Skipping out!

As the title in this post says..... "Skipping out" that is exactly what I have been doing?  I was suppose to post everyday of my process but have seemed to skip out on doing so.....

This makes me realize that I really need to work harder on my consistency.  Consistency is the key to all.

So I will need to make sure that I go to FedEx tomorrow and print my activity worksheet so that I can jot down my "Six things to do for MK" and my other schedules that I have planned for my day to day.

Since I haven't been consistent I will give you an update on Day 12 thru Day 14.

Day 12 - I prepared myself for my open house - Labelled the catalogs, updated my inventory and prepared little pastry puffs for the next day.

Day 13 - Open House - Everyone came over and we had a great time.  We had a make up party and glammed up a few of the girls who were willing.  I was able to show all the ladies the new line of lip glosses, lip liners and eye liners.  It was great to see the transformation....not that they didn't look pretty before but with the make up they looked like super-models....  everyone was glammed and ready for a night out on the town.

Day 14 - Stars and Cars conference.... This was a an 8 hr event which was just fab!  4 hrs of recognition and 4 hrs of training.... I tell you there is no feeling like getting recognition for doing what you love to do.
We had such a great training with Executive National Sales Director, National Sales Director and various other Sales Directors.... It's great to hear their accomplishments and their "Why" on how they started Mary Kay.

Well here is a picture of me with the National Sales Director Cathy Littlejohn and Executive National Sales Director Sheryl Warfield.  They are awesome humble ladies.

Sheryl Warfield

Executive NSD

Cathy Littlejohn

NSD

Pictures are a little blurry but was excited to just be able to meet and talk with them :)

Day 11 Getting over the emotional wheel

When I first started this business in April 2011 I found myself having trouble juggling my full-time job, my family life and my MK business.  All though I worked my business on the weekends it seemed a little off.  I kept telling myself if I could only have more time to work my MK business or if only I could do this full time.....etc etc....

Well December 1 2011 I was given the opportunity to do so.  I was laid off from my full time job and figured this is great!  I started to organize business events and purchased products to accommodate those events.  As the time went on in Dec. I found that as the holidays were fast approaching business was dwindling down and started to wonder will this continue this way.  Then thought well it's the holidays and things get crazy.

Well as things progressed I didn't follow up with certain people, businesses or customers.  So now I'm back to square one!  I need customers, I for some reason am not being consistent with running my business.

I start to question why is it that I am not taking this business seriously!  Is it because I do not see the income coming in?  Is it because I'm feeling depressed that I do not have a steady income?  Is it because I see the bills coming in and start to wonder how am I going to pay that?

I think it's a combination of it all..... I'm running on this emotional wheel and not sure how to get off. I have to realize that if I do not run my business I cannot generate income!  I think I'm so mentally trained to go to work for someone else that working for myself doesn't seem logical.  We are so trained to work for others that when we start to work for ourselves we don't see it as a real thing....or as a reality that can come true if you work at it.

Well God seems to work in mysterious ways.... I received a call from a long time friend who gave me some advice and helped me to keep the momentum going.  She has been a business owner for nearly 20 years and have had her highs and lows when it comes to income and the business.

She also recommended a book that will help stimulate my mind and get off this emotional wheel that I'm on.

Book she recommened: Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins.

So I will be going off to the library tomorrow so that I can borrow the book and take notes of things that will help give me the motivation I need to proceed and continue my journey to succeed.

Life is a challenge and it's up to us to continue pushing on or to sit and let life pass us by.... you chose!

Adios mi gente....Que Dios no de la fuerza para seguir adelante

Day 10 -preparation

On Friday I will have a MK open house to start generating sales from different customers.  I think it is time I expand in customers..... It's been hard to get references so I have gone around to different people and hope to have at least 8 - 10 ppl for this open house.

Preparation- Since I am having the event at my place I will need to also be a hostess.  With that being said I have prepared something simple.  Cafe con Leche :)  I've purchased different flavored coffee and will have a few little snacks like cookies, guayaba (Guava) and Queso (cheese) puffs, strawberry and cheese puffs.  I will also have 3 flavored teas for those who are no-coffee drinkers (Green Tea, Apple Cider and Passion tea)

Now that my menu is set I now have to get my products organized for Friday.  Instead of having a cleansing facial party, we will only be testing the new make up line.  If there are guest who would like cleansing facials I will set up a party with them.

