Last week I was preparing for my free CALENDAR GIRLS team booking system monthly training and I went to www.youtube.com to view some inspiring and motivating videos. It is the phenomenum of our times where we not only can read uplifting and spiritual messages, but we can SEE and visualize a meaningful video. I love it!

When I clicked on the “motivational videos” a lot of Brian Tracy’s training came up. I have read many of his books and believe he is one of the most important teachers for direct sellers in helping build a direct sales business.

I love to share his philosophy of “Eat your Frog.” When I work with my coaching clients in helping them deal with overwhelm on what to do first. I always ask them to “swallow” their frog first! That simply means tackling your toughest task first, focus on it until it’s completed before you move to the next one. It’s a great philosophy that works.

The video I came upon was so rewarding for me. Brian shares his 1004% productivity formula. It’s based on the law of incremental improvement, increasing your productivity by one-half of one per cent each week.

Make sure you watch it.  It’s very cool. Here’s the link.

After watching this video, I made a decision. Lately, I’ve found I’m not getting the reading done I need as part of my own personal development system, so I decided to use Brian’s one-half of one per cent productivity process and read an uplifting, personal development book for one hour every morning. Brian calls it the “golden hour.” He suggests you get up one hour earlier and invest in yourself reading uplifting and spiritually  motivating books.

Many of you know I believe personal development is essential to your business acumen. That’s why I review a business or personal development book in my free ezine, the “Mymentorbiz Bulletin” every month.

I am loving the “Golden Hour.” I did indeed finish my first book which was Jack Canfield’s “The Golden Motorcycle Gang” which has been on my nightstand for over six months. I finished in the first week and now my goal is to read 52 books this year.

I’m slightly behind starting the second week of February, so will have to figure maybe one month adding another hour to the “Golden hour.”

How much do you invest in personal development in your own direct sales business? And what have you been reading lately? Share your latest read and help others invest in success as well.

This week one of my favorite Social Media business experts, Karen Clark, put a post on facebook. She said,

“Who follows up with their individual webinar attendees to see if they put anything into practice?”

Well in fact Karen does, because she’s holding seminars that help you get results “Within One Week.”

I hold a FREE teleseminar/webinar myself for leaders who are using the CALENDAR GIRLS workbook system I’ve developed. This is held on the second Tuesday of every month. At the end of every call I ask everyone to share their W.O.W.

The W.O.W. is simply sharing what you learned from the teleseminar that you will implement in your business “Within One Week.”

It got me thinking, how many teleseminars and webinars do you listen to every week, every month? We are living in the information age and there are lots of wonderful, exciting and very helpful training seminars that are available today. Many, of which, are FREE training.

So, think about Karen’s question today. Are you a teleseminar/webinar junkie? Are you listening to all this great information and learning from it? Are you truly spending your time wisely listening to information that will bring you the results you want in your direct sales business?

Results like, higher sales from every party.
Results like a FULL calendar of bookings rolling out every 4 weeks.
Results like a recent participant in my BOOT CAMP SERIES who wrote to me today,

“Gale, I want to “thank you” for your Leadership Boot Camp and for the Girl’s Calendar Planner. This month with my company promo my interviews have been “Wonderful!” I’ve had four interviews, and 3 out of 4 have signed up and one of them has already had her first launch party and signed-up a team member. My TEAM is really starting to GROW! Thank You Again!”

I think teleseminars and webinars are one of the greatest learning tools of our modern information age. However, I would encourage you to ask yourself after every seminar.

• What did I learn?
• How can I implement it in my business within one week?

Share with us today your W.O.W. What results have you got from implementing what you learned within one week!

How is your January moving? It’s moving faster than ever for me.

I’ve been walking my four miles in the early mornings, scheduling and working with my coaching clients and writing new programs and products for 2012.

I love Jack Canfield’s quote, “What you focus on multiplies.”

CALENDAR GIRLS are multiplying around the world. I am committed to helping leaders with my CALENDAR GIRLS booking system. It is the core of your business and is a system that will help you and your team leap forward in 2012. Don’t miss the FREE teleseminar held on the second Tuesday of each month! If you haven’t ordered the NEW YEAR 2012 workbook, order it here!

A fresh focus helps you be pro-active and move forward at a steady pace. It helps you plan your work and work your plan and get the results you want.

What is your FRESH FOCUS for 2012? Declare it and share it on the blog today!

Are you receiving the MyMentorbiz Bulletin Ezine? Sign up for my “Free” report, “7 Ways to Maximize your Income” and you’ll automatically begin receiving issues.

New Year’s Eve is finally here!  Living in Hawaii we celebrate New Year’s many hours after the rest of the world because of our long time difference.  So, if you’re reading this blog and it’s midnight in New York or Toronto and you’re sipping champagne, I will be preparing our New Year’s Eve dinner of yummy Australian Lambchops and watching the sun go down on the ocean.

I created these questions to help you create a success plan for 2012. I use them myself in creating my yearly BUSINESS vision board, which incidentally, I’m finishing up today.  If you’ve answered the questions – you now have the plan, so today’s question is the ultimate question.

2012 Success Plan Question #31

How will you implement and execute your 2012 Success Plan?

