Big Changes!

Well I am here to tell you that I am moving. Yes, it's time to move out of the bad juju house and into a new start. So this clan, cats, dog, boy, girl , business and possibly horse are outa here!. I'm looking at a cute little place out in the country. Don't know yet. But I will keep you posted. So if I'm not around I'm painting, working, packing or panicking! New beginnings are good and it is what I have asked the universe for. Now I need to ask for it to be affordable! Let me know how you all are and how business is. On the business end, things are well. As busy as I have been, I'm not to busy to assist you in your success as well. We get what we give. If I can do anything to help you make your dreams come true or set your business on fire, call me!

Admit It or Not...We ALL Do IT!

It's true! We all do it. We don't all talk about it. Some of might not even want to admit it. Some of us will even lie about it. Some of us are proud of it...a feeling of accomplishment. Some of us will never talk about it. Afraid we'd be judged or avoided by our friends. Some of us make lots of money at it, especially on the internet. Why I bet even a large percentage of you even did it this morning...while convincing you child that their breakfast is good for them. Or possibly while you were talking to your best friend on the phone about a great new pair of shoes you just bought. And even a handful of you did it while telling your boss why they should give you a promotion or a raise. What is it? It's sales.

We all do it all the time. And yet, it's the biggest excuse I get when talking about home based businesses with my peers. "I'm just not good at sales". How many of you hear that? More important, how many of you say it?? To be successful in this world we all need to be "selling" something all the time. We sell our products, we sell our services. We sell our time, we sell our businesses, bosses, friends to other friends, children to other children and parents, pets, pride and opinions. And yet, I hear it. "I'm just not as good at sales as you are, Christy". Well I'm calling you on it. Yes you are!

So why are we unconciously able to sell the aboved mentioned and we are so reluctant to take on a "sales" role that will make our lives easier and our pocket books thicker? I have two theories. The first is unfamiliarity of the product. You don't think you can sell it because you don't know enough about it. I agree. I can't sell something or someone if I don't believe in it. I can't tell Jim he should ask out Janice if I don't think Janice is a real catch. I couldn't sell USANA if I didn't believe with all my heart that you will be better off for using the product. Get to know the product you are considering being a part of. If you know it, you will not fear it.

The second reason in my mind is fear. How do I live my life differently than I do now. How you live it now may not be the way you dream. You may not have all the money you want. You may not feel as good as you would like to. But it is what you know. Good or bad, right or wrong, you trust it. The fear of change and the fear of success is very real to some people. That rut that they are in is comfortable. But dare to have a better life.

Dare to dream. Feel it as if you are already living it. And most important, take the steps to make it happen. Without taking that first step in a new direction nothing will change. So my challenge to you this week is to look at something new with an open mind. Stop yourself when you think "I couldn't" and say instead "What if I did?" And then educate yourself. USANA may not be for you. I can't imagine why, but it might not be. But find something that is. Take that brave first step and begin the life you always wished you had. It's work. But isn't the new life worth it? And after all...we all do it everyday. Now make it productive for you! Good luck and get going!

How Is Your Retirement Coming Along?

Do you know that only 20% of Baby Boomers have any type of savings account? That means that 80% in this critical age have NOTHING in savings. That is a very scary statistic. What about retirement plans? I know that at 43 and the very small amount I put each month into a IRA, my financial advisor has told me that I am ahead of the game compared to most. Frightening. And I thought I was so far behind! Bankruptcy laws have now changed as well. Did you know that if you file bankruptcy that it will not solve medical debt? This a new development from good ol' G. Dub. Medical debt is one of the leading reasons that our national files bankruptcy in the first place. Am I making your day so far?

My question to you is "What are you going to do about taking care of your financial resources?"

If you think Social Security will be around to take care of you in your retirement, you are wrong. If you think that $25 a month in an IRA or 401K is going to take care of you, you are wrong. And yet we live paycheck to paycheck. Where will the extra come from? I'll tell you where. The home based business that you will start this year.

