Confessions of a goal-digger

On my Facebook page I posted a question: "Do you wait until January 1st to set new goals or start now?" I loved the answers. Some were a few sentences long and others said, "NOW!".  If you are like me, you didn't grow up around goal-setters and people who spoke of having a vision. So when I became an Entrepreneur and learned setting goals and having a vision were important, it sounded like another language being spoken. But for years I had always read the words from the Bible that say to "write the vision and make it plain...for the vision is yet for an appointed time, it speaks of the end and will not lie; though it lingers, wait for it, it will surely come." Now I understood! 

Many times it was difficult to continue to write the goals down because I would look at the time and nothing would happen. So I would push them to the side and say, "I guess it wasn't meant to be". What was I thinking...lol! I realized we are programmed to go into "default" mode. You know how your printer or settings go back to default? That is what our brains do. So it takes a daily decision, sometimes minute by minute to choose to continue to do the work necessary. Some call it discipline. Because it will come to pass. Focus on what you want, not what you don't want. Sit down and just let your dreams expand. You have gifts and talents inside you of that the world needs. 

"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of decisions." Stephen Covey

Start today. Maybe with a weekly goal, then move to 30 days, then stretch and do 90 days. Where would you like be spiritually? Maybe plan more time with your family. If you have kids, please include them. They have dreams too! Would you like to see an increase in your finances or where would you need to change to have healthier habits? Maybe get rid of some debt. Remember, you get to choose because you know yourself better than anyone else. Do it and make 2014 the best year yet! Better yet, make the end of 2013 the best yet ;) Peace

My greatest accomplishment!!!

This week is Teacher Appreciation week. First let me say there are some pretty awesome teachers out there who spend more time with our kids than most parents do. You love your students and you treat them as if they were you own. You rock!  This past August I embarked upon homeschooling my 11 year old son. I am no stranger to home-school. Both my girls were home-schooled years ago due to the High School failing to protect my daughter and only caring about where the school placed in the District. So making the decision to home-school this amazingly smart and passionate boy was a no-brainer when too many problems arose at his elementary school. I realized that we as parents are our kids 1st teachers.

Road trip to Utah

We have a few weeks left and today left me speechless and truly grateful that I have the lifestyle to be available to him. I remember years ago when I lost my job, the only thing I could see were the tears in my eyes. How was I going to raise this beautiful boy I was holding in my arms at 6 weeks old and give him the life I dreamed of for him.  Being an Entrepreneur allowed me to just take the day off from everything and just watch him enjoy Horseback riding. The hugs, the thank-yous were almost overwhelming. Although he wants to go to Middle School and experience it this fall, he will always have the precious memories of the time he spent with his family and friends.

Horse Ranch at BLORA

Keep your dreams in front of you! Stop allowing others who are too afraid to step out and live their dreams, stop you from achieving yours!!!

Peace!

Happy Boss's Day!

So I woke up this morning to different post on Facebook about today being Boss's Day. I have to say I got a laugh at some of the post. But a few minutes later my mother-in-law called. I can say I am blessed to have a mother-in-law that I love and look forward to our conversations. For those of you who do not know my mother-in-law she is a spunky, energetic 81 year old who will tell you she has never had a boss. She became a hairdresser over 50 years ago! She has always believed no one will ever pay you what you are worth. She went on to tell me how she knew she didn't want a boss telling her she could only make a certain amount of money. When African American women that she knew were making only $15 a week, cleaning and cooking for someone else, she would make more in a day than her friends would in a week. She also believes in the Network Marketing Industry and chose to have her own business years ago and made a huge success of it.

She says that we in the U.S. have it so easy but take education and work for granted and realizes why many come from other countries and are able to take advantage of any and all opportunities to make a success of their lives. With today being Bosses day and I have no boss to thank. I thank my mother-in-law for confirming to me and my family that being your own boss is the best way to go only if you will do the work and then you will reap the rewards of being paid what you are worth. Oh and Happy Boss's day to me:) and any other of you who are THE BOSS!

Follow your heart!

What a week, it's been! Having my husband on leave (military form of vacation) lol...has been a look into the future! In less than 2 years he will be retiring from the Military. As I reflect over our lives, our goals and dreams, nothing could have prepared us for how the end of this chapter would turn out. Yes, we both will be retired at the early ages of 42 and 44, wouldn't you like to know which age is mine! LOL!

When you focus on your dreams and solving other people's problems, amazing things begin to happen. God places people in your lives for a reason AND a season. We have watched relationships grow and others end. We have grown ourselves. The personal development we have received over the years as enabled us to not only change our lives but the lives of others. How because sometimes when you begin to change others begin to take a look at themselves. Sometimes that will be a good thing and sometimes a not so good thing. But nevertheless we all either change or stay the same.

Patrick and I have built an amazing life and business. Because it's in the Network Marketing Industry, we are often times misunderstood and have made many mistakes along the way. We take pride in just wanting others to live better lives and to see themselves as God sees them! Sometimes it gets discouraging but it days like these with my husband and family that let's me know we are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing. I can't wait to have hubby home and we both will continue to be the change we want to see in the world. :)

What is it that you want? Are you allowing dream-stealers or emotional muggers to keep you from living your dreams? Stop it! When you make your intentions clear the how we will take care of itself just do it!

Seven Lies That Will Keep You From Starting Your Business

- by Travis Robertson

There are a lot of people who talk about “one day” owning their own business. Yet, very few people actually end up even trying it. Why?

Usually it’s because they’ve chosen to believe one or more lies about starting a business. There are 7 common lies that people are telling themselves right now that will keep them from changing their dream of entrepreneurship into a set of goals they can accomplish.

