Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

 Blogging blind!  Due to poor scheduling on my part, I am a bit blind this evening.  I scheduled my annual eye exam for this afternoon and my eyes are still dilated so I am having difficulty seeing the screen.  Hopefully my spellchecker will catch my typos.  And, on another personal note, I have added a new fashion accessory, a bit of bling to my smile.  To fix my TMJ (a messed up jaw), at the age of 51, I have braces!  Let me tell you, I have much more sympathy for tweenagers.  My eye doctor teased me a bit and let me know that because of my age, it will take me much longer to adjust.  So for now, I'm eating like a toddler, squishy stuff!   Boy would I LOVE a juicy burger......

Message for the week:  Thanks to Dana Swadling for recommending "The Success Factory".  This was today's message that I'd like to pass on to you.  www.thesuccessfactory.com

 Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

 

OK, so I don’t know if this title matches the subject, but it got your attention right?  

The subject today is discounting. Do you regularly give “deals” to your customers? Perhaps you do and perhaps you don’t. Some companies absolutely, positively will not allow discounting products. However as independent consultants, we are just that…independent and not employees. Therefore, for the most part, we do have the ability to give discounts if we choose. Here are some points to consider: 

1) Discounting to your customers regularly can give the message that you feel like your product is too expensive. Is that the impression that you want to leave? 

2) Why would someone host a party with you if they can purchase your products marked down very frequently? 

3) Why would someone join your company if you give them the discount they would receive as a consultant?           

4) Most importantly, at the end of the year, will your bank account be overdrawn because you discounted so much that you made less money than you should have and couldn’t pay your bills?

We call it the Kohl’s mentality. Be honest, do you ever shop at Kohl’s when there’s NOT a sale? Food for thought, wouldn’t you agree?  Naomi's note:  Do you ever go to Joann's, Michael's, Hobby Lobby etc. without that 40% off coupon you clipped from the paper, got in the mail or printed from their websites?

Shout Outs:  Welcome to the newest Connected Hearts team members and CONGRATULATIONS to the Uplines!

Consultant Name	Date Signed Up	Upline Name
Renee Textor	03/01/2011	Janis Purves
Sherry Jackson	03/02/2011	Connie Schafer
Stacy Vanderlip	03/04/2011	Ginni Candelaria *
Jackie Martinez	03/06/2011	Jill Lemons
Vanessa Gardner	03/08/2011	Katrina Anderson*
Nancy Stabler	03/10/2011	Lynn Como
Oni Brewer	03/11/2011	Cynthia Laughinghouse*
Amber Doty	03/11/2011	Briana Bostick
Tannile Ortiz	03/11/2011	Pamela Royster
Teresa Druen	03/11/2011	Briana Bostick
Teri Gutermuth	03/11/2011	Dr. Phil Wilhelm
Angie Ellis	03/13/2011	Dr. Phil Wilhelm
Alice Umstead	03/15/2011	Michon Benic
Alicia Fajardo	03/15/2011	Melody Paulishak
Desiree Chapman	03/17/2011	Linda Sturdivant*
Joan Firestone	03/17/2011	Janet Nalley
Nancy Womersley	03/18/2011	Karen Varcoe
Jenna O'Connor	03/20/2011	Deborah Little
Amber Frey	03/20/2011	Sarah McLean
Casey Asher	03/21/2011	Shelly Edwards
Debbie Darcy	03/23/2011	Tina Lovell*
Karen Westfall	03/26/2011	Kimberly Derico
Robin Henson	03/27/2011	Helen Onulak

* denoted my1st downline

Creative Corner: More LeaderShare Art


This super cute cupcake photo holder and card is by Bren Yule.  This was her swap entry!
The bottom is pleated cardstock around a peat pot filled with plaster of Paris.
The frosting is our Pink Ribbon Roses pinned to  1/2 a Styrofoam ball.



This swap card is by Joy McHargue



Operation Smile Donation - Altered Bulletin Board by Denise Anderson Turley



Swap cards - left by Penny Crabtree, right by Denise Anderson Turley 



This amazing canvas art piece by Bren Yule was another Operation Smile donation.
Notice the paper piecing is all CTMH papers.  It is decoupaged onto a canvas

Paper Box "Cake" Operation Smile Donation. - I can't remember who made this, if you know please leave me a comment so I
can give proper kudos.

top left - a gift from Karen Morris - covered box of Mike and Ikes.  The medallion is from a Tim Hotz die for the Big Shot
the mini heart chalkboard is from Michael's bargain bin.
top right - swap card by Carol Thompson
bottom left - swap card by Eileen Windsor     bottom right - swap card by Jennifer Rubio

Quote of the Week:

Leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders.

