LEAN & MEAN IN 2013!

I don't know about you, but I love "firsts." First day of the week - Monday - first day of the month, but best of all, the first day of a new year. Love, love, love it. That's why I tend to be the most productive in the morning. So let me ask you a couple of questions. Have you made a few New Year's resolutions for yourself for 2013?  If yes, good for you. Are they achievable? If you set similar goals year after year, but don't see them happening (maybe fall a bit short), it’s time for you to sharpen your goal setting skills (maybe listen to Gary Landreman's training posted at www.burgessbiz.com) and see yourself achieving those goals this year. Time to get LEAN and MEAN in 2013!  Use Jim Rohn's guidelines that he calls S.M.A.R.T. goals. Goals should be:

1. SPECIFIC
If you just set out to get healthy and wealthy, this is are vague and will see you falling short with achieving your goals. Vague goals don't give you the motivation and focus needed to achieve your goals. Instead, write down what it is, exactly, that you want to achieve. Example: I will walk 45 minutes briskly everyday. I will avoid the "whites" (sugar, flour, salt) and eat "clean" (vegetables, low glycemic fruits and lean protein.) I will sample two new people a day. I will sponsor three (3) new distributors a month.

2. MEASURABLE
Make sure you can gauge and monitor your progress daily, weekly and monthly. Set short term and long term goals to keep yourself on track. Write these goals down. Use a simple steno pad to record your daily income generating activity. I personally love the steno pad to record my daily activity. Across the top write the day and date. On the right-hand side jot down the nitty gritty stuff you have to do, then check it off when completed. Example: Make the bed, do the laundry, pick up cleaning, etc. On the left side record the income generating activity you did that day, as you are doing it. Example: 3-way call with Melissa, sampled Mary and Karla (circle S by name), left message (circle M by their name) with Nancy, etc. At the end of the day tally up (and evaluate) how productive you have been.

3. ATTAINABLE
Chunk those written goals down into "daily digestible doses." Example: you can't lose 50 pounds by the end of January. And you can't achieve NATIONAL DIRECTOR in six months. It takes you developing THREE REGIONALS. So make sure you step-by-step it so that your goals are attainable.

4. REALISTIC
If your life is buried-busy with six (6) children (like mine was), maybe you can't find three (3) hours a day to work at your business. But you can find one (1) hour. Make that your POWER HOUR! Be realistic with your life and current lifestyle.

5. TIME SENSITIVE
It's been quoted, "Goals are Dreams with a Deadline." A deadline creates a sense of urgency. A deadline puts your goals into an important priority category. Stay focused on achieving those goals by a certain date. Then celebrate each goal as you achieve it!

Take time today, after your New Years Day  nap, and find a quiet place to ponder, reflect on your past year of 2012, what you have accomplished and what you now want to accomplish. Journal it. Blog it. Write it down, then treasure map it. Treasure map? Making that fun chart to post up on your bulletin board that visually keeps your eye on the target. Read those goals first thing in the morning. Say them out loud. INTERNALIZE the REALIZE!  Remember...

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."  - Henry Ford

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." - Les Brown

HUDDLE UP!

You'll often hear me use the phrase "huddle up" when talking about leadership. And these important two words are very key to being a great leader in network marketing. I learned the importance of "huddling up" back in the 80's when I was involved with the Cambridge Diet. The big "C" that took the network marketing nation by storm. Cambridge broke all records and made millionaires over night from regular people because there was such a demand for the diet. At one point I remember them soaring over $90 million a month in sales (wholesale) and expanding rapidly. And with that company I saw incredible financial success, and fell in love with the entire network marketing "magic" - seeing my groups explode and six figure a month incomes come into play. It's where my strong belief in the MLM industry came into focus, and where I adapted the phrase, "when in doubt, diet!" My Cambridge success and experience was also the place I learned how not to be a leader, and how to truly be a leader, and came up with my leadership "Crazy 8's".

Now, here's where I will share the important thing I learned from my involvement with the Cambridge Diet, and how I learned it. Like many network marketers who go from "rags to riches" with their opportunities, often the "rags to riches" goes to their head and they slowly become, as my grandmother used to say, "too big for their britches."  The first huge Cambridge convention was held in Hawaii, and I was selected as a key note speaker with one of the afternoon breakout groups. And I, along with Ken, had achieved one of the top positions. As I entered the large hall for the general assembly, I saw that many of the other top leaders were sitting up front waving at me to join them. So (ego in tact) I quickly walked up to the front of the room to sit with those leaders. And, quite honestly, I was excited to be in that position, sitting up front. I had worked hard, given more meetings and trainings than I'd like to think about, driven more miles than I wanted too, flown to various states to work with my downline, and worked hand-in-hand with my people to help them achieve success. "I've earned my place up front," I thought, proudly. Well, that is where I learned what leadership is all about.

