I am frequently asked this question by new team members.  Whether they are acquired on or off-line, contacting your leads in a timely manner is vital to the growth and survival of your business.  We all use different methods, but here I will be share the process I use when I receive leads.  My methods are effective for me, but they may not be the best for everyone. 

If you have been building your online presence through your website, ads, social media and blogs, you are generating leads from them.  When those leads arrive, what should you do next?

Even if you only have a name and email address for the prospect, don’t wait to let them call you.  Also don’t start sending out dozens of emails to them.  Using autoresponders, you can send out several spread out over a month or so. 

It is important to qualify your leads.   There is a big difference between having a lot of leads and having a few who are well-qualified.  My personal qualifying criteria may be different from those other people have, and I have only a few.

• Have they visited and reviewed at least one of my websites?
• Can and do they follow instructions?
• When you speak to them on the phone, are they pleasant?  If they are rude or negative, I don’t want them on my team!
• I am seeking people with a positive attitude who have a vision of the future and know they can succeed with the business.

We can receive leads by email, via opt-ins from our websites, by phone, through a social media site or face to face. 

When I receive a lead through an opt-in with no phone number, I don’t just let them receive autoresponders and wait.  Autoresponders are great, but I don’t want to rely on them alone.  Our prospects need to know that we are real people.

I allow prospects to receive 1 or 2 of the autoresponders.  Then I look in my back office to see if they opened the autoresponders.  How much time did they spend on my website?  Once I’ve done that, I am armed with the information I need to write a PERSONAL email to let them know I’d be happy to answer their questions. 

If someone opted-in from my website and left a phone number, I allow the prospect to receive one or two autoresponders before phoning them.  I wait no longer than a couple days.

Before calling, I check my back office to look at the prospect’s activity.  This knowledge helps me know what to say in the conversation with the lead.   When I call, I identify myself and my company and tell them I received their inquiry about my business. Then I’ll say something like, “I wanted to follow up with you to see if you have any specific questions I can answer for you.”  If they have questions, I simply answer them.

I’ll ask if they had an opportunity to explore my website.  If not, I’ll tell them that nearly everything they want to know is addressed at my website. I’ll say lightheartedly, “My website explains it better than I can!  So, why don’t you go to my site http://mywebsite, and give me a call afterward so we can go over questions you have then.  Here’s my phone number….”

By sending them to the website, I am testing to see if the prospect follows instructions.  If they don’t call me back, I may send them a follow-up email after a few days, but I do not call them again.

Since many leads phone us, we must be sure to answer the phone professionally at all times.  Your two-year-old on your voice mail saying, “My mommy will call you back” is not professional.

No matter how you contact your prospect, be professional, but friendly, helpful, genuine, and reliable. Even if your lead never becomes a customer, they may recommend or refer you to others. 

In celebration of Christmas, I thought it would be fun to see how Christmas is celebrated outside the United States and Canada.   I found the following information at http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm.  There are far more countries’ traditions listed on that page if you want to read about them.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Australia:

Christmas in Australia is often very hot. Whereas the northern hemisphere is in the middle of winter, Australians are baking in summer heat.

The warm weather allows Australians to enjoy a tradition which commenced in 1937. Carols by Candlelight is held every year on Christmas Eve, where tens of thousands of people gather in the city of Melbourne to sing their favorite Christmas songs. The evening is lit by as many candles singing under a clean cut night sky. The sky with its Southern Cross stars is like a mirror. Australians surround themselves with Christmas Bush, a native plant which has little red flowered leaves.

Egypt:

On the Eve of Christmas everyone goes to church wearing a completely new outfit. The Christmas service ends at midnight with the ringing of church bells, and then people go home to eat a special Christmas meal known as fata, which consists of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat.

On Christmas morning people in Egypt visit friends and neighbors. They take with them kaik which is a type of shortbread, which they take with them to give to the people they visit and eaten with a drink known as shortbat. Christmas Day is a public holiday for Christians.

Japan:

Only 1 per cent of Japanese people believe in Christ. Even so, most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas.

They enjoy giving each other gifts, and this is the part they celebrate.  A Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho acts like Santa Claus and brings presents to each house for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby.

