6 Simple Steps To Achievement

Robert Lewis Stevenson had his own measuring stick for achievement and guess what? It's not about making money.

"That man is a success

• who has lived well,

• laughed often and loved much;

• who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children;

• who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

• who leaves the world a better place than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;

• who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had."

Does your thinking get in the way?

Why is Booker T Washington a man renown throughout history as the great leader, speaker, thinker and writer? A man who was an adviser to presidents during a time right at the end of the slavery era when you would not consider it possible?  Because he did not allow his circumstance dictate his life.  He did not consider himself a slave or a son of a slave.  He did not let the thinking of the day destroy his dreams.

What's getting in the way of your dreams?  Your past? Your family? Your circumstances?  If  your circumstances tell you right now, that you are broke and out of a job, you must tell yourself differently.  you must say, things will get better, even if you don't feel it!  Tell yourself every day... EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY.., until you do feel it. Then watch the changes start to happen.

"There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, pure, simple and useful life."

"Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work."

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed."

Booker T. Washington

Has it been so long? Achievement Measured

It has been nearly 1 year since I began my journey, and I have not gotten sidetracked, but have been away on a separate journey.  I'm not partially back so I will resume this journey as often as I can.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was so blessed to find this great treasure of positive affirmations and inspiration, I wanted to share. I have decided to, at least for a while post a few of these in every post.  This book is from 1965, not terribly old, but I was less than 10 years old when this book was published and so it will probably be found in the hallway of the ancient very soon.  

What's interesting to me about this book is that the thinking back in 1965 was so very different then today.  Have morals and principles changed so very much?  Back then God and country, going to church and the family were still important.  Today, people mention the idea of church and although it is fantastic for some(me for one), sadly it is definitely not the normal experience it use to be; what's sadder is that a whole generation of people don't even know that this use to be such a normal accepted happy thing. Now with so much misinformation and some unfortunate experiences, Christianity is for many seen as a lie and a fable; so sad. Strange how things change so much.

Be blessed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Achievement Measured

Success is to be measured

not so much by the position that one has reached in life

as by the obstacles

which he has overcome while trying to succeed.

Booker T. Washington

Focus on Kindness to Achieve Your Success Goals

I find that the more I focus on helping others by leadership or encouragement that people tend to be magnetized to me; with no intention of me wanting this to happen, it just happens.  There is a universal law that says "what goes around comes around" or in other words "you reap what you sow".  How true it is and especially in business.  Zig Ziglar said it best and I love it as I see this begin to unfold in my life.  "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want".  


You can tell when you are doing good just for goods sake and when you are doing good to "GET".  It doesn't work that way; it doesn't even feel good.  The great part is that when you do good for the sake of "GOOD" you feel good too and that good will come back to you.


I love to help people.  As a small child I wanted to become a teacher. Although I did not go to school to get my teaching degree, I'm a student of the school of life, and am also a teacher to whomever would like to be taught by my experience.  We learn best by experience anyway.


Well here is a great video affirmation of what kindness can do for our world and for each of us individually.
May you find good to do today for someone.


Enjoy & God Bless:

Goal Motivators!

"When you keep your eyes on the goal, the chances of reaching the goal are immeasurably better."

~ Zig Ziglar

Get a Fix on the Target...

See the Reaching...

"If you want to be a top salesperson, then see yourself as already being that top salesperson.  By doing this, the unseen forces inside of you start 'putting it all together' and they propel you toward your destination."

~Zig Ziglar

"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."

~ Zig Ziglar

"Go as far as you can see and when you get there you'll always be able to see farther"

~ Zig Ziglar

Positive Affirmation ~ Your Ahhhhhh Thought For The Week

Positive Affirmation: 
Today I Am walking towards my Divine destiny. Whatever traits that I lack to accomplish my goals I now have. Whatever resources I need to accomplish my purpose in Life I now have. Wherever I Am weak I Am now strong and wherever I Am strong I Am now even stronger. Happiness is mine, Healing is mine, Success is mine! Day by day I get better in every way!

