So you want to work from home?

That's the question I ask individuals who call me with "I hate my boss" (sorry bosses) or "I want to quit my job". When most people learn I "work from home" I get comments like, "you're good, I couldn't sit at home all day" or "that would drive me crazy". I just chuckle because they are saying that but if they knew they could do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted and with whomever they wanted and still make an income, we wouldn't be having that conversation. Work from home, home-based just means that it is your main place to use your computer, phone, etc. But know with smartphones and iPads your business is wherever you are.

My goal is to bring some understanding to this incredible Industry. Why? Because so many people are struggling and have no idea that your answer may be right under you nose. Yeah, I know your brother or friend is getting on your last nerve about trying his product...lol! I get it. I know you are looking at the Caller ID when they call. Many have tainted it and left a bad taste in so many people's mouth. As I look back I see where we said things that we didn't think before we said them. Not because we were trying to "scam" someone but because we were so excited and wanted EVERYONE to feel the hope we felt after living in hopeless situations. Now is this profession for everyone? No! It is only for those who want more than a paycheck, more than living a mediocre life and certainly more than what our parents had. It's for people who want to make other people's lives better and don't mind someone else succeeding ahead of them. Oh, and it is for people who don't have a problem with being compensated for it and make no apologizes for it;) If you are that person telling your friend or family member..."but you are making money from it". Well, go to your boss and tell them you want to donate your check and continue working...lol! Aint' gonna happen!

This profession is Network Marketing, Direct Sales, MLM whatever it is that you call it.  We have Doctors, Lawyers, Pastors, Nurses, Military men and women, Professional Athletes, etc. who have made the decision to join. You may be thinking, "why would they do such a thing?" Well, one of the reasons is their time is not their own. It is dictated by someone else. We may have had the income but no time to spend it with family or had the title but no recognition, no pat on the back and then given a pink slip. Another reason are the great tax advantages of running a home-based business. When we tell people all the fun things we get to write off, they're shocked.

So how do you find the right business for you. Ask yourself some questions. What are you passionate about? Health, Fitness, Cooking, or Candles? A few questions I ask are. 1. Are you teachable? 2. Can you get passionate about Health and share it with others? 3. Do you a desire to see others succeed. Do research and go ask someone who is doing it. Would I ever have thought I would be doing what I am doing NEVER. LOL! But through researching, trusting God, we found the products and a company that we could stand behind and who stand behind us for the past 8 1/2 years. Thank you God! A good book to get is The Business of the 21 Century by Robert Kiyosaki & John Fleming. Mind-blowing!

Many of you are drowning in debt, drowning in relationships, drowning in jobs and careers that you hate. This industry has changed lives, has brought hope back into the lives where there was no hope. Prayer is a great weapon and God loves the person who puts the work in after that prayer. So if you are praying for a solution to your health, your financial situation or a job. Go talk to that friend, brother or neighbor and ask them what are they doing? How were they able to walk away from that job, improve their health or pay off that car? Their answer might surprise you. Until next Friday, be you, be happy and be free!

Erika

I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now...

If you grew up in the south you may have heard your Grandma or Auntie humming the words, "wouldn't take nothing for my journey now". Or you may have heard Oprah Winfrey quote it as she did on her show. That's how I feel as I look back and realize it's been over 25 years since I graduated High School. There have been many lessons learned and many more to come that I'm sure of. We watched as our Lexi graduated from High School and just the sheer joy of knowing the options she has today are more than the options we knew were available to us gives us joy. If I knew then what I know now...well you know the rest.

God truly has a way of getting you back on track so that you don't miss the blessings that He has stored up for you. Those blessings are not just for you but for you to share with others to help them live the best life they can. But most times we allow limiting beliefs, wrong mindsets and well meaning friends & family members, block us from our blessings. One of the biggest blessings besides my family is the gift of USANA.

We made the best decision for our family to partner with a company that has given us optimal health, time & financial freedom. How does a High School graduate, raised in the "hood", military wife and mom of 3 become the C.E.O. of her own life? By realizing the path in which we take, may not be the "norm" for some (whatever that means) but complete freedom to others. Maybe you desire to take mission trips, volunteer more but you are stuck behind a desk. What is stopping you from stepping out and following the vision God has placed in your heart?

Are you on your path. Did you travel that path to make someone else happy? When you stop living your life for others and start living on purpose, a funny thing starts to happen. Life really becomes fun and meaningful.  Have an amazing weekend!

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers!

USANA Associate Shares Message of Hope After Losing 320 Pounds

he following is a guest post written by Hattie Montgomery, a USANA Associate who has lost 320 pounds through diet, exercise and a lot of hard work. She recounts her weight loss journey below. 
 

Hattie Montgomery in 2008.

Imagine being 530 pounds. You know your life is slowly slipping away, and you’ve allowed that to happen because of all the pain you endured. But there’s this yearning inside you to live, to save your life. Where do you go? What do you do?

That was me three years ago.

Faced with an enormous task, I found myself wondering where to even begin. The first year, I practiced a calorie-restricted diet of lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, eliminating all refined carbs and sugars from my diet. The only exercise I could do was a bit of walking. It was slow and painful, but the more I tried to do it, the further I could go. After that first year I had lost 180 pounds and knew my life-altering journey was really happening.*

I’ve always been the person who researches and tries things out. I began exploring protein shakes and protein bars to add to my diet plan. I tried so many, I lost track, but they all gave me the spike then crash reaction.

That’s when my life and journey took a turn. I was plateauing with my weight loss. I knew I had to revamp my diet and expand my exercise, but again, I was left with the questions of what do I do. Then I met Matt Ryan and was introduced to USANA. I tried the RESET program and lost 8 pounds, jumpstarting my weight loss again. As I used the USANA program, I was ecstatic to finally find products that left me feeling energized and didn’t leave me needing a nap two hours later from the terrible crash.*

Hattie works out at the gym.

I began practicing the transform phase and was amazed at how easy the program was to follow. One thing that I found myself struggling with was planning my days and meals.  There is such an emotional connection to food, so when I have a plan laid out for me that’s quick and easy to follow, it makes my life so much easier.  I believe in this program so much because of the quality of products, but also because it’s the first time that I haven’t been stressed or worried about what to eat. I have been following the USANA Transform program now for two years, along with the daily MyHealthPak™ vitamins, and would never go back to any other plan.

I also ventured out and tried adding more activity into my routine. After Year 1, I could move, and so I decided I would try to take up tennis, practice yoga and even try jogging. I joined the gym and started working out with my personal trainer, Ray. Each week I do three days of resistance training and three days of cardio. I also spend time outside walking each day with my dog, Bear. In February, I competed in my gym’s indoor triathlon; I cried at the end because I just couldn’t believe how three short years ago I could hardly walk and now I was becoming the athlete I always dreamed of being.

By following the USANA program and adding more exercise to my plan, I lost an additional 140 pounds in two years.**

Hattie after losing 320 pounds.

Imagine being 530 pounds and giving up on your life. Suddenly your life is blessed with an amazing company that believes in your success and happiness so much that they put out the best quality product and then take an active interest in your life. All of the pieces finally came together for me — the right eating program and supplements, the right exercise program, and an amazing group of people who love and support me unconditionally.

In three years I’ve lost 320 pounds. Yes, my life is forever changed, and I’m so grateful to have this amazing second chance to tell my story and spread the message of hope. It’s never too late, and USANA will be with you every step of the way.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

**Individual results may vary. RESET weight-management system lowers your daily caloric intake and recommends moderate exercise for best results. Average results are 4.5 lbs. in five days.