Using Comparison to Grow

“Do not judge by appearances; a rich heart may be under a poor coat.” ~Scottish Proverb

TGIF!  Over the last week my news feed has been flooded with pictures from Thirty One’s Leadership Incentive Trip at the Riveria Maya.  It has stirred a lot of emotions in me for a variety of reasons.  First, I didn’t earn the trip.  I came close but fell short.  I was okay because I had done my best.  The truth was, even if I did earn it, I couldn’t have gone – life at home just wouldn’t have allowed it.  Instead of embracing the fact that it was in the past, the inner gremlins started to chirp.

Instead of feeling empowered, moving forward, ready to earn this year’s trip; feelings of being less than started to creep in.  I told my hubby that I was going to stop looking at Facebook to avoid the pictures.  My inner gremlins had started to play the comparison game wanting to keep me stuck and my business floundering.

In an effort to drown out the gremlins, I committed to making changes in my life, my behavior, and my attitude.  I embraced who I was and who I was going to become.  The truth is that when we play the comparison game, we don’t know anyone else’s story. We base our assumptions only on what we see, which is a pretty shaky foundation.

Here are some things to do instead of comparing yourself to others courtesy of tiny buddha.

1. Believe in yourself.

You are a beautiful, amazing human being. You were put on this Earth to do something unique. We all are. Believe you have a purpose and a mission in this life, whether it’s big or small. If you don’t believe it, then no one else will either. There are few people who will love you unconditionally. You should strive to be one of them.

2. Own your journey.

The truth is that you are not on the same path as everyone else. Though some may be similar, every person has a different journey. Embrace yours.  Stop comparing your beginning to someone else’s middle. You have no idea how much this person struggled or how hard they worked to get where they are. Stay focused on your own path and forge ahead.

3. Find your awesome.

Comparison brings negativity with lots of “should of, could of, would of” talk.  Remember, you are unique and awesome.  Write a list of amazing things about yourself and put it where you can see it daily. Read it to yourself all the time.

4. Feel the fear.

Celebrate your fear.  Most negativity comes from a place of fear. Fear of failure, success, looking silly, or being judged.  Did you know that the difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is their ability to see the fear and continue anyway.  Identify your fear. Then ask yourself what’s the worse that could happen. The results are probably not as bad as you think.

Comparison comes from a place of lack. If you find yourself doing this often, figure out what’s missing and where you can improve.

Chances are, the person you’re comparing yourself to is reflecting something back that needs expansion. Pay attention and trust yourself. There’s always a deeper meaning. Figure out what it is, so you can move forward.

I would love to hear about YOUR awesomeness or maybe you want to share your fear.  Share your comments with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

CRUNCH Time with a Positive Attitude

Well, here it is the last day of the month. For those in direct sales, this is CRUNCH time.  Now I don’t mean the sit-up kind – I mean that race to the last minute to meet our personal and team goals for the month.

“It is the way that we react to circumstances that determines our feelings.” ~Dale Carnegie

For the leaders in Thirty One, we are ending the month not only reaching for our personal and team goals but we are also working hard to earn that FREE trip to the Riviera Maya in September.  Many have already earned the trip and I am so excited for them.  There are some of us who are still dreaming BIG and reaching for the goal.

So, what does that have to do with a positive attitude?  It is easy to feel envious as others are reaching their goals and seem to be growing at a pace that you have dreamed of for so long.  It is easy to let Doubtful Debbie and Negative Nellie step in and take over, crushing your dreams and your enthusiasm.

Here are some things that I have learned recently – yes, just recently, that are helping me to be optimistic and continue pushing for the dream till the very last minute.

Focus on yourself.  This has always been a tough one for me because I have been playing the comparison game since high school.  The truth is that it is unproductive, takes up energy and in the end can send off some negative vides to the people around us.  Realize that there is nothing you can to do to change events outside your control. What you can do, however, is find ways to make changes in your own life.  Step out of your comfort zone.  Read a self-development book.  Fill your calendar with positive,  productive things.  Set small goals and reward yourself when you achieve them.

