Financial Freedom
Find your Purpose!
Last night, I was reading through a re-cap of a Monday night team call from one of my favorite people–Jordan Adler. Jordan is such an inspiration to me because he is a real person with a real heart for making a difference in the world. His call Monday night really reflects his passion–and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it!
Meaning or money–which one are you after? Your answer to this question can determine the outcome of your business, of your life. If you are only after money, you will find life pretty empty. Empty of relationships. Empty of meaning. BUT if you are after meaning–you will find success. Jordan says, “I do not believe that money should be the goal. When money becomes the goal, it can corrupt the soul’s purpose. We are guided to our higher purpose as long as we don’t allow greed to creep in.”
I’ve mentioned this before, but I LOVE this quote from Mathew Barnett’s book, The Cause Within You, “When you find that sweet spot that reflects your cause, it is at the intersection of your passion (what really matters to you), your gifts (what you do best), and your contribution (how you make the world better).”
Our lives should be about finding that sweet spot–that purpose that we were created to accomplish. Did you know that the Bible says that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10) We were created for a specific purpose to do good things that God prepared for us to do! True meaning in life comes from finding those good things.
And when those good things intersect with making a commission–that’s fantastic! But money should never be the primary goal in our lives. Our mission should be the primary goal. As we serve others and fulfill our purpose, we will find that success comes our way. As Jordan says, “Money is a result, not a destination. As we attract others that share a common vision and mission, our checks will go up BECAUSE we have a compensation plan is attached to our mission.”
So, as you search for a company to align yourself with, make sure it’s one that you believe in with all your heart–one that aligns with who you are and what your purpose is. I have–and it has made all the difference! :-)
Blessings-
Karen
Quick and Easy Meal Prep
As a stay at home mompreneur, I often find that by the end of the day, I am toast. After doing school with the kids, working my business, and taking care of household duties, I just don’t have the energy to spend two hours making dinner. At times, it can be tempting just to make sandwiches or order a pizza or, even better, go out to eat! But, since my family’s health is important to me, and we all know that eating dinner as a family is important, as well, I had to figure out a way to make dinners work.
Thankfully, I have a great friend who specializes in meal planning. I sat down with her a few weeks ago and made a plan–using the dinners that my family likes, the types of foods that we appreciate, and the time that I have. Basically, Jessica taught me to minimize meal preparation time by preparing several meals at once. Another strategy was to plan for some easy dinners–hot dogs on the BBQ, breakfast burritos, etc that don’t require much preparation.
So, last week, I was to bring dinner to a friend who just had a baby, and she requested meatloaf. So, I pulled out four, instead of one, packages of grassfed hamburger, and decided to try out Jessica’s plan. I put all four packages of hamburger into one bowl and added 4 eggs and some salt and pepper. I made some hamburger patties to BBQ later that week and put those on a plate in the fridge. Then, I mixed in some crumbled saltine crackers. I made enough meatballs for one dinner and put those in the freezer. Finally, I added in my secret meatloaf ingredient–tons of ketchup–and made meatloaf cupcakes–enough for my friend’s family and my own family.
Voila! Four dinners in less than 30 minutes. I had a great dinner in the oven, another planned for later in the week, and a dinner in the freezer for the next week.
Today is meal plan #2–Chicken! I will let you know how it turns out!
Karen
Lifestyle Marketing
One of the reasons that I love SendOutCards, and network marketing in general, so much is that it supports my values. But, as a mom, sometimes it’s hard to stay focused on ‘income producing activities’ when my kids need me. Or, let’s face it, when my house needs cleaned. I admit, I’m one of those people who can’t focus unless my house is in order–literally!
So, I’ve found that I LOVE lifestyle marketing. That just means that everywhere I go, I’m listening with what a friend of mine, and author of Secrets of the SOC Drawer
For example, the other day, I walked into Handy Andy late in the evening to hear the two gals talking about how the paycheck just doesn’t stretch far enough. When I went through the check out, I said, “It sounds like you could use some extra money!” When she affirmed that, I gave her one of the tools I always carry with me.