Focus on Goal Setting ~ ~ Finally

I have been learning about goal setting.  I never knew that only 3% of people ever set goals. Why is this?  I have always dreaded setting goals and I recently learned why.  I was afraid of failure so I never pushed myself.  I, along with most everyone else (except the 3% of people who set goals) fell into the routine, go to school, get a job. Where is the dream in that?  Where is the ambition in that?  Hey, we were never pushed to go to college even, why? I ask myself these things and I'm sad and angry but I have only myself to blame.  I have so much catching up to do in this area folks and I feel like I am back in school!  It's never too late and I am happy just the same.

Zig Ziglar made a remarkable statement when he said that you will never make it as a "wandering generality".  You must be a "meaningful specific". Strange words, but actually they ring in my soul like never before.  He also said that we must be "sold" on the idea of goal setting. Just like anything, we must see how important it is to our lives to desire to incorporate it into our lives.

I wish that someone would have sold me on the importance of goals earlier in my life.  I vaguely remember being taught something about it in school, but I don't remember what grade.  Obviously it didn't stick.  I wonder what would happen if goal setting became as important to learning as the basics of reading, writing and math. Perhaps our world would be a much richer place, filled with people who had purpose and felt value.  These days we are all just a bunch of hamburger flippers!  I'm sorry, I am a little frustrated about this. Why is it only 3% of people ever set goals?  I'm a half a century old and am now only learning this? HELLO!!!!! Anyone home???

In a prior post I touched on goal setting because I know it is an important part in being successful in any worthy endeavor.  I will be touching on this subject more and more in coming posts.

Quotes To Keep You At Your Best

I am a strong believer in this wonderful scripture that says

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"

Phil 4:8

A true Christian is ALWAYS true to the Holy Scriptures and will ALWAYS view things through the prism of the Word of God. In this case we see that we have perfect permission to read and listen to anything that is of a good report.

Helping yourself by changing your thinking from stinking to positive is a great way to obey this divine suggestion by the Apostle Paul. Oh.., you notice I did not say it was a commandment, well I don't know that it is, however, it should be, because if people would put more concern for what was going on between their ears this world would by far be a better place for all,

don't you agree?

"See You At The Top" Journey

In Zig Ziglar's book "See You At The Top" which is more than just learning success in business, it's about learning success in life, he tells you to keep a journal of what you are learning as you go through the steps. It is important to note, that this is not just a good read but actual steps to take to change your thinking, from stinking to productive and successful.

I have embarked on a journey this last year, not only by starting a successful home business but also the development of a mindset that accompanies this success. You see I did not realize at the time, what I was embarking on, but there was a need in my life.  I was for year defined by my past.  I had a measure of success in my life, but I was still held by my past failures.  This is something to realize because every one has a past that if they have not overcome it, will limit their potential.  

19 years ago, I gave my life fully to the Lord Jesus Christ and had a real and life changing experience which started with repentance and baptism but is still going on.  I had a wonderful pastor at the time, who use to quote text from Zig Ziglar's book but I didn't realize it, and I certainly didn't feel up to it.  I had so many insecurities and fears, and I was suppose to have abundant life!  That was 19 years ago!  So much has changed in my life since then, my kids have grown, I was a single parent and I got off welfare, took some college courses and had a degree of success in the corporate world. But truth be told, I reach my "ceiling" in that corporate world and never made it past a certain level, even after 19 years.  I did however, venture to run 2 brick and mortar businesses during that time, still with only a degree of success.   

Out of those last 19 years the most important lesson I learned in business is that you have to try something, even if it fails. Failure is not really failure if you learn from the experience and try again!