Among the Japanese Christians, Christmas is not a day for the family. They do not have turkey or plum pudding.  Instead  the day is spent doing nice things for others especially those who are sick in hospitals.

Wales:

The Welsh are great lovers of music and so every year at Christmas, carol singing is the most enjoyed activity. In the churches, they are sung to the harp. They are sung in people's homes around the Christmas tree and at the doors and windows of the houses.

Taffy making is one of the most important of the Welsh Christmas traditions, which is a special kind of chewy toffee from brown sugar and butter.  The Christmas goose is also essential.

Liberia:

Most homes have an oil palm for a Christmas tree, which is decorated with bells. On Christmas morning, people are woken up by carols. Presents such as cotton cloth, soap, sweets, pencils, and books are exchanged.  A church service is held in the morning during which the Christmas scene is enacted and hymns and carols are sung. Dinner is eaten outdoors with everyone sitting in a circle to share the meal of rice, beef and biscuits. Games are played in the afternoon, and at night fireworks light up the sky.

I want to take this opportunity to wish all my friends and associates (and everyone who may read this post) a wonderful Christmas - and a great holiday season!  Whatever you are celebrating during the winter season, I hope it is your best ever! 

May we all enjoy a healthy, safe, happy and prosperous 2014!

Next month will be the tenth anniversary of my father’s death.  It sure does not feel like that long ago.

My father was the all-around smartest person I have ever known.  He had no college degree, but he could carry on a conversation with anyone on virtually any topic.  He simply knew something about everything.  He was loving and affectionate.  He was also very funny.  He told hilarious stories, and he was not embarrassed to act silly on occasion.

I recently posted a photo of my dad standing in Ducker’s Deli, the restaurant he owned for 25 years.  He then retired and closed the business in 1980 - 33 years ago!  I shared the photo on Facebook group to which I belong where all the members grew up in the area I did.

I was very touched to see how many people remembered my dad and the restaurant he owned.  Here are just some of the posts that the group members wrote. 

Larry Epstein: I used go to duckers

 Jon Haimowitz: we ate there all the time... and i recognize your dad’s the man behind the counter

 Debbie Mark: we ate there too

 Glen Crosse Sr:I remember. I lived near there

  Michelle Ducker Scharf: It was very well known in the east valley. I remember wherever I went people would ask if I was related to Duckers Deli. So proud to say yes....this is exactly how I remember Uncle Saul.

 Hillorie McLarty: Ate there many times. Sad to lose a great deli

 Steve Fischler: xlent Lox ... dad would go up there on Sunday a.m.

 Bob Wortman: I worked up Woodman and would go there for lunch, good all-around place...

 Julie Klein: Thank so much for all the nice comments. I love that so many people remember my dad and Ducker's.

 Steven Koenig: Remember it well, right by the Owl Rexall Drug Store and Burghardt Market. We lived a couple of blocks away.

 Michelle Ducker Scharf: There will never be delis like that one. Some imitations exist but none close.

Julie Klein: Yes cuz, I agree! Without my parents' touch, all the rest are "just" delis.

Larry Epstein:  Is true they the owner of Brent's deli started at duckers

 Julie Klein: The original owner, Brent, worked for Saul Ducker for years. He sold his restaurant to Ronnie who also worked at Ducker's. Brent & Ronnie were trained by the best! Brent's is the only deli in the area I'll go to when I visit there.

Donald Kennedy: Remember it always.

Being close to the holidays, all these wonderful comments are a gift to me.  My dad was well-liked, well-loved and well-remembered.  I could not be more proud to call Saul Ducker MY DAD! 

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).  

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com.  

It seems that all we see in newspapers, in online news reports and on television these days is someone getting murdered, a terrible storm that devastated a town or a mass killing. There are so many wonderful things happening every day, and nearly everyone in the world is good and kind. So today, during this joyous season, I want to share “The Good Stuff!” 

I won’t take credit for this title or the stories I am about to share with you. I watch “New Day” on CNN early each morning, and every day they share a great story that they call “The Good Stuff.” You can see the video stories here: http://newday.blogs.cnn.com/category/headlines/the-good-stuff/. I am happy to pass along these true stories that highlight the good news happening around us every day!

