(Can you tell that my hand is raised?!)  For years, I have been a fan of Jeffrey Gitomer, world-renowned and best-selling author, speaker, and self-proclaimed Chief Executive Salesman…or Janitor (depending on which work shirt he’s wearing during one of his hundreds of packed seminars each year).  As far as I’m concerned, this guy really understands what networking is all about.  One of my favorite quotes of his is, “People don’t like to be sold, but they love to buy!”  This holds particularly true in network marketing. 

Have you ever started a conversation with, “Hey friend, I want to tell you about a product you can buy that you are going to LOVE”?  OF COURSE NOT.  Some of us may have tried to start a dialogue with a weak pitch, but since a conversation takes TWO or more people, and since you probably got shot down somewhere between the “Hey friend” and the “product you can buy” portion, it’s likely that a conversation never took place.  Gitomer has helped me overcome many such rookie mistakes with his book, “Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Black Book of Connections:  6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to RICH Relationships” in which he states:

All things being equal, people want to do business with their friends.  All things being not quite so equal, people STILL want to do business with their friends.  HINT:  To climb the ladder of success, you don’t need more techniques and strategies, you need more friends.”

Powerful statement, huh?  In our industry, independent distributors have the benefit of freedom; you set our own schedule, you act as your own boss.  The hand-off, as those of you who have ever held any sales job can attest to, is that the idea of a high-quality ”lead list” being handed to you on Day One is as unlikely as finding a CrackerJack prize in your Autoship of Mila (though I might really be onto a great idea there!)  No, in network marketing, we have to make our own leads, and the easiest place to start our search for prospective distributors is friends and family.  People with whom you already have an established rapport are easiest to connect with.  As Gitomer tells us:

Connecting is all about your friendliness, your ability to engage, and your willingness to give value first.  When you combine those three attributes, you will have uncovered the secret of powerful connections that lead to RICH relationships.

I know that making time for professional development–such as reading the works of gurus like Carnegie, Hill, Peale, and other classic authors–is not always easy, but it is without question VITAL to your success in any business.  I would go so far as to say that this industry necessitates it more than any other because when you own your own business, you are solely responsible for your success.  One of the reasons I’m a fan of Gitomer–and I’m not ashamed to admit this–is because his books are so short and easy to read.  And yes, they have pictures.  Plus, these are no-nonsense resources; he cuts straight to the point and shares practical and applicable tips for building your business.  And frankly, anyone who adds a bibliography to a book on networking and lists the sole resource as “Google” gets a gold star in my book.  Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this or any other “little” book by this guy!

Happy connecting!

Jenni “Lifemax Librarian and Friend-Finder, Too” Smith

The Little Black Book of Connections, Copywrite 2006 by Jeffrey Gitomer
Published by Bard Press, Austin, Texas

The below list comprises those who’ve personally sponsored the highest number of EAQs who—regardless of enrollment month—attained a status of “qualified” in August.  Additional details on the Developer Bonus can be found in the Lifemax Compensation Plan Narrative document found in the Document Library of your Team Office.  Congratulations to our winners!

August Winners

1. Christos Kapetanios
2. Milamax, LLC
3. Denise Meisburg
4. Suriani Mohamed
5. Tom Duke
6. Francisco Gutierrez
7. Theresa Ford
8. Robert Kelly
9. Tracy Castleman
10. Thelldine Wegesend

Big ideas can dwell in the most insignificant attribute just as the flavor of an entire ocean is contained in one drop.

I can’t say that I’ve ever caught a mouthful of salty water and paused to consider the fact that each drop contains the same wet feel and salty flavor here in Florida as it does for our distributors up and down the east coast or all the way to the UK.  Furthermore, I don’t recall the Pacific Ocean tasting any different last time I was on the west coast, so it’s probably safe to say that one small drop of the good ol’ Atlantic represents every ocean across the globe.  And if big ideas can dwell in something the size of a drop of ocean water anywhere in the world, I can’t help but wonder what kind of gigantic ideas will come to life when a blend of distributors from all over come together to ELEVATE their lives to a higher level during this year’s annual conference. 

Consider for one minute, as I did this morning, how huge this is going to be.  This October, we will have hundreds of distributors–some who have been with Lifemax from the very beginning, and others who joined us as recently as this month–coming together to be part of something big, something life-changing, something they can pull from and use to build their business faster, stronger, and more easily for years to come.

