Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

Tell us about your favorite teacher from school and how they impacted your life.  Do you stay in touch with them?

Enjoy!

As The Party Plan Coach I see dozens of new Party Plan Companies starting up which all offer fantastic products, superb hostess programs and remarkable opportunities for their Consultants.   But sometimes a company will literally stop me in my tracks with its products and message.  Trades of Hope is one of those companies.

Trades of Hope helps women out of poverty by creating a market for their handcrafts through Fair Trade.  Through the sales of these products – which are gorgeous by the way, do not let “handmade” deter you -  women in poverty from around the world are given an opportunity for a better life.   Some of the artisans are survivors of the sex trade, most are at risk of becoming trafficked – and Trades of Hope is giving them the opportunity to provide their children with food, shelter, medical care and an education.

We sell baskets from Africa to help women who have been outcast because of aids. We sell bags from women who had leprosy and this allows them to have a home and not have to beg along side their children on the streets. We have jewelry from widows in Guatemala who help feed all the elderly in their village. We help women move out of slums and send their children to school, breaking the cycle of poverty. We help give women options so they do not get trapped working with their children in sweat shop for 16 hours a day. We believe in empowering  women to have a voice and become world changers themselves.

My friend Ginny Heisler is one of the Compassion Entrepreneurs who is helping to launch this awesome company.  “Every single piece of jewelry has a beautiful story of women behind it, that’s why I love this company.”   Last year Ginny visited Haiti on mission with her church, and she has seen first hand what these women live through every day.  Her passion to help and empower these women is incredible, and I just knew I had to help spread the word.

It is our goal to help individuals all over the world start and maintain small businesses by making and selling their products.  We focus primarily on women because when you help one woman out of poverty she in turn helps four others out of poverty!

I spent a long time on their website, reading all about the Founders, the Artisans, and especially the updates on their Blog of all of the help they are giving around the World.  It is a humbling yet inspiring experience.

Everyone wants to make a difference in the world but often we don’t know how. Trades of Hope makes it easy. Your purchase allows many people to be blessed! Trades of Hope is not lining the pockets of big corporations or sweat shops. It’s providing a  fair wage for people who need it the most.

GIVEAWAY

I am very excited to be able to offer one of my readers a Black and Cream Wire Wrapped necklace from Ginny Heisler, Compassion Entrepreneur with Trades of Hope. These necklaces are made by the women at Noah’s Ark Mission.  They work from home instead of the harsh sweatshops like so many in India. These artisans are able spend time with their families and make a fair wage! Most cannot afford an education, so they are illiterate, but Noah’s Ark Mission has started a school for three of the poorest villages in the area.  They help provide clean water there too! Their goal is to train their artisans to own their own business, so that they can provide for their family!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Check out Ginny’s website and comment below telling me some of your favorite Trades of Hope products.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• “Like”  Ginny’s Trades of Hope Facebook Page
• Follow PartyPlanDivas on Twitter
• Tweet about giveaway {up to 3 times per day 1 extra entry each tweet} –
  “Win a Black&Cream Necklace from #TradesofHope and @partyplandivas  http://wp.me/p1HIY7-1p4 Ends 4/23 US Only #giveaway“
• Comment on another post on ThePartyPlanCoach.com

Make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry to get credit!! Contest ends April 23rd, 2012.

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

Would you rather your home had a swimming pool, tennis courts, or a rose garden and why?

Enjoy!

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

What is the most difficult habit you have ever tried to break?  Were you successful with it and if so, what do you think attributed to that success?

Enjoy!

For about three months now my mornings have begun in one of my now-favorite places…. the gym.   Yes, it has taken about three months for me to say I love it there, and not think of it as punishment for the years I have spent holding my chair down in front of my desk.

It has become pretty cathartic to begin each day with about an 8 to 10 mile trek on the stationary bike, followed by either the treadmill, the stair master, or recently some very unforgiving free weights.    Since discovering free podcasts on fitness and nutrition it has become not only a “cleaning out” of my brain, but a time of filling it with upbeat, positive, inspirational messages.  Like I said, it’s now become one of my favorite places.

