If you haven’t yet heard of it, this story has a very powerful message and I thought I would share it today…

This story dates back to the 1500’s. Hernando Cortez was in command of hundreds of soldiers and he was about to send his army into the battlefield against a powerful foe, who’s men out numbered his own.When Cortez sailed into the enemy territory, he unloaded his men and the equipment and then gave the order to burn all of the ships that had carried them. He addressed his men and told them that they will not be able to leave the shores unless they win the battle. He announced “We win or we perish!” The army of men won the battle and sailed the enemies boats back home.

So many times in life we always have a back up plan or a way out if things get too tough. To be successful, we have to eliminate any back up plans or ways of retreat. If we know we HAVE to succeed in what we are doing, we will be more driven and more powerful.
There is a big difference in ‘wanting’ to win or achieve something than actually ‘having’ to. When Cortez burned the boats, his men went from wanting to win to having to win. Their lives depended on it so their determination was much stronger and they did whatever it took to be victorious.
This message relates to so many things in life, especially in business. We have to decide on how much we actually want something and go for it, eliminating all back up plans and cutting all sources of retreat. It also helps to be really clear on your ‘why’ or your reason to be doing what you have chosen. I am more successful now because I made the choice to be at home full time so my son doesn’t have to be put into day care when he is born. This ‘why’ and the fact that I no longer have a job to fall back on, keep me motivated more than anything.

So are there any boats holding you back in life?

When it comes to getting started in your own Network Marketing business, there are so many companies out there. So the question you might be asking yourself is “How do I choose the right one?” You might get confused because everyone speaks highly of the company they are in and unless you weigh up some pro’s and con’s and actually do your due diligence, you might find yourself signing up to a new opportunity that isn’t a fit for you.

Does it feel right?

So firstly it is very important to have a good feeling about the Network Marketing Company you have decided to join. You won’t be successful if you don’t love the company or the products, so do lots of research and get a good feel for the company you are joining.

Avoid the ‘Get Rich Quick’ schemes.

There are so many out there and if the opportunity sounds too good to be true, it normally is. Any business you get started in is going to take some effort to make money. You will have to talk to people, market the opportunity, learn the ropes and what the leaders are doing in your company and dedicate time and effort into growing a team.  

Check out the Management and background.

Just about every company has lots of information about them out there on the internet. It is so important to do your research and find out who is actually running the company and how successful they have been. It is also important to agree with their beliefs and what they stand for. Obviously you can’t help what decisions are made by the CEO or Management team but it helps to know that they are running the company with integrity and honesty. It doesn’t take much for a Network Marketing Company to make a few bad decisions to go down hill really quickly. I have personally witnessed this and it’s not pretty.

Is there Support and Training?

 When you get started in a Network Marketing Company, a lot of the time you are brand new to the industry and have no idea what you are doing. Make sure the company offers training and support after you join. A lot of the time, people just want to sign you up and take your money and then you are on your own. The company should offer continuous training and support so don’t be afraid to ask some questions about what is on offer before you get started.

Powerful Compensation plan.

The best comp plans are the ones that pay you! There are so many different types of compensation plans out there and the most important thing is to know you will get paid for you efforts directly and for assisting your team. Don’t get too confused by the compensation plan. Sometimes it can take a while to fully understand, so  just be sure to start with knowing how you are going to get paid for your efforts. Take some time and sit down and crunch some numbers. You will be able to work out the money you can make not only for the next few weeks, but for the next few years. Then it should get you really excited!

Love the product.

It is very difficult to succeed in a Network Marketing Company if you don’t love the product. I don’t know how you could expect people to join you if you are negative and flat about the product. You have to love it and more importantly know your product and the value it will give to others.

The most important thing when choosing a Network Marketing Company is to do your homework. Take your time to do your research and go with your gut feeling. Make sure you are happy with your final decision and then get to work!! Don’t jump from company to company. People that do that fail most of the time. Stay focused, committed and on track. More importantly be patient. It will take you a while to get in the swing of things and learn how to be successful. Don’t give up and don’t stop and start! Be consistent and most importantly believe in yourself. You can do it!!