Today, I was in Target. The gal who checked me out smilingly offered to trade me places when I said I wouldn’t mind staying a little longer–she would go home and get my kids and I could stay at Target and do her job. I said, “I am so glad that I can work from home.” With a wistful look in her eye, she said, “well, not everyone can do that.” How excited I was to inform her that YES YOU CAN!!! I left her a copy of my book with my phone number. I truly hope she calls me!
Opportunities are everywhere, and you don’t have to spend a lot of time finding them. Just be listening for the need, have the tools available, and be willing to respond. You never know what might happen!
Karen
What’s on Your NOT To Do List?
I thought I would share my post from License2dream over here on worryfreemom today. :-)
In the last few weeks, I have been very blessed to be a part of a Mompreneur Mastermind–a group of women who are all moms and all entrepreneurs. Our topic for this week was the NOT to do list.
Do the activities you choose to engage in on a daily basis support your core values? Do you even know what your core values are? The answer to the first question should help you determine which of your current activities need to be relegated to the NOT to do list.
For example…as a mom, my first priorities are my faith and my family. Second is my business–creating financial freedom. So, when I think about what activities are on my booked calendar, I really have to think about whether or not those activities are contributing to my core values–faith, family, and financial freedom.
One of the first things that I was thinking about this morning is my teaching. Do I like teaching? Yes. Am I good at teaching? Yes. Is teaching contributing to my faith? No. Is teaching contributing to my family? No. Is teaching contributing to financial freedom? Well, yes and no. It is taking time away from growing my business, but it is helping to provide a measure of financial security and the ability to quickly pay down debt. For now, I decided, teaching remains on my to do list–but as each semester passes, my goal is to create enough income through my business to eliminate at least one course.
I encourage you to think through the things that are on your To Do list. Do they contribute to your core values? If not, cross them off! Spend your time doing the things that matter.
God bless!
Karen
License to Dream Monday
Here’s a link to my post over on the License to Dream blog. Hope you enjoy!
http://license2dream.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/carpe-diem/
Have a great week!
Karen
License To Dream Monday Post
To continue the journey described in my latest book License to Dream, my co-authors and I have created a blog where we will each share some of our stories, experiences, and advice once a week. Mondays are my post day, so here is my post for this week:
http://license2dream.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/scheduling/
I hope you enjoy this little peek into my daily schedule. :-)
Network Marketing Mastermind Event Part II
This morning I heard from two amazing speakers, Randy Gage and Orrin Woodward. Both men have created a legacy of wealth for themselves and their families through network marketing, and they are passionate about empowering you and I to do the same. I love this concluding quote from Orrin, “You are created in the image of God, so you have greatness in you. All you need is the courage to let it out!”
As I sat in the seminar this morning listening to the life changing words from these men, Ryan and the kids went swimming! They were in the pool having a great time together, celebrating Josyan’s 4th birthday with the things he loves best–staying in a hotel and swimming in the pool! :-)
I am so blessed that I am able to bring my family along on events like these–I don’t have to worry about childcare because Ryan is here–and not only is he here, but he is having an amazing time with the kids. And while they are having fun, I’m being inspired to help millions of women with the message that freedom is possible through network marketing! You can stay home with your kids–you can be a family that plays together. The dream is real–you just have to believe it!
Mastermind Event
I just finished up my first afternoon/evening at the Mastermind Event in Houston. I am already a little overwhelmed with all the great information that I’ve received in just the three sessions I attended today!
I don’t know about you, but I often tend to look down on myself…You know that little voice inside that says, “you’re not good enough! You’ll never be successful!” Well, I was hearing that today. I was walking behind one guy who was talking about his $500,000 a MONTH paycheck –after two years of work. WOW! I can’t even imagine what I would do with that kind of cash (which is maybe why I don’t have it yet, but I’ll talk about that in another post sometime).