- Tom Peters

Where are Your Habits Leading You? and LeaderShare Art

I'm away at LeaderShare in sunny LasVegas, NV enjoying the hospitality and friendship of my wonderful, amazing upline, Karen Morris!  I just LOVE the ability to schedule my posts ahead of time so I don't "break my chain"!  Speaking of habits, here is an inspirational article I found on the subject.  It's definitely food for thought!

Where are Your Habits Leading You?

Copyright 2010 ~ By Bill Bell

You are an accumulation of your habits. From how you get out of bed to how you shower; how you dress; how you walk, sit and talk; how you respond to the world; how you act in front of others; and how you think, you are living out your habits. Habits are necessary. They free up your mind so that you can concentrate on how to survive every day. You don’t have to think about how to drive your car so you can be on the lookout for danger while you are driving. You don’t have to think about how to walk so you can concentrate on where you are going.

Unfortunately, habits can also keep you locked in self-destructive patterns, which will limit your success. To become successful, you will need to drop bad habits and develop new ones that are in line with the life you want to live. People do not suddenly appear in the life they want to live—habits determine their outcome! What are the habits you have that are keeping you from achieving your goals? Are you always running late? Do you return phone calls within 24 hours? Do you get enough sleep? Do you speak clearly and look people directly in their eyes? Do you eat healthy meals? Ask others what they observe about you and make a list of all the behaviors that keep you from success.
Imagine what your life would be like if all those habits were their productive counterparts. What would your life be like if you ate healthy meals, exercised and got enough sleep? What would your life be like if you saved money, stopped using credit cards and paid cash for everything? What would your life be like if you stopped procrastinating, overcame your fears and began networking with people in your field? Write down the more productive habits and visualize your life as it would be if they were your habits right now.

Decide to develop four of your new habits each year, one for each quarter. Create a method that will support your new habit. What will keep you motivated? How will you remind yourself of your new habit? You could write it down on a card that you keep with you and read over several times a day. You could make it a part of your daily visualization. You could enlist the help of an accountability partner who also has habits to change. Be specific about the steps that you are willing to take in order to drop an old habit and adopt a new one. Do not be vague about how you will change your habits. Spell it out for yourself so that you can recognize situations that call for you to act out your new habit.
Once you have picked your habit for that quarter, make a 100 percent commitment to stick to it. Do not tempt yourself by making it optional every time a situation arises. If your new habit is to go to bed by 10 p.m., then go to bed at 10 p.m., even if you are not feeling tired. Just go there and relax, read a book, visualize or meditate, but don’t compromise on your new habit. If you make an exception once, you are more likely to make an exception the next time, and soon you will be back to your old habits.
Even four new habits a year will dramatically shift your life to be more in line with your vision. And the more in line it becomes, the easier the other habits are to replace because your perspective is shifting and you see more clearly how your old habits are not serving you anymore. You can do it!

 Creative Corner: 
Karen asked me to help out with the Create and Take so I had the chance to make mine ahead of time and be able to share it with you while I'm away from my office.  I also participated in her Silent Auction to benefit Operation Smile by donating a piece(s) of artwork as well as entering the art swap/contest.  Here are the results of my creative time!

My donation for Karen Morris's LeaderShare Operation Smile Silent Auction

The box is filled with over 25 handmade cards - most are from my past workshops.

These are the dividers

This is the Layout we did for the Create and Take

Create and Take Cube - I discovered that it hold a square Kleenex Box!
I'm not a fan of clutter, so I was happy to find a use for it.

Cube before assembly

Top of Box                                                                                                        2 of the sided close up



other 2 sides close up



My swap entry - it's a Diamond fold Card - see Brenda's blog for a tutorial
http://brendafrerichs.blogspot.com/  March 1st Post

side view



Open - front



Open - back

Shout-Outs:

Congrats to Our Second Hawaiian Cruise EarnerLynn Como, a Director from Colts Neck, New Jersey, is the second person to earn our 2012 incentive trip—a seven-day luxury cruise through the Hawaiian Islands!  What an AMAZING achievement!!!

Quote of the Week:

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. ~ Aristotle



Choice or Luck? Determining Your Direct Selling Success

Choices:

Every day you make choices.  Some big – some small – some are easy and some are hard. Some are scary and some are fun. You can say “yes” or “no” to every opportunity that is presented. The choice is yours.

The choices that you make on a daily basis affect the outcome of your successes in your direct selling business and your life. Your choices can also affect your attitude which sometimes affects other choices you make.

Have you ever thought about how many choices you make every single day?

Life is all about choices and in your CTMH business, because you are your own boss, you choose if, when and how many hours you invest.

You can choose to make recruiting, booking and customer care calls or you can choose to watch TV, go shopping or do nothing. You can choose to hold 1 gathering or 12 every month. You can choose to attend a Team or Corporate event or you can choose to miss it and wonder why your business isn’t where you want it to be.  You can choose to set expectations, create strategies to achieve them, dream dreams, and make it happen. Or you can choose to sit back and watch others achieve their expectations, live their dreams and make the choices that create the life they want to live and say, “Wow they are lucky!”