All through our lives we can be easily lead by the opinions of others, whether they are right or wrong. The reason I decided to write about this topic, is because I am now into my third trimester of my pregnancy and have found that EVERYONE has an opinion on what I should be doing. A lot of the time I get great advice, however other times I am getting so much information thrown at me that I end up getting confused and unsure of what really is the right thing to do. I have learnt over this process to trust my instincts and do what I feel is the best thing for myself and my baby. So far, so good!!

I’m sure if you think back to times in your life where you have had to make a big decision on your career, relationships or your children etc,  people come out of nowhere to give you their opinion, whether you ask for it or not. It’s hard enough making these big decisions in life without others making it more complicated. A lot of the time, actually most of the time, these opinions are negative and they put doubt into your mind. I have found that many opinions I have been given have been incorrect anyway, so why do we listen so much to what other people are saying about our lives?

Here are a couple of tips to use when it comes to receiving other people’s advice…

Follow your intuition -

We have all experienced times in our lives where we have gone with our ‘gut feeling’ or our instincts and have made the right decision. It is so important to be aware and pay attention to our intuition and what we are feeling. If it feels right, it normally is! This has served me well so many times throughout my life and I am always aware of how I am feeling when it comes to making a big decision.

Take advice from people who have what you want or have been where you want to be -

 In business I only take advice from people that have experienced amazing results for themselves and have already achieved some of the goals I have set myself. In network marketing there are so many ‘life coaches’ or ‘guru’s’ that are struggling to build a team and generate the income they go on about! If I listened to everyone I would loose focus and be lead off track, probably to their latest opportunity or business. With my pregnancy, I have been receiving some great advice from my Hypnobirthing practitioner. I have made the choice to have a natural birth and she has been through it herself and is trained and qualified in this area. If I listened to all the negative ‘advice’ I have received over the last few months I wouldn’t be feeling as confident as I am going into the final stages of my pregnancy.

Surround yourself with positive, like minded people -

I have mentioned this in previous posts but it is so important to be around people that make you feel good. Anytime you are faced with some diversity or a challenging decision to make, think about how these people react. Positive people are always there for you, work through the facts and benefits of your challenge and support you either way. Negative influences are always coming up with the ‘No’s’ and the ‘why you shouldn’t do it’ and they can leave you feeling down and confused.

So make sure you are true to yourself and go with what you feel is the best thing for YOU!

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So we all know what clutter is right? Those clothes in the wardrobe that you haven’t worn for five years…The massive pile of papers stacked up on your desk…Oh and what about the dreaded garage full of unnecessary tools, junk and who knows what else. Living a life surrounded by clutter can be stressful and draining. Decluttering is not just about our physical environment. It also affects our state of mind and sense of well being.
My husband Mike is a shocker! He has been improving over the last couple of years but he loves to keep unnecessary junk/papers/clothes, etc. I used to be a hoarder however over the last few years I have really appreciated the benefits of decluttering. I am much more organised, I find things more quickly, and it’s much easier to keep the house clean. The list could go on. Since I have been involved in personal development I hear a lot about what you give out comes back to you. If you are always giving, you will receive positive things in return. Not everyone has the capacity to give large financial donations to help others, but I believe everyone can contribute in some way to giving to someone less fortunate than ourselves. A couple of times a year I go through all of my wardrobe and clear out clothes or shoes I have hardly worn and give them to charity. I love the fact that I can help out people who have been struggling. All of the clothes I give are in great condition, some are labels, but instead of putting them on EBay like some people do, I get a much better feeling knowing that I could be making someone’s life a little bit better. It is also so much nicer to walk into your wardrobe and be able to see everything you own without having to sort through large piles to find the one piece of clothing you are looking for.

So do you think decluttering the mind is just as important?

Of course it is! It is so important to declutter your mind. When our minds are busy we tend to loose focus and get distracted easily. When you clear your mind, you achieve things much faster. You’re less stressed and more motivated.
Emotional clutter is another thing that holds us back. It is so unhealthy to hold in negative emotions not only for ourselves but for others around us. To unlock your inner potential it is important to find a way to declutter your mind and those negative emotions holding you back. Start with some personal development and watch your life start to turn around.