One of my awesome key leaders whom I'd done countless meetings with came up to me after the general assembly and in a scolding way said, "you need to be sitting with your people! We are the reason you have achieved your success here! Your sitting here in front, instead of with your team, is a slap in the face!" Her comments definitely slapped me upside the head and took me back for a bit, but I apologized to her and even thanked her, and continue to thank her for being abrupt and honest with me at that point and time. She had pointed out a very important key to leadership - that of "huddling up." My team of distributors who had made the effort to be in Hawaii with me at the convention needed to know that they mattered, that they were part of my team. It wasn't about me. It was about the importance of gathering my team, sitting with them, holding a special meeting with them while there at convention, strategizing with them, recognizing them, handing out awards, and motivating them to continue building their business. They needed to know that I cared. They needed me and I wasn't there for them. This taught me what true leadership is all about.

Your networking team is made up of a "volunteer army" of independent people with hopes and dreams of success. They look to the leaders to guide them, to recognize them, to love them and care that they are there doing whatever they can to build a business. And no matter how small of a contribution, it needs to be appreciated and recognized in some way. Whether that is on a weekly team call, a team communication, an area monthly meeting, or simply a "thank you" phone call, it must be done. Communicate - Update - Congratulate - Initiate - Motivate - Anticipate - Eliminate - Celebrate - are the Crazy 8's that embrace with open arms "huddling up." While at our first convention, gather your teams, sit together, eat together, "round table" and sizzle, and know that whatever you do with your team is important to each of them. Personal growth comes when someone stretches to achieve new goals, attempts to  develop new skills, and is recognized for doing so. The "congratulations" goes a long way with new and established distributors. And it is for all of us a blessing and privilege to have the teams we have, to expand and grow with them. And with every new team member we must always, no matter how successful we become ... "huddle up" and show them we care.

Sharing Your Story

Cynthia Maurice - 70 lbs Lost on V3!

Brandi Clark - 43 lbs Lost on V3!

Jennifer Hood - 100 Lost Using V3!

My first introduction to this amazing network marketing business was with the Cambridge Diet in the 80's. The Herbalife company came into existence about the same time. Diets were the buzz word in network marketing, and big bucks were made over night. It was an exciting time. I came from the skin care world, so instead of washing faces like I had been doing with the cosmetic company I was with, I started blending shakes and enrolling people as fast as I could. What I had was hot, so I ran fast, had fun, and made five, then six figure a month incomes pretty quickly. I embraced everything that was written about network marketing, attended trainings, meetings, and realized that the secrets to building this business were quite simple. You wear a button that gets folks asking questions, talk to people, share your story (and the success stories of others), and promote the next event. Pretty simple huh? Well keep it simple, but learn to tell your story!

Melissa Butts - 54 lbs. Lost on V3!

Your story must be passionate and to the point. 1) Share your name, where you are from, and your occupation. 2) Tell how you stumbled across V3. 3) Admit that you were skeptical and had already tried lots of diets to lose weight before. 4) Share how V3 helped you with mood, energy and appetite. 5) Tell how simple it has been to build a business with V3 and Voyager. 6) Share how much money you have made with your business so far.

Remember that you want your audience to say to themselves, "me too, me too," not "so what!" That's why you admit that you were skeptical, had tried everything and that V3 sounded to good to be true. That brings on an audience response of "me too, me too." And keep your story to no more than 45 seconds.

Darryl Hayes - 35 lbs. Lost on V3!

Avoid long, lengthy stories that take you back to grade school, or don't list 75 ailments that you were suffering from, or medications that you are taking. Don't go into psychological personal challenges that see you blaming your weight gain on teasing siblings or a nasty neighbor. And don't make impossible to believe claims. Just mention (briefly) other benefits you've noticed from using V3. And avoid listing all of the degrees you have, or start to train people listening on why they should do the business. Grasp the importance of your story. This is your story. Own it. Write it down. Tweak it. Better yet, have your upline tweak it. Then time it, memorize it - then rehearse it.

Example: "Hi, this is Sandi Burgess, here in Southern California. I'm a mother of 5, grandmother of 18, and very involved in music. I've struggled the past few years with my weight, and I've dieted for far too long. I've tried everything from juicing, to shakes, to shots. But never quite felt in control, and when I stumbled upon this little pill called V3, it sounded too good to be true. But, I was desperate so I tried it. Within 30 minutes I felt a happy feeling - one that I hadn't felt for quite a while. And I had no appetite. I just wasn't hungry. My usual late night snacking stopped dead in its tracks with V3, and I felt totally in control for the first time in years. Before finding V3, I'd even considered having my stomach stapled! I lost 20 pounds within the first couple of months, lost lots of inches, came off blood pressure meds and my blood sugars are normalizing. I jumped in with both feet and built a business with this product, have made 5 figures a month, and can honestly say that this is the easiest thing I've ever done. I love it!"

www.burgessbiz.com

COUNT DOWN TO CONVENTION!!!

