We have bad knees in this family. Well, okay, mine are just swollen, however my husband has amazingly bad knees (surgery and otherwise), and my daughter they have wanted to test for autoimmune issues. Now that I know about my own autoimmune disorder, I am pretty sure she is going to have the same thing. She's just turned 11. After the latest wellness conference I started taking everything I'd learned into some documentation to try to sort things through. Being winter my honey was in such pain the other night I decided to use the Force {Wintergreen, Frankincense, Muscle Blend and Birch Essential Oils} and then added in Cedarwood and Rosemary. My husband started Monday back to his workout program which is a lot of heavy lifting... and that he loves to do. Of course all of that made him more sore than usual. On vacation we used the cedarwood every day, but I didn't think to use the combination before.

I just returned from a week of travel to Southern California for an amazing wellness conference. My husband was active with our daughter every day. We swam the first part of the week twice a day, and then when I was at the conference they were at Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim having the time of the lives all day long. Let's say that he was not really prepared for post vacation + back to it so soon. 

So Monday night I applied what we call The Force Plus Yoda and gave him the plant-based omegas and some organic turmeric, and then applied some diluted oils on my daughter as well. I noticed my daughter just almost lied right down and went straight to sleep. First off she never does that. She uses every bit of energy and is your total ADHD kid that can't just go to sleep. The last time she did something like that was with teething tablets when she was a baby. She'd be in so much pain and when the tablets would finally work, she would be out. Like it was like instant relief. It was shocking to me that they pulled those off the market because they were the only thing that worked for us. My husband seemed to go to sleep pretty easy as well, and last night he was really complaining and did the same. Into bed and fast to sleep. I've applied this every night since. 

I have also started doing a 'tea' for my daughter. I 1/4 tsp pink Fijian ginger and the same amount of turmeric into warm water, and then add in some vanilla coconut cream. She thinks it's like heaven for both her sore body and her gut. I am pretty sure that it is pretty close.

On social media my husband posted, "Actually, I think I've just realized that everything *but* my knees hurts. I'll be keeping on Barbara Christensen's concoction for a few days to see if this keeps up."

This is a guy that often thinks this is all natural hooey regardless of the fact that I am a Certified Aromatherapist. LOL... and now he's sold. Got to love that, and I love that I have something to help him, and my little girl with her pain. I think we'll start with twice a day to see how it goes, but this is a life saver for any sort of muscle/joint pain in my opinion.

So what is in our family body support protocol? 

The Force was created by this amazing kid, Patrick. He was diagnosed with childhood arthritis (spondyloathropathy) as well as Enethetis which happens to be another form of arthritis when he was just 11 years old. He had several years of just not feeling good, not being able to play sports with other kids, and had been on medication for six years. He was pretty sick, lots of gut issues and was overweight before essential oils. With his mom 15 year old Patrick decided to make some changes in his life. He went to the allergist, and believe me we go every year. If you have autoimmune issues I would be shocked if you didn't have some allergy issues as well. So Patrick eliminated the bad foods from his diet, and he started drinking green smoothies and started working out. He felt a vitality and the ability to be a kid! It's amazing!

The Force is his own blend of sore muscle blend, Frankincense, Wintergreen + Birch. He says it helps him get up and going, and then when he works out during the day he uses and additional sore muscle blend with Ginger. I added the use of Yoda to make this something more specific for my family. I don't think anyone realized how amazingly powerful The Force Plus Yoda would be...

"Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is." - Yoda, to Luke Skywalker 

Rosemary has been used to reduce nervous tension and fatigue and I have found it's great in blends for my personal training clients. And the Cedarwood has been amazing. Cedarwood essential oil may be useful they say to promote relaxation in both mind and body, and promotes vitality during and after a workout. It's the safe "oregano" so that you can apply it to the skin without diluting but I dilute most of my oils for topical use. It also may help stimulate your body into better sleep... and there it is. The sleep factor. It all made sense to me to use this for my family in a way that I didn't get initially, but knew it was something important. Sometimes we all need a little Yoda in our lives. Powerful, loving, kind, wisdom. 

