Mondays, Mindset, Motivation, and Manifestation
February 11, 2010 by Julie
Filed under Goal Setting, Main
"If each Monday morning, you make a choice to move into the new work week with renewed commitment and passion, you can change all areas of your life. You can truly change your Mondays and change your life." ~David Cottrell
Last month, I did a video blog post on my Master Manifestation List. (You can check that out here in case you missed it). I had so much feedback from that post that it got me thinking. As I said in the video, this one concept has completely changed the way I work and has increased my productivity beyond anything I ever dreamed possible. I get more done in the same amount of time I had before with much less stress. All because I step into each week with a clear sense of purpose.
I think it boils down to three fairly simple things for me. Mindset, motivation, and manifestation. Let me clarify.
Mindset – Every Monday, because I've taken the time on Sunday night to fill out my Master Manifestation List, I'm stepping into my week with a clear mindset. I've reminded myself of my purpose and my values. I've defined for myself the "theme" of my week (right down to changing the photo on my list to match that theme). So my mindset it clear. Without that, I drift through my week without a purpose.
Motivation – This is the second part of my planning for the week. It's tied to my projects and goals. Every quarter when I do my quarterly planning, I define my 5 areas of focus. Those are listed on my list and my weekly goals come from those areas. Renewing my commitment to what I've chosen to focus on every single week fuels my motivation to move into action.
Manifestation – This is where the rubber meets the road for me. It's all of the things I do in order to make my goals a reality. I always say that action is the key to success. By writing down daily action steps for meeting my weekly goals on my Master Manifestation List, I nail down my commitment. That way, when something else "pops up" on Tuesday that's not on my list, it's much easier for me to say no to it, add it to my list of things to accomplish next week or next month, and continue to focus on the plan I've made to manifest the goals I've set for the week.
Really, who would have thought that something as simple as a modified, much improved "to do" list could make such a different. It literally takes me less than 10 minutes each Sunday to complete it. That sort of blows me away (and in a way makes me cringe that it took me so long to figure this out. Imagine where I'd be today if I'd been doing this since I started my business).
Mindset, motivation, and manifestation. It's really that simple! What do you think of this idea?
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Julie Anne Jones is a success language consultant, a direct sales 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.
Video Blog – Get it All Done Every Week!
January 21, 2010 by Julie
Filed under Goal Setting, Life Balance, Main, Organization, Time Management
Download my Master Manifestation List here.
The Problem with New Year’s Resolutions…
January 7, 2010 by Julie
Filed under Goal Setting, Organization, Self Development
Today really is the first day of the rest of your life, but not because it's January! I'm sure you're reading lots of blog posts and articles about New Year's Resolutions this week. Every year, we're encouraged to use the New Year as a fresh start, as if the calendar rolling over somehow magically transforms us into the person we've always wanted to be. I've always been curious about that. What makes you think you'll be any more resolved to actually do any of the big things you plan for yourself just because the calendar says January instead of December today? I think that's just a recipe for failure (and I bet you have dozens of stories, just like I do, of New Year's resolutions gone bad to back up my opinion). So, this year, I'm taking a different approach. Now, don't get me wrong. I have some huge goals for 2010 (many of which have come out of my annual planning sessions), but I know that if I focus all of my energy on achieving these huge goals, I'll probably feel overwhelmed and do what I've done in the past (which is give up). It's literally true the the journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. So I've decided to think smaller. I'm choosing a few smaller actions I can implement every week that will move me closer to my bigger goals. For me, that means I'm going to:
- Create a weekly plan every Sunday with goals for the week and daily action steps
- Set some stronger boundaries around my schedule so I stay on track throughout the day
- Plan at least one full day every week with no appointments where I can focus entirely on implementation
- Find at least one new blog to follow each month and implement what I'm learning from it
While these action steps aren't resolutions in and of themselves, I know they'll support me in getting what I want by the end of the year (and then some, I'll bet). If there's one thing I've learned over the past few years, it's that action is the key. Grand plans and resolutions are great but if you don't do anything to bring them about, they rarely happen (and that's why you find yourself making the same resolutions over and over again every single year). Here are a few direct sales-related actions steps you could commit to take on a weekly or monthly basis that, if implemented, WILL change your business in 2010. Pick a few and start moving toward your goals!
- Get your office completely organized so you love working there
- Set up one-on-one coaching times each week with your key team members
- Start a "Host of the Month" club (click here to read about how to do that)
- Commit to hold an opportunity event every single month
- Attend our "Ask the Expert" call every month (it's free and we have some amazing experts signed up for this year. Check them out here)
- Make it a goal to learn at least one new thing every week and implement it in your business
- Join a networking group or your local Chamber of Commerce
- Make at least five booking calls and five recruiting calls every week (this one action could literally double your business this year)
- Hold at least eight parties each month
That's just a start. Coming up with three or four should be no problem for you. If you're not sure what to commit to, ask yourself this question, "If I get to the last day of 2010 and my business is exactly where I want it to be, what will I have accomplished?" Then figure out what small steps it's going to take to make that giant leap and commit to them. And why not add your suggestions below? I'd love to hear from you. One last thing - With the brand new website, a few things have changed and if you've been receiving my blog posts in your e-mail box, that service may be interrupted. I'd love it if you take a second and go to the home page and click on "Subscribe to Direct Sales Success Made Easy" by e-mail to make sure you continue to receive my posts. And take a look around while you're at it. I love the new site! Thanks!
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Julie Anne Jones is a success language consultant, a direct sales 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, visit her at www.julieannejones.com or check out her blog athttp://julieannejones.com.
