So this morning as I was getting ready to start my day I flipped on Good Morning America just in time to catch this excerpt that Diane Sawyer did on women over 50 finding jobs, and how they went about finding new careers even in such a hard economic time. You can see the full story here:

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerindex?id=9214853

Anyways, it was so great to see how these three ladies went from being down in the dumps and depressed into having really successful careers – in just a matter of MONTHS!  What stuck out the most for me is in the cases of these three women – there is one common thing that each one of them did. It wasnt more schooling – though one did go back for more.  It wasn’t moving to a bigger town or scouring the internet and sending out 62,000 resumes…. these ladies CHANGED THEIR FOCUS.

Diane and Tory didnt highlight it very much, which I was disappointed – but honestly, it may simply be that this one little thing was missed. Their “bottom line” was one of that it CAN happen, and to not give up – which I think is great.  Obviously keeping a positive attitude is a huge part of making your life better.

But what they missed is that these three ladies quit focusing on THEMSELVES – and started focusing on OTHERS.  The first lady began in the lunchroom of a school – working with kids, helping to keep order, etc.  She wasnt thrilled with the job.  But her dedication to the kids and to the job landed her in a top spot. The second began focusing on her elder ailing parents, and saw a need for better care and understanding for elders in her community.  She took the focus off of herself needing a ” job” , and created a career of taking care of others.  And the last lady built relationships through social media, taking the focus again off of her just needing a job, and has just begun as a top earning executive – in a field of taking care of OTHERS.

It was just amazing to me to see how one of the #1 fundamental traits of a successful Party Plan Professional is even working in Corporate America.  Though you never lose sight of your goals in our industry, focusing on the success of the women in your down line is what will secure your place in a “top earning position”, and make your goals easier to achieve.  The tips that they highlighted can be used in our business every single day.

Focus on the place – not the position: You are a Party Plan Diva – even if you just signed up today.  You are in one of the fastest growing, most lucrative careers on the planet – even if you haven’t signed your first consultant.  You are a SUCCESS because you said yes.

Be humble: Arrogance does not sit well in this industry.  Confidence – yes, arrogance – no.  Listen to your leaders, do not try to reinvent the wheel, plan your work, and work your plan.

New job can be a new career: If you started your business as a “part time thing” for a little extra cash – AWESOME – you are in the majority of all Party Plan Divas.  However sometimes we find ourselves in a position of needing a little more.  Maybe you lost your “real” job due to the economy, and are worried about finding a new job.  Why?  You have the opportunity to have a CAREER right in your hands.  Work it like a career, and it will pay you like one – a GOOD one!

Take advantage of training, education, and programs: The smartest people in the world will tell you they never stop learning.  Attend every training event, seminar, teleclass, and convention you possibly can.  Even if you have heard all of it before – until you start utilizing EVERY SINGLE TIP, keep going and listening.  This WILL help you succeed.

Go For It: my favorite.  This is right up there with Nike – Just Do It.  You TRULY have nothing to lose, and everything you can possibly image to gain.

and finally Use Social Media to Make Connections and Find Opportunities: Just today I booked three parties on Facebook simply because I logged on, posted a new status about a special, commented on a few other people’s statuses, and chatted with a few old hostesses.  Took me about 30 minutes to walk away with three new party bookings.  Whether we like it or not – Social Media is really Where The Party Is!

Corporate America is quickly catching on to what Direct Sales Professionals have known all along.  Change your focus… and change your life!  Focusing on others will bring you the success you want.  These ladies in this story have proven it, as have thousands of Party Plan Divas worldwide.  Now, it’s your turn.

So today in an effort to get my mind of things Mike and I decided to take the girls to brunch and a movie. Normally the idea of going to a kids movie on a Saturday afternoon makes me want to run screaming, but this week has really put some things in perspective for me. So off we went.

We chose Planet 51 over Christmas Carol – and I am SO glad we did! It was such a cute movie and even though it was animated, it still had enough “adult stuff” in it to make it enjoyable. Plus it was “nice” enough that my toddler wasnt buried in my shoulder “hiding.” There were a few places that were almost TOO adult, but thankfully my girls didn’t catch them.

But the best part wasn’t the movie. It was the lesson I learned while we were there.

We got to the theater early thinking it would be packed since the movie just opened. Thankfully it wasn’t and we were able to get the “foot rest seats” – you know, the ones right behind the bars where you can prop your feet up without bothering anyone! Ha – you know which ones I am talking about! There was a lady there with her daughter, and Sami happily plopped down just 2 seats from the other girl. I said something about the foot rest, and the other mom laughed and said “yeah, you gotta have the foot rest.” We exchanged a friendly smile and sat down.

Well immediately Sami and her daughter began chatting. Before the previews started I got “Mom, can I move over one seat?”

These two had never seen each other before, but in a matter of minutes were sharing each other’s candy. They whispered and giggled thru the entire movie – the mom and I making eye contact just a few times with smiles to let eachother know the girls were ok. When the movie ended, the girls exchanged phone numbers, and both went on their ways, happy to have made a new friend.

It made me think about how easy it was to make friends at that age, and how “fearless” we are about talking to complete strangers. In life and business once we get older, this FEAR sneaks in and paralyzes us from “making the first move.” We don’t want to pick up that 600 pound phone. We over think the best way to approach someone – to the point we miss the opportunity and think “oh well, next time” – knowing full well we will wuss out then too. We don’t ask for the party booking. We don’t push just a little further to see how interested she is in the opportunity. We have forgotten what it is like to be a child, and to make friends out of no where, and to be fearless and confident enough in ourselves to make the first move.

This week the question was asked how to get over this fear, and I responded with tips on how to get prepared for the call, have a script, blah blah blah…. but today I realized, we all just need to remember being little girls, making new friends, and sharing our candy. I believe we should never lose sight of our childhood, no matter how “old” we get. Our business is all about relationships, and making new friends. And we have so much to share – with our products, our hostess rewards to save money, and our opportunities to truly change someone’s life.

I am so incredibly proud of my ‘Tween for making the move and introducing herself – my little Leader. When I told her so, her response was “well, yeah Mom, it’s easy – you just TALK!” Ahhh, the wisdom of a ten year old.