It probably really doesn't matter

This story may not make sense, the topics just sit a nerve as I thought about them.  I'm really not a morning person, more of a night owl.  I once thought as you grew older, you both went to
bed earlier and got up earlier.  I don't do either, in fact, I am sleeping less and it is often morning before I even fall asleep.  Sort of an odd ball maybe some would say, it probably really doesn't matter.

While listening to NPR as I motored down the highway, I heard the question: "how many trees are there on earth"?  I immediately thought the number one trillion.  The story was about someone or some group that wanted to plant an equal number trees as there were trees alive, but how many did they need to plant?  They first talked about a survey at some point in time that placed the number somewhere in the vicinity of a just north of 300 billion trees.  How could that be?  A billion seems like a lot, but my gut said not enough.  Then they discussed more recent estimates are about three trillion.  Three trillion, now that's a whole lot of trees... about 400 for every man, woman and child in the world.  That's also about half as many as there was at the beginning of human civilization.  Although as humans we cut down a huge number of trees per day.  I've never been greatly affected by the loss of a tree.  I thought all of this information was cool trivia, but nothing to do with my work or what I do, so, it probably really doesn't matter.

Then tonight, I saw a post on Facebook that sort of tied these and other thoughts all together for me, it was titled "you are not for everyone".  Not to the extent of trees, there are a lot of people living in this world...  how many do you actually interact with, either directly or indirectly?  There are gobs and gobs of information, papers, survey, statistics on what these numbers are.  For sake of this writing, let's say that in the big scheme of things, it's really not that big of a number...  whether you think it's 25, 100, 1,000 or 10,000...  compared to 3 trillion trees, it's not a lot.  Learn to be a good tree and be a positive influence on someone...  but not everyone, you can't do it.

As I read "You are not for everyone", I was thinking of the vast number of trees and the benefits they serve to every person on earth... then the relatively few number of people we actually interact with, and the enormous impact on our well being those few can have.  The two aren't related at all, other than to say it like this: if there is a negative tree in your life, go pick another, there are tons!  Life is way to short to be affected by the negative attitudes of others. As necessary, pick another tree... it really does matter.

Giving of Yourself

For me, Christmas has always been an exciting time of the year.  Let us not forget that most importantly, we should always remember the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place... a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  As Christians, there is nothing more important than that and the teaching Christ brought us.

Nevertheless, free enterprise looks at the Christmas season for an entirely different reason.  Marketing, merchandise, presents for the sake of presents...  many of us have been sucked into the grasp of Christmas for the sake of business, not for the birth of Christ.  Perhaps the originating stories of St. Nicholas were ways of enhancing the Christmas Spirit... I think for many, we have forgotten that as well and all we think about is "getting something for everyone on our list".  I have no issue with giving a nice or needed gift to those to care about and love, however, this year has been a year of reflection for me.

I was happily reminded this year of the course of a few weeks, watching someone really give of themselves and they worked very hard to create a treasure for someone they cared about and loved.  It wasn't about getting to the store to get "something" to check off the list....  it was about watching them think about something that really mattered....  something that will undoubtedly touch the heart of the recipient.  They took time...  thought... gave of themselves with their own God given talent (or lack of it) to create a genuine gift of the season, a gift of love.

Today's world and life is crazy...  self centered... give because you care, give because they matter.

Merry Christmas

Get up and finish this race...

Life is long...  but feels so short.

know there were good times I can't recall...
I'm deep in a pit, I have no friends, respect or drive at all
so much negative I can't move at all.

I don't know why negative is so hard to forget,

the place so many seem to dwell, 

It's so easy to be overwhelmed,

as I am now.

Why don't the happy thoughts feel happy, 

all I think of i how I fell, lost and failed, again and again.
I'm tired of complaints just because I fell

That doesn't make me happy, not happy at all.

Where are the good times, good thoughts and friends,

Did I hurt them and lose them each time I fell?

Where is the energy, desire and drive

i want to get up, but I can not move at all.

I don't recall learning how I could do it all,

I think I knew it from so long ago,
I use to do it, I knew what it meant,

I could do it, until now.

I wish I could get up and finish this race,

I want to be better and be in a good place.

Pray I get up and finish the race.

