Are you working your business like the way you play Monopoly?

Most people, when they sit down to play Monopoly let's say, are just looking to have some fun.  While others play the game focused on only one thing -winning.

Two different people, playing the same game, with a different perspective and a very different goal in mind.  The person who is there to win, will play that game very strategically, where the person who is looking to have some fun is just there to pass the time.

Same is true in business isn't it?  Some of us are determined to win and use a winning strategy while others seem to just want to have fun and pass some time.   So ask yourself, "Am I here to win or just pass the time?"

If you are building your business to "win the game" then strategy is how you will do it,  You will need to assess every situation and think competitively.  You will need to out think your opponent or competitor and outplay them as well.  Good sportsmanship is a must and winning is the only option.  Top performers are competitive people and they love what they do AND they think strategically.  As a result, their business and its results take on a whole new level of achievement.

Now keep in mind, rules and strategy are two different things.  Rules are (how you play) and strategy is (how you win).  Rules are to be lived by but they are not necessarily going to show you how to make money. They are about conduct.  But strategy is your game plan.  It is the way to develop the winning outcome.

So what is your business strategy?
How will you stand apart from your competitors?
What are the numbers you need to hit in order to meet your goals?
And do you have a coach to help you get there?

If you are here to win, don't apologize for it or make excuses about it either.  Play hard and press on.   Don't let anyone convince you to play any differently.  Winning teams expect that every player is there to play, bringing their best so the team can score and ultimately win the game.

When you go to work every day to build your business your focus should be to give and gain the most you can.  And your attitude should be no different than when you sit down to play that game.  If it is important for you to want to win at Monopoly then you should not play your business any other
way.

Conquer your fears, otherwise your fears will conquer you.

I was inspired to write this blog because of my lunch special the other day.  It was chicken and broccoli with brown rice.  My usual.  However, this time I decided to eat the fortune cookie, something I don't usually do.  And in this fortune cookie I found the following message.

What a great message and so profound (like most fortunes are in most cookies, right?)  I thought it was a very appropriate message for a coach and the universe must have chosen it especially for me.

And when I came into the office this morning, there was that little slip of paper right by my phone telling me again to conquer my fears.  (I think it was also telling me to call that one person I have been wanting to get an appointment with but was too afraid to call! Until now)

As a business coach, I talk about fear all the time and how it limits us.  It is so intriguing to me that most of us allow this emotion to take such control over our lives and we let it determine our outcomes.  We create reasons and conditions for why we can't do something rather than creating winning outcomes in our mind and allowing that to inspire us.

Are you letting fear rule some part of your life?  

What are these fears that hold you back?  

Why do we allow those fears to stop us from being who we were created to be?

One thing I know for sure, we become what we believe.  Our beliefs become the rules we live by and our thoughts and actions are shaped by those beliefs.  Therefore, the stories we tell ourselves are literally shaping our life and our world around us.  

I also know, those stories will make or break you.  They will push you forward or hold you back. These stories we tell ourselves can create paralyzing fear, and we all know what fear really is don't we?  

False 

Evidence

Appearing 

Real

So,if we know on some conscious level that most of our fears are unfounded why do we entertain them as thoughts and emotions?  I mean, if we know that most of the things we fear are not real, why do we still hold ourselves back from doing the very things that will push us forward?  

Another thing I know for sure, is that we can overcome our fears and actually embrace and face them anytime we decide to do it.  And it all starts with a decision.  A decision to no longer live feeling oppressed by our own thoughts. 

It is time to live the life of your dreams rather than the life of your fears.  It begins by creating a different story, by telling yourself a different story.  Replace the thoughts that dis-empower you with unlimited thinking.  And in order to do that you will have to step outside of those limiting beliefs.  That new story will paint a different picture for you.  That new story will allow you to tell yourself something very different than what has been holding you back.  

And I am not talking about analyzing the fear or where it comes from.  This might take too long and often times the more time you spend analyzing the fear and why you have it -  the more power you are giving to the fears themselves.  Because what we focus on expands.  

Rather, spend your time working on overcoming the fear.  And this might not be something you can do alone.  You might need to talk about it with your coach, mentor or accountability partner because overcoming your fear(s) will require some new strategy.  And in order to have that breakthrough you will need a plan and a better story so you can accept the better plan and the ability to develop a more positive belief system.

Does coaching really work?

This afternoon I took a call from one of my coachees and was delighted to get the following feedback ..."I just wanted to call you and thank you for the great coaching session we had yesterday.  I feel completely different today and I am having a very productive day.  It is amazing how much perspective I gain through talking to you and it has added incredible value to my business.  Truthfully I think coaching has changed my life."

