Have you ever had a dream? Of course you did, and probably still do! Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and made the decision to pursue it? If so, then this article will hit home.
One of the first books I recommend anyone starting out on a new business venture to read is "The Dream Giver," by Bruce Wilkinson. If you do not currently have this book in your library, make a point to visit Amazon.com today and purchase it.
Making the decision to change your life is very uncomfortable. It will require growth and leaving behind the familiar. This perhaps is the main reason why so few people chase after their dreams. After all if you are making a decent living, and are comfortable, why would you want to take a risk of leaving that, even if the new destination would provide a more fulfilling life experience, one that you have always dreamed of having?
So for the sake of this article we are going to assume that you did it! You made the decision to chase after your dreams and start your own business. One of the first things you will most likely do is share your new idea with people you love and feel closest to. You will be amazed at how some of the people you talk with will instantly caution you and question your sanity. Others will think you are a total idiot for wanting to leave such a wonderful life for something better, and very few will be supportive and even willing to help you on your transition.
For anyone who has entered into the MLM arena before, you definitely know what I am talking about! Of course it doesn't just have to be MLM either. When I made the decision to pursue my dreams of working from home, spending more time with my family, and creating a passive residual income online, everyone close to me in VA thought I was insane. In order to pursue my dream I had to leave behind everything that was familiar. My extremely successful carpet company, friends, family, and hometown. It was a decision to leave my comfort zone with hope of stating a new life.
I wish someone would have told me about the Dream Giver book back in 2005 when this transition took place. Ah well, with my Chloeric personality, I made the decision to do it regardless as to all the negative feedback. Now I work out of my home, though I am still not quite where I was with my carpet company in terms of income, I do have the time freedom that would have never been possible with my carpet company. And, everyday our business is growing and getting closer and closer to hitting our ultimate goal!
This is not about patting myself on the back, however, it does lead me to my point. Since I am involved in Network Marketing, and I absolutely love this industry for many reasons, when someone new joins our team, they have made the decision to do something different. Many people come into the business with enthusiasm and a vision for a better tomorrow. Knowing that MLM is not easy, simple not easy, it is imperative that I equip my new business partner with the necessary information to help them as they get started. The most vulnerable time for anyone in the business is their first 30-90 days. Instead of trying to be "the expert," and teaching people everything I have learned over the years, I lead them to information which can equip and prepare them for the journey that lies ahead.
It is sad to say it, but many people will be easily influenced by their closest friends and family. Instead of supporting this newly found ambition, many will try and shoot them down. They will try and find reasons why they shouldn't do the business, instead of supporting all the reasons why they should. Not everyone will take this attitude, however, ask anyone that has built a successful team in the business and you will see the pattern. So why are there so many dream stealers instead of dream encouragers?
A mentor of mine once said, "People are not supportive of your decision to change. They like you the way you are. If you go on to become successful financially, and they don't, it makes people uncomfortable. Even though they have the same opportunity as you, many will choose not to take it. They are too comfortable with life as it is to pursue anything greater."
In Leadership Gold, John Maxwell says, "The hardest part about Leadership is you won't end your journey with some of the people you started it with." It is true, in order to expand your horizons, you will literally need to change your thinking. Once you change your thinking, your habits will change, thus changing your results.
As you change and become a different person, you will often hear, "I don't like the person you have become." This is not generally because you have become
negative, it is because you have become different. Since you are pursuing bigger goals and dreams, your thinking will surpass that of your current peers who have not decided to join you on the success journey. Instead of going to the movies on Friday night and hanging out at the bar afterward for a few drinks, LIKE YOU USED TO DO, you now choose to read a book on Friday night and relax at home with your family.
Every Saturday you used to go bowling with your drinking buddies, instead now you are spending time working with you group and helping them build their business. Instead of watching football all day on Sunday, now you attend church and spend the entire day in fellowship with your church family. Instead of listening to rap music and modern day rock with profanity and immorality, you now listen to Christian Rock or personal growth cds.
"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." As you come into your new found success and happiness, you will also notice that new, like minded people, will also enter into your life. It is not that you are leaving anyone behind, it is that you are growing and they are not. I am still friends with several people from VA, however, I have many more new relationships as well.
