Age is all relative when it comes to fulfilling your dreams

Age is really all relative.

This week alone, I happened to be asked my age numerous times in both business and outside of business. Do I look that young? Certainly it’s a compliment, and yes, genes do play a part, and yes I also take care of herself physically and use products that I feel are keeping me younger in the long run. And I guess that I happen to have a lot of energy when dealing with people and so appear “young,” or at least younger.

Yet, I recently had an interesting experience with a gentleman who I'm doing mission coaching with. He's 20 years my senior, and this gentleman was feeling unfulfilled in his life and work. He was lost and couldn’t find his purpose and had no dreams. Although 20 years his junior, I had exactly experienced most of the same issues and challenges this gentleman had AND more importantly, had already learned how to overcome them and turn them into opportunities.

Have you ever said any of the following: 

I’m too young to …..
I’m too old to……
I’m not educated enough for…..
I’m not smart enough to……

Those are just excuses your mind makes up as a form of self sabotage. They are just that—excuses. When you realize that you are the only one in your own way of your dreams and goals, and you are able to help others in your business no matter what, the shift will happen in your life and business.

When you have a burning desire to do something, NOTHING can get in your way. There are kids from middle class families creating million dollar companies that combat human trafficking, and there are people fired from their jobs at middle age that create companies they're passionate about.

Remember this the next time you make up an excuse for why you can’t serve others. 

Interested in discovering your mission or taking it to the next level? Sign up for one of Alexandra’s coaching programs or join her next “PlayShop“. Find out more by contacting Alexandra at Alexandra@MissionBasedBranding.

Lemongrass Spa is #OnAMission to Spread Awareness of All Natural Skincare Products

Alexandra having fun interviewing Lemongrass Spa founder Heidi Leist

Last weekend I had the honor of attending convention of a company very special to me: Lemongrass Spa, a mission-driven company whose mission is to spread awareness of all natural and organic handmade products and provide the very highest quality products possible (Disclaimer: I am a consultant for Lemongrass Spa, which is a direct sales company. To learn more about the company and products, click here). 

Apart from meeting the founders Heidi and Bryan Leist, a heart-centered couple that is highly accessible, networking and bonding with other Lemongrass Spa consultants, I learned quite a bit about sales and business that is relevant to everyone.

Featured keynote speaker Belinda Ellsworth has decades worth of experience in direct sales companies. Here are the key takeaways from Belinda as well as other speakers from the weekend:

Priorities of a Successful Leader by Belinda Ellsworth

• Goal Setting/Vision: Only 13% of people set goals and 3% have any big picture vision for their life. Furthermore, only 1% of individuals have the natural ability to be born leaders and build vision in others. Leaders must set goals for themselves and others, have a big picture vision, and learn/emulate from other leaders. If you do this, you will be in the top percentile of leaders in your industry.
• Schedule Your Day/Week: Try this exercise: for a week write down EVERYTHING you do in your day. Chances are you will find you waste a ton of time on things that are not furthering your business or personal growth. Instead, try scheduling your day and week in advance. And most importantly, stick to it. At the end of the day, check your progress and see where you've been spending most of your time. Discipline is a muscle, you need to practice it.
• Create the Spark: Everywhere you go, create passion around your mission and business.

5 D's of Success by Belinda Ellsworth:

• Decision: decide what you want
• Desire: continues to build/grow
• Details: Daily to do lists builds your discipline, make sure to set reasonable expectations of what you can do
• Destination: make sure to reach it
• Determination: decide what you want, follow through, never lose sight of the end result and keep going

5 Gifts of Direct Selling by Belinda Ellsworth:

• Financial Freedom
• Flexibility of Time
• Friendships
• Recognition
• Personal Growth & Self Esteem

Other Keys to Success:

• Set your day into 15-minute increments of income producing activities
• Focus on your business 4 days a week
• People will mirror what you put out
• Commitment: Keep your commitments
• Consistent: follow through on the mundane tasks even if you don't want to do them.
• Organization: Keep all your sales leads in one folder.
• Make booking calls when you're on fire, not when you're desperate for leads! Your confidence will shine through!
• Follow up: follow up, follow up!
• Focus on why people love your product/service and focus on that.
• Never pre-judge your clients or prospects. You never know what someone is going through that could lead them to want to work with you. Always do the sales talk no matter what. Invite them to be your client, they may be waiting for you.
• Ideal Client: envision your ideal client
• Share: Love for your product/service, integrity of the company, friendships/comraderie
• Goal setting: create a sense of urgency
• Customer Care: follow up, follow up.
• Pushy people aren't afraid to be pushy. OFFER, don't push.
• Take the time to pray before a call or meeting to be of service to your clients and to prepare their hearts to be open to your product/service.
• Remember to have fun!

Check out a short interview with founder and CEO Heidi Leist on her mission and advice she provides for Missionpreneurs:

Give it Your Very Best Every Time

[Note: Before I forget, my next 4-Week Accelerated Coaching Program starts in a few weeks...are you ready for BIG transformation results in your career? Achieve your dream biz goal in just weeks, space is limited so check it out now! Here's to your success! ~Alex]

Image from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

 Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I’ve always called
myself an illustrator. I’m not sure what the difference is. All I know is that
whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life.
~Norman Rockwell 

It is my philosophy that if you are going to have a goal, give it your very best and aim for as high as you can possibly conceive. Not that I ALWAYS do that, but certainly I have enough proof that I have aimed and reached most of the professional goals I set over the last 5 years. Some of them, like my book and success program Sculpt Your Life™,  went from a sketch to a masterpiece in only a few months! And now I still have many more lofty goals I’d love to accomplish over the next couple of years.