Things are not always what they seem.  Does the grass look greener on the other side?  Of course but the question is “Is it?”.  The truth is that everyone’s life has both good and bad.  It’s unrealistic to compare our own lives, which we know inside out, to the shiny, clean surface of someone else’s.  But how many of us have done this?

Life is a marathon, not a sprint.  Okay, so I am NOT a runner.  I was always falling behind but I did always finish.  The truth is the only one who I was falling behind were my own expectations.    What about you?  Do you except too much of yourself?  Do you worry that you will never catch up to everyone else? We are each running our own marathon.  We will be winners no matter when we cross the finish line.

Envy is an unproductive feeling but it’s perfectly natural and happens to everyone.  The difference is how we deal with it.  Will we let it consume our lives to the point of being unhealthy and make us helpless?  Will it crush our positive attitude or will it cause us to fight harder for what we want?

I am learning to change the negative into a positive.  I am taking steps to by putting out a detailed action plan and implementing it.  I am learning from others’ successes and difficulties.  I am applying them as lessons in my own life.

Time to CRUNCH numbers.  I am positive that Personal Volume and Team sales goals will be met.  I am not sure about the trip to Mexico but it is okay.  I am learning that there is a reason for everything and there is always next year.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Recruiting Tip

With just 30 days left to earn more stars for the Thirty One Leadership Incentive Trip, I have been focused on two area – increasing personal sales AND recruiting.  That being said, I had to find a new way to share the Thirty One opportunity.

So, I started planting seeds from the first moment that I met the potential hostess.  In the hostess packet is information about the Thirty One opportunity.  I mention it when we are talking prior to the party and listen for the cues that may help me see if they would be interested in exploring the possibilities.  Then about a week before the party, I send her a “Flip Your Party” flyer.

Of course, there are recruiting seeds in my party presentation.  The most popular game lately si when guests are given 3 minutes to ask me anything they want about my business.  No holds barred which can make for some interesting questions.  As I check out each of the guests, I talk to them about hosting a party and if they hesitate, I usually ask “if your hostess was to join my team, would you be willing to help her kick off her business by hosting a party?”.  In 95% of the cases, they are willing to help their friend.

The day after the party, I send the hostess an email that goes like this:

Good Morning …

I just wanted to update you on your party stats:

You currently have $XXX in party sales which will give you the following things:
          $XX in Free Product
          1 of ANYTHING in the catalog for FREE (or 1 half price item)
          1 Hostess Exclusive
          Up to 3 Your Way Cubes with lids (any size) for $10 each (Hostess Special)

If you were to join my team…. we could FLIP your party at a cost of the $99 enrollment kit and you would earn:
          $400 in products
          PLUS: $XX in FREE product
          1 of ANYTHING in the catalog for FREE (or 1 half price item)
          1 Hostess Exclusive
          Up to 3 Your Way Cubes with lids (any size for $10 each) (Hostess Special)
          PLUS $XX commission which is almost the full amount of your enrollment kit
          PLUS you’d be 1/2 way to the first Start Swell – a$160 in FREE product.

Did I mention that XX of your friends are interested in having a party? You would get their parties which would help you earn even more FREE products and get a commission check. Don’t worry, you would get ME too! I would be there to help you every step of the way.

I know you are wondering – did it work?  YES!  One of my regular hostesses signed up with the understanding that she will only do a party or two per month.  Yet, she already has TWO parties on the books for May.  The second potential recruit is discussing things with her hubby.  Their decision is more based on how it will affect their taxes then whether or not she wants to join my team.  Will I use this with every hostess?  FEAR says NO but the truth is probably only 50% of them will grab the best deal in the catalog.