I LOVE taking action!  That’s because I am a person who looks for RESULTS!  When I reviewed each of the previous questions, I came up with one POWER WORD to associate with each question.  This is a POWER word I used with my team every month at my team meetings, and I have taken my monthly POWER words into my coaching practice every year.  I hope you find these 31 POWER words helpful in implementing and executing your 2012 Success Plan.

1. ACCOMPLISH
2. BIGGEST
3. SMARTEST
4. LESSON
5. DIFFERENTLY
6. IMPACT
7. RISK
8. SURPRISE
9. IMPROVE
10. POSITIVE
11. FOCUS
12. GROWTH
13. COMMUNICATION
14. COMMITTED
15. CHANGE
16. DIFFERENTLY
17. TOLERATIONS
18.  LEARNING
19. ACHIEVEMENT
20. DECIDE
21. INK
22. VISION
23. WRITE
24. BREAK
25. MAXIMIZE
26. GAP
27. SAVE
28. REFERRAL
29. NEW
30. STOPS
31. ACTION

What an exciting year you have ahead of you! 

• You have a clear path. 
• You have a brilliant vision, and
• You have created a SUCCESS PLAN for 2012!

CONGRATULATIONS!  

May you prosper and grow a very profitable direct sales business in 2012! 

Abundant blessings to you all!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To get my FIRST 2012 "Mymentorbiz Bulletin" FREE newsletter, be sure to sign up for "7 Ways to Maximize your Income in Direct Sales." at www.mymentorbiz.com

Wow!  Can you believe we’re at question #30 in creating your 2012 Success Plan.

• If you have spent the last 30 days reading these questions then I applaud you!
• If you have spent the last 30 days reading these questions, answering and writing the exercises, then you are on your way to greatness in Twenty Twelve! 

Here is 2012 Success Plan Question #30

What will stop you in 2012 from achieving what you want in your business?

Wonder why your business hasn’t grown as fast as you want?  What is it?  You really want to make it work, but something unforeseen, something bigger than you thought, something critical always happens and it’s that SOMETHING that stops you from having a calendar full of bookings every month.  Or, it’s that SOMETHING that stops you from recruiting and growing the team you want. Or, it’s that SOMETHING that stops you from achieving the income you want every month.

So, what is that SOMETHING?  This is what I hear…

• I would have, but my husband didn’t support me and made it very difficult.  We BLAME OTHERS. 
• I would have, but she won’t want to book a party with my, she’ll think I’m too pushy.  WE SHAME OURSELVES. 
• I would have but my sister’s husband’s mother’s brother’s wife needed me to help her get back on her feet.  WE JUSTIFY A STORY WHY WE COULDN’T!

You’ve heard of the "Blame, Shame & Justify" game.  We all play it!  And that is what stops you!

We all play this game.  The trick is to be aware and alert and press your alarm bell when you hear yourself listening to those voices that stop you from achieving what you really want in your business. 

I call it FINDING THE W.I.T.A.
When you find the W.I.T.A. you’ll see the flow of abundance begin to grow in your business.  The W.I.T.A. is having a "Whatever It Takes Approach."  You make it happen without blaming someone, or shaming yourself, or justifying why you can’t do it.  You DO IT!

Your success is about being alert to WHAT STOPS YOU from picking up the phone to fill your calendar with bookings, or WHAT STOPS YOU from approaching a very hot, potential prospect for your business.

FIND THE W.I.T.A. in your business!  And you will be well on your way to achieving the success you want!

Leave a comment below today – which question has resonated most for you over the past 30 days?

One more review question tomorrow.  Don’t miss it!

I hear it many times…

"I don’t know enough people."

"I hate to keep asking the same people."

If you understand ONE thing in owning a direct sales business, you must understand the way to grow and thrive is to constantly be marketing and meeting new people.  You cannot keep hoping the same people will buy over and over again.  There is a life cycle to one customer. 

Today’s important planning question – 2012 Success Plan Question #29

How will you generate new circles of business in 2012?

Of course, I could say, "How many time a week will you leave your home and circulate at events to meet new people?"   That’s what generating new circles of business is about.  Getting out and meeting people you’ve never met before.

In today’s world we connect with people online and offline.  Online is all about developing relationships and delivering valuable information about your product and your business to show people you are a credible and professional entrepreneur.

Connecting offline is knowing how to approach people (maybe strangers) and develop a relationship. I call it PEOPLE POWER.  People are your business. 

Set your 2012 goals to connect with people and build at least 10-20 new customers every month. 

Take time today and strategize how you will grow your customer base in 2012 connecting and meeting these new customers every month.

It’s not who you know, it’s who your customers know!   One satisfied and happy customer can build you a constant flow of business and bring you a host of new customers who convert to hostesses and new recruits.  Today’s important question

2012 Success Plan Question #28

What is your Referral Rewards Program in 2012?

I believe every customer knows 10 people.  If you build a deep relationship and offer value to your customers, she will introduce you to TEN new customers. So, if you have 20 customers in your client base today and you build these solid relationships with them, serve them, take care of them, you have the potential to grow your client base to 200!

