5 Tips For Actually Working at Home!

November 25, 2015/3 Comments/in Business, Personal, Success, Wealth Building /by Kathleen Deggelman

As anyone who works from home knows, it can be quite difficult to stay organized while in your home office. Although there are many advantages (like avoiding rush-hour traffic or being able to go to work in your pajamas) there are some very real challenges. It can be quite strenuous to keep your home office organized and free of distractions, such as household chores, errands, TV, children,spouses and pets. Not necessarily in that order! Here are some tips for working from home so you can stay on track! Especially during the Holidays this can be really challenging, but on the best of days, getting done what you need to in your home based business from your home office is a feat! I love it and I can’t imagine otherwise but it does take focus and discipline too. I haven’t had to drive a commute for 10 years and I can tell you, I do not miss it!

Working From Home

1. Remove the distractions. After all, distractions are the number one reason for being unproductive while working at home. Are you tempted by all the wonderful shows you could watch on TV? Or maybe the washing machine and the dishwasher calls you? And the kids can be a bit demanding too if they are front and center. As much as possible, keep these distractions out of reach. Also, I like to keep my office area clean when working from home, that way I am not distracted by the things that need to be cleaned up. I am someone that needs some order so I often start the day just tidying up my office for a few minute so it “feels good” to me as I am working.

2. Create your own dedicated office space. It is very difficult to stay focused and motivated if you are working in your bedroom or on the couch. It is very important that you dedicate an area in your house to being your office space. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to keep your train of thought on track if you have a number of distractions staring you in the face because you are working on the living room couch or the kitchen table. If you don’t have an actual room for your home office with a door you can shut, then carve out a real space wherever it is and put a sign up for the family that when you are in work mode, they need to wait…Easier said than done, I know but we do train people (even family) how to treat us. It is good for your family to see you focused and accomplishing too. The best way to mentally get yourself into work mode is to create an area that is your dedicated office or space. Make it feel good to you. We spend a lot of time working so enjoy your surroundings whether that is a bouquet of fresh flowers, or your favorite music in the background, create an environment that you enjoy. Simple things really do add up.

3. Keep your office stocked and ready to go. Make sure that you have all the supplies that you need so you don’t have to stop what you are doing to go grab them. I also like to have my favorite teas and healthy snacks stocked so I have something to keep me fueled. Now that you are ready to go, practice setting aside 2 hours a day for dedicated focus time. It is amazing how much you can get done when you power through 2 hours of serious focused time without distractions.

4. Set office hours that you will stick to. Just because you are working from home does not mean that you should work random hours. Or work all the time which I have been known to do…If you kind of work all the time, it isn’t dedicated or as focused. Trust me, it is more fun when you can really dedicate the time to it versus being kind of paying attention to work and the family or other distractions at the same time. This is a tough one for me but the experts say that you should come in at a set time each day and then leave at a set time. I am laughing as I write that because that will definitely be a new discipline for me but I am willing to try! If you have a family, it might be a good idea to keep a sign on the door with your office hours so that everyone in the house knows that your work time is off-limits. That will also serve as a visual reminder for you to keep on working 😉

5. Stay connected! Working from home does not mean you have to be isolated. Sometimes people will say they don’t like to work from home because they feel lonely or they miss the friendly banter with people at the office. When we work from home, we need to work harder to create that. Coffee dates and phone calls or quick walks outside can make a big difference. Keeping in touch with your team on a regular basis can fulfill the personal touch we all need too. All of these things will also help you remember that you are not alone on the job and keep you motivated. There are so many advantages to working from home. I love it and truly can’t imagine having to work in an office anymore but if you are new to this, there are some adjustments to make. Whether you are new or not, I hope this article gave you some food for thought. For all of you celebrating Thanksgiving this week, happiest of times with your family. I am grateful for all of you and our community!

P.S. I hope my tips on how to make a video are of value to you. If you liked this blog post, I think you will love my blog post on How to Find the Best Prospects! You also may enjoy this additional training about Success Secrets From Top Team Builders from Ray Higdon.

