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

Selfish Philanthropy

Thursday morning started earlier than normal for me.

For over 15 years, I’ve been blessed to live the great life of a networker.

Although I don’t wake to the sound of an alarm clock because I have to go to a job, one of my greatest blessings as I’ve built my Direct Sales and Network Marketing businesses has been to be available to my family. Every day, almost without fail, I get up early and make sure my family is ready to start their day.. at school, work, in their business endeavors. Trust me, some mornings, it’s hard to be an early bird when at heart you are a night owl!

Could I sleep in? For sure, but I have the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE! And I choose to put my family first!

This Thursday, however, I rose an hour earlier than my usual 6 am. I had bribed (literally) my high-school-aged daughter to let me take her to school early and headed off to a business networking meeting, starting at 7 am.

I knew I had a long day ahead of me – I had scheduled appointments with new and current representatives and prospects all the way through until my final appointment at 9 pm and was excited for a busy and rewarding day.

I entered the conference room of the bank at which the networking event was hosted and smelled the fresh coffee waiting for me! Good start, I thought!

I mingled among the early morning guests, introducing myself and meeting new friends.

As the event began, everyone had an opportunity to introduce themselves and their businesses.

I was prepared, ready to share a great lifestyle Magazine about income freedom and some samples with all my new networking friends.

As the introductions went around the room, I heard people sharing, with varying levels of presentation skills, about their business. Some more casual, some practically climbing on top of the table with enthusiasm for their product or opportunity.

I listened, hearing many familiar sincere declarations and industry catch-phrases and thought a bit more about what I would say.

Half way through the bakers’ dozen, it was my turn. Like many people there, I had more than one interest in my business life. An established, successful business that has provided me with a great income, the free cruises and trips, recognition and awards that come along with being at the top of your game, and a newer adventure, already well on it’s way to surprising personal growth and success.

I shared a bit as I passed around some of the magazines and my Avon Brochures(labeled with my contact info of course) and some product samples (labeled as well) and then moved into a concept I had been contemplating for some time.

What exactly do I do?, I mused aloud to the group? I’m a business and personal coach… like some of you here have said you do as a fulltime career. And I share some fantastic products that people love and benefit from all across the country.

We may start off in our business thinking we are an upline, but as we impact individuals’ lives and help them move from the point of entry into our business towards success in their life and career, we become much more.

Coach, Cheerleader, Mentor, Friend, Leader, Teacher, Workout Partner, Nag, and so much more .. we impact the lives of those around us more than we may think!

It’s been said that Network Marketing is a great personal development journey with a bonus check attached.

That couldn’t be more true.

We give of our knowledge, experience, compassion, time and resources freely to help other people change their lives and fulfill their dreams of personal and professional achievement and freedom.

And in return – and in proportion to how much value we provide in peoples’ personal and business growth, our companies pay us a bonus. The better we do at providing value, the more we can earn.

So… are we generous? Giving our all to all who ask… rejoicing with the few who are brave enough to change their attitudes, their actions and their lives… and sadly watching the many …. who are unable or unwilling to do what it takes to achieve success… but continuing our mission regardless to impact lives –

Or… are we selfish? As we give, exponentially our income grows. As our influence impacts others for good and they duplicate and expand their sphere of influence, our bonus checks grow! And the more we teach others, the more we can earn with the right compensation plan and company!

I guess it’s a little of both. I call it Selfish Philanthropy. Works for me.

My new networking group seemed to like my story - and they loved the samples I brought to share.

I told them, I’ll tell them another great story the next time we get together. And, as they asked for, maybe bring some more samples. That got smiles all around. I love the Freedom of being a Rich Networker!

Time For A Change?

Good Morning Leaders!


Leaders? Yes, that's YOU! But, do you have some days when you don't feel much like a leader?




When you feel that your business isn't going right?

I've got good news for you! WE ALL DO!

And the BETTER NEWS is that feeling that way can be a good thing! "How??", you ask...

Sometimes Success and Change come from feeling dissatisfied, if not downright disgusted with your

life, your weight, your finances or your business!

And the BEST NEWS is that you can become better at any of those things, starting TODAY!

You can become a Better Leader TODAY!

You can make the changes you need in your life TODAY!

It's as simple as making a decision. "But I have so many problems", you think.

"I don't have any money to promote my business", you think.

"My family doesn't support me", you think. All those are real situations that we face.

But those things don't have to stop us! Zig Ziglar said: "If you think you CAN or you think you CAN'T, you are probably right!"