That's right. You will start a home based business this year. You will find a product that excites you with a reputable company, preferably the #1 company, with a record of longevity and products that you can feel good about and believe in. You will dedicate 2 hours a week to this business to begin with. More if you have the time. You will learn how to write off home expenses and save $3,000 to $9,000 on your taxes. You will take what you earn and place it in a tax credited IRA or 401K. Your financial consultant can tell you what is best for you.

You will capitalize in the power of 2. You will talk to 2 people a day. You will help 2 people get started in what you do. You will help them find 2 people to do the same. That's it. That is the formula to improve your financial situation. It can really be that simple.

You will begin to enjoy the freedom of less worries for your future. You will begin to see that you control your income, not your employer. You will begin to see that your financial capabilities are in your own hands and not your employers. You will see that you can make a terrific income, worry less, enjoy your family more and it's all in your control. The future begins today. Are you ready to start?

Shed Pounds and Lose the Cravings

I'm getting a team of 10 people together who want to lose the cravings or shed a few pounds. I find people work best in teams. Do you know anyone who wants to lose the cravings or shed a few pounds??? Email me at Christy.Barber@hotmail.com or call the number at www.ChristyBarber.USANA.com. I need to know by Friday who I have on the team. Are you ready?

Guess Who's In the Top Ten???

Me! That's right...ME!!! This morning I woke to find that in my email box was the top USANA achievers for this past week. I was suprised and delighted to find that I was listed at the #9 spot for top Preferred Customer Enrollers. I'm here to tell you folks that if you haven't started a home based business because you think you don't have the time you need to look at it again. With a full time marketing business and several other irons in the fire I devote an hour a day to USANA. If you can only devote one hour a week you can do this business. Think in the power of two. Can you talk to two people a day or give them your business card? Can you find just two people to do this business with you? Can you help them find two people? Then you can be successful at USANA. My name was on that list today. I am looking forward to seeing it there for Top Income Earners! I'm doing it. Can I help you do it too?

It's Not Too Late!

I have a CD in my car that a friend loaned to me. It's David Bach, renowned author, discussing a plan for wherever you are in life to change your life and literally finish rich. I have listened to it twice now. I believe that the first time you hear something like that you just scratch the surface. The second time it begins to penetrate and have meaning. Bach wrote "Start Late/Finish Rich". A book I plan on reading soon. He himself was a millionaire at age 30. A multimillionaire by 35. The thing that sticks the most for me in what he said is that we should pay ourselves first. If we look at our paychecks the first thing we notice is that the government has already taken it's share before we can take ours. Bach says we need to get in the habit of doing the same for ourselves. His suggestion? Take one hours worth of your wages a day and pay yourself first right into a tax deductable IRA or 401 K. He goes on to say that the growth that will produce will be very beneficial in the long run. Agreed. Tricky part? Where do you pull that money from if you live pay check to pay check as so many of us do. Ironically enough, my new marketing account is an investment banker. We found ourselves in a conversation today about how Social Security will not be there by the time us early to mid forty-somethings need it. The investment banker I met with today says there isn't enough there to take care of the baby boomers at this point. Bach's solution for extra funding? In home businesses. His statement was that if you can begin a home based business that provided just $500 a month in extra income to invest into your future that it would be well worth it. And in many cases with MLM's and home based businesses that $500 often turns into $1,000 in not a lot of time. Know where you want to be in five years. Know where you want to be in 10 years. And if you aren't there or on your way there, what you are doing is not working. It can work. If you are interested in knowing some important criteria for selecting a home based business, contact me. I'd be glad to share some unbiased information with you that might help you make a choice.

Can I Get Personal For A Moment?