To know that the work you do as a business coach makes such an impact in the lives of the people you work with is the most gratifying feeling.  It is extremely validating to know that what you have chosen as a career path is the right one for you.  Helping others see the possibilities within themselves personally drives me to be a better coach.  Helping business owners play a bigger game and pursue success at a higher level gives me a profound sense of accomplishment and purpose.

And what is really exciting to see, is the growth that occurs in the lives and businesses of the people I have the privilege to coach and work with.  Coaching is a catalyst for this growth.  It is an empowering, collaborative process that allows the individual to set and achieve goals that might normally be out of reach or would take much longer for them to achieve if they were to go it alone.

Coaching is inspiring, exciting and a smart investment in one's future.  Success is simple (believe it or not) but never easy.  People who succeed are set apart by their behaviors and their mindset.  They have clear goals, determination, drive and most important purpose.  The other thing that most successful people have is a coach.  Someone who can help them achieve and sustain greater levels of success and results.

Coaching can unlock a person's potential.  It is a partnership between the coach and the coachee in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize on their personal and professional potential.  This is so important, especially in today's ever shifting, complex and competitive market place.  As a coach, I always honor my client as the expert of their own life, the captain of their ship, the boss in their own business.

I believe we all have the answers we seek, the problem is we don't always trust or believe that what we know or think to be the answer, truly is the answer.  Therefore, coaching and the relationship that develops with a coach can be what helps you to self actualize and develop game winning strategy.

Honestly, would you expect an Olympic gold medalist to win without the help of a coach?  Could you imagine a soccer team hitting the field without any coaching?  Would you expect the winning team of the next Super Bowl to achieve such an accomplishment without the help of numerous coaches?

Coaching works because it enables the individual to focus on their goals.  It empowers you to achieve results while giving you the support and the accountability to stay the course and not get distracted or loose sight of what it is that you are working for.  Coaching is also about identifying solutions and generating opportunity for growth.  The right coach with the right experience can also become an invaluable resource when developing your personal and professional skills.

The coaching process can dramatically improve your outlook on work and life while improving your leadership and business development, just ask anyone who has ever worked with a coach about the results they have achieved.

Five Myths That Are Holding You Back from Lead Generation

Lead generation is the engine of your business and focus is the fuel.  Without a solid, consistent lead generation plan your business will not create the income you want.  Without a steady stream of leads coming from a well worked lead generation plan you will never build a business worth owning.  The only way to get a steady stream of leads coming into your business is to make lead generation your daily focus.

Lead generation is the one career-building, business-growing, life-changing activity that matters most.  And what gets in the way of making this a daily habit are the things we think when we think about lead generation.

Here are the 5 myths that are holding you back from lead generation:

Myth #1 - Leads are not always good leads
Not true, all leads can be good, they're just not all the same.  Some leads will bring you small pieces of business others may come with bigger opportunities.  Some leads might be more motivated or ready than others therefore a relationship needs to be built and follow up scheduled.  So some leads will generate business in ways you can not predict at the time they show up.  It is important to understand that the only way to get to qualified leads is to talk to a lot of people.  And each new encounter can connect you to additional business opportunities and referrals...so don't underestimate the power of meeting new people and who those people can connect you to.

Myth #2 - Lead generation is difficult  
Lead generation is simple, it just takes time and effort.  Don't confuse your feelings for lead generation with the ability to get it done.  If you don't like something, you will not make the time to do it and many people create an aversion to a task they don't like by convincing themselves that it is too hard to do.  You might not like all that is involved in lead generation, however you can understand how the leads you generate can lead to new business and how that can impact your bottom line.  Let's face it, when it comes to any professional sport, I doubt many of the players really love or enjoy practice.  But they know if they plan to win when they get on the field then they have to do the things they don't always like in order to reap the benefits and rewards later.  The truth is, the more we do something the better we get at it.  The better we are at something the more natural it becomes and the more we look forward to doing it.

Myth #3 - I don't have time to lead generate, I am too busy working
Lead generation is part of your work or job.  It's really not about having the time, it is about making the time commitment.  We all face struggles with time management.  Usually, most people who struggle with time are not really having a time issue, it is a prioritization issue.  To be successful in business it is not always about getting a lot done in a day.  It is about getting the most important thing(s) done in a day.  And what could be more important than lead generating for new business opportunities?  Lead generation is the engine of your business and what will drive you to have the things you want most.

"Your lead generation plan must always be more ambitious than your income goals." as written by Gary Keller, co-founder and chairman of the board of Keller Williams Realty International in his national bestseller The Millionaire Real Estate Agent 

Myth #4 - I don't need to lead generate - I have enough business. 
Really?  Can we really have too much business?  You may have a lot of business right now, but what about later?  What happens when the business you have changes or gets wrapped up?  Where will your future business come from?  We always need to lead generate, regardless of how busy we are.  Lead generation is not for the business you have now, it is to set the ground work for future business.  And if we spend our time consistently on lead generation than we will have consistent leads and consistent income.  Continual lead generation is the foundational ongoing activity of all successful businesses.