So MK preparation is needed:

1) Order forms and catalogs
2) Camera for before and after
3) Profile cards for the new customers
4) facial clothes and Make up remover
5) The new product line
5) samples for clients to use
7) Mirrors

I think we are set....

Day 9 -Connections

Today was a day of connections..... I was able to connect with a friend who was needed a replacement of her Oil Free Make up remover :)

I was also able to connect with a neighbor/Friend who I have known since I moved to this state and make a connection with her.  She loves MK products so I dropped off a catalog and advised her of my open house next week.

Okay so today was a better day for connections :) 

Note to self - not every day is going to be a good day but you need to keep pushing on....

Como dice me abuelita - Pa'lante como un elefante :) y con Dios adelante :)

Day 7 and 8 - Violin playing

After making a few more phone calls I got.... no response or all NO's.

I started to feel frustrated :(  the voices in my head were starting to sound like the Violin playing.....

Or maybe like the characters on Charlie Brown.... mawww mawww mawww mawww mawww....

I was playing the pitty party......I can see the angel and the devil fighting each other out in my head.

Thank goodness the Angel won!  I got over the frustration, aggrevation, pitty party and all that non-sense.

Not to say it might not happen again.... We sometimes get into those funky moods where everything and anything will bother us or easily get us down.

It's as they call it the "Emotional Wheel" you need to know when to spin it around so that you get off the negative side.

So with that being said.....I'm preparing myself to go out and about for some new leads.

God is my strength and I know with him all things are possible.  I thank him every morning for all that I have!!!!

Adios....hasta manana :)

Day 6 - Fear of REJECTION!?!?!

Yesterday (Monday) was my day to make customer service/booking calls.  Well since I re-started my business in November it wasn't easy for me to call people from July on customer service.  (That was inconsistent of me I know) 

So as I stated I have to re-start all over again.....Well I was able to get a few leads from my events in December.  I separated the information cards and placed them in two piles....Day and Evening.

I started my phone calls.

First person..... no longer working at that establishment :(
Second person ..... "I'm really not interested I was just looking for one thing but thanks"........beeeeeeeeeppppp  The lady truly hung up on me...didn't even give me the opportunity to say "okay thank you have a great day".

Third Person...... " Hi sorry I can't hear you...Hello, Hello, Hello...."  I felt like I was in a Verizon commercial LOL  Then we were able to speak and she says "I'm at work please call me in the evening since I do not have good phone reception at work"

At this point I'm trying to stay positive and think okay...nothing personal right?!?!?!

I make two more calls and no answer.... I start to feel a little down and totally give up :(

I only had one more day call and the rest were evening calls.  I started to get the feeling of rejection.... then I think to myself.... Elba do not take it personal.....it's nothing against you just bad timing.

But my own talking did not help....I gave up the calls for the day & evening.....now onto figuring out how am I going to get new customers.  I was told at my meetings to talk to everyone and anyone who will listen....

I'm just having a real issue with that lately.... Now you might be thinking "maybe she's not a people person"....that is definitely not the case.  I believe I just need to overcome my fear of rejection.  Face my fears and be confident when talking to people about MK.

I'm going to work in full circle and REJECT that fear and conquer it so that I can keep going..... to the pursuit of leadership..... my 2012 long term goal is to be a Director of Mary Kay....

While I'm writing goals....let me make note of the other ones too....so I can see it.

Short term goal - Star Consultant with $1800 in sales by 1 Qtr ( Feb 15th) and at least 1 consultant n my team

Medium term goal - Team Leader.... 5 to 7 consultants on my team June 2012

Long term goal - DIQ = Director in Qualification by December  2012

Goals set now time to put them into action.....

First things first....eliminate "fear of rejections"

Day 5 - Sticking to it

Happy Monday.....

So as part of "Holding myself accountable" I worked yesterday for about 3 hrs on my business.

Purchased a shelf on Saturday so that I can organize my products, which will also allow me to update my inventory faster.  Previously I had my inventory in boxes which made it difficult to manage.

