• #1 – Jubilee Run With Color 
• #2 – Dirty Girl Mud Run
• #3 – McGuire’s 5k
• #4  - Emerald Coast MudRun
• #5 – Sandshaker Charity 5k

This month I am actually participating in two 5ks – making up for April when I was out of town so much I wasnt able to get a race in.  Most of my normal Running Crew had plans for this weekend so I enlisted the support of a few new gals – all of which are excited to join the regular Crew and participate in seven more runs this year.   I couldn’t be happier.

Now, this 5k was a bit different than the last four.  For starters, this was a “normal” 5k – no water, no mud, no costumes, no color, no obstacles.  Just a beautiful 3.1 mile course on Pensacola Beach.   The weather was absolutely perfect – around 85* with a nice breeze off the Gulf of Mexico.  Also, since I am still having trouble with my knee since slipping in the MudRun, four of us registered as “walkers” instead of “runners” – a choice we would soon regret.

See, the basic rules of races is that Runners can walk, but Walkers cannot run… this is for safety I think.  And turns out I was the only one who knew that rule.  But I chose to be a Walker to really see how my knee would do for another 3.1.  Yes I have been walking/jogging the neighborhood… but not near as much as I should have been.

Jill on the other hand was determined to beat her time and do the run in under 30:00.  I am happy to announce that she accomplished HER BOLD Goal coming in at  29:35.   Way to go Jill!

The other four – myself, Jaimee, Amy and Amber – lined up… last.  On purpose.  See they let the Walkers start 2 minutes later than the Runners so we don’t get trampled, and since this was their first 5k and my knee was hurting before we even began, we decided to just get in the back.   We weren’t in it for time – just wanted to complete it and have fun on the beach with friends.

To make a long story short… no one…. NO ONE wants to WALK for 3.1 miles.  By the time we turned the corner to start heading back to the finish line, we were discussing if we would actually get in *trouble* for running … at least just a little bit.   I don’t know if we were just finally warmed up, if we were just over it, or if the promise of a Bushwacker at the end gave all four of us the desire to break into a run.. but we all wanted to.  BAD.

However… we did not break the rules.  We did not run, or jog, or even Prancersize, although we did get a few good laughs at the idea of doing so.   We sped up our walking – realizing quickly that the women who speed walk in our neighborhoods are not in fact purposely swinging their hips like that, but on the contrary it is pretty much impossible NOT to once you pick up the pace a bit.

We finished the 5k in less time than we expected - incidentally NOT in last place as we blew past a few dozen with the promise of Bushwackers getting more and more appealing – and all vowed to never be “Walkers” again.  It was a great race, and absolutely the most beautiful setting, and I was so glad all five of us got to spend a few hours together hanging out, and accomplishing a goal – together.

It’s funny how we have “limiting beliefs” that hold us back in life and in our goals. Jill had run a few times that week and not broken 30:00 all week, and she ended up not only breaking it, but with time to spare.  I thought for sure I was going to have trouble even walking the 3.1 with my knee, when in truth I was dying to just JOG… at least for a little while.  Jaimee, Amy, and Amber also thought they would struggle with a 5k, having never done one before, and they all surprised and impressed themselves that not only did they finish, but they too wanted to run.  Our fears were all in our heads, and we all left there holding our heads a little higher, knowing we could accomplish way more than we believed.

That in itself was worth every step we took.

Originally posted on MoscatoMom.com

You may remember last November when I highlighted all of the hottest products from the Party Plan Industry just in time for Christmas in the 2012 Diva Holiday Gift Guide.  It was a huge hit with over 35 companies and products being showcased, and many given away.

Well, we are doin’ it again!

When you buy from a small home business, you are not helping a CEO buy a 3rd vacation home. You are helping a Mom put food on the table, pay a mortgage, a little girl getting dance lessons , a little boy’s jersey for his football/soccer team or helping a student pay for college. Our customers are our shareholders – and they are the ones we strive to make happy. Thank you for supporting small home businesses!

Every day in July I will be featuring a hot new product from over 50 Party Plan Companies nationwide for the 2013 Christmas in July Blog Event here on The Party Plan Coach.   Every one of these Divas is working hard to build her business and support herself and her family with her Home Based Business. These ladies are moms, wives, students, sisters, teachers, grandmothers, caregivers, …and small business owners. I encourage you to check out these products, enter the giveaways, check out these ladies websites, and see who on your Shopping List you can gift while also supporting one of your Diva Sisters.

This is an event you are NOT going to want to miss!  Check out all of the hottest new products from the Party Plan Industry in the Party Plan Divas Christmas in July Blog Event!

