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Gremlins - what's holding you back?

GREMLINS

ARE

ILLUSIONS!

Recently, I had coffee with my friend, Deborah, who is a Life Coach.

Deborah shared how it’s interesting that some of her clients are successful, while others remain “stuck” and unsuccessful because of the “gremlins” of fear and self-doubt.

That got me to thinking…Gremlins are scary.. they can be pretty big, and I bet if I got close enough to one, they would smell badly too.

But gremlins aren’t real…. Oh, yes, we’ve seen them on the big screen, and the small one that flickers in our living rooms. We’ve read all about them in all their nasty disguises in books and stories.

We’ve been certain some nights, in the long nights of trial and stress, that they were right at our bedside, practically breathing their foul breath on us, waiting to move in and hurt us as we spent a sleepless night of worry and fear.

But Gremlins are not real! They are the stuff of stories. In all good stories, the hero has to encounter the bad guys and overcome. Oh, they’ll cause him or her lots of trouble, binding them up in fear, worry and dread, paralyzing enough to stop the hero from moving forward until at the very last minute, our hero finds a way forward and gains the prize.

Gremlins look so big and nasty on the movie screen and in our imagination as we read a great story. We can become convinced they are real!

Our subconscious is a powerful tool. The size of a house, compared to our conscious mind, the size of a pea. It takes in all information, not sorting between dream and reality. Take enough Gremlin fiction in and you might be convinced that they are real.

But they are not.

Our Gremlins of fear, self-doubt and worry try to hold us back . But the gremlins of night-fear fade back into the shadows as the sun rises each morning.

The self doubt and worry slides away as we move forward towards our goal. Those first steps are hard, painfully hard sometimes. We might whimper with fear, telling ourselves, we just can’t do it.

But each halting step that we take, moves us ever towards our goal. Left foot, right, baby steps, sometimes leaps. And as we see the prize, our goal, our pace quickens.

Maybe, we just MIGHT be able to do it… it It Could be possible… baby steps baby steps. We start to gain confidence, whistling as we go to scare away the gremlins.

Soon, we are running to the goal, casting off our night shawl of all those fears, self-doubt and worry.

We Can do it! We can move beyond our self-limiting beliefs and take our future firmly in hand to make it our present.

When my daughter Rachel was little, we used to make up all kinds of songs. She had a period of her life when she was young and plagued with a lot of fears.

We made up a song that she used to sing all the time…

The lyrics were: Conquer your Fears and Courage will Follow, Conquer your fears and courage will follow… all the days of your life. Not a fancy song, but a heartfelt one. Sing your song of courage as you face your fears.

What’s holding you back today from achieving your goals and dreams?

Fear of success? Fear of Failure? The fear is almost always worse than the worst that can happen.

By moving forward, we let the bright sunshine of hope shine on us, warming our very souls as it burns away the shroud of dark thoughts.

Afraid you don’t know enough to succeed? Seek out the knowledge you need. There are more people willing to give help than you can imagine. Don’t let the gremlins of misplaced ego or self-deprecation drag on your coat tails. Ask for help.

Until you Try, you have no idea how close you might actually be to your goal, or what windows of opportunity are just waiting for you to unlatch the lock and throw them wide.

This is your life. Live it . Take charge. Seize the day.

Here’s to your success!

Sue Mazza

Senior Executive Unit Leaser
Avon Products

Secrets To Success training CD

Update:
With perseverance comes success. I've finally finished my new training CDs!


The price for both of these new training tools is $29.95.

Although, there's a Limited Introductory Price of $20.00!

You can also learn more about these and other products at SuccessfulYouInc.com

Want More Customers and Recruits? Here's how to get them.

Today, let's talk about something near and dear to the hearts of many representatives in direct sales and network marketing companies worldwide.

How do we find new customers and team members to increase our sales and earnings?

Let's face it, this tough economy has affected alot of people. And in many cases, our current customers aren't buying as much from us, or purchasing as often.

So, how do we expand our customer base without alot of time and work? Well, we need to meet some new people. We can’t just stay with what we’ve been doing so far.