How to Stay Focused During the Holidays

November 20, 2015/0 Comments/in Business, Personal, Success /by Kathleen Deggelman

We are about to enter the holiday season once again and with that comes a new round of being busier than ever. There just is never enough time to bake holiday cookies, attend the parties and buy all those last minute gifts for your friends and family plus do all of the work you normally have to do. Many of my team members that work from home always ask me about tips on how to stay focused at work during the holidays so that is what this week’s blog is going to be about! Here are 10 tips for staying focused on your work during the holiday season:

How to Stay Focused in 10 Easy Steps

1. REMAIN CALM. I know your to do list may seem overwhelming as your time seems to be shrinking. But don’t let your personal stress affect your work performance or diminish your productivity. Remember to take some time off from work to spend holiday time with family or even get a little shopping out of the way. That way you can have a chance to refresh yourself during the busy holiday season.

2. Make a to-do list. Even though it may seem overwhelming, it will give you a chance to clear your mind and focus on the most important things that need to be. I like to create one giant list then prioritize by importance. I also love using a website called Toodledo. Highlight the tasks you must have completed by the time your family arrives in town to celebrate the holidays. Or, if you have tasks that MUST be done during those days, prioritize what needs to be done, set a time and goal. Do the most important things first!

3. Make a daily plan. If you have a plan for each day of the holiday season, it will help you be more organized. Create a plan so that you can assign work tasks to each day, as well as holiday shopping and travel time. If you have children, it may be a good idea to also think of activities to keep the kids busy and occupied. You won’t be able to get everything done, so make sure you are focused on the top 5 things that will really make a difference. Don’t get bogged down in the busy work. Focus on the “A” level activities.

How to Stay Focused = To Do List

4. Get a jump on your to do list. Start working on all those year-end projects ahead of time. Even start your holiday shopping earlier than you did in the past. That way you can attend all of the holiday parties and family obligations later in the month, knowing that you have the time and that you are better organized. Make sure you delegate too. My husband always says I have learned the art of delegation. Delegate with a smile and a please and thank you but make sure you are including the people who can help you with tasks.

5. Look out for distractions! They are everywhere during the busy holiday season. When you are setting aside time to work – do that! Let your family know that for the next 3 hours you are off limits. Don’t get distracted by online shopping. That can wait until later. Remember, if you are trying to do too many things at once you will get overwhelmed. Sometimes going to a coffee shop or library can be helpful because there aren’t as many things to pull you away from productivity. It can be a nice break in the day too.

6. Create boundaries. If you set aside time to work, make sure that everyone in your family knows that it is your time and that you should not be disturbed unless it is an absolute emergency. Put your phone on silent so that you are not tempted to answer the phone. On the other hand, if you set aside time to spend with your children, parents or other loved ones – don’t get distracted by work! Family time is especially sacred during the holiday season and should be one of your major commitments. Make sure to put the phone down during these times. We are setting examples for our kids and loved ones.

7. Take care of yourself! Remember to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Try to exercise more this holiday season – don’t let your to do list take away from your normal routine. Also sleep more, not less so you have the energy to deal with everything you have to do during the day. Finally, watch what you eat and drink. Everyone eats more sugary foods and alcoholic beverages during the holiday season, but remember those will impact your next day at work, both mentally and physically. This one is hard, I know! Often we get sick in January because of how much we “overdid” in December. If we take better care of ourselves in December, we can usually avoid the January blahs.

8. Don’t over commit yourself. It is all right if you cannot make every holiday party or function. Your friends will forgive you! Just be sure to prioritize and balance your holiday activities with your work obligations. In the long run it is better to keep focused and maintain a good work-life balance.

My Best Tips on How to Stay Focused

9. Remind yourself each morning to stay focused at work. Forget about all you have to do and focus on each day’s obligations. Make sure that when you are working, you are focused on the tasks that have to be done, and not thinking about what you have to do in the near future. I like to wake up with a cup of tea and look over my to do list. This really gets me in the right mindset for productivity. When you are at the actual holiday function then you can focus on the holidays and having fun!