Jail Breaking your iPhone - in a word "DON'T"

It was reported today that nearly a quarter million iPhone users have had their Apple accounts compromised by new malware that can affect jailbroken iPhone, iPad, iPods and second generation Apple TV.  Most iPhone in the United States are not jail broken, however, there are still many that are.  I know users who have them and I've seen them for sale in numerous online "for sale" sites.

So what's Jailbreaking?  Jailbreaking is the process of removing hardware restrictions on iOS, Apple's operating system, on devices running it through the use of software exploits; such devices include the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and second-generation Apple TV.  It's something many that feel they are smart enough to know what they are doing (some techies) so they can get around Apples design.  Big mistake.  Here's a Wiki article about the topic.

My advice, do not jail break your phone, for any reason, no matter how smart the techie telling you it is OK thinks he or she is. Find an application that has met the Apple requirements for approved applications rather than circumventing the security that has been put in place, to protect you, and me. Don't buy a jailbroken phone, regardless of cost, you are asking for trouble.

How would you know if your phone was jailbroken? Use the spotlight search (swipe down on the screen) and search for cydia. If cydia is not installed as an application, chances are really, really good your phone is not jailbroken. If in doubt, ask them at the Apple Store.

Read the USA Today News article here.

Building a Culture Where Everyone is a Winner

This past week, it was all over the news about Pittsburg Steeler James Harrison sending his son's "participation" trophies back, saying everything in life should be earned.  Kudos to him, I agree.  Our culture has become a culture of "feel good" mentality because of things like participation trophies.  No one left behind...  equality for everyone...  touchy, feely lifestyle because some of us less fortunate don't think it's fair others get more, win more and have more because they did something or are something better than we are.  Hogwash.  We are all important and all mean something special....  but that does not mean we all get or end up with the same.

Have you ever applied for a job where the powers to be were only going to be selecting one of the many people who might apply for the position?  I have.  I've been on the "winning" side (been the one selected) and on the losing side (been one of the many not selected).  That's life...  that's the way it goes.  It also doesn't make it feel any better regardless of what side you end up on.

Going back to the participation trophies.  I'm almost of the feeling that participation trophies are more for the parents of the player or teams that don't "win" the game, season or event, so the parents feel better too because their child isn't the one crying.  They don't want their little ones to feel bad, so let's give them a trophy.  Have you ever watched the Little League World Series?  The losing kids often cry....  it is heart breaking, sad, difficult lesson...  but not life threatening, it's life strengthening.  It is a life lesson.  Watch the real World Series, Stanley Cup Playoffs or Super Bowl...  their are tears there too.  Life does have sad moments, but, those times can also make us stronger...  help us work harder... provide us motivation.

A good friend of mine, Björn Åberg skied in the men's moguls event in freestyle skiing at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.  I didn't know Björn back then, we met as co-workers several years later...  we've shared good times at his home on Colorado.  I honestly don't know how he feels about his Olympic experience, he's told me about it, nevertheless, to me, he is my Olympic hero.  Björn  didn't win a gold medal, silver or bronze.  He also didn't receive a participation trophy. I believe in his event, the moguls, your score is the combined total of two runs down the hill, or something like that, it doesn't really matter.  He qualified 10th in the preliminary runs with all other Olympian mogul skiers with the top 16 moving on for a chance to win the gold...  he was there, in the midst of the best in the world and he was 10th going to the finals.  He had a chance to win it all.  James Harrison's kids had a chance to win the league too. What excitement they must have felt... whether we are thinking James kids, Björn or our own situations in going for the gold. What a rush.  For Björn, some may say, his excitement turned to tragedy when he fell on his second run.  The records will show him as coming in last...  16th place.  I'll bet Björn may himself may have been devastated....  I'm sure I would have been, even cried.  The years of training and work...  he fell down.  Don't give him a participation trophy, he was the 16th best in the WORLD at that moment.  I'm not sure exactly when, but another time, he fell and broke his back...  knocked him out of competitive skiing forever.  Björn, and the countless others like him are champions...  they were there, they worked so hard.  Failure? I think not.  I think those are paper records that show him coming in last are useless telling us about the people themselves...  I rather think of him as so good, he was capable of competing in the most competitive event in the world.  He is a champion.

