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Toward Vision And Goals With Spring In My Step

There is Spring In My Step! A friend saw crocuses as the snow melted in her yard. The sun has been shining in Michigan the last few days. At the mall where I’ve been walking, pastel colored items, Easter dresses, and flip flops are on display. I’m stepping, and practically skipping with springiness, toward my Vision and Goals for areas of my life and starting new seasons.

Crocus

A training  I took recently was talking about a vision board, a vision word, breaking down goals into tiny bite size steps, and breaking down goals for five areas of life-Faith, Family, Business, Recreation, and Self-Care/Health. She recommended making a collage with pictures and words cut out of magazines.

I’ve heard the Vision Board/Word idea in the past, and honestly it sounded like busy work and clutter to me. I don’t want a vision board collage of magazine pictures and words hanging on my wall. Ick. I equate that with the dreaded and useless paper plate crafts done to whittle away time in preschool Sunday school classes.

But, I was hearing enough of theses ideas from enough different business experts, that I decided there might some merit to the idea, and that maybe I needed to implement those ideas in a way that is more suitable to my style.

Words like Build It, Solid Foundation, Team, Boldness, and Goals were some of the words circulating in my head.

A friend sent me the book Build It Bigger, and my son, Mechanical M, gave me a Build On! mug, which also has some fun knock off building bricks. (Side note: Not all versions of the mug contain a teeny building set, however. And this is an affiliate link.)

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Brick by brick, I’ve been building.

I’ve been wanting to share the Vision Board I discussed in early January. I was waiting for my graphic designer and fitness partner, my 17 year old son, who works nearly for free, to help me finish it. He is a high school student involved in studying and completing his own list of priorities. This project was not top on his list.

Mum's Vision Board

 

In January, I did accomplish several of my goals. In the area of Recreation (and mental health) I was able to finish three crochet projects which I demonstrated on FB Live.

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Peppermint Mocha Ponytail/Bun hat

Doing FB Live is a Business goal met too! I read a couple of business building and leadership books, attended trainings, and I did my first blog Giveaway! I have a VIP customer group for my family, friends, and registered customers, and a new group for sharing the Lilla Rose business opportunity. If you are a registered customer, I invite you to request to join!

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Bricks (Ideas) scattered around.

In the area of Self Care/Health, my goal is to lose three pounds/month until July. The plan was to walk 3 miles, 3-5 times/week. One month ago, I started keeping a food journal and I began keeping track of measurements. In one month,  I’m actually walking 4-5 miles 4-5 times/week. I’ve lost all that I regained during the holidays, plus 3 more pounds, and I’ve lost 1-1.5 inches in different areas. This week I began strength training, too. My goal for February is to walk those 4-5 miles 5 days/week more consistently and in less time, with 2-3 sessions of added strength training each week. I won’t lie. This is taking more time than I would like or can spare, and it’s hard! I have blisters. But, I’m sleeping better, have more energy, and drinking less coffee, so staying positive.

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And, YAY! For added bonus, I had my monthly massage and bi annual hair trim!

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And starting to take shape.

Little by little, brick by brick, I’m Building It with a Limp in My Step From the Blisters on my Feet  Spring In My Step, and stepping toward goals in business, health, recreation, our family is growing in many ways, and these areas are challenging me as I’m building my Christian faith.

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Brick by brick, idea by idea, creating Vision and stepping toward Goals, building it.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

How are your 2017 goals shaping up?

Are you accomplishing Putting Spring Into Your Step Toward Your Vision?

Here is an example of Lilla Rose/LoveLeavingLegacy’s Monday night Facebook Live at 5.

Blessings,

Deb

There is a Lilla Rose sale on select Limited Release products with Free shipping on retail orders $60+ through February 17, 2017 at 11:59 PST.  Don’t miss the customer special, too!

If keeping the bills paid wasn't a problem, what is the one thing you would do with the extra from your Lilla Rose income- (1)

February 2017 customer special

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We Are Not Promised A Tomorrow: Cherish

Sunday morning, 1/29/17, my husband received a phone call from our son stating rather matter of factly that he and his brother had been in an accident while driving to band practice before church started. They had slid off the road and hit a tree. They wanted to know if he could come while they waited for the tow truck to arrive. Our son was sure his car was totaled, but he and his brother were not hurt, he said. We were concerned, but not alarmed, and quickly made the plan that he would go help the boys navigate the business end of the situation, and the girls and I would head on to church as planned.

I put out on Facebook the seemingly over-protective call for prayer. This was probably just a minor issue, after all.

Ten minutes later, my husband messaged me: “I think I’m going to take the boys to urgent care, just to be safe. It was a side impact, and the air bags did not deploy.” I replied “Good idea. Better to be safe. I worry about concussions and neck injuries.” <the nurse in me escapes>

With worries beginning to niggle at my gut, the girls and I prepared for church.