We all tend to have those moments of doubt, those whispers in our minds and hearts that say we can’t. But my Bible says that “All things are possible through Christ who gives me strength.” It says that I am “above and beneath, the head and not the tail.” It says that God has a plan for my life, and that I am “beautifully and wonderfully made.” The greatest thing…it says all this about you, too!
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| This is taking time to PLAY! |
I know that God has put in my heart to do this business–to share with moms everywhere that they CAN stay home with their kids. Network marketing offers amazing opportunities for women to have their own successful business with low start up costs and free training. And, best of all, a business that can be run from home. I am blessed to be able to offer moms the ability to make a difference in the world and to create financial freedom–and to be home with their children!
After all, part of the reason that little voice tries to make me feel worthless is that it knows that I will use my success to help others and to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. I hope that you won’t let that voice keep you from your dreams, either. Use the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God and vanquish that voice by saying OUT LOUD all the things that God says you are. After all, He created you. And, as the stranger says in A Snoodle’s Tale, I can hear God saying to me and to you, “And lastly your wings. You know what they’re for. But not just to fly (daughter), I want you to soar!”
Just another Monday..
Do you remember the Manic Monday song? “Just another manic Monday…wish it were Sunday…that’s my fun day!” I used to love singing that song along with the radio on Monday mornings, and I was just thinking how apt the song is today. ;-) Sundays are our fun days…going to church, then out to lunch, then to the library. It’s always a fun day of family time.
Josyan asks Ryan every morning, “Do you have to go to work today, Daddy?” When Ryan says, “Not today.” Josyan says, “Yay! Daddy Fun Day!” ;-) And it certainly is fun to spend the day as a family, even when I still have to work.
And then comes Monday. Even though Mondays for me no longer mean driving 90 miles to work, they still seem a little sad, especially when the sky is overcast. (Of course, that could just be the clouds!) On days like these, I just want to bake some chocolate chip cookies and curl up with a book or watch a movie with my kiddos. But, alas, we have schoolwork and work work and house work. lol
And just when I’m starting to feel a little down…I remember that I have a Plan. A plan that will make every day a Daddy Fun Day. Of course, the kids will still have school work, but Ryan & I will no longer have work work, and I will hire someone to do my house work. (hurray!!!) I am pursuing my dreams of financial freedom and making a difference in the world–and I’m doing that from my home. How great is that?!
Jungle Warfare
In Jungle Warfare, Christopher Cunningham, a sales professional and a lay minister, provides men and women in sales with a solid, Biblically based devotional that will help them to focus on God and improve their sales results. Based on his grandfather’s WWII Field Manual, Cunningham aptly relates the dangers soldiers find at war in the jungle to the dangers Christan sales professionals face in the real world.
Each chapter begins with an excerpt from Cunningham’s grandfather’s field manual that contains instructions for dealing with the dangers in the jungle, including everything from wild hogs to contact with the enemy. In the short devotion that follows, Cunningham relates the excerpt to a common “danger” faced by the sales professional, giving him/her a ‘Battle Plan” to address the danger and overcome it through the Word and prayer. Readers are asked to think about their own lives and sales’ practices, to pray, and to reflect on how they can better serve God in their sales’ careers.
At the end of the book, Cunningham includes a “Field Support” section, almost a mini-Bible Promises for the salesperson. Covering everything from what to do with competition to depression, this is a great resource for finding the right verse to speak to many of the issues dealt with by folks in sales, particularly traveling sales.
The manual is not comprehensive, but it is a great 22 day devotional that provides short, to the point, and helpful advice based soundly on Biblical principles. The Field Guide format is interesting and makes for some insightful connections between the Christian life and the soldier’s life. After all, we are fighting a battle every day, though the battle is spiritual, not physical. Whether you are a traveling salesman or a network marketer, this book is a helpful resource to have on hand at all times.
**I received this book as part of the Book Sneeze program in exchange for reading and writing a review. All opinions here are my own. **