• A five-year-old kindergartner named Claire Koch was part of her class’s holiday concert. Both of Claire’s parents are deaf. This wonderful little girl decided to surprise her parents by singing along in sign language so her parents could enjoy the songs too! What a fantastic gift she gave to her parents.
• A young Rabbi and his wife purchased a desk on craiglist. It turned out that the desk wouldn’t fit through the door of their office. So, they had to take the desk apart to get it into the office. When they disassembled it, they found $98,000 inside. They contacted the original owner and learned that she had hidden her entire inheritance in the desk and forgot about it! (I do not understand that either.) After receiving the money back from the buyers, the woman sent them a thank you card along with the money they had paid for the desk.
• Darnell Barton, a bus driver in Buffalo, was driving along a busy highway when he noticed a woman who had climbed over the railing above a freeway overpass. Many cars were just driving by, but Darnell stopped his bus, walked slowly toward the woman while speaking softly with her. He gently pulled her down, all the while giving her words of comfort. He sat with her on the sidewalk until others stopped to help. He then returned to his bus and continued his shift for the day and did not even report the incident to his employer.
• A struggling single dad, Anthony Garfallo, found a fake Christmas tree in a box a few years ago. He didn’t open the box until recently. When he did, he discovered $50,000 in bearer bonds inside. He was able to determine the name of the owner of the bonds, but all the contact information that he found was invalid. Mr. Garfallo said, “What’s right is right.” On the “New Day” show they announced the name of the owner and said he could contact them to retrieve his bonds.
• Upon the passing of Nelson Mandela, the news coverage has reported all his accomplishments and the many years he was imprisoned. They give details of the various memorials and events planned to honor him. “New Day” aired a phenomenal photo of two fathers standing side-by-side at a gathering to honor Mandela. Each man had a child mounted on his shoulders. One man and his child were black while the others were white. That photo alone tells the whole story of Nelson Mandel’s accomplishments and contribution to South Africa.

At this time of year when Good Will is on our minds, I hope that you will visit http://newday.blogs.cnn.com/category/headlines/the-good-stuff/ to see the videos of these stories and more. I am sure they will brighten your day as they have mine. 

I have been in the network marketing industry for nearly a decade.  Still, it never ceases to amaze me that so many network marketers do not work during the holiday season.  They usually say that people do not buy products or joining businesses during this time of the year. 

This is the second time in about a week that I am writing about this topic.  I feel so strongly about it that I feel the need to get my message to more people!

• Yesterday was Thanksgiving.  A new rep joined my team online yesterday.  I had no prior contact with her.  This is the third time in my network marketing career that someone joined my team on Thanksgiving.
• More people than ever use social media.  Do they stop during the holiday season?  Of course not!  So, why would you stop trying to build relationships and promoting your home business?
• Various events and parties we attend in December are filled with prospects!  No, it isn’t a good time to try “selling” someone, but how about if you give a two sentence explanation of what you do and then say something like, “I don’t want to take up your time.  We are here to join in the party.  I would be happy to speak with you later this week to tell you more.  Let me just jot down your phone number and email address.”
• While standing in an ever-present long line at a store, strike up a conversation with someone near you.  Try to slip in, “I am so much more relaxed this year since I didn’t have to ask anyone for time off.”  There are many simple ways to hint toward your career without jumping into a presentation.  Very often if we say something like this, the other person may ask you, “Oh, you don’t work anymore?”   The door is open for a VERY brief mention of your business.  Then give them a business card or brochure and/or ask for their contact info.

Opportunities are all around you to promote your business during the holidays, both online and off.  Keep your eyes open to recognize these occasions, and you can grow your team and increase your product sales by the New Year.

Who would like to take on the holiday challenge to build your income by January 1^st?

I read an article today that I found very interesting.  Some of the suggestions in this article suggest selling “tricks” that go against everything I have been taught.  And yet, some of these recommendations made perfect sense. 

I am writing a summarized version of the article below.  To read the article in its entirety, visit.

http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/wealth-a-retirement/6-tricks-to-sell-absolutely-anything 

We all spend a good part of our day selling.  In addition to whatever product or service our company offers, we often suggest new ideas to our employer, co-workers, our children, friends and spouses.  We try to convince them that our idea is good.  When applying for a job, we are selling ourselves.  One survey demonstrated that 40% of a workers’ day is spent in one form or another of “non-sales” selling.   

