Thursday

"I know who I am, I know what I believe and that's all I need to know" ~ Will Smith

This video should be watched by every single person who intends to be successful as an entrepreneur. Even if you ARE successful, watch it to grow within. It is the most powerful 9 minute video out there and if you take it to heart, it will change your life. It's a wake up call!

Watch, absorb, and believe in YOU!


Alethea Anderson
Laying Bricks

Wednesday

Yep, I Almost Ran Over the Track Team!


It was 1990, I was in Driver's Ed, and it was the first time I had ever been behind the wheel of a car that I was actually going to drive.  I mean yes I had slid into the driver's seat in the garage dreamily pretending to drive to school, but I had never actually stepped on the gas in a running vehicle putting it into forward motion.

We were on the blacktop in the middle of the outdoor basket ball courts facing the football field where the track team was in the grass stretching for practice.

So here was me in the Driver's Seat, the school Football Coach (why could I not have had a female instructor) and 2 other driver's ed kids in the back of the powder blue Ford Escort school training car with the bright yellow sandwich board on the roof that read "STUDENT DRIVER".

I slid into the seat and buckled my seat belt, shaking like a leaf.  The Football Coach says "O'Keeffe, start the car"  So I turn the key only to hear a loud WAHHHHHH as the car was already running.  He said "That was your first test O'Keeffe, pay attention girl!"

That sure sent my confidence soaring...  He asks "have you driven ever before?"  I tell him I had never and he responded with a "Dear LORD O'Keeffe!"

Again, boosting my confidence... so he says, "gas right, brake left. I have a brake too, don't make me use it" and mutters under his breath {I hate my job, they make me do this crap}

"Lightly step on the gas O'Keeffe" so I did and there was a slight 'whirr' of the engine, but no movement.  He said "a little more O'Keeffe" still nothing, he said "O'Keeffe, step on the gas!"  Well I did and and there it went, the car jolted forward, I had floored it for a brief moment.  Which became one of those moments where time stood still in the car as I watched the entire track team stand up and exit stage left or stage right to move the hell out of the way of the zooming little powder blue Ford Escort.

The Coach had to stomp his brake... muttering a colorful collection of words, something about needing a drink...

Once the roar of laughter stopped from the rear of the car and the track team resumed their positions while pointing and laughing... Coach had me give it a go, this time in reverse.  The goal was to do crazy 8s utilizing the basket ball hoop poles.  Reverse, backwards... My lord I could not even drive forwards!

So, I did it, and I did great.  He was really impressed!  I remember him being impressed that

A)  I could do that backwards so well and
B)  that I was a girl (times sure have changed)

Then I had to do it forward, he lost his confidence in me!  How stressful for a 17 year old... I can only imagine HIS stress too!

But, the point to  my story is that I was GOING to drive, I was GOING to get my license no matter what it took.  I practiced and I did get my license (first shot!)  I can indeed drive fantastically forward now, and yes, I'm pretty dang impressive whipping into spots in reverse too.  {grin}

I apply this principle to all areas of my life, if I want it, I'm going to work for it, and I'm going to learn, I'm going to move forward step by step, and I'm going make it happen.  I believe in me no matter what others think or say because I am the creator of my experience!  I will not get there from here, without taking the steps in between.

If you want it bad enough, and work hard enough, no matter how poorly you do in the beginning you can achieve anything; do your best not to run anyone over, go backwards when necessary to evaluate what is ahead, and keep moving forward never giving up on your dreams!

Alethea Anderson
Pedal to the Metal!

Tuesday

I Call My Leads but No One Joins >< What Am I doing WRONG?

Is there a WRONG way to call leads?

Think of this, the phone rings, just as you lifted your fork to your mouth for your very first bite of dinner, and you answer.

What is the demeanor of the other person on the line?  What is the tone of their voice?  Are they rushed saying as much as they can reading quickly from a script?  Are they spilling words out so fast because they expect you to hang up before they finish?

As they concluded their script, did they say "I'm going to start your free trial today, and your package will go out in tomorrow's mail, you'll have 30 days to review the package and return it if you change your mind.  Now let me verify your address..."

When you start talking, do they get an attitude with you?  Did they politely answer your questions?  Are they friendly when you say you are just not interested?

How do you feel about this person?  Are you angry?  Can you tell they hate their job?  When you end the call do think to yourself "wow I'd hate to be a telemarketer..." ?



Now, have you ever received a call from a friendly voice? A voice that you just feel comfortable listening to? You  pause to sit and hear their entire spiel, and may even have a question or two.  Now think of the demeanor of this person. They probably were calm and not rushed.  They addressed you and treated you as a human, not a call on an auto dialer. They did not have a slam-bam-thank-you-man mentality of sneaking in the close before you could say 'no'.

