Tuesday

Determination turned to Action = Results

This blog post is relating a recent scenario to the MLM industry.  How you can be determined, turn that determination into action and then harvest the fruits of your labors and see the results.

Last Friday we had some SERIOUS winds, tumbleweeds flying by at warp speed, trees snapping, fences breaking. 

We lost a gate, had to reinforce some fence sections and I have several thousand dollars damage to my SUV from it being sand blasted during the storm.

The day after the storm... On Saturday this precious girl in the picture above came wandering by, we live close to a major highway and just could not let her keep heading the direction she was going, so we stashed her in our back yard to keep her safe.

We knew she had a home as she was clean, well fed, nails trimmed and well trained.  Now I had choices.

I could sit and let the owner come knocking on doors or I could go out there and let the owner know I had his dog.

So I printed 40 flyers off and headed out in the neighborhood.  I taped them to every mail box unit AND knocked on every door that had a fence blown down.  Now I could have let those houses with broken fences find the signs, but I went a step further and approached people by knocking on their doors.

I even went down to the corner market and hung a sign, slid a sign under the door at the Sherrif office and went and hung the rest of the flyers in my neigboring community.

Was I done?  I could have been!  I made an effort right?  BUT was the dog at home sweet home?  NO!  There was more I could do.

I came home, posted on craigslist, then posted the link from craigslist on facebook, myspace and twitter.  Again, I could have been done, but was I?  NO!

I posted a picture and info on the Washoe County Animal Services website.  Then I looked for Storey County, they did not have a website where I could post, and they were closed.  So I left a message on their phone AND emailed them with a picture and the details of where we found the dog.

Was I done?  NO!  I sat and thought if one of my beloved dogs was out, where would I be looking?  How would I be searching.  I thought of one more Animal Shelter in Lyon County, same, no website, but I called and left a message and emailed a picture too.

Sunday morning, 8 o'clock we get a call from a relieved dog owner.  She had called Lyon County and described the lost dog, they then recognized the dog by the picture I had emailed and they gave her my contact information.  A connection was made and an hour later the dog was home sweet home.

Now, had I not taken all the efforts above, this dog may still be sitting on the old couch in the garage!

Now do you see how you can take DETERMINATION and turn it into ACTION and get RESULTS?   How about applying this principle to your home business.  There is always ONE MORE step you can take, ONE MORE thing you can do, ONE MORE process you can put into ACTION.

As Nike says "Just DO it!"

Alethea Anderson
Determined Action Taker seeing RESULTS!

Saturday

"Achieving by Deleting" How Many EMAILS have you SAVED to read LATER?

Achieving by Deleting

Now I'm not talking personal emails from co-workers, family, friends, prospects, team members, etc....emails of a legitimate topic, should be dealt with within 24 hours.  After your response is sent, DELETE!

Now I'm talking about mailing lists you may be on, junk emails, and those FWD FWD FWD jokes and chain emails....

You  have to admit it, you probably have a slew of emails in your email box(es) that you've either flagged, marked as unread or sorted into folders to read later because you don't have the time right now.

Let me tell you why this is a bad idea...  Clutter, not only is untidy in your home, it also clutters the mind.  As my friend Jacqui Gates said in a recent video "Clutter is procrastination manifest".

Saving all those messages for 'when you have time' is simply stashing procrastination for a time when you need an excuse to not do what you need to do! 

For instance, have you ever had or heard this conversation...

  • "What are you doing?"
  • "Oh catching up on emails, I have hundreds in here I've not gotten to"

Yep, you know what I mean. They are going through their CRAP they saved for another day.  All while leads are waiting to be called, laundry is waiting to be folded, holiday cards are waiting to be written....

Now in all seriousness, if those messages were important enough you'd read them as they came in.  The fact that you can flag them, mark them unread or stash them  in a folder simply means they do not score high enough on your NOW chart.