Myth #5 - I don't have a lot of financial resources for lead generation
Never let the amount of money you have or don't have stop you from growing your business and attracting new clients.  It doesn't always take money to make money.  While it is true that some lead generation or marketing opportunities may require money and can be a good investment, there are plenty of ways you can generate new business opportunities with no or little money.  Most of your prospecting will require investing time rather than money.  Networking and connecting with people in your area to build relationships can produce just as effective results and leads as anything else.

Turn Up the Heat on Your Marketing ...

It's time to turn up the heat on your marketing because there are people who need you and what you do right now.  There are people putting their hands up all the time saying, "I am ready to work with you!"  The question is - Do they see you?  

You can increase your client base and your profits with a simple shift in your business that starts with your mindset.  Basically, you can make more money by helping more people when you are not afraid to talk about your best product ...YOU!  

You have what it takes to be successful; you just need to let more people know who you are and what you do.  And what you do, you do really well and no one can ever duplicate you!

We all posses incredible talent and skills and our abilities to succeed are unique.  We just have to put those unique abilities and skills to good use with more people.  I believe we all have a message and we all have amazing talents that will make us successful and others happy.  There are clients right now who need to work with you, but do they know you?  Do they know how to find you?

In order to truly be successful you must be ready to share who you are with the world.  Don't hold back from sharing what you do and have with others because if you do...you are being selfish!  

That's right, I said you are being selfish!  People need you.  You have the solution to a problem they are facing right now.  And if you do not get confident about sharing who you are and prospecting for more clients, the ones who need you won't be able to work with because they just don't know who you are.

I believe it is our obligation to let people know you exist.  Marketing yourself and your product or service is the means in which we attract the clients who need us most.  Make yourself available to more people through your marketing.  

Sales is just a conversation and marketing is just the ability to attract the right people to you.  Never feel "funny" about it!  You are not asking for a thing, you are offering to help someone and the help you offer them in the way of your product or professional service will provide a solution for them.  And in some cases that solution may have a profound affect on their lives.  

Six Skills to Sharpen

As a small business owner you are faced with numerous challenges every day.   This roller coaster economy of the past few years has presented a variety of challenges for many of us.  Markets, buying habits and demands have changed, but amid these changes there are numerous opportunities …and learning how to focus on those opportunities rather than the obstacles will make all the difference in the world.  

What are some of your biggest opportunities today?  How can you see explosive results in your business this coming year?  How can you attract more clients and more importantly the clients you want to do business with the most?  How will you maintain your productivity and more importantly how will you manage all this new and exciting business?  

So let’s take a look at 6 skills to sharpen to help you do just that and take things to a whole new level, regardless of the business or industry you are in:

1  Build Relationships – Nothing will have a greater impact on your ability to accomplish your goals then your ability to create and sustain lasting relationships.  The relationships you are looking to create should be with potential clients as well as creating a network for referrals from outside sources or “centers of influence”.  This requires more than exchanging business cards.   Networking, in my opinion is a skill and an art but most importantly it is a mindset.   It is a philosophy, a lifestyle and a discipline.  Your financial success is in direct proportion to your own ability to generate leads and convert those leads into new business.  Therefore, their needs to be equal time spent working ON your business as well as working in your business.  
2.     Standing Out from the Crowd – In an overcrowded, hyper competitive world, the only way to make an impression on your prospective client is to break through the noise somehow – show them why doing business with you is the answer!   And you have to offer more than what others offer.  Go beyond the basics like professionalism, quality and good customer service.  That’s what everyone offers. 
 
BONUS: Here are few tips on standing out:

a.     Do different things – It’s easy to stand out when you do something no one else is doing.  Most of us look for ways to be a little better than the competition, but how can you be different than the competition?

b.     Do things differently - The “how” is often more important than the what.  How can you add more value to what you offer?  How can you add a touch of class or elegance, humor, spice etc that will make the potential client’s experience memorable.

c.     Stir emotions; spread happiness – Remember you are part of someone else’s experience; their experience of a lifetime.  So how can you add to that experience?  How can you create emotions of joy and happiness through the services you offer?  When you create that emotional attachment you will send a message and that is what will keep them coming back for more.  You make yourself, your company, your service truly memorable.

d.     Be consistent – These methods for standing out will work only if they are consistent.  Then you will have developed an identity that people can count on and will talk about.  


3.     Leverage Social Media - In a recent study 66% of Facebook fans and 82% of Twitter followers said they were more likely to buy the brands they like on Facebook or follow on Twitter, strengthening the argument that social media is one of the most important emerging channels for lead generation.   


