Bad News

My kids aren't here this week, so I turned on the tv this morning and watched national news for the first time in months. Yike.

It was mostly background noise for a bit, then I heard a story about a new website that is out there. I'm not giving the name, because I don't want anyone going there. Of course, since it's been on national news now I'm sure it will skyrocket in ratings.

The basis of the website is for people to be able to post criticisms about other people. People actually get to rate YOU. Heck, in fact they can create an account about you, so others can just rate you without doing much. Ouch. And, apparently, the only person who can take the profile down (aside from the webmaster), is the person who created the profile. You have no control over this profile.

Of course they interviewed someone about it and they stated, 'everybody has the right to criticize someone'

Doesn't that just shock you? How does this resonate with you? Personally, I'm disgusted. I couldn't believe people will spend their time and energy 'tattling' on other people instead of just finding people of a higher calibur to surround themselves with.

So, two things here. First, look around and if there is someone you just can't stand, stop hanging out with them! Step up the calibur of your friends. People don't realize that more than likely, if they are hanging out with wieners, there is a good chance that they wiener themselves, right?

Second, within five minutes of watching the news, I had turned that tv back off. It's full of crap. It's nasty stuff. Stay away from it and free your mind from what mainstream America wants you to think.

People will say to me, 'did you hear the news about...isn't it horrible? The world is CLEARLY coming to an end! The economy! What will we do! aacckk!!'

Talk about the sky is falling. Stop watching the news. Try staying away from the tv altogether for a while. You'll be amazed at how much time you have, and how much better you feel! Keep your head clear!

~Namaste,

Jhanna

Renewal of Hope

Hi Folks. I hope you have a very peace filled Easter weekend.  Easter/Ostara/Spring, which ever you prefer to call it, is about  re-birth. Rebirth of a savior, the Sun God, the Earth, opportunities in life, renewal of hope and so on. It's a very beautiful time, when we let out a long soft sigh, knowing warm weather, and longer days are on the way.

Today, take a bit time today and observe yourself with the people you are around. If you can, discover your authentic self. How you speak with friends, and family.

Then, next time you are speaking with a prospect or client, observe yourself. Is this the same authentic self you were with friends and family? Or, perhaps, you have taken on the persona of 'sales' or 'network marketing' you. 

Many times, we leave the authentic self behind, thinking that is what it takes when working with clients or prospects.

Well, stop it. They don't want the network or sales person. People want to talk with you. Drop the act and be you. Use the FORM method as part of your conversation, all the time, so it becomes natural.

Then watch your closing ratios skyrocket.

Namaste,

~Jhanna

Can't Seem to Find It?

I talk a lot about MLM, Network Marketing, Transformation, and all sorts of other goodies on this blog.

Guess that makes sense, huh? I mean, MLM and NM IS about transforming from who you are, to who you can truly be in all your glory.

But there are times when we are just beat down. Lots of bad news on the media (I keep telling you, stop watching!), lots of 'no, I'm not interested', and giving giving giving (not that that's a BAD thing).

Well I found this little nugget of hope today and I want you to pass it along. Pass it along to EVERYone you know. Even better, bring them to this blog and have them link through from here. (can't hurt to ask spread the joy, right? ;) )

Anyhoo, it's a site called  Gives Me Hope. 

http://www.givesmehope.com/


GMH for short. I've started tweeting about it using the hashtag #GMH .  I'm sure on Twitter people think, for the most part, think it's a business link, or there's a price attached, or some sort of catch.

But if I can get even ONE person on my followers (which is now nearing 1,000 quality followers) to link through to it and be affected by it, AND create their own 'gives me hope' moment, then I'm happy.

Go take a peek. Read some of the very short, beautiful moments. Bring kleenex. Get ready for your heart to grow 1,000%.

~Namaste',

Jhanna

Don't Forget Your ABC's

Don't tell me you don't say them anymore? Hmmm, well, class, let's get to it then. It's probably gonna be a different version than what you learned at such a tender young age.

Now that I think about it. I'm going to teach my children this version of the ABC's. Keep on lovin' each other and keep on dreaming.


Remember Your ABCs:
by Wanda Carter

A -void negative sources, people, things and habits.

B -elieve in yourself.

C -onsider things from every angle.

D -on't give up and don't give in.

E -njoy life today: yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.

F -amily and Friends are hidden treasures. Seek them and enjoy their riches.

G -ive more than you planned to give.

H -ang on to your dreams.

I -gnore those who try to discourage you.

J -ust do it!

K -eep on trying, no matter how hard it seems. It will get better.

L -ove yourself first and foremost.

M -ake it happen.

N -ever lie, cheat, or steal. Always strike a fair deal.

O -pen your eyes and see things as they really are.

P -ractice makes perfect.

Q -uitters never win and winners never quit.

R -ead, study and learn about everything important in your life.

S -top procrastinating.

T -ake control of your own destiny.

U -nderstand yourself in order to better understand others.

V -isualize it.

W -ant it more than anything.

X -ccelerate your efforts.

Y -ou are unique of all of Nature's creations. Nothing can replace you.

Z -ero in on your target, and go for it!!

What's With Your Company?

So, let's really find out why you joined your current MLM company. It's anonymous, so if your mom really did tell you which company to sign with, it's ok, go ahead and let us know. We won't know that it's you.

Then, if you want to expand on your answer, scroll below, hit the comment button, and give us the details.

We'll give the poll a few days for people to answer. Feel free to send it out to your team and upline, so we can get a decent idea. Tweet it, put it on facebook, and any other social media site. Let's get some numbers going here.

Then we'll look at the results and go from there.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Don't Fall Victim to This Day!

I was recalling with business rock star, Patty Gale,  about what it was like working in corporate America. I'm sure it's still the same in today's workforce (for those still employed), but I've been out of that workforce for almost 10 years, so things may have changed. And people in hell now get ice water.

Anyhoo, we were reminiscing about the days when upper management 'rewarded' the staff by having special shirt days, allowing the employees to kick off their heels, loosen their ties, and dig deep into their dresser drawers or into the back of their closet to find that crazy Hawaiian shirt, that seemed like such a good idea at the time or, in my case, the green shirt to wear on St. Patrick's day, or whatever else those wild and zany employee board members came up with.

Actually, if I remember correctly, upper management had nothing to do with those ideas anymore than they had to do with 'bring your kid to work day', but I digress.

This was when 'casual Friday' was still in its infancy, (that's a whole 'nother post) so having an opportunity to wear something that didn't have to be dry cleaned was considered their best effort at throwing the dogs a bag of bones.

So my memory was this. We all got the notice (on green paper, of course), that St. Patrick's Day was coming up. (I should be saving this post for St. Patrick's day, but oh well, I'm feeling creative today.), and we all were 'given' the opportunity to get as crazy as we could in order to celebrate this one day furlough from pinched toe shoe hell.

For me, as much as I couldn't stand my job, my best idea to celebrate was to put as much Irish Whiskey in the sludge they called coffee and actually be happy during the nine hours I had to put in.

But I didn't. I found, in my extensive collection of crap clothes that I had yet to take down to Goodwill, a greenish shirt with hints of blue in it. I knew it was pushing the envelope, but hey, WHO is to say what 'green' is? So many shades, and what if someone is color blind? I figured it was good enough, and put it on with my best pair of Levis.

