Yes, that's right. You're going to have to be a creative person if you want to make tons of money (or at least a decent living working from your home). And yes, even though you think you don't have a creative bone in your body, you're mistaken. How do I know this you ask? Because I used to say the same thing, and now I have more creative business ideas in my folder than I'll ever be able to implement in a lifetime!
We were all creative as kids. Whether we had imaginary friends (which is odd to me since I never had one) or we were building castles out of sand, pies out of mud (let me tell you how many of THOSE I "baked"...and talked a few neighborhood kids into tasting...ok, so I never said I was always a NICE kid!). Kids build entire cities with Legos and Duplos and Lincolnlogs. They conduct entire war battles from start to finish starting with just a few plastic army men. You get the point. As kids, we could imagine whatever we wanted to.
So what happened? As adults, we got to the point where the job world didn't want us to be creative. They just wanted us to follow orders and do what we were told. Most jobs don't ask for our input or ideas. And we get so busy with working and family and day-to-day "have-tos" that we don't take the time to be creative as adults. I'm here to tell you that you can get that back. You CAN reignite that imagination that you suppressed so many years ago. It took me about 4 weekends (and much frustration) to get my creative juices flowing again. And since then, I'm coming up with new ideas daily (even hourly) and I just keep writing them down, adding to them, and implementing them as I go.
We'll discuss more details on how to accomplish this on another day. Until then....
2/22/2008
1/18/2008
Money Making Skill #3 - Writing
If you're going to go into business for yourself, you'll certainly have to know how to write. Most of us learned to do this at a very young age. The question at this point becomes more about communicating through your writing, rather than just knowing how to print or write your abc's.
You're going to find yourself communicating in writing to many people for many reasons. From writing a business plan so that banks, investors, and other lenders understand what you're looking to accomplish, to writing basic emails letting folks know that you're now in business, to newsletters that keep your customers up-to-date on what you're offering, you will be communicating in writing.
Do people understand what you're saying in emails? Do you double-check what you're sending out or do you just "wing it" and hope it gets the job done. Given the assumption that you're going to start your business with the intent of succeeding and making money, it's time to take a look at what you're writing says about you (because it will say the same about your business and may be the difference between a successful business, and an expensive hobby).
Until next time...
You're going to find yourself communicating in writing to many people for many reasons. From writing a business plan so that banks, investors, and other lenders understand what you're looking to accomplish, to writing basic emails letting folks know that you're now in business, to newsletters that keep your customers up-to-date on what you're offering, you will be communicating in writing.
Do people understand what you're saying in emails? Do you double-check what you're sending out or do you just "wing it" and hope it gets the job done. Given the assumption that you're going to start your business with the intent of succeeding and making money, it's time to take a look at what you're writing says about you (because it will say the same about your business and may be the difference between a successful business, and an expensive hobby).
Until next time...
12/14/2007
Money Making Skill #2 - Listening
It's so funny...Listening skills are one of THE most important skill you can have for making money, and yet they're not taught or practiced in schools, universities, or even corporate America. Everyone's always too busy talking to figure out that listening would solve a ton of their daily issues.
Have you watched people at the malls? I go out there regularly to watch, listen and learn. I see kids that go from asking for attention for a quick question, to screaming at the tops of their lungs, simply because no one would listen to them when they asked to be heard. I see guys and gals with their significant others both talking at the same time...and you can tell that neither of them are listening to the other (it's a wonder that more don't get lost).
So what difference does it make if people at a mall aren't listening to their kids or to each other? It matters because how people operate in one are of their life, is how they operate in all areas of their life. And from a home based business standpoint (or any other type of business for that matter), it matters. If you're not listening (and I mean TRULY listening) to the people you're spending time with, you're missing out on a ton of valuable information.
I started practicing listening many years ago. It's amazing what can be heard just in tone and intonations alone, much less what's going on in people's backgrounds (which will let you know whether they're listening to YOU or not). When you get good at listening, you can hear whether someone's paying attention, whether they've had a rough day, whether they're not really believing what you're saying to them, or whether they're bored or irritated with the conversation. You can also find out if they're as passionate about the newest business endeavor you're discussing or whether they're just humoring you.
You can also find out a lot about a person's character by listening to how they have basic conversations. (And if you're considering whether to go into business with someone, this because an important skill to master). For instance, do they constantly interrupt when you're giving them information about a new idea? And if they are, why are they interrupting? Is it to correct your idea, to showcase what they already know about it, or is it to give honest feedback and brainstorming ideas because they agree with where you're going with the idea?