4.     Manage Your Time – Crucial to running a profitable business.  How do you handle all of that new business when it arrives?  How do you manage the follow up needed after a business expo or networking event?  Time management is a hot topic.  And it is easier than you think.  The best thinking in the area of time management can be captured in a single phrase: Organize and execute around priorities.  


5.     Take 100% Responsibility – If you want to be successful, you have to take 100% responsibility for everything you experience in your life.  We cannot look outside of ourselves for the answers as to why you haven’t created the life or business we want.  It is not the economy’s fault or the time of year or the fickle bride …you have the ability to take control and have ownership to the business and the results you seek.  


6.     Build by Design, not by Default-   Create and design a plan for your business rather than waiting to see how business goes this year.  The most important part of the process to design the blueprint for your business is your ability to see what you want.  Your vision is a detailed description of what you want and where you want to go.  It describes in detail what you want.  Without vision we cannot create specific goals for our vision.  Without those goals we really cannot develop an action plan.  Without the action plan we cannot get the results we seek. 

 

Sales Success with Scripts

Why do powerful sales scripts work?  Because human beings respond in predictable ways and scripts provide predictable results.  Scripts are also powerful and are free of our emotion.  They allow us to say things that will make sense to the other party.  And when we have the right words, we express ourselves better and we can move people forward to a making a decision.

Scripts can not only give you the right words to say and keep you on point, but they also provide the desired responses you seek.  Remember, a powerful script will move your buyer or seller forward.  Words affect the brain.  

Great sales people are great by choice, because they choose to develop mastery by studying and implementing great things.  When you are seeking different results in your business, you must be willing to change and improve your skills. 

Here are 5 tips on using scripts:

1.  Get your scripts from a trusted source like another top producer, your sales leader or coach.  Not all scripts are created equal!  Just because it's someone's "favorite script" doesn't mean it will be effective.  Look for evidence that the script works.

  

2.  Transform your language from telling and talking to asking questions.   The most successful sales people ask the best questions.  Selling is not telling, it's asking!  Your sales success will be based on your ability to ask a series of questions to get a desired response.  Get in the habit of asking powerful questions because it will give you control of the conversation.  Control of the conversation gives you your ultimate outcome - the appointment and the close.  

3.  Listen ...with good intention.  That means actively and patiently listening to their answers in order to understand the reasons behind their response.  Don't just ask another question for asking sake; ask questions that allow you to build a conversation.

4.  Mimic, mirror and match the prospect.  Listen to their tone of voice, speed up or slow down when necessary based on how fast or slow they're talking.  93% of communication is non-verbal, it's body language and tonality.  That means that only 7% of our communication are the words we use or the questions we ask. 

5.  Practice daily for mastery.  Time block every day to practice your scripts.  All top performers know the importance of practice.  NFL teams practice 50-60 hours for a 1 hour game.

Scripts are powerful and they work.  We are programmed to use scripts and we operate from them all day long.  The question is, is your script effective?  Are the words you’re using providing you with the desired outcomes you want?  The language we use will directly impact your success rate.

Power your thinking with a bigger why

One thing all high achievers have in common is they are working for a "big why".  The big why is about having purpose, a mission or a need, that in turn gives you focus.  The big why is the fuel that powers your actions.  It’s your motivation!

Keep in mind a big why brings BIG focus and BIG energy the same way a little why brings little focus and little energy. 

Now imagine if you could live every day with such purpose.  How far could you really go?  Think about what motivates you.  Here's a quick exercise:  Grab a pad of sticky notes and ask yourself that question, What motivates me?   Then write down one motivating factor on a sticky note.  Only 1 thought per sticky note.  Think about all the aspects of your life and all of the reasons why you want to accomplish your goals.  Think about what your goals are and why they are your goals, why are they important to you?

Now take those notes and arrange them in front of you.  Move them around according to their level of importance to you.  What comes first, that would be your BIGGEST WHY.  What matters most?  Then list the others in their order of importance.  What is dependent on the other?  Really get in touch with what motivates you.  Is it connecting with people?  Is it the challenge of closing a deal?  Is it to empower someone to purchase their dream home?  To discover solutions?  To develop successful habits?  to make a difference in someone life? 

Now take the sticky note that says Money or Financial Stability or Independence and put it at the bottom of the list.  

At the bottom of the list?  

Yes, imagine just for a minute that money was at the end of the list.  Still important but at the end of the list.  That new order to things would take the emphasis off of making money and would put the emphasis to something else.  How would that change things?  How would that make you feel?

See, business goals should be part of a larger personal strategy designed to push you and help you to grow.   What would your business look like if you worked less for money and more for the pursuit of personal growth and the ability to be and do your absolute best?   The answer might actually surprise you.  Overtime, you might find yourself less stressed and probably wealthier! 