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Do you ever wonder why sometimes things just seem a little too easy and everything goes your way? You get every single green light when you are driving through the city. You get the good parking spot right out the front of the shops. You receive cheques in the mail instead of bills. People are extra nice to you. You don’t have to force things to happen, they just do… This is what’s called being in ‘The Flow’.

The flow is always spontaneous. You could be going about your day just feeling amazing. Feeling calm, happy and relaxed and in a state of non resistance.

Although we have all experienced this feeling at some stage or another, why is it so difficult to be in this state of vibration all of the time? Little critters sneak into our mind. The fear, frustration, doubt, stress, disruptions and so on. All of these negative feelings take you from being on cloud nine, feeling on top of the world, right back to our old state of mind. When you are in a negative flow, EVERYTHING just seems so difficult! If you are in the sales industry, you stop making commissions. If you are in retail or hospitality, ALL of the customers are rude. You get every single red light when you are driving. You get my point!

So what can you do to remain in “The Flow’? Begin your day by starting the right way. We have all heard the term, ‘Getting up on the wrong side of the bed’. Start by waking up and paying attention to how you feel. If you wake up tired and stressed about the day ahead, well there’s no chance of you being in ‘The Flow’. Think about it…Be happy, and excited about your day! When you wake up, instead of putting the depressing news on, put on some of your favourite music.

I love being in the flow. I make more money, have better conversations, feel more energetic and great things come my way! It’s all a choice. You choose how YOU want to feel. Don’t let others change your mood or attitude. Lots of people will see you happy and try to squash your good feeling! It’s so strange to me that in the past when I have been on top of the world, people who I thought were close to me, tried to spoil things for me. Be careful who you choose to spend time with. Even if you have to distance yourself from negative people, it will be worth while for your future. I make a choice to only surround my self with positive, like minded people because I know how important it is for me to stay in that state of Flow.

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I thought I would share with you today a little about my three favourite books. To me reading is so important because it fills my mind with positive thoughts and I have also learnt a lot from the books I have read over the years. My three favourite books are all completely different, however they all leave me feeling positive and excited about life. I don’t really read novels, drama’s or suspense stories. I only read books with an inspiring message or a positive outcome. It’s all about filling my mind with only good stuff!

Jim Rohn – ‘7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness’

When I began my personal development journey, other than ‘The Secret’, this book was the first introduction into this new way of thinking I had discovered. I hadn’t even heard of Jim Rohn. He was one of the most talked about and well respected business philosophers and has helped millions of people around the world improve their lives. The reason I love this book is because it is only small and it is very easy to understand and learn from. In this book, Jim shows how to unlock the fountain of prosperity within you, through seven keys to success. I have read it many times and always pick up new tips or pointers. Here I first learnt about the importance of goal setting and I learnt how to actually set goals properly. I highly recommend ’7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness’ to anyone, whether you are brand new to personal development or you are a veteran in this field.

Miranda Kerr – ‘Treasure Yourself’

Miranda Kerr is an Australian model who rose to fame when she became one of the Victoria Secret Angels. She has had many great career highlights. Currently Miranda is a representative for David Jones and more recently Qantas. Miranda also has her own organic skin care range, Kora Organics. I had always liked Miranda’s down to earth attitude and positive personality. I saw an interview with Miranda last year and heard about her new book ‘Treasure Yourself’. I had gone through a tough time in my personal life and this book couldn’t have come a better time. Miranda offers her own view for our generation on life lessons, confidence, belief and success. I would definitely recommend this book to all the ladies out there including teenagers. It’s also a great gift idea.

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen – ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’

This book is part of a series of carefully selected stories to make you feel good all over. It is a great book, if you don’t read often as there are lots of short stories and you can stop and start when it suits you. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen are two of America’s best loved inspirational speakers and created the first ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ book over ten years ago. Each story in the book provides insight into what is possible in life. This book is great for whenever you want a quick read to make you feel good, inspire a friend or warm the heart.

