A Time for Reflection

As 2014 draws to an end it feels right to use this time to reflect.

I joined Arbonne on Friday 13th June 2014. As soon as I joined I went all out, doing everything I possibly could, working so hard, driving at it constantly, then I burned out. By September I was exhausted, unmotivated and deflated, but I kept trying to plod on, very much hit and miss. I managed to arrange an Opportunity Meeting which was incredible I am so pleased I stepped out my comfort zone. That was definitely a huge achievement for me.

When I signed up, I got the business straight away. I could see exactly how it worked, I understood the concept completely. I set my goals, I was going to be DM by the end of Aug, AM by the end of Dec, RVP by July and NVP by the following Dec - Yep! In just 18 short months I was going to be an NVP! I mean, I completely understood it, so that was it... right?

It's a wonderful life for a VP

Well, clearly not. It is 31st Dec 2014 and I am still a consultant! Huh? How did that happen? I knew the business, I got the concept, I was saying all the right things! So what went wrong? The short answer, me! I went wrong! Like I said, I knew what to do, and was saying all the right things... but I wasn't doing them, well at least not consistently!

These past few months I have learned an awful lot about myself, and I have had to be really honest with myself. I am very good at talking the talk, I know what I need to know, I say what I need to say, I just don't seem to do what I need to do! I am a creative person and my mind wanders... all the time! I start things with great intentions, I have my plan, I get going then and like a little child I get distracted, forget what I was doing and why.

So, now it is time to be honest, look at myself, see who I am and what I have to work with.

My weaknesses are procrastinating, being easily distracted and struggle with attention. My strengths are being able to plan things, making lists, and knowing what I need to do. I love to help others and making people smile, I enjoy being with people and like to experience new things, although I do struggle with change. I am not great with large groups of people I don't know, I get shy and deep down I worry what people think of me.

I can sit here and easily make long term goals, I have done it before. I know how look at where I want to be and know what I need to do to get there, I have done it before. But also knowing that I procrastinate, get distracted and struggle with attention, it is obvious that it will not work... for me. I have done it all before!!  The definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result!

I have decided to still make my long term goals, but I have also made really short term goals across various aspects of my life, and I mean really easy weekly and daily goals. Nothing that will take up loads of time or concentration but little things that will keep me on the right track.

Just before Christmas, I was up at 6am reading my book before work and it was so easy... I stopped because I stopped... no excuses, I could sit here and blame Christmas, but in reality, Christmas did not stop me reading I stopped because I was being lazy and used Christmas as an excuse!

I am starting that again. Getting up at 6am, making a herbal tea, snuggling on the sofa in pure silence and indulging in a chapter of a great book. Once I finish Think and Grow Rich, I will probably re-visit The Slight Edge again!! I have a few more books on my list, but welcome all your recommendations, so please feel free to comment which are your 'must read' books!

Definitely loving all these books!!

My next thing is to listen to an audio every day to keep myself motivated. Every time I listen to something or watch a YouTube video I get such a buzz! One of my favourites is Sarah Dunning at the 2013 AAC - watched that so many times!!

 

 

I am also going to set small goals for talking to new people, having one to ones, and doing workshops, parties and meetings. I am not going to say "I will have 8 one to one presentations, 4 events this month" because like I have said, I did that, and it just didn't work... for me! Small weekly goals, talking to people and booking various activities. Making sure I am having conversations.

 

I have an awful lot of new contacts from my stalls, they filled out forms from which I have information about them such as, their skin type/issue, their current products and regime, if they are interested in new products and of course their name, number, email and date of birth. I have training booked in with my upline today, training booked with one of my consultants for Saturday and a lunch with my upline on Sunday.

 

I am very much looking forward to 2015, learning, growing and developing. I can't wait to meet the person I will be this time next year.

 

Happy New Year everyone!!!