Now that’s not to say that money is not important.  But if you focus on just the amount of money you will earn each time you work with a client, you may just be holding yourself back.  You can achieve your financial goals faster than you think by putting every other WHY first on the list.

Working every day to be your best, means that you will automatically be making the most money you can make.

Make room for more clients

It is undeniably true that lead generation and prospecting should be your #1 priority.  The business that you are servicing right now should never take precedence over creating and finding new business.  And in your quest for new business, who do you want to work with?  Who do you want to attract?  

Do you have enough people to work with?  Do you create a compelling and genuine marketing message that helps you to attract the people you most want to work with?  Are you working with the people you want to work with most?

If you answered no to any of the above questions, it's time to ask yourself why?  Why don't you have enough of the business you want most?  If I had to guess, I would say:

• You are not exactly sure who you want to do business with
• Your message is not clear
• You are not positioning yourself as the solution to their problem
• You are not standing out enough
• You are not asking for business enough
• When speaking with prospects show conviction in your abilities, skills and talents
• Be more compelling in your conversations to show your knowledge, experience and potential
• Engage more in public opportunities for networking and relationship building.  
• The more meaningful conversations you have the easier it will be for like minded individuals to find you and refer business to you.
• Create a marketing system that is consistent, reliable and systematic
• Create clear marketing messages that inform and inspire people to want to work with you

Be clear in your marketing efforts and keep it simple.  When you are feeling overwhelmed and confused you become inactive and that will show up in your marketing leading to inaction or confusion in your potential clients.  Confused clients never buy or agree to move ahead.  

All of this may not be your fault.  Most real estate agents are not taught how to market themselves effectively.  Now it may not be your fault but it is your problem or challenge.  Who can help you or coach you to be a more effective marketer?

Personally, I love marketing.  It has solved many problems for me as an entrepreneur over the years.  Marketing is a vehicle to design a business worth owning.  Powerful and effective marketing can absolutely change your life.  If you had enough leads that converted into enough clients to work with, how many would you have?  How would your business grow?  How much money would you earn?  How many dreams would you fulfill for yourself and others?   What's stopping you?

Are You Willing to Go the Extra Mile?

Are you someone who consistently goes the extra mile and routinely over delivers on your promises?  It's rare these days, but it's the hallmark of high achievers who know that exceeding expectations helps you stand out from the crowd. Almost by force of habit, successful people simply do more.

As a result, they experience not only greater financial rewards for their extra efforts but also a personal transformation, becoming more self-confident, more self-reliant, and more influential with those around them. 

These high achievers stand out from the crowd because of their extra efforts.  They are unwilling to give up, even in the face of difficult times. 

They get the promotions, they get the loyal customers, they grow their businesses twice as fast, they get financial rewards, job security, and they go home feeling satisfied.

Do you exceed expectations? 

Do you surprise people with more than they were expecting from you? 

Do you have the opportunity - but also the personal initiative - to go the extra mile?
 

To be successful you must change your thinking. You can only win by making extra efforts. People who go the extra mile always get payback. You will discover yourself becoming more self-confident, more self-reliant and more influential with those around you.  People notice the special services and all the small touches that make dealing with you so pleasurable.   

And when they are talking to their friends they will mention you and recommend you because you are the one who stands out.  People will see that you pay attention to detail, that you consider all the small things that really make a business successful, that you care about your image, and that you belong with all the other people who work hard to achieve. You will attract new business and new opportunities.

Listen to any success story and you will hear of someone who worked exceptionally hard to get what they wanted.   You’ll hear how they put in the extra time, did what wasn’t always part of their  job and over-delivered on what was asked of them.

What have you been doing for the past couple of years? Think of what you could accomplish if you made it a habit to exceed everyone’s expectations. Image what doors could be open to you if you decided to be of better service and value.

How are you willing to go the extra mile?  What kind of extra service are you willing to provide in order to stand out from the rest?  What areas of your life could you be giving more of your effort and time, becoming more valuable, and improving your reputation?

Be willing to treat everyone like you’d treat your best friend.   Don’t skimp on service.  Don’t be mediocre or run of the mill.  Show people what you are capable of.  

Put your best foot forward.  Show everyone around you how much you care about your image and reputation through everything you do.

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Do Affirmations Really Work?

Do affirmations really work?

Affirmations (meaning a statement said with confidence about a perceived truth) have helped thousands of people make significant changes in their lives.  But they don't always work for everyone.  Why can one person have great success using this tool while another feels no results at all?

An affirmation will work because it has the ability to program your mind into believing the stated concept.  This is because the mind does not know the difference between what is real or fantasy.  For example, when you watch a movie and you start to laugh or cry your mind is empathizing with the characters on the screen even though it is only make believe.