We can do this a few ways:
* Join a club or group to meet new prospective customers and recruits
* Partner up with another rep in another company to do a Valentine's Day
Or Spring Showcase
* Ask current customers to take a catalog, flyer or brochure to work and leave in their break-room
* Ask current customers for referrals of friends who might like our product or service. * Visit an office building and pass out some free samples and books
* Send an email to everyone we have a business card from with the link to our website and invite them to become our customer or investigate our business.
(You might want to work with your upline to develop some good email copy so this is more effective for you.)

* Add a signature line to our emails so that when we reply to all on those silly joke emails, they get a teaser line and our website link.

There are lots of ways to find new customers.. These are just a few.

But we also are busy people and we don't want to have to work harder! Just smarter!

So, think of this too. When we meet someone in the grocery store, or at a party, or in the McDonald's Playplace, we don't have alot of time with them. We don't have days or months to build a relationship.

So how do you present your Avon business to them? Well, first of all, don't start with all the neat benefits of being an Avon rep. Don't tell them about the wonderful earnings, the prizes, the incredible products, the whole history of Avon, etc.

Instead, remember that people buy things to solve a problem.

So ask a few questions to postition yourself and your chat so that you can solve a problem for your prospective customer or recruit.

Talk about how becoming a customer of yours can save them lots of time and money.

They can shop from the comfort of their couch without having to go out in the cold and snow. And they'll save money too.

PLUS, they can have the products delivered free to their door by using the coupon code FSANY when they check out.

They don't even have to leave their favorite TV show and answer the door when you deliver. They can order and choose Direct Delivery and just bring in their package, nicely packaged from Avon, and with a new free brochure for them, when they come in from work!

Of course, if they want more personal service, you are right there to give them helpful ideas and delivery at their convenience.

And if you are looking for prospective team members, tell them how Avon can make it easier for them to pay bills with that extra check every campaign, or how Avon can pay for their next Disney Vacation or even provide the extra car for the spouse.

Our prospects don't care how great your product or opportunity is at first.. They simply care about their problems.

So, all you have to do is ask a few questions.. find out what they need, and then offer them a solution.

Not everyone is ready to make a change, but some will and those are the ones you want!

But you can't keep your Avon business a secret, let everyone know you are open for business with great prices and free delivery!

Do this consistently every week and soon you'll have a bunch of new, happy customers doing business with you!

Here's to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
Senior Executive Unit LeaderAvon Products
630-240-0075

The Road to Procrastination Never Leads to a good Destination

When I first heard these words, I mentally filed them away with all the other great “sayings” I hear, thinking to myself… Yes, that’s true… I’ll have to really think about that… LATER

Well Later is generally too late and tomorrow never comes, by then it is today!

So, let’s see.. Has Procrastination ever led me to a good destination?

When I procrastinated on dropping off an Avon brochure to the office near me, and then a week later walked in to find out that someone else had beat me to it now. Darn.. guess that girl got lucky.

When I was sure those airline tickets to LA would go down, and had to pay an extra $150 four hours later to book my flight. Gee, those airlines are fickle.

When I lost that traffic ticket and found it buried in pile of papers 6 weeks later, and my $75 ticket now cost me $225. Those traffic cops… don’t they have anything better to do, ..like catch Criminals?

When I ate that piece of cherry pie and said.. I really will start my diet tomorrow, then stepped on the scale and found I was up 10 pounds over the last two weeks instead of down.. C’mon on… my scale Must be broken

When I meant to call that prospect back and finally found of paper I had written it on, two weeks later, and she isn’t interested any longer. People, what’s with them anyways?

Catch a common thread? Have you ever had a similar experience?

Why do we procrastinate?

· Bad Time Management
· Fear of Failure
· Fear of Success
· Not sure we know enough about a subject
· Laziness
· Easily Distracted
· Low Self Esteem

Just to name a few.

Procrastination almost always costs us something.
Costs in Time, Money, Relationships, Self Image.

So how do we stop this cycle and break free? Break free to start building happy, exciting, productive lives for ourselves both personally and in our business?

There are a million articles and books about this, but I’m going to suggest one very simple, baby step.

Do the One.

What is the ONE THING that would make the most difference in:

Your Health?
Your Marriage?
Your Finances?
Your Business?
Your Relationships?


Here’s an example that worked for me.

JUST FOLD 5.