Seth Godin and Purple Cows and Mismatched Socks

One of my favorite moments a few years ago was when Seth Godin spoke at a conference. He walked out on stage and told us about this amazing company for little girl's socks.... which he was wearing. Seth Godin has gone beyond the normal tribe, and is the leader of many tribes. So when I saw the chance to learn from the best marketing guru of our time you can bet I jumped at it.

Even if you are an experienced entrepreneur, or have never met Seth Godin, you will find his approach and perspective refreshing and realistic and immediately applicable.

As you know, Seth Godin knows more than a few things about building a company. He's so amazing. I love his books, and listening to him in person talk about purple cows. Right now you have a once in a lifetime chance to get practical advice from the man himself in a new video course. http://skl.sh/1eJK5LQ

Seth Godin and Purple Cows and Mismatched Socks I The New Business Toolbox: Help Your New Business Do It Right The First Time

In The New Business Toolbox: Help Your New Business Do It Right The First Time from Skillshare, Seth Godin explains how to create your own seven-part ‘Leverage Plan’ for your new business. Instead of being a boring business plan, this is a focused, detailed plan on how you can use things that already work in the world to your advantage.

The 11-part video course is available now and I'd love to have you take this Skillshare class with me. If you are interested you can sign up at http://skl.sh/1eJK5LQ. <<< If you use that link to enroll you'll also save $10 on your first class! You'll be shocked that the cost is less than you spent at Starbuck's this week. ;)

How do you break free of the self doubts in network marketing? 

I want you to sit down and think about the word "sales"...

What does that bring up to you in your emotions?

For many people it's fear, car salesman, liars, annoyed. Right?

This is a struggle that brings up conflict for a lot of you in the network marketing world. Because if you grew up thinking you'd do something more noble than being a salesperson, and you see yourself as a salesperson you will never perform with the volume that you desire.

You can't outperform your belief system.

Having the business skill set is only 10% of what makes the top performers in the network marketing industry successful. The rest is belief, persistence, follow up, desire, being able to nourish their relationships.

Because truth be told, you can't control the outcome. You can only control how you show up in the first place. People that connect with you do so because of who you are. But that doesn't mean they are interested in buying from you today, they may just want you to give them insight, knowledge, support.

What do you get when you start with support??

When people are ready they buy from those that know, like and trust. So if you have any hesitation with building relationships then you aren't going to see much success in this business. So stop feeling like a salesperson and start being who you really are, a solutions provider. YOU add value to the brand.

Let's think about the research that has been done a Notre Dame University.

- 44% of salespeople quit after the first contact.
- 24% of salespeople quit after the second contact.
- 12% of salespeople quit after the third contact.
- 94% of salespeople quit after the 4th contact

What results do the last folks have?? 

60% of ALL Business Transactions (SALES) take place after the FOURTH interaction with you, your brand, or your business. That's where the harvesting happens. And most people will come to you because of your freebies first. That's you classes, samples, webinars, blogs, and just being a resource. Then they'll eventually come in for the Tier 1 level of sales that is going to be under $100. BE THRILLED with that!! Quit feeling bad if someone only buys $39 of product from you. That's them sharing that they trust you. It's like dating. There is a process to this, because it's all about building a relationship and sharing what you truly love and are passionate about.

It may take a year for someone to realize that you aren't trying to get them to sign on the dotted line, and that you really do have something that you believe can help them. It may take a year for someone to get to know the heart and soul of who you are, and why you are so passionate about your product. It may take them a year to look to you for support, but I want you to remember that you need to support them from day one.

Never forget, persistence trumps talent any day of the week, and truth will always shine!

Why Resolutions Are Just So Hard to Keep You Ask?? 

Well just about all of them. Why? Well we've been taught to believe that it will only take us 21 days to make those new routines a habit. But it takes about three times that. According to research it takes 66 days to get into a habit of a new routine without having to think about it. That's well into March.

Every January we see this influx of folks signing up and heading to the gym. As a certified personal training it's a boom... for about a month. People in our society want fast results. We want dinner in a hurry. We want to lose 10 pounds tomorrow. We want to look ten years younger overnight. We want to be rich yesterday.