In all honesty, how do you FEEL when you open your email box(es) and see all those bold messages that are looming there waiting for you to read them?   What about the flags that have gone red showing they are overdue?  How about the folders you have labeled 'important', 'read later' and so on?  The numbers next them grow day by day and odds are you are feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Now I'll admit, I am writing this note because I just went through this myself.  I literally just deleted over 1,000 messages that I had 'set aside' for future reading.  I always felt behind, like there was something I needed to complete and realized that those bold emails that greeted me every morning when I logged on for a day at the home job, all those that were sorted and flagged, were nagging me.  They were incomplete tasks cluttering my inbox and my mind, not allowing me to have a clear mind to move forward and complete the day.

So, I went in and deleted them ALL!  What types of messages were they?  They were messages from industry greats that I felt were important to read later.  They were jokes I glimpsed at that I thought I'd share another day.  They were affirmations and quotes with interesting subject lines.  They were ads and coupons I thought I'd print up and use.  Yep, over 1,000 of them! 

I feel SO much better now that they are gone!  I've made a commitment to myself, if I get a non-personal message, I will decide that moment either to read it, or delete it.  If the subject line does not capture me, then it is not meant to be!

There is no obligation to read every blog post that you follow, there is no requirement to follow every breath of the biggest name in the industry, there is no reson to feel you have to absorb every word of every email sent to you.

I challenge you to go to your email and DELETE, DELETE, DELETE!  As Jacqui Gates said in her video I noted above "it's amazing what you can accomplish in just 15 minutes".  1-2-3 GO!

Alethea Anderson
Achieving by Deleting

Friday

What the CLUCK is F.E.A.R.?

Wikipedia says that  "Fear is an emotional response to a threat. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. Some psychologists such as John B. Watson, Robert Plutchik, and Paul Ekman have suggested that fear is one of a small set of basic or innate emotions. This set also includes such emotions as joy, sadness, and anger. Fear should be distinguished from the related emotional state of anxiety, which typically occurs without any external threat. Additionally, fear is related to the specific behaviors of escape and avoidance, whereas anxiety is the result of threats which are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable. Worth noting is that fear always relates to future events, such as worsening of a situation, or continuation of a situation that is unacceptable. Fear could also be an instant reaction, to something presently happening."

Even the above note says '...is the result of threats which are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable"

What are you creating your FEAR emotion from?

Take a moment of your time to analyze FEAR and these few definitions...

  • FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
  • FEAR = False Expectations Appearing Real
  • FEAR = Fictitious Events Appearaing Real
  • FEAR = Future Events Aren't Real
  • FEAR = Forseen Events Appearing Real

My favorite is False Evidence About Reality.  Each one of these says the exact same thing, you are expecting something based on a false mental creation of the non-reality of what has not even happened yet.

It is even false FEAR when you see a spider and freak out.  But this FEAR is indeed based on emotion but seriously, that spider is not going to jump off the wall and suck your brains out.  He's on the wall, walking, and could not give a care less about you. (until he sees a wad of toilet paper heading his way) and THEN that is a true definition of fear.  He runs his 8 legged little butt off hoping not to be wall spackle, his fear is based on flight or fight and he's flying!

Now YOUR fear applied to your home business.  Now very few will actually admit that they are fearful.  They instead make up excuses as to why the business won't work for them, creating a wave of emotion, enabling themselves to QUIT without feeling guilty.

They say things like...
  • The economy is so bad here no one will buy.
  • No one can afford to join this company.
  • I just don't have time to call leads.
In reality they are saying...
  • I am too chicken to even attempt to sell anything.
  • I am too chicken to even share this opportunity.
  • I am too chicken to pick up the phone.
What is the Chicken Factor?

Chicken tastes good, but you don't look good in tar and feathers.  The Chicken Factor is when people who join a home business do everything they can to NOT succeed.  They fill their days with busy work.  (which in reality is farting around doing next to nothing actually business related) so they can FEEL as if they are accomplishing something, yet, accomplish nothing.  These Chicken Factor people will go as far as saying "I've worked this business a full ((30, 60, 90 days)) and nothing has happened.  This company sucks!  I can't believe I got SCAMMED in an MLM Pyramid.  They stole my money, I QUIT!"

(These are the ones who spread the rumors of how they failed in MLM and that all Network Marketing companies are SCAMS and that only the people at the top make all the money.)