I removed all my holiday gift baskets and placed all the products remaining on the shelves.  The baskets were neatly unwrapped and put in boxes for 2012 holiday events.

Here is a preview of my shelf

I still have a few other things I need to add like my file folder with order forms and things from facial classes.  Also to help me with my customer service calls.

I have to print out some activity sheets and purchase I binder so I have it in one place.


Well off to work I go....

Have to get some bookings :)

Have a great day/evening (I guess it depends on when you are reading this right )

PS. This weekend was leadership Conference in Atlanta and I didn't get to go :'(  Why you may be asking because I wasn't focused and didn't grow my business. This year we had 5 National Sales Directors all Latinas....Isn't that amazing!    It is said that 20% of Mary Kay Sales Force is now occupied by Latin Women.... Isn't that great :)

Day 4 - Consistency

Obviously I'm working behind schedule :(  have not posted since the 5th

Here was my "6 things to do" list for Thursday 1/5

1) Deliver products to a customer (new) Completed
2) Review my December orders (new)  Completed
3) Make customer service calls (1/4 to do item) 1/2 hr only  :(
4)Update inventory (1/4 to do item) Completed
5) Booking calls (1/4 to do item) not done
6) Schedule "Open house event" and send out invites (1/4 to do item) Completed

Okay so I completed 5 of the 6 task....not to bad. 

I have also created a schedule of work hours that I need to keep in order for me to be consistent.....

Sunday - Booking/Customer service calls and prepare bag for facial appointments (4 hrs)
Monday - Booking, Customer service calls and Inventory updates as necessary (3 to 4 hrs)
Tuesday - Facial Classes either in the day/evening or both (4 hrs)
Wednesday - Organize paperwork, reconcile and place orders (3 hrs)
Thursday - Opportunity appointments (to grow my business) (3 hrs)
Friday and Saturday - Family Time

Now you must be asking what if someone wants to host a party on the weekend?  Then I will rearrange my schedule during the week to fit one or two Saturday classes. I can also which out Sunday and complete those task for Monday and make it a 7 to 8 hr day.

I now have to print out this schedule so that I can have it readily available to see....keep me from being distracted with other things.  I have to be consistent in order for this business to work :)

Well I'll post again tomorrow Sunday 1/8......8 days into the year already...geez how time flies by.

Day 3 - Holding myself accountable

Okay so before the new year started I said I would be posted everyday starting 1/2.  Well I lied :(

Yesterday I was so tired from running around getting my guest their last minute souviners and taking them to the airport that I barely did anything that has to do with MK.  Not good. 

I wrote my list of things to do and all I got accomplished was

1)Enter client info into my database
2) Make one delivery

the other 4 things were never completed.  This will set me back for todays things to do.

So with that being said I will have to re-arrange my "6 things to do list"

So my to do list is as follows:

1) Deliver products to a customer (new)
2) Review my December orders (new)
3) Make customer service calls (1/4 to do item)
4)Update inventory (1/4 to do item)
5) Booking calls (1/4 to do item)
6) Schedule "Open house event" and send out invites (1/4 to do item)

Hopefully I can still to the plan...... Oh I really need to get a new Organizer for my events....

Well off I go... have a good day

Monday and Tuesday updates....Day 1 and Day 2

Wow 2012...let's see how long it will take me before I stop writing 2011 on my order forms LOL

Okay so here is a quick update of things I've done to consistantly run my business.

Monday - Organized all my paperwork, reviewed all orders from 30 days for customer service calls.
about 2 hrs. ( Still have guest over so I couldn't completely transform my guest room back to my MK office)

Tuesday - Gathered my weekend orders and arranged delivery for tomorrow Wednesday.
Put labels on my 40 catalogs for shows. (Tomorrow my guest will be leaving :( so I will be able to make Customer Service calls)

Sent out emails to call my customers regarding a MK giveaway for a 32 inch TV on 1/21/2012.

So excited.... I will then follow up with a phone calls Wednesday and Thursday  to schedule appointments:)

So there is my quick update..... I will give you another one tomorrow.  Have a good night/day I guess it depends on when you are reading this. :)