There are both positive and negative types of affirmations.  I'm sure many of us can remember as a child being told by a teacher, or another adult that we didn't have the ability to do something, or we were fat, clumsy, etc.  These negative statements can stay with us in the conscious or unconscious mind, and can become the beliefs in which we live by.  Therefore, we then reinforce these negative beliefs throughout our lives.

Positive affirmations or simply positive self talk has the power to create successful outcomes in our lives because our thoughts shape our actions and our actions are what bring results.  Napoleon Hill examined this direct connection between thoughts -actions -results in his landmark best seller, Think and Grow Rich.

Affirmations can be a powerful tool to help you change your mood, state of mind, and manifest the change you desire in your life. As powerful as positive affirmations can be, if a negative belief is deeply rooted in our unconscious mind then it has the ability to override a positive affirmation even if we aren't aware of it.  This is why for many people; affirmations don't seem to work.  Their negative beliefs are over powering their positive ones.

So how can we add more muscle to an affirmation so it has the power to triumph over our negative thinking?  Here are some suggestions on how to make them work for you.

7 Guidelines for Creating Powerful and Effective Affirmations

1.  Identify any negative or limiting beliefs that you currently hold.  Make a list of what you've always thought of as your negative qualities.  Include any criticisms others have made of you that you've been holding onto; whether it's something your siblings, parents and peers used to say about you when you were a child, or what your boss told you in your last annual review.  Don't judge if they're accurate and remember we all have flaws.  Simply make a note of them and look for a common theme, such as "I'm unworthy." This will be a great place to start making a shift in your life. When you write out the recurring belief notice if you holding on to it anywhere in your body?

2.  Now write out an affirmation on the positive aspect of your self-judgment.  You may want to use a thesaurus to find more powerful words to beef up your statement.  For example instead of saying, "I'm worthy."  You could say, "I'm remarkable and cherished."

3.  Speak the affirmation out loud for about five minutes three times a day - morning, mid day and evening.  This is easy to do!  Write them down on index cards and just spen a minute in the morning while you have coffee or as you're getting dressed.  An index card can be kept in your glove compartment, hand bag, night table etc.

4.  When writing the affirmation(s) ... start with the words I am.  These are the two most powerful words in the English language.  The subconscious takes any sentence that starts with the words I am and turns it into a command - a directive to make it happen!  and be sure to use the present tense.  Describe what you want as though you already have it.  It is important to affirm what you want - not what you don't want.

5.  Keep it brief.  One simple, yet powerful sentence.

6.  Make it specific.  Vague affirmations produce vague results.

7.  Include an action word ending with -ing.  One that expresses the emotional state you would be feeling if you had already achieved the goal.  i.e. - enjoying, relaxing, thriving

I encourage you to think about the goal(s) that lie ahead of you.  Create positive affirmations that will excite you and inspire you to take the action necessary to move closer to those goals.  Affirmations do work, if you believe in them.  The most successful people whether they have achieved success in business, sports, financial wealth, or weight loss ...have all found the power in positive affirmations.

Your thoughts will shape your world.

7 Surefire Ways to Get New Bookings Now!

With over 17 years of Direct Sales experience as a top personal seller as well as an influential leader and recruiter, I personally held over 1500 in-home parties.  Here are some of my "not so secret" ways to fill your calendar with bookings....

7 Surefire Ways to Get Bookings NOW!

 

1.  Get your catalogs out there!

Your company spends lots of money creating your most important marketing tool – your catalog. Get it out there and it will bring you bookings. Here are some ideas:

• Send a catalog to a friend, neighbor or co-worker that has moved
• Put a catalog in the teacher's lounge at your child's school.
• Put a catalog in your employee lunchroom.
• Give a catalog to the receptionist at your Dr. or dentist office.
• Put current catalog in your neighbor's door.  Include a 10% off coupon.
• Have your husband take a catalog to work

 

2.  Throw Yourself a party!

Find a reason to celebrate something (your company’s new products, your business anniversary, a promotion, working on a new incentive trip) and invite everyone you know to come help you celebrate! Offer incentives if they bring a guest and host it as an open house to increase attendance. It could even be a fund raiser for your favorite charity.

 

3. Get yourself out there!

If you’re face to face with people, they’ll get your enthusiasm and want to share in it. Here are some ideas for getting out there and meeting new people:

• Have a booth at a school fair.
• Work with other consultants in your down line or area and host a booth at a local Women’s fair.
• Check out local job fairs – they’re filled with people looking for work!

 

4. Advertise!

Get the word out to people who need to know about you! Here are some ideas of where to advertise:

• The service area of your local newspaper
• Your church bulletin
• Your alumni newsletter
• School football, drama or musical programs

 

5. Think of some new places and environments to host shows

You can do your presentation in some interesting places – not just a host’s home. If you can do an open house format, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas:       

• Host an office party during lunch or after work. Attendance will be automatic!
• Host a restaurant party – the host doesn’t have to do anything except invite people and show up!
• Hold a “multiple host” event, holding several shows in the same place on the same night.
• Host a show before or during a PTA meeting. 