You know what that does right?  Creates excuses and FEAR (refer to definitions above) for those who'd rather not even attempt to make their most wild dreams become reality so they too share how they know someone twice removed who 'failed' at an home business and got caught in a 'pyramid scam'.

We whom are successful in the business have a wee bit of a soft spot for those individuals, well, I do.  Some don't tolerate the ignorance for one moment!  But I know what it's like on both sides of the coin.  Having quit several businesses over the nearly 2 decades I've been in the industry, I know first how how easy it is to QUIT and lay the blame on someone else. 

  • It was the company...
  • It was my sucky sponsor...
  • It was the product, it was too expensive...

It is so much easier to pass the 'cluck' vs admitting you are a big feathery chicken!   Not until I realized it was my own F.E.A.R. that hindered my success, was I able to move forward and reach new heights.  Once you grab the bull by the horns, look him in the eyes and tell him you are ready to end the BS (i.e. look in the mirror, look yourself in the eyes and tell YOURSELF you are READY to end the BS) this is the only moment where you will shift from F.E.A.R. to moving forward.

Drop the past. Move forward, eat the chicken, tar and feathers is just not 'in' right now...

Alethea Anderson
What the CLUCK?

Thursday

You simply can NOT get from HERE to THERE without taking the steps in between...

So today I saw a video on Facebook posted by Andre J. Pickens, about how he taught himself to be a 'human beat box'.  He admitted that back when he started, he, well, was not good at it.  But, he was determined to hit a beat, so he practiced, taking baby steps, developing each beat individually, then over time blending them together and expanding.

Now he can string together beat box melodies that simply sound amazing. A talent for sure that only those who take the time to develop, ever will. Andre goes on to explain how one can apply these principals to the Network Marketing industry.  He said that 'perfection is evolution put into practice' and it makes perfect sense.  As you practice something, you get better, you evolve, you reach a new level.  The more you evolve, the better you get and the closer you get to perfection.

Now if you don't move, if you don't practice, if you don't take steps toward perfection, if you don't take steps towards evolvoing into what you want to be, plain and simple. you won't.  As you simply cannot get from here to there without taking the steps in between.

How do you want to develop your business?

Do you want to do web marketing?  Well you won't be a web marketer until you market your business on the web.  Will you stumble?  YES. Will you fall?  YES.  Will it hurt?  Probably.  But what is the alternative?  You don't have to market, really, you don't. But if you don't, you will never ever be a web marketer. 

Do you want to sell your product?  Well you won't sell product until you get out there to sell product.  Will you stumble?  YES.  Will you fall?  YES.  Will it hurt?  Probably.  But what is the alternative?   You don't have to sell, really, you don't.  But if you don't get out there in order to sell, you never, ever will.

Learn as you go.  Take time.  Take steps.  A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single steps, so get stepping!

Alethea Anderson
Stepping Farther Ever Day

Wednesday

Network Marketing | Success is a CHOICE = SOAR or FLOAT or SINK

Network Marketing | Success is a CHOICE = SOAR or FLOAT or SINK

The decision to start a home based business is the first step, however joining a company is just that, the first step.  From this point each of the millions of home business owners have a choice. They may SOAR, FLOAT or SINK.  There are no ifs, ans or buts about it.  We each CHOOSE our future and we choose and take the applicable steps towards the SOAR, FLOAT or SINK.

Which direction do YOU want to go?


SOAR |  To Soar in Network Marketing you must first decide that you are unstoppable.  This means that no matter what, you are making a choice to succeed.  Nothing will stand in your way. No one will stand in your way.  You are climbing the ladder of success, one rung at a time until your highest dreams are achieved.  Your burning desire within you is so strong that you just know you are going to make it happen no matter what.  No training, no problem.  No present sponsor, no problem.  YOU have it IN YOU to succeed so you are going to learn and earn.  These are the people in the industry that make it.  They are innovative and creative. They break the mold and do what it takes. They don't need their hands held, they want it so bad they FEEL it, they TASTE it and QUITTING is not even a faint option in their mind.