Companies being Represented:

• Arbonne
• Avon
• Barefoot Books
• Bathologie
• BeautiControl
• Bedroom Kandi
• Blessings Unlimited
• Celebrating Home
• Clever Container
• Close To My Heart
• Color Me Beautiful
• Creative Memories
• Daisy Blue Naturals
• Damsel in Defense
• Diva Girl Parties
• Dove Chocolatiers
• Fleur De Vie
• For Every Home
• Gold Canyon
• Grace Adele
• Initial Outfitters
• Initials Inc.
• Intimate Exp
• It Works
• Jamberry Nails
• Jewel Kade
• Jordan
• JR Watkins
• Kitcheneez
• LBRI Pure &Natural
• Lia Sophia
• Lindt Chocolate
• Miche
• Nerium
• Pampered Chef
• Paparazzi
• Party Gals
• Party Lite
• Passion Parties
• Pink Papaya
• Pink Zebra
• Posh
• Premier Jewelry
• Pure Romance
• Rodan & Fields
• Sarah Blaine
• Scentsy
• Send Out Cards
• Slumber Parties
• South Hill
• Stampin UP!
• Stella & Dot
• Traci Lynn
• Tupperware
• Velata
• Wild Tree
• Wine Shop at Home

And more!

Join us starting July 1st  and bookmark this site to come back every day for a new rockin product and giveaway!

Divas, if you are interested in participating in the next Divas Holiday Gift Guide, sign up for our Quick Tips eNewsletter in the top right hand corner of this blog to receive mailings and updates from Party Plan Divas!

Let’s PARTY!

On Day 1 we met from 8am to 4pm talking about everything from Effective Goal Setting to Time Management and Organization to Overcoming Self Doubt.   We laughed, we cried (just a little) we played games, we cheered each other on.

Day 2 was met with a monsoon – rain pouring down so hard the street lights were still on at 9am.   But it didnt crush our spirit.  We simply met in the breakfast room instead of the terrace to continue our training and sharing… even getting a little silly at the end.

I want to thank everyone who flew in and drove in for my event.  I was so honored that all of you came to spend the weekend learning from me.  All of my Divas have such a special place in my heart, and to be able to hug each and every one of you is probably the highlight of the event for me.

I also want to thank all of our SWAG sponsors for graciously sending us amazing business tools to increase our businesses.  From catalog stickers to smartphone apps to cello bags, (and even a custom Party Plan Divas pendant!) this years “swag” was incredible.

And I have more! 

I am super excited to get to offer THREE Divas their very own SWAG bag – full of some of the same goodies the Seminar Attendees received.  Our sponsors were so amazing to send a little “extra” and  am honored to get the chance to give them away to those who were unable to make the event!

Thank you again to everyone who came and made this event amazing, and to our swag sponsors for their generous donations.  Make sure to mark your calendar for our next event – October 11-13 on Pensacola Beach, Florida!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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:

Who were some of your favorite teachers in high school and how did they impact your life and career?

Enjoy!

~Lynsey

Growing up I remember having a TV in every room – and back then that was a BIG DEAL.  These days though our Computers far out number our TVs – 2 to 1 to be exact.  Mike has a desktop and laptop.  I have a desktop and laptop.  The Teen has a desktop and laptop, and Midge has her very own netbook.  And don’t even get me started on mobile devices.  Needless to say, we log a ridiculous amount of hours online.

As the girls have gotten older I have been getting more concerned about their safety online. I’ve pretty much been able to regulate what they watch on TV – but controlling what they see on the Internet is a whole ‘nother battle.   The Teen has had a Facebook Page for several years and Midge is pretty much addicted to the “funny cats” videos on YouTube.   Though Midge isn’t there for the “social networking” side yet, I am sure my little never-met-a-stranger social butterfly will be looking for that avenue soon.  The Teen lives on Facebook (hey, the apple doesn’t fall far…) to connect with her friends from her old school and her new school, as well as play umpteen hours of Candy Crush Saga.

I love that the girls are social butterflies and I want them to connect with their friends.  I even love that they are playing games and learning stuff online… I just wished there was a safer way to do it.

Well… now there is! 

Emagine-Nation.com Launching Free Registration

Finally! A virtual world, browser, and search engine that is truly safe for your kids! Register your kids today – for free – and find out what it’s all about! At Emagine-Nation.com, your kids can customize their avatar, lock in their avatar’s name (nothing more annoying than trying to remember a username that looks more like an algebra equation cause all the “good ones” are taken), and come back each day to play, learn, and earn Tribets – their online currency!

