Creating Your Purpose

What purpose are you meant to serve?  How often do you evaluate whether or not you are truly living out your purpose?  I think we oftentimes wonder, am I doing what I'm supposed to be doing, but all too often, we brush off discovering and moving towards our true passion in life.

Fear sets in.  We hear negative self talk.  Others cause us to doubt it.

I always knew that my purpose was to help others.  I just didn't know in what capacity.  As I've mentioned before, my career began working for the public education system, helping children - or rather baby sitting, disciplining, teaching to a test, listening to gossip, managing a classroom, lesson planning, ignoring my family, working ball games for free, grading papers, working long hours, skipping lunch, missing workouts, taking on extra projects and duties for free.......okay I'll stop!

I hit a pretty low point before I set out on a journey to discover who I am meant to serve and through what vehicle.  This was a process filled with journaling, reflection, reading, thinking, dreaming, visioning and talking it out.

Who do I want to help?
What value will I add to the lives of others?
How will I help?
What is my why?

When I could answer these questions, nothing was going to stop me.

Once I clearly defined my purpose, I began living my life with intention.  Living a life with intention is quite different from how most people live their lives.  Most people don't know why they are making the decision they are making, they're just doing what they've been told or taught to do - or what they've been persuaded or influenced to do by what they see, hear and read.  Most people don't think they have capability of being in control of their own thoughts, beliefs and actions.  They blame others and say, "It has control over me, I don't know why I can't stop."

I encourage you to identify your true purpose.  If it's to quit your job and join the Peace Corp, then so be it.  If it's to have 5 more kids, get started!  If it's to start your own business, what are you waiting for?  If it's to go back to school and get another degree, start filling out your application.  What's stopping you?

You.

Lesson Learned #10:  We are never truly living until we live out our purpose. 

Megan

Want to receive valuable information from my library of knowledge and experiences?  Just log onto http://www.structuredwellness.com  and sign up to receive periodic information from me that will help your business grow!

Motherhood to Mompreneur Series

I remember my first networking meeting at the Chapel Hill Coffee and Contacts like it was yesterday.  I had no idea what a One-On-One meant, but I quickly realized that it meant I had to speak up and verbally INVITE a fellow small business owner in the group to coffee or lunch to share our stories and message.  I was quite intimidated.  All of the other women seemed so well versed, they all knew one another and scheduling a one-on-one was second nature to them.

It was imperative that I muster up the confidence to schedule one-on-ones with other women in the group because that is where the relationships are built.  I have found over the last 18 months that it is near impossible for participants at a networking event to fully understand your product or service during a 30 second elevator speech.  The meat and potatoes comes with building a relationship together, getting to know the other person and how you can help them in a one-on-one.

Rather than asking, "How can I help?", ask "What do you need help with?"  or "What do you want?"

This opens the door for you to listen to their problems and then show them how you will help them solve their problems whether it's through a product or a service that you offer.

Another great way to build a relationship is through sharing your personal story including your struggles and how you solved these problems.  Through sharing your story you will attract the clients that you want because your story will resonate with them on a more personal level.

My story is going from a full time job where I was extremely successful to becoming a stay at home - my life became unrecognizable.  I didn't know what to do on a daily basis, knew I needed to contribute to our household income, but felt useless.  I set out to discover and define my purpose and passion and that's to help other women identify their purpose and passion and develop a business that will thrive into the future.  I want to help both mothers who want to become successful entrepreneurs as well as women in general who are highly motivated to cultivate a successful business.

Lesson Learned #9:  Establish a clear purpose once you have identified your true passion in life.  Who do you want to help?  What is your message?  What mark do you want to make?  Once you know your purpose and begin to share your story, things will begin to fall into place with hard work and dedication!

Megan

Want to receive valuable information from my library of knowledge and experiences?  Just log onto http://www.structuredwellness.com  and sign up to receive periodic information from me that will help your business grow!

7 Key Points to Effective Selling

Do you ever find yourself thinking, "Well I knew that," but you weren't actually doing it?