So where do you go to learn listening skills? There's really no place to "go", it's simply a place you can "be" regularly to practice. Be in the conversations you're having and even the conversations that others are having around you. Don't speak...just listen. See what you can really hear that people are saying, and more importantly, what they're NOT saying. If you consciously work on this skill, you WILL start spending your time with the people who are going to be willing and able to assist you towards your financial goals, and stop wasting time with those who just aren't interested or don't have the abilities or talents you're seeking.
Until the next time....
Have you watched people at the malls? I go out there regularly to watch, listen and learn. I see kids that go from asking for attention for a quick question, to screaming at the tops of their lungs, simply because no one would listen to them when they asked to be heard. I see guys and gals with their significant others both talking at the same time...and you can tell that neither of them are listening to the other (it's a wonder that more don't get lost).
So what difference does it make if people at a mall aren't listening to their kids or to each other? It matters because how people operate in one are of their life, is how they operate in all areas of their life. And from a home based business standpoint (or any other type of business for that matter), it matters. If you're not listening (and I mean TRULY listening) to the people you're spending time with, you're missing out on a ton of valuable information.
I started practicing listening many years ago. It's amazing what can be heard just in tone and intonations alone, much less what's going on in people's backgrounds (which will let you know whether they're listening to YOU or not). When you get good at listening, you can hear whether someone's paying attention, whether they've had a rough day, whether they're not really believing what you're saying to them, or whether they're bored or irritated with the conversation. You can also find out if they're as passionate about the newest business endeavor you're discussing or whether they're just humoring you.
You can also find out a lot about a person's character by listening to how they have basic conversations. (And if you're considering whether to go into business with someone, this because an important skill to master). For instance, do they constantly interrupt when you're giving them information about a new idea? And if they are, why are they interrupting? Is it to correct your idea, to showcase what they already know about it, or is it to give honest feedback and brainstorming ideas because they agree with where you're going with the idea?
So where do you go to learn listening skills? There's really no place to "go", it's simply a place you can "be" regularly to practice. Be in the conversations you're having and even the conversations that others are having around you. Don't speak...just listen. See what you can really hear that people are saying, and more importantly, what they're NOT saying. If you consciously work on this skill, you WILL start spending your time with the people who are going to be willing and able to assist you towards your financial goals, and stop wasting time with those who just aren't interested or don't have the abilities or talents you're seeking.
Until the next time....
11/12/2007
Money Making Skill #1 - Communication
So, you say you want to make money. And you would prefer to do it from the comfort of your own home. So what type of skills does that really take?
First and foremost...Communication Skills. Yep, that's right. Even though you're working from your home in your bunny slippers, you're going to be communicating with people. Whether it's over the phone, by email, or by carrier pidgeon, there will be other people involved and you'll want to be sure they get whatever message you're giving them, right?
Now you'd think that most of us would know how to communicate by now. After all, we've been talking for longer than we could walk. But the issue isn't whether we can talk...communication is an entirely different animal. It requires that we be understood, that the "right" message (or at least the correct message) gets to the other person the way we intended it to get there. The "telephone" game with cans might have been funny when we were kids, but that sort of miscommunication in the business world could cost you millions of dollars, so you want to make sure you're messages are clear.
So how would you know? Start by asking the people around you that you've been communicating with. Take a look at whether your loved ones are continually having to ask again what you mean...or if there's a glazed-over look in their eyes when you're speaking. There are clues and hints all around you if you're willing to look for them (and recognize them for what they are)....never take it personal that people aren't understanding you. We all have our own personal listening filters as well. However, that's a huge reason that you must continually work on and improve your communication skills. You'll find that the goal is to be able to communicate effectively to all sorts of people, regardless of their filters.
Oh, and for those who have extended educations (as I do), you'll find that letting go of some of that "proper stuff" you were taught at the University will make it much easier for you to be understood by the majority of folks out there....especially if you have a more technical type degree (there's a reason so many people walk past you when you're in a conversation with your techie co-workers...they don't have a CLUE as to what you're saying...nor do they want to - if they did, they would have gotten the same degree you have).
So, be kind to the folks around you and speak at a level that everyone can "get". It will go a long way in building personal as well as business relationships. It will also make money making much simpler...after all, if people don't understand what you're saying, they're not going to stick around long enough to find out what you're offering. Until next time....
First and foremost...Communication Skills. Yep, that's right. Even though you're working from your home in your bunny slippers, you're going to be communicating with people. Whether it's over the phone, by email, or by carrier pidgeon, there will be other people involved and you'll want to be sure they get whatever message you're giving them, right?
