Overcoming Doubts

Advice from Direct Selling Education Foundation (yes, I do love their stuff) was about overcoming your doubts in business but why not apply the same principles to weight loss.  Being so close to goal (7.2 pounds), I have doubts.  Many would say doubts are fears and fear is a lack of faith.  GUILTY!  So, here are some ways for me to face my fears and get rid of any doubts.  

1. Establish an advisory group.  My Thursday morning Weight Watcher's meeting is THAT group lead by the wonderful Nicole.  They have been AMAZING during my ups an downs.  In my business, I have a Director, Hope Shortt  and a team (Beacon of Hope) who is beyond words when it comes to giving advice or support.  Both of these groups help me on a daily basis to gain a fresh perspective and boost my self-confidence.  Mind you the fresh perspective is easy, it is the boost in self-confidence that is a little tougher.
2. Get a mentor.  A mentor provides more personalized guidance.  Both of mine were mentioned when I talked about the advisory groups.  See, they are also there to help on a one-to-one basis when things get tough.
3. Step away and clear your head. Being a recovering addict, getting "into my head" and getting overwhelmed is what I do best!  So, I need to move away - move away from the tempting cookies or candy, get my butt up and take a short walk.  As far as my business, when I get stuck and  am focusing on what I need for a given month, I step back and change my perspective.  I look at the blessings that I have been given through my business and then focus on my customers and what they need.  
4. Do more research.  For me, doing more research involved talking to a Wellness Coach, Jodi Greene Strumeier who helped tweak some of my eating habits.  As for my business, I began networking with successful business owners like those who are part of Entrepreneurial Think Tank for Moms.  I have learned about blogging, and tweeting (which I actually like to see updates better than Facebook).  The professional development that they offer is presented through a general business perspective instead of just for direct sales.  Don't get me wrong, my direct sales company has amazing weekly training and my Director has launched "Super Star University" which are semesters filled with information that will help me (and all levels of her team) to grow our business.  Talking to others in business helps me to remember that my direct sales business is just like every other business with similar challenges.
5. Calculate your risks and create a plan.   I love the first line of this section "Much of our doubt normally comes from our fear of failure". Seems like a no brainer, right? I have goals - personal and team goals when it comes to the number of parties, the number of new recruits and the number of sales.  Sounds like a plan, right?  I haven't planned for everything though - what happens when there are set backs (a bad month) or how do I keep from straying off the track - trying other things?  This is when the need for a comprehensive plan comes into play.  As far as my weight loss - the plan is simple track, move more and you will reach your goal, that is the Weight Watcher's concept.

It is human nature to have doubts, some of us focus on the doubts more which leads to "negative nellie".  I am working each day to overcome my doubts...I will reach goal by July 24th when I walk across the stage to get my hug from Cindy Monroe, CEO, as a new Director.  The plan is already starting to formulate on where I want to be next year at conference for my business.  As for my weight loss journey, once goal is hit - the tough work begins and that is to maintain my weight goal.  What are your doubts?  Write them down, confront them and move on!

Devotions, prayers and keeping a journal are all part of how I am going to overcome doubts.  Let's hear how you are going to overcome yours.  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

The V-8 Moment

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"  Hebrews 11:1

WOW!  I feel like I have been in a "V-8" commercial the last few days.  You know the one where the person hits themselves on the forehead and says "should have had a V-8".  The only difference is that God is asking me "Do you truly BELIEVE and have FAITH to walk the path that I have set aside for you?  Powerful questions that really got me to thinking about the alternate routes that I have been taking over the last several months...

I believe that there is a plan for all of us and despite the fact that we may veer off the road, we will get to the ultimate destination if we truly trust and believe.  Having had the V-8 moment on Saturday, went to Church on Sunday only to hear that the sermon was on FAITH!  I was definitely in the right place.  Pastor said a few things that really hit home:

• It is not a matter of what we say we believe but what we do that indicates what we truly believe.  I need to not only talk about the walk but I need to walk the walk.
• What we truly believe effects the way in which we live our life.  If we truly believe and have faith, we will not bail out when the going gets tough.

The last thing was his "department store" story.  Faith is like a department store.  First you have to enter in the building or make a conscience decision to have faith in a higher power.  Once you have made that choice, you check out all that is offered on the ground floor before you are ready to move up to the next floor or grow deeper in your faith.  See there is always more to learn and understand if we are only willing to grow.  Sometimes though we get stuck on a floor and are not willing to grow - this is me lately - stuck on a floor because of FEAR.  

My two biggest struggles: 1) reaching my goal weight and 2) becoming successful in my direct sales business.  

Over a year ago, I left my full-time job with the goal of having a thriving direct sales business and not ever going back to work for someone else again.  In January, a touch of fear hit me and instead of praying, believing or having faith - I took a part time job.  I enjoy the people and it is only 1 or 2 nights a week but the reality is that it is just a crutch for me.  The nights that I used to work my business with training, customer calls, etc. is now spent at a part-time job.  The only nights that I am actually off are when I have booked parties/ events or when my hubby is off.  Let me tell you this was definitely a V-8 moment. 

So what alternate route are you taking?  Do you have reasons/ excuses why you needed to veer off the path, heading in another direction for the moment?  Acknowledge those FEARS and find FAITH in your higher power BELIEVING that he will bring you through whatever it is you are afraid of.  

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

Fear

I love this  passage:

Each day is an adventure for you to discover.

Face each day without fear or expectation. 

Experience to the fullest whatever comes your way. 

It is as God meant it to be.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about "facing your fear" especially in business.  I almost hate to admit that my biggest "fear" is probably the fear of success.  I am sure that sounds kind of strange to those who know me but it is the TRUTH!  

When I worked in the non-profit world, personally I measured success differently than others measured my success.  For me, success was - having a client get clean from drugs, a family moving into their own first home, kids attending school without being discipline problem or someone getting a job after being chronically unemployed.  These weren't my personal successes but others gave me credit for it.  I may have helped by encouraging, mentoring and sometimes even providing tough love but that was nothing compared to their hard work.  

Personal success for me now is reaching goal weight.  I am sure everyone is tired of hearing me talk about this but it helps to keep me in check.  It seems that I "self-sabotage" things when I get close (within 10 pounds).  

Business success is helping other women to achieve their goals personally and professionally. The joy of watching them promote up the Career Path when they didn't think it was possible is success for me.  

Success is achieving my vision - financial freedom so my hubby can retire, traveling to see the country without time frame constraints, as well as achieving and maintaining my goal weight.  I am learning to "not fear" things but to experience them for the things that happen are blessings from God. He opens the doors for me and I have to make the decision to go through them.  

Some days are harder than others but for TODAY - I am facing the FEAR!  What are your fears?  Write them down.  Know what they are so that when they creep up on you - you are ready to overcome them.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!