Finishing Strong
December 29, 2009 by Julie
Filed under Goal Setting
“Regardless of what came before or of what has yet to come, what matters most right now is how I choose to respond to the challenge before me. Will I lie down or will I fight? The choice is mine and I choose to Finish Strong.”
~Dan Green, Finish Strong
"Finishing Strong" is my theme for the 4th quarter of 2009. It's the theme for me every 4th quarter. There's something about knowing that I only have one month left in this year to get those plans I made executed and complete the projects I started during the current year that's motivating. For me, the sense of urgency makes me push a little harder, just like a runner who hits a wall 22 miles into a marathon.
Here are a few things you may need to get completed and cleaned up in order to finish strong this year:
- Clear the clutter – There's nothing like looking around your environment (your office, home, car, garage, etc.) and clearing out the clutter – those items I no longer need which not only don't support me, but are draining me. I find every time I do this, I make ro
om in my life for better things.
- Close open loops - These are tasks or projects that you just haven't quite finished up. You know the ones. That pile of clothes you have 1/2 sorted that need to be taken to Goodwill. Your tax information that's half compiled and sitting in piles on your dining room table. The papers that need to be filed in your office. Make a list of all of your unfinished projects and start completing them, one by one.
- Remember your year - This one is really important. Sit down with your calendar and go back to January. Now flip through it, week by week, and remember all that you've accomplished. Take a second when you hit on a big win and congratulate yourself. If something that wasn't such a success comes up for you, find a way to forgive yourself (or someone else) and let it go.
- Dust off your goals - Finally, look at the goals you set at the beginning of this year. If you still have some unfinished business with yourself, think about why you set that particular goal in the first place and if it's still important to you. If it is, will you carry it forward into 2010 or complete it before the end of the year?
Finally, once you've worked your way through the above areas, you'll be ready to create a strong plan for 2010 and begin implementing it as soon as the new year begins. If you feel like you need a little support in doing that, you can listen to a free call I did with the amazing Krista Green last month that will get you started. Krista and I are also partnering up next week for a two part modular course called "Chaos to Clarity – Planning Edition" and there's still time to join us. Click here to listen to or download the free call and to learn more about the modular course!
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE FOR FREE IN PRINT OR ONLINE?
Julie Anne Jones is a success language consultant, a direct sales 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, visit her at www.julieannejones.com or check out her blog athttp://julieannejones.com.
What do Direct Sellers Do December 15-31?
December 10, 2009 by Julie
Filed under Goal Setting, Life Balance, Organization
Have you noticed how direct sellers seem to take a holimonth instead of a holiday every December? It's like they neatly put their business on the shelf for most of the month of December (or at least from the 15th on) and hope against hope that it will be there, strong as ever, waiting for them come January 2nd when the world starts to turn again. Unfortunately, it's often more the case that their neglected business has withered and is in dire need of resuscitation come January.
It's important to make sure you're booking yourself solid for January in November and early December. (I wrote a blog post on that topic last week. You can access it here). But once you've done that, do you have any options besides just taking two weeks off at the end of December? Absolutely!
Remember all those business activities you've been saying you didn't have time for all year (like personal development, follow up calls, and planning)? Well, now you've got two weeks spread out in front of you like a gift. Grab it and rip it open!
Here are just a few ideas for how you might spend your work hours over the next few weeks. I'll start with some ideas for leaders (and just FYI, if you're a leader, this is a great opportunity to get yourself and your team set up for success in 2010!)
- Plan all of your meetings for 2010 (need help? Our "Smart Leader's Monthly Meeting Planning System" will give you complete outlines and trainings for 12 monthly meetings. Check it out here.) You can even include your team or downline leaders if you have them in your planning time. Throw a small party, put some cookies and coffee out, and have fun! You'll be surprised at how quickly this task will go when you're brain storming with others.
- Take 1/2 day and call all of your downline leaders and direct downline to check in and learn how you can support them with their goals for 2010.
- Make a recording (you can use Audio Acrobat or Freeconferencecall.com) for your entire team giving them ideas for how to succeed in the new year. Our client Codi Ayers does this monthly for her team and has had great results. She shares with them:
- Some fun ideas for theme shows in the coming month, complete with a themed invitation e-mailed to them
- An overview of the host bonuses for the following month
- A quick recognition of those on her team who are new consultants
- A booking incentive (like a drawing for a great item from your line)
- Some fun ideas for theme shows in the coming month, complete with a themed invitation e-mailed to them
If you're not yet a leader, here are some great ideas for using your time at the end of December:
- Call all of your September, October, November and December guests and make sure they're happy with their products. Come armed with some great reasons to host a party in January and make it your goal to book at least three parties.
- Commit to listen to/read at least one training program related to your business and write down at least three ideas you want to implement based on that training.
- Set up and launch a "Host of the Month" club. Here's a simple format:
- 12 participants are required, 1 Hostess for each month of the year.
- Each hostess is required to place a minimum order of $30 each month.
- Each member will have one month assigned to her as Hostess of the Month at the beginning of the year.
- The Hostess of the Month will receive ALL Hostess rewards for her month.
- If the Hostess of the Month decides to have a personal Home Party in her month, she will have the Monthly Hostess Club funds applied to her party! She begins with at least $360.00 worth of orders, thereby increasing her Home Party sales & Hostess Rewards!
- 12 participants are required, 1 Hostess for each month of the year.
Julie Anne Jones is a success language consultant, a direct sales 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, visit her at www.julieannejones.com or check out her blog athttp://julieannejones.com.
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