As our Founder Sherri Wear shared earlier this week, she has asked her Executive Life Coach, Dr.  Mark Chironna–the man whom she credits with helping her and Jim find success in everything from business to their marriage–to be the Keynote Speaker for ELEVATE twenty10.  His message will affect EVERYONE who joins us this October.  Will YOU be there to learn from our Founders’ mentor? 

Happy Big Idea-ing!  And see you in October!

Jenni “Lifemax Librarian and Big Idea Thinker” Smith

Thinkertoys, Copywrite 2006 by Michael Michalko
Published by Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, California

Hello everyone – Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the last few weeks of your summer.

We just want to give you a little teaser of what we will be bringing to you at our Lifemax Annual Conference: ELEVATE twenty10.  We have asked Dr. Mark Chironna to be our keynote speaker!  Dr. Chironna has been our Executive Life Coach for the past several years.  It was not until Jimbo and I started being coached and trained by Dr. Chironna that we became wealthy–not just in our finances–but in our mind, will, and emotions.  We attribute at least 60% of our success in our business entrepreneurial world and in our marriage to his training and teachings.

It would be unfair to you all to keep our best kept secret a secret any longer.  I ask you all to open your mind and heart and allow Dr. Mark Chironna to pull your destiny out of you in the same way that he guided and led us straight to ours.

With much love,

Sherri Wear

p.s.  Below is a personal invitation to attend ELEVATE from Dr. Chironna to YOU!  This short video clip is just a teaser for what you’ll hear in October, and I hope that this will get you as fired up as we are!

A Message from Dr. Mark Chironna

Do You Assume You Know What I Mean By “Assume”?

Most of us don’t realize how many casual assumptions we make in a day.  Now I’m not referring to the assumptions we make about the noisy neighbors or the parents of the petulant child kicking the back of our seats when flying cross-country to that next amazing Lifemax event.   I’m talking about a different set of assumptions that we make when trying to problem-solve.  Consider the following excerpt from “Thinkertoys:”

Suppose you built a house using a “yard” stick that was actually an inch short.  If you assumed that it was a full yard and used it to measure everything you built, then everything would be wrong, and your ceilings, doors, and windows would be too low.  If you had started by questioning the measuring stick, there would have been no problem.  It is the same with all problems:  If you start with incorrect assumptions, your solutions will be poorly constructed.

Assumptions in the Industry

This got me thinking about what assumptions we make in network marketing.  Do we ever incorrectly assume someone has had a bad experience in network marketing and consequently present the business opportunity with unnecessary trepidation instead of confidence?  Do we ever incorrectly assume we know how something should be done now simply because it’s worked in the past?  Do we ever assume a mentality of, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” in lieu of seeking an improved solution that perhaps just wasn’t previously available?

Assumptions in Associations

How selective are you when it comes to choosing people with whom to associate?  From casual acquaintences to friends, personal assistants to bosses, and prospects to partners, it is likely that you use some kind of measuring stick (hopefully one that is NOT missing a metaphorical inch) when inviting people into your life.  Though you may not weed out everyone whom you feel lacks creativity, it might be wise to seek out those that “think outside the box” as surrounding yourself with other creative problem-solvers can only lead to making you more creative yourself.  Consider the famous inventor, Thomas Edison, who clearly provides an example of seeking out creativity in his hiring practices:

Whenever Thomas Edison was about to hire a new employee, he would invite the applicant over for a bowl of soup.  If the person salted his soup before tasting it, Edison would not offer him the job.  He did not hire people who had too many assumptions built into their everyday life.  Edison wanted people who consistently challenged assumptions.

And speaking of salt, it would be wise to take this post with a grain of salt, so-to-speak.  Even Michalko recognizes the unlikelihood of challenging every assumption in life as he states:

Obviously, many things have to be taken for granted, and the purpose is not to pretend that one has the time to challenge every assumption, but instead to show nothing is sacrosanct.  Once you truly realize this, you are open to all sorts of discoveries.  Imagine diving into a lake that everyone assumes is freezing and discovering balmy, warm water.  Until you jump, you will never know for sure.

So I’m asking you to take a jump with me.  Challenge at least one assumption every day, and discover the creative side to problem-solving that will open up endless solutions!

Happy problem-solving!