Happy Mothers Day! It's not often that I get personal here on my business blog. But today I feel moved to. Maybe it's the nest of new baby sparrows out my back window that I can hardly tear myself away from watching as their parents diligently tend to their feedings. More likely it's that today I brought my horse off the mountain where she has been for the winter. We have LOOOONG winters here and time has just permited tearing her away from the green grass and the little brook that runs through her winter home. I thought I'd spend the better part of my afternoon trying to coax her off the mountain. I underestimated her. I took her pink bucket with a little grain and whistled for her. Her ears perked up and she saw me. I teasingly turned and started to walk away from her to make it all the more appealing. Before I was aware, she came running up behind me with four of her closest horsey friends to share in the reward. Needless to say she was not hard to catch. Upon putting her with new horses for her summer home at the polo field, she definatley felt a little out of place. I had another horse to exercise for a friend but I kept a close eye on my mare as I did so. She looked lonely but I knew she'd be okay. When I was done I walked over to her and she came running for me. As she did so one of the less excepting geldings took a bite at her. She kept running for me and finally got to the fence where I was and let out a big sigh. One of my polo teammates said, "she sure loves you, Christy". Well the feeling is mutual. I have a quote on my refridgerator that reads like this.

"I discovered that the horse is life itself, a metaphor but also an example of life's mystery and unpredictability, of life's generosity and beauty, a worthy object of repeated and ever changing contemplation".

I waited 37 years to own my first horse. And 41 to know one with her every thought and emotion. She is a sacrafice that I am happy to make. A freedom that I long to feel. A strength I didn't think I would ever find. And as she struggles to make her place in a new herd six miles away from me, I'd give anything to be right there watching her. At the end of my day tomorrow I will. And she'll nicker her pleasure to see me and I will know that all I do to have her is so well worth it.

Patience Is Not MY Virtue

When you want something, you want it now! Right? I have to admit that I've been a little down lately. I feel that I am on the verge of greatness and it all is just hanging on the cusp of flipping over into that realm. USANA is going great. I am proud to say that I reached another recognition level this week. No reason for my blues other than it all seems to be right there and I can't seem to tip it to the other side. So then I go back to the laws of attraction. The Secret. "Money comes to me freely and easily". Say it over and over. Gratitude. Now this one is important. I say at the end of each day (write them down even when I can) five things that I am greatful for. And they can't be the same things I have already stated that I'm grateful for. This helps. And asking the universe for more. So last night I searched the net for potential new accounts. I finished mailing out my first edition newsletter. If you would like one, email me your address and I'll get one out to you. And wow...did it all begin to pay off today. Today I followed up with my USANA preferred customers and even got a new one. The owner of the publicity company I free lance for asked me to join her in a new business as a partner. You'll be reading about that one soon enough. I have an appointment for a new marketing prospect. And the inquiries for the NHEA began to pile in. Good things come to those who wait? Good things come to those who get off their duff and go get it! The lesson? Stay composed. Be specific in asking the Universe for what you want. And shake up your world. If it's not coming to you fast enough, GO GET IT! Often times it's yours for the taking!

Cross Reference That Advertising

All of us in business today advertise. It can’t be avoided. To have your name known, you have to have the exposure. But do you cross reference your advertising? For example: Do you have your website listed on your business card? When you list your website on your business card, you give your clients and potential clients another way to learn about your business. You can have only so much information in an add. You have so much more on your website that is accessible 24/7 365. Listing your website on all your print media makes your business multi-dimensional. What you can’t convey in print, they can see. Place your website address in your phone book ads (all of them), newspaper, brochures, business cards, newsletters, radio and internet ads are particularly useful when they can link directly to your site. Get more results from your advertising dollar and be more visible.

Got Cards?

How many of you carry business cards with you? Okay, now how many of you have almost the same amount of business cards you ordered a year ago? Business cards are a great way to keep you business visible and an easy way to open doors of conversation with potential customers. Be certain you have cards with you at all times. Business lunches? Before you pay the tab, be sure to leave one on the table for your server. If he/she can’t use your services, they may remember you when they hear of someone who can. Pass them out in the grocery store line, movie theater and while you get your oil changed. Slip them into greeting cards and notes. Your business will be more visible and you won’t be soon forgotten.

The Most Wonderful Day of the Week!