Now you'd think that most of us would know how to communicate by now. After all, we've been talking for longer than we could walk. But the issue isn't whether we can talk...communication is an entirely different animal. It requires that we be understood, that the "right" message (or at least the correct message) gets to the other person the way we intended it to get there. The "telephone" game with cans might have been funny when we were kids, but that sort of miscommunication in the business world could cost you millions of dollars, so you want to make sure you're messages are clear.
So how would you know? Start by asking the people around you that you've been communicating with. Take a look at whether your loved ones are continually having to ask again what you mean...or if there's a glazed-over look in their eyes when you're speaking. There are clues and hints all around you if you're willing to look for them (and recognize them for what they are)....never take it personal that people aren't understanding you. We all have our own personal listening filters as well. However, that's a huge reason that you must continually work on and improve your communication skills. You'll find that the goal is to be able to communicate effectively to all sorts of people, regardless of their filters.
Oh, and for those who have extended educations (as I do), you'll find that letting go of some of that "proper stuff" you were taught at the University will make it much easier for you to be understood by the majority of folks out there....especially if you have a more technical type degree (there's a reason so many people walk past you when you're in a conversation with your techie co-workers...they don't have a CLUE as to what you're saying...nor do they want to - if they did, they would have gotten the same degree you have).
So, be kind to the folks around you and speak at a level that everyone can "get". It will go a long way in building personal as well as business relationships. It will also make money making much simpler...after all, if people don't understand what you're saying, they're not going to stick around long enough to find out what you're offering. Until next time....
10/10/2007
Passive Income in Network Marketing - an Oxymoron
During the past 7 years of business, and certainly during the past year, one of my main goals has been to create passive income doing the things I love most. The challenge has been in figuring out exactly what that is (mom's voice rings in my ears of "jack of all trades, master of none"). Don't get me wrong, I've been focused for the past years on the same type of business for the most part...direct sales, personal development, financial education, etc. But it's been within the network marketing arena. And as I mentioned in the first sentence, I'm looking for PASSIVE income. I have found nothing passive about network marketing.
Now for those of you who enjoy network marketing, keep up the great work. It's always great to be around people who enjoy what they do. It's not that I didn't like it. I actually enjoyed it (at least the networking part, cause I LOVE talking). But after so long doing it, without having taken the time to create residual passive income, I just started getting burnt out.
I've got friends in the network marketing industry who seem to never burn out. Some do the direct sales thing, others stick with the Multi-Level Marketing, some do both. Many simply keep moving from one business opportunity to the next, never stopping long enough to see the numbers of people who are failing (no, that's not a typo for falling) behind them.
I've watched friends make millions of dollars in the industry, only to lose every bit of it and then some, simply because they didn't continually work on themselves and their own personal growth. I've watched many who never saw the success they were looking for, who got frustrated, angry, and resentful of the company and/or the industry in which they had planned their future on. And I have friends who have done very well, and continue to do well.
My point is, not every business is for every person. Take the lessons you learn from any and all of the things you do in life and learn from them. Learn to apply the stuff that works to your next endeavor. Learn to not make the same mistakes that you watch others make along the way. Keep learning and you keep growing. Keep growing and there's no chance of losing...no matter what type of business you choose to do.
Now for those of you who enjoy network marketing, keep up the great work. It's always great to be around people who enjoy what they do. It's not that I didn't like it. I actually enjoyed it (at least the networking part, cause I LOVE talking). But after so long doing it, without having taken the time to create residual passive income, I just started getting burnt out.
I've got friends in the network marketing industry who seem to never burn out. Some do the direct sales thing, others stick with the Multi-Level Marketing, some do both. Many simply keep moving from one business opportunity to the next, never stopping long enough to see the numbers of people who are failing (no, that's not a typo for falling) behind them.
I've watched friends make millions of dollars in the industry, only to lose every bit of it and then some, simply because they didn't continually work on themselves and their own personal growth. I've watched many who never saw the success they were looking for, who got frustrated, angry, and resentful of the company and/or the industry in which they had planned their future on. And I have friends who have done very well, and continue to do well.
My point is, not every business is for every person. Take the lessons you learn from any and all of the things you do in life and learn from them. Learn to apply the stuff that works to your next endeavor. Learn to not make the same mistakes that you watch others make along the way. Keep learning and you keep growing. Keep growing and there's no chance of losing...no matter what type of business you choose to do.
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