Ahhhhh, never mind the color, it was a T-SHIRT & JEANS day! YA, BABY.  The way I saw it, I was more productive than when I was in my 'office attire'. I was willing to be reprimanded if I could just be comfortable for once.

As I suspected, every one went stone cold crazy, wearing mile high hats with shamrocks on them, lime green and shamrock green shirts, socks, over sized clown sunglasses that were green and, dare I say, green pants.

About two hours into my workday, I was approached by the head of the 'employee morale board' (I'm not kidding) in my very official cubicle and started speaking softly to me.

"Jhanna", She leaned in and half whispered to me. "Ummmm, a few of the employee morale board members have come to me and have mentioned that your shirt really isn't (insert air quotes here) "green". You know, this is green." She gave the thumbs up to her own shocking green shirt with shamrocks emblazoned on it.

I leaned forward in my synthetic fiber office chair. "uh-huh. Go on." I said, squinting my eyes slightly to express that, perhaps, this news might actually have me concerned.

"Well, here's the thing. If you don't abide by the rules of the fun shirt day, well, we just won't have them any more. And I can understand if you don't, you know, have the (air quotes again) "funds" to purchase a real green shirt, then you'll just need to wear your normal professional office attire." (thanks for acknowledging how little the company actually paid me.)

She leaned back and stared with her head cocked to the side, and pinched her brows together, like a concerned cocker spaniel.

I wanted to pinch her arm until she cried.

I gave a sigh, slumped my shoulders a bit and said, 'I understand, and am truly, so ashamed. I mean, look at me.'

She cocked her head even further, to the point I thought it might fall off her shoulders. She gave a small smile and perked up.

"I'm glad you understand because, hey! This is supposed to be FUN! We work for such a fun company! (it was a bank), and we want everyone to have fun! Ok, then! Let's go have some green Tampico punch and shamrock cookies in the break room!"

I could not make this up if I tried. This is corporate America at its best. Or it's worst. I dunno. I'll let you decide.

As I sat in the bar that night, slurging down my beer with all the other lost business souls, I couldn't help but think, 'What the F*CK am I doing WRONG?! Why don't I get it? Why do I not fit in at ANY job I work?!"

I had answered my own question. "Why do I not fit in at ANY job I work". Because it's a JOB!

Corporate America is not intended for people to thrive. It's just not. They have a bottom line that they want to accomplish, and you are there to help fulfill that goal. their goal, not yours. You get paid a certain amount and, if you're in a 'good' job, you get two weeks vacation after exchanging fifty-two weeks of your life for it.

I'm sure some readers will say, 'Hey, now! My company is great!' Great. Live long and prosper. More power to you and 'your' company.

But the majority of people who work in a corporate J-O-B are M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. It's where their dreams go to die. Nothing will kill your dreams faster.

The reason some one's dreams succeed while working at a corporate job is because the dream is to get OUT of the corporate work force.

Ok. Enough of that. Now go. Go work on your business. Go create your dream career. Go get to your MLM company's convention. Just promise me, you'll get out of the corporate world as quickly as possible.

If you don't have a social marketing company you're affiliated with, contact me. If you've got one and you don't know where to start, then contact me and we'll just talk. Just GO and release yourself from the pain of a possible Casual Shirt Friday.

If it's too late and you already have your story, let me know and I'll do my best to help you so you don't end up with another story.

Is This Part of Your 'Thing'?

I went out with my friend, a respected professional in the area, the other day, for lunch at a nice restaurant.

When the server delivered our drinks to us I asked, 'What's your name?"

"Cheryl", She said with a smile.

"Thank you, Cheryl". I said.

My friend looked at me, 'That was nice that you asked her name. Is it one of those things you do in order to start the conversation about your network marketing business?'

I looked at her and laughed.

'No', I said, 'It's one of those things I do as a matter of respect. I always ask the person's name. If I'm just getting a coffee, I'll ask the person who is serving me and then thank them by name. To me, it's reminding them, and me, that they are important.'

She sat and thought for a few moments.

When the server came back with our food, my friend looked up at her and said, 'Thanks, Cheryl.'

The server smiled. "My pleaure."

"Wow, that felt good.", My friend said.

"Think how she feels. We took the time to learn her name. Validate and appreciate. It's important to others, and just feels good."

For the rest of the meal we received the most outstanding service I have ever experienced.

Something as small of an act such as asking a person's name can mean the world to someone else. Don't rob them of it, and don't rob yourself of it. We're all connected and when you remember to do this, you'll be reminded of our connection to each other.

Get out there and spread the love.

~Namaste'

Jhanna

Referral What?

As mentioned in my last post, selling is the backbone of our industry. No one makes money until something is sold, whether it's a product line or services.

One of the big keys to success with any kind of business is the word of mouth referral service we all have access to. If we take care of our clientele, the chances of them referring business to us become much higher than if we just sell our product or service and let it be.

Our clientele can create more business than we ever thought possible if we give them permission and let them know we are looking for referrals. Here's the trick to this: You've gotta ASK for the referral. Now this can be done one of two ways, or both.

1. You can ask your client if they know of anyone who might benefit from your services, product, or opportunity and have them give you their contact information with the intention of you contacting them. Now with this path, I give my client the opportunity to contact the other person first, let them know I'll be calling, and endorse me before I even contact the person.

2. Give the client your information, and allow them to go out and bring people to you. A referral program is the perfect way to reward your current clients for bringing new business to you. That reward can be product from your product line, which also gives the opportunity to introduce your current client to a product that they, perhaps, would not have tried otherwise which, obviously, can turn in to future sales.  Or extra services for discounted cost or free.

Your client is receiving something for just telling friends, family, co-workers, and perhaps their own clients about you. They receive a gifty from you, which is always cool, and their referral gets introduced to some really great products, opportunities, and/or services from you.

HOLY CRAP, EVERYONE WINS. WHAT A CONCEPT.

Next time you're with your client, bring it up. In fact, put it on the back of your business cards. What? You don't use the back of your business cards? Get on that.

Here's a few tips for your referral program:

1. Give your clients at least three business cards. That way, when the time comes, they'll have extras to give to people.

2. Always ask for more than one business card from your clients. This is so you can return the courtesy.

3. Make sure you deserve those referrals. Don't do half assed work and then expect a referral.

4. Let your clients know your process for contacting referrals. This way, your client will be more comfortable giving the lead, if they know your process is simple and professional.

Let people know you have a referral system in place and give them an idea of what they are able to receive should one of their referrals become a new client of yours. We refer people all the time without even realizing it, ('oh, hey try this restaurant!') so reward people for sending people your way.

It's is a huge business tool. HUGE.

If you have a program already in place or, if you implement one, go ahead and put the results down below.

The world is your oyster, my friends. Get crackin'.

~Namaste'

Jhanna

Are You Doing This With Your Product Line?

For most MLM companies, selling product of some sort is the backbone of revenue, and most distributors have a tendency straight out of what it looks like in their catalog or website.

Some companies are getting smart and are now grouping products that are designed to be sold together. This increases sales, and exposes the customer to different products that they otherwise might not have tried.

Ok, so perhaps your company does not do this. Who is to say that YOU can't do this?  The company I am a distributor for doesn't group products together. I'm actually ok with this, because it gives me the freedom to create packages for my customers that suit their needs.