When we find out that health and wealth actually take a little work, we get frustrated and walk away. In fact 88% of you "new year's resolution" folks are going to walk away by February. And that's out of the 45% that made a resolution in the first place.

So how can you reach your goals and keep your resolution? 

I think that last year I read an article that actually covered this and I truly believe it from my practice as a life coach. So here are those tips.

1. Keep Your Energy Up: When you are feeling low energy you will make excuses. You really are just tired often times when you say you don't have the time. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, good nutrition and exercise to keep aligned to those items you want in life.

2. Make the Right Goal: Don't say you want to lose 10 pounds if it's not a good fit resolution for you. If you don't hit that goal you'll be depressed and walk away. Say "I'm going to lose 2% of my body weight this month" or "I am going to drop a dress size this year"... make it something you can strive to attain. And align your goals to your priorities and your purpose. It's like the network marketing business. Those that get into it to "get rich" are either scummy and prey on people's desperation, or walk away when they have no passion for the product. Go for the things you love, you cherish and will enhance your life experience. Go for the things that make your family better, and give you joy.

3. Be S.M.A.R.T: You've heard me no doubt talk about setting specific goals if you've known me long enough. Goals need to be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. I've been connected with what Vanderbilt Children's Hospital has been up to because of the essential oils and so here is a boring great video that you can watch to cover SMART goal setting.

I love how one programmer used the concept of Agile Programming with SMART goal planning he said:

S for specific: during each sprint planning, the team agrees on a specific set of tasks to achieve, and commits to doing them. The tasks (and the user stories), answer the questions of what do I want to accomplish, purposes/benefits of accomplishing the goal, who is involved, where it takes place, and constraints.

M for measurable: the list of these tasks, plus the movement of the tickets throughout the sprint, from development to code review to QA to release (or whatever your flow is), answers the questions of how much work and when will it be accomplished.

A for attainable: functioning Agile groups don't typically commit to something in the planning stage unless it is clearly attainable -- all the pieces are there to know how to accomplish it

R for relevant: questions like is it worthwhile, is it the right time, does it match our other efforts -- stories and tasks don't get pulled into a sprint, and committed to, unless the answer is yes to all these questions (typically...YMMV)

T for time-bound: a sprint is necessarily time-bound, be it 2 weeks, 3 weeks, more, or less.

4. Make A Plan: If you take this to your own resolutions what you can see is that you need to break it into chunks that are able to get done in 2 - 3 weeks. Make this plan, but be prepared to fail. That's part of Agile. You learn from it. Daily check in with what you've done, what was successful and what you are going to do next as you go through these action steps. My husband has pushed me into Agile over years of me trying to get away from it... but really it's a big part of what I think helps you be successful. Chalene Johnson says you should reverse engineer your goals, and I believe in that. Reverse engineer what you are going for, and then use that as your agile guide.

I believe if you look at this in the new light of longer term, smaller, realistic goals you will tip that 88% scale and we'll start seeing a lot more people reaching those resolution (intention) goals instead of feeling frustrated and failing.

November Thankfulness - Day 8 Was Powerful

Today as I was sharing why I was thankful ... I found it to be so powerful I wanted to share it on the blog. I am pretty sure that we all have at least one family member with Peter Pan syndrome that refuses to grow up. They don't get responsibility, they live with someone who takes care of all of their needs, and they are just not living up to their purpose. In fact they often hide behind the statement of DOING what they need to do for their purpose. Truth be told, it's a lie. Purpose is meant to be shared and not stored away!

People have excuses, I've had excuses. Every day you can come up with an excuse on why you aren't going after things you should, to make your dreams come true. Goals are not just words on paper. They are ACTIONS! If you don't take action you don't succeed. You know as you are reading this how true that is. But why am I thankful for all of this? It's because I didn't have this at 20, or even 30... and 40 I was coming out of the fog of denial. I knew my purpose but I was hiding behind it. So be thankful for growing up. Be thankful for learning about yourself, and knowing what you have to do at whatever age you are at. And be thankful to know that there's more for you out there no matter where you are... THERE is more!