6. Make your party a booking event! 

• Create an awesome booking “commercial” which highlights the benefits of booking a show with you  
• At the beginning of the party mention your host’s goals. Have the hostess tell why she decided to host a party.  
• Offer a gift wrapped gift to the host at your show; 1 booking, she takes off the bow, two bookings, she takes off the wrapper, three bookings, she gets to keep the gift!  
• Offer “instant booking gifts” as a bonus for hosts who book on days and/or months you need to make a goal. 
• Make your parties fun so your guests will want to book

7.  Use one of these other awesome ideas:

• Include a business card or flyer with ALL your bill payments Participate in a school fund-raiser.
• Wear clothing with your company logo on it.
• Have your business information printed directly on your checks
• Call your realtor with suggestions for "new home packages"
• Start a "Host of the month" club (12 hosts agree to place at least a $30.00 order each month, and 1 of the 12 months, they also get all the host benefits!)
• Carry a notepad to jot down names of potential hosts as you think of them.

Making a Great First Impression!

It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. In this very short time, the other person forms an opinion, fair or not,  about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.

We make countless new encounters every day and with every new meeting, you are evaluated and yet another person’s impression of you is formed.  These first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making these first encounters extremely important.  It will set the tone for the entire relationships that follows.  

This is crucial to you and your business success.  People are watching you all the time and it is important to  know how to put your best foot forward each and every day whether it is in the work place, at a meeting or a networking event.  

With over 21 years as a top producing sales representative for various companies and industries; I learned early on that my best asset was me!  So I never took a first meeting or my ability to make a good first impression too lightly.  Here are some of my tips:

Be on Time

Someone you are meeting for the first time is not interested in your “good excuse” for running late.  Plan to arrive a few minutes early and allow flexibility for possible delays in traffic or taking a wrong turn.  Arriving early is much better that arriving late, hands down, and is the first step in creating a great first impression.  Being late can put an uncomfortable feeling in the air and a meeting should not start that way. 

Be Yourself, Be at Ease

If you are feeling uncomfortable and on edge, this can make the other person ill at ease and that’s a sure way to create the wrong impression. Your feeling uncomfortable can also create an impression on the other person that you might not be ready, knowledgeable or willing to discuss the matter at hand.   If you are calm and confident, the other person will feel more at ease too, and then you have a solid foundation for making that first impression a good one and building a relationship.

Present Yourself Appropriately

Your physical appearance matters.  All the time.  No matter where you are.  The person you are meeting for the first time does not know you and your appearance is usually the first clue he or she has to go on.  The other person may not want to do business with you or refer business to you if you can not look the part of a successful professional.  Now, that certainly does not mean you need to look like a model to create a strong and positive first impression.  The key to a good impression is to present yourself appropriately.  Appropriate dressing and grooming help make a good first impression and also help you feel “the part”, and also feel more calm and confident. 

A Word about Individuality

The good news is you can usually create a good impression by just being your authentic self.  Focus on your individuality.  And Yes, to make a good first impression you do need to “fit in” to some degree.  But it all goes back to being appropriate for the situation.  If the meeting is in a business setting, wear the appropriate business attire.  If the meeting is at a less formal event or location, consider business casual as the appropriate  attire.  The key is to show your confidence, success and ability and look natural at the same time.

A Winning Smile!

“Smile and the world smiles too.”   So there’s nothing like a smile to create a good first impression.  A warm and confident smile will put both you and the other person at ease.  So smiling is a winner when it comes to great first impressions and "breaking the ice."  It goes without saying, to be sincere and not "over do" it either!

 

Be Open and Confident

When it comes to making the first impression, body language as well as appearance speaks much louder than words.   Use your body language to project appropriate confidence and self-assurance.  Stand tall, smile (of course), make eye contact, greet with a firm handshake.  All of this will help you project confidence and encourage both you and the other person to feel better at ease.  Almost everyone gets a little nervous when meeting someone for the first time, which can lead to nervous habits or sweaty palms.  By being aware of your nervous habits, you can try to keep them in check.  And controlling a nervous jitter or a nervous laugh will give you confidence and help the other person feel at ease.

Small Talk Goes a Long Way…

Conversations are based on verbal give and take.  It may help you to prepare questions you have for the person you are meeting for the first time beforehand. Or, take a few minutes to learn something about the person you meet for the first time before you get together. For instance, does he play golf? Does she work with a local charitable foundation?   Is there anything that you know of that you have in common with the person you are meeting? If so, this can be a great way to open the conversation and to keep it flowing.

Be Positive

Your attitude shows through in everything you do. Project a positive attitude, even in the face of criticism or in the case of nervousness. Strive to learn from your meeting and to contribute appropriately, maintaining an upbeat manner and a smile.