How do you feel about this person?  Did you feel anger?  Did you think they hated their job?  Did it even cross your mind that you'd hate to have that job? 

Big difference huh?  It's all in the attitude and the presentation of the caller.

Now when you make YOUR calls, how do people feel about YOU?  What is YOUR attitude?  How do you make YOUR presentation?   Do you think you are a spot on sparkling perfection, yet you still have no bites? 

I recommend to everyone who is not having success that they analyze their approach...

1) Where are you getting your leads?  Are you paying for them? If so, are they prequalified?  Are they industry specific?  Are they prescreened or are they 'gathered' off the www.  Are they only sold to YOU and no one else?  (if you buy leads from any company, seek others who buy leads from them as well and get personal testimonials)

2)  Do you market online and generate your own leads?  I find this to be extremely rewarding, as the person is already expecting YOU to call them!  A 'warm' lead vs a 'cold' one.

3)  What is your attitude?  When you set out to make your calls, are you already expecting the worst?  If so, your results will be equal to your expectations.

4) What do you sound like?  Confident or submissive?  Upbeat and happy or low and sad?  Are you prepared or are you reading?  Do you speak clearly so others can understand you?  Does your voice SMILE?

I have very often seen people post on social networking forums across the www when they are having problems sponsoring.  One thing I've found in common with nearly all of those with low or zero success is their attitude.  99 times out of 100 the person who says "I can't get anyone to join my team" is also a "negative nellie" on the forums.  They are the ones who share every negative little hiccup they've created in their business.  They are the ones starting fights in the threads.  They are the ones who poke a stick in a hive and you can just feel their negative energy when you read their posts. Now this is something to consider too.  Often they have an "I can't" attitude as well.  Like I said above, your results will be equal to your expectations!

I recommend this; if you are having a hard time sponsoring via phone (and/or sponsoring in general), have an outsider critique you.  Do a faux call, have them be the lead, you make your pitch.  Now find someone who will be brutally honest. Be prepared to take it with a grain of salt too.  You have to be willing to hear it and not get angry with the person who is helping you, don't shoot the messenger, as they may just provide you the reality check you need!

Always, ALWAYS be in contact with someone in your upline who is having success sponsoring.  They can help you with the dos and don'ts to assist you in your sponsoring efforts too.  Never be afraid to ask for help!

Now remember, not everyone is going join you.  Some people will say "no thanks".  Some people will just hang up on you.  Some people will say "I'm going to join after the call" and you'll never get ahold of them again. Some people will actually hop online and join while you are still on the phone.  They key is, don't judge, treat everyone the same and keep moving forward.  You will not get here, from there, without taking the steps in between.

Alethea Anderson
My Voice is Smiling

Monday

Phone Fright [] To Pick Up the Phone or Not Pick Up the Phone?

You'd rather scrub toilets with your tooth brush or have a root canal.  Anything oh ANYTHING to prevent having to pick up the phone and call a lead.

Trust me, I understand! I've been there.  Racing heart, clamy palms, lump in your throat, beads of sweat on your forehead.

When you finally gather enough  nerve to make that first phone call, you find the number is disconnected.  After a moment of relief, you then feel your skin flush, as you know you have to call the next number on the list.

This time, an answering machine.  You leave a message an think 'Hey, this was easy!' and breeze through five more calls, as they were all machines.

Then, the dreaded "Hello?"  and you are a deer in the headlights, you muggle all your words and sound like a drunken sailor muttering a strange collection of pirate speak.  You feel like a total idiot.

Some people give up right here.   Death by phone.  They simply can not handle the stress of the unknown.  Remember my post on FEAR a few weeks ago?  Apply that right here to this article!

But really, ponder for a few moments.  No blood was shed.  No body parts are missing.  No one got struck by lightening.  The only thing maybe bruised a bit is the ego, other than that, no physical harm is done!

Yea, yea, perhaps Jane Smith from Boise, ID thinks you are a bit of  dork, but you know what?  Who cares!  Did you sail across the pavement the first time you rode a bike?  Nope.  You fell, you skinned your knees, you rode onto the grass and fell over, you freaked the heck out of your parents almost crashing into the neighbor's car.  BUT you keep going because you wanted to succeed.  Odds are, you did.  Practice makes perfect!

At this point it is all about choice.  Move forward (remember you can not get from there to here without taking the steps in between) or quit.

