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

One of my favorite people, Michelle Pippin, posted a blog today that I just loved.  She has “officially” dubbed February LOVE YOUR BUSINESS MONTH.  Since this month includes the International Holiday of Love, (and Michelle’s birthday) I absolutely loved the idea of focusing not just on the PEOPLE we love, but also on the things we love – starting with our businesses and how it effects our lives.

Michelle tells her story about how her business was born out of her love and commitment to her children – above anything else – and how she LOVES that having her own business and being her own boss allows her to stay home with them every day.  She asked us to share what WE LOVE about our businesses as well, so here is mine -

First I LOVE getting to work with amazing women – like you – who are ready to pull up their bootstraps and get to WORK.  I LOVE spending all day every day with ambitious, driven, wont-take-no-for-an-answer, we-control-our-own-economy, this-isnt-your-mothers-industry-anymore business women from all over the World.  They constantly inspire me, motivate me, and support me in Leading them to greatness, and I LOVE it.

I LOVE that I get to drop off and pick up my girls from school each day, do homework with them, cook dinner with them, do crafts, attend school functions, get to know their friends, their friends parents, and stay in touch with what is going on in their lives.

I LOVE that I get to work side by side with my best friend – and someday husband (if I ever give in lol) who is my biggest cheerleader and fan.  I LOVE that each day we wake up together, have breakfast together, stop working to enjoy lunch on our back porch together, and talk about our days.  We get to help each other – pulling from both of our strengths and supporting one another.

I LOVE that if I do not feel well, I do not have to ASK anyone if I can lie on the couch all morning.  I LOVE that if I want to go see my mother in Atlanta – or my grandmother in Tampa – that I just GO.  I LOVE that I do not have to “ask” anyone for the time to go. I LOVE that if I get a phone call from a friend in the middle of the day for no reason at all – that I can answer it and talk for as long as I want to.

I LOVE that I can control my income, control my time, control my business, and control my life.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I work in an industry that allows for ANYONE to have these same privileges that I do, if they are willing to do what it takes to get there.

Thank you Michelle for letting me stop for a moment and focus on what I LOVE about my business and my life.   It is the perfect way to kick off this International Month of Love!

What do you LOVE about your business?

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:

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?

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

~Lynsey

Today is the day for you to “Sign your check” as part of the New Moon Celebration and the Law of Abundance.  Here is an article I wrote last year about the Law of Abundance – what it is, why you should participate, and how you can get started right now on making 2012 your best year ever.

As a huge believer and follower of the Law of Attraction, I was excited to read up on the Law of Abundance that my local radio was discussing as I drove my angels to school this morning.  The “Morning Guys“  from WABB in Mobile, Alabama  use it and swear by it as a way to bring success and wealth to your life.

I came home and read several sites on the Law of Abundance, looking for more information.  I found several sites that I never knew existed – including www.abundancesecrets.com, www.law-of-abundance-living.com and more.  I was excited to read the same kind of stories that I have known, loved, and LIVED with the Law Of Attraction.

One site summed up the Law of Abundance by stating:  The universe exists on the principle of abundance. It is by giving that you receive. This is the law of abundance, which stipulates that we cannot enjoy the riches of the universe unless we are willing to share them with others.

Basically: it is an Ancient Chinese tradition to guarantee prosperity in the New Year.

Bringing it to the 21st Century: The Law of Abundance Check!

I want to challenge you all to join me TODAY, January 23rd to celebrate the New Moon by writing your own Law of Abundance Check.  Here is how it works:
1. Take a Blank Check.
2. You shouldn’t date the check at all – (why limit your abundance to a single day?)
3. Make the check out to yourself.
4. Use your full legal name.
5. Leave the dollar box and line blank.
6. In the memo area write, “paid in full.”
7. Sign the check, “Law of Abundance”

That’s it! You will need to keep the check with you at all times in the New Year (except when bathing & sleeping), so put it in your wallet, purse, planner – whatever you keep closest to you at all times.

You MUST complete this task before the first NEW moon of the year (which is TODAY – January 23rd).: Experts say, we should complete it within 24 hours of the new moon.

Leave me a comment and let me know if you will be joining us today, and let’s see how this Law effects us all in 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:

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.

I thought the best way for me to show you my WHY was in pictures, plus I got to “play” with one of my favorite video sites – www.Animoto.com.  At Animoto you can make 30 second snippet videos in literally seconds.  Upload images, choose your theme and music, and voila!   For only $5 a month you can make unlimited full length videos too!  It’s a great way to show off new Products, new Hostess Rewards… or your “WHY.”  Here are just a few of my favorite moments that owning my own business has afforded me to have – without the threat of “time off work.”   Enjoy.

Check out Animoto for all of your quick, professional video needs and link up below telling us about your WHY!!

See you next week Divas!

~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 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!    )

Here is mine!  Enjoy!