I recently read a report about selling by the great Brian Tracy.  If there is one thing I have learned from following other experts in my field it's that they simply bring to light what all of us already know.  We're just not consciously paying attention to those points all the time.  I've been networking with other business owners for over a year now, and I look at each encounter as a learning experience.  I try different tactics, talk to different people, ask different questions and also take time to observe others at these events.

I've taken what I read from Brian Tracy and used his 7 points.  I've put my own reasons why these tactics work when selling.

Prospecting

a.       Not everyone is your prospect

b.   Know your niche - is it narrow enough?

c.      Know your purpose when you are prospecting, what do you want the outcome to be?

d.       Have a genuine interest in helping people

e.      Know which questions you will ask your prospect, general to more specific

f.      Determine whether or not you can help them, if they want to be helped, and if they can afford to work with you or purchase your product

2.       Establishing Rapport, Trust, and Credibility

a.       Smile, show appreciation

b.      Ask them questions about their business – get them talking

c.       Answer their questions accurately

d.      Be able to clearly communicate your message and point of view

3.       Identifying Needs Accurately

a.       Ask them what they need, not how you can help

b.   Know which questions you will be asking prospects and prepare

c.      Show them exactly how they will benefit from your product or service

d.       Paint a picture of how their life will be different with your product or service

4.       Presentation

a.       Prepare

b.      Practice

c.       Share your story

d.      Have a framework that you follow in each presentation

e.  Leave no gray area, people either want your product/service or they don't

5.       Answering Objections Effectively

a.       Know all of the objections you could possibly receive beforehand

b.      Know how to respond to each of those objections

c.       Remain calm and collected – do not get defensive and nervous

d.  Objections show interest

6.       Closing the Sale

a.       ASK for the SALE

b.      Remember, you will never attract a customer – you have to ask for their business

c.       Know exactly what are you asking them to do or buy

d.      Ask them when they get started

e.      Make sure they want it, value it and can afford it before you ask

7.       Re-Sales and Referrals

a.       Ask for referrals

b.      Have referral programs set up

c.       Incorporate other products and programs to up sell and down sell your clients/customers

It's All In the Preparation

His dream to play major league baseball began at the age of 6.  He knew his perfect destiny at a young age.  Growing up in a household where baseball was the topic of conversation and focus 90% of the time was, well, let's just say it was not the norm.

When I share stories about this laser like focus, most people just don't get it.  Some people share their opinions about raising a child to play just one sport...and breathe it, eat it, sleep it...not all of those opinions are positive, but everyone is entitled to share what they think I suppose.  I have learned to respect the view point of others and have used this skill to understand how humans process.  Very enlightening to realize just how much energy people expend on external factors that have nothing to do with their own lives.  Makes me wonder just how successful we, as a population, have the potential to be if we focused on ourselves rather than our surrounding environment and/or circumstances.

My brother had a pretty solid career as a catcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He played in two College World Series championships in Omaha, NE - an opportunity few young kids get to experience during their short lived baseball career.  He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB Draft after his Junior year of college and went on to play in their farm system.  He played Rookie all the way up to Triple A ball with the Braves.

In April of 2010, he was released.

Devastation.
Shock.
Lost.

Where do I go now?  He was quickly picked up by an Independent team in Texas where he went on to play for two seasons and did very well.

Present Day.  On March 2, 2012 he received a call late in the evening from a representative of the Anaheim Angels - now called the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim I believe.  They asked him to report to Spring Training in Pheonix, Arizona the next day - he'd be flying out at 2:35PM from RDU.  He hurriedly packed his bags, called all of his catching and hitting lesson clients and excitedly began his newest endeavor - a second chance at achieving a lifelong dream.

Here's the beautiful thing.  Since coming home in late July  of last year (that's 7 months ago for the mathematically challenged) from playing at the Independent level, my brother has been preparing his body, mind and soul just like any other major or minor leaguer getting ready to report to Spring Training Camp.  Who would think that, after being released two seasons ago from the MLB system, barely able to get on an Independent team, he would be called to report to an MLB Spring Training.  Especially after being told time and time again by their agent that it just wasn't going to happen.