I realize I am running a day late here but I wanted to share with all of you the most wonderful day of the week. I doubt many of you will disagree with me about FRIDAY! Friday is wonderful but for those of us lucky enough to be involved with USANA, it's particularly wonderful! It's PAYDAY! Yes, it's true. If you are on auto pay (and why wouldn't you be?), you get the shear pleasure of just simply waking up in the morning, logging on to your online banking and seeing a new deposit has been made into your account. Nothing better. There it is. The fruit of your labor and hard work. An amount of money in direct reflection of the work you put into it waiting for you. Nothing starts your day off better. Nothing puts a smile on your little coffee dribbled face quicker. If you are a member of USANA and don't have auto deposit, do it. If you aren't a member of USANA and what to know about this life changing opportunity, call me! Have a nice weekend everyone. I know I will.

The Weekend Is Coming...Let's Have Some Fun!

This came across my wire not long ago and since the weekend is coming, I thought it might be good to have a laugh to get us through Friday!

The Years Best ACTUAL Headlines of 2006

CRACK FOUND ON GOVERNOR'S DAUGHTER

(Imagine that!)

SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN JET CRASH EXPERT SAYS

(No, really?)

POLICE BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO RUN DOWN JAYWALKERS

(Now that's taking it a bit far!)

IS THERE A RING OF DEBRIS AROUND URANUS?

(I'll leave that one alone)

PANDA MATING FAILS; VETERINARIAN TAKES OVER

(What a guy!)

MINER REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH

(No good lazy so and so's)

JUVENILE COURT TO TRY SHOOTING DEFENDANT

(See if that works better than a fair trial!)

WAR DIMS HOPE FOR PEACE

(I can see how that might have an effect)

IF STRIKE ISN'T SETTLED QUICKLY IT MIGHT LAST AWHILE

(You think?)

COLD WAVE LINKED TO TEMPERATURES

(Who would have thought?)

ENFIELD (LONDON) COUPLE SLAIN; POLICE SUSPECT HOMICIDE

(They may be on to something)

RED TAPE HOLDS UP NEW BRIDGES

(You mean there is something stronger than duct tape?)

MAN STRUCK BY LIGHTENING FACES BATTERY CHARGE

(He probably IS the battery charge)

NEW STUDY OF OBESITY LOOKS FOR LARGER TEST GROUP

(Again...leaving it alone)

ASTRONAUT TAKES BLAME FOR GAS IN SPACE

(What? No dog?)

KIDS MAKE NUTRIOUS SNACK

(mmmm tasty kiddies)

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS CUT IN HALF

(Chainsaw massacre all over again)

HOSPITAL SUED BY 7 FOOT DOCTORS

(wow...tall!)

AND THE WINNER IS ....

TYPHOON RIPS THROUGH CEMETERY; HUNDREDS DEAD

Getting Word Out

Well so much for not racking up hours yesterday. I worked like a fiend over the last two days connecting with the media and pitching the NHEA. In many areas its going great. In other areas, I'm left scratching my head and wondering how people can so easily turn a blind eye. Today there were protests all over the US with the topic being immigration. At one time I questioned what the right solution was. Mind you, I am Hispanic. Born in Portland, Oregon. Then I realized that this whole nation is founded on immigration. That is what Ellis Island is all about. That's how your grandparents or great grandparents ended up here.

I have contacted several areas of the media, your basic three. I actually got a response today from an editor of a newspaper that went kind of like this:

Editor: We won't be using your press release because it doesn't really pertain to local news.

Yours Truly: Oh, I was under the impression that your community had a large Hispanic base.

Editor: It does. We have a lot of Hispanics in our area.

Yours Truly: Can I persuade you to reconsider? I think it would be of great interest to your readers to learn about this association and how it can benefit Hispanic families.

Editor: They'll never see it. They don't read us. We have had a terrible time cracking that market.

Okay...does anyone else here think that maybe if they published more information that was useful to the Hispanic community that they might "crack that market"? I found it very interesting that when an Easter egg lands in your lap, you let it hit the ground. Interesting. Somebody left me a message today on mybloglog.com that said he'd be interested to read more about the outreach work I am doing. What I am learning is that one person can't do it all. It takes a community of people to do the outreach work and spread the word so that the betterment can occur. Immigration is an issue that effects all of us. The NHEA offers a hand up, not a hand out. Empowers rather than enables. But most of all, it educates. Let me know if you are interested in helping the NHEA spread the word.