You see, I’m in the process of creating and planning a really awesome event that I know you will all love, and I’m really excited about it! I want it to be BIG, with BIG speakers and a lot of guests that are willing to act BIG. When I mentioned it to some of my family members initially, everyone was supportive except for one “Negateer” who politely said that for my first event of this kind, I should aim for a much smaller venue with fewer people than I was originally planning.

For a second, my “Confined Mind” as I call it, kicked in and thought maybe she was right. But then I realized that was just my own discomfort with the situation because this is a lofty goal—it’s definitely an intimidating event, but definitely something I can handle. And I also knew that it was her “Confined Mind” talking as well, either from her own insecurity or because she doesn't want me to fail...but either way she is not supporting me (or herself) to dream BIG.

So I politely told her “Thank you, but No! I’m doing a BIG event!”

You see, I’ve already done several events and workshops with dozens of people and online webinars with over a hundred people. I want to do a “BIG event." What type of an example would I be as a coach and businessperson to you and all my clients, friends and family if I played “small”? If I plan for 10,000 and I get 100 people to attend (1%), it is still better than planning for 100 and getting 99 to show up (99%)!

Certainly there is always room to try something once and then adjust and correct later. But many times all you’ve got is one shot, one opportunity, one audition!  

Look at all the successful people whose first books are bestsellers, or who become “stars” after their first performance. Not that they had it easy, but they gave it their very best and it paid off!

We live in this sense of fear that limits us from going all the way. If you’re going to plan something, do it right, and go all the way! I give you permission, and darn it, I support you! Plan and create your “Masterpiece” work the first time and every time. It’s the surest way to accomplish your Masterpiece!

Because of my commitment to a BIG dream, I can proudly say today that I write books, not just articles, and I create BIG events, not just small gatherings. 

What can you do to play BIG and give it your best today? 

And importantly, is there any way I can support you or hold you accountable to live BIG or give it your very best? 

This passage is inspired from Module 6: Creating Masterpiece Work, of my Success Program Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM) designed to help you set and reach your goals and ultimately lead your best, Masterpiece life!

For more FREE success tips and strategies and to get instant access to the "12 Secrets to Success Strategies" video with more great insight from Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM), sign up now (don't worry, I value my client's privacy and never sell information to third parties!):

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Staying Positive in this Economy

Recently I gave a Marketing presentation to a class of art students and mentioned that a major part of success is Positivity – the art of staying positive. The Professor, who is an accomplished artist, asserted, “With this terrible economy over the last few years, it’s so difficult to stay positive.” I replied that now is the most important time to keep your head up, keep working and pump more energy into marketing yourself... rather than distressing about the so-called recession!

In reality, anyone can make it during a “down economy” because it’s just a state of mind. In my case, I worked in a “downward” industry over the last few years yet continued to grow my income every year because I was unique and specialized in my field (this brings up the subject of personal Branding, which I discuss in length in my workshops).

With that in mind, here are some tips I recommend when you’re feeling down about the economy or any other negative factor:

1. Stay Purposeful and Focused. Remember your purpose and mission as an artist: to share your inner passion through your work. Now more than ever you should focus on creating magnificent works. Don’t waste your energy worrying about things outside of your control. In fact, if you do start to feel the fear creep in, set your intention to allow your worries to inspire an amazing new body of work. Think clearly and positively about what you’re here to do, stay true to yourself and stick to your mission.

2. Stop hiding behind excuses. Many of us blame external factors such as the economy, politics, world conflicts, or even our families for our own problems. We often convince ourselves that something won’t work out, before even trying it (a self-fulfilling prophesy). These are just ways to mask our own insecurities. Only YOU are to blame if you are not successful. What if you show your portfolio to a Gallerist, and she doesn’t like it? Well if you don't make an attempt, you’ll never know. Plus you can use it as a learning experience to ask for feedback, potential leads or other resources.

3. Don’t Listen to “Debbie Downer.” We often get caught up in what other people complain about themselves and about our limitations. Remember those who constantly tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, really don’t know what is best for you. Oftentimes they try to talk you out of pursuing your art career in favor of getting a “real job.” Chances are these same know-it-all’s have never made it big because they hide behind their own fears. Very successful people naturally are optimistic and encourage you to pursue your dreams. Try to gravitate toward these and other positive influencers in your life.  

4. Hope for the best and just jump! No matter how hard it may seem right now, it can only get better. If your usual sales methods aren’t working due to this “recession,” maybe it’s time to up your game and think outside the box. Continue to get out there. You may have to muster up the courage and literally knock on a few doors. Put your fear and pride aside and take the leap!

Keep in mind that if you’re doing what you love, this is in itself a reason to rejoice! Continue to stay focused and purposeful, and overcome internal fears that can drive you away from what you should be doing. While everyone else is wasting energy worrying about the economy, this is the perfect opportunity to stand out and shine!

*Much of this passage can be found in Ch. 8 Staying Positive in my new book Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM). This book is sure to get you thinking positively to steer you on the right path toward success!

I'd love to hear what has worked for you, feel free to leave comments whether you agree or disagree. And share with anyone who may be interested! Cheers!