Jenni “Lifemax Librarian and Problem Solver, Too” Smith

Thinkertoys, Copywrite 2006 by Michael Michalko
Published by Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, California

We are once again more than halfway through the month and you know what that means!  You half two weeks left to get your name added to the below list (if it doesn’t already appear)!  You need only help your personally-sponsored distributors get QUALIFIED this month to increase your chances of securing a spot in our Top Ten list of August EAQ-makers! Remember, regardless of when they enrolled or activated, all distributors whom you have personally sponsored who become qualified this month count toward your Developer Bonus eligibility.

The Current Top 25 EAQ-Makers for AUGUST Are…

1.  Sharifah Maimunah Alhabshi
2.  Tamatha Caldwell
3.  Tracy Castleman
4.  Jacque Craig
5.  Tom Duke
6.  Theresa Ford
7.  Rachel Garcia
8.  Leela Bilmes Goldstein
9.  Heather Haxo-Phillips
10. B. Lea Holst
11. Robert Kelly
12. William Kelly
13. John King
14. Erinn Lynch
15. Milamax LLC
16. Joseph & Rowena Murray
17. Noble Rhythm Holdings Limited
18. Dawn Rapsas
19. Stephen Reid
20. Casey Roberts
21. Mary Schepers
22. Heather Waesche
23. Leslie Walters
24. Glen Watase
25. Thelldine Wegesend

On the heels of the Largest Promotion in Company History, we are proud to announce another piece of big news in the world of Lifemax…

Annual Conference Details

Find additional info on MyLifemax.net/elevate

Who:        YOU!  (And bring your downline, your prospects, and your friends)

What:      Lifemax Annual Conference: Elevate 2010

Where:   Rosen Centre Hotel  |  9840 International Dr.  |   Orlando, Florida  32819  |  800.204.7234

When:     Friday & Saturday  |  October 15-16

Why:         We are on a mission to elevate this business to new heights!  Join us for intense training, high-powered networking, and a lot of FUN!  Lifemax is planning an unforgettable program with some special guests you won’t want to miss, so register today and join us!

Event Fees

• Friday & Saturday (includes General Session, Breakouts, Biz Opp, and Friday Reception)
  • Early Registration:                 $129.00 (5/10/10 thru 6/30/10 extended to midnight on Tuesday, 7/6/10!)
  • Regular Registration:            $169.00 (7/1/10 thru 9/14/10)
  • Late/Onsite Registration:      $209.00 (9/15/10 thru 10/15/10)
• Saturday Night Gala
  • Regular Registration:            $69.00 (5/10/10 thru 9/14/10)
  • Late/Onsite Registration:      $89.00 (9/15/10 thru 10/15/10)

Important Info

• Space is very limited!  This is especially true for the Saturday night gala.  We absolutely anticipate running out of seats!  Purchase your ticket NOW  and save a seat to join us for this incredible evening.
• Save by booking rooms early! From now until June 30, 2010, reserve your room for the event and receive a special rate of $99.00 per night (plus taxes and fees) for a standard room at the Rosen Centre.  After 6/30/10, rates will increase to $109.00 per night (plus taxes and fees).
•  Suggested attire:  For the entire weekend, we suggest attire of “Business Casual.”

Preliminary Schedule

Below is a preliminary schedule of events for the Lifemax Annual Conference:  Elevate 2010.  This schedule is subject to change without notice, so please bookmark MyLifemax.net and check back often for updates!  (Please note:  All times are Eastern Time)

Thursday, October 14, 2010

• 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm              Registration Open
• 7:00 pm                                 Invitation-only Event

Friday, October 15, 2010

• 7:30 am                                    Registration Opens
• 9:00 am                                    General Session Begins
• 12:30 pm                                  Break for Lunch
• 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm                Breakout Sessions
• 7:00 pm                                    Lifemax Business Opportunity
• 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm              Welcome Reception w/ Cash Bar

Saturday, October 16, 2010

• 8:30 am                                    Registration Opens
• 9:30 am – 12:30 pm              Breakout Sessions
• 12:30 pm                                  Break for Lunch
• 2:00 pm                                    General Session Begins
• 6:00 pm                                    General Session Concludes
• 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm              Final Night Gala and Awards Presentation w/ Cash Bar

Sunday, October 17, 2010

• 10:00 am                                 Sunday Morning Services

 Register Now:   www.regonline.com/Lifemax2010

We look forward to seeing everyone in October!