Amazing opportunities are presented to those who PREPARE themselves to receive and take advantage of those opportunities.  We attract what we think and what we believe.  My brother continued to verbalize and believe that an opportunity would present itself for him to play Major League Baseball - little did he know when or how.

Why did a major league team even have him on their radar?  They didn't.  He broke through his comfort zone and fear, picked up the phone and called every single player development representative for each MLB team.  All it took was one interested team.  When I heard the news, I wondered how many thousands of baseball players were sitting at home wishing the phone would ring.  How many thought to put themselves out there?

Divine Intervention at it's best.  Preparation at it's best.  This is Finding Favor if I've ever heard it.

Never.
Say.
Never.

Your Turn...Leave a comment about a time when you've prepared for an opportunity not knowing when or if the window would ever open.

Redefining Yourself Through Motherhood Series: Part 2, Chapter 8

WOW!!  It's been quite a few days since I last posted!  I guess I've gotten carried away with some of the other products and programs I've been developing that I have neglected keeping you updated about my motherhood and reinvention story!

Chapter 7 ended with me introducing you to how I first started "working" my direct sales business.  When I realized that I wasn't converting potential customers into actual customers I decided that it was time for me to learn more about this business and about how to do business with others.

First, I set out to join a networking group, something that was a totally new concept for me.  Remember, I previously networked with 14-18 year old students in a classroom for 5 years!  A far cry from the real world to say the least!  Even though I was skilled at communicating with people, the thought of networking was very intimidating.  I jumped on the Internet and stumbled upon a fabulous site called Meetup.com.  Eureka!  I had discovered the pot of gold on the other side of the rainbow!  Thousands of meetup groups populated the Triangle area where I live.  I knew that I wanted to start out networking with a group of people that I would feel most comfortable around.  Luckily, I found a Women's Power Networking chapter just 15 minutes up the road in Chapel Hill.  I joined by the click of a button and went to my first meeting a week later.

I had to bring our daughter, Brighton with me, but that was okay because the room was filled with other understanding mothers.  Now, the room wasn't filled with babies, but at least I was welcome to bring my sleeping baby that didn't say a peep!

Networking was a way for me to regain the skill of communicating effectively.  It allowed me to spend time with other working adults who were running successful small businesses.  Each week, an expert presenter gave a 10 minute speech about their area of expertise.  What a great way to get in some professional and personal growth.

My #1 goal was to GROW as a business woman and this was a great place to start!  I was soaking up all of the information I possibly could that would help me become a serious business owner.  If I expected others to take me seriously then I knew I had to treat this like a business, not a hobby.  I began to schedule one on ones with other women in the group and even used the services of Jennifer Conaway of Your Next Level, Inc. for some business consulting.  She is fabulous by the way!  Also an excellent Speaker Coach.  I found that many of the services being offered by the other women would serve me well as a new business owner.  I probably did spend too much money in the beginning, but it really did propel me forward.

To go from being terrified to join a networking group to now ORGANIZING my own networking group and being a part of three others, I'd say I've come a long way baby!

Lesson Learned #8:  Get out there and learn!  Being in business is all about building relationships and figuring out how to solve the problems of your potential customers and clients.  Go scour the Internet for some networking groups in your area and figure out what works best for you and your business.  Not all networking groups will be beneficial to your specific business so go visit a few.  I don't know of one networking group that doesn't allow you to visit 1-3 times before joining.  Perhaps there are some freebies out there, too!

Stay Tuned!  I invite you to stop by and become a reader of this series as it develops and morphs just like we as mothers develop and morph into thriving, successful women of abundance!  I don't know where this series is going to take me, but I do have a mission.

Megan

Want to receive valuable information from my library of knowledge and experiences?  Just log onto http://www.structuredwellness.com  and sign up to receive periodic information from me that will definitely help your business grow!