You can do the same. Create generic packages that give, for example, a sampling of each product line. If you're in nutritionals pick one product from each line, perhaps a multi-vitamin, a probiotic, and something else that enhances the general well being of your customer.  If it's makeup, a lipstick, a foundation, and a blush, or powder. Then let them pick the colors.

Your packages don't have to be big, in fact, you can have different sized packages. I use, from my line, a package that has three products, four, and up to 10 products.

Now, here's the trick. Don't discount these packages. We're inclined to think that because it's a package, it needs to be discounted, but that's not the case.

There is no reason to discount your products because you are packaging them together. You are only packaging them together, to make it convenient for the customer. Trust me, busy customer's will appreciate that you have taken the time to do this. With a large product line, it can actually be quite overwhelming to pick only a few. Customer's can go into 'analysis paralysis' with too many options. In the end, many just end up not ordering.

Make it easy for them to order. It's why meal deals are so popular at fast food restaurants. They can just say, 'give me meal # whatever.' They can now do the same with you, 'Oh, I'd like package #3'. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

You're making your customer's life easier, and respecting their time by doing this, and you're increasing your sales and income! Rock on!


~Namaste'

Jhanna

I Dare You To Check This Video Out.

I use the word dare because it's long. It's almost two hours. But DANG. It's entertaining, informative, and could transform the way you think, approach people, and do business. So there's that.

The other reason I say dare, is because sometimes it takes a dare in order for people to do something. This is some heady, life changing stuff, and I don't want you to miss out on the potential.

You've heard me mention and show some of Frank Kern's stuff before here on this blog. I think he's brilliant. Anyone who gets me thinking out of my normal programmed thinking in ways that are going to benefit me and others is okee dokee by me.

This one rocks. Now, a couple of things. It's FREE. No strings, no selling, no pressure, nothing like that. He does ask that you opt in. Needless to say, you can opt right back out if you so choose, so don't let a minor thing like 'having' to opt in as an excuse, because that would be a lame excuse, and I know if you are a subscriber to my blog, you aren't lame. So there.

Here's the link.

Core Influence

Get ready to take notes. I think I took probably about 10 pages. I kept stopping the video and writing stuff down. It's rare I feel the need to do that, but there is a lot of stuff here you're going to want to go back and read right after.

Then do the exercise he talks about. Don't just watch the video and do nothing. Do it. As I said, it could change the direction your life is heading. Maybe not, but maybe so.

So go on. Putt, putt, putt put wings on yer butt and head over. I dare you.

Core Influence

Namaste',

Jhanna Dawson

What is Not Being Understood?

This is kind of a rant, so bear with me, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who is thinking this.

I haven't been on Facebook or Twitter for even a year. For the most part, I have had some of the most amazing connections occur, some of the most incredible conversations, and some great business acheived.

By now, we've all read the post of do's and don't's on social media. The biggest one is to imagine social media like a big party. Most of the time, as far as I know, we don't bust into a party and start going up to people barfing our business opportunities.  You'd be thrown out of the party for sure.

Like other life situations, there is certain etiquette expected. When we enter a party, we introduce ourselves, get to know these new friends, ask about them, find out what they do, and see how we can help them. We listen. We become friends.

And this has been working quite nicely. Up until recently.

In the past month or so, people have seemed to forgotten these tips. I dunno, perhaps the turn of the calendar really threw people off. It seems we are back to people striking up conversations with the total agenda of puking their opportunity onto us. And it's rather disgusting, if I do say so myself.

One person asked me what else I do, aside from my mlm opportunity. I told him I am a private coach for people who request coaching in mlm. His response was, and this was after he had heaved his presentation all over my computer screen, 'well, you'd LOVE our company, our sponsors and coaches are the best! Check it out! Here's my link! What do you think? Interested?'

Oy. I politely thanked him and unplugged for a bit.

Today, I wished someone on FB a happy birthday. I love birthdays, so I really love wishing people happy birthday.

I kid you not, not half an hour later I received a response on my FB wall. It said,'thanks for the birthday wishes. Here's my new website, with lots of things for you and your friends to buy from ME. Please share with ALL of your friends. Buy from me.'

Oy. I deleted the message. That was probably one of the tackiest business barfs I've encountered.

Folks, don't piss people off. Behave. Mind yer manners. Otherwise, you'll end up the subject of blogs like mine and others.

We've been nice with gentle reminders that are accompanied by smilie face icons. Now, we're just annoyed. Don't be one of  'those' people. We're all begging you, please stop it.

~Namaste'

Jhanna

The Old 'Do As I Say'

"Just pick up that phone!" "Get to ALL the conventions that you possibly can!" "Here's all you need to do"

Heard those in your NM career?  Wise words, to be sure. Have you told your downline things like this? Great.

The real question is, are you walking your talk? Are you picking up that phone and making calls? Are you getting to conventions? Are you doing all you need to do?

I remember when I worked for corporate America, I worked for two kinds of employers. One was the 'boss' that told us what to do. He delegated, but never would any of us employees catch him in the warehouse where it was cold and dirty, helping out with the staff on a large order that needed to go out that day.

The other was an employer, that had told me, 'I won't ask you to do anything that I'm not prepared to do myself.'

That was his truth, and he walked it. Every now and then he would be helping the staff with whatever needed to be done. He had the experience of doing it. He knew what it felt like. He had walked through the experience.

Same thing with NM trainers. If they are telling you, 'what you need to do is parties!' and haven't done one in their NM career, how are they going to help me?

Don't get me wrong, I don't expect everyone to do parties continually throughout their career, however, if someone tells me 'do this' I expect that they have done it. Otherwise, how would they know?

Same with making calls. Telling me to pick up that 90lb phone without having done it themself, how are they going to help me?

Look at what you are suggesting to your downline, and see if you've done what your expecting of them. Have you attended your company's corporate convention? No? What about talking to two people a day, while out and about. No? How, then do you expect others to overcome their fears and hesitations if you can't?

Only by walking through the fear itself, can we help others walk through it as well.

Or do you think otherwise? Do you think you can teach without having the direct experience? I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

~Namaste'

Jhanna

Bedtime Stories

Yet again, my kid's shows provide for a life lesson. This time, the kids and I were watching Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler. My friend had let us borrow it and said it was a cute kiddie film, and it was, but I found a really good life lesson in it as well.

The basic story of the film is about an uncle who is watching his niece and nephew for a few nights. Each night, he creates a bedtime story where he is the hero. Towards the end of the bedtime story, the kids jump in on the play and create the ending for the hero.

The next day, Adam Sandler's character, Skeeter, actually experiences the story, and it's outcome, in real life. Once he discovers that this is happening, Skeeter realizes that it's the kid's input that is actually controlling the outcome of the story and he starts to depend on them to dictate how his life will be. He stresses on it daily, and starts manipulating the kids in hopes that they will create a fairy tale outcome for his life.

As expected, the kids create an ending that Skeeter never expected, leaving him high and dry without the girl, without the love of his niece and nephew, jobless, and homeless.

While alone and packing his things, the spirit of Skeeter's dad starts talking with him. Skeeter expresses his disappointment in the fact that the kids didn't give him a happier ending. Skeeter's dad answers with, 'why don't you just create your own happy ending? You have just as much power to do it as they do. It's your life.'