FLOAT |  Then there are the floaters.  These people are comfortable right where they are.  In the round nest of their life preserver they sit idle, content with what is, without the drive to stretch a little farther to see what it's like to SOAR.  Usually they are fearful of success.  Fearful of what success may bring.  Fearful of failure.  So they just do enough to get by and usually they are happy here.  Sometimes they ponder and dream a bit, but often never take the action steps to move from where they are to where they want to be.  So they FLOAT.  Sometimes they CHOOSE to take steps to SOAR.  Sometimes they SINK.  Sometimes they QUIT because they just don't have the passion to SOAR, yet they have a deep fear and don't want to SINK either.  The best way to neither SOAR or SINK is of course to QUIT.


SINK | Down, down, down they go dragging their fears kicking and screaming with them into the darkness of the abyss.  There is no drive here!  Not even enough to float.  These are the people who complain about everything.  The whiners, the ones who say it's too hard, too expensive, they have no time, they can't figure it out, they can't find it, they can't create it, they can't do it, can't - can't - can't...  Often those who SINK are the ones who struggle in life in general.  Can't get ahead.  Can't pay the bills.  The world is out to get them.  They are in a corner.  No one will give them a break.  One would think those who SINK would be the most determined to reach a level of FLOAT or SOAR. Sometimes they do, sometimes we hear of the person who did SINK, they were on rock bottom and sky rocketed to SOAR among the eagles.  These people find their PASSION and their FIRE within.  But, generally, and unfortunately so, those who SINK stay SUNK. Sometimes those who SINK make a shift towards FLOAT, they realize treading water is better than being under the water.  It's all about choice, choosing where you WANT to be.

What is the DIFFERENCE between those who SOAR, FLOAT and SINK?  It's not age, it's not education, it's not race, it's not religion, it's not if you live in a trailer park or a mansion, it's not if you wear pleather or Prada, it's not if you drive a lemon or a Lexus.  It's deeper than that.  Do you know what it is that creates the fine line between those who SOAR, those who FLOAT and those who SINK?

ATTITUDE

"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong.
The amount of work is the same." ~Francesca Reigler

We ALL have the exact same tools in this industry.  It's your CHOICE how YOU decide to use them.  The only person who can guide you to SOAR is YOU.  The only person who will allow you to FLOAT is YOU.  The only person who will enable you to SINK is YOU.

So right now, decide, choose are you going to go sky high and SOAR?

Are you going to tread water and FLOAT?

Are you going to give in, give up, go down and SINK?

Alethea Anderson

Friday

Why is a Pet's Life So Short? Lessons from a Child...


The Purpose of a Pet (from a 6 yr old's perspective)
author unknown...

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

The lesson in the wisdom of this old soul...
  • Live simply.
  • Love generously.
  • Care deeply.
  • Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
  • When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
  • Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
  • Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
  • Take naps.
  • Stretch before rising.
  • Run, romp, and play daily.
  • Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
  • Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
  • On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
  • On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
  • When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
  • Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
  • Be loyal.
  • Never pretend to be something you're not.
  • If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
  • When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Though I am unaware the author of the magnificient piece, I dedicate it to our beloved kitty Pita who showed us the ways of be-ing: August 1999 through November 6, 2009.  She has found her way to the Rainbow Bridge...

Hugs and Loves,

Alethea Anderson
Pet Lover Extrodinaire...

PS  The beautiful hearts pictured above are Urns I found while exploring the web. If you'd like one you may find them at My Cherished Pet.

Thursday

Candle Quotes | Quotes about Candles

Candle Quotes | Quotes about Candles

As a candle nut I simply adore the ambiance created by the soft glow of candles.  The shadows dancing in magical shapes on the wall as they flicker and sway in the gentle movement of the air in the room.  The scent wafting through the air can transport you to another time, another place, allowing you dive into pleasant memories of times past and also assiting you in creating new moments in time...

 Below please enjoy some candle quotes I've compiled in one spot for your reading pleasure...