My first few trainings that I attended for network marketing (then called MLM or multi-level marketing), I was told that there were only a few secrets to success with building this business. Besides being a story teller, sharing the success that others were having with the business, wearing the infamous Herbalife-type button, ("Lose Weight Now, Ask Me How) and utilize 3-Way calling from day one. The #1 most important thing you must do to see big-time success, and move your business forward, is to get your team to convention. Fill up as many seats as you can with your people. Your distributors can only capture the vision and dream with your opportunity, if they are at convention and experience it first-hand. You can share what you experienced with your team, take pictures of the event, and shout from the rooftops your excitement. But when you spend the majority of your time 90-days prior to your convention working at promoting convention and filling up those seats with as many people from your team as possible, magic and momentum starts to happen for you, your business grows and you start making money with your opportunity.

So your job, if you are serious about making money with your opportunity, is to get on the phones right now and promote convention October 27-28 at the Mirage Resort and Casino. 3-way call with your sponsor to promote this convention with team members. Promote this first convention on all of the weekly calls, webinars and individual team calls. Promote our October convention at your area meetings. Team your people up to room together, fly together and sit together while there at convention. Make team t-shirts, team buttons and banners that scream, "Team Burgess is in the House!" (Of course...add your teams name :-) While at convention, don't sit alone and hope to be entertained and motivated. Make sure you "huddle up" and strategize as a team on how to utilize the new marketing tools, product, and training concepts presented at convention. "Huddle up" and recognize your people for their accomplishments - no matter how small those accomplishments may seem to you. "Huddle up" and create team pride and team spirit. And create your own "Count Down to Convention" team contests, then give out prizes while there at convention with your teams in a separate reception or meeting in your hotel room. Bottom-line...be at convention - promote convention - live, breathe, and talk convention ... and make convention the place to be for business builders serious about success with their business. Action Assignment: Get your people to convention, starting with you!

RUB-A-DUB DIET

Yes, we all wish we could find the elusive "Rub-a-Dub Diet" where all it takes to lose weight and get fit is to bathe and bask in the bubbles - 10 minutes you lose 10 pounds, 20 minutes you lose 20 pounds - right? But, this just doesn't exist. It takes a little effort.

Like all MLM products on the market, people often look for a shortcut to getting healthy (and wealthy) with various lotions, potions, pills and powders. And these are all great, but it's time we all face the music and use these wonderful products as tools to help us make permanent lifestyle changes. And with V3 we have the ultimate secret weapon for mood, energy and appetite. Control means hope and possibility!

Eat less, move more is the mantra of all health professionals. When feeling in control, energized and happy making smarter food choices can be made, and that is why V3 was formulated the way it was - to assist you with making permanent lifestyle changes.

Some of you know by reading my personal blog that I spent July with my son, Chris in Utah. He is a pro international basketball player, and P90X certified. He had me come spend time with him so I could make some needed lifestyle changes. And I'm so glad I did. V3 was helping me lose weight, but I still had an unhealthy outlook on "dieting." He wanted me to start eating smarter, consistently working out daily, and incorporating healthy snacks. With any habit we know it takes at least 21 days. And that proved to work perfectly for me. After 21 days, I was making healthier food choices, moving and changing my outlook on food and "dieting."

There is an epidemic in this country called obesity, and it is growing yearly. Our opportunity is to start with ourselves, using our V3 as our secret weapon - a tool - to eat smarter (and less), and move more. We need to look at avoiding the evil "whites" - white flour, white sugar, white pasta, white rice, white salt - and adding more veggies, lean protein, low-glycemic fruits and grains into our diets. From there we will feel and see our lives change, and sharing that personal change can make a difference on the planet, while at the same time, building a lucrative business from home. That should be our mantra - to make a difference. Voyager's name implies movement forward. Let us take the Voyage of health, happiness, and wealth together. And ... let's all REJOICE and celebrate together at the Mirage Resort and Casino at convention October 27-28!

NEXT - NEXT - NEXT

I am asked all of the time, by everyone I chat with about network marketing, "what is your secret to consistent success with network marketing - for near 40 years?" My answer to that question embraces three versions of the word NEXT. Let's explore those three word/phrases.

After you have set your goals, reflected on your "why" (writing both projects down on paper), begin with enthusiasm jotting down your Prospect 100(0) list, which is an on-going project. Then take the time to make three important visual signs to pin up on your bulletin board above your desk. These signs should read:
NEXT!
NEXT STEP...
THE NEXT ONE'S EVEN BETTER!