My husband sent photos to me of the accident scene. They would not open for some reason. <God> They came later, as my husband was not in a cell service friendly area.

A-Grape, our profoundly wise eight year old, with elephant tears in her eyes shyly came up behind me. “Mama,” she said, “is worrying a sin?” *gulp*

As we drove down the same country road our sons had driven to get to church, as my husband had driven to get to the boys, noting that the road did not even seem that treacherous, I said to our girls “I know that worrying is considered a sin, because it *can* reflect a lack of faith. Are you worried about your brothers?” A-Grape said she was. I said “You know. So am I. I’m concerned about their health, and whether or not they are injured, because I love them. I know that you love them too, or you wouldn’t be so concerned. But A-Grape, loving concern for your brothers and worry are not the same things.

Let’s talk about the things we know about God and faith. We know that God loves the sparrow. We know that He knows the very number of hairs of your brothers’ heads, because He created them. We know that God loves your brothers even infinitely more than we do. We know that He wants what is best for them, and that even in an accident He holds them in the palm of His hands. He will only allow to happen to them that which is for their good, because He wants the very best for His children. When we rest in that faith, we have peace.

We have much to be thankful for this morning, and we ought to be giving the Lord our praise. He deserves our praise and our gratitude, because your brothers are not hurt, and they could have been seriously injured.

If we are sinning by worrying, we will ask God for forgiveness, and we will work on continuing to build our faith in order to honor Him. Let’s not wonder right now if we’re sinning by worrying. Let’s instead praise and worship the Lord for His goodness, and rest in His peace.”

We cranked up praise music. I was sure the tow truck would have taken the car by the time we reached it, and I was blissfully naively confident that we’d passed it, and weren’t even aware of where the accident had occurred. We went up the final hill toward the stop sign. The hill is difficult to climb when icy. If you don’t have some speed, you might not make it up the hill. We crested the top of the hill, I took my foot off the gas of our SUV, and there it was.

The scene. The car. My boys.

I slid on the sheet of black ice as I slowed, not sure I’d stop before I hit our van. I did stop.

I pretended that I was unfazed by the sight: the car hugging the tree on the passenger side, the popped tires. the sizeable dent on the driver’s side that had me perplexed. I hugged my boys tight, questioning them as to how they felt. They assured me they were fine, although both were pale and seemingly on auto pilot. The tow truck was just arriving, and A-Grape had gotten a chance to see that her brothers were okay.

We hopped back into the SUV, and drove on our way to church. I cranked up the praise music for the girls, and said to A-Grape “See? All is well.”

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12: 7-8

I sobbed the rest of the way to church. I knew that our faith talk prepared me for what I had to model for our girls-faithful peace in the midst of concern. Once I saw the scene, that talk was for me. Once I saw the scene, I also knew it was not a matter of fact minor incident.

Our boys’ lives had been spared.

The tow truck driver, the police, and the urgent care doctor all told the boys and my husband how blessed we are. They’ve all seen the other possible outcomes.

I have my sons to hug again this morning, and they are mostly unharmed.

I was never promised I would have those for the rest of Sunday, or this morning, or tomorrow.

God, in His grace, allowed my boys to walk away from an accident that could have, even should have had a different outcome.

I am so so so so grateful for my sons and their life.

Last night, we shared the gift of laughter.

We shared some tears.

We shared a lot of hugs.

We cherished each others’ presence.

Today is a Grand New Day, cherishing each other again.

Social media and the news outlets are ugly, ugly places right now. We are all watching vitriolic hateful comments all over the place. Relationships are being damaged, and certainly not cherished or valued. Loved ones are going to so far as to disown one another.

Life can be short.

We are not promised a tomorrow.

We are not promised a today.

If some are not careful, they are going to live a life of regret because of those hateful thoughts and words being posted.

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4: 1-3

CHERISH your relationships.

Friends and readers, in honor of my wonderful, godly sons and their cherished lives, I’m beginning a first ever for this blog Lilla Rose flexi clip giveaway.

I will give away an extra small Cherish flexi clip to one winner, shipping included.

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Cherish

Enter to win below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fellow Lilla Rose Stylists are ineligible for this giveaway.

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 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4: 11-12

Blessings, friends.

Deb

 

On Beginning A Business: Advice From Winnie the Pooh & Friends

Yesterday, January 18, 2017, was A. A. Milne’s birthday, and national Winnie the Pooh Day.

I enjoyed reading through some of Milne’s quotes. Many can be used for business inspiration, so I pulled out a few and had fun making some graphics.

Corner of the Forest

For instance, in order to bloom in business, an entrepreneur or direct seller can’t stay hidden at home! Somehow, staying out in front of customers is a must.