10. Remember what the holiday season is about – celebration and spending time with friends and family! It is one of the happiest times of the year and does not have to be chaotic, even though there are lots of pulls for it to be that – it is what we make of it! Enjoy the simple things. Your decorated house or your kids happy faces when they find the perfect gift, baking, the first snow, the way the light changes at night…. The list goes on and on. I love the holidays and have learned over the years, that less is more. We don’t have to make the 30 kinds of cookies we did when we were kids. Think about your holiday traditions and continue to do the ones you only really love!

I truly hope these tips on how to stay focused will make this season less stressful. You got this. Follow these tips and I am confident you will focus on your work during the busy holiday season! The holiday gatherings are a perfect place to share your products and business with lots of people that you don’t see all the time too. Just be sure to ask questions, provoke curiosity so that they are actually asking you what you are up to! Most of all, enjoy this precious time with your family and friends.

P.S. I hope my tips on how to make a video are of value to you. If you liked this blog post, I think you will love my blog post on changing your daily routine to become a top earner! You also may enjoy this additional training about Success Secrets From Top Team Builders from Ray Higdon.

How to Deal With Negative People

November 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Business /by Kathleen Deggelman

As you are trying to expand your contacts through network marketing, you may run into people who just don’t like MLM. This is just a fact of life! Don’t take it personally. Lots of people don’t get lots of things. This will happen to all of us at one point or another. I have found that there are certain ways to handle these situations that leave you in the best position. In the network marketing world, you don’t want to work with negative people anyway and they can poison the moral of your entire team. When you get rejected or deal with a negative person, keep that in mind above all. Grab a cup of coffee and take a minute to read some advice from a someone who has been in the industry for a long time!

Do You Know How to Deal with Negative People?

To deal with those negative nellies, you just have to learn what to say and what not to say. Most importantly, do not try to convince them to love MLM or act defensively. Those are the two worst things you can do but unfortunately it is the two ways that many people commonly react.

Instead you need to learn how to manage your energy. Do not be frightened if someone rejects you. Do not try to manage objections. Instead manage your energy and be sensitive of other’s energy. If you encounter someone with a crappy, cynical, skeptical, or negative energy then just remain calm and walk away. You don’t need everybody and you definitely don’t need downer donna…

It is a very powerful thing to be able to learn to manage your energy. A lot of times, when you manage your posture and remain neutral, those very same people will then react positively as their negative energy melts away. Just remember: do not get defensive or try to convince them. Instead just say, “Oh, cool no problem. It’s not for everybody, but hey, let me ask you this. Do you know anyone that does want to make some extra money if I showed them how to do it?” Or you could say, “No worries. Looking healthier and having more money isn’t for everyone.” Depending on who you are talking to, that last sentence could be said with a big smile on your face. People will find that disarming. I don’t intend for you to say that with sarcasm or anger. Let it go. At the end of the day, the last thing you want your business to do is to hurt or change your relationships. Your business isn’t for everyone. But just about everyone could probably benefit from your products.

Another great technique is to do the take away. You can say to a prospect, “This probably isn’t for you but I think you will love the products.” Or “I know this business probably isn’t for you, but can I count on you to be one of my 10 customer testimonials? That is all I am asking. ” Remember, you are just looking for people who are open to learning more and then direct them to a tool.

The way you handle your energy when someone is negative towards you could potentially blow them away. All you have to do is remain calm and in charge of your emotions. Do not let anyone ruffle your feathers or upset you. Only then will you be anxiety free at the end of the day and excited to begin a new day of network marketing. These are just objections you should expect to experience on a regular basis. It isn’t a big deal and often isn’t even about you. They just may not be ready for what you have to offer. Many of these people will be watching from the sidelines to see if this something you really go for. They will be watching to see if this is something you are really committed to. So surprise them and really go for it. All the best!