Lie #1 – It’s Too Risky In Today’s Economy

Without a doubt, our current economic situation sucks. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start a business. In fact, starting a business during an economic downturn may be one of the best things you can do.

Why?

    * Your job is likely not as safe as you think it is. After all, layoffs increase during times of economic uncertainty. Right? Why not put yourself in the driver’s seat rather than depend on someone else for a paycheck?

    * It will force you to prioritize your spending. If you can operate a profitable business in an economic downturn, you can do it during times of economic boom.

    * Competition decreases during crappy economic times. It’s sad but true. A lot of companies go out of business in a downturn. Regardless of the reason, this creates opportunity for someone who is talented and willing to work hard to take on clients from failing companies.

    * It’s cheaper to start a business during a downturn. With so many businesses going under right now, it’s a great time to pick up needed items at an auction or on Craigslist. You can also negotiate better deals with potential vendors right now.

Here’s a fun fact: roughly half of the Dow Jones 30 were started during a recession. Now may be a great time to start that business you’ve been talking about.

Lie #2 – I Don’t Have Enough Time

How was last night’s episode of Gossip Girl? How insane was that Yankees game? OMG…did you see the preview for the next episode of Glee?

    * The average American watches nearly 4 hours of TV per day.
    * 49% of Americans say they watch too much TV.
    * 98% of households in the US have at least 1 TV.
    * 34% have 2.

You have the time. You just have to claim it from the other distractions in your life. If TV isn’t the problem, you may be working too many hours for someone else doing something you hate. This was my problem for too many years. I made a lot of money doing work I didn’t enjoy so that I could buy stuff I didn’t need.

Lie #3 – I Can’t Afford To Quit My Job

Who said you have to quit your job to start a business? Most businesses are started during nights and weekends. Feel like you don’t have enough time on nights and weekends? See Lie #2 above.

Oftentimes, it’s not an income problem that people have – it’s a spending problem. Their cost of living has risen to – or more likely above- their income.

So how can you prepare for being able to quit your job? Here are some things you can do to get ready:

    * Save up 6 months of living expenses in a money market account.

    * Create a budget for both the business and your household. Figure out how much money your business will need to make in order for you to survive.

    * Get out of debt and stay out of debt. It’s a lot easier to start a business if you don’t have to worry about creditors knocking down your door.

    * Practice living on less before you have to start living on less. It’s a habit you have to learn. There is not magic “live within my means” pill.

Lie #4 – It Takes Too Much Money To Start a Business

There are a lot of businesses that can be started on less than $1,000, $5,000 or even $10,000 dollars. You just have to start thinking differently about how you’re going to do it.

First, start small and then scale up. You don’t need to go lease a storefront just because you want to own “the best hotdog joint in town.” Instead, start by renting a cart and setting up shop on a busy street in the financial district downtown. Try out different recipes while minimizing exposure. Figure out if people even like your hotdogs.

Then, if things are going well, begin planning for expansion into a bigger market. Figure out how much money it will take to purchase your own cart. Start saving to buy one without financing it. Once you own your own cart, begin socking money away to buy another cart (in cash) and hire an employee to run it. Keep up this process until you own enough carts that you’re making enough money to open your storefront without going into debt.

Too many people use borrowed money such as credit cards, home equity, and personal loans to finance the opening and/or growth of their business. This is stupid. Figure out how to start smaller with less exposure and risk. It will keep you making smarter decisions because you won’t be able to buy things you can’t afford.

Lie #5 – I Don’t Know Anything About Running a Business

Neither do a lot of people when they start a business and it shouldn’t stop you from starting one.

Don’t get me wrong – you need to learn about running a business. But there are a lot of free or low-cost resources available to you:

    * Ask friends and family who have started a business to act as advisors and mentors.

    * Contact SCORE. They offer free small business advice and mentoring in-person and online.

    * Visit your local library and become and avid reader of business books.

    * Find and read blogs on business development, sales, marketing, freelancing, etc.

If you’re starting small and part-time as I suggest, you’ll have time to learn about running a business as you do it. It will take a lot of the pressure off of having to know it all up-front.

Lie #6 – I’ll Go Out on My Own When …

…my kids are out of the house.
…I retire.
…I blah, blah, blah.

No. You most likely won’t. Excuses like these are generally made out of fear. Starting a business can be a frightening thought. So rather than admit the fear and confront it, people mask it behind “sensible” statements such as these. They tell themselves that it would be unwise to do it right now.

These statements meet two needs:

    * We don’t want to admit we’re scared, so we tell ourselves and others that we’re going to do it…just…down the road. It keeps the dream alive – even if only on life support.

    * It makes us sound reasonable in our fear. After all, who doesn’t want to sound reasonable? Nobody wants to be seen as rash or foolish. This type of excuse enables us to lie to ourselves and others while maintaining a bit of self-respect.

Lie #7 – I Don’t Know What Kind of Business to Start

I think that most people have an idea of what kind of business they would start, they just don’t want to admit it in any other capacity than as a fantasy.

What do I mean by that?

Have you ever played the game with friends where you answer the question “What would you do if money weren’t an object?” Of course. We’ve all done it. And it’s fun because it’s “safe.” It’s all fantasy because, of course, money is an object. So we talk about our fantasy of starting our own sports memorabilia store, wedding photography business, bakery, PR agency, non-profit, etc.

The problem is that when we relegate our passions to the world of fantasy, we no longer see them as potentially viable businesses. We assume that something we’re passionate about can’t possibly make money. It just seems too good to be true that we could actually do something we love and provide for our families.

If you know how to answer that question in a cocktail party setting, then you know what kind of business to start. Now, granted, the business may take on a different form than in your money-is-no-object fantasy. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the above steps to make it happen.