Sunday, February 15, 2015

Next: Part 2 in The Power of a Half Hour

I have just finished reading part 1 of this book.  It's very encouraging and the reason why I didn't really write notes on what I read was not because their was nothing to write, but that it was more stories of how a half and hour can change a life for better or for worse.

My notes are for me to be able to detail how I am to incorporate these small spurts of time to improve who I am as person, follower of Christ, and as a business owner.

For part 1 these are what I will take and remember:

To make wise decisions with my half-hours, being sure that God is always at the beginning of my days, my dealings, and how I conduct myself.

Anyone who really knows me, knows that I have my own downfalls and habits that I need to change.  I know that all of these insights to time and how precious it is will not happen in a night, but perhaps I can integrate these principles into my life enough in these small sections of time that my days and night will eventually change to reflect my smaller choices.

Our changes have to be deliberate, they have to be made in advance (knowing that times will come that will require you to make those choices), and they have to be made in the short periods of time - in the instances that come up when that choice needs to be made, so that your future choices then become your now choices.

Here's to our half hour choices allowing us to become who we are aiming to be - for the better.

How To Handle Cancelled Appointments

    Since I've started by new career in direct selling on January 14th of 2015, I've had several people cancel or forget their appointment with me.  Several of these appointments, 2 of 3 that I know of at least, were cancelled because of what others had said to the person (whether family or friend) that would discredit me and the company that I represent.

I know that there are less than 1% of bad reviews compared to the number of customers that we have, but people are so skeptical and are very defensive about new businesses, about direct selling, and "friends" contacting "friends" asking them to look at what they're doing, or are a part of (because this usually entails their "friend" trying to sell them something).

However, not every one of these types of companies are bad, or are out to just get your money.

    In my circumstances, they did not even take the time to at least hear what I had to say.  I believe that when I make my appointments, and when questions come up about what I do and it's legitimacy, I need to emphasize that if they are serious about saving money and really want to be rewarded for paying a bill that they will always have to pay, they take the time to listen to me.

    Today I had an appointment cancel on me, but I decided when she cancelled that I would not allow that to bring me down.  Instead, I needed to do something productive and positive for myself, for my business, to keep myself not only motivated, but also focused on setting up the next appointment and meeting new prospects.

I would be lying if I said that I am not doing this for the money, because the point of the business is to help me to become financially free.  However, I believe in the service I provide because of what I see it doing in the lives of my business partners and because of it's track record here in Northern California.  The prices are competitive compared to our local ESP (Energy Service Provider).   We also offer other benefits and really just ways for thanking our customers for using our services and being a part of the success of our company.

    So when you are faced with "No's" and cancelled appointments, do not allow those to bring you down and become discouraged.  Instead, be sure to do something right away that is positive for both you and your business.  Remember the reasons why you decided to be a part of what you are doing.  No one is going to hand you your financial freedom, or the ability to buy your time back, you have to allow your daily decisions to do that for you.

Friday, February 13, 2015

The Power of...Personal Growth and Everyday Habits

I'm reading a book called "The Power of a Half Hour" by Tommy Barnett

These are just some of my notes and things that I'm now beginning to integrate into my life for Personal Growth and change in my Everyday Habits.

The Premiss is this:

That..."your half hours can determine the difference between success and failure.  Your half hours direct and shape your future." (pg. xii)

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back."  - Harvey Mackay

Now the things to use while reading this book:

1. Begin reading this book in half-hour spaces.  Whether you do a couple spaces a day or one, schedule these spaces out.

2. If something stands out to you and is personally helpful, write it down.  As well as write down what you need to do to make those changes.

3. Pray.  Make sure you are incorporating God while reading this book, asking him to help you use, reflect, and remember to act on what he teaches you while reading this book and in all that he asks you to do.

4. Tell someone what you're doing as far as this book is concerned.  Ask someone who you are close with to keep you accountable in following what you are learning as well as that you are keeping to these 4 principles.

So who am I going to ask to keep me accountable?  For now it will be my fiance until such time as a find a close business partner and brother in Christ...which I guess I will begin actively praying for (it'll probably help if I begin to go back to church).

Well, this is my half hour, and these are my notes.

Things to do now:

1. Begin looking at how I spend my half-hour spaces (remember time is precious). Also begin setting half-hour spaces to get things done (like devotions, learning spanish, making calls to set appointments, chores, etc.).

2. Pray that God shows me my new best friend and business partner who we can keep each other accountable and grow in Christ together.

3. Get the money to buy this book (and keep coming to barnes and noble to read until I am able to).

4. Get a daily planner.  Not an electronic one, like an app, but something I can actually write in and begin setting goals (need money for that too).

5. Go back to church

Next to Read: Part 1 - The Power of Half Hour to Impact Your Life

Thursday, January 22, 2015

The First Weeks Experience in Ambit

  Greetings to my new readers, and to past readers who are going over this article again.  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Ikaika, or you can call me Ika.  This article is about my growing experience in this company as a P2P, or person to person energy sales consultant.

   This blog's purpose to track my progress as a new consultant, in my successes, learning experiences (a.k.a "failures"), and everything in between.

    I joined Ambit one week and one day ago.  I have had only one success in the form of a customer, zero in joined partners, and I have only three more weeks (less) to get my bonuses for being a new MC - Marketing Consultant.

    I have spoke to several people about it from work, from the bar, and other friends that I thought would at least hear me out.  Unfortunately many of these people are very skeptical.  There's nothing wrong with that, but its bothering when you have friends who won't hear you out, or just turn down what your trying to do for them (I seriously feel that it would be easier to talk to strangers than to friends).

    However, I know that I must work harder and reach out to more people to show them this great service.  It's simple when you think about it.  All I'm doing is showing them how to save on their utilities bill, and if they're interested in making money, all they have to do is do what I'm doing (show other people who has a utilities bill).

    Overall, though the week was slow and only one person signed up as a customer, I have to keep pushing forward.  One gem that I am taking away from this week, well two gems, is that:

My pastor allowed me to share with him what I'm doing, and even though he declined to even be my customer, he has pushed me to make sure I am right with God.  So for the first time in months and months, I did my devotions today and spent time in prayer.

My second gem is that I know that as I keep growing as a relationship builder, energy consultant, fiance, son, and child of God, I will achieve success.  The key is being persistent and knowing, and placing focus on what is most important (faith, family, and financial goals).

- I.A.Mossman

iamossman.myambit.com