P.S. I hope my tips on how to make a video are of value to you. If you liked this blog post, I think you will love my blog post 5 Steps to Being Consistent! You also may enjoy this additional training about Success Secrets From Top Team Builders from Ray Higdon.

How and Why to Make a Video for Your MLM Business

November 4, 2015/1 Comment/in Business, Personal, Social Media, Success, Wealth Building /by Kathleen Deggelman

Videos are a great way to build a network marketing team, however, I like most of us struggle to do them! Very few of us like seeing ourselves on camera and we try to make things “perfect”. However, sometimes you just have to push past what makes you uncomfortable and do what will reach the widest audience. After all, the field of video marketing is not going anywhere but up. It’s necessary if you want to generate more leads in a shorter period of time. In this week’s blog, I will provide a few simple tips for generating more leads from videos. I will also show you how to make a video that is engaging and share some tools I use that make the process easier.

Why Are Videos So Important to Your Business? Videos are great for 3 main reasons.

First, they are a great way to reach new prospects. You can share benefits of your business or the product you are selling in a more personal way. Videos uploaded directly to Facebook have very high view and engagement rates, so you are more likely to reach potential leads by sharing a great video. You can also post your videos to Youtube which is the second most used search engine in the world. Creating great content will naturally bring interested prospects. And it is like with anything, the more you do videos, the more consistent you are, the more great content you provide – the more people will find you. Videos more than any other tool help us to be seen as an “expert”.

Second, videos are a great way for people to get to know you. You want to ATTRACT people to you. People will get a glimpse of your personality and your enthusiasm for your business. People actually feel like they know us when they watch us on videos. This is great because you may have team members all over the world and you may not be able to do individual video chats all the time. Video allows you to share your message and energy with thousands and thousands of people.

Third, and most importantly, videos are great training tools for your team. Remember, duplication is key. Any time a tool can be reshared with a new prospect, helps them start building their business faster = more money in your wallet and theirs. Start creating a library of videos that your team can refer and can use to train people they get to join.

Everyone Can Make a Video…Yes, Even YOU!

I wouldn’t consider myself “tech-y”, but even I have managed to create lots of videos! I am going to walk you through my video-making process and at the end, I want you to try making your own video!

First off, you will need a way to record yourself! I like to use my laptop. My favorite recording tool is Screenflow because it allows you to record anything happening on your computer screen, as well as the audio. This is extremely valuable because you can record live webinars or meetings you are hosting online. You can also record right from the camera on your laptop. Screenflow is a great option for PC and Mac users, but if you have a Mac, you can also use Photo Booth. You can also use your smart phone. Use what is natural and easy for you, otherwise it will become a chore. If you do use your iPhone, I would suggest investing in a mini tripod so the video is not shaky.

Pro tip: make sure you have a well lit room! Otherwise the video will look grainy.

The best videos are conversational. It may take you a few tries, but just talk how you would to a friend you met for coffee. Write down key points you want to discuss in the video, but don’t read a full script. If you do, you will sound robotic. Your quirky personality traits really make a video shine, which almost seems counter intuitive at first. Just be yourself! If you find yourself getting nervous, just remember, it’s just a video and it won’t bite you 😉 We are often more critical of ourselves, especially our appearance, but other people are watching to hear what you have to say. They aren’t focusing on your mascara or hair cut. Believe me, we are our own worst critics! I have taken 10 takes to do a simple little video and then finally got to the point, where I said enough! Good enough not perfect is good enough!

Once you have recorded your video, you can post it on Youtube or Facebook. If you want to create a more advanced video, you can add a title page and audio using a video editing program, like iMovie for Mac. You can also pay $5-$25 on Fiverr and have a professional help you add that to the video for you. If your business is well established, I would suggest adding these elements. Here is an example below of what I mean by a title page.

By using these tips and tools, even I have created great videos. Although it was hard to get over my fear of technology and recording myself, I pushed through it and it was worth it. In the past few months, the traffic to my website has increased exponentially. Now I am challenging you! Make your first or a new video and post a link in the comments section!