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer said today, "You can't expect to draw people into your life who are kind, confident, and generous if you're thinking and acting in cruel, weak, and selfish ways. You must be what it is that you're seeking--that is, you need to put forth what you want to attract." So you can't live a life of true happiness serving your purpose if you don't get out there and share it. You GIVE to RECEIVE! The secret to attracting all things in life. Move forward to get somewhere. Let go of fear, let go of control, let go of obstacles... and you'll be open to get all of things that await the grown up version of you.

{Day 8} - I am Thankful! 

I'm thankful for being able to sort out who I am in this life, and not just believing that where you are is who you are, and that there's nothing more. I feel so sad when I see someone that is stuck in that mentality. We're all going through the same things here. We learn something new, we have light bulb moments of why things happened, why things need to change, we realize we have purpose... but it doesn't just happen because you turned 18. YOU don't just grow up, become an adult and KNOW what you want to do with your life.

But the truth is that it does take courage to do what you want to do in life. Every single day I watch these women and men on my teams really define who they are - and the IMPACT!! Oh my gosh the impact it has on your life to figure all of that out is so huge! It's what makes dreamers into achievers. No joke. 

I see it this way, I am maybe half way through life... I truly pray I have another half at least. And so it's okay for me to still be defining my direction on how to best serve my purpose in life. I wasn't one of those people that knew at 23 exactly what I was going to do... I explored. That led me to here, and it's exactly where I am meant to be. Where it will take me tomorrow with be amazing I'm sure as well. Have courage!! Go after the passion in your HEART.... grow up, know that means sharing your passion and not hiding it away. You'll change lives... I guarantee it!! 

My Ocean Avenue Earnings

I wanted to share this, but I was really hesitant. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, because honestly I'm kicking myself right now because I haven't given my business the time I should have to be making the money I am making as an Ocean Avenue Ambassador. I've been with Ocean Avenue for almost a year, it's been about 8 months since we first got products, and that is when I really began to build my team of four. But I don't know why I actually stopped there. So I built, and they built, and their builders built a few and I just ordered products to use personally, gave out a few samples and waited. Waiting is the worst thing to do with a new company, but I have to admit that is what I've done. But I have been helping others, and that is the core of my business, but the help I could do with my family, and for my friend's families... so I am picking it up and yelling from the mountain tops about what this business could do for you.

There's a Fire in My Ocean Avenue Business! 

Now I'm on fire... because I remembered an old post by a friend. I was too scared then to join her company when it first came to me, scared I would not be able to make any money, that I was no good at selling to people... I just like to help others. She posted that post 2 1/2 years ago when her business after 18 months had started making with her two centers and her husband's center $2,000 weekly. She posted the other day she had her first $20,000 week the other day - and I had an aha moment. We are just launching Ocean Avenue this month, September 2013, from the ground floor. The nutritional products are just amazing and made with the BEST ingredients I've seen. We have the exclusive rights to the Ice Elements product line, starting with the Two Minute Miracle (and whatever is launched in two weeks...) and you can't get this from HSN or QVC ever again.

So why have I been sitting on this opportunity? I know that for someone out there reading this that extra $2000 or more per month could save them. It could be the answer to their prayers, and I'm selfish for not sharing how easy this company is to get into. It could save a home, or pay medical costs, or even take a family on vacation for the first time. My family is taking a vacation next month to Disneyland, and then going to go to San Diego and make two weeks out of... all because of my business. So I'm stepping it up because I want to come back in a year or two with my first $20,000 week... I want to help just one person who like me thought they couldn't it!

On top of that the people that we can help who are obese, who are dealing with painful chronic inflammation, that's going to keep my motivated to help others become physically and fiscally healthier going into the Ocean Avenue Launch in Orlando Florida. Think of this as my pre-Success blog... and I'll come back next year in 12 months after launch and share how much this business has truly impacted lives.

Lastly, believe me IF I CAN DO THIS ANYONE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THIS! If you want to help change lives, enjoy yourself, travel and change your life, contact me!

Going Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Working Into Success

Leading Your Network Marketing Business

The biggest thing for you to realize about yourself when you are drawn into a network marketing organization, is that you are a leader in your own right. Someone is looking for you to lead them with your passion and your purpose. That means there are people who are turning to you for a reason, and they are listening to what you have to say. Your conversations have much more meaning than you even realize. Without understanding boundaries and roles you will be throwing people off with those conversations. So what should you realize about your conversation?