I agree with Thomas Jefferson when he said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” I believe that you make your own luck by the choices that you make and the time you are willing to invest to achieve your expectations.

When you need to make a choice, ask yourself the following questions:

• What’s the worst thing that can happen if I do this?
• What’s the best thing that can happen if I do this?
• Am I willing to invest the time to make this the best decision for me?
• Will this move me forward so that I will achieve my expectations?

These questions can help you decide if what you want to do will be worth the outcome or if you should find another way.

Some people choose not to choose. But that really is a choice too. It’s the same as saying, “No”.

Some people let others choose for them. The reality is they made the initial decision to let their choices be made for them.

Having the direct selling business success that you desire is like a sporting event. You can choose to sit in the bleachers and watch others play the game and say, “Wow they are lucky.” Or you can choose to actively participate, play the game full out and make your own luck. It is your choice.

Article by Martha Stanley -Direct Selling Success Trainer, Speaker, Author and a Home Party Plan Business Coach

Shout- Outs:

Congratulation to the following ladies who will be attending the first ever Studio J Boot Camp with me!
Almost 1/3 of the attendees will be part of our Team!  Congratulations for embracing Studio J! 

Linda Caler

Lisa Combs

Amy McGrew

Amy Ulen

Noreen Petty

Allisa Chilton

Christine David

Lynn Como

Helen Onulak

Sarita Schraeder

Vicki Ibaugh

Several of you have asked who will be attending Kathy Markloff's LeaderShare in King of Prussia, PA
I will!  plus the following 69 team members.  Congratulations to Kathy for the amazing response and hard work to put this together!

Jessica Ballas

Marvel J Carrol

Sue Ashman

Angel Villers

Betsy Fusco

Eileen Black-Rodriguez

Elaine Novak

Elizabeth Locco

Joyce Houck

Lisa Caracci

Nancy Brown

Patricia Weisenbach

Penny Yuditsky

Renee Wichert

Wendy Vogel-Vineis

Arlene Amo Hopps

Caren Goldstein

Crystal Davis

Estelle Kerestus

Jean Murphy

Jennifer Steigerwalt

Jill Bechtel

Jolene Barron

Karrie Mooney

Katherine Frase

Kathleen Lichtner

Krista Hershberger

Kristen Cabral

Lynn Como

Melissa Lightner

Michon Benic

Pat Hawkins

Sarina Sweeney

Stacey Rogers

Stephanie Brown

Wynne Thomas

Alison Tunison

Bernie Bolton

Brenda Rutt

Edna Friman

Helen Onulak

Judy Larsen

Kathy Corson

Laurie Newton

Linda Huffman

Lucy Marino

Pamala Todd

Sarah Harrington

Sheri Reiff

Tammy Barnhart

Wendy Stricker

Aimee Williams

Amy McCue

Anna Fithian

Carla Kennedy

Gennette Feagan

Jeanie Burch

Kathy McCunney

Kathy Wilcox

Kimberly Tighe

Lisa Cleveland

Lisa Sweet

Lynn VanVerth

Nickie Hoffer

Nicole Griggs

Sasha Gardner

Stephanie Huber

Suzanne Yee Gaffney

Vicki Melhuish

Creative Corner:

Washington Team meeting Swap:
Top left - Tracie Cassidy. Top right - Lisa Combs
Bottom left - Lisa Sargent, Bottom right - Carol Thompson



Easter Basket from my March workshop features the Stamp of the Month - Sensational Season
Colored in with watercolor pencils and blending pen.  Email me for directions





More Studio J - I must confess the Olivia was my least favorite paper packet from the last
catalog.  But for this set of photos from Southern Utah, it was perfect!

Quote of the Week:

“Every choice moves us closer to or farther away from something.

Where are your choices taking your life?

What do your behaviors demonstrate that you are saying yes or no to in life?”

Eric Allenbaugh

Quick Fix: How To Stay On Track?

We are coming to the end of the first quarter of 2011!  If you have set goals or made a New Years resolution, how are you doing with them?  Are you still on track?  Here is another easy tool to help you.  I am happy to report that although I may have squeaked in just before the stroke of midnight, I haven't "broken the chain"! 

How many times have you started a new project and never finished it? How many new improvements in your life or CTMH business were you going to make, but never had enough willpower to stick to it? How many of us have exercise machines in our houses that are just standing there and collecting dust?
Starting something new is always very exciting, but after a couple of days when a project stops being new, the excitement slowly fades. As a result we move on to a new goal, never finishing what we’ve already started. This pattern of behavior slowly transforms itself into a habit. And we all know how hard it is to break a habit, especially when your willpower is not strong enough.