So now here I am again, do to certain situations, building another home business, but this time, I'm learning so much more.  When I picked up this book "See You At The Top" by Zig Ziglar at the library, I had no idea what it was about.  I had heard people coin that phrase "See you at the top" so many times, via video and in their blog posts or on FaceBook.  I heard the name Zig Ziglar and assumed he was some network marketing genius or super salesman.  I assumed that the book was something to do with business, and so I decided to take a look thinking 'I need all the help I can get!' I'm so new to this network marketing industry. 

Looking at the cover I saw the words my pastor use to say "Check Up from the Neck Up", and "Stinkin Thinkin", Hmmmmmh., I thought, that is very interesting.  So, I read a little further. When I opened the first few pages I discovered that Zig Ziglar was a Christian, and that was a super-size PLUS in his favor so I kept reading.  I soon discovered that I needed this book of self discovery and development.  Not just for my business but so much more for my own state of mind. 

I've decided to post my discovery journal here.  I hope you will enjoy reading. 

Fathers Day and Every Day Video About The Importance of Time

Perfect for Father's Day. This brought tears to my eyes. Please share this with your friends and don't forget to honor your fathers this Father's Day.

Zig Ziglar On Success

Zig Ziglar On Success 


I am in the process of reading a book I've heard a lot about and have finally secured my copy (temporary until I get my own) from the local library.  The book is called "See You At The Top" by Zig Ziglar.  I kind of feel like I am a decade (or 2) late in discover these and other success principles for my life.  It is funny because I consider myself to be a creative thinker and writer and many of my posts here are my own thoughts.  I am humbled when I learn that I am not the first to think some of these things and challenged because I see how much I really do not know.

As I continue my journey through "See You At The Top" I will include my notes here.  It will be helpful not only to others, (I hope) but mostly to myself. I have already learned that it is important to write your goals down and to define what your specific purpose is in your life.  Wheewh, this alone is such a challenge as I feel "called" to so many things.  "Help me Lord", is all I can say to myself.  I'm a happy pilgrim on this road. Perhaps you would like to come along for the ride.




Without the proper mindset you will not achieve success in your life, your marriage, your family, your business, your career or any other important areas.  These are fundamental truths we are talking about here, and while many will go through their lives as a "wandering generality" as Zig Ziglar so gracefully coined, I learned long ago that my life was to be a "meaningful specific".  Now I am on my way to find out what that is.

Be blessed

Daily Motivating Thoughts Keep You Focused

Daily Motivating Thoughts Keep You Focused

When the winds of life try to blow you over.  Get back up. When your dreams seem to have taken flight without you - - don't give up, be patient, they will come back to you.  Take some time and reflect; remember true wealth and success is not a destination it is a journey.  Here are some motivating thoughts to keep you focused on success in your home business.




Finding Joy




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You'll never make it as a wander generality, you need to become a meaningful specific

Zig Ziglar


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Getting Focused is not hard, staying focused is

Anthony Galie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Persistence and passion are the ingredients you need to make dreams come true

Your personal reputation is the most important asset in achieving personal success.

William G. Margaritis

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't wait for someone or something else to come along and provide your happiness.  Ultimately, if you're taking actions to enrich your own life and live it to the max, it's best both for yourself and those around you.  

Heidi Klum


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Breathe It, Eat It, Sleep It - - To Succeed!

This is a must see for anyone who wants to succeed.

We had a team conference call just recently and this was what we talked about. Your commitment to your dream will determine your success. How committed are you? Is it as important as your breath?

"When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe then you will be successful"

#1 Got to have heart
#2 To be able at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what you will become

Focus on Faith To Build Your Home Business

You've heard these excuses before and no doubt have probably thought many of them yourself, "what if I fail?" “What if the company goes belly up?" "What if I run out of money?" or "what if I can't recruit?"   I too have heard these and many other excuses from people who undoubtedly wanted to start a home based business, but these many 'what ifs' always seemed to stop them from taking the next step.  I confess at certain times in my life and my business experience these all too familiar questions have tried to hinder my decisions as well.