With classrooms, offices, bathroom, library, gym, cafeteria, Spirit Room, Club Room, Game Room and so much more, your kids will be able to learn and play in a visually stunning environment. Thousands of safe games & videos. And my favorite – Secure social networking for kids!  I WANT my girls to still connect with their friends online…. I just want to make sure it is actually their friends they are connecting to…. !!

Kids love to play games and watch videos. Problem is, once they go somewhere on a gaming site, they are now free to go anywhere, even to places that aren’t safe.  Good news! Emagine-Nation.com provides an inclusive environment that provides the kind of safety that parents want for their kids - without needing a doctorate to understand the software!!! 

You can read more about this entire project and see just a peek at how cool everything on the “inside” is by checking out their About Us page and clicking on each of the different pictures on their wall.   The whole site is full of awesome things to discover!

Register today for their May 4th launch and be entered into their contest with even more cool prizes. Go to the sign up page - www.Emagine-Nation.com. Click on “Let’s Get Started” Enter the Registration Code LV0413.  Click on the “I’m a Parent” button, enter the number of kids you have, enter their basic information, and then finish the registration with your child(ren) so they can customize their avatar right then.  You can also come back later by clicking on the link in your registration email.  Then the best part – your child(ren) can log back in each day between now and the launch on May 4th and earn MORE Tribets by playing the Game-of-the-Day, taking a Room-Tour-of-the-Day, and playing an Activity-of-the-Day.  They will also get a Quote-of-the-Day.  By the time of the launch, they will have earned enough Tribets to truly customize their avatar AND their custom room.  They can have fun while you all learn about the coming site and it’s rooms.

Remember, it’s free to register, play and learn in. Emagine-Nation.com – where kids play and get things done!

GIVEAWAY

I am so excited to offer one of my readers a One Year Free Membership for their child to Emagine-Nation.com PLUS a $100 Visa Giftcard.  REMEMBER TO PUT “LV0413” IN THE CODE BOX PROVIDED ON REGISTRATION.  EMAGINE-NATION.COM IS OFFERING ANOTHER SPECIAL CONTEST JUST FOR US AND THIS WILL TRACK OUR COMMUNITY.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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? And if so, what do you think attributed to that success?

Enjoy!

~Lynsey

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 are three things everyone should know about you and your business?

Enjoy!

~Lynsey

Are you in the direct sales party plan business? If you are, then you are going to LOVE our Hostess Coaching app! Finally a simple way to stay on schedule with coaching your hostesses while you live your busy life.

The Hostess Coaching App is available for Apple and Android devices and seamlessly keeps all of your Hostess Coaching efforts together in one place – complete with notifications to remind you when its time to do the next task.

With the Hostess Coaching App you simply enter your Hostess’s contact information along wit the Party information, and the app automatically sets up your Hostess Coaching schedule based on the time you have between now and when the party is set to hold.  The tasks include everything from mailing the invitations, making three calls to your hostess (see my Hostess Coaching Schedule for my tips on what these three calls should entail) to sending a Thank You note after the party has held and even following up after all orders have been delivered.  Suzanne has truly thought of everything.

On another page you can quickly see your progress with each party and even get a daily to do list to show every party you need to connect with at one time. It’s awesome.  I think this is my favorite screen.  Once you have the Hostess Coaching Call Schedule memorized, you can use this one screen to do your Hostess Coaching from anywhere – right from your phone.  On your lunch break?  Follow up with the Hostess from last weekend.  Sitting in the kids school car pick up line? Write out that Thank you note.  Super long wait at the doctors office?  Confirm the location and see how many people she is expecting at this weekends party.  This makes the Time Management Specialist in me down right giddy. 

The Hostess Coaching App is reasonably priced at just $3.99 and can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon, or the Google App Store.  If you do not have a smart phone, no worries, you can even put it on your Kindle Fire, just know that the Kindle Fire does not have pop up notifications.  :)

With the Hostess Coaching App there is really no excuse for not properly Coaching each and every Hostess.   Make sure every party is the absolute best that it can be with the help of the Hostess Coaching App.

The way it works, each woman chooses her locket and then chooses the charms that are unique to her. She even gets to choose the style chain to go with her locket. Itʼs 100% personalised. Haupt says, “We all have moments in our lives that are unique and special to us. It might be the moment we first held our child or the moment we met the love of our life. These charms represent the things in our lives that say ʻthis is what I love, who I am and who I hope to be.”