You are building a team. That is your goal. The stronger the team, the more leaders you develop, the more money you'll make. It's a numbers game. And not getting side-tracked, discouraged, or caught spinning your wheels with people who drag you down, or waste your time is crucial. These stumbling stones can be side-stepped if you put these three signs up on your bulletin board where you can see them, read them out loud, and visually focus on your goals to succeed with your business building.

Let's say you are working on a prospect who pretty much turns you down, to even take a L@@K at your awesome product and business. Simply look up at your sign (after hanging it up on your bulletin board above your desk where you can focus on it visually) and say out loud, "NEXT!" Then move on to the next person on your list. And when you have sampled, sold, or sponsored a prospect, look to your second sign as say out loud, "the NEXT STEP IS..." Then simply move your prospect thru the pipeline of exposures until the outcome you are striving for (sponsoring and adding them to your team) is achieved. But that's not all. Once they are signed, sealed and delivered (so to speak), get them plugged into the system, calls, webinars, trainings, etc. Again...the "next step!"

After you enroll a new prospect, take time to CELEBRATE (another Crazy 8) your victory. While doing your "happy dance" (yes...dance) say out loud, "the NEXT one's even better!" Then keep on looking and adding people to your team. Look for people just like you. In fact, some teach the ole' "sponsor up" concept. That means to go for top notch people that you aspire to be like. And, of course, doing sponsoring up is done with the 3-way call with your sponsor! To recap ...it's NEXT - NEXT STEP - NEXT ONE'S EVEN BETTER! (signs posted www.burgessbiz.com...soon.)

THE CRAZY 8'S OF SUCCESS!

Understanding what makes network marketing companies work is important to not only us, the field distributorship, but to the corporate teams who run the company on a daily basis. Too many companies fail because they have either never worked the field as a distributor, are underfunded, or both. The "ivory tower" syndrome where corporate keeps themselves isolated from the field and the field leaders, finds themselves making random, bad decisions that hurt vs help the independent distributor force with regards to growing their business. The very best network marketing and direct selling companies are those that were started by successful independent distributors. These are individuals who have done weekly meetings, slept on their teams couches when traveling, held meetings where no one shows, have built massive downline teams, trained these teams a duplicatable simple system to follow, and have seen the rewards in six-figure monthly bonus checks time after time. These rare individuals have been there ... done that.

That leads me into my Crazy 8's. As I was writing training years ago for the company I was with, I found a way to describe what it is we do in this business to see it succeed long term. Communicate - Update - Congratulate - Initiate - Motivate - Anticipate - Eliminate - Rejuvenate. There they are. All eight (8) categories of what must be done to build, maintain, sustain and create momentum within the walls of the corporate offices, as well as in the field with individual downline teams as a leader. Let's briefly look at these categories.

COMMUNICATE: You have got to communicate with your people on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. This is done through personal contact, replicated website back offices, and email.

UPDATE: People want to be included, feel part of a team, and in-the-know. Individuals left out of the loop will quit. And if they weren't updated about calls, meetings, special events or promotions, they get frustrated and angry. Utilize technology to update, i.e. Facebook groups, Facebook pages, weekly email bulletins and events.

CONGRATULATE: Every chance you get to congratulate your distributors is critical to their ongoing involvement and growth. Rank advancement, successful shows, and promotion winners need to be bannered everywhere for all to see.

INITIATE: Take the lead and initiate activities within your groups. Competition is good. Events are crucial. An event includes calls, webinars, meetings, parties, trainings, promotions and gatherings.

MOTIVATE: To create that hoped-for momentum where sales and recruiting soars, you must keep your downline teams motivated. Plugging in and staying plugged in is crucial to staying motivated.

ANTICIPATE: Keep current with trends and happenings to be involved with. Catch the timing factor and run with it. Stay abreast and informed so that you can anticipate changes needed, products added, do what needs to be done, adapt and move the business forward.

ELIMINATE: Keep your communications and activities positive and powerful. Eliminate negativity. Nip it in the butt. Don't let your company and teams get caught up in it. Don't dwell on it. It will be a cancer that zaps your energy and the growth. Success is a companies (and persons) best revenge. Show what you are doing and continue building with a positive attitude that reflects hope and possibility.

CELEBRATE: Celebrate the victories for yourself and with your team members. Whatever large or small achievement they realize, make it a point to congratulate them and celebrate with them with a phone call, a blurb in the magazine or weekly bulletin. Encourage them to celebrate a successful meeting, a new enrollee, or rank advancement. Each step is a step that moves them forward to achieving their goals. And the celebration can be a new pair of shoes, dinner out, or a simple hair cut. "I'm celebrating success with my new business!" should be heard when they are out and about celebrating.  Each celebratory act reinforces and empowers one to continue growing, developing and achieving. So encourage your team to "go out and celebrate" with the victories, and always keep the positive attitude, whether silently or out loud, say, "I'm cookin' in this business!"