Needless to say, the hero jumps into action, rights the wrongs, gets girl, defeats the villian, and they all live happily ever after.

HELLO. Did ya get the lesson? How often do we let others dictate our outcome? How many of you allow life to happen 'to' you?

Skeeter goes from the ultimate victim, 'poor me, others have determined my fate and my life, and look at how it ends. Woe is me!'

Unfortunately, this is how most people live. Little do people realize that we can create our own ending. We have the power to do this. We just haven't given ourselves permission to have that happy ending. Perhaps we are 'afraid' that we might screw it up, because, god forbid, if we are actually held accountable for our actions, and we look around at our lives, that can be a bitter, bitter pill to swallow. But, for some it can be a very rewarding thing.

Ultimately, it's true. We are responsible for our own happy endings. I'm sure all of us at some point in our lives have depended on others to make it 'right', to create our future, then were disappointed because it didn't work out the way we 'expected' or thought it 'should' be.

Weeelllll, guess what my peeps. Just like Skeeter, we DO have the opportunity to create our own outcome and we can start right now.

Think you can do it? I know you can. I recommend watching the movie and see what experiences Skeeter had to go through in order to realize his own personal power and how he created his own happily ever after. Then go and create your own. ;)

Namaste'

Jhanna

The Close, Cont'd

Here's the thing with the 'close'. Everyone has a tendency to get freaked out about it. The common belief that the close is this manipulated, controlling, and directed procedure is enough to not ask for the business. It is true that in the past that is how the close of the sale happened.
However, if you have read and have applied the lessons from 'The Go-Giver', you'll understand the relationship that has been developed, the value that has already been given, and the close then becomes a natural movement in the conversation.

Asking someone, 'So can you see the benefits and ready to sign today?' is a bit different then the conversation flowing towards a natural close of, 'How does this opportunity feel to you? Does it feel right? If not, that's ok. I want what works best for you, even if it's not my opportunity.'

People are so terrified of asking, for fear that they are pressuring the other person that they end up just leaving the opportunity dead on the floor.  Have you ever heard the story of the person who told their friend about their opportunity, stating how great it was, how well they were doing with it and so on? Then they were shocked when their friend signed on to the company but with someone else.

Confused, the person asked why. The friend said, 'You never asked me, they did.'

It's ok to ask. It's not ok to pressure someone. You can close the conversation with asking without 'closing' the sale. There's a difference. :0)

Namaste',

Jhanna

The Close

This has been a hot topic lately, which is good, because it is where the action is happening. It's something that every sales person must learn and must learn as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, most, and this included me for a long while, learn everything but the close. We find hot prospects, people looking to create extra income or replace it, we talk with them, learn about them and their needs, introduce our product line and opportunity and then.....nothing.  We get nothing. They don't sign up.

What happened?

We don't ask for the business, that's what. We don't ask, 'so are you ready to get going?' We don't ask! It's as simple as that. Because when it comes to brass tacks, this is where most of us won't make it. We can talk a good talk, but start to choke when the actual question comes up.

Why?

Because it might result in a 'no'. And that 'no', for most, is taken personally. We suddenly start to think that perhaps what we have isn't the best thing since sliced bread. But that's a whole other entry.

Is it safer for you to never ask the question? True, you'd never hear that 'no', but you'd never hear that 'yes' either. What you might end up hearing is, 'hey I just signed on with your company with so and so, do you know them? I'm LOVING this!'

You've got to ask the question. Learn how to close the deal. Don't tell the prospect everything and then leave them hanging. Ask them question, get them thinking, get them intrigued, and then ASK. 

If you don't know how to close, get with your upline, and learn from them. Read books on sales and closing. Trust me, you don't have to sound like the used car salesman down the road saying, 'so what do I need to do in order to get you into this car today?' (although that's a pretty fun line).

Closing is a learned thing, just like most everything else. Remember, this business is about growth. If you didn't have any where you could grow in your life, you'd already be where you want to go.

So learn the close. Learn to ask the prospect, learn to ask the person about holding a party, learn to ask the person about purchasing product.

Now, real quickly I want to remind you, you aren't begging. No begging! You're asking. Know the difference.

If you've already got your close down, tell me what works for you. What's your best close? How did you discover how to close? I'd love to hear it.

In the meantime, keep on growing!

Namaste',

Jhanna

How To Learn a Lesson, Better Yet....How to Teach One.

Ok, well, I don't know if it's the ONLY way to learn, but it's something that works best for me.

I remember reading years ago, and every year since, John Fogg's memorable, 'The Greatest Networker In The World.'

Hands down one of my favorite reads of all time. Engaging, entertaining, and offers the ability to teach lessons.

Today, I just read, for the first time, 'The Go-Giver', by Bob Burg & John David Mann.  I cannot believe I have not read this book yet. I guess it's one of those instances of, 'when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.'

I'm usually one to get my hands on books like this, and lordy knows I have seen this book everywhere, but for some reason I only borrowed it from the library today.

I drew up a nice, hot bath, and figured I'd start the book. It's pretty short, so hopefully I could get through it by the end of the weekend.

Well, it had me so involved, that I read the whole thing while in the tub. The water in the tub was pretty much cold by the time I got out. I just had to finish this book.

My head is still spinning, digesting the lessons taught in this book.

And then I realized something that was told to me once. The best way to teach is to put it into story form.

If we offer up lessons such as what is in the Go-Giver and TGN, and place them in just an outline or in a business outline, more than likely we'd forget the lessons quickly.

Why? Because it doesn't hit our emotions. Our brains don't allow it to get past our conscious thought. With stories, we are given the opportunity to attach emotion to the story, the characters, and the lessons involved.

Look at the great books on the market:

Who Moved My Cheese
The Go-Giver
The Richest Man in Babylon

and more....

The lessons are given to us in story form. The lessons sink in, in a different way then if they were presented to us in a standard, 'here are the lessons', type of book.

Another way to do this is to present the lesson, then give an example of how it was applied to a situation in real life.

So when we are working with people, whether it's with our kids, or with co-workers, team partners, speaking to a crowd, etc, think about getting the message across with a story. Capture their imaginations and present the lesson in the story.

~Namaste,
Jhanna

How is This Done & Do You Do It?

How many times have you heard the saying, 'think outside the box'?  Countless, right? Ya, me too.

But what exactly IS thinking outside the box?  How does it get done? How is it some people can do it so easily and it's so hard for others?

I'll tell you, it has taken me years to learn how to do this, and still when I see people do it easily, I'm blown away.  Som e people come about it naturally, while others have to learn it.

Our 'box' is the limits of our ideas and how we approach different situations in our lives. This is part of what allows people who have challenges in their lives to take those challenges and make something positive and productive out of them.

 Our 'box' is defined by our upbringing and programs. To think outside the box means to think outside of our every day programs, and since most people do the exact same thing day after day after day, it really does become extremely difficult to think outside that box.

When someone says, 'you'd do best by thinking outside the box', and what you know is just your box, or way of thinking, it becomes damned hard think outside of it.

So what can you do? You can shake up your programs. Shake up your thinking. Actually start moving outside your box. Start with simple ways of moving outside your box. Do thinks differently. Nothing major, you don't have to buy a truck if you currently have a car, or go out and buy a completely new wardrobe that is so not you.