This article revealed several ways to improve our “selling” skills that I found very interesting.  

1.      Admit to a small negative.  A study done by the Journal of Consumer Research revealed that prospects purchase products more frequently when the “seller” tells them about a minor flaw with it. 

According to this article, people like to make comparisons.  If we’re selling a product or an idea, when we mention a small problem along with all the great features, the prospect weighs the positives against the tiny negative in their mind, and they usually decide the product is good. 

Using this technique, the prospect is less likely to think up other negatives themselves or compare your product with its competition.  Be sure to discuss the positive features before mentioning the small flaw. 

2.      We have been told forever that the power of positive thinking will increase our chances of success.  However, an article published in Psychological Science suggests a more effective strategy.  Instead of telling ourselves “I can do this,” we should ask ourselves, “Can I do this?” 

The theory behind this suggestion is that asking ourselves questions encourages us to give the task more thought and possibly think of more reasons why we CAN succeed.  We may even come up with a new and better strategy to accomplish the task. 

3.      Insert a mild curse into your presentation.  Normally, we are very careful not to use profanity when speaking with a prospect.  A Northern Illinois University study demonstrated that a mild cuss word inserted into our speech can make us appear to have greater conviction to the product or service we are presenting.  Perceived conviction can increase persuasiveness. 

Do not use cuss words repeatedly during your presentation; once is enough.  And do not feign sincerity.  If you truly are convicted to your service, for instance, you can say, “Excuse my language, but this is a *** good idea.”   

4.      A position of “power” is not always good. If you feel as though you have the upper hand in a sales situation, stop and think of how the prospect will perceive your presentation.  When people find themselves in a position of power, they fail to see the other party’s point of view, which can decrease their ability to be persuasive. 

5.      Most of us have been told that to make a sale, we must help our prospect solve a problem.  Better still try to identify a problem that the potential customer doesn’t even realize they have.   Example:  Instead of submitting a resume for an advertised position, approach a company that has not announced a position.  Tell them ways that you could improve their bottom line. 

When we discuss our accomplishments with our company, they may or may not be impressed.  To balance out your accomplishments, stress the potential.  It seems that (according to a 2012 study at Stanford University and Harvard Business School) people place more importance on the inherent uncertainty about potential than they do on accomplishments. 

For instance, “I have done very well with my company leading to our corporate office asking me to work closely with them to plan for changes and improvements.”  (My accomplishment.)  “Our Founders are seeking more leaders to help the company plan for future products to offer and expansion of our business.” (Prospect’s potential.) 

Some of these concepts I think are very sound and will use in the future.  A couple seemed a bit “way out there” to me.  I’d love to hear everyone’s opinion. 

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Learn how to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more at http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

To learn about Julie Klein and how you can be successful in network marketing, look at the Xpress Healthcare™ Business Opportunity at http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

As long as people have engaged in commerce, they have generally done business with people they liked and trusted.  Today, with online social networking, we can become acquainted with people worldwide.  This has opened up a whole new mode of promoting our businesses. 

A very powerful way to market businesses, especially home businesses is “relationship marketing.”  Using social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, IBOToolbox and others, we can connect with potential customers and business partners.  

With relationship marketing, we primarily focus on building and sustaining mutually beneficial associations.  We can also establish friendships with people who may never have any interest in our product or business.  We can learn from some of our contacts and educate others. 

The most important thing to remember is that we are using social media.  The name is a clue as to how to behave on these sites.  Don’t just jump in and start promoting your product.  Remember that I began this post by saying that people do business with those they like and trust, and it can take time to develop a relationship.  

Participate on social media sites with relevant information.  Your posts can be educational, newsworthy, humorous, interesting or helpful.  Those with whom you are establishing a relationship want to know about you, so include your opinions, information about your background, perhaps a little about your family.  Always keep your posts positive, and avoid controversial topics.  It is very important to include photograph of yourself as part of your profile.  Your profile picture should not be your logo or an avatar.  People want to know that there is a real person writing to them. 

