Right now is one of those times when I start to freak out about how things will work out. You see, I hate when my bank account drops below a certain number, and after I pay the rent and my car note in the next week, that will happen. What has me stressed is that summertime has historically been a huge pitfall for my party plan business. People cancel on you left and right because they have other things going on. Graduations. Family events. Mini vacations. It's frustrating because they don't seem to realize how much you are counting on them sticking to their plans with you. Every cancellation is a payday that is lost to you. And when you get cancelled on back to back, it can get scary. Very scary. Especially when that is your main source of income. For example, this month, out of 7 parties that were planned, only one actually took place. One person rescheduled. Everyone else just cancelled. And June and July are not looking any better. It's definitely tough.
However, I have faith that everything will pull through. One thing that I have learned during my time in direct sales is that there is always something you can improve upon. My problem is getting on the phone. I have no problem with approaching people I don't know about my business. I have no problem with doing the actual parties. but when it comes to getting on the phone and calling people to book parties, I'm a big fat chicken. I always feel like I am going to be bothering someone. And, honestly, I hate the idea of hearing no. I guess that is the result of me having worked as a telemarketer for the March of Dimes Jail and Bail event. People were soooooo rude (and for absolutely no good reason) that it has given me phone fear. And I need to get over that. Quick , fast, and in a hurry.
So this is my vow to myself: I am going to work harder on getting my calendar filled, getting my Beachbody business off the ground, and cranking out these articles. I am also opening up my home for summer childcare. I am determined to not only pay the bills, but to also remain a work-at-home mom. So I am going to do what it takes to make that happen. Just gotta keep my eye on what motivates me...my son. Above all, I am going to continue praying to God to make a way for us.
Woosah!!!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Single Mommy Warrior's Goal: TRUE Wealth
True wealth, to me, is not about having more money in the bank than I know what to do with. It isn't having a huge house with more rooms than I need or driving a new, flashy car every year. It isn't being able to jetset all around the world, staying in luxury resorts and ordering $100 plates. To me, true wealth is having a happy, healthy family. It is having financial security. It is being free from stress and drama. It is having the freedom to stay at home with my son without worrying about how the bills get paid. It is being able to be an active participant in my son's life -- every day, not just nights and weekends. Yes, I would like to have enough money in the bank to live life comfortably. Yes, I would like to be a homeowner and to have a house where Christian and I both have a place to call our own for work and play. Yes, I would LOVE to be able to travel around the world with him and show him all of the wonders that God has created for us to take pleasure in. However, I have my eyes set on much more than material wealth. I want to be personally and spiritually rich.
I want to take a minute to share with you an excerpt from Dani Johnson's book "First Steps to Wealth". Dani is woman after my own heart. She went from being a broke (and I mean BROKE-- as in $2.08 to her name broke) and homeless single mother to being a multimillionaire. Listen to what she has to say about wealth. I'm sure you will agree.
"I have a holistic approach to wealth. True wealth to me is accumulating money without sacrificing your marriage, kids, health, or fun. It is crossing over from being a slave to money, to making money your slave -- getting money to work for you.
Wealth is also using your wisdom, knowledge, and skills to benefit others, such as teaching your kids how to accumulate wealth. Don't you want to know you are grooming your kids for success and not failure. You should not want anyone else to mold the mind of your son or daughter.
What about accumulating wealth without sacrificing your health? Or having great relationships with co-workers, your community, and clients? Or being able to secretly bless people who are not expecting it but are so greatly in need?
You can use your life to benefit the lives of others. By using your intelligence and the skills you develop through the years, your accumulated wisdom can help change a family, which in turn changes a generation."
I took several things from reading these few paragraphs:
1. Be wary of what you are sacrificing in your journey to achieve your goals. If you are neglecting your family, friends, health, or happiness it probably isn't worth it. I know sooo many people who make good money (or enough money) at their jobs but they are MISERABLE. To me, if your job is keeping you from your family, making friendships a nonexistent luxury, causing you a great deal of stress, negatively impacting your health, making you constantly grumpy or agitated, and just all around making your life miserable, you need to start looking for another way to make ends meet. Honestly, I would take a pay cut if it meant that I would not have to go to a job I hate.
2. God blessed me with the opportunity to raise and love Christian. That is my passion and my duty. The line about not leaving the molding of your child's mind in the hands of others mirrors my reasons for wanting to homeschool Christian.