Conversation Characteristics: 

- Every time you open your mouth, YOU create culture.
- These conversations are more important to results than most other conversations you have as a leader.
- They can be formal or informal, long or short
- You are having them already, even if you don't consciously realize it.

Look for opportunities to turn a normal conversation into a leadership conversation. Don't "vomit" up your business ... but instead lead people into it by sharing your lifestyle... with sprinklings of why you are so passionate about your business every day. Determine WHY this business is so important to you, and break it down into a short and concise elevator response.

Learning to manage your passion with clarified boundaries

When we talk about “the passion of vision,” we’re talking about a deep, sustained energy. It’s fueled by the realization of the unique contribution we have the capacity to make—the legacy we can leave. It clarifies purpose, gives direction, and empowers us to perform beyond our resources. —Stephen R. Covey

This Energy... this VISION is powered by the roles and goals that really define who you are and what you need to do. But most of us don't even know what our goals are. Without boundaries your time gets easily eating up, and the life you want becomes further and further out of reach.

What roles do you play in life? Wife, Husband, mother, business owner, teacher, daughter, friend, neighbor, volunteer? You know what they are - and some of you may be working on too many roles. You should have only six roles that you are using to define the forward momentum... think about what it would be like to wear twenty hats and get everything done in life that you need to do... how would that work??

So how can I define my roles in life to move my network marketing business forward? 

Today I'd like for you all to do the following:
1. List your roles.... as many as you can think of.
2. Assign a priority to each role, or reflect on if one role really is part of another role.
3. List any key people associated with these roles.
4. Write a clarifying statement that describes specifically how you would want to fulfill this role in your life.
5. Break it down to just 6 Roles... and let the rest go. It is hard but your productivity will flourish if you can do this, and your life will feel completely different.

BodyFX Direct Founder and Charter Coach Program

On April 8th, BodyFX will begin accepting orders for Fast Start Product Packs and Coach's Media Packs.

As our way of saying "Thanks" to those of you who have persevered with us through the initial "Pre PreLaunch Period" - and who are making the commitment to become a Coach prior to the availability of the complete BodyFX product line - all Reps who become a Coach during the month of April will forever be known as "Charter Coaches".

Charter Coach's will be divided into two categories:

#1. Founding Charter Coaches - The Company's first week of business will run from 9:00 am Pacific Time on Monday, April 8th -to midnight on Saturday April, 13th. Any Rep who purchases their Fast-Start Pack and Coach's Media Pack prior to midnight on April 13th will be forever be known as a "Founding Charter Coach".

Founding Charter Coaches will be at the very top of the "rotation list" when we begin assigning
infomercial customers. Founding Charter Coaches will also receive the following perks and benefits:

• Special Reception at BodyFX Kick-off Extravaganza Founding Charter Coaches will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with James and Jaana Kunitz, Jennifer Nicole Lee, Don Bodenbach and Cliff Layton in a smaller, more intimate atmosphere.
• "Up-front Seating" at BodyFX Kick-off Extravaganza By the time our Kick-off Extravaganza rolls around, there could be thousands of people in attendance. As a Founding Charter Coach, you will enjoy special reserved seating at the very front of the room!
• Photo Opportunity with James and Jaana Kunitz Founding Charter Coaches will have their portrait taken with James and Jaana in front of a "Special Background" that identifies you as a "Founding Charter Coach". Imagine the prestige of putting this picture on your BodyFX website or Facebook page!
• Founding Charter Coach "Pin" and Award Certificate All Founding Charter Coaches will be recognized at the Kick-off Extravaganza - and will receive a special "Founding Charter Coach Pin" and a Certificate commemorating your commitment to be a Founding Charter Coach

Why Ocean Avenue: 

This is something I'm working on for all of you, and every week I want to focus on why Ocean Avenue as a business opportunity offers more than the other guys. Week One I wanted to focus on Beachbody because a) Heidi Totten one of my best friends just quit Beachbody to go full time with JM Ocean Avenue {She is a Founding Ambassador with me... another Founding Ambassador on our team}, and so I wanted to share why. With the official Launch of Ocean Avenue as September of this year... the momentum is amazing. They've grown just this month by 52% - so I have to say there is a reason for all of the excitement surrounding this company. 