Friend, believe it or not faith is required to do just about anything and that includes building a business from nothing.  You can call it what you like (I choose to call it faith), there is that certain element which gets you from point A, where you are thinking or dreaming about your home business to point B where you are actually planning and begin building it.  It is important to never forget that you really do not know where you will end up once you start. The risk factor comes into play as you will most assuredly spend money building your business as well as spend a tremendous amount of time.  For many, this is the reason why they never "start" in the first place.
 So how do you get to the place where you can stop asking all the questions and just do it?  Precisely, you just do it!  I know it sounds too simple, but really do you contemplate on cooking or eating your favorite meal or doing your favorite activity?  Do you say to yourself, what if I don’t like it or what if I burn it? Of course not; you do it because it is something that you desire to do.  The fact is, if you question every action you take in your life you will be one very unhappy person because that is not living!  At some time in your life you must be willing to take risks. 

If you are married, you took the risk to tell that special person you loved them and you took the risk of finally asking that person to marry you or saying yes when asked!  Never the less you took the risk and if you did not you would have given up ever being loved back or experienced the joy of being in an intimate married relationship. There was all kinds of risk involved there, but there was something else - - - faith!  You exercised faith in the unseen.  

When it comes to starting a home based business, find the one that is right for you and just do it.  Of course do your homework on the company and product.  After you’ve done your due diligence take the next step.  Don’t let the unknown stop you; take the leap of faith and see what happens.  You will be better for the experience even if it doesn’t work out.  The joy is in the journey not in the destination!

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase."

Martin Luther King

Focus On Self Development to Keep Your Positive MIndset

Another thing I've recently learned about working from home is you can get very discouraged.  With the wrong attitude you will soon give up on working at all for that day, and if you don't have a clear goal in mind you may not go back the next day either.  If your motivation is only when the money is rolling in and suddenly disappears when your leads dry up it is past time to start learning some positive thinking techniques.  So self development is also a crucial part of your home based business building strategy.  In case you didn't realize it, this blog is really geared toward helping the home based business person, learn these self development skills.  I focus on positive thinking, because it is the one thing I know for sure that will work, plus it is a biblical concept, and I am a Christian after all.

Let me share this picture to your mindset today. Your business is like a crop or a vegetable garden.  Have you ever planted a garden?  There is a lot of preparation that goes into it - a lot of work.  You prepare your soil, pull weeds and plant your seeds. You water your garden, and take care to manage pests, and control weeds.  For those skilled at farming there may be even more things involved that I am missing. You exercise patience to see that garden or crop come to maturity, and then you finally reap the harvest of all of your work.  Farming is a long standing ancient art and tradition.  But few people today understand the patience of a farmer.  Just imagine if they were impatient to see those seeds pop through the soil - - they would daily be out there in the field disturbing the already prepared soil and by so doing destroy any progress that the little seedling is making. 

Recently my Pastor mentioned in his message to the flock that we live in a throw away society.  I've also heard it said that we live in the now generation.  Everyone wants immediate satisfaction, and if they do not get it they go somewhere else, dumping what they are doing to find something that will meet their "immediate need".  Let me just say that those people will never succeed in anything they set out to accomplish because they do not have the perseverence to see a project through to completion. Oh how we would be so much better off to have a little patience, like the farmer.  To grow, and tend and manage our home business, instead of giving up when we don't see results right away! 

Here's a thought for you that came my way today.  It lifted me up and helped my mind to stay on track. I really love this because it entails everything that I believe.  Our minds are also like fields of crops.  Let these words bring you encouragement to continue to build your home based business, even in hard times.  DON'T abandon your field of dreams!

The Strangest Secret

Focus On Your Thinking

Hi Friends,

I'm sorry it has been awhile since I've written anything.  I've been super busy (too busy, that is) with my main business and other projects.  You know, it's not good to be too busy, but it does happen some times.

