Taking Charge

This week I had the opportunity to go to a company sponsored event, with breakout sessions lead by my peers.  One of those sessions stood out in particular.

The session was on success thinking.  I'll not mention any names, but this presentation was phenomenal!  My co-worker was well-prepared, passionate, and inspired me to set my own goals for success.

What I learned this week is I need to do more.  It's not enough just to be present, and be awesome at my job.  I need to take advantage of the things my company offers to further my development, and take charge of my career!  There's no waiting until my supervisor tells me I'm ready, I'm doing the work, and taking charge of my own career!  Online courses, online books, and college courses may be offered by your employer too!  Also consider a mentorship.

I wish you all could have seen this presentation, because it's impossible for me to express just what my presenter shared.  I would, however, encourage you to take charge of your own development, share your goals with your supervisor, your peers, and hold yourself accountable for reaching them!

Making time

I think I first saw this quote about a year ago.  It was a year ago that I stopped making excuses.

A year ago yesterday I started making myself a priority.  A year ago I tried something new, a "magic shake" a friend of mine introduced me to, the Body by Vi Challenge.

I didn't think it would work, but I was miserable, and really needed to get healthy.  I was hanging on to some extra post-baby weight, having migraines almost daily, and the doctors couldn't figure me out.  Exercise and diet alone wasn't working, so I figured why not?  What did I have to lose?

Within six weeks my migraines were almost completely gone, and in 90 days I'd lost 20 lbs (more than my baby weight gained), gotten rid of post-pardum depression I didn't know I had.  I was feeling more energy, and finally felt more like myself again!  I began my first business out of the love of Vi, and what it did to help me.

I didn't have the time to run a business from home, nor did I want to take the time, but I felt like I owed it to myself and others to help to make a difference in the lives of the people I care about.  It wasn't really about the money, but about my passion for health.

Fast forward to November, my Vi business was slowing down a bit, and although I am still very much involved with The Challenge, I was looking for something fun!  A friend introduced me to Perfectly Posh, and I fell in love!

I have met so many fabulous women in my journey with Posh, and it's just getting started!  I love to make time for Posh because it's good for me, I have fun meeting other women passionate about feeling good, and I really enjoy having a night away from home.  I love my family, and I always feel guilty about being away from them, but I think it makes me a better wife and Mommy.

This post is getting longer than I'd planned, so I'll get to the point.

This year I've been focused on making time for what matters, including ME!  After learning I have gastroparesis, and healing up some torn ligaments in my foot, I'm getting back into my workout routine.  It's never easy, and I hate waking up early, but I love knowing no matter what, I've made time for me!  Even better, I love to see my results!

I'm home from work today with my poor little guy, who's had the terrible stomach flu for going on a week now.  There are a ton of things I should be doing, but I'm taking a little me time today.  Today I took the time to "Posh" myself- I love the tree hugger scrub and Sister I'm a Poet slather!  Just a little pampering can go a long way.  I woke up early and worked out, and unfortunately my little guy woke up sick...  So that meant he was headed straight to the tub, then cleanup, and my shower had to be delayed until naptime.  I felt so much better knowing I'd taken the time for myself, even if that meant a change of plans for my day.  I also took some time to make up some portable parties, a recruiting folder, and Evan "helped" by playing cars in his own little sample bag.  I found the time to snuggle and watch a movie with him, play cars, and do laundry.

Bottom line is I am making time for the things that matter.  I'd like to make the time to spend more time with my friends, date nights with my husband, and more playtime with my son.  Perfectly Posh has helped me to learn just how much you can fit in to a short time frame.  It doesn't take much time to whip up a few samples or make a quick fb post about the business.  At the same time, it's a ton of fun, and a great opportunity to make some extra money and meet some wonderful people.

Do you need a change?  Are you going to find a way?

Just slow down!

This week, every time I turn around, it seems like life is telling me to "SLOW DOWN!"

So I started thinking, can I actually accomplish more if I slow down, and make sure things are done right the first time?  How many times have you completed a task, only to realize a second later, CRAP!  I forgot to add X, or I sent this to the wrong place, or I misspelled someone's name?  Don't get me wrong, I'm a great multi-tasker.  As we speak, I'm watching Ridiculousness, checking my email, and glancing at Facebook updates, all while I somewhat hold a conversation with my husband.  That being said, am I really mastering any of these tasks?  Or doesn't it matter, because none of these require all of my concentration?