Today though as I was trucking along on the bike, I noticed something – the “Switch Display” button. (sorry for the blurry picture – I snapped it while I was still pedaling)

Now, obviously, this is not the first time I have seen or used this nifty little button, but for some reason this morning as I bounced back and forth between the options for display I realized how synonymous this little button is with life and goal setting and of course our industry.

Stay with me.

The Switch Display button lets you toggle between different settings – such as calories burned versus how many calories you can burn in an hour,  how fast you are going or how far you have gone, and your heart rate or difficultly level.

It also lets you toggle your time… between how far you have left until your goal … and  how far you have come .

Too often in my coaching the focus is on how much further you have to go to reach a goal.  “Ugh, I am $400 away from my goal of $2,000 this month.”  “Man, I still have to recruit three more people to make Director.”

Seldom do we ever “toggle back” to see how far we have come – in this instance the $1,600 in sales that you have received, and the Divas you have recruited.    We seldom ever Celebrate the Effort  (yes, click on that link – its one of the best posts here) because we are so focused on moving forward.

But you need to toggle.  You need to see how far you have come.

When I first began on the exercise bike, my legs would begin screaming about 2 miles in… on level 2.   I would see that I had sooo much time and distance left to go to reach my goal.  My mind would begin telling me “it is ok not to finish Lynsey… come on, you are just starting out!  You are not supposed to be able to do 10 miles on the first day!!  You can give up!  Come on!”   So guess what would happen.

The second week I decided I was A – going to reach my goal and B – going to cover the screen with my towel.   I pedaled away while reading the Closed Captioning to Law & Order (boy I hope the Tuesday marathons never end) and before I knew it… the show was over – yep, that’s an hour y’all – and the screen had reset… so I have absolutely no idea how far I went.  I had no idea if I had reached my goal.

Now, I toggle.

With any goal you must know how far you have left to reach that goal in order to achieve it.  Even with BOLD Goals, you still have to know how much you have left.  This will keep you focused and striving to meet your goal.

But when your legs start to give out, your brain starts telling you it it ok to quit, you start rationalizing that quitting is not failing or giving up – that you can always do it “tomorrow” or “next time”… it’s time to toggle.  It’s time to see – and celebrate – how far you have come.   It’s in that toggle – in that realization and celebration of the success you have had – that you can pull the strength that you need to keep going.

Reaching a goal – any goal – is 90% in your head, and 10% in your actions.   We know what needs to be done.  We even know how to do it.    Mastering the head game is the first – and most difficult – battle.  The distance that is “left” to reach your goal looks overwhelming and impossible, so we let ourselves give in, rationalizing all of the reasons why we did not succeed.   I know… I did it for years.

So my challenge to you this week – here on the 14th week of 2012 - is to “toggle back” and celebrate what you have accomplished in this first quarter of the year.   “Toggle back” and see exactly what you have already achieved.    Then look ahead and see how far you have to go to reach your BOLD goals.  Write both of these numbers down somewhere you will see them again and again.

Then, if you ever start feeling down, or that voice in your head starts rationalizing why you should just go ahead and quit…. remember to just “Toggle Back.” 

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

Share with us a “I wish I had known then what I know now” moment in your business

Enjoy!

Link up here:

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

Do you watch sports?  And if so what are your favorite teams and why?

Enjoy!

Link up here:

Check out what Monday Mingle Business Edition is all about by clicking here.

To help us all stay organized this year I decided to sit down and make out the entire years worth of topics for Monday Mingle Business Edition!!  I hope to see ALL of you each Monday!

January 9th:
How did you get started with your business?  Did you sign up at a party, maybe online, or even at an event or expo?  Tell us all about how you got started and any “lessons” that can be learned from your experience.