If you want to learn more about my favorite product – the Party Plan Divas Membership – check out all of the details here.

Have a great week!  Hope to SEE you soon!

~Lynsey

Over the weekend I was a bit scarce on Party Plan Divas, but with good reason.  On Saturday we decided to revamp the house, move some rooms around, and set me up with a brand new office for 2012.  I can not TELL you how excited I am.  There is just something about a “new space” that makes you feel energized,rejuvenated, and ready to take on the world!   By request from a few of my Divas, I am taking you on the “tour” to show you where I work each day, and how I keep my life, time, schedule, and space organized.   Welcome to my office!

One of my favorite tools that I have had for years is my four-month dry erase calendar.  It is pretty large so you can write in just about anything you need, but I love being able to see my next four months “at a glance” at any time.  It is on the wall directly behind my office, so I can spin around and see it any time.  It was a little pricey, but has been worth every penny!

Next is this amazing hutch that my mother in law gave me.  It “hides” a television, so I can watch tv when I am working alone (gotta have some sound) but close it for a great background for when I am recording videos.

1 – it also holds my weights and exercise equipment for when the mood strikes for some curls.

2- Books I love and gain inspiration from.  You can see my Top Ten list here.

3 – My Gold Canyon warmer and pod I received as a gift from one of my Divas.  Currently rockin “Pool Towel” – the scent that reminds me of summer – even when it is chilly outside.

Beside my desk I have a two shelf book case with things that I need to be able to put my hands on quickly:

1 – my corkboard of important stuff – includes my voters registration card, Office Depot coupons, items I need to order, etc.

2 – a mirror… of course.

3 – my “take to the car” pile.  Includes my Mobile Office and things that need to go to Office Depot to be copied.

4 – cute little box of dry erase markers in over 10 different colors – a MUST have.  Color is everything.

5 – my brain (lol) includes binders for Conference Calls, Diva Success Sisters Chapters, Diva Leadership Academy notes, Direct Sales News magazines, etc.  Also has  my random wires to connect my camera, phone, iPod, etc.

6 – shipping items, a huge hole punch, and items that need to be returned to my Corporate Office.

Then of course the nucleus of it all…. the desk.  I love love love love this leveled corner desk that I purchased years ago from Target, but I believe that Office Depot has them as well.  It is huge, but truly perfect.  It gives space for all of my “stuff” while still having plenty of room to write or spread stuff out to make Gardening Gifts.  Truly worth whatever they are asking for it.

1 – camera bag that houses my Canon T3 Rebel with all of its lenses.

2 – web cam which is connected to the PC with Skype running at all times for quick spur of the moment coaching chats

3 – stationery, note cards, etc to send out for recognition, encouragement, or thank yous

4 – business cards and gardening gift supplies – mostly all from Cello In A Box

5 – my current “to do today” pile – includes a book I need to review and my Executive Size Diva Success System Planner.  Also has extra file folders for me to grab in a hurry.

6 – a trash can.  My best friend.  I have to tell you – I fill this thing up at least twice a week.  Truth is we hang on to so much crap we just simply do not need.  If you havent used it since Halloween – throw it away.  If you have to dust it off to pick it up – throw it away.  If it is papers – scan them in to your computer and then throw it away.  Clutter is TERRIBLE for productivity.  Just throw it away.  If you need it again, make the money to buy it again – but I bet you wont need it!

My Tween daughter also moved her desk in here, along with her computer and school stuff.  It has been great to do homework and such with both girls here in the office together.  They know this is a “work room” and not a “play room” and have been great about keeping things tidy and put away.

1 – my 31 Gifts everything bag.  It kind of accompanies my “take to the car” pile.

2 – crafts, crayons, glue sticks and other fun stuff that is for my girls, but I use from time to time for fun activities such as a Vision Board.

3 – her little “audience” of Littlest Pet Shop critters.  Like her mother, she enjoys speaking in front of a crowd.

The only thing that I forgot to take a picture of is the bottom of my desk – where there is space for my file cabinet, computer tower, and printer.   I also have my past Planners and a bag of mini hand sanitizers for gardening gifts.

So that is it!  That is my office!  Thanks for taking the “tour” and I hope I gave you some ideas for organizing your space to help you be more organized and successful in the New Year!   If you have any questions let me know!  I hope to be chatting with YOU (either in person or on Skype!) from this office very soon!

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:

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.

My road to getting started is sad and comical at the same time, with three BIG lessons for us all.  Enjoy:

Thanks again for stopping by!  I hope you will jump in and link up with us!  I look forward to seeing YOU!

In 2010 I wrote an eBook all about Goal Setting, using the analogy of “going all in”  in the “poker game” of life.   Ever since I have used this phrase over and over again in my trainings.   The basis was simple – the game is played part strategy, part faith, part instinct… and a whole lot of courage.   It takes a lot of courage to “go all in” and believe that the cards that you are holding in your hand are strong enough to beat everyone else sitting at your table.  One wrong “shove” and you are out of the game.  However, you MUST “go all in” in order to WIN… otherwise, if you always play it safe, you will literally play in a circle, no one winning and no one losing.