Remember that it is not always about you. Ask questions and get to know your contacts.  We’re sowing seeds.  Any one of the relationship seeds we plant may turn out to know someone who needs your product or who is seeking a business just like yours. 

As I said earlier, don’t begin selling too soon. Find a balance between sharing your information and sharing other people’s. Being social is the first step, and eventually people will begin asking questions about your business.  

Don’t be surprised if it takes a few months to establish enough relationships to benefit your business.  Be patient and get to know people.  I have built my business almost entirely through social media.  Your patience will prove worthwhile. 

It is so easy to take people and things for granted.  I am spoiled, and I know it.  Although I’m not wealthy, we get our bills paid every month. I have a wonderful husband, two healthy sons and three beautiful grandchildren.  

I also have a brother and a sister, both of whom I love dearly.  I used to have two sisters. My “big” sister died a few years ago way too young, and I miss her every day.  I am so glad that while she was with us, I did not take her for granted.  We spoke every day, at least once, until the day she died.  Thank Heavens, the last words we spoke on the phone the night she died were, “I love you.” 

I do take some things for granted though.  I seldom think about that fact that I know I will always have food to eat and a roof over my head.  I have never had to truly struggle to survive.  

Most people, Americans in particularly, don’t give much thought to what’s happening around the world. I am saying this as an American myself.  I KNOW there are people starving, who are in pain, who are suffering and living in unimaginable conditions.  But most of the time, I just go on living my life, taking it for granted. 

Sure, I give my time and money, but not enough of either.  When I take the time to really think about all have, I am very grateful for where I was born, for the family that raised me, and for the good health that enabled me to work hard to be able to afford what I have today. 

Today I am taking some time to be truly grateful for all the things I normally don’t give a moment’s thought.  I have to clean my house, but I have a house to clean!  I have to put expensive gas into my car, but I have a car and the money to fuel it.  I have to prepare dinner and clean the kitchen afterward, but I have the food to cook and a place to prepare it. 

I have a business that I love working, and I earn a living with it.  Many of my co-workers have become friends about whom I care very much.  I work with a company with very high integrity and excellent products.  Although I am not brilliant with an amazing IQ, I am smart enough to operate my business and write this blog. 

There are many people – friends and family – that love me, and I love them in return.  In so many ways, I am blessed, and I am very thankful for everyone in my life and for the blessings that have been bestowed upon me. 

Perhaps you too would like to take just a little time today to be grateful for those people and things you normally take for granted.

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Please take a couple minutes to visit and comment on my Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcarTheWinnersCircle.    

I am writing this blog today to extend my gratitude to the company with which I am an Affiliate Business Owner.  I have been with this company since February 2011, and during that time, I have been supported by our two Founders, Ed Pettola and Dan Gambardello every inch of the way.

I also had a personal corporate mentor who challenged me and gave me opportunities to step out of my comfort zone to learn and grow a wonderful business.

A few months ago, our Founders sent me a draft of a new website and asked for my opinion and suggestions for changes.  I sent them many suggestions, and they were included on the new page.

Our Founders even accept direct calls from affiliates.  We are supposed to go through our corporate support first, but there are times when I and a few of us have skipped that step.  It has never been a problem.

One of our Founders goes into the field to sell products.  He doesn’t do this as the Founder, just as a representative.  He wants to know what kind of experiences we face.

This week Ed contacted me and asked if I'd do a weekly email/newsletter.  He would be sending it to a long list of corporate connections.  At first, I thought I would be writing strictly about our company, Xpress Healthcare, but he wants to accentuate MY team.  I can highlight a team member one week, for instance. I am free to write whatever I want, long or short. 

I'm crazy to take on another task (like writing five blogs & two team call presentations every week isn't enough).  But I will be promoting our company and my team in particular, so I couldn't say no.  This newsletter can help so many of my team members. 

So, tell me what company you have ever worked with that supported you so much?  I know I have never before been affiliated with a business that not only is open to suggestions but encourages them.  I am so impressed by the fact that our Founders are two down-to-earth men with very high integrity.

This post is not intended to be a promotion for Xpress Healthcare as much as it is to promote two great guys who happen to be the best company owners with whom I have ever been associated.  Ed Pettola and Dan Gambardello, thank you for everything you do.