Referral programs help you generate new circles of business! 

One of the most successful referral systems I used was the "Girlfriend Gift certificate" program.  I rewarded customers with a certain dollar amount to every new referral who bought $100 or more.  That amount was doubled it the person joined my team.

Create a REFERRAL postcard (use Vistaprint) that says, "As me about my Referral Rewards Program and earn GIRLFRIEND GIFT CERTIFICATES!"  Hand these postcards out at every party or networking events.  Educate people on the type of referral you’re looking for. 

Appreciate every customer, keep in touch and give value with your best service and share your referral rewards program with everyone!

Share with others below what you offer to someone who refers a new customer to you.

2012 Success Plan Question #27

How much are you committed to SAVING in your direct sales business in 2012?

Financial Guru, David Bach, says with a home based business you can easily make $300, $500 or $1000 extra income every month. 

He says if you saved $300 a month, that is $10 a day.  The price of a Latte & a muffin.  He calls it the "Latte Factor."  Over the year if you paid yourself $300 a month from your direct sales business and SAVED IT, you’d have an extra $3600.  David says if you did this for 10 years and invested this money at an annual rate of 10%, it would grow to $61,453. If you kept saving it for another 5 years – it would more than double!! 

Think about it saving $300 every month from your DIRECT SALES BUSINESS.  How easy is that?

One of my coaching clients shared her SAVINGS story.  She decided to use her leadership commission income for her family budget.  She then decided to SAVE all her profits from her personal parties every month.  At the end of one year, her husband said he needed a new truck.  She told him she’d help him with that and wrote a check from her party savings for the cost of the new truck!  Her husband was speechless!  Needless to say, her husband is her biggest supporter in helping her run her direct sales business.

SAVING $300 a month, EVERY month is a choice.  You can save it for your dream house, your retirement, your child or grandchild’s education fund.  You can use it to get out of debt or you can make it your round the world travel project. 

How much would you like to SAVE every month?  Commit to an amount in 2012 and have it automatically deducted from your business account to your savings account.

Make a commitment today and declare it in the comments section below.

Want more ideas on saving money in your Direct Sales business?  Be sure to sign up for "Mymentorbiz Bulletin" FREE bi-monthly newsletter by downloading "7 Ways to Maximize your Income in Direct Sales" at www.mymentorbiz.com

I was having a conversation with a coaching client last week and she was telling me about a friend of hers who has just skyrocketed her business to a top leadership level.  What do you think this person is doing? What makes her different from you?   Why is she skyrocketing and why aren’t you where you want to be?

In the book, "Now Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton, it says

"Everyone can learn to be competent in almost anything."  and

"Each person’s greatest room for growth is in his or her areas of greatest weakness."

This is the lead-in to today’s question in creating your 2012 success plan.

2012 Success Plan Question #26

What will you do to find the GAP in your business in 2012?

If you take the time this week to take stock and look at each area of your direct sales business, off the top of your head would you be able to pinpoint exactly what is your weak point?  When you take the time to stand back, take an honest look at specifically what skill or area needs improving in your business, it will insure your next year will be a better one.

I have created a "Finding the Gap" assessment.  It’s purpose is to take you through a self discovery process to think about each of the areas of your direct sales business and how you performed in the present year.  As you answer these questions and recall what happened, you’ll find you are stimulated to make adjustments and put your focus on the exact place to build your confidence and skillset into the next year.

In this assessment you are asked to rate yourself on your personal business and your team business activities.  If you want to "find the gap" in your business begin with my "Finding the Gap" assesment  – email galebates@mymentorbiz.com. 

Then, schedule a 30 minute complimentary "Finding the Gap" coaching session so I can help you increase your income and take your business to the next level of leadership. 

A New Year is drawing near.  A New Year means a new beginning!  "Find the Gap" in your business today, rate yourself, and begin anew to have your best year yet in 2012.

I hope you all had a safe and merry holiday and enjoying this week to really dream big about your business in 2012. Today’s question is extremely important because the results can bring you exactly what you want.

2012 Success Plan Question #25

How will you maximize your revenue streams in 2012?

Every compensation plan in a direct sales company is designed with multiiple streams of income.  As a direct seller you should pay attention to the following income streams

• Income from personal sales,
• Commission income and
• over-ride bonuses.

Focus on the income streams in your compensation plan and create a strategy on how you will maximize each level.  I work very closely with my private clients on this strategy using the CALENDAR GIRLS system and helping them increase their 1st generation and 2nd generation income stream levels.

One of the secrets to creating this strategy is to pay attention to your personal team.  I call it the "Building Wide Strategy."  When you have a strong personal team, you are maximizing your highest income stream you generally develop strong emerging leaders from your personal team.  As you recruit and keep growing this personal team, you’re being a super role model for your team.

When you focus on the "Building Wide" strategy, you will find your will grow your business much faster and your income will rise at a faster rate. 

For more specific on how to maximize your income streams, download my SPECIAL REPORT at www.mymentorbiz.com.  When you do, you’ll begin to receive the bi-monthly FREE newsletter, "Mymentorbiz Bulletin."

What income stream is the most lucrative for you in your business?