Today I’ll share with you one trick that has proven to be especially effective, because it doesn’t require you to have a steel willpower.

One Small Trick That Works Even If You Feel Especially Lazy

Let me tell you one more trick you can use when you feel especially lazy. For example, you’ve decided to go jogging today, but when the time has come, you really don’t feel like getting up from the couch and doing any form of exercise. I feel like that quite often.

In this case you should tell yourself:  “I am not going to jog today. I will just get up and put my jogging shoes on”.

It is a lot easier on your willpower to do a little, easy task, than a big one. In the most cases by the time you get up from the couch, put your shoes on, and get distracted from the TV show you were watching, you will probably decide to go jogging after all.

Just make yourself do the tiniest piece of the task. Like reading just one page from the textbook, or do just one set of ab-exercises, something that would take you only a couple of minutes. The funny thing is, once you start doing it you’ll most likely finish it all.

Team News:
I am excited to announce that I will be attending Kathy Markloff's LeaderShare in Philadelphia on April 30th.  I am looking forward to visiting with the east coast team members

I am also registered for the Studio J Boot Camp!  It was a last minute decision so I had to do a Studio J marathon to submit the 20 layouts required to attend.  It was really fun and a bit addicting.  The hours just flew by.  If you haven't played with Studio J in a while, I encourage you to try it.  There have been some amazing new upgrades that really are fun and creative.  Check out Amy Ulen's tutorials - the link is on the top right side of my blog.  http://www.createwithamy.blogspot.com/ . for lots of help and hints.  I will be sure to report back on all we will learn at Boot Camp!

Artwork Corner:  Here are 4 of the Studio J Layouts I created last weekend.   I LOVE the free jpg's you get with a membership.  You can print the web version out on 8.5 x 11 paper on your home printer (landscape), cut them out and they are the perfect size for adhering to a Board Book or 6x6 My Creations Memory Showcase to create a mini-album!



I layered My Stickease by right clicking and bringing elements forward or sending them back.  Added extra
mats, changed journaling wells to photo wells and lots more.  The text box tool is probably one of the
most useful tools, there is so much you can do with it! 

Here I changed the color of the B&T, something you can't do for real!  I also added extra mats

On the left page, I cropped a tag My Stickease to make a tab.

 

On this layout, I used text boxes to add the word background on the top of the right page.
 I then layered vellum over the top to make it look like 2nd generation stamping.

Shout- Outs:

I am excited to be seeing the following ladies at Karen Morris's LeaderShare in Las Vegas on March 19th!

Carol Thompson, Carolyn Gardner, Emma Hernandez, Amy Ulen, Chandra Wallace, Dana Yates, Dawn Hinckley, Karin Smith, Bobbi Markley, Karen Bittinger and Shauna Nye.

Promotions:

Congratulations to the following team members for promoting in January and February!  Awesome job of growing your teams!

Consultant Name	Previous Title	New Title
Deanna Cave	Consultant	Supervisor
Susan Brooks	Consultant	Supervisor
Sandee DePriest	Consultant	Supervisor
Laurie Varner	Supervisor	Manager
Daina Romine	Consultant	Supervisor
Elise McQuilliam	Supervisor	Manager
Stacey Wallace	Consultant	Supervisor
Debbie Lawson	Consultant	Supervisor
Jennifer Royal	Consultant	Supervisor
Kentra Carter	Consultant	Supervisor
Stephanie Pettis	Consultant	Supervisor
Cynthia Canipe	Consultant	Supervisor
Kerrie Fraser	Consultant	Supervisor
Linda Cook	Consultant	Supervisor
Cindy Gambill	Consultant	Supervisor
Judy Larsen	Consultant	Supervisor
Jodi Newcomer	Consultant	Supervisor
Jennifer Vandiver	Consultant	Supervisor
Laura Irsfeld	Supervisor	Manager
Alicia Bard	Consultant	Supervisor
Michelle McCourt	Consultant	Supervisor
Kathleen Manges	Consultant	Supervisor
Jeanne Nosbisch	Consultant	Supervisor
Beth Talken	Consultant	Supervisor
Donna Johnson	Consultant	Supervisor
Aimee Williams	Consultant	Supervisor
Donna Day	Consultant	Supervisor
Tina Lewis	Consultant	Supervisor
Sharon Hatch	Consultant	Supervisor
Lisa Merrill	Manager	Executive Manager
Stacey Ankele	Supervisor	Manager
Darlene Rosson	Consultant	Supervisor
Sandi Dykstra	Consultant	Supervisor
Heather Schon	Consultant	Supervisor
Toni Hinchcliffe	Consultant	Supervisor
Bernie Bolton	Consultant	Supervisor
Karen Osteen	Consultant	Supervisor

Quote of the Week:

"A man may fail many times but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else."

~ J. Paul Getty