January 16th:
Tell us about YOUR favorite product from your product line.  We would LOVE for you to video your response – show us how you can use it, why we would love it, etc.  Be sure to include a link for how we can order too!  (Note: this does not have to be your ‘best seller’ but the product you personally like the most.  The ‘best seller’ will have its own week!    )

January 23rd:
Tell us about your WHY for being in this business.  We all know there are different reasons why people get into the Direct Sales and Party Plan Industry – tell us yours.  Was it to relieve debt?  Pay off student loans?  Buy a house?  Stay home with kiddos?  Tell us what your WHY is.

January 30th:
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  And does that play a role in where you are in your life today?  Do you think there are some of the same attributes from your career choice that are present in your Small Business?

February 6th:
Tell us about an experience you’ve had at a training event or Convention, an interaction with a team member – some kind of good memory that made an impact on your business!

February 13th:
One of the most common things I hear is “But what do you DO all day!?”  Tell us about your typical day – walk us through from the time you wake up until your head hits the pillow at night

February 20th:
What were your best and worst subjects in school?  Do you see either of those in your day to day business?

February 27th:
If they were going to make a movie of your life, who would you want to play the main character and what would you want the theme or focus of the movie to be?

March 5th:
Do you watch sports?  And if so what are your favorite teams and why?

March 12th:
Tell us one “I wish I had known then what I know now” experience with your business.

March 19th:
What are three things you think every person should know about your business?

March 26th:
What is the most difficult habit you have ever tried to break?  Were you successful with it and if so, what do you think attributed to that success?

April 2nd:
Would you rather your home have a pool, a tennis court, or a rose garden and why?

April 9th:
Share with us your favorite quote and who wrote/said it.  Then tell us why it is significant to you.

April 16th:
What is your favorite “Party Memory” – something that happened or just your favorite party that you have conducted in your business.

April 23rd:
Tell us about your favorite teacher from school and how they impacted your life.  Do you still stay in touch with them? (maybe through Facebook?)

April 30th:
Do you have any superstitions?

May 7th:
What invitation would you love to receive?  Maybe to a Convention, a favorite speaker, the Oscars…?

May 14th:
Who was your best friend growing up?  Tell us about him or her.

May 21st:
What is your favorite “every one must have this” product from your product line right now?  Tell us all about it and how we can order it for ourselves!  (video always a plus!) 

May 28th:
What is your biggest pet peeve?

June 4th:
Have you ever broken a bone?  Tell us the story of how it happened!

June 11th:
What is the most extravagant thing you have ever purchased for yourself?  What was the occasion? Do you still have it?

June 18th:
How many different states have you visited?  How many have you lived in?

June 25th:
What is your favorite “must have” business tool and why?

July 2nd:
What are your plans for Independence Day?  Share with us some of the “freedoms” you have and are thankful for!

July 9th:
We know that fear is a big hurdle in our industry – How does a person become courageous?

July 16th:
If you were showing a new neighbor around your town for the first time – where would you take them?

July 23rd:
Who is one of your heroes and why do they inspire you?

July 30:
Does your life feel too busy or not busy enough?

August 6:
If you could volunteer your time to help one charity, which one would you choose and why?

August 13th:
What is the one thing you would most like to change about the World?

August 20th:
What is under your bed right now?

August 27th:
What is the nicest thing you have ever done for someone?  What is the nicest thing that has been done for you?

September 3rd:
Tell us about your favorite family vacation memory.

September 10th:
If you could have two tickets to anywhere – where would you go and who would you take with you?

September 17th:
The weather is changing – Summer is coming to a close.  What is your “must have” products for Fall?

September 24th:
What is your idea of a productive day?

October 1st:
Were you named after anyone in your family?  How did you choose the name for your children? (if you have children)

October 8th:
Have you ever met or had a “close encounter” with anyone famous?  Tell us about it!

October 15th:
Who do you look like most from your family?  Share some pictures with us!

October 22nd:
List your top three tips for people considering getting into the Party Plan Industry.

October 29th:
Did you have any nicknames growing up?  Does anyone still call you by those names?

November 5th:
If there was something you could go back and do differently about your business, what would it be?

November 12th:
Who is in charge of Thanksgiving Dinner?  Share with us your favorite side dish recipe.

November 19th:
Share with us your favorite dessert recipe for Thanksgiving!