Think about someone you graduated from high school with. You decided to become a Construction Worker and learn a trade, while she went to college and became a doctor. While it was true that you were good friends in school, since you both chose different paths for your professional life, your relationship is more than likely not the same now, as it once was. When making a decision to change your circumstances in life, that change will be accepted by some and rejected by others.
For all of you who know of someone that has, or is considering, making changes in their life, be a dream encourager. Though sometimes these decisions will have an impact on your relationship with this person, if you truly love them, support them! They will get their fair share of criticism, believe me, however, they will always remember, respect, and love those who encouraged them!
So, what is it? Dream Stealer? Or, Dream Encourager?
You're awesome, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Ron
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Waking up to new customers....
One of the coolest advantages to building an internet business is waking up to new customers. I remember when I first got involved with Isagenix, it seemed as if I was working very hard with little results. My sponsor, whom I greatly appreciate, kept telling me about how it took her several months before she finally started to see the fruits of her labor online. She kept telling me to be consistent, plant seeds, and before you know it things will start to happen for you.
I think this is a very important lesson for anyone that is thinking about, or is currently, building an internet business. It is the law of Sowing and Reaping. If you sow good seeds, you reap a good harvest. Though it never happens overnight, the results are worth the investment.
It didn't take us long to get results with our business, however, it has taken some time for our internet efforts to become effective. In the book, "Crush It," by Gary Vaynerchuk, he mentions that "Content is King." He goes on to say that everyone simply needs to start putting their information and knowledge out online. Once you do, your audience will find you. The hardest part for many of us is just getting started and being able to consistently do the work necessary, even if there is no measurable results at first.
Considering we live in an Instant Gratification world, it is not normal to work without immediate compensation. It is for this reason many people remain employees their entire life. Robert Kiyosaki says rich people build assets, whereas, poor and middle class people work jobs. When working a job you trade your time for money. However, building assets takes time before you see any return on your investment. The difference is in order to continue to make money with a job you must continue to work. Yet once the asset you have been building is complete, it will continue to produce an income whether you work or not!
There is definitely a different mindset required when building a business versus working a job for the rest of your adult life. If you can adapt to the different rules, the results in your life could be drastically different.
I understand not everyone is going to see the opportunity in creating income online. Many will argue that jobs are important and we need people who are willing to work them. Again, there is some truth to that statement! However, there are those of us who realize that working a job is not for us, instead we prefer to build businesses, creating passive residual incomes, work from home, and wake up to new customers not knowing where they came from!
Today is a perfect example. After waking to an awesome thunderstorm, I went online to check my emails. To my delight I noticed another new customer had placed an order on my website from Oklahoma. So far this week we have acquired new business partners and customers in Alaska, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Maryland. The power of leveraging your computer, blogs, websites, and information has truly opened up new opportunities!!
If you are thinking about becoming an Entrepreneur, everything you need to succeed is available to you. Many will make excuses such as lack of time, money, etc. The reality is, every one of those excuses should become the reasons why you need to do something different. Afterall if you have no money now, and you continue doing what you are currently doing, when will that ever change? Albert Einstein said, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result."
Once you get a taste of the Entrepreneurial Lifestyle, it is tough to ever want to go back to working for someone else ever again. Life is a rollercoaster, hang on tight, keep your arms and legs inside the cart at all times, and ENJOY THE RIDE!
God is good, all the time!
Be blessed,
Ron - Isagenix Independent Distributor
I think this is a very important lesson for anyone that is thinking about, or is currently, building an internet business. It is the law of Sowing and Reaping. If you sow good seeds, you reap a good harvest. Though it never happens overnight, the results are worth the investment.
It didn't take us long to get results with our business, however, it has taken some time for our internet efforts to become effective. In the book, "Crush It," by Gary Vaynerchuk, he mentions that "Content is King." He goes on to say that everyone simply needs to start putting their information and knowledge out online. Once you do, your audience will find you. The hardest part for many of us is just getting started and being able to consistently do the work necessary, even if there is no measurable results at first.
Considering we live in an Instant Gratification world, it is not normal to work without immediate compensation. It is for this reason many people remain employees their entire life. Robert Kiyosaki says rich people build assets, whereas, poor and middle class people work jobs. When working a job you trade your time for money. However, building assets takes time before you see any return on your investment. The difference is in order to continue to make money with a job you must continue to work. Yet once the asset you have been building is complete, it will continue to produce an income whether you work or not!