When it comes to your job or business you can easily lose sight of what is important to you.  When that happens you tend to just go through the motions of life but never make any progress.  You are like on a treadmill - you're working and moving but you're not going anywhere.  When you see this happening your thoughts begin to wander in realms of despondency.  If you are building a home based business and you run into slow months it can be especially difficult and you need something to keep your thoughts on the right track.  Daily devotionals are critical.

I love this particular passage in the Bible because it implies the great importance and benefit of controlling your thinking. 

Philippians 4:6-9 (New King James Version)

"6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


Meditate on These Things 
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

Let us use whatever wholesome means possible to teach and train our minds to think in a positive manner.  This will provide untold benefits, especially to those who are building a business.  When you run into rough waters or even the calmest deadest waters, you will find this very useful indeed.

Until next time, be blessed to success!

Cynthia

Enjoy this free motivational movie today. Turn your speakers up!

Inspiration 365

Focus On Exercise To Stay in Balance and Build Wealth

Believe it or not, sitting there in front of your computer is not healthy.  That's an understatement right?  Well, I remember the days I use to harp on my kids for doing this very thing~!  "Go out side, get some air, take a walk, get some exercise!"  These are all statements I've made myself to my teen age kids growing up.  They would rather spend time in front of the computer than any thing else! 

How funny now, as they are all grown up, some of them are telling me the same thing.  When I think about it long enough, it makes me laugh, but it really is no laughing matter.  My body is suffering, my back is killing me, sometimes my stress level is sky high, my "love handles" are getting "lovelier" and easier to handle every day.., yikes! 

As internet marketers, building a new home based business, this is an area of great concern.  Okay, so maybe it's just me, but I find myself spending way to many hours in front of my computer than I ever have before!  Exercise - never my strong suit is needed even more so than ever, but how to stay on course is the question that needs an answer?  If I had the answer to that, I'd probably be in a different industry altogether and I'd be making a lot of money in it, that's for sure.  But, seriously, the main thing again here is focus.  Why is it that this word focus, which I've chosen as my blog title seems to resonate throughout everything I am trying to do in home based business?  Well whatever the reason, let's not focus on that right now, let's focus on exercise. 

So, as I seem to have this tendency to spend more time on my "B- - - - @*&" these days in front of my computer I've decided that it's time to find a 10 minute workout program that will work for me and maybe people like me, my readers.  I've known for a long time that getting that heart pumping is key to staying healthy so this is my real focus in routine; I'm not looking to get all buff and tuff with lean muscle and 6 pack abs - - that will come ..., next year.., okay, (yeah right ;o) ).  Because I'm no expert I did a little Googling and I found a pretty easy and "doable" 10 minute exercise plan that looks like just what I need.  I'm copying it word for word but if you want to go directly to the site I'll give that info in the end:

Quick Cardio Blast: Burn up to 150 calories

• Minutes one to two: High-intensity cardio, jump rope or run up and down stairs.
• Minutes three to four: Do as many push-ups as you can.
• Minutes five and six: Jump rope or run stairs again.
• Minutes seven and eight: Do squats by standing with your back against a wall and squatting as low as you can. Focus on form rather than speed.
• Minutes nine and ten: Back to the high-intensity cardio, but this time give it your all. Try to get in ten more jumps or stairs in the same amount of time.

Tone and Strengthen
Do each of these exercises for about one minute. The goal is to move continuously for the entire series.