Here's an extremely simple way to start moving outside of that box. At your next meal, if you are left handed, like me, use your right hand to eat. Drink with the cup in your right hand. Obviously, the opposite if you are right handed.

Try to drive (if you're one of the unfortunate ones who still commute ;) ) a different route on the way home from work.

Take a class that interests you but you never thought you'd take (underwater basket weaving, anyone?).

Attempt a different workout program that has nothing to do with your current one. If you run, like me, take a completely different route. Try Bikram Yoga, instead of just a yoga session, or if you don't do yoga at all....DO YOGA.

Get onto http://www.blip.fm/, and listen to music you never would have heard otherwise, because these dj's are from all over the world.

The smallest things can shake up your thinking. Most importantly be OPEN to doing things differently, and be open and receptive to new ideas. Sometimes new ideas come and we don't even acknowledge them. 

If you get a spark or hit of an idea, write it down. You can analyze later, just write it down now.

Here's a recent example of thinking outside of my box. There is a woman's expo in town. It's usually sold out, and is expensive to get into. Yet I wanted to have a presence there.

'Inside the Box' thinking would be that I either sucked it up, paid, and attended, or not go, right?

Here is my outside the box result. I looked at the vendors and realized many of them are MLM companies. The ones we all expect, Arbonne, Jafra, Avon, and others will be there.

So, I emailed the director of the event. I mentioned to her that since there were so many MLM  vendors, it woud behoove her to have someone speaking ON MLM, the differences between direct sales, party plans, traditional MLM, and so on. I told her it would add value to the vendors and to the attendees of the event.

I then offered my services to speak on the industry. For Free.  All I want is to have a table with my information on it, as well as my contact information on the website and brochures.

Total win-win situation. I made sure she knew this would be a win to not just her, but to her vendors and attendees.

It can be something as simple as that, which can produce huge results.

With that in mind, what are you doing to get yourself out of your regularly scheduled programs?

Namaste',

Jhanna

Nuts & Bolts

I have a new client who is in one of the best MLM companies out there. I mean, if anyone has a system in place, it's them.

She told me her upline is local and they are wonderfully special people. And I have no doubt they are. She's been given the system, but is still contacting me for coaching.

So what's the deal, right?  She told me she needs the nuts and bolts of the industry. Who does she contact? What does she say? Where does she go to 'find' these people?

These are really good questions, and I think most that are overlooked by 'systems'. Most systems say, 'write up your warm market' or 'contact two a day'. These are true, but what happens when that warm market has been called? How does one bring up the subject? Then what??

Today, when you are out doing your 'thing' take notice of how many people you run in to who:

1. Have complained about their job
2. Are worrying about making ends meet
3. Who have been laid off
4. Is distressed over the current economy

I'm guessing you hear people ramble on quite a bit regarding these.  Hell, I complained constantly about my job when I was working outside the home. I still can't believe I didn't have MLM'ers coming at me in droves. Actually, I had to go out and find one. No one ever approached me.

Anyhoo, ith the approach you can do it a couple of ways. The traditional way:

"You know, Bob, I can't help but notice how often you bitch about your job. I mean it's ALL the time. I, personally don't know how you can stand it. (ok, maybe that's not how you would say it.) How open are you to opportunities that would allow you to leave your job and work from home within a certain amount of time? Totally open? Great. Here's my business card, let's talk."

If they say, 'Not open at all.' I hand them my card and say, 'Great, here's my business card, let's talk.'

Ok, maybe I will say that, maybe not. Depends on the person. But I DO say:

"Well, if you happen to know someone who is, perhaps someone at your job, would you be willing to give them my card? I'd like to help out as many people as possible."

Voila. Done.

You could approach them the way I mentioned in one of my earlier posts (similiar to above). The bottom line is, you need to get your opportunity in front of them.

Figure out a way that works best for you. Your way might be different than your upline. If you try to stammer out something that doesn't fit who you are, it's going to sound phony, contrived, and uncomfortable. As long as you keep with getting the question out "are you open" then you're golden.

The same process can be used with strangers. I've approached women in the park while my children played, I've approached people standing in line at the bank, the store, the post office, whatever.

Now, we need to go back to the 'some will, some won't, so what, next!'  Give them your business card and let go of the results.  I'm gonna repeat that.

Give them the business card and let go of the results.

You'll drive yourself nuts and burn out fast if you give a person your business card and then obsess on whether they are going to call or sign up or not.

The farmer, when seeding his fields does not throw out seeds and obsess over each one. He knows some will take and some won't. Do yourself a favor and let it go.

Eventually, you'll find the ones that take and the ones that don't. But none of them will take if you don't give them the opportunity.

~Namaste',

Jhanna

What Does Arthur Get That You Don't?

I swear, I get the best lessons from my kid's tv programs. This is good feedback for me, as I realize that I'm having them watch the right programs for great lessons.

Today's lesson is from Arthur. On this episode, Arthur takes on the mail at the post office. He goes in with the best intentions, is excited, and ready to take on the world. Arthur goes in and when he sees what needs to be accomplished, he's totally overwhelmed, stressed, and, by the end of the day is ready to quit.

It's then that his mentor takes him aside and says, 'Arthur, if you use a system, the work gets done, and the results are there. All you have to remember is break it down. Focus on this: You deliver the mail letter by letter. That's all you need to do. Letter by letter.'

Arthur, tries it and goes from ready to quit to loving his work. Even his friends say, 'Arthur, come out and play, your work shouldn't be taking that long.'

To which Arthur replies, 'But I love doing this, this IS my play!'

HELLO! Did someone in MLM write this episode?

In the end, the mail 'master' gives Arthur something else to do AND, the ultimate reward, because his method has been so effective he gets to teach the next person.

If Arthur were in MLM, however, he'd get residual income from him training the next person. ;)

Remember, letter by letter. Friend by friend, step by step. It's all in front of us to accomplish and it's completely do-able.

Here's to YOU!
~Namaste'
Jhanna

How to Ask THE Questions

So you've got everything going in order to be an MLM rockstar. You've watched the amazing videos by some of the best trainers, you've memorized the scripts, you're using the products and so on. You have your business cards with you at all times and your opportunity CD, and whatever else you need in order to rock it.

But when push comes to shove, and we need to do the most important thing possible, ASKING if someone is interested, you suddenly choke. It's on the tip of your tongue, your lips are forming the first words, your heart is pounding, but it stops there.

The conversation ends, you go your own way and, more than likely, berate yourself and mull over it the rest of the day, convincing yourself that tomorrow will be different. Only, it's not.

Does this sound familiar? Do you have team partners who do this?

Trust me, I know the feeling, because I did that. My heartbeat gets going still, every time.

A few things I have learned is that your language and how you present things can make a world of difference in how you are received.

Here's a few of my favorites when approaching people that helps take the edge off of you and them, and still produces some rewarding results.

1. First, I don't ask the person directly if they are interested. Well, sometimes I do, but for the most part, this puts a person on the spot and can be uncomfortable. Here's what I say:

"Do you happen to know anyone who ___________ "(is trying to release weight, burns scented candles, loves chocolate, takes supplements, is looking to created extra or replace their income, etc.)

I've learned that, no matter what, we humans like to help out when we can. By me asking this question, 'do you know anyone who...', it takes the person directly off the hook and puts them into a position of being able to help one of their friends out.