“You don't have to blow out my candle to make yours grow brighter.” ~ unknown

“Don't tell me I'm burning the candle at both ends, tell me where to get more wax.” ~ unknown

"Never burn your fingers to snuff another's candle” ~ unknown

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” ~ Buddha

“There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle” ~ Robert Alden

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” ~Edith Wharton

“Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” ~ Chinese Proverb

“Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it onto future generations.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

“A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.” ~ unknown

“Nirvana is not the blowing out of the candle. It is the extinguishing of the flame because day is come.” ~Rabindranth Tagore

“The best way to see divine light is to put out thy own candle” ~ Thomas Fuller

“Man loves company even if it is only that of a small burning candle” ~George Christoph Lichtenberg

“I love thee to the level of everyday's most quiet need,by sun and candle light...I love thee with the breath,smiles,tears,of all my life.” ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

"How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good dead in a naughty world." ~ William Shakespeare


Alethea Anderson
Creating Quotable Moments

Wednesday

Staying Focused While Working from Home

Greetings Work at Home Friends!

This is a great article for all of us who work at home, each person who reads this will find a helpful tidbit of information, I promise!

Tips from http://www.thesuccessfactory.com/

This morning I was watching the local traffic report and once again thanking the good Lord for the fact that I wasn’t battling that bumper to bumper freeway mess because, of course, I work from home.

While working from home means that many a morning may find us at the computer in our P.J.’s while sipping a hot cup of coffee; it often can present its own unique set of challenges.

Working from home is often not perceived by others as a “real job”. Oftentimes our family can be the biggest culprits, especially if you have small children at home with you. The whole concept that mommy is working to a pre-schooler is often just an excuse to misbehave in order to grab your attention.

The same holds true with the neighbors that drop by unannounced or ask that you be the person to accept a furniture delivery or let in a repairman because after all – “you’re just at home”.

It is no wonder that we ourselves get off track. Especially when there are a million things we’d rather be doing than picking up the phone. Suddenly it looks MUCH more attractive to do a load of laundry or clean out that junk drawer. Sound familiar?

Well, here are some tips to try to help stay focused while working from home.

Family challenges –

1. Have special activities that only come out when mommy’s on the phone. Consider keeping them in a box in your office for such times.

2. Set the timer for the kids. Let them know that when the timer goes off, mom will play a game or read a story.

3. Trade time for time with another friend who has children your children’s ages to get some work done.

4. When going out for the evening, be sure to tell your kids you are going to WORK (vs. going to do a PARTY). To a child, there is a world of difference!

Neighbors –

When you are working, you are working. If you were at an office outside the home your neighbor wouldn’t just “drop by” for a visit or ask you to accept a delivery. Just explain that you are working and aren’t available to help out. When you treat your job like a job outside the home, others will as well.

Other tips –

1. Make a “to-do” list the night before. We have said it before and will say it again. A list is the key to staying on task. Don’t forget a list of names and phone numbers to make phoning more efficient.

2. One load of laundry a day will change your life (another tip that is an oldie but a goodie). Laundry, dishes and other housework can be done first thing in the morning or late at night. NOT during prime phoning time. Also, consider hiring a cleaning service. I decided within my first year in the business that I’d much rather go out and do a party one extra evening than to scrub my toilets or iron my husband’s shirts.

3. Schedule your time wisely. Generally speaking, clearing your email isn’t work. Get lost on the Internet late at night or early in the morning. Resist the temptation to leave your email open all day at your desk.

4. Assuming there is another parent at home or someone to keep an eye on the kids, try to shut the door in the room where you are working. Cutting out the distractions will help you to get much more done.

This is Alethea speaking... Always remember, when we work at home we tend to make excuses and procrastinate from what we really should be doing.  If you want a successful home business, create it!  Don't use chores, children, neighbors etc... as your EXCUSE!  We all have the exact-SAME-tools, it's how you use them that counts. (attempting to screw in a screw using the handle of screwdriver, for instance, just won't work...)  Apply your WHY!

Alethea Anderson
Quitting is not an option!

Sunday

GO for the NO! One no, two no, three no, four...

Have you ever heard the term "GO FOR THE NO"?

This statement is very, very powerful in the network marketing industry.  So many people focus on the yes, desire the yes, yearn for the yes, that they become so obsessed with the yes that they are deeply dissapointed when they get one no, two no, three no, four...