3. So many people let money rule their lives. They worry about the lack of money. When they have money, they spend so much time figuring out how they can spend it to show other people how successful they are. People often say that money is the root of all evil. That, however is a misquote. In fact, the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Don't let money, or the lack thereof, take over your life.
4. Reciprocity is another essential part of true wealth. Being able to and actually taking the time to help those less fortunate than you is a sign that you are in a good place -- not just financially, but as a person. Typing this, I am reminded of a friend who , when I was really struggling during my first few months as a single mom, took the time to reach out to me. She talked to me and listened. She gave me words of encouragement. She also helped me out financially. And I didn't even ask her to. She saw that I was in need and she took it upon herself to help me fulfill that need. I will never forget that act of kindness or what it represented. For all I know, she may not have been in a great financial situation herself, but she still gave what she could to help my little family. To me, that is a sign of true wealth.
So what about you guys? What is the key to wealth for you? How do you define wealth? What matters most to you? What drives you?
I want to take a minute to share with you an excerpt from Dani Johnson's book "First Steps to Wealth". Dani is woman after my own heart. She went from being a broke (and I mean BROKE-- as in $2.08 to her name broke) and homeless single mother to being a multimillionaire. Listen to what she has to say about wealth. I'm sure you will agree.
"I have a holistic approach to wealth. True wealth to me is accumulating money without sacrificing your marriage, kids, health, or fun. It is crossing over from being a slave to money, to making money your slave -- getting money to work for you.
Wealth is also using your wisdom, knowledge, and skills to benefit others, such as teaching your kids how to accumulate wealth. Don't you want to know you are grooming your kids for success and not failure. You should not want anyone else to mold the mind of your son or daughter.
What about accumulating wealth without sacrificing your health? Or having great relationships with co-workers, your community, and clients? Or being able to secretly bless people who are not expecting it but are so greatly in need?
You can use your life to benefit the lives of others. By using your intelligence and the skills you develop through the years, your accumulated wisdom can help change a family, which in turn changes a generation."
I took several things from reading these few paragraphs:
1. Be wary of what you are sacrificing in your journey to achieve your goals. If you are neglecting your family, friends, health, or happiness it probably isn't worth it. I know sooo many people who make good money (or enough money) at their jobs but they are MISERABLE. To me, if your job is keeping you from your family, making friendships a nonexistent luxury, causing you a great deal of stress, negatively impacting your health, making you constantly grumpy or agitated, and just all around making your life miserable, you need to start looking for another way to make ends meet. Honestly, I would take a pay cut if it meant that I would not have to go to a job I hate.
2. God blessed me with the opportunity to raise and love Christian. That is my passion and my duty. The line about not leaving the molding of your child's mind in the hands of others mirrors my reasons for wanting to homeschool Christian.
3. So many people let money rule their lives. They worry about the lack of money. When they have money, they spend so much time figuring out how they can spend it to show other people how successful they are. People often say that money is the root of all evil. That, however is a misquote. In fact, the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Don't let money, or the lack thereof, take over your life.
4. Reciprocity is another essential part of true wealth. Being able to and actually taking the time to help those less fortunate than you is a sign that you are in a good place -- not just financially, but as a person. Typing this, I am reminded of a friend who , when I was really struggling during my first few months as a single mom, took the time to reach out to me. She talked to me and listened. She gave me words of encouragement. She also helped me out financially. And I didn't even ask her to. She saw that I was in need and she took it upon herself to help me fulfill that need. I will never forget that act of kindness or what it represented. For all I know, she may not have been in a great financial situation herself, but she still gave what she could to help my little family. To me, that is a sign of true wealth.
So what about you guys? What is the key to wealth for you? How do you define wealth? What matters most to you? What drives you?
Achieving Personal and Financial Freedom!!!
Hey everyone!
To be perfectly honest, I continue to struggle financially. I am not in imminent danger of eviction or repossession or even of having utilities cut off. But if things do not change SOON, those possibilities will arise. That's why I am taking some time to really do some personal development and business business building. In that order. I truly believe that you have to change your mindset to change your reality. You can join the most successful company in the world, but if you are still lazy, negative, and unwilling to step outside of your comfort zone you will not be a success. With that being said, I have been working on going after what I want, no matter what and trying to remain positive despite whatever challenges I may face. My ability to do this stems largely from my newfound faith in God as well as my renewed confidence in myself.