I finally started this when I went down to the laundry room and found that the pile of clean laundry on the table was higher than my head. Just a little procrastination? You bet! I mean, which of us doesn’t have a million more important things to do than fold laundry? Except of course when we need those clean socks, then try to match them from a 6 foot pile!

So, I made myself a deal. JUST FOLD 5.

Each time I went down to the laundry room, I would fold 5. That’s all I was required to do. No biggie, I can do that in about 1 minute. But it was amazing. I finished the 5 and then, actually, folded some more. And the job got done. Finally. Now, every time I go downstairs, I fold 5. Sometimes more. Sometimes just 5. But I passed the test. I CAN FOLD AT LEAST 5 ! And that makes me a winner in my little game.
So, what else can we do?

What’s the one thing that YOU can do in each of those areas above that would make the most difference? Doesn’t have to be anything big. It can be making one phone call to an Avon customer to set up delivery. Taking the dog for a 5 minute walk. Returning the blockbuster video to avoid fees, even though you drove by there 6 times already this weekend.

Making the appointment for your physical. Starting the crock pot. Filing away the credit card you used for holiday purchases (even when you knew you shouldn’t) that is still in your wallet 30 days later. Placing one classified ad for just $5.00 to grow your business. Folding 5 things.

For the next 30 days, agree with yourself, and with me to DO THE ONE.

Pick 1 item from each of the 5 above, or add a category if you must, but don’t overdo! Remember, we are taking baby steps.

Each night write down the one thing you must do in each of those areas before you go on to do all the other urgent and important things in your life.

(Hint, put this pad of paper by your bathroom sink where you brush your teeth – you HAVE to go there anyways. Putting it on the kitchen table, office desk, etc may cause you to actually procrastinate from just going into the room for fear you’ll see the note! Our subconscious is a powerful procrastinator!)

Then, each morning, DO THE ONE.

Fold the 5.
Make the call.
Pay the bill.

Just try it for 30 days and let me know how it goes.
You can do it, just taking that little action will make all the difference in your life by the end of the 30 days.

DO THE ONE. Do it , really, now.

Here’s to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
Senior Executive Unit Leader
Avon Products

Snow Day

It's been pretty snowy here in Chicagoland, as well as where many of you live.

Normally, I'd just ignore it for the most part, but as Lou's been out of town (most recently in Vegas, can you believe it!), I've been the one out shoveling the driveway and keeping things warm and cozy.

My daughter, Stephanie, a junior at Naperville Central, was excited and anxiously waiting to hear that her school had a snow day.

She was SO disappointed to find that despite the cold and snow, that life goes on and that school was open for business.

It made me think of how we sometimes treat our business.

Sometimes we just want a SNOW DAY!

A day to do nothing, when absence from life and responsibility is not only acceptable, but even approved by the powers that be!

And you know what? An occasional SNOW DAY is a GREAT THING!

We get a chance to rest, to play and to step away from the busyness of our business!

But think what would happen if Stephanie, or any student, had a snow day EVERY DAY!

Sounds good at first, but long term, maybe not so good. We wouldn't learn anything, and likely be Stuck at the same point in our life for a very long time.

School is as much about personal development as educational learning.

Our business is the same. Is your Business Stagnant? Been stuck in the same place for longer than you'd like?

Maybe it's time to come back from that Holiday Vacation and Heat Things Up in your Business!

How to do that? Let's look at these 6 Ice-Breakers!

1. Give yourself a break!

Don't beat yourself up for what you HAVEN'T DONE, let's get to work on what YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH in 2009!

For a great article on Resolutions and Motivation, check out:

http://www.savvysponsoring.com/enews/current

I'm not recommending you sign up for her training course, that's up to you, but she's got some great ideas here and I always take advantage of free training! Be sure to allow time for personal and professional development every day so you become better at what you do and who you are!

2. Take Stock of Where You Are.

When I use mapquest, I have to know my starting point so I know the best route to get me to my destination.

Same with our business. You may fear it, you may not like it, but it?s vital that you know exactly where you are in your business.

The Avon 90-Day Plan is a great tool for that. Email me, your upline or your manager and get a copy today!

3. Decide what you want to accomplish with your Avon biz in 2009.

Want to become an Advanced, Executive or Senior Executive Unit Leader?

