I quit

I thought I could do arbonne, but I found out it wasnt for me.. I keep trying these sales jobs that are 100% commission and I never end up liking them.. you think i'd take the hint. I got tired of calling people 7746463728892 times to book a party and dealing with so many cancelations. I also hate hate hate hustling friends because I feel like there is an ulterior motive and I prefer to keep my friendships pure, safe and beneficial.. hahahahaha I crack myself up! Anyway, I am so impressed with anyone who can do this on any scale.. it takes a superperson! Or someone who doesn't mind mixing their personal and professional life and who is self disciplined and perserverent and has a bit of money to put into it. At the end of it all, I broke even and I consider it a great learning experience. I know a bit of the magnitude it takes to start ones own business.

Another Cancelation

So, I had another party reschedule and instead of freaking out this time, I just thought, "Well, I am doing everything I can do that is in my control. When you are in business, things like this happen. Deals fall through, budgets get cut, unexpected obstacles arise. That is the nature of any business. So, take it in stride and keep going. something will catch. I encourage this way of thinking :) sigh. Feel better already

Flaky People

OMG! So, in our generation and in Southern California, I have found myself surrounded by flaky people! Ewe! Follow through on your commitments! Don't be rude! Everyone makes plans and then (since we have our world at our fingertips via our phones) cancel and go off to do who knows what else at the last minute. My mom says back before you had a cell phone everyone agreed on a place and time and then you showed up...on time might I add. Oh, the golden days. This has always been an annoyance to me along with people who get on their phones while their having a conversation with you, but that's a whole other soap box for another day...

I had a party cancel on me, which is fine..whatever. It is simply frustrating when I am trying to build an income based on the number of people I tell about Arbonne. I have personal goals that I try to meet each week and I* work hard to book things. I guess this is the part of the game where you learn to overbook just in case of cancellations or you factor in "dropped parties" into your numbers for each month. I am trying to figure out how to best handle it. The girl wants to reschedule, but did not answer my request for when she wanted to reschedule. I am going to get this party! Even if it's 3 months from now, it will happen! And this is how I have to feel about each one. You never know what one person can do for your business, so they are all important!!! I think I might just add another party onto the already packed end of the month; we will see.

Also, reading a book that my amazing, thoughtful and encouraging upline sent me.. I think I'm her 4th generation? Anyway, it was such a sweet gesture! And a very good read. It's called, "The four year Career." It really breaks down the mathematics of Network Marketing: the myths, the reality, the opportunity. Author, Richard Bliss Brooke is refreshingly honest and focuses on the facts. The truth is that the majority of people who set out to do network marketing will quit before they really make any substantial money. Also, it brought to my attention how Amazing of a compensation plan and incentives Arbonne has! Seriously! It's a non-Arbonne book with general statistics and comparing them with Arbonne excited me deeply. I found a good one, the golden company! I will be a success and I will make this work for me! It wont happen overnight, it requires tenacity and consistency, but I can do it. The system is simple; It just has to be followed. And I wont let any of those flakes get in my way! I am building my network!!!

Being Patient

I probably need to read more network marketing books so I can understand that the impatience I am feeling is normal. In my mind, I a already a level ahead of where I am, even though my business doesn't reflect that at this moment. I just so badly want to be at that next level, that I have to remind myself to not get frustrated.

I also totally overbooked myself today. I had a skype 1x1 at 9am, went into work at 1045, a coffee 1x1 at 3, filming the announcements for church at 4, another skype 1x1 at  5, dinner with my boyfriend around 6 and bible study at 7... Which actually wouldn't have been that terrible... except the USA was playing in the world cup today and so I didn't get out of BJs until 515..... yeah... stressful much? And I don't even care about soccer!! Anyway, I was trying to communicate with my meetings while my tables were yelling at me that they needed things and the restaurant was running out of everything. My ears were ringing and I felt a migraine approaching when I got off. Met for the coffee a couple hours later, thankfully she was flexible, went and shot for 30 minutes and rescheduled the secondary skype.. I need to learn that I do have limits and that I need to set a realistic schedule for myself. Although it is productive, 3 1x1 in one day is a little over the top, after all I am only human. I am growing more exhauseted and pushing myself. I think in August, I will mellow out to 2 parties instead of 3 a week  and try to regain some balance/ sleep in my life.

Lesson: Don't over commit yourself, know your realistic boundaries in your schedule, don't be afraid to say no or schedule it at a later date.. It's better than trying to cram it in and running around looking like Hellen Keller's personal assistant, lol too much? Sorry, that's what my best friend and I say whenever we have wacked out hair and sweaty makeup or what remains of it haha.

I am learning the rythm of what I can handle, 2 parties, 2 1x1. Totally doable and still gives me a little wiggle room while juggling my two other jobs! If nothing else this has motivated me further to get out of waiting tables. I will not be serving at BJs in a year, I will be in the next stage of my life, more financially stable! It is totally worth the extra work and crazy schedule to get there!