All I'm saying is this week, I tried not to stress about my to-do list, either at work or at home.  This week, I took an extra couple of seconds to double check my work, double check I have everything POSH for my Just Between Friends sale, double check I have correct addresses on invitations.  And do you know what?

I MADE LESS MISTAKES, AND WAS LESS STRESSED!

No magic here, just a little observation this week.  Surprises jumped up, like my toddler getting sick with the stomach flu, but I kept my cool.

I consider it a successful week!  Happy Friday Everyone!

Motivation

Happy Sunday!

I am in the process of reading Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  Slowly reading it, at the mercy of my schedule, but I think that's giving me more time to really consider the principles the author discusses.

This week I am trying to focus on eliminating negativity from my life.  I am summarizing, of course, but the author points out that no one likes negativity, and no one ever became successful by being a negative person.    Be the person you would like to spend time with!

Another great point he brings up is you need to picture yourself reaching your goal.  In the book, about becoming rich, you need to specifically see your self with a certain sum of money, with a goal date in mind.  You must see yourself at that goal, really feel like you have met your goal, and know that you will reach it!

In my mind, I can see myself at my Perfectly Posh Premier, with a team of wonderful women working with me!  I can see myself working from home and enjoying my life at my own pace!  I can see myself at my goal weight, fit as ever, just in time for bathing suit season.  I can see that healthier me on a beach in Jamaica with my amazing husband for our 10 year anniversary!  Imagine the possibilities!

Point is, if you don't think it's possible, it's not possible.  When you start to expect what and when you will accomplish your goals, and don't take no for an answer, you will succeed.  It's not failure unless you quit!

Here's a link to the free Ebook: http://manybooks.net/titles/hillnother07think_rich_grow_rich.html 

Blogging??? Me???

So surely you are thinking, Joni, blogging?

Sitting here, after a long week of health complications, a sick little guy, I'm wondering the same thing...  However, success begins at the end of your comfort zone, and I've been out of my comfort zone more in the past year than I've ever imagined!  A good friend and mentor of mine, Kim Sheely, suggested I continue along that path and share what I've learned with others.

I saw this a while back, and it got my wheels turning.

About a year ago I was in horrible health, out of shape, and post-baby me was missing something... OK a lot of things.  So I was introduced to a direct marketing company, which completely opened my eyes to something new.  I am still involved in that company, mainly because of the huge impact it has made on my life and for my friends and family.  With it has come many surprises, new friendships, and a renewed sense of accomplishment and confidence.  This November my mentor Kim introduced me to a very new, even to her, Perfectly Posh!  I got some of her very first samples, fell in love, and signed up on the spot!  I remember telling her, "I really don't know if I'll do much with this", but she's heard that before!  The more I work with Posh and meet amazing women with great stories, the happier I am about my decision to become a Perfectly Posh Independent consultant.

What I've learned about myself, and many others, is that it's important for busy women to take some time out of their schedules, put down the dishes, the laundry, the rest of the chores, and take the time to pamper myself!  I love hosting fun spa-themed girls nights, and sharing my love of Posh!  Our products are amazing, and my hostesses earn great perks for having their parties.  It feels great to help regular women with all sorts of skin conditions feel great about themselves!  It's been wonderful for me on so many levels.  I'm building great relationships, doing what I love, and the pay plan is great!  I love knowing that I can help people make the extra $100 a month to give them a night out, an extra $400 a month for the car payment, or an extra $1000 or more a month which could allow them to work from home!  The possibilities are endless!

To be clear, I have never thought of myself as a sales person.   I get to have fun with ladies on a night out, share my love for Posh, and get some adult time away from my day job!  I never thought of starting my own business.  I am not a writer.   I do not really have extra time on my hands, and my adorable little boy would love it if I could be home every night to read him stories and play trucks and tractors with him.  The beauty of Posh is most nights I am right at home where I need to be!  I'd love to do about two parties a week, and aside from that most of my work on follow ups and marketing is done after he goes to bed.  It's really not about having time, but making time.  And when you love something, it doesn't feel like work!

I'm guessing I will post on all different subjects, maybe motherhood, kids, fitness, or even gastroparesis, so I hope you will be patient with my distractions:)  For the one or two of you that will probably be reading my blog, I hope you get something from this that will help you to be inspired in some way.

Have a great evening!