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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Goal Update - Don't Break the Chain

Week #4 - Goal update: I'm determined to keep up with my goal of posting every Tuesday!

It's 7:20 pm and I just got home from a wonderful 31 hours with 2 fantastic girlfriends.  We all needed a post-holiday stress reliever so we booked a hotel downtown Seattle, had one of our guys drop us off and we hit the sales, enjoyed the holiday decorations and rode the holiday carousel giggling like 7 year olds.  It's still Tuesday so I still have time.......

But I can't possibly rest tonight, I need to mark that "X" on my calendar.  What, you might ask, does an "X" have to do with this blog post?  I am a list person, when I get overwhelmed with life's tasks, I make a list of everything I would like to get done.  I then prioritize the list and take great pleasure in crossing each finished task off my list.  I have also noticed that there are some things that no matter how high they are on my list, I would rather not do them and I find any excuse not to cross them off my list.   One of my friends who also works from home, shared a new way she is using to combat this problem .  She said to me "Don't Break the Chain"!  She shared this article from a website called "Lifehacker"

Editor: When software developer Brad Isaac told us he had productivity advice from Jerry Seinfeld, we couldn't turn down the chance to hear more. Read on for the whole story from Brad.
Don't Break the Chain is based upon a motivation technique purportedly used by Jerry Seinfeld: In a nutshell the idea is, 1) Pick a goal. 2) Mark off the days on which you work toward that goal. 3) Use your chain of marked off days as a motivator.  http://dontbreakthechain.com/
Years ago when Seinfeld was a new television show, Jerry Seinfeld was still a touring comic. At the time, I was hanging around clubs doing open mic nights and trying to learn the ropes. One night I was in the club where Seinfeld was working, and before he went on stage, I saw my chance. I had to ask Seinfeld if he had any tips for a young comic. What he told me was something that would benefit me a lifetime...
He said the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes and the way to create better jokes was to write every day. But his advice was better than that. He had a gem of a leverage technique he used on himself and you can use it to motivate yourself—even when you don't feel like it.
He revealed a unique calendar system he uses to pressure himself to write. Here's how it works.
He told me to get a big wall calendar that has a whole year on one page and hang it on a prominent wall. The next step was to get a big red magic marker.
He said for each day that I do my task of writing, I get to put a big red X over that day. "After a few days you'll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You'll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain."
"Don't break the chain," he said again for emphasis.
Over the years I've used his technique in many different areas. I've used it for exercise, to learn programming, to learn network administration, to build successful websites and build successful businesses.
It works because it isn't the one-shot pushes that get us where we want to go, it is the consistent daily action that builds extraordinary outcomes. You may have heard "inch by inch anything's a cinch." Inch by inch does work if you can move an inch every day.
Daily action builds habits. It gives you practice and will make you an expert in a short time. If you don't break the chain, you'll start to spot opportunities you otherwise wouldn't. Small improvements accumulate into large improvements rapidly because daily action provides "compounding interest."
Skipping one day makes it easier to skip the next.
I've often said I'd rather have someone who will take action—even if small—every day as opposed to someone who swings hard once or twice a week. Seinfeld understands that daily action yields greater benefits than sitting down and trying to knock out 1000 jokes in one day.
Think for a moment about what action would make the most profound impact on your life if you worked it every day. That is the action I recommend you put on your Seinfeld calendar. Start today and earn your big red X. And from here on out...  Don't break the chain!
Here is my "chain"  I used green instead of red.

Creative post:

Each month I will include a creative idea and/or photo of some of my card workshop samples.  Here are a couple for next month.  Because January is the "bridge" month to our new bi-annual Idea Books, I want to focus on how awesome our core product line is; My Acrylix stamps, cardstocks and coordinating inks.  I am also promoting the new products in "Inspirations".

The top card features D1298 Beautiful Things, Garden Green and Cocoa cardstock, New England Ivy and Cocoa Inks and clear embossing.  The sentiment is from the Wings workshop Kit G1016

The lower card is a take-off of Sheri Rottlers design for our Leadershare artwork.  This card features the Circle cards with the Wings bulk papers and new pleated ribbon, Mini Medleys Black and D1470-Dreams Come True with the "stamp kissing" technique.

Quote of the week:
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. "


Bobby - age 7

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Happy Holidays!

T'was the week before Christmas and I'm sure, like me, you're all wishing there were more hours in a day and "how did Christmas sneak up so quickly"!  Take time to enjoy what this time of year is really all about.  One thought that I read long ago and has stuck with me is "when all is said and done, will your friends and family remember that your house was spotless, your beautifully wrapped packages, Christmas cards etc, etc.?, or will they remember the time spent together."  I noticed several postings this week by consultants saying that, although we are in the card making business, many of us have not had the time to mail out handmade cards this year.  I say, opt for a quick phone call!  Better to hear your voice on the line than a card in the mail.  So, I offer that as my idea for the day as we all head into this busy week.  Take a few minutes and call someone on your Christmas card list that you rarely see, I think you'll make their day!

The "Shout-Outs" for week go to Tina Lovell from Salem, Oregon.  During this most busy of months, she added Noelle James to her team.  Welcome Noelle! 