There is definitely a different mindset required when building a business versus working a job for the rest of your adult life. If you can adapt to the different rules, the results in your life could be drastically different.
I understand not everyone is going to see the opportunity in creating income online. Many will argue that jobs are important and we need people who are willing to work them. Again, there is some truth to that statement! However, there are those of us who realize that working a job is not for us, instead we prefer to build businesses, creating passive residual incomes, work from home, and wake up to new customers not knowing where they came from!
Today is a perfect example. After waking to an awesome thunderstorm, I went online to check my emails. To my delight I noticed another new customer had placed an order on my website from Oklahoma. So far this week we have acquired new business partners and customers in Alaska, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Maryland. The power of leveraging your computer, blogs, websites, and information has truly opened up new opportunities!!
If you are thinking about becoming an Entrepreneur, everything you need to succeed is available to you. Many will make excuses such as lack of time, money, etc. The reality is, every one of those excuses should become the reasons why you need to do something different. Afterall if you have no money now, and you continue doing what you are currently doing, when will that ever change? Albert Einstein said, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result."
Once you get a taste of the Entrepreneurial Lifestyle, it is tough to ever want to go back to working for someone else ever again. Life is a rollercoaster, hang on tight, keep your arms and legs inside the cart at all times, and ENJOY THE RIDE!
God is good, all the time!
Be blessed,
Ron - Isagenix Independent Distributor
Thursday, June 24, 2010
You gotta love what you do...
When I was growing up my dad always told me, "Ronald, when you do what you love for a living, it isn't work!"
For the longest time I never grasped the true meaning of what he was trying to teach me. As a matter of fact when I first started my adult life I thought making a lot of money at work was all that matters. Though it didn't take long to realize, even when you are making a lot of money, if you don't like what you are doing for a living eventually the money won't keep you motivated. (My wife and I owned a Carpet Installation Company called First Class Installations in Virginia)
It was 2003 when I first decided to see what the internet could offer me in order to find a way to replace my high consumption lifestyle doing a job I hated, with something that I loved!
You may not be surprised to find out that this really was no easy task. With the internet there is opportunity after opportunity. It can be very overwhelming once you start searching for different ways to make money. For me, it was even more difficult, because I honestly had no clue what I would love to do for a living.
Seriously, since I grew up overweight, I found enjoyment in hard working positions like installing carpet, hauling trees, etc. Any kind of work that felt like exercise, I was all about it. The only problem was after a while your body starts to let you know there is only so much you can take. After seeing other men who were in my particular profession for 15 years plus who could barely walk, I knew there had to be something else, but what?
After reading a couple of different books on Entrepreneurship, my wife Melisa and I knew that what we were looking for needed to be something that we were passionate about. Something that we could do everyday, whether we were paid or not. It had to be in an arena where we could help other people as customer service is a huge strength of ours.
Seeing how I was obese my whole life I remember always wanting to start my own gym. I thought it would be cool to lose all my weight in a way that I could help others do the same. So this at least peeked my interest enough and we began looking into Weight Loss and the Health & Wellness industries. We were told that we should read 2 books by Paul Zane Pilzer such as, "The Next Trillion," and "The Wellness Revolution." Those books really set us off, and now we knew this was the right field.
Of course, then we were finding all of these different companies in an industry called Network Marketing, that had the best weight loss systems which you couldn't buy in stores. Since we never heard of Network Marketing, this led us to researching and studying the MLM industry. A great book we read was, "Business School" by Robert Kiyosaki! As we were learning more about how Networking worked, we also started trying several different products to see which we could be passionate about. After all we couldn't promote something that we weren't also using ourselves! We found some products that were pretty good, however, the results took a long time before they were noticeable, and it was tough to commit long term with these companies.
So, for a couple of years we spent a lot of time in the Personal Growth, Leadership Development, and Affiliate Marketing arenas learning about Search Engine Optimization, Leads Generation, Blogging, People Skills, etc. Until one day we were reading a wellness newspaper and came across an ad about a company called Isagenix. It mentioned a lot about their Cleansing Technology and the immediate results that were noticed by many people regarding weight loss whom have tried the system.