Mike is an avid poker player, traveling all over the country for different tournaments – either to play or simply watch and learn.  For the last 3 years I have also watched …. him.    See, when we met he was at the top of his game.  He played several nights a week, and was known as the poker guy.  In fact when we went to his high school reunion, all anyone talked to him about was poker… never mind all of his other accomplishments in life. *ahem* 

Then he hit a slump.  He went months without winning anything.  We began arguing about how much he played.  I saw how it was upsetting him and stressing him out, so I would say things like “I dont know why you even bother”  and “I dont understand the mindset of gambling – I would rather go to the spa if I am going to just give the Casino my money.”   It’s a good thing he loved me so much before I became so crass. 

But he kept playing, knowing his luck would turn around, and knowing that slumps happen, and that’s just life.   He talked to other “poker guys,” ranted a bit about some of the “bad beats” … and continued to play.  Like a lot.  He continued to “go all in”  even when he was losing over and over again. Yet he continued to play… to my amazement and somewhat disgust.  I could not understand how or why he would continue to play a “losing game”…

About 3 months ago something “shifted” for me.  I realized no amount of my whining was going to change that he was going to play.  I realized that when I thought I was “helping” by giving him a “way out” that I was actually making things worse.  It was not what he wanted to hear.  (how many time have we heard “I dont know why you do that pyramid thing anyway!”)

I began supporting his playing poker – as much as he wanted.  I began listening to the stories, trying to understand, and stopped saying all of those “helpful” things about how I feel about gambling.    I quieted my growling when he played late into the evening, and even let him eat dinner at the computer a time or two when a big online tournament was going on.

Guess what happened?

He started winning again.  Mike has won three big tournaments in the last three months, and “cashed” on a handful more.  Now, I am not telling you that *I* have had anything to do with that, but I am telling you that I have learned a couple pretty huge lessons with this entire experience.

- Mike’s love of poker is very much like our love of the Party Plan Industry.  The game is simple, but it is not easy.  Sometimes you make money, sometimes you lose money, sometimes you barely break even.  There are highs and lows – moments of extreme joy and extreme frustration.

- Not everyone understands it – some even have very strong opposing feelings about it.  It is hard to explain to someone who doesn’t understand, and even harder to someone who has had a bad experience.   Those who do not understand may even give you heat about why you do – making snide comments about your choice to “play the game.”

- You HAVE to “go all in” in order to win.  You can dabble and play it safe for a while, but eventually someone playing more aggressively will take all of your chips.  You have to be “committed to the hand” and ready to play it out no matter what happens.

- And, most importantly,  even when you are in a “slump” you have to have the faith in the game to keep playing.   Thousands of poker players are winning money every single day.  Just like the thousands of Party Plan Consultants who are having parties, making sales, and signing new team members.   But the only ones who are winning, are the ones who are being willing to “Go All In” and close the deal.

If you are in a slump – keep playing.  If you are hearing from your friends and family “I dont know why you do that stuff” – keep playing.  If you have had some flakey hostesses, annoying team members, demanding customers (hey, it happens!!) – keep playing.  Remember the ONLY way to win, is to keep playing the game.

Are you ready to Go All In?

Earlier this week while watching TV I saw a commercial for Home Depot, and their new (well, new to me!) tagline : “Never Stop Improving.”   I LOVED this and immediately headed to Twitter and Facebook to share.   I of course got many “Likes” and “Retweets” and it made me think of all of the great Company Slogans out there today.

Last week when we discussed Branding on our Party Plan Divas Weekly Members Conference Call, we talked at length about taglines and slogans that are memorable, catchy, and exude an emotional response which coincides with a customer’s experience of the brand.    Taglines or slogans are a critical part of branding as they go beyond simply a name to really create the image for your brand.   During our call, we also discovered that many times customers would remember the slogan before they remembered the brand.

I took the topic to our Message Boards and asked the Divas to chime in with their favorite slogans and taglines from well known businesses and organizations.  Here is the great list we compiled:

We Love To See You Smile. ~McDonalds

Where do you want to go today? ~ Microsoft

Impossible is nothing. ~Adidas  (thanks Ann!)

Expect Great Things. ~ Kohl’s

Good Food. Good Life. ~Nestlé

With Us, It’s Personal. ~Rite Aid

Expect More. Pay Less. ~Target Corporation  (Great ones April!)

The Power to Be Your Best.  ~Apple

We Work Hard So You Don’t Have to. ~ Scrubbing Bubbles (Love it Gwen!)

Reach out and touch someone. ~ AT&T

One world, one dream. ~ Beijing Olympics 2008

Buy It. Sell It. Love It. ~ eBay (Thanks Natalie!)

What are some of your favorite Company Slogans?