Take a 9 minute break for some great inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRMogDrHnMQ


The thoughts we think lead us to the actions we take, which lead us to the results we have!

Want to change your results? Change your thoughts! Change the things you let into your head every day!

Turn off the bad news, turn on an mp3 or cd of an inspiring speaker!

If you're not in charge of your life, who is??

You can decide TODAY to turn your life around, business or personal, good, bad or even if you're happy and

just want life to be even better! "If it is to be, it's up to me!" A classic saying, yet true!

I'm a small town girl who has built a huge business all over the country.

Am I smarter, stronger, more beautiful or charming than anyone else?

Nah. Just determined and motivated! And willing to do what it takes and learn the skills I don’t

know today so that I can become better tomorrow! If I can work towards accomplishing my goals, so can you!

And, I'm here to help! Need ideas? A little extra motivation? Want to improve skills?

I'm always up for a cup of coffee ... and I'll even buy! LOL ! Let's share great ideas as we build our businesses together!

and change our lives, our families’ fortunes, and the lives of people around us for the better!

So, what’s stopping you today? Change your thoughts. Change your Actions. Change your Results.
Give me a call or email me here today!

Here's to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
Senior Executive Unit Leader, Avon Products
630-240-0075
www.youravon.com/smazza

ps - I'm on Facebook now too!

You can't Hire other People to Do your PUSHUPS FOR YOU!

This quote is from one of my favorite trainers, Jim Rohn (http://www.jimrohn.com/)

We can hire people to do all kinds of things for us.. pass out brochures, make phone calls, even deliver our orders for us.

But some things, we have to do for ourselves. As much as I get excited by ideas I learn from great trainers and motivators like Jim Rohn, or Tom "BIG AL" Schreiter (http://www.fortunenow.com/ ), that motivation only lasts a short time.

If you are at all like me, we encounter challenges in our business sometimes that take the wind out of our sails a bit. Maybe a customer doesn't pay us on time, or a new team member doesn't follow through on her plan. Sometimes "life" just gets us down.

But the key to getting results from our "pushups", and seeing results in our business is to move into action. Do the first pushup.. then another. Go pass out a few more brochures, or stop into the video store on a Friday and Saturday afternoon and leave some books there! (Don't leave too many or on other days or someone might re-fill that rack by the "out" door and toss them, but the stores are busy on Fri and Sat and it's a great time to leave them there then!)

Set aside 15 minutes on Sunday night to plan out your week, for both personal and professional events and actions. Then be sure that you are prepared to take action. Got biz cards and labeled brochures in back of the car, ready to go? Schedule your web office to send out emails to customers automatically every campaign. It's a new feature in September!

Find a mentor, or a "workout partner" with whom you can share ideas and be accountable with... it's always easier to "workout" when you have a partner!

Most important, as A. L. Williams says: JUST DO IT!

Success Principles

Why do some people succeed in business and others don't?

You probably could have almost as many answers to this as you do people who ask the question!

On People, Jim Rohn said... when asked why some people succeed and some quit..

"you might just as well ask why the sun rises in the east and sets in the west! It just does"
(loosely quoted by me)

External motivation is always short term
Internal Motivation is long term

Each of us, as leaders, has to get to the heart of the matter ourselves, to find out what burning passion will motivate us to get through the hard times.

Goals are what get us through the day
Dreams are what keep us going when the going gets tough

Do you have a dream? or alot of dreams? Do you need to reconnect with your dream?
If you want to move forward in your business, you must, MUST take the time to bring your dream out of the dusty corners of your mind and heart.

You MUST find the burning desire... (money, recognition, helping others...) that will move you into action. If you can't do that, ask your upline for some exercises to help you reconnect with your dreams.

Then, get concrete action plans on paper, review them often, revise and tweak as needed so you stay on course, and then get into action.

The best dream will always be wishful thinking without written goals and solid action.

Make up your mind - YOU WILL NOT QUIT! I can tell you now, you will have setbacks, you will have days, weeks, even months where you wonder if you will ever achieve your goal.. but don't quit... even if you have to say to yourself... I won't quit TODAY.... I will continue forward TODAY!

Find a workout partner, someone you can share your goals, dreams, plans with, and who you can work with so you both have someone that is there to nudge you on, keep you focused and challenge you to be your best self in your business and personal life.

This life is not a dress rehearsal, live it to the fullest, make every day count. Laugh often. Tell your family you love them. Work hard to bring value to people's lives, to make them better. Pay it forward.

Success is within your grasp. Reach for it and don't stop!

Here's to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
Helping people achieve their goals!