After spending hours watching and reading all the material available on their website, then thinking about it for weeks with my wife, we decided to try the products. They had everything that we had learned you would want in a Network Marketing company, plus the added benefit of products that can help people lose weight, which is what we have been looking for. After both of us lost 12lbs in 11 days on our first 9 day Cleanse and Fat Burning System, both my wife and I were sold that we had found the company we wanted to get involved with and the rest is history.
We absolutely love what we do now. Since I have always operated an at home business, going back to 1999 with our carpet company, the benefits of working from home are truly incredible. Though we have our challenges, as does everyone, building a business that you love is way better than building a business you hate.
In the end it all comes down to one thing. You gotta love what you do!
God bless,
Ron and Melisa Curtis
Independent Isagenix Distributors
"Do what you love and the money will follow." - Marshall Sylver
For the longest time I never grasped the true meaning of what he was trying to teach me. As a matter of fact when I first started my adult life I thought making a lot of money at work was all that matters. Though it didn't take long to realize, even when you are making a lot of money, if you don't like what you are doing for a living eventually the money won't keep you motivated. (My wife and I owned a Carpet Installation Company called First Class Installations in Virginia)
It was 2003 when I first decided to see what the internet could offer me in order to find a way to replace my high consumption lifestyle doing a job I hated, with something that I loved!
You may not be surprised to find out that this really was no easy task. With the internet there is opportunity after opportunity. It can be very overwhelming once you start searching for different ways to make money. For me, it was even more difficult, because I honestly had no clue what I would love to do for a living.
Seriously, since I grew up overweight, I found enjoyment in hard working positions like installing carpet, hauling trees, etc. Any kind of work that felt like exercise, I was all about it. The only problem was after a while your body starts to let you know there is only so much you can take. After seeing other men who were in my particular profession for 15 years plus who could barely walk, I knew there had to be something else, but what?
After reading a couple of different books on Entrepreneurship, my wife Melisa and I knew that what we were looking for needed to be something that we were passionate about. Something that we could do everyday, whether we were paid or not. It had to be in an arena where we could help other people as customer service is a huge strength of ours.
Seeing how I was obese my whole life I remember always wanting to start my own gym. I thought it would be cool to lose all my weight in a way that I could help others do the same. So this at least peeked my interest enough and we began looking into Weight Loss and the Health & Wellness industries. We were told that we should read 2 books by Paul Zane Pilzer such as, "The Next Trillion," and "The Wellness Revolution." Those books really set us off, and now we knew this was the right field.
Of course, then we were finding all of these different companies in an industry called Network Marketing, that had the best weight loss systems which you couldn't buy in stores. Since we never heard of Network Marketing, this led us to researching and studying the MLM industry. A great book we read was, "Business School" by Robert Kiyosaki! As we were learning more about how Networking worked, we also started trying several different products to see which we could be passionate about. After all we couldn't promote something that we weren't also using ourselves! We found some products that were pretty good, however, the results took a long time before they were noticeable, and it was tough to commit long term with these companies.
So, for a couple of years we spent a lot of time in the Personal Growth, Leadership Development, and Affiliate Marketing arenas learning about Search Engine Optimization, Leads Generation, Blogging, People Skills, etc. Until one day we were reading a wellness newspaper and came across an ad about a company called Isagenix. It mentioned a lot about their Cleansing Technology and the immediate results that were noticed by many people regarding weight loss whom have tried the system.
After spending hours watching and reading all the material available on their website, then thinking about it for weeks with my wife, we decided to try the products. They had everything that we had learned you would want in a Network Marketing company, plus the added benefit of products that can help people lose weight, which is what we have been looking for. After both of us lost 12lbs in 11 days on our first 9 day Cleanse and Fat Burning System, both my wife and I were sold that we had found the company we wanted to get involved with and the rest is history.
We absolutely love what we do now. Since I have always operated an at home business, going back to 1999 with our carpet company, the benefits of working from home are truly incredible. Though we have our challenges, as does everyone, building a business that you love is way better than building a business you hate.
In the end it all comes down to one thing. You gotta love what you do!