Most of the time, they are contemplating their situation and whether they can take advantage of the product line as well.

I ask the question and then I wait. I stop talking and wait. I give them a moment to think about it. I have yet to have the person respond with, 'No. No I don't know ANYone like that.'

Now, granted the product line I represent is a very popular and widely used product, so the chances of someone using it is pretty high. Regardless, more than likely they will know SOMEone.

When they answer, 'yes, of course.' I then pull out a business card, or a sample, or a catalog, information, whatever I have, but I DON'T hand it to them yet.

I then ask the 'If...would' question.

"If I give you this ___________ (catalog, sample, catalog, etc), would you give this to them and have them contact me?"

If they, themselves, are the ones who are interested I will then say, 'If I give this to you, will you ____________(go through the catalog, read the information, watch the CD, try the sample, etc), and get back to me?'

I ask them this in all honesty. If they say 'no', then I don't want to give it to them. I'll hang on to it. I'll say, 'well if you can think of anyone, just let me know.'

Really, I've yet to have someone say no, and I know that they are taking a genuine look at the product, or trying the sample and getting back to me with feedback.

Sometimes the feedback is, 'may I please have more information' and sometimes the feedback is, 'Thanks, I'm not interested'.

Regardless of the answer, it's taken the paralyzing feeling of fear out of the approach.

Finally, this person will continue to think of you and your product because now they know what you have to offer.

For example, if a friend approaches them and says, "ugh, I'm trying to lose weight again." Immediately, you will pop into your friend's mind and the chances of them recommending you to your friend is pretty high.

Eventually, you'll start to lose the fear of approaching people, and you'll discover what works for you in regards to talking to people about your product and opportunity.

Have fun!

~Namaste'

Jhanna

Welcome to the Tribe

Ooh, it sounds so Survivor-ish, doesn't it?

And it kind of is. Except instead of booting people off the island, we're bringing people ON to the island.

Last night, I got onto the webinar that I told you about in my last post to learn more about tribes, tribal syndication, and what it all means.

Well, WOW. I am not kidding you, my head was still spinning while dreaming last night from all the value packed content this webinar held.

So here's the premise of tribes. Tribes are created in order to support and promote others in the same tribe. We visit each other's blogs, throw down some content rich comments, create back links, get on twitter and retweet each other's tweets, blogs, and sites, and more.

It's a support system and it's GREAT.

This tribe that I belong to, and now plan on getting WAY more involved with, has an incredible group of leaders and contributors I think I have ever seen. I mean, this group has got it going on.

For almost three hours last night, trainer after trainer got online and discussed their specialty, giving examples, ideas, tips, suggestions and little known, but easy, tricks to creating a better, more effective, and yes, more profitable social media experience. It was intense.

And it was all free. When was the last time you attended a three hour webinar that was interesting and helpful ALL the way through for FREE?

It was in support of their tribe. They gave all of that away to help support their tribe. Giver's gain. They are really go-Givers. I love that philosophy and therefore want to be a part of it.

The question is, do you? Do you want a piece of that action? It's not just about taking, and this isn't a sales pitch. Don't come on board unless you are willing to give.

So with that in mind, here are some people that I HIGHLY suggest you follow on twitter, friend on facebook, and get on their blogs. You can find out how to connect on all the social medias with them via their pages listed below:

www.karyrogney.com
http://jonalfredsson.com
www.michaelfeil.com
www.createwitheric.com
www.thenetworkdad.com
www.meetnicklogan.com

If I missed anyone directly involved, please leave a comment and I'll get their info up here.

Again, another tribe that I dig on is:

www.thatmlmbeat.com

Great mlm content, great people to work with.

By presenting a tribe, access to new people, and having them help each other, brings some amazing results to all of our business endeavors, whatever they may be.

If anyone has ANY additional information they'd like to contribute regarding tribes, I'd love to hear it. I'm still totally green to this and am looking to soak up as much information as possible.

As I learn more, and meet more leaders in this field I'll be sure to bring them on and write about them and the results I'm personally seeing using a tribe.

~Namaste',

Jhanna

Meet My Posse

Ok, well, not really a posse, but my tribe. I have a few, actually.

Tribal Syndication seem to be the latest and greatest for online social networking. The premise is, a tribe is created on a social page, such as facebook. We, as members, post our blog posts on our tribe page (I belong to a few) and then get to look forward to our tribe visiting our posts, therefore creating new eyes reading our blogs, fresh opinions, search engine exposure, blog exposure, and stellar growth in our businesses.

That's what I'm guessing.

To be honest, I'm not quite solid on that understanding, though.

But I'll tell you what. I'm going to find out. I'm going to find out for you and for me.

I'm attending a webinar this evening held by Kary Rogney, one of the tribe 'leaders' on facebook, where he'll be explaining the benefits to belonging to a tribe.

I'll report back and fill you in on all the details. In the meantime, if you want to check out a tribe or two, and you have a blog that you'd like to promote, here's a really great site besides Kary's.

www.thatmlmbeat.com

George is a fantastic person to work with, promotes the site like crazy and is really pro-active in this endeavor.

Here's Kary's website. Get in on the webinar if you can. It's tonight, so short notice, but I think you'll walk away with some great information.

http://karyrogney.com/my-tribe/

And here's his facebook Tribe Syndication page.

http://www.facebook.com/tribesyndicationnetwork?ref=mf

There's a lot of tribes out there, these are just two of my favorite. :0)

Namaste'

Jhanna

Release That Party Diva

Ok, you might think this is a post about hosting a party or party plan ideas. And, you'd sort of be right.

So then you'd think, 'well, I'm not IN a party plan company. I wouldn't do one of 'those'.

Sweet. But I'm going to suggest here that you CAN and it would be WISE of you to hold at LEAST one party. You're own open house or home party.

Just to back up a bit here, the reason why home parties are so successful, aside from the high quality products and good time everyone has these days at them, is the distributor is able to get in front of many prospects at once.

Instead of talking to one or two people at a time, the distributor can now be in front of 10 or more at a time. Do two or three parties a week, we are talking 20-30 people a week the distributor is introducing their business and products to.

Now, perhaps there are some non party distributors who, when they open their mouths, everyone is fair game to hear about their products and opportunity but that ain't how most of us roll.

With a party plan, a distributor can potentially get in front of thousands. No wonder someone can skyrocket right up the line in a short amount of time in a party plan.

Ok, so there's the concept behind party plan companies. Now here's YOUR chance to hold at least one party.

Remember when you signed on with your company and you wrote up your warm list? It was necessary to contact each one separately and talk with them each about your new opportunity.

I'm going to suggest that, whether you're new to your company, or have been with it for a while, to hold an open house or party with your products and opportunity as the star.

Create a simple evening with a two hour window or so, and put your products on display. If your company offers a diet plan with shakes, make those shakes! Let people taste what you have to offer. Delicious and healthy chocolates? Great, put them out. Put out ALL of your products as samples, if possible. Put out a kit so they can see and touch what they get if they sign with you. Get the computer out and show the website.

Juices? Put it out. If it's something other than food, make a grand display and offer samples. You are smart enough to get into the MLM industry, I know you're smart enough to come up with something to show off your products and offer your guests a small sampling of it at the same time.