I'd also like to recognize all our team members who are attending Team Builders next month in Salt Lake City.  Christina Eisenhour, Linda Sturdivant, Amy McGrew, Noreen Petty, Briana Bostick, Phil Wilhelm, Lynn Como, Sheri Tozzi and Christine David.  It is going to be an incredible gathering of the top consultants in a rare intimate setting.  Noreen Petty and I will be taking part as speakers during the Saturday training day.

Quote of the week.  A week ago, I stumbled upon and subscribed to a quote of the day.  Now, everyday in my inbox pops an inspirational bit that has helped me to stay focused.   Here is this week's favorite:
"You always have time for the things you put first."     Author Unknown

http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/quote-of-the-day.html

I wish you and your families a very Happy Holiday and a prosperous 2011.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Bits and Pieces

Todays message is a bit of this and a dab of that.....

Celebrating Successes:
First, I'd like to start with a "shout out" to Elaine Hagebush of San Ramon, CA and welcome her new team member, Beth! 

Business Tip of the Day:
I was cruising the CTMH bulletin board and came across this clever idea.  Now I've heard of many ways to use our awesome stamps in my 20 years with CTMH, but this one is a new one!

Stamps - a new way to use them -  Sheila Bennett  from Olathe, Kansas writes:
Just got an email from a customer who wanted to let me know that she used her stamps during her Thanksgiving get-together with friends and family. She wanted a way to mark the glasses that everyone was drinking from. So, she simply used some of the smaller stamps and stuck them to the glasses. She said the smaller stamps worked best, as they 'wrapped' better than larger/longer stamps. She said they stuck well even though the glasses are textured in some areas.

Sounds like a great, quick, and easy way to mark glasses. And it didn't take her any time at all. Simply peel the stamp off the sheet and stick it to a glass. lol


What a great way to do some steath marketing and start a conversation about CTMH at your holiday parties!

Creative Tip of the Day:
Have you had a chance to play with the new Wings Workshops on the Go kit yet?  There is a new creative tool that has been added to our line of Embellishment supplies called the Spray Pen.
Many of you, this includes me, looked at the instructions and were unable to find the "recipe" to make the shimmering spray.  Here it is:

Mix 4 drops of Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint, 6 drops of re-inker, then fill with water to the 9th line from the bottom of the spray pen.   Be sure to clean the pen after each use.  Rinse well and spray the pen with water until it comes out clear.  This will keep the pen from clogging with dry paint.

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Another creative thought:
As we make the transition to the new Bi-annual idea book, we are without the huge variety of B&T that we all are accustom to and love.  This gives us the opportunity to really showcase our incredible stamp designs and coordinating cardstock and inks.  Challenge yourself to go back to basics and create artwork using only cardstock and inks!  Here are some examples.  
 
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Connected Hearts 2011 Team Meeting Dates:
All members of Naomi Smith’s 1st -5th Downline are welcome!


CTMH Team Builders SLC, UT – January 13-15
Oregon Team Meeting   Salem, OR – January 29th 
Washington Team Meeting -Kent, WA – February 26th
CTMH/ Karen Morris LeaderShare – Las Vegas, NV  March 19th
Oregon Team Meeting   Salem, OR – April 16th 
CTMH/Kathy Markloff LeaderShare – Philadelphia, PA  April 30th
Washington Team Meeting  -Kent, WA – May 21st
CTMH National Convention Anaheim, CA  July 13-16
Oregon Team Meeting   Salem, OR – July 30th 
Washington Team Meeting -Kent, WA – August 27th
Oregon Team Meeting   Salem, OR – October 22nd  
Washington Team Meeting -Kent, WA – November 12th

Questions  -  Contact me:
Phone – 253-639-2708
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Friday, December 10, 2010

I'm taking the plunge!

Welcome to my blog!
I've decided to join the world of blogging in an effort to communicate better and more often with my Close to My Heart team - Connected Hearts.

I have tried doing newsletters, but I'd rather clean my toilet than write a newsletter!   I apologize to those who looked for more from me this year.  I could make excuses, (I did prioritize my activites and tasks this year and unfortunately the newsletter ended up far down the list) but that is just an excuse....
I am far from perfect so instead of beating myself up about it, I've decided to do something different.

One of my favorite quotes is: "If you want something different, you have to DO something different".  
I don't want a repeat of last year so my "something different" I'm going to do is this blog!

I'm setting a new goal to blog at least once a week on Tuesdays, see how that goes, than add a second day each week.  Baby steps, smaller short term goals. 

Here is my goal statement - My "why" - I want to communicate more often and better that I have in the past.
Specific: I will do this by creating a blog and inviting my team members to join me.
Measurable: I will keep a chart and mark off each day I post.
Actionable: I will post to my blog at least once a week on Tuesdays, posting "shout-outs" recognizing  team members who have done awesome things in their CTMH businesses, creative ideas and tips, and motivational business ideas.

My first tip of the week is a great website I found to help learn how to set goals:  Click on the link then click on the first box "Success Begins Today"  Here is their example of a goal card.


successbeginstoday.org

I would LOVE to have you all as my accountability partners to help me keep on track with my weekly posting.  I'd love to hear your goals for the coming year!

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