Not Back to School, Forward to What’s Next!

Create a "Back to School" plan for your business.

My boys went back to school last week. My 7th grade son Eli (that's him on the right) moved from a small private school to a much larger, public middle school (his choice). He came home from school Monday and proclaimed to me that this is going to be his best school year ever. He's renewed, refreshed, and he has hit the ground running with a fresh start and some big goals.

That got me thinking about this time of year for direct sellers, and how important it is to make the same transition in your business that your kids are making as they head off to a new school year. Since it's only the 2nd day of September, I'd like to invite you to take some time and answer the following questions about your direct sales business and where you're headed as we transition into the final 1/3 of the year:

• What are your goals for the next four months?
• How much income will you earn?
• How many parties will it take to reach your goal?
• How many new team members will you need to bring onto your team?
• What will you commit to daily to reach your goal? Weekly? Monthly?
• Finally, how will you feel once you hit it? (Really define this – it's probably the most important item on this list)

Just like the syllabi your kids are bringing home with outlines of assignments and project for the next semester in each class, this list will help you create your own syllabus for success in your direct sales business.

I'd love to have you share your goals and action steps below.

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Julie Anne Jones is a direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read more blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself When You’re Facing a Challenge

In the past three weeks or so, I've had a few really difficult situations I've had to deal with. We're talking heart-wrenching, unpleasant stuff. It hasn't been fun, but it has been enlightening. And it got me thinking about how much "stuff" we have to deal with as direct sellers, moms, wives, daughters, sisters, friends, etc. After the most recent event, I sat in my office, still and quiet, and pondered my response and how I was feeling.

I haven't always been that reasoned (or reasonable). When I was younger (I still feel younger most of the time, by the way), my first instinct when I was criticized was to get fired up, defensive, and to prove the other person was wrong about me or the situation. I think that's sort of human nature for most of us. But in the past several years (in all the wisdom that comes with being "in my 40's"), I've started looking at challenges in my life in a new light. Now, when confronted by a difficult situation or person, more often than not, I tend to stop and ask myself some questions. Even if my first, knee jerk reaction is impatience or frustration or even defensiveness, once I take a few deep breaths, I'm doing my best to look at what I can learn from the situation.

I came up with the three questions I tend to consider when something awful happens in my life or business. They are:

1. What can I learn from this event/situation/conversation/e-mail/personal encounter/etc.? If it were happening to someone else and I were watching as an objective outsider, what would I be hoping she learned from it? (Okay, that's technically two questions, but they're really similar so I'm counting them as one).
    
2. What's a different way to see this situation (as in, can I change my perception and gain a new perspective?)

3. How will I choose to let this affect me (because it's always a choice)?
   

Every time I take the time to ask myself these questions and truly, honestly answer them, I'm happier with the outcome. It still might feel icky, but at least I feel like some good is coming out of it.

So, the next time you have a party that bombs or one of your great new representatives drops off the face of the earth and won't return your calls, take a few seconds and ask yourself the three questions above.

And please share your own questions with me in the comment section (if you getting this in your e-mail box, just click on the title and you'll be taken to the blog post). I'd love to know what sort of questions you ask yourself in challenging situations.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE FOR FREE IN PRINT OR ONLINE?

Julie Anne Jones is a direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read more blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.

Summer is right around the corner….

• Will you still be holding the same number of parties in the summer as you do during the school year?
• How much time each week will you need to work with your team?
• Schedule in those monthly meetings and/or training call now

Now the fun part – how will you engage your kids when you need office time? Put them in front of the TV for hours on end and continue feeding them snacks all day long? I'm thinking that may not be the best solution.

How about  a few of these ideas:

• Plan a fun activity that they can do only while you are working that is completely thought out ahead of time. Between now and the last day of school, start collecting activities and put them into a special container labeled “Summer Fun”. Remember, they are not allowed to peek.
• Talk to a friend or neighbor and see about setting up a co-op with other friends or neighbors. Basically, you trade hour per hour in babysitting services. 
• Redbox is a great alternative for special lazy days. You can rent a movie for $1 and that will buy you about 90 minutes of uninterrupted time. Make it a movie afternoon with popcorn and lemonade.
• My daughters love to play school, waitress and office. I have a space set up next to my desk that has all of my old office equipment (copier, phones, bulletin board, stapler, old checks, etc.) to play with. 
• My last suggestion is for those of you with multiple children, I like to plan playdates that will leave one child at home with a friend and send one out to another friend’s house. Then I never have to worry about the siblings fighting and the kid who stays home with their friend is beautifully entertained so I can work.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE FOR FREE IN PRINT OR ONLINE?

Julie Anne Jones is direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read more blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.

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