You really have strength within and shift your thinking.  If your ego is easily wounded by the word 'no'.  If you get your 'feelers hurt' when you hear the word 'no'.  If you want to crawl into a hole, hide from the world and quit when you hear the word 'no' then this post is for you.

I challenge you to GO FOR NO!

Huh?  What?  NO?  Who wants to hear NO over and over and over?  Everyone in this industry!  The more NOs we hear, the closer we are to a YES.  This is a numbers game, if we keep track of our NOs on a tick sheet our excitement builds as we know a YES is just around the corner.

You see, if you call five people and get 5 NOs and quit, well, you're a quitter.  But if you call 10 people and get 9 NOs and the 10th person says YES, well, were the 9 NOs worth it?  YES, YES and YES!  This motivates you to call 10 more, right?  YES!

The more rejection you get, the more projection you project!  When you actually get excited about the NO you are attracting the YES!  It may sound funny, but I dare you to give it a go and tell me it does not work, because, it DOES!

How bad do YOU want success?  Well then, GO FOR NO!  Be it calling leads, talking to three new people a day, adding 3 new friends on facebook, myspace and twitter per day, going to 3 networking events per month.  A little time here and there, a little NO here and there, equals a big YES in the end.

If you got 1000 NOs, then the most amazing team builder joined YOUR team and made you a millionaire, woudl all the NOs have been worth it?  DARN TOOTIN',  now you GO FOR NO, you hear!?

Alethea Anderson
Going and K-NO-WING!

Saturday

Do you feel you NEED to offer a discount? How does this HURT your business?

Subject: Discounting…yes or no?

Tip from www.TheSuccessFactory.com

Tonight’s dinner table discussion was an interesting one. Two of my children work at the same neighborhood coffee shop. The coffee shop had a recent change of owners at the beginning of the year. The new and current owner – we’ll call him Sam – is in a bit of a dilemma. After owning the shop for nearly eight months now – he is hard pressed to realize a profit. Of course there is the normal three to five year ‘curve’ that applies to any new business, except, that this business has been open – with a very established customer base – for over six years.

So…what’s the problem, you may ask.

As in most businesses, there are a variety of contributing factors – including too many Starbuck’s within close proximity. However, a HUGE issue is the practice of discounting for ‘favorite’ customers, established by the previous owner. Sam is now trying to do damage control in order to begin to realize some profit without offending the regular customers. It is a tricky situation to be sure.

I share this story today as food for thought for you and your business. Certainly there may be times when you run special sales for your customers. I would caution the practice of discounting too regularly.

Getting into the habit of discounting does several things:

1) Your customers will begin to balk when you charge full price and only want to buy when they receive a discount.
2) It devalues your product line.

3) As in the case of Sam – it is difficult to reverse once started.

4) MOST IMPORTANTLY – your business is far less profitable when you discount.
As women, sometimes we have difficulty being paid what we are worth. Some of us feel guilty for taking money and therefore “giving a deal” seems like the right thing to do. Men don’t do this. Somehow, they are wired differently – I’m convinced of this. Men don’t apologize for things they didn’t do (ever notice how often women say I’m sorry for something that they had no part in?). Men don’t feel bad about or make excuses for money they are paid for a job done; whether in the form of commissions for sales or fees charged if they are a doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc;. The ‘why’s’ behind this phenomenon is the stuff self-help books are written about and not the subject of today’s tip.

Just remember – you are in business to make money. If you are not in business to make money – then you probably will find yourself with an expensive hobby. Hobbies cost money – businesses make money…period.

For daily tips like this visit http://www.thesuccessfactory.com/

Friday

Why does 'Knocking on Wood' really seem to work?

Greetings!

You're chatting with friends on the topic of speeding tickets, you say "I've not gotten a ticket in 5 years!"  Then you lurch around the room seeking a wooden item and quickly knock upon it proclaiming "knock on wood"

Now why does this work?

Simple, you BELIEVE it will work!  You know in every part of your be-ing, you feel it in your soul, that if you can knock on wood, you will seal in the fact that you've not gotten a ticket and continue this streak of "luck"! 