November 26th:
Happy Thanksgiving!! No Mingle this week!

December 3rd:
What is your favorite family tradition?

December 10th:
What are you doing to boost your “last minute” holiday sales?

December 17th:
What is one thing you are hoping to unwrap under your tree this year?

December 24th:
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!  Who do you want to say Merry Christmas to?

December 31st:
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!!  Tell us about your 2012!!

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

One of the most common things I hear is “But what do you DO all day!?”  Tell us about your typical day – walk us through from the time you wake up until your head hits the pillow at night

My day begins around 6:15 every morning when I wake up and get my girls ready for school.  My oldest heads for the shower while I get the little one dressed.  Then we have breakfast together before I leave at 7:15 to take the little one to school.  When I get back I spend a few minutes catching up on emails from overnight – mostly from my International Divas who are 6+ hours ahead!

We leave at 8:25 for me to take the oldest to school.  After dropping her off I sometimes head to Office Depot to pick up another round of Party Plan Divas Diva Success Sisters Planners which is my #1 selling product.  Usually I have the USPS envelopes ready so I can literally put them directly into the envelopes, tape them up, and leave them to go out that very day.

On the way home I go to the gym for about 45 minutes – spinning, treadmill, and kettle bell are becoming my best friends. After the gym I head home to get ready for the day.  Shower, hair, makeup and I am ready for the day… sometimes as late as 11am!  HA!  I spend from then until 1:30 working – coaching calls, blog posts, emails, Skype conferences, and of course on Mondays the Party Plan Divas Member Webinar.

At 1:30 I head to pick up the little one from school and enjoy 20 minutes of silence in the car line – usually with my iPhone and the StumbleUpon app which I LOVE!  Some of my best ideas and inspiration happen when I am sitting in the car line.

We get home around 2:15 and have a snack – some days it is actually my lunch if its been a particular busy day.  We do homework – she’s in Kindergarten so it is always entertaining – until we leave to pick up her sister at 3:30.   I get some “Carline Stumbling” again while we wait.

Back home at around 4:30pm I immediately start dinner – which we make a point to all sit down for together, turning off EVERY electronic while we dine.  We play “pit and peak” over dinner – the highs and lows of our days – and then clean the kitchen.   Sometimes dinner is the longest that Mike and I see each other all day – even though we both work from home.

About 6pm or so I head back to the office to catch up from the afternoon.  I try to be finished by 7 so I can spend some time on the couch with the girls before bed – usually enjoying our favorite snack of vanilla yogurt and M&Ms.  We tuck the girls in at 7:30 and head to our offices to wrap up the day.

After 7:30 my “relaxing” time begins although a lot of times I am still “working” – writing blog posts or talking to my Divas – but the truth is I love my job so much, I dont mind it at all.  I spend the evenings perusing online – checking the Diva Message Boards, the Blogging Community I am involved in, chatting on Facebook, reading other blogs, etc.

By 10pm I am usually getting sleepy so I head to bed with the DVR remote in hand.  We have a few shows we love – like Revenge, Harry’s Law, and Grey’s Anatomy – that we begin watching and more often than not fall asleep on before it is over.

A few things that have really helped me to stay on track has been some of my favorite iPhone apps that let me take just a few seconds to respond to emails, Tweets, text messages, etc.  My phone is seldom out of my sight, but I do make a point to keep the sound off – especially when I am spending time with Mike or the girls.  I keep a schedule each and every day so that I do not get too overwhelmed running Party Plan Divas, being a professional Blogger, having a family and active social life.  Some days get pretty hectic, and sometimes things fall behind – but I absolutely love my life and I wouldnt have it any other way.

What does your typical day look like?

See you next week Divas! Be sure to check out the Original Monday Mingle at www.EightyMPHMom.com!

~Lynsey

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

Tell us about an experience you’ve had at a training event or Convention, an interaction with a team member – some kind of good memory that made an impact on your business!

See you next week Divas! Be sure to check out the Original Monday Mingle at www.EightyMPHMom.com!

~Lynsey