As those who have been reading my statuses on my personal Facebook page know, I have been with Pure Romance for a while and am now a Beachbody coach. I also regularly ghostwrite for a website that is right up my alley. It is rather challenging to juggle these three things along with being a single mom and going to school. My goal is to ultimately be able to live my life by design, not by default. To achieve personal AND financial freedom. To be able to rest assured that my bills will be paid without ever having to decide if one bill should take priority over another. To never again have to worry about being evicted or losing my car (and, thus, my means of making money). Oh, and I can't forget to mention that I want to be able to do all of this without HAVING to go back to working for someone else. I love being my own boss! And if I ever go back to working for someone else, I want it to be my CHOICE, not my only option.
I am reading a motivational/business development book by Dani Johnson that is called "First Steps to Wealth".. I think that it will really help me to shift my attitude and change the way I do things so that I will see the results that I desire and possibly even some that I never had the courage to dream of. My mom introduced me to this author (who is VERY inspiring -- she went from being a homeless, single mother to a multi-millionaire) and I am very thankful that she did. I always appreciate when people share great info with me. So, I hope you guys don't mind if I share a little bit of what I am learning with you. Maybe something will resonate with you and help you get (back) on the path to achieving YOUR dreams.
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| I am on the road to freedom. Join me! |
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Introducing...Me!
Hi everyone...Tiffany here! For those of you who don't know me, I am the mother to an awesome little guy named Christian (currently 19.5 months). Though being a mom is my main role (and I wouldn't have it any other way), I have a lot of other things going on. I am a fulltime student at Capella University pursuing my master's in Counseling psychology. I am a business owner (Pure Romance consultant and Beachbody coach). I am an aspiring author (Last year I started working on a teen fantasy novel and am looking forward to getting back to it soon). I am a freelance journalist. I do all of this...alone.
I have been a single mom for over a year and it has definitely been a challenge. I have been through a lot in these past three years. Entered into a great relationship that quickly went to hell. Endured two years of emotional and (at times) physical abuse. After becoming single, I went through a lot of financial struggles. And, honestly, I am still struggling. But at least I am staying afloat. And, more importantly -- I am happy. And so is my son. My house is not always clean (in fact, I sometimes have to turn down requests for visits from friends because my house is so embarrasing, lol). I'm not the best cook. My time management skills are suspect at best. My organizational skills are atrocious. I am a professional procrastinator. Yeah, it's challenging. But I do what is best for my son...always.
I owe a great deal of thanks and glory to God. He has definitely proven his existence to me in these past few years. I know many doubt Him and many more are just outright against Him. But, for me and my family, God is everything. Without Him here to lean on and to pull me up when I can't gather the strength to get up myself, I don't know where I would be.
Anyways, I never knew that my life would take me down this path. Had you asked me 5 years ago where I would be right now, it would not have been here. But, honestly, there are few things in my life that I regret and even fewer things that I would actually change. The Butterfly Effect may have been a "meh" movie (Sorry, Ashton, but you will always be Kelso to me), but the concept is so true. You never know what changing even the smallest detail in your life will result in. With that being said, I am grateful for the things that have happened to me. Each event has taught me a lesson. Each situation has helped me to develop a little bit more. Each hardship has strengthened me.
I am on the road to becoming the woman and mother that God has created me to be. I invite you to join me in my journey.
I have been a single mom for over a year and it has definitely been a challenge. I have been through a lot in these past three years. Entered into a great relationship that quickly went to hell. Endured two years of emotional and (at times) physical abuse. After becoming single, I went through a lot of financial struggles. And, honestly, I am still struggling. But at least I am staying afloat. And, more importantly -- I am happy. And so is my son. My house is not always clean (in fact, I sometimes have to turn down requests for visits from friends because my house is so embarrasing, lol). I'm not the best cook. My time management skills are suspect at best. My organizational skills are atrocious. I am a professional procrastinator. Yeah, it's challenging. But I do what is best for my son...always.
I owe a great deal of thanks and glory to God. He has definitely proven his existence to me in these past few years. I know many doubt Him and many more are just outright against Him. But, for me and my family, God is everything. Without Him here to lean on and to pull me up when I can't gather the strength to get up myself, I don't know where I would be.
Anyways, I never knew that my life would take me down this path. Had you asked me 5 years ago where I would be right now, it would not have been here. But, honestly, there are few things in my life that I regret and even fewer things that I would actually change. The Butterfly Effect may have been a "meh" movie (Sorry, Ashton, but you will always be Kelso to me), but the concept is so true. You never know what changing even the smallest detail in your life will result in. With that being said, I am grateful for the things that have happened to me. Each event has taught me a lesson. Each situation has helped me to develop a little bit more. Each hardship has strengthened me.
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