With the parties I've done, I always offer a theme. So come up with a theme. Fiesta theme, wine and chocolate, relax and chill (I've had a massage therapist show up for one of the parties and give shoulder massages), and so on. It doesn't have to be expensive either. Just like with MLM itself, keep it simple.

To get more people to the party, offer incentives. Pull some ideas from the party plan companies. For example, offer up prizes.

If someone brings a friend, they get a gift. If someone purchases product, they get a small gift, and so on. These gifts can be something from your product line or a small something from the Dollar store. You pick.

When everyone is there, give your speech. Now if you're not from the party plan industry, you might not quite know how to do this without sounding like a sales pitch. There are loads of qualified party plan trainers that you can tap into to help with this. And really, if you learn from one of them, you'll discover that you can use the techniques and language all the time, not just that one time, when discussing your opportunity.

JulieAnne Jones is the one trainer that comes to mind immediately to learn about the ins and outs of party language. Her website is www.julieannejones.com and she offers a LOT of great information on her website for free.

Now you have the potential to introduce your product and opportunity to a larger amount of people in a very small window of time, and it gets the word out about what you're up to. Remember, word travels. Your mailcarrier might not be interested, but the next day that person can be talking about what they did the night before and it goes from there.

When you sign a new distributor on, you can help them with their own open house/party, to show them how easy it can be. It's easy and totally duplicatable.

So learn from the party plan and party your way to success. Oh, ya, and have fun!!

~Namaste'

Jhanna

STOP IT.

Two words is all it takes, if you could just take it to heart. Two words could change the course of your world, if you allow it.

But Bob Newhart explains the process better, so I'll let him take over from here.



Now this is tongue and cheek, but imagine if you made a conscious decision to just 'stop it', without bringing up your childhood, or dreams you've had, or other excuses?

So let's try it some time. Next time you start to feel that fear or hesitation...STOP IT, and see what happens.

Namaste'

Jhanna

Fall Down 100 Times....

Get back up 101 times, right?

As I've mentioned in previous posts (perhaps I haven't) I can be a slow learner. So here I am getting back up again.

I love this industry and I love writing about it and giving tidbits to help people out along the way. Hell, I'll give you the farm, if I think it might help you along. I take that back, I won't give you the farm, I'll teach you how you can get your own.

But you've heard the saying, 'Dr., heal thyself', right? That can be me.

I had a TON of stuff spooned onto my plate this holiday season, and while I was able to keep it together overall in a positive way, I would look over at my MLM business and think, 'I just can't do something else right now.' and look away.

The more I did this, the more the old voices started chanting their old songs. Suddenly, I started hearing the whole choir in my head saying things like, 'well, you've disappointed your sponsor and upline.' 'perhaps this isn't what you are wanting to do.' 'why is it THAT person is wildly successful?'

Then the REAL demon showed up and plopped one word right into my lap. FAILURE.

There it was, like an elephant in the living room. The feeling of failing. Man, that can be a real heavy word if we allow it to be. But, I just let it be and kept reading blog posts, and books, and articles about our industry. For a couple of weeks I did this. I even examined the thought process of the feeling. Whose voice WAS that? Who was telling me that?

Then, I got a message from my old sponsor. "how ya doin, kiddo?" She asked. She's been through quite a bit lately herself, and interestingly enough, as much as I tried talking with her about how SHE was, she just gently brought the conversation back to me. She asked me how I was doing with my business, and I told her.

"I know you've got the passion, the drive to really make this big", She told me. "You see the big picture. You get it. You can do this. I believe in you."

She believes in me. What a GREAT thing to tell someone. ANYone. It can make the difference between getting up 100 times and getting up 101 times. It kicked the word 'failure' right in the ass and out the door.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this post, if there's a point, or if I'm just trying to get back into the habit of writing.

I guess it's enough for me, with this post, to just pass on my experience of how things sometimes go in this industry. Perhaps one of you will be able to relate and think, 'It's ok. I'm ok.'

And if that's the case, and even if it's not, know that I believe in you. I know you've got the passion and you have the ability to make it big in this business.

I. Believe. In. You.

~Namaste',
Jhanna

I Have a Dream

Today, is MLK Day. What a day. Below, I've posted the "I Have a Dream" Speech, originally delivered on August 28th, at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, DC.

I've also embedded the video because, while the words are powerful on their own, MLK delivering those words make it one hundred times more powerful.

You know, up until last year, I had never heard the full speech. A local radio station playe it and, while I was filling up my truck with gas, I turned it up and listened to it.

I was riveted. And, as MLK spoke those infamous words of, 'Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty, we are free at last,', I had tears in my eyes.

Truly moving, to say the least.

So, I encourage you to read the words, and watch the video. And give a moment of silence. ~Namaste'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

What Game Are You Playing?

Are you playing to win? Most people would answer 'yes'.

More than likely though, people are playing another game. I'm going to suggest that many are playing the 'Not to Lose' game.

Eyew, huh? That game doesn't sound like there's much success or empowerment involved, for yourself or others.

The Not to Lose game is what most of us play, by being content with where we are in life. It's our safety zone. What we're really after when we play the not to lose game is comfort and convenience. We don't want to rock the boat, so we settle. We don't want to lose.

This is the game we play when we're afraid of sticking our necks out there. This is the game when we live in fear of rejection, and it can appear in lots of hidden places in our lives.

It appears when we continue to work at a job we can't stand.
It appears when we don't talk or call back those prospects.
It appears when we don't live our passions.
It shows up all the time, throughout our lives.

The Not to Lose game puts our fears in control. We don't want to lose and be miserable, we just want to keep on keepin' on, whatever that may be.

So what game ARE you playing?

How to Make More Money? Become a Cre8tor

Robert Pagliarini, the author of 'The Other 8 Hours', was kind enough to offer to take the controls of this blog this morning.

"The Other 8 Hours" is a brilliant read and offers excellent advice, tips, and insights on how to work those other 8 hours we tend to let slide by. No wonder his book has been endorsed by Seth Godin, David Allen, & Tim Sanders!

Needless to say, I'm honored to have him contribute to this blog. Please enjoy, and be sure to check out the contact information below to enjoy the free goodies Robert is offering on his website.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Make More Money and Live Your Passion: Become a Cre8tor

Your financial life has a certain trajectory—similar to a train on a track. There will be twists and turns, but you can easily determine where you will end up if you stay on the financial track you’re currently on. What if the traditional methods of working hard, cutting expenses, and saving don’t work for you? Brown bagging it every day won’t cause you to jump tracks and end up somewhere completely different. The guy living in the mansion overlooking the ocean didn’t buy that house by clipping coupons, and the chick passing you in a $400,000 Maybach didn’t get that way by eliminating her morning latte. For most of us, the gap between where we are and where want to be is so wide that we’ll never be able to close it by following traditional financial advice.


What’s the solution? If you’re tired of scraping by you’ve got to create. If you want to move out of your apartment or make more than minimum wage, you’ve got to create. If you want a big house overlooking the ocean, to travel first class, to quit your job, or to drive your dream car, guess what? The answer is in the other 8 hours. The answer is to shift from being a full-time consumer to being a part-time Cre8tor.