Well it’s been a while since I have written about my pregnancy. I am now 27 weeks and getting really excited. The second trimester went soooo fast. I can’t believe that in three more months I am going to be a mum! Hypnobirthing is going so great. We have had four sessions now and we have learnt a lot. It surprised me how similar it all is to personal development. I am so confident going into my labour now. I have learnt to trust my body and to remain calm and stress free. Like any situation, you can’t be stressed and relaxed at the same time. Your body and your mind won’t allow it. So it’s all about choosing to remain calm and relaxed. It will definitely make for an easier labour. I have been focusing on practicing the breathing techniques I have learnt and I listen to the audio on a daily basis. I have been free from morning sickness the whole way through which is awesome! It’s been a great pregnancy so far and I can’t wait to meet my little man.

I am also so grateful to be able to work from home. I won’t miss any of those important milestones and I won’t have to send my little man off to daycare to be looked after by other people. I think it is so important to be able to see your baby when he first walks and says his first words. I won’t be missing out on anything.

One of the main reasons many people fail or quit in their Network Marketing Business or any business that is sales focused is their fear of rejection. Simply, they are fearful of being told “no”. I have heard so many stories like… “I tried a network marketing business and it didn’t work for me”. They go on to say “This person said this to me and that person said that”  “I couldn’t convince anybody to sign up” Firstly, you shouldn’t have to convince anyone to join your business because if you have to convince them to join, you will have to convince them the whole way through to market the opportunity, to call their prospects and to do everything! No thank you!! When I ask how long these people persisted, the answer is usually not very long. 

The key to success in any direct sales or network marketing business is to not be effected negatively by the word “no”. It’s just a word. It is really a choice not to be effected. To the newcomer in sales it can be quite disheartening and it doesn’t feel nice, but you mustn’t take it personally and let it affect your mindset. I have experienced this personally in my own business. I love to laugh off a “no” thinking I am one more “no” closer to a “yes”. I also joke with business partners that we are in the business of collecting “no’s” to get to those “yes’s”.

The thing about direct sales and the network marketing business is you experience this rejection personally, people tell you to your face, or over the phone, or simply don’t call back. However the rejection is the same for traditional business owners who might have a retail shop let’s say, that sells suits or dresses. Everyday they experience the same rejection but just not to their face. Think about this. You open your shop, you have 500 people come in. Do all 500 people buy? NO! Maybe only 50 or 60 people buy something, the rest walk out without a purchase. Guess what? They said “no!” Does the owner quit and say this is a scam? Of course not! There could be many reasons why they said no, and it might just be no for now, it’s not the right time, haven’t got the money, whatever whatever whatever.

Overcoming rejection in any sales industry or network marketing business is easy. It’s simply a choice not to feel rejected. It truly is all in your mind. Simply take time to work on your own personal development. Feel good about yourself and your product and you’ll be able to motor on to success and leave those no’s in your wake.

Focus is one of the most important things you require to achieve your goals. If you lack focus, you will find yourself getting distracted, lacking motivation and rarely achieving the goals you set yourself. There can be nothing more disappointing than always missing those targets and always letting yourself down. So here are 5 ways to stay focused in your business. I trust they will assist you getting back on track and one step closer to achieving those big goals you have set for yourself!

1. Plan you day.

To remain focused it is so important to go into your day with a plan. Each day I follow a strict DMO (daily method of operation). This keeps me on track throughout the whole day and it also helps me with remembering all of the things I have to do for that day. I am a lists sort of person and I love being able to work through my DMO and cross things off the list as I am getting them done. It makes me feel good and happy with myself that I am one step closer to my goal.

2. Turn off distractions.

Ah distractions…Facebook was my BIGGEST distraction and I really had to pay attention to how much time I was spending on Facebook wasting my hours away! There are many distractions through out the day that are always popping up. Things like friends calling, constantly checking emails, Skype chatting and the never ending world of social media. When you are sitting at your desk, working away, shut down all of these distractions and you will find yourself being more productive and satisfied with what you are achieving.