• Squats against a wall: Stand with your back against wall and squat down as far as you can.
• Push-ups: Focus on form, not quantity. Knee push-ups are perfectly fine until you have the strength for military style.
• Walking lunges with a front kick: Step forward with one leg and lunge until your knee is above your front foot. Stand and kick up, lower your leg and repeat with the other side.
• Squats/Chest squeeze: Hold a weighted object and pull it in towards your chest as you lift up.
• Dead lifts: Stand with a weighted object in your hands and bend forward until your back is parallel to the floor. Keep your back lifted the entire time. For an extra challenge, stand on one leg and alternate.
• Shoulder raises: Keeping your arms straight, lift the weight to the front of your body and hold. Lower slowly and repeat.
• Side raises: Stand with your upper torso parallel to the floor. Raise your arms to your sides with your thumbs pointing up. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold.
• Triceps Dip: Support yourself on a couch or sturdy chair with both hands behind you, facing away from the chair. Bend your knees and lower yourself using only your arms. Lift and repeat.
• Wide-leg squat: Stand with your legs spread open past your shoulders and squat as low as you can.
• Crunch: Lie on the floor and do a set of traditional crunches, with your arms behind your head and your knees bent. Lift up your upper torso, squeeze in your abs, lower slowly and repeat.

From: Apartment Living: The Ten Minute Workout

A few years ago my husband bought me this cool small little mini trampoline and I use it to jog in place for 10 to 15 minutes as part of my cardio routine.  I do it long enough to get the blood flowing without the impact of running on a hard surface; this helps not to put any more stress on my back.  I have also found that this greatly reduces my stress level and helps me to regain my focus which as you know will get blurry if you are under stress.  This is the great part about working from home, I can do this any time of day.  Take a 10 minute stress break - - it's wonderful!

Another thing I do is take my dog for a walk.  Now you may think, "well for Pete's sake woman - of course you should take your dog for a walk, poor thing!" But if you do it right you can make that short little 10 to 15 minute walk part of your routine to get that heart pumping. 

The point here is to get the routine to do these things and make it part of your everyday business building plan.  Why do I say business building?  The answer is obvious - if you spend your countless hours 10 to 16 hours per day working, working, working, and you don't take care of your body, you will suffer the consequences.  Sure your business will prosper, but you will be poor, - poor in health.  You could have an empire and not be around long enough to enjoy the benefits!  It's time now to make exercise part of the business routine. 

Thanks and have a great day!

February is American Heart Month

Mark Twain said it best...

"The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. The moment it arises, all your irritations and resentments slip away and the sunny spirit takes their place."

And from Doug Larson...
"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon."

February is American Heart Month and it is known that a hearty laugh is good for our mental and physical health. Start your February by giving yourself the gift of laughter when you watch the movie, Laughter Is An Instant Vacation. Then, give the gift of a heart healthy laugh to others!

Focus On The Goal To Help Focus On Discipline

Focus On The Goal To Help Focus On Discipline

Discipline is important to keep you on task, but the flip side of this is if you have no goal in focus you will have no drive to keep you going, you will work for a while but lose interest because you will have lost your "why" for doing it;  it seems a waste of time because you don't see any immediate results from your efforts.  Discipline is vital here, but if there is no desire, no need, passion, you will get bored. When you have a passion for what you are doing discipline comes easy.  You make yourself do the things on your list!  What is your short term goal for the week and/or the month? Learn to pin point that goal and keep it in focus - every day! Even if you have not yet seen your goal manifest itself that day, if you keep to the task it will come to pass.

Thus focus and goal setting again is the vital issue here.  Post notes up on your wall or mirror or someplace where you can see them while you are working.  A bulletin board works good, but put it right out in front of your desk so you can see it all the time!

In our coming post we will focus more on ways to structure your time to help better focus on your business success.  If you have any comments or suggestions this is a great place to share those as we get many page views every week.  Helping others is the goal of this blog and your insight is very much appreciated. 

Coming Posts:
Need for structure: to maintain goal
Need for rest & exercise: to maintain balance
Need for relationships to build wealth
Need For excellence to increase wealth

Focus On Discipline To Obtain Goal

When working for someone else you have a structured atmosphere to work in. You get to work by 8:00 am, punch the time clock; you work until 12:00 pm; you punch out to lunch; you punch back in 30 minutes later and work the rest of the day and punch out at 4:30 pm. You work hard (or you should work hard), your day is done, you go home and then do the same thing again the next day. At the end of the week you collect your paycheck. Your work life is structured, it's easy. Your work life is separate from your non-work life and thus you do not bring the stress home with you - - I know this is not the case with everyone, but for the most part this is accurate. And unless you are in management you work a maximum of 40 hours per week - (sometime more).