When you 100% BELIEVE in something, when you feel it without a doubt, your vibration is so strong, that the Universal Law of Attraction simply must deliver.  It's the LAW.

This is why when people say "I get like 5 colds every winter"  they do.

This is why when people say "I never get sick" they don't.

This is why when people say "I just can't sell anything" they don't.

This is why when people say "I could sell wings to a butterfly" they do.

This is why when people say "I just know I'm going to get a ticket"  they do.

This is why when people say "I never get tickets" they don't.

This is why when people say "I can never find good parking at the mall" they don't.

This is why when people say "I always get front row parking at the mall"  they do.

This is why when people say "I always come out ahead" they do.

This is why when peole say "I'll never get ahead" they don't.

All those statements are made with 100% pure belief and confidence as well as emotional attachment.  Whether the statements are positive or negative, they are said with absolute belief in the outcome and feeling the result.  There is no wavering, no questioning. Simply 'matter-of-fact' statments.

Now can patterns be changed?  Most certainly!  I've seen people in this industry of network marketing who sponsored 15 people within a month.  Only to go flat, and sponsor no one for months.  In the midst of their sponsoring frenzy they were so positive, they were stating "wow I'm getting a new recruit every other day!" The were feeling the excitement and the goodness they were allowing to flow to them, and they believed it and the Universe kept delivering (delivering as in providing the means to sponsor and of course the person had to accept the door presented before them and do the work necessary to sponsor the team members).  But, when the next month rolled around, and a few days went by with no recruits they said "wow, I'm just not recruiting anyone..."  then they get in that rut of non-believing, their feeling sunk to one of lack, and the Universe delivers, the flow is pinched off.  I've seen the same person get one new recruit after a dry spell, igniting the flame again, feeling the feeling of the month they were sponsoring like crazy, then POOF they recruited like crazy again, only to stop believeing  once again and freezing the process.

There is a pattern to thought and the key is to be 100% aware of your thoughts as well as your emotions!   You can change anything.  The fact that you are reading this right now is no coincidence, the past has led you right here right now.  What you get out of this post, may have an effect on your tomorrow, next week or 2 years from now.  What you project, you reflect back to yourself.

Take time to place careful assignment of your thoughts, take time to be aware of your emotions and feelings, be aware of 'HOW' you think and use this to create the life you've always dreamed about.  Remember, the Universe does not *POOF* deliver to your doorstep in the means of a huge box of money arriving via UPS.  But the Universe provides you the door of opportunity, and you must take firm hold of that door knob, turn it, and walk through with 100% absolute BELIEF as well as a 100% positive emotional attachment in order to manifest your desires as well as stepping forward and taking the ACTION STEPS to make it happen.

Alethea Anderson
Opportunity Knocks

Thursday

"Memories of you Shall Never Fade ~ a poem dedicated to Pita Anderson"


Memories of you Shall Never Fade ~ a poem dedicated to Pita Anderson

By: Alethea Anderson, November 5th 2009

A day before she rejoins the collective energies of the Universe....

Pita my love it is hard to say
that you the once lost kitten stray
have touched our lives for 10 sweet years
and now the end has come with tears.


How special you've been with each purr and meow
I wonder do you know is it possible now
for you to understand what you have done
with each new snuggle upon each new sun

You have brightened our days for years on end
our love never taking a turn or bend
fulfilling all your cat like things
all of these make our hearts sing

The Angel Kitty title we've gifted to you
for the angelic things you always do
like every time my daughter had tears
you ran to her to calm her fears

Every night you kept her within your reach
protecting her with love you never breached
You've been her ever loving devoted pet
we hope all your needs and wants have been met

Your time here has been very well spent
every word of kindness always meant
Your favorite places up high down low
cushy blankets, the fuzzy pillow

Warm windows on a sunny day
a dangling string for some loving play
A lap, a purr, under the covers too
never lost will be memories of you

It's hard to imagine your furry self gone
the magic of your meowing song
your tapping toes across the floor
these things we will not hear any more

But only body shall dissapear ashes to dust
your memories shall never fade nor escape us
you will live on in spirit forever and a day
always a just a thought away

it's so hard to let you go, it's so hard to say good bye
how do we take that one last look into your soulful eyes
how does one bid a body farewell we know the tears will fall
we also know we must answer the Universal call

Your time has come, we shall let you free
to run among the grasses that be
the rainbow bridge at heaven's gate
is calling you so don't be late.