3. Little rewards.

It is so important to reward yourself through out the day. Doing this will keep you motivated and on track. In my DMO I have given myself time for Facebook, a couple of times a day. I think it’s important to allow yourself to do the things you enjoy otherwise you won’t be as productive through out the day. I don’t spend a lot of time in front of the TV but each day in my DMO I have given myself an hour at 12:00pm to step away from the computer and have some lunch while watching my favourite show, Ellen. When you have had a productive start to the day and have crossed everything off the list for the morning you will feel so much more relaxed to enjoy the little breaks you give yourself. If you have a desk full of things to do, you will most probably feel a little guilty and disappointed with yourself when you do have a break.

4. Keeping the main thing the main thing.

Most of you know I work from home in the Network Marketing industry. There are many different opportunities out there in this industry. Many are great companies and market great products. However it is so important to stay focused on what your primary company is. I have never known anyone that has created amazing success in there lives marketing several different opportunities. Talk about confusing yourself. And to find the time in your day to work several businesses would be stressful and extremely time consuming. Oh and there’s always the distraction of the ‘Next Big Thing or the ‘New Hottest Opportunity’. I hear it all the time…Join now at the ‘ground floor level’. Seeing this happen over the last couple of years, the ‘Next Big Thing’ always seems to fizzle out after a couple of months and the people that have joined have wasted those months taking there focus off their primary business.

5. Enjoy what you are doing.

I know from experience, if you don’t love what you do, you will find it very difficult to stay focused and motivated. I’m sure that’s why a lot of people get side tracked and look for other opportunities. I absolutely love the company I work with. The people are great, the products are life changing and I love what the company stands for. I find it easy to stay focused, but I guess if you don’t love your business or your job, you will most probably be spending time looking into other opportunities. It’s important to think about what is going to get you closer to achieving your goals!

I hope this has been of some assistance. Sometimes we just need a little reminder if we are getting off track. Remember being focused will assist you in every area of your life, not just in your business or job. Feel free to share this post on your favourite social media below.

There are so many benefits to loving what you do especially when it comes to your job or the business you are running. A lot of the time we don’t realise that what we focus on we get more of. If you are unhappy at work, you are probably experiencing unhappiness in many areas of your life. Here are a few key reasons why it is important to love what you do….

•  Productivity…If you love what you do each day, you will be more productive and achieve a lot more. If you are dragging your feet, looking at your watch and just waiting for the hours to tick by, you will find yourself procrastinating and not putting in the effort to actually get the job done. You will be lazier and will be most probably falling behind in your daily tasks, which in turn can create a whole bag of dramas including stressed out bosses, having to stay back late to finish the job and you will probably go home each day exhausted and the loved ones in your life will miss out on having quality time with you because you will be too wrecked to put in the effort.

•  Time…You spend so much time everyday at your place of work. It could be stuck behind a desk for eight hours or in a kitchen all day. If you don’t love what you do, your time is going to go so much slower and your energy will be drained. You will go home and because you have been so unhappy for most of your day, it will be hard to get out of the mood you are in and most of the time your families and loved ones will have to deal with your negative attitude.

• Better relationships…If you love your job, you will find that pretty much all of your relationships will be better than someone who hates what they do. You will have better connections with your co workers, including your employer. You will have more satisfying relationships with your customers and suppliers and you will most probably have better relationships with your family and friends, because when you have the time to see your loved ones you will be happy, positive and more energetic.

•  Self Satisfaction…There is nothing more rewarding than being satisfied at work. It is such a great feeling to be happy and proud of what you have achieved. If you don’t love what you do, you will constantly be feeling flat or unsatisfied and your job will just get harder and harder.

•  More success…Out of all the people I have known, the ones that are the most successful are the ones that love what they do. They make the most money, win the most awards and generally perform better in their workplace.

There are many other benefits to loving what you do. The list could go on and on! I am so much happier now that I have found a business I can work from home part time. I remember the years of working in our shop and struggling to find the motivation to get through the ten hour shift that was ahead of me. I now wake up before my alarm and have a refreshed outlook on life. I have better relationships and more time freedom and I am so glad I love what I do because life’s too short to be spending your days being unmotivated, unsatisfied and hanging out for the next weekend to come around. It’s never too late to make a change and start living your life!!