Working for yourself in contrast is a whole different animal! You must create your own work schedule, you must create your own hours, you must make yourself work. You must separate your work life (at home) from your family, social and personal life (at home). This for some comes easy but for most, especially those that are new to home business it is the first real challenge that they will encounter and and unless time management is in place and properly implemented it can bring a business to a halt. Having been a prof

essional full charge bookkeeper for several years I have worked with many small businesses. I've seen my share of improper time management implementation.

Time is a commodity that we all have available to us.  Each one of us is given the same number of hours, minutes and seconds each day.  How we utilize our time in business will determine our success.  How much time do you spend on marketing your business?  How much time do you spend on reaching out to people to share your business?  How much time do you waste? 

I read an article on Better Networker about Maximizing Your Marketing Time by Kevin Dervin and he gives some good points which I will provide to you here:

How much time do you currently spend actively marketing your network marketing business? Is it more than just a couple of hours per week?Do you even know how much time you should spend actively marketing your MLM business? Many network marketers and home business owners don’t know what their answer to this question should be. They’re not really sure how much time they should be spending on marketing. But, a majority of the network marketers I ask admit they’re only spending a couple of hours per week.
Maximize your marketing time. In working with clients one-on-one and through my marketing coaching programs, I challenge business owners that they should be dedicating 20 to 25% of their time each and every week to purposeful marketing activity. For some, that number just seems impossible. They’re busy enough as it is and can’t imagine carving out that much time from their crowded schedules.
So where exactly do you spend your time? Have you ever tracked and analyzed your time to see how productively you’re spending it?
I would tell you this… network markters and home business owners really only need to spend their time in one of four categories:

1. Income Producing Activities
2. Marketing Activities
3. Building Your Future
4. Other - as in this, that and the other

Let’s be clear on what each of these categories mean.
1) Income Producing Activities - This includes actual time spent working to bring in new representatives, sign up new customers, and time spent developing additional passive revenue streams.
2) Marketing Activities - This includes your purposeful marketing and sales activities like networking, writing, preparing and submitting bog post or YouTube videos, setting up and sending out follow-up communications.
This also needs to include some time to educate yourself about marketing. When you’re in network marketing, you can’t deny the importance of improving yourself as a marketer. Spend a few hours every week to study marketing strategies and ideas (books, teleclasses, CDs, eZines, etc.).
3) Building Your Future - One of the constants in business is change. This is time you spend developing and improving your systems. It’s also time you spend on short-term and long-range planning. Are there other ways you could be productively generating income?
Just as importantly, this must include some time on marketing planning and strategy. What needs to be in the plan for what becomes your purposeful marketing activity?

4) Other Activities - This list is long and growing for most networkers and home business owners. It’s dealing with email, paperwork, bookkeeping, running errands, figuring out what’s wrong with that darn computer, organizing and filing, re-indexing your business card file, etc. The dreaded Other category is a huge time and energy waster that sucks the life out of your business success....

You can read the full post and view Kevin's profile HERE
 

What I'm Learning
The importance of scheduling your time is a challenge that I have every day.  I am the type of person, maybe you are too, who will continue to work until I get a job done, working long hours.  I have this ingrained need to complete a task to obtain that sense of accomplishment and then and only then do I allow my mind to rest.  There are certain personality types that are like that, they are driven and that is me.  But this also creates a particular challenge because I don't know when to stop and tend to work too much - sometimes to my own detriment.  I'm working on this by developing the needed time management skills. 

With home based business because you work for yourself, it is hard to always feel that sense of accomplishment because you haven't yet closed a sale or recruited another member of the team.  If you develop your schedule then you are able to complete the schedule and then comes the needed sense of accomplishment for the day.  

View My Profile and Join Better Networker