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Learn how to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more athttp://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

Research tells us that when we write down a goal we are more likely to achieve it. Since written goals can be reviewed regularly, they have more long-range power. Goals are not a dream that you hope to achieve.  Goals are like a contract with yourself that you WILL achieve.  When you write your goals, they should be:

1. Present Tense. State goals as though they are being realized right now, or have already been attained. Our subconscious minds only operate in the present. If you create goals in the future tense, your subconscious will never get there.
2. Positive. State goals in positive rather than negative terms. ("I am a neat and organized person," rather than, "I am no longer disorganized.")
3. Personal. Goals must be about you, and under your control, not about someone else.
4. Precise. Write goals in a manner that clearly describe what you intend to accomplish.  Do NOT say “I want to earn enough to quit my job.” Instead, say exactly how much monthly income it will take you to enable you to quit your job. $500 per week?  $3000 per month?  For example, your goal may be: “I am working my business so I’ll be earning $3000 per month by March 31, 2013.”  You can decide on a date, or break it down into mini goals by weeks, months or within 24 months.
5. Possible. Goals should be realistic. Achieving them must be within the realm of possibility.  If you’ve never written any business with your company, don’t write down a goal that you’ll make 100 sales by the end of the month.  While it is not totally impossible, in most businesses, it is not likely.  Instead, use a realistic number, breaking it down by weeks, months or by the end of the year.  For instance:

“I am growing my team by two members by the end of August.”  Then:  “I’m building my team by an additional six members by the end of October.”  Next:  “I’m working my business so I’ll have 12 team members by the end of the year.”  If you surpass that goal, great, but meanwhile, you can actually achieve those goals, and you’ll feel good that you’ve accomplished them.

Repeated victories will result in higher self-esteem and more confidence in setting higher goals, which result in greater productivity.  You also don’t want to set your goals too low.  Your goals should be challenging, but attainable.

6. Deadline.  Give yourself a deadline by which you intend to reach your goal.  As I mentioned, you can break them down by mini goals you’ll reach in days, weeks, months, etc. 
7. No Deadline… Some goals can be about your work habits or schedule, without a deadline.  For instance, if you have not been participating on forums as much as you think you should, one of your goals may be “I am participating in forums one hour three times a week.”
8. You must REALLY want your goal and work every day towards accomplishing your goal. If you are wishy-washy about whether or not you achieve your goal, you likely will not do so.
   
   Even if you have no time during the day to take action towards your goal, you can take a few minutes to visualize it. Constantly visualizing yourself accomplishing your goal is a powerful way to help achieve it.

Place written goals where you will see them at least twice a day. If possible, read them aloud and visualize each one.

Since we are packing up our house in anticipation of moving soon, I was going through some old records.  I ran across the eulogy my brother wrote about our mother upon her passing a few years ago.  It was so beautiful; I’d like to share it with anyone who reads this so you can learn a little about my wonderful family. 

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My Mother was the last thread holding together the fabric of an era, where family was knit together; like a blanket that kept us warm on a cold night.  An era that now lives only in the sweet and cherished memories of our childhoods. 

My Mother was the last thread holding together a tapestry made up of traditions, patriotism and religious beliefs that were the very core of existence. 

Together, my Grandparents and my Mother’s brothers and sisters carried on their traditions effortlessly, because it was who they were.  But as each passed away, the weight of carrying these traditions became heavier for those remaining.  And for almost a decade, my Mother had to carry them herself.  Yet she never complained; but rather she lived them every day, because it was who she was… and with her passing, they are gone forever. 

We all knew the side of my Mother that was ever upbeat and positive, always sincere with a kind word and a beautiful smile.  And the way she became a part of each moment we shared with her.  How she would feel what the people she loved were feeling, be it joy or sorrow, pleasure or pain.  She would feel it with you and comfort or celebrate with us.  Whatever it was we needed. 

We all experienced and were inspired by her strength, her courage and her eternal optimism.  Yet I knew and experienced another side that she kept hidden; one of tears, fears and frailty.  One that was filled with sadness, because she was physically unable to do things for others. [Both her legs were amputated during her last few years.]  It caused her great pain to ask anyone to do things for her. Yet her fear and frailty and sadness made her courage, bravery and strength all the more credible and inspirational.  Because in spite of her fear and doubt, she carried on with a smile, and still was able to find joy in what she deemed most important – holding together the last thread of tradition of family. 