God bless,
Ron and Melisa Curtis
Independent Isagenix Distributors
"Do what you love and the money will follow." - Marshall Sylver
Monday, June 7, 2010
Why would we Cleanse?
You know when it comes to losing weight, the last thing I thought of was cleansing. As a matter of fact, anytime I heard the word cleanse it made me think about sitting on the toilet for hours, if you know what I mean.
When we started to learn more about full body cleansing, we quickly realized, we were wrong.
Once we decided to give cleansing a try, being very skeptical at first, both of us decided we were going to give it a fair evaluation and follow the programs regiment to the "T!"
The system we initially started with was an 11 day program. They call it a 9 day cleanse and fat burning system, however, the program includes 2 pre-cleanse days.
Anyhow, the system was simple:
2 Shake Days (Pre-cleanse)
2 Cleanse Days
5 Shake Days
2 Cleanse Days
On the shake days we would supplement 2 meals with Shakes and eat 1 meal daily (400-600 calories)
On the cleanse days we would drink a full body cleansing formula, along with small snacks provided in the system throughout the day.
We were amazed at how filling the shakes were. OK, an understatement, they were awesome! Then, on the cleanse days, the thought of not being able to eat any meals for 2 days in a row was probably the hardest part. "THE THOUGHT OF..."
If you take the snacks as instructed throughout the day, drink plenty of water, it really wasn't difficult at all! Not to mention, you literally feel amazing, and the weight loss is noticeable by the 3rd day!
Fast forwarding to the end of our system, my wife and I both lost 12lbs and several inches in only 11 days. We felt clean. You won't understand until you experience it yourself.
Cleansing is truly about lifestyle. Losing weight is a great feeling, especially when you have struggled with your weight, like I have my whole life.
However, it does require commitment. You have to want to change in order for it to work for you!
Forget about dieting, try cleansing instead! We highly recommend it.
When we started to learn more about full body cleansing, we quickly realized, we were wrong.
Once we decided to give cleansing a try, being very skeptical at first, both of us decided we were going to give it a fair evaluation and follow the programs regiment to the "T!"
The system we initially started with was an 11 day program. They call it a 9 day cleanse and fat burning system, however, the program includes 2 pre-cleanse days.
Anyhow, the system was simple:
2 Shake Days (Pre-cleanse)
2 Cleanse Days
5 Shake Days
2 Cleanse Days
On the shake days we would supplement 2 meals with Shakes and eat 1 meal daily (400-600 calories)
On the cleanse days we would drink a full body cleansing formula, along with small snacks provided in the system throughout the day.
We were amazed at how filling the shakes were. OK, an understatement, they were awesome! Then, on the cleanse days, the thought of not being able to eat any meals for 2 days in a row was probably the hardest part. "THE THOUGHT OF..."
If you take the snacks as instructed throughout the day, drink plenty of water, it really wasn't difficult at all! Not to mention, you literally feel amazing, and the weight loss is noticeable by the 3rd day!
Fast forwarding to the end of our system, my wife and I both lost 12lbs and several inches in only 11 days. We felt clean. You won't understand until you experience it yourself.
Cleansing is truly about lifestyle. Losing weight is a great feeling, especially when you have struggled with your weight, like I have my whole life.
However, it does require commitment. You have to want to change in order for it to work for you!
Forget about dieting, try cleansing instead! We highly recommend it.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Isagenix 9 Day Cleanse and Fat Burning System...
Melisa and I first tried Isagenix in 2007. After reviewing all the information available on the website provided by the company, we were intrigued and decided to give it a go.
Let me tell you, the results were just as good as advertised. Melisa and I both lost 12lbs once we had completed the 11 day plan. The rest of the story is history!
This blog is intended to inform you about Nutritional Cleansing, Weight Loss, and the Health and Wellness Industry.
For more information about the 9 day program, CLICK HERE...
In Christ,
Ron Curtis - Independent Isagenix Distributor
Let me tell you, the results were just as good as advertised. Melisa and I both lost 12lbs once we had completed the 11 day plan. The rest of the story is history!
This blog is intended to inform you about Nutritional Cleansing, Weight Loss, and the Health and Wellness Industry.
For more information about the 9 day program, CLICK HERE...
In Christ,
Ron Curtis - Independent Isagenix Distributor
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