Just like mapquest, if I don't choose a destination, I can never get to where I want to go without an end in mind.

In fact, here's an important Point.

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND.

Set the goal, then work backward so that you set action steps to achieve those goals.

Same with moving forward in your Personal Sales. If you are President's Club now, and want to get to Honor Society, you know that you need to build your customer base until it is at least $800 a campaign, or maybe 35-45 customers (or a few helpers) each campaign.

4. Become "ACTION JACKSON"

Procrastination NEVER leads to a Good Destination.

The first phone call is always the hardest. The first time You go into a business to conduct a "customer appreciation day" event is always the most intimidating.

It's SO much easier after the first time! Take Action Today, Tomorrow, and The Next Day! (For some great ACTION IDEAS, drop me a line)

5. Find a "Workout Partner".

Upline, Downline, Crossline - partner up with someone so you can encourage each other to achieve all your goals and Dreams in 2009! Just like the commercial says = YOU CAN DO IT - WE CAN HELP!

6. Get Involved!

Break away from the TV or whatever and come to the leadership meeting, the sales Rally, the Big Al Event, the Apollo Leaders Sales Tax Seminar.

Don't Be A Lone Ranger!

Let the excitement of others help fuel your excitement as you fuel others. You'll be AMAZED how much better You feel about yourself, and your business when you come to an event with other like-minded people. Invest in yourself!

Want to know Details for all these upcoming events? Visit my Website at: www.YourAvon.com/smazza and look at the events on the site for info.

You Upline Leaders and I are ready and willing do do all we can do to partner with you to achieve all you desire with your Avon business in 2009!

Let's begin today!

Here's to YOUR SUCCESS!

Sue Mazza

Senior Executive Unit Leader

Avon Products

630-240-0075

Winners and Losers

Here's the question -

Are you a Winner or a Loser?

And perhaps a better Question -

Which do you PURPOSE to Be?

I believe success is a choice. Not a chance. Not luck. Not Fate.

We Succeed On Purpose.

I came across this quote by Albert Gray, a 30 year veteran of the Insurance Industry and lifelong student of success. He said:

"Winners have simply formed the habit of doing things losers don't like to do."

As Jim Rohn would say, "Well, Isn't that interesting."

How many of us have looked at a sports figure, or a movie or rock star and thought,

"They are so lucky" They have it all! We can see the evidence of their success. The fancy cars, houses, jewelry, designer clothes, even designer dogs!

What we don't see are the endless hours of practice, the relentless preparation and self-motivation behind the success!

Was Michael Jordan born a famous Basketball Star?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH8nTfxwByY

Did Whitney Houston always sing like an Angel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EbYmMb4lR4

Each person we look up to, each of our heroes has spent many hours, days, sometimes decades working to become better at whatever they do, yet we only see the recognition, the accolades, and the success that is the manifestation of that hard work.

What do you want to be known for?

Being a great parent?

A more dedicated worker?

Someone who finally did lose that extra 20 pounds... and kept it off?

Finally becoming Debt-Free?

A Holier Person?

A Successful Leader in Your Business?

You (and I) can achieve all we desire - IF we will just pay the price and set ourselves without wavering to achieve our goal.

The quote above by Albert Gray holds true for achieving success in EVERY AREA OF OUR LIFE!

When January 2010 rolls around, some people reading this will have achieved many goals in their personal and professional life and will have moved forward towards a life of abundance and freedom.

Others will not.

They'll be in the same rut that they were in on January 1, 2009, wishing and hoping for more.

I challenge you to make 2009 the year when people will say:

"That was when she decided to become a success!"

I'm here to partner with you on the journey. Let's meet, have a cup of coffee, brainstorm together and make a plan for you, for Your Business, to make this year, 2009 the Turning Point in your business!

You can do it!

I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Here's to YOUR SUCCESS!

Sue Mazza

Senior Executive Unit Leader, Avon Products

Avon Woman of Enterprise

President, SuccessfulYou,Inc.

630-240-0075

SueMazza@gmail.com
P.S. Want to Read More?

Check out “The Common Denominator of Success” by Albert E.N. Gray
http://www.amnesta.net/mba/thecommondenominatorofsuccess-albertengray.pdf