Cold Calling is considered scary, but it is a choice to be scared. You choose to be scared, or choose not to be. That is the answer to the question. I have my methods of calling, they have their methods their of calling. Is there right or wrong? Not really a 'wrong' way persay. But yea, you could present yourself in a poor manner (see the next post)... So my advice to anyone wanting to do some cold calling, even warm calling (leads you've generated from your website) get with your sponsor and ask for some tips. It's not as hard as it seems, I've called hundreds of leads and hundreds successfully became team members. But hey, hundreds never answered, never responded, or just said no. I just refused to give up. Go for NO, the emphasis on the GO!

In the beginning, I was sweaty and stressed, but over time, it's as simple as riding a bike!

Alethea Anderson
Picking Up the Phone Daily

Sunday

MMM Multi Method Marketing {} Which Method is Best for YOU?

MMM Multi Method Marketing

Nearly everyone has heard of MLM (Multi Level Marketing) however, with new ways to grow home businesses I've coined the term MMM (Multi Method Marketing).  You see the ways to successfully grow a home business are getting broader as people are becoming more and more creative.

When Direct Sales first started, people went door to door selling items (think dirt dumped on carpet while the vaccum man shows you how good this new vacuum works).  Then came the Party Plan, where the ladies would gather for tea while watching a demonstration for the next helpful household items. 

In enters nutritionals, people were not going door to door, they were not having parties, they were spreading the word, person to person via belly to belly marketing utilizing the 3 foot rule, calling their list of 100 and so on.  This was an amazing method of growing an empire  and the first industry billionaires were born.

Then, the Information Age came to life, in this past decade 2000-2009, the internet has become the latest and greatest way to grow a home based business.  Where once before you could only reach as far as your legs, car  or sometimes plane would take you, now we hold within the reach of our fingertips the entire world.  New multi millionaires are sprouting up annually, and they've never even had to leave the comfort of their own home.

Which method is best for YOU?  That is up to you!  All the MMMs are still rocking the industry today.  All methods that are not 'internet based' are considered 'Old School' however, Old School is tried and true and works.  Actually, I am seeing a trend of Information Agers across many companies and company platforms taking a couple steps back and crossing into other realms they've not dabbled in before.  Some are heading into the Direct Sales, Party Plan and/or Belly to Belly Marketing arenas.

Myself, a self-taught web marketer, webmistress and SEO maven is even setting up a new agenda!  I, like many others am seeing the light in some of the older ways of marketing.  Web marketing is my forte, I LOVE it, but I'm the first to tell anyone it is not for the impatient.  It takes time, patience, time, devotion, time and persistance.  Did I mention time?

So if you are in a home business or are seeking a home business, be sure to find the marketing niche that will work best for YOU!  There are many companies out there, some are formatted for a specific type of marketing, some allow for many different means of marketing.  I am fortunate enough that the company I represent allows all forms of marketing one can imagine which allows for an endless creative mindset and amazing success stories via all the platforms mentioned above.

No matter which method(s) you choose, the key to success is belief in yourself and an unwavering desire to succeed!

Alethea Anderson
I Love MMM

Friday

Negativeness will KILL your chances of Success in MLM

It never ceases to amaze me the negativeness that oozes from people attempting to grow a successful home based business.  I nearly fall out of my chair sometimes reading status updates on Facebook and tweets on Twitter!  This negativity is like a magnet, and each day they are negative, they create yet another negative day to keep feeding the building negativity.  It's almost like an addiction.  One has to STOP a negative thought in progress and reach for a more positive one.  No matter how negative a thought is, there is a positive thought just around the corner to replace it.

In lieu of rambling on like I enjoy doing on the topic of why we should all be positive, I've decided to compile a collection of quotes on negativity from varied persons in cyber space past and present. 

You see thought is such a powerful thing and I'd like to entertain the idea that these quotes may enlighten you somehow!  Even though the topic of these quotes are "negative quotes" the true meaning within each one is a reflection of the positive...

Please use these negative/negativity quotes to empower you on the road to positive-ness!

“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.”

“Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power”

“Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts.” ~Buddha

“Fear is a habit; so is self-pity, defeat, anxiety, despair, hopelessness and resignation. You can eliminate all of these negative habits with two simple resolves: I can!! and I will!!”

“Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.” ~Zig Ziglar

"Negativity is an addiction to the bleak shadow that lingers around every human form ... you can transfigure negativity by turning it toward the light of your soul." ~ John O'Donohue

"All negativity is an illusion created by the limited mind to protect and defend itself." ~ Ambika Wauters

"People who project negativity typically have low self-esteem. They feel badly about themselves, and their negativity is simply a reflection of those feelings." ~ Hendrie Weisinger

"Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power." ~ Shirley MacLaine

"That's my gift. I let that negativity roll off me like water off a duck's back. If it's not positive, I didn't hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy." ~ George Foreman

"From the backstabbing co-worker to the meddling sister-in-law, you are in charge of how you react to the people and events in your life. You can either give negativity power over your life or you can choose happiness instead. Take control and choose to focus on what is important in your life. Those who cannot live fully often become destroyers of life." ~ Anais Nin

"Negativity sucks away energy. If part of the negativity stems from your attitude or perspective, commit yourself at the beginning of each day and each activity to find something positive in yourself and in others around you. If the people around you are negative and you can't change that, either remove yourself from the situation or view it simply as one obstacle you face in pursuing your own potential. Stay focused on your own goals and make the best of the situation."  ~ Terry Orlick

"What we focus on, we empower and enlarge. Good multiplies when focused upon. Negativity multiplies when focused upon. The choice is ours: Which do we want more of?" ~ Julia Cameron

"Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed." ~ Michael Pritchard

Look how negative our world can be....

Twitter "Negative"  http://twitter.com/home#search?q=negative

Twitter "Negativity" http://twitter.com/home#search?q=negativity

Alethea Anderson
Turning Negatives into Positives

Wednesday

Is the Glass Half FULL or Half EMPTY?

There are two main ways to look at your home business as a glass of water...

Is it half empty, or is it half full?

Are you going to start with an empty glass and fill it to the top with determination, passion and your why?

OR

Are you going to start with and empty glass and fill it half way with determination, passion and your why?

Get it?

Alethea Anderson
Full Speed Ahead

Thursday

ABCD MLM | What Does it take to be Successful in MLM?




I've been involved in this industry since 1993, that is when I got my very first 'taste' a home business opportunity.  But it took me over ten years to 'get it' and it was not until 2005 when the light bulb went on for me.

I joined a company in 2004, "just for fun" I proclaimed, with zero intent to run a business as I had sworn off the industry.  But, a few people who knew me joined my team and I got my first little check, it was about $15 or so.

I had never gotten a residual check before, and sat looking at it pondering why I even got it!  I then realized that the couple people who had joined my team had resulted in some income.

So I pondered..."what next?"   Having been in the industry for just over 12 years in 2005 I just was not sure where to go and I had no confidence in reaching my dreams.

I sat down and thought...My upline Director was already making a dream income, and I thought and thought some more.  How is she different than ME?  Why has she soared to amazing heights?  How is she earning this crazy income?

Then it hit me.  She is a stay at home Mom with a home based business.  She has the exact same tools as me.  The exact same training materials provided from corporate.  The exact same products.  The exact same access to the internet.  The exact same choice of picking up the phone.

So being the same, what was it that made me so different?  The only difference was mindset.  She had decided she was going to 'do it' no matter what.  Me, I had not decided.  

It comes down to 4 things, A-B-C-D, four little, yet extremely powerful words are what makes someone successful stand apart from someone not successful.

A ttitude.
B elief.
C haracter.
D etermination.

Attitude |  What is your ATTITUDE toward your home business?  Do you 'try' or do you 'do'?  Do you speak positively about your business, or do you speak negatively?    Do you focus on what you love about your business or do you focus on what others in the company may be doing wrong? 

Belief |  Do you believe in your product?  Do you believe in the company you represent?  Do you use your product and enjoy it?  Do you feel the pricing is on target, or do you think your products are expensive?  Most important do you believe in YOU?

Character | Overall it is YOU that will make you successful or not successful.  How you present yourself to others will either boost your biz or kill your chances of success.  If you present yourself in a positive, professional, upbeat manner people will be receptive to this.  If you present yourself in a doldrum, dumpy, quiet manner, people will be treat you accordingly.

Determination |  How determined are you?  Are you going to fight for your success?  Quitting should not be an option for you whatsover.  If you think 'if' this works... then you are not on track. If you think "I'll try..." then you are not on track.  You have to be thinking 'when this works...'  You  have to be thinking "I will DO this".

Success in this industry is based on your own,  110% unwavering belief in YOU.  It does not matter your level of education, race, religion, or economic background.  It does not matter if you live in an affluent neighborhood or in a poverty stricken neighborhood.   Nothing matters but YOU.

So if you are doing well in the industry, then you have mastered your ABCDs, but if you are having trouble moving the direction you want to go, re-evaluate your ABCDs and see where you are lacking.  If you are unsure, get with your upline leader for some guidance!

Alethea Anderson
ABCD is the way for ME!