So why the story of Björn?  Bjorn and those like him are the exceptions to the rule.  Few of us will rise to that level in what ever field we choose.  They are the extraordinary ones.  However, we should work and strive to always be the best that we can be.  For the 7 billion, plus or minus, of us in the world, we can seek to rise to the highest level we can with what we have been given, or with the limitations we are given.  We are NOT all the same.  We all have limitations that will prevent us from accomplishing some task, wishes or dreams.  Nevertheless, within reason, I can do anything and so can you.  We are only entitled to those things which we are reasonably capable of achieving and willing to do the work for to earn.

For most of us, we need to seek out those things, situations in which we can seek a victory.  I love Direct Sales companies.  Most of them are set up to allow anyone to try to be successful.  Many people aren't, but not because of the company, because they are not willing to do the work necessary to be an Olympian in the Direct Sales world.  Finally, we are getting to the second heart of this post...  the trophies for you and me.  Earned trophies.  I love Scentsy, I love the company philosophy and love the opportunity for everyone to win, and I mean everyone.  Within my first 2 years with Scentsy, I earned a trip for 2 to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, all inclusive.  Not for work, but for leisure and pleasure because of the work I did to earn it.  We flew first class.  The location had an Olympic atmosphere ...  we were all winners.  The point being, I like it when there are multiple winners....  not just a single job opening; a winner or loser is unimportant, life is a game, play it and enjoy it; find a place where you can be a winner, regardless of what others do or achieve, but where you can feel like a winner nevertheless.

One final thought or example...  you'll need a watch with a second hand or a stopwatch so you can time this activity.  As you read along, you will see the word "Start"...  that's when you start the timer.  Read the message that follows until you understand it all and get to the "Stop" message at the bottom.  Take the time it needs for you to decipher and understand each word in the message.  Disclosure: as I said, I love Scentsy and have been working as a Scentsy Independent Consultant for 5 years as of this writing.  I originally wrote this for people coming into the Scentsy business....  that is irrelevant to this example, although, you will read a reference to the Scentsy business.  It could be 31, Tupperware, Pampered Chef or whatever...  it doesn't matter, just read and figure out what you are reading.  Ready?

Start

If you can read this, 

you have a business mindset needed to succeed

Figure it out, work it out

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Stop

How long did it take you to figure it all out? Great! I could tell you how long it takes me to read it or how long it takes the next person to read it, but does it matter? How long it took was just a distraction and useless information. What matters is that you worked at it, you figured it out, you did what it took to figure it out. Doesn't matter if you wrote it down, translated or did it all in your head. You did it. Whether it took seconds, minutes, days, weeks or months, if we both read it and can do it, we are both winners. What about those who can't... then we need to work with them... teach them, assist them, mentor them... help them do all they can do. Art Williams once said, "all you can do is all you can do". Keep learning, keep reading. Where it takes you is awesome for you, regardless of where it takes others.

Always remember, you are amazing.

Life Lessons from Fundraising

Scent Circle Fundraising, made easy for your club or organization

In many ways, fundraising is the life blood of many organizations.  Be it raising money for a band trip for the big parade; a week long summer camp; supplies for the classroom or new team uniforms.  The list of needs goes on forever.  I don't need to write about why groups, clubs, and organizations from the young and old need to raise money.  What I think is most important are the life lessons that can be learned, especially by kids, that really participate in fund raising.  I think we forget that or don't take it seriously.

Having been involved with many organizations that have hosted fundraising events, I feel the trend is to get to the bottom line of raising the needed money, but I think we are missing out on the educational life lessons that could be the bigger part of participating.  One group I belonged to, a booster club for a high school athletic team, really missed the boat.  A vast majority of the parents just wanted to "write a check" and couldn't be bothered with fundraising.  What a missed opportunity to teach values to our kids.  The value of working to get what you want.  The value of record keeping lessons, managing money, customer service and saying thank you.  Let's look at a few lessons to be learned.