My Mother often said that the years during the 2^nd World War were among the best years of her life; a statement that is a tribute to the strength and perseverance of her generation.  A generation that suffered through a depression and a world at war, yet through it all, earned the admiration of the world as heroes. 

What an incredible woman, and what a rich life my Mother led.  She nourished her appreciation of travel and nature. The sound of a rushing river could bring her to complete and total peace. 

And she gave life to 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  25 lives, each of us carrying the potential for unimaginable strength, courage and eternal dedication to the things we cherish most. 

What my Mother represents is equal to the woman she was.

I found these amusing quotes at:  http://dennysfunnyquotes.blogspot.com/2010/01/funny-quotes-about-jobs-and-work.html.  There were more than these; so if you enjoy these, visit the site.

• Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas. ~ Paula Poundstone
• The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does. ~ Anonymous
• By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day. ~ Robert Frost
• One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important. ~ Bertrand Russell
• The difference between a job and a career is the difference between forty and sixty hours a week. ~ Robert Frost
• The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning, and does not stop until you get into the office. ~ Robert Frost
• People who work sitting down get paid more than people who work standing up. ~ Ogden Nash
• Researchers at Harvard say that taking a power nap for an hour in the afternoon can totally refresh you. They say that by the time you wake up you'll feel so good, you'll be able to start looking for a new job. ~ Jay Leno
• The closest to perfection a person ever comes is when he fills out a job application form. ~ Stanley J. Randall
• A lot of fellows nowadays have a B.A., M.D., or Ph.D. Unfortunately, they don't have a J.O.B. ~ "Fats" Domino
• If a train station is where the train stops, what's a work station? ~ Anonymous
• Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties. ~ Doug Larson

Has your dad suggested that you are crazy to be working a home-based business?  Has your best friend encouraged you over and over again to get a “real” job?  How about people you know who say something to the effect of “Let me know when you start making money.  I’ll join then.”  In their minds, that day will never come. 

All these people mean well.  They love and care about you, but if they have never had a successful home business, they are not the people from whom you should be taking advice.

I have had new team members join my company who are excited and full of plans to build a great business.  A day or two passes, and then they tell me, “My wife told me it was a scam.  So I’m quitting.”  

If people are intelligent enough to research a business opportunity, finding nothing negative about it, why are they so quick to believe a couple people they know, because they tried it and failed or simply believe all home businesses are scams? 

Don’t listen to the wrong people!  Once you find a great home-based business and determine it is reputable and strong, join it and begin following the suggestions of those who have successfully worked from home.  

There is no need to tell your friends and family that they don’t know what they’re talking about.  Just tune them out and know that they only want the best for you.  Dive into your business, build it, and they will later say, “I knew you could do it!” 

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We’ve all heard the term “over-thinking.”  We’re humans, and we often think about things too much.  Our over-thinking can often actually stand in the way of our success. 

Of course, we don’t want to act foolishly or never think things through.  Over-thinking, however, can prevent us from doing actual work! 

We all know people who constantly talk about what they plan to do, but they never get around to doing anything.  Over-thinkers have read over the company’s websites a million times and reviewed every bit of literature the company offers.  They think they must know the answer to every possible question that may come up in their business. 

You definitely want to be informed of all the basics of your business, but you do NOT have to know everything there is to know before you begin working.  You should know how to navigate your websites so you can find answers when you’re asked a question.  In fact, you NEVER will know everything there is to know about your business!  Simply know how to find answers or who to contact for answers. 

Those who are making money with their network marketing business are the ones who learned the basics and then got to work.  They took action almost from the day they joined.  

As we begin interacting with prospects – online or face-to-face – we learn what works and what does not.  Sure, you will likely make some mistakes, but you’ll get past them and keep striving for success. 

So, don’t think too hard!  Get out there and take action!  You’ll have on-the-job training, your knowledge will grow over time – and so will your paycheck! 

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Most of us have worked in at least one network marketing company prior to joining our current business. Many of you work two or more businesses right now.  

