show you a way to start your own business, Become a business associate in whatever business you choose, eventually gain more time with you kids, more money at the end of your month, more trust in yourself  and eventually quit your job with the inadequate paycheck, would you take the chance on yourself?

If you said a resounding YES... please read the next article.
If you said no... stop right here, don't pass go, don't collect the proverbial $200 which you can have minimally at every selling appointment.

Build Your Character to Build Your Business

 By definition,  character means (among other things):

• moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.
• qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully.
• reputation: a stain on one's character
• good repute.
• an account of the qualities or peculiarities of a person or thing.

We all have character...Right? Well we do. But,  I am talking about an acronym of how to develop and get the most out of your business.

• C - Creative - You must develop this charateristic because on amy given day at amy given time, your approach will be different. Don't get me wrong...We all have formulas for booking, selliing and recruiting, but not every customer or potential business associate will respond the same way to the same speech.
• H - Helpful - You must always be hellpful to your customers and prospective business associates; answering their questions and dealing with their concerns.
• A - Admirable - You must have this quality. If people admire you,  they will want what you have to offer, be it your product, service, or business opportunity.
• R -Rrelevance - Basically WIIFM - the "what's in it for me?" , that you  customer will want to know. How can your product, service, or business opportunity translate to something positive for your customer?
• A - Aventurous - Get out there and do something! You must be intrepid; go out and network, meet your new client or business associate.
• C - Commen Sense - A little of this will go a long way in establishing a thriving, growing business which will renew itself with new customers, business associates and cash flow.
• T - Tenacious/Thoughtful - You must be both of these. Never give up and always anticipate the changing needs of your custemer or prospective business associate.
• E - Earnest/Enthusiastic - You must be both of these. Who would want a product, sevice, or business opportunity  you did not believe in ?
• R - Reliable - You must do what you say you are going to do. "Under promise and Over deliver"~ Mary Kay Ash

So, I ask you,  Don't you see the value of building your CHARACTER to build your business? Or do you want to be the one that is referred to by "They paved paradise, And put up a parking lot"?

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