The business model is that of social selling. “I have spent the last 4 years in the United States and itʼs apparent there needs to be more social selling companies in Australia that are fresh and vibrant. Iʼm excited about what the women of Australia can create with this business model and these products. The future looks bright.”

There will be a launch party and an unveiling of the products, a chance for women to get their hands on their very own locket. It will be held at Royal Pines Resort on the 13th April, 2013 at 6pm. This is a limited space event and those wanting to attend must RSVP.
This launch signifies just the beginning of what is next for this company who already has women nationwide who are eager to resell this unique personalised jewellery.

The company calls their resellers “Design Consultants”. “We have established a business model that gives woman in Australia the chance to operate their own business. With the way we connect in the world now, with social media, itʼs so much easier for people to do business. With the right systems and a unique product everyone loves, itʼs a piece of cake.” says Haupt.

Itʼs not just through social media that women can sell this unique new product. There seems to be a resurgence of the “in house party”. Lily Anne Designs refers to their home parties as “Jewellery Bars”. “This (Jewellery Bars) is the best way for a Design Consultant to be successful. Itʼs the experience of this product that causes women to make it a ʻI gotta have itʼ item.” Haupt explains.

For the launch on the Gold Coast, there will be multiple “Jewellery Bars” set up so women can create their own personalised piece to take home with them. This will be the first chance for women to see the product line in person. “We expect a huge turn out. Itʼs going to be a great night.” adds Haupt.

For those wanting to attend the launch party, you can RSVP at: http://www.lilyannedesigns.com.au/launch-party.html

For further information, contact Melissa Haupt: media@lilyannedesigns.com.au

{Press Release posted at request of company.  Party Plan Divas makes no claims or endorsements with this post}

One time a man was walking along the beach and saw another man fishing in the surf with a bait bucket beside him. As he drew closer, he saw that the bait bucket had no lid and had live crabs inside.

“Why don’t you cover your bait bucket so the crabs won’t escape?” he said.

“You don’t understand,” the man replied, “If there is one crab in the bucket it would surely crawl out very quickly. However, when there are many crabs in the bucket, if one tries to crawl up the side, the others grab hold of it and pull it back down so that it will share the same fate as the rest of them.”

How many times have you been a victim of the “Crabs in a Bucket’ mentality?   How many times have you been pulled back down – both figuratively and literally –  maybe even by someone that you love?   How many times have you been told things like “gosh you shouldn’t do that, do you know how many people fail?” or “You know my cousin tried that and all she did was spend money and never make any” or maybe it came more subtly - “Girl is your head in the clouds? That’s CRAZY! That will NEVER work!” 

Sadly this scenario has presented itself many times in my lifetime – from the time I stepped up to take over the ColorGuard in high school to the time I was offered a major position that required me leaving my “friends” at work.  Even as I moved on in my Party Plan Business, I was faced again and again with this scenario.  Each time I was met with animosity, anger, and resentment… not the support or encouragement I was hoping to receive. (and deserved!) 

Since returning home from a speaking engagement in Ohio last weekend, I have also had a few experiences with … well…. crabs.  Both in my own life and in stories I have heard from my coaching clients.  It seems that for whatever reason, people are struggling to be supportive right now, and others are struggling from that lack of support.  Its a vicious - and dangerous – cycle.

Now, for some I believe the “crab” is trying to protect us… fear of the unknown is pretty paralyzing for some.  They think by pulling us away from the “scary” unknown will protect us and keep us from failure. (The problem is that it keeps us from succeeding as well.) For others, however,  it isn’t quite so honorable, and as my friend and business coach Wanda Taylor would say, “some people just like to spread their nasty around.”  Either way, the result is the same… most of the time.   It takes a very strong person to resist being pulled down, and overcome the fate of the others.

But it can be done.  And those that overcome being pulled down by their peers are the only ones who will find true, undeniable success.  Those who do manage to “climb out of the bucket” will again find the “ocean” and their freedom.

Moral to the story:  Ignore the crabs you have in your life.  Recognize who they are – even if they are the people you love the most, and ignore them.   They may have the best of intentions – thinking they are doing good by trying to “protect” you from failure, but in fact they are holding you back from success.  You must do what is right for you – win or lose.  Because whether you succeed or fail, you will never have the same fate of those who never tried.

~Lynsey

PS – If you are a crab pulling someone down… stopit.  The World would be a better place if we learned to support each other no matter what – even if you think the idea is crazy.  ”Crazy” is what put a man on the moon, connected the world through a wire, and put a mini computer in the palm of your hand.  Imagine where we would be without those “Crazy” people, that climbed out of the bucket.