A what? A Cre8tor is a creative entrepreneur who has a day job but wants more. He isn’t content with the status quo, and is less than thrilled with the thought of working another 40+ years. He knows that the only way to “jump the tracks” to get to a new financial level is to do something different during the other 8 hours. A Cre8tor utilizes his strengths, passions, and/or expertise to create something unique and valuable—maybe he’ll start a blog, work on an invention, write a screenplay, or start a business. If you settle for a paycheck, you’ll only be worth what your employer pays you. But if you create something valuable, there’s virtually no limit to your worth.

A long commute, brainless boss, and an empty bank account can wreak havoc on your outlook, hope, and purpose, but a side project or venture can bring inspiration to your life. When you’re passionate about what you’re creating during the other 8 hours, you can endure even the worst day. It will change your whole morning routine.

Creating provides purpose and it provides a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It provides the hope that life can improve. When you create, it engages your mind and your soul.

Should you really spend some of your precious other 8 hours creating, or would we be better off having fun and enjoying ourselves? Studies show that most of us are not fulfilled mentally or emotionally in our day jobs. We work, not because we are passionate about what we’re doing, but for a paycheck. Even though you might be stuck at your day job doing something that doesn’t fully capture your mind and heart, that doesn’t mean what you create during the other 8 hours has to feel like work. In fact, it shouldn’t feel like work at all. I want you to be excited and passionate about what you create and about the potential results you can achieve.

With very few exceptions, anybody who has attained any level of financial success has created something. It might be a book, a CD, an invention, a website, or whatever. Look around you. Everything you see was originally just an idea in someone’s head.

You are living in the most exciting and mind blowing time we have ever experienced. It is rich with opportunities that literally didn’t exist just a few years ago. Unless your last name was Rockefeller or Carnegie, it used to be incredibly difficult to become rich. Becoming a millionaire wasn’t even a dream or an ambition. It was such an impossibility that it wasn’t worth a moment’s thought.


Because of technology, efficiencies, and a global economy, it’s much easier to become wealthy with much less effort than at any other time in history. As a Cre8tor, you’ll add more excitement and purpose into your life. You will live your passion and make more money.

The benefits to becoming a Cre8tor are clear. Now let me show you step-by-step how to become a Cre8tor. Go to other8hours.com to discover how you can become a Cre8tor and experience new wealth and purpose in your life.

P.S. - As an exclusive bonus, get four free critical resources that will help you live your richest life. Go to other8hours.com to get an Other 8 Hours assessment, poster, video, and audio now!

About The Other 8 Hours & Robert Pagliarini

In his new book, The Other 8 Hours: Maximize Your Free Time to Create New Wealth & Purpose (http://www.other8hours.com), Robert empowers people to live life to the fullest by radically changing the way they spend “The Other 8 Hours” – the 8 hours not spent sleeping or working. With Robert’s guidance, people will begin looking beyond their job, hour-long commute, credit card debt, or even just that gnawing feeling that life is sometimes passing them by. They’ll get fresh solutions for carving out more time. And they’ll find the inspiration to spend that free time in a more productive way -- whether it is starting a business, writing a blog, losing weight, or developing a hobby.

Robert is obsessed with making the most of his other 8 hours to create an ideal life. He’s also obsessed with sharing what he knows, inspiring others to achieve their ideal life, and learning from others who are improving their lives.

Robert has appeared as a financial expert on 20/20, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, ABC Morning News, NPR’s Marketplace and in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, BusinessWeek, Money Magazine and many others.

Release That Which Holds You Back...

Sounds pretty powerful, doesn't it?

I decided that for my first post of the new year, 2010, I thought I'd explain what the Burning Bowl Ceremony is and how to go about it. Even though we're into the new year, you can do it any time. It's about the ceremony and intention, not the time of year.

The Burning Bowl ceremony is an opportunity to take a look at what might be holding you back from stepping into your greatness, and releasing it back into the universe. If all things are pure energy, then this energy can be released, and recognizing and consciously accepting other energy into your life that will help you grow and learn can be done.

So, what has held you back? Has it been fear? Doubt? Lack of self-respect?  Negative thinking? As I've brought up in the past, most of us have 'things' that have held us back for what we can accomplish. Even just a lousy childhood can hold us back, if we allow it. And, it could very well be that these traits have served us in the past, for some reason or another.

But you want to continue to grow and become a bigger person, so now is the opportunity to let it go and give it up. Burn it up and release it with gratitude.

The Burning Bowl Ceremony is a native american tradition, that has been recognized and used by the Unity church for years.  I've had the honor and pleasure of experiencing this ceremony several times through my local Unity.

But this time, however, I noticed a step that I had missed in the past.  A step that changed how I approached this ceremony, and changed how I released things this time.

For this ceremony, you'll need the following, if you choose to do it.

1. Two pieces of paper
2. pencil
3. Lit fireplace, BBQ, or something else that will safely hold a flame

Ok, here's the steps:

Take some time to quiet your mind and listen to what it is you want to release from your life. It can be something like ~ Worry, regret, victimhood, lack, beliefs surrounding money, jealousy, etc.

Really take some time to discover what you'd like to let go of. It can be different for everyone.

Now here's where I learned something new that made a profound difference in how I handled the ceremony this time.

Don't just write down on paper what is holding you back. I want you to take the time to think about how those things served you, or what you learned from it.

These things and energy came into your life because you needed to learn something from them. You invited them in, manifested them into your life. Recognize how they served you and appreciate that.

For example, for me a big one to let go of was victimhood. As ready as I was to let go of that, I took some time to thing about how being the vitcim served me. I appreciated it, because it did serve me, when I needed it, and I did learn from it.

However, it doesn't serve the person I am anymore. So I released it back to the Universe.

Write all of these down. Take as much quiet time as you need.

Then go to your fire, and drop the paper into it. As it burns up really let go of it. Thank those energies and know you are being washed clean of it. Stay and meditate on it as long as you'd like. It really is a purifying experience.

When done, grab another piece of paper. Again, sit quietly and think about what you would like to manifest into your life this year. Now, I know usually the first thing that comes to mind is material things such as money, a bigger house, a leaner body, etc.

But you know what? You're more powerful of a being than that. Really dig deep. If you're into it, ask your higher power, whatever that may look like to you, and ask to be given those answers.

What would it take from you to create the truly abundant life you are looking for?

Here's a few of what came to me: Creativity, Pure Love, Joy, Abundant thinking.

These are qualitites that I believe I am to manifest this year.

I've got big things on my plate that I'm looking to create this year and I do know I'll need all of those to manifest what I'm looking to do.

So write all of those down. Place it in an envelope. Now, you can either give it to a friend or a family member to mail back to you in six months, or just hang on to it. Hang it somewhere, so you can see it through the year. This way you can be reminded that you are looking to bring some amazing qualities into your life.

The final step. Within the following 24 hours of you releasing, I want you to tithe to the organization of your choice. It is important that the flow of energy continue to moves, so find an organization that you love whether it's your church, the humane society, salvation army, whatever, find what feeds your soul and tithe to it. This is hugely important as it's recognition that energy moves through us, as we give, we receive.

And that's it! Simple yet powerful steps to releasing and accepting.  I've done this ceremony with friends, and with my four and six year old. My kids LOVE doing this ceremony, even as young as they are.

Let me know your thoughts with this. I'd love for you to give it a go, and get back to me on it.

In the meantime, Happy New Year!!

Namaste',
Jhanna