Be Courteous And Attentive

It goes without saying that good manners and polite, attentive and courteous behavior help make a good first impression.  In fact, anything less can ruin the one chance you have at making that first impression. So be on your best behavior!   One modern manner worth mentioning is be engaged in the other person, you might even want to turn off your phone.  What first impression will you create if you are distracted or worse .... start speaking to someone other than the person you are meeting for the first time?  Your new acquaintance deserves 100% of your attention.  Anything less and you’ll create a less than good first impression.

A Plan for Success in Your Direct Sales Business

Success people plan their success because a failure to plan is just planning to fail.  More important than planning to succeed is however expecting to succeed.  Are you just in it or are you in it to win? 

What are your goals for your business?  What made you decide to join your company?  Is your business full time or part time?  Are you looking to make some extra money or are you looking to change your life and that of your family?   

Anything is possible with your Direct Sales business, the sky is virtually the limit.  You just have to decide what you want and make the plan to get it.  And a note of warning!  Be careful what you ask for because you will only get what you ask for.  So dream big.

When I joined my first direct selling company, I expected to achieve a management position with the company.  So I did, rather quickly.  I expected to earn a free vacation every year.  So I did.  I expected to be successful so I was.  I looked everywhere around me to find ways to be successful.  And it all started with a vision and a plan.

Many people approach life as if they have no control over outcomes.  And that is simply not true.  You control your actions; therefore you can control your own destiny.  Your life will change the moment you learn that.  

 "Expectations held over a period of time, either consciously or subconsciously, affect attitudes – attitudes affect actions.  Expectations function relentlessly, whether you create them for yourself or someone else holds them for you".  – Paul J Meyer, The Dynamics of Goal Setting (Success Motivation International, Inc.)

Successful direct sellers know that planning is easier to do in direct selling than it is in other business ventures.  For one thing, it is realistic to expect to reach high levels of income and achieve high levels of success.  

We also know the benefit in having a proven system to plug int to.  We need only to adapt those plans and systems for ourselves.  It requires participation, action and some hard work at times.

Here are a few simple success principles:

·       Develop confidence in yourself.  Confidence comes from know-how and know-how comes from experience and experience can only come from doing it.  Don’t be afraid to share what you have to offer with others.

·       Develop strategy.  This is where planning comes in.  Ask yourself these important questions:

1.     What is my step by step plan for getting more bookings on my calendar? 

2.     What is my step by step plan for increasing my sales? 

3.     How will I do that?  What are my resources?

4.     What is my step by step plan to coach my hostess to a better party?

5.     What is my monthly income goal? How many bookings do I need to get it? 

6.     What are my plans for leadership?

7.     What is my step by step plan to recruit others to join the team?

·       Treat your business like a business.  Take 100% responsibility for the results you are seeing.  Create specific times and schedules to work your business effectively.  Give it the appropriate time it needs in order for you to accomplish your goals.  Remember your work has to equal your want.

·       Have expectations.  Don’t take a wait and see approach.  Develop a plan and work into it.  Create what you want, don’t wait for it to show up.  The most successful people have a hunger for what they do and possess a drive that helps them accomplish their goals.  You are one of those people.

·       Focus on bookings.  There is an old saying in Direct Sales, “no one goes out of business with a full calendar”.  Your party is where it all happens!  Product promotion and demonstration, customer relationship building, sales and profit, bookings for future profit, hostess coaching for better parties and more excited hostesses and recruiting for team building which can bring a greater sense of contribution and energy for the team and even a potential for greater income and professional development for you.

·       Fortune is in the follow up.  Being able to have a systematic approach to follow up and stay in touch with hostesses and customers is vital for your success.  Remember “no” may just be a “no, not now” not a “no, not ever!”  Always keep a list (and add to it) of hot leads or prospects.  Write a note to jog your memory about the last conversation you had with that person.  Calendar the date for follow up and don't be afraid to make that next call.

·       Keep your goals in front of you for maximum results and achievement.  Write them down. Hang them up, write them on index cards and keep a card in various places around the house and in your car.  Look at the card(s) before bed each night and first thing in the morning.  You will be amazed at how this imagery will kick start your subconscious mind into action, helping you to achieve whatever you set out to do.  

·       Be accountable to someone else for your actions and outcomes.  Work with your leadership team to clearly establish your goals as well as your action plan.  Schedule weekly coaching calls with your leader so that you can be held accountable to that plan and make progress towards your goals. 

Anna Gibbs is a Certified Business Coach and a Certified Life Coach with over 17 years of Direct Sales experience as both a top personal sales performer having achieved just under $1 million dollars in overall sales volume and a dynamic leader and recruiter.  For more information about Anna and her coaching services please visit www.powerfultransitions.com