Of those who have worked with network marketing companies in the past, many, possibly most ended up quitting and moving on to another business.  The majority of those likely quit because they were not successful.  I realize that there are exceptions.  A few may have left a company, because the company itself closed up shop.  But the fact remains that most people simply quit their positions with network marketing companies. 

Now, no one goes into a new business planning to be unsuccessful. In fact most are very eager and excited at first, and then the glow wears off when they realize they are not making money.  If any of you have left a company or are currently working with a business making little or no business, ask yourself, “How is it that people receive the same comp plan, market the same product using the same tools are doing well, but I am not?” 

If you have tried and failed with anything, not just a business, it is always easy to blame other people for your failure.  In reality, you have to start looking at yourself to find real success in anything.  You have chosen to fail by giving up. 

You can blame the company or their product, but the fact is only you are standing in the way of your success.  If you’re new and have the attitude that you’ll “just try it out,” I doubt you’ll stay on with the company.  Don’t allow friends or family lead you astray by telling you “home businesses” don’t work. The industry works. 

We must each take ownership of our businesses – and our lives.  Success is based on mindset.  If we blame others for our past failures, our minds are in the past with a negative mindset. 

Instead of dwelling on our past disappointments, acknowledge them, try to learn from them and then let them go!  If you cannot let go, you will simply repeat the same mistakes.  If you give your past significance, you cannot move forward. 

Now we have established that blaming others does not promote success.  What is going to give you success? 

• We often talk about setting goals.  Goals, both huge ones and tiny ones, are an important part of your success.  If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there? 

• Always hold yourself accountable.  There are very few excuses that can truly prevent you from working and growing your business.  You and you alone are doing so. 

• It is important to reward yourself along the way.  Celebrate small achievements. If you attain one of your smaller goals, brag about it!  Be proud of yourself and let others know so they can celebrate with you! 

Your failures in life and business are only as important as you make them.  Adjust your mindset.  KNOW that you can be successful, and get ready for a much brighter future.  And finally, NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO GIVE UP! 

One of the not-so-fun things about being an employee is that there is often someone looking over your shoulder. Your employer may even give annual performance reviews.  

It has been about a decade since I last had a boss.  I’ve worked for myself, and I am actually tougher on myself than any employer I ever had.  

It can be challenging for those just starting out with their own business to complete all their daily tasks.   Many home business owners have difficulty with time management.  I often suggest that my team members write out a work schedule to help them accomplish everything each day, week or month.  

I recently read an article that basically said the same thing, but the terminology they used was better than mine.  In the article, the home business owner suggested that we follow a routine each day.  Just getting started each day (going “to work”) can be difficult for some.  If we have a regular routine, however, it is less challenging.

I never thought about it before I read the article, but I have a routine that I follow nearly every work day.  My morning routine is about the same as if I was working a “job.”  I am an early riser and get up and have breakfast with my husband while we catch up on the TV news.  I then shower and get dressed.  I don’t wear heels and a dress, but I dress neatly, fix my hair and wear makeup.  

My husband and I then go to our local mall to walk for 30 minutes.  This time together with no phones, no email or other interruptions is physically good for us; and it is our “alone time” when we discuss various topics and connect.  It is a good way to start the day. 

We arrive home at about 8 AM, and it is time for me to “go to work.”  I go to my home office, and my work routine begins.  I read and respond to my email first.  I write a blog five days a week after processing my email.  When I have new team members who need training, I schedule training sessions for late morning if it works for them.  

I do not “advertise” my business very much, but I participate quite a bit on forums and network marketing websites.  I’ve been in my current business over two years and have accumulated a variety of networking sites that are good places to “brand myself.”  I also enjoy visiting and sharing information with other members on these sites.  The forum members learn from each other and help one another promote their businesses.  

I spend time daily on three sites.  I visit a few others less frequently, a couple times a week.  My business is network marketing, so I must be flexible.  I sometimes receive calls from prospects and team members. I handle the calls and return to my routine. I won’t go through my entire day, because I’m sure you get the idea. 

Home business owners who are disorganized and cannot manage their time are unlikely to be successful.  Self-motivation is also required since there is no boss looking over their shoulder to be sure they are working.  Working a home business is not for everyone, but for those of us who are able to “be their own boss,” the rewards are many.