To download a print-ready Elevate 2010 flyer/handout, visit your Team Office Document Library.  For an electronic version, click here.

Somewhere between meetings yesterday, I had a light bulb moment.  It’s been a while since we posted a blog article in our “Health and Happiness” category, but despite how busy the Home Office has been lately with a variety of initiatives (to be revealed at the annual conference), it is always important to pause and make time for such things.  After all, what’s the point of building a business if not for achieving personal satisfaction, creating sustainable health and wealth for yourself and your loved ones, and enjoying the financial rewards you reap from your hard work?  So, consider this my pause.

The Challenge

As a recovering couch-aholic currently in training for a half-marathon relay, I’ll admit that I sometimes struggle to motivate myself to keep up my training regimen.  You may be able to relate to this little pickle in which I’ve found myself:  setting the goal is a piece of cake; training to prepare myself to reach the goal is proving far more difficult.  I have a million excuses (which all feel perfectly valid to me) which I wrestle with NOT accepting on a regular basis.  Of course there are those mornings where my Mila smoothie helps me kick things into high gear, and I feel like I could even give Dr. Bob Arnot a run for his money on the treadmill (that man power-walks his way through our conference calls with ease!) but there are also those days where I have to dig a little deeper to find energy. 

Then it hit me.  Our new Manager, Distributor Services (Dorothy Boyer, aka “DB”) is an avid outdoorsy, sports-playin’, triathlon-competin’, RUNNER.  Due to an injury a while back, DB has slowed her pace and distance to a point where we are (almost) a compatible pair.  I regularly seek her running advice and she routinely offers me encouragement in my race prep, so she seemed like the perfect person to hold me accountable. 

Partnering Up for Accountability

Going it alone is tough.  Finding a partner–any partner–that can hold you accountable (and presumably one for whom you can return the favor) will make your endeavor easier.  Whether you need help in introducing Mila to more people, pushing to make a few extra calls to prospects, increasing the number of in-homes you host, or any other aspect of your Lifemax life, an accountability partner is a great tool!

Here’s How It Works

Start by asking someone to hold you accountable for something you already plan to do.  I had an evening workout planned but was feeling pretty tired at the end of the workday, so I told DB I was going to run that night, no matter what, and I asked her to follow-up with me the next day.  When she did, I was proud to confirm that I stuck to my commitment.  Try this out a few times so that you can test your partner and yourself!

Return the Favor

Find something (it may be the same goal or one completely unrelated) for which your partner needs you to hold him/her accountable, and follow the same first step.  For us, it turns out that DB wanted to get back into running as well, and we decided to organize a weekly post-work five mile jog.  We will hold each other accountable for this and will both benefit greatly.  Maybe you and another member of your team could partner up to hold twice as many Biz Opp Presentations as either of you currently do?

Record Your Progress

You can take this as far as you’d like.  Personally, I’m a checklist kind of gal.  Whatever your method of recording your progress, be sure you’re getting it down on paper/computer/iPhone/etc.  (Or, simply attend the ELEVATE conference and we’ll give you a tool to use!) 

Avoid the easier “oh I keep everything ‘up here’ in the old noggin’” routine.  Most of us are so busy that we can’t remember what we had for breakfast (did we even remember to eat breakfast?!), let alone how many of our weekly goals we achieved for the week.  Plus, it’s quite satisfying to look at a page full of checkmarks at the end of the week!

Reward Your Progress — And Your Partner

It’s important to stay motivated.  Be sure to periodically reward yourself for accomplishing your goals.  Even better, tie your rewards to the goals you’re achieving.  For example, if your goal is to host more in-homes, treat yourself to something for your home that you’ll enjoy which will also be a topic of conversation for your prospects!  Or if your goal is to double the number of calls you make each week, reward yourself with a high-end headset to make the calls easier.   There are ways of creating win-win situations for everyone involved.  And don’t forget to reward your partner, too! 

The Biggest Reward of All

Ultimately, if you are achieving your goals, then you’re already blessing yourself with the greatest gifts available.  Personal accountability is one of the strongest paths I’ve found to health and happiness, and it is my sincere hope that you’ll each find it for yourselves.  In the meantime, if you’re searching for an accountability partner and need some help, reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook, and I’ll be happy to help!

Happy Partnering!

Jenni “Checking This Post Off My List” Smith