The beginning of fine tuning

So, I had my sponsor host a party for me yesterday and I kept feeling like the people were confused throughout the whole presentation, so I need to simplify my jargon because I'm explaining things with too much wording... So I decided that for my personality, I am literally going to write myself a script of the most effective was to say everything and just memorize it and as I hear better tips or learn and burns, I can go back and adjust. Then, at least my presentation will be more concise and clear. All three of the girls liked the product and want to purchase, but are at transitional financial times, so I will be following up with them within the next month to two weeks to schedule an order and hosting parties! yay! So I felt good about it and the party was fun, which is important. then I whisked off to see a show with my boyfriend tee hee.

This morning we had our team meeting, which I really appreciate as far as being able to see other consultants. It gives you momentum to talk with other girls and be able to ask a national vp her advice on the little specific things you need help with... like keeping track of people that call you back. Post-its was her answer... sometimes the good old fashioned way is the best way. We talked about overcoming objection and we went over every single specific objection you might come across and learning to read why people really are sayng no. It's actually because they don't have enough information initially. So, if you ask the right questions, you will get to the root of why they dont want to do it and speak to that because usually the 3rd or 4th reason is the "real" one.

We also got to role play cold prospecting, which is helpful to get the correct wording down and makes it not as intimidating. Overall, just an inspirational meeting. I need that support and community, so it is exciting. Made some phone calls today and I'm keeping this snowball moving! Woo Hoo! More fine tuning ahead!

The mistakes you make at the beginning

I am so excited about my business! I am so excited that I genuinely don't understand others who aren't excited about my business and who don't want to support me in any way, especially when they happen to be my closer friends and especially when I am committing to a monthly financial gift for them to support their dream. Yet, somehow, they cannot support mine. Honestly, you don't have to buy anything, really, I don't CARE...This product is awesome and if its for you, great, if not, great...But you really wont even take 15 minutes to sit down and talk with me and allow me to practice/ learn my new script? Really?

If you haven't figured it out yet, I am obviously venting about a situation I had today. It made me so angry and instead of holding it in, I told that person how I felt, that I was hurt and confused at why they couldn't support me when I am committing for two years to support them as a missionary in another country. I said I was sorry if I came across as blunt, but I was trying to figure it out so I could let it go. I don't want to be that person that harbors stuff. She left me a voice mail that I wont be able to return until the morning because my party ran a little late.It will all smooth out because I feel better simply after the confrontation and communicating my thoughts. It probably helps that I made a great sale at my party (woo hoo side note).  It just amazes me the people that you would expect to be supportive in your life that aren't. I guess this is when you get to really see what people are all about!

So, even if the people are close to you and in your personal circle and you actively give to them, they may not be willing to give back to you. The best thing is to eliminate the emotional connection to your expectations for people that you know. It's a different ballgame when you get outside your acquaintances. Then, everyone looks the same to you in the sense that you don't have a background on them. They are all open for the opportunities!

Of course tomorrow I will apologize and be polite. A squabble is never worth the relationship, but we will see how it goes. I've already forgiven this person, but I dont know if I can erase this memory although I can bury it. I am not even a dramatic person. I hate drama, but I needed to process this. I haven't confronted anyone to this degree for three years, but this one really irked me. So disappointing :(

Mistake 1: Dont have an overly-emotional response to a rejection from someone close to you.. or you can have the response, just don't act on it... or maybe somewhere I did the right thing and this person needed to know how this affected me. I'll keep you posted!

I am excited to get a little more organized. I feel a bit all over the place right now and I'm trying to find my time management, the best times to do which activities, so that is an adventure. However, I am so thankful for the hope that Arbonne has given me and so grateful to feel like myself again... even if I am exhausted because its 1:40am... Tomorrow is a full day so goodnight readers and thanks for going on this adventure with me... and hopefully not judging me too much haha

First Presentation On my own

So, tonight I did the presentation all by myself! Woo hoo, I did it! Of course, my sponsor was helping out a lot and adding information, but it was a really good learning time for me. I noticed that I tend to want to be all business and stay away from lengthy questions or bunny trails. I get impatient quickly haha. It was fun to do the presentation. It was simple and I actually had fun! It also helped that it was all my friends, so that made things nice! I did notice that people don't really care about the snacks.. so minimal is perfect. I am also excited to network into groups of people with more of an income than fellow waitresses so that will be exciting :) I sold a package 4 and a body firming creme, booked a party, so I consider it a success and I'm excited for my next party on Wednesday! I want to book two more parties in July and another package! Woo hoo! I am so excited!! I made 42 dollars for throwing a facial party and it only goes up from here!

I do feel that I am being thrown a lot of information to process about setting up the business, but it helps when I take one day at a time and set specific goals for that day. aka who I am going to call, what video I can watch, brainstorm more contacts. I am pushing myself and I can feel it! However, it is good. On a side note, I had a mini freak out and felt overwhelmed this morning, but then I worked out at the gym and felt better. Visualizing everyone wanting to buy also helps. And now that I completed the party and booked those sales I feel super excited and I'm ready to ride this momentum. Watch out world! The adventure begins!