Thank you to Melissa Fietsam and her team for the “flip your party” flyer. Feel free to try it and let us know how it works.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Re Birth

I LOVE Throwback Thursdays…..

Spring officially arrived at 6:45PM last Friday in the midst of a snow storm.  As the temps try to creep up I am eager to finally shed the multiple layers of clothes that I wear in the winter to keep warm. I am ALWAYS cold, whether at home or out. See, my hubby loves the cool weather with temps in the mid-60’s during the winter in the house. I, on the other hand, am always cold unless the temps go up to about 75 or 80 degrees. It definitely makes for an interesting winter.

This is a time for “rebirth” in all areas of my life.  I get to pull out my spring/ summer clothes.  I am hoping they are a bit big since I reached my goal weight.  Maintaining it was a struggle but I am grateful for my  Thursday morning Weight Watcher family who help me stay on track.  I am ready to pull out my flip flops and pamper my feet with a pedicure . Do some spring cleaning around the house and open the windows to let the fresh air in.  Those dust bunnies better watch out!

In my business, I am ready to start another quarter.  I will take a look at the last 3 months to see if I achieved my goals.  Honestly, the business year kicked off a little slow but I didn’t let it keep me down. I am ready to revisit my quarterly goals so that I can finish the Thirty One year out strong.  I am ready to ROCK with my customers and hostesses as they get ready for Summer.  I have about 4 weeks to kick things up so that I can bask in the sun in Riviera Maya in September.  First, there is the Leadership Retreat in April.  Thirty One’s National Conference in July in Columbus. So many things to look forward to in my business.  The anticipation of the 1st Annual Hostess Appreciation Extravaganza has my hostesses clamoring to stay in the Top 10 for the year.

As the days get longer and warmer, there is so much NEWNESS.  What does re-birth look like in your personal and business life?  Dust off those New Year’s resolution and kick off the spring with a fresh new outlook.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

CELEBRATE

I don’t know about you but I LOVE to celebrate when I achieve a goal.  From weight loss goals to business goals to achieving an incentive from Thirty One.  I LOVE setting goals and achieving them.

Have you ever fell short of your goal?  Let’s be honest, we all have at one time or another, right?  What happens then?  Do you beat yourself up?  Do you wallow in the negative with Negative Nellie?  I do sometimes until I STOP and hit the PAUSE button.  Yes, that is my new thing when I am heading into that downward spiral of negativity.  Believe it or not, it works.

I know, where is all of this leading right?  Well, we just finished an amazing incentive period with Thirty One.  An opportunity to earn over $500 in FREE NEW Spring products in the first 15 days of December.

I set a goal to earn it ALL.  I fell short and as a result earned

So, just for a moment I didn’t give myself credit for what I had done – I wanted to beat myself up for what I didn’t accomplish.  Ready to compare what I had done to what the rest of my team (or other consultants) had accomplished. Now, I am CELEBRATING my accomplishment and looking for new opportunities to reach my next goal which is some more FREE product AND a FREE trip to Rivisria Maya. Who wants to join me?

Thank you Jody for helping to each week to learn how to change this thinking.  I am seeing success in everything that I do – no matter how small. Celebrating the little victories every single day in my personal life and my business.

• If you got up on time, got dressed and all before 8am (or whatever your goal is) – CELEBRATE! 
• If you picked up the phone to make a Customer Care call, even though you only left a voice mail – CELEBRATE! 
• If you composed an email blast and sent it out to all your past hostesses to book parties  because your calendar is empty- CELEBRATE! 
• If you lost .2 on the scale this week (a stick of butter) – CELEBRATE!
• If you exercised at all (even for 15 minutes) this week – CELEBRATE!
• If you said “NO” to a second helping or more dessert – CELEBRATE!

When you find success in every action you do, you will create a better result with each new action.

So, what are YOU going to CELEBRATE today?

#thirtyone, #partywithHope, #celebrate, #readysetsell, #joinmyteam, #RaysofHOPE