I am just as guilty as many parents who want their kids to have it all....  to have it better than we had it...  to take care of them and give them our all.  Some of us have more all than others.  We might be teaching our kids to expect that they will be given all we can for nothing in return...  are we responsible for this society of entitlement?  Requiring the members to actually do some of the work (be it selling or taking orders), teaches that we should work for the things we want.  You want to go with the band on the trip or for your team to get new uniforms?  Mom or dad might foor part of the bill, but by going door to door or standing in front of the local grocery store and solicit sales, if taught how to do it right, teaches earning what we get.  Participants can learn customer service skills....  saying please and thank you.  They learn that everyone might not be interested and will say no and how to act properly when they get those no's.  They are taught money management and how to be accountable for the monies they collect and turn into the organizers.  A little extra money counting skills can help prepare them for a real job in the future.

I don't have time, how much should I just write a check out for. Some can do that, others can't, none should.  I have heard so many parents say that....ugh!  Make the time.  Teach the value of working for what you get and not to expect something for nothing....  entitlement is not a fundamental right for which this country was built.

Sometimes there are personal rewards or prizes participants receive for being top sellers.  Not everyone should receive a reward for participating.  Teach that in contest and games, there are often winners and losers.  Teach respect and sportsmanship, graceful winning and being happy for those that exceeded expectations.

How Perfect Do You Have To Be?

One great thing about being a part of the Scentsy Family is the unending support you can find from the family. Whether you just need words of encouragement, a pat on the back for something amazing you just did or a hug, you can find it in the family. I found an opportunity to pay it forward thought that this might be a story that others could benefit from as well. I sure know there have been times I could have stepped back and realized that being much less than perfect is not only acceptable, but can be satisfying beyond your wildest dreams.

I read a post on Facebook from a gal who had just joined Scentsy, but it could have been any business opportunity and was already a little down after only 3 days in. She had not made a sale yet and had "only" booked 2 catalog parties for this month. I actually smirked a bit, "only" booked 2 parties in her first 3 days. Little did she know that she was probably one of a who who ever booked 2 parties in 3 days... most would do anything to book 2 parties in the next 3 days.

I replied to her post with an abbreviated version of this story. I see you are from a different part of the country, I am in New England. As we approach baseballs All-Star break and I don't know if you are a baseball fan or not, but bear with me. Here in New England, Boston to be exact, Big Papi, David Ortiz, is a Red Sox slugger.... Ortiz is a nine-time All-Star, a three-time World Series champion and he holds the Red Sox single-season record for home runs with 54, set during the 2006 season. Ortiz has hit 481 career home runs, which ranks 29th on the MLB all-time home run list. He is the all-time leader in MLB history for home runs (429), runs batted in (RBIs) (1,383) and hits (1,954) by a DH. Besides all that, he is a really nice guy. The Red Sox have paid David over 30 million for the last 2 seasons. 30 million because he hits lots of home runs.... by the way, he runs pretty slow.Here the moral to the story... he is paid to hit home runs. EVERY time he gets up to bat, he wants to and wants to hit a home run, the Red Sox want him to hit a home run, the fans expect him to hit a home run. He doesn't. In fact, he gets put out about 70% of the time he gets up to bat. Not only does he fail to hit a home run, he makes an out!  He fails at doing what people expect 70% of the time - he doesn't hit a home run!

You want everyone you talk to to but a product from you, you want them to join you in this opportunity.  You expect them to, but they don't.  In fact, like Big Papi, you strike out most of the time too.  They don't always buy, the don't want to join (yet).  In fact, you probably strike out more than 70% of the time... maybe even 90%.  But wait....

The Red Sox paid him 30 million over the last 2 years to do that!  In fact, they paid him that because he is one of the best at what he does.  You don't need to hit a home run every time, you just have to keep getting up to bat, practicing, learning and trying harder...  like Big Papi, and you too can become a Super Star (pun intended).

In your business, you don't need to make a sale, book a party, or sponsor every person you talk to.... but you do need to keep talking, keep learning, keep getting better.  So how do you do all that...  you listen, you read, you do what the other successful people are doing.  You don't listen to those that tell you that you can't...  what they are really saying is THEY can't and they don't want you too either.  It has been said before, when you are new, just learning....  you will make mistakes, you will strike out more.  That's okay, learn that now so it doesn't surprise you when it happens.  Make up for inexperience, but working harder, listening more and talk to everyone.

For what it's worth from this Scentsy guy from New England... you are rockin it just by being in it! You are at the right place, at the right time.  Go get em!