We love you Pita, always and forever, you will never be forgotten...
 
Alethea Anderson
Your Fur Mama...

Law of Attraction: How Does your THOUGHT come into play?

Thoughts are things.

Thoughts are vibrations.

Thoughts are energy.

Where do YOU focus YOUR thought?

Have you ever heard these sayings?

  • Careful what you wish for!
  • If you think it, it will come true!
  • Don't say that, you'll  make it happen!

Have you ever said something that you instantly wished you had not said only to stop and search for something wood to knock upon, as you have heard that if you knock on wood, it will confirm the belief that it will not happen. (to see why this actually WORKS, see tomorrow's blog!)

The power of thought is the most powerful energy in the Universe:

Thought comes from all that was.
Thought comes from all that is.
Thought comes from all that will be.

How does one actually define 'thought'?  Is thought generated from our brains?  Where exactly does thought come from?  In reality, thought - just - is.  It is Universal consciousness.

Now, how do you think?   Not what do you think, but HOW do you think?  Often when people are studying the Law of Attraction they find that they get the opposite of their desires.   They then deem that the Law of Attraction does not work.  

Why does this happen?

Well, you get what you think about!  (Good or Bad, the focus of your ATTENTION is what you ATTRACT)   So many people focus on something incorrectly.  i.e.

I don't want this, I don't want this, I don't want this...

They are focusing on what it is that they do NOT want, and in return, that is the vibration they are creating, and the Universe delivers exactly what it is you are focusing your attention on, be it good or bad.

Say you want more money, and you are focusing on how you don't have money.  You want it, you say you are allowing it, you are asking the Universe to manifest it, BUT you are coming from a place of lack.  "I can't pay my bills, I need money."  Well the Universe is delivering on the strongest vibration "I can't pay my bills" and delivering exactly what you are asking for...

How about business?  Do you find you say these things?

I can't afford it.
I am not a sales person.
I can not talk to strangers.
My family will never support me.
No one will buy anything.
No one is visiting my website.
I call my leads but no one joins.
I have failed in this industry before.

It is as simple as modifying your thoughts....

I will find a way to afford it.
I will show my product to people and they will buy it.
I will start a conversation with one new person per day.
My family will see me succeed.
I will market my website and attract visitors.
I will call my leads and follow up with them attracting business partners.
I have quit this industry before, but now I'm changing my focus.

The Universe is precise, with laser focus, so be precise, with laser focus, your intentions.  What DO you want?  Believe it.   Be sure to read tomorrow about how 'knocking on wood' REALLY works!

Alethea Anderson
Playing with Thoughts

Wednesday

"...Just keep going..."

This blog post is inspired by this quote...

"Go do hard things. If you don't try, it's never going to happen. The majority of people don't even try. You may as well shoot for it with everything you've got, and don't stop when times are tough or it looks impossible. Just keep going. Odds are, something's going to happen."

These words of wisdom were spoken by Zac Sutherland, a record breaker who spent 13 months alone, sailing around the globe (at the age of 17)

On Zac's journey he encountered lack of sleep, rough seas, broken equipment, pirates and more.  At any time he could have quit.  Stopping his trip when he reached many of the ports along his way.  He pressed on.

Before he even left, Zac said "The main obstacle was making everyone take it seriously.  Everyone has an idea for something, but trying to convince people I was going to do this trip [was difficult]".

Can you apply this wisdom to your life? 

Being in Network Marketing has similar challenges, the key to success is to keep moving forward and having faith in ourselves!  If you do not take steps to move forward you simply cannot!

So if you are ever feeling you are in a moment of giving up, throwing in the towel and quitting, think of the quote above and "...Just keep going. Odds are something's going to happen"

Alethea Anderson
Keep on, keeping on!