How could I get myself out in front of customers?

  • Be at vendor events selling or presenting a product to customers.
  • Attend networking meetings or events with other small business owners.
  • Do in home Style Boutiques. (home parties for some companies)
  • Do online Style Boutiques or home parties.
  • Find ways to show the product in use all the time in every day life.
  • Wear a Luci advertising bag.
  • Use social media or a blog, which is a key point for a person home bound and running a business.

How is a direct sales small business owner different than a chain store?

Consideration eeyore

  • Customer service is personalized. Customers and team members (sometimes known as downline) want to know they are cared for more than a product or an upline’s promotion, and, the focus is not solely on sales and profit.
  • Trust and loyalty needs to be earned.
  • There is mutually agreed upon communication, follow up, and meeting times.

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Who sets the pace for business growth? Is direct sales small business ownership “easy money?” Is it a “pyramid scheme?”

  • There is absolutely no business that will earn a person “easy money.” There a huge difference between filling out some surveys for “easy money” and working a small business. I’d also like to point out that that so called “easy money” is often a scam. I’m telling you–if anyone uses the words “easy money” in regards to business, just run. Any direct sales small business is not going to be a “get rich quick” endeavor.
  • Building a customer base on trust, and a good working team takes time, effort, and perseverance.
  • Sometimes growth depends on how many hours a person is willing to work, consistency, experience in presenting and discussing the opportunity, and for how long an entrepreneur is willing to persevere. The river may branch in a different direction within a team or for a team leader.
  • Just because one doesn’t realize progress is being made or as fast as one thinks it should doesn’t mean that progress isn’t happening.
  • Pyramid schemes are illegal in the United States. Direct sales is not a pyramid scheme, as there is a product to sell. Direct sales has a real business model, with a potential for growth and promotion within a company by building teams. Read more here from the Direct Sales Association.

When is the best time to start a direct sales or small business?

What day is it

Today, or whenever you are ready, is a great day to get started!

Please, though, count the costs before signing on dotted lines. You want to be able to go the distance and on a firm foundation!

 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” Luke 14: 28-30
  • Why does one want to start a direct sales business? What are the goals?
  • What can one afford without going into big debt? One needs to do homework and do research of different companies, compensation plans, and the market in one’s area for the product. Start up costs in direct sales are far lower than those businesses with a brick and mortar building.
  • How much time is one willing to invest in a new business? What hours and days would one be able to dedicate to its growth? Fifteen to twenty hours to start is ideal.
  • Is one required to carry inventory, and if so, what are the costs for that?
  • Would one have monthly, quarterly, or yearly sales minimums?
  • Would one have to pay for a replicated website?
  • Would one need to sign up for a newsletter, video making, or graphics designing sites, and if so, what are their fees?
  • What are costs of display materials for vendor events? What are the costs of catalogs, business supplies, and other business branded needs?
  • Is one required to sponsor a team? If so, they should know the structure for how that works. Are there minimum sponsoring requirements? Is the person willing to invest in those new team members and understand that as their leader, he/she would have an obligation to assist with their success? If not, refer again to that compensation plan, because he/she is likely paid a percentage of their sales of product. Earning the compensation happens when one helps the business team succeed.
  • Does one need insurance, to be listed in a business association, or need special licenses?
  • How will one get trained? Does the company offer trainings, and if so, how often? What books should one read, and which direct sales or small business trainings should one attend at the start? How much money will need to be invested in these trainings? New business owners are investing in their own personal growth as leaders in their field when they invest in training.

I’m sure this list is not exhaustive, and it’s not meant to be so, but perhaps it is a springboard for questions to ask as one counts costs of doing business in direct sales especially.

As one who had zero intention of doing a direct sales business when I joined Lilla Rose, it never occurred to me to count any of those costs. I had no idea if, how, or where I’d earn an income. I had no plan, no idea what anything would entail. I spent my first eighteen months learning all of the above, and investing in myself to begin to learn. I had a number of Lilla Rose leaders encouraging me and directing me, but a business plan is not anything I’d ever considered. I had asked no questions.

Here are some of the most basic pieces of information in starting a Lilla Rose business.

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I’m looking for new entrepreneurial minded people to join my Lilla Rose team. Could one of them be you? If so, let’s talk.

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If one grows a team, there is more to the Lilla Rose compensation plan. I’m happy to discuss this in more detail in a conversation.

If anyone needs to discuss the opportunity, I’d invite you to reach me at loveleavinglegacy@gmail.com, or on Facebook messaging via my Lilla Rose/LoveLeavingLegacy page. 

Blessings,

Deb

 

Wise Words on the Lilla Rose Opportunity from the inventor of the flexi clip and owner of Lilla Rose, John Dorsey himself!