Eat Clean 

Part of what I didn't know was that the food that was comforting me, was also killing me as my severe food allergies were starting to come through.

I've learned to listen to my body, but I've still let those little round crackers, cookie dough, and certain candies call my name. This has been the hardest thing for me to realize that through my fear, I was letting the lonely little girl feed me.

Clean eating is the one thing that can free me. When I start the day with a big, green smoothie I just feel better. I know myself better, and I am able to deal with what life throws at me. It's something that any emotional eater can understand, and hopefully will understand. And if you can find supplements that are made with dense nutrition that help your journey, or clean supplements that ease your pain... it's so much better than a box of Girl Scout cookies.

Train Fast 

Over this last year I had a couple of very interesting A-ha moments, that even as a certified personal trainer I was shocked about. I did a 90 day program that was almost all strength training, and I was shocked that I lost body fat, and trimmed down with just strength training. It was the way that the muscles were confused throughout the program, and the fatigue which allowed the smaller muscle sets to get use. Then I went into a program that was a combination of cardio and max intervals. I love intervals. But when the program was throwing in 60 minutes of intensity on top of max intervals was killing my adrenals, and releasing an abundance of cortisol into my system... and that means more fat storage.

I'm turning 45 this year, so believe me when I say I do NOT need any help with storing fat. When I reduced to shorter bursts of intensity, incorporated the weights into it... things started to swing back the opposite direction. That's why I was able to get so excited about interval sprint training this year, it's perfect! I recommend to my clients now to get in 20 - 30 minutes, and if they want to add more they should do pilates based lengthening or kettlebell training. Mix it up, and not doing the same old thing every single day. Your body building the same two legs every day with the same workout will give you two lovely little tree trunks on the end of your cute little behind.

Trust Your Purpose

There are shiny sparkling items around every turn. People would love me to be excited about on board with everything they are doing and trying, and what I've realized is that it's okay if I disagree with your point of view, or you disagree with mine. I have learned who I am, and I have gone through the trials of my life to be able to be here and share my soul purpose with someone that needs it. Every time I get a message like this one

{ You are an inspiration to me, truly you are and your sharing of your hard acquired knowledge is so appreciated by all of us in your days stream. thank you for caring about other people like you do. If more people loved their fellow man just a wee bit more it'd be a much better world for all of us. I love you Barb.}

that is what it's all about!! I hope you take away from this blog the things that are right for you. And when you learn something that make a difference, share it with someone else. That's the reason for my posting, that's the reason for it all.

HUGS!! XOXO,


Barbara

Beyond The Trail of Business Success

Charge with Brendon Burchard, one of my favorite reads

If you've ever listened to any of the videos out there by Brendon Burchard, you probably have no doubt that anything he writes is golden. He's the author of 'The Millionaire Messenger" a #1 New York Times Bestselling author.

In this newest amazing book he starts out by explaining to all of us what a charged life is. Living this charged life is about being engaged, enthusiastic and energetic... doesn't that sound like the lifestyle that most of us are going for here? Don't you feel that you could use more of all of that in your life right now?
Get that, and the rest of the book is going to change your life in amazing ways!

How to get Charged with Brendon Burchard

I want to share with you one of my favorite videos with Brendon, because he's helped me with my business so much. I think that Marie is hysterical, but knows what you want to focus in on with Brendon, which makes this one great interview.

Watching the Jeunesse Global Journey Through My Business

Always nice to see that my business was growing while I was playing on the beaches in California with my family. I also loved that even though I indulged a little bit, I feel like I am not off track with my nutrition because I have these amazing shakes to drink.

This is a journey my friends. There is no instant gratification in health, and change takes time, and consistency as we change our lifestyles. That doesn't mean you won't see some changes in measurements and weight initially, or feel some changes in inflammation and energy...

What it means is that you have to stick with healthy changes rather than jumping from one "fad" to the next. Only being consistent in using healthy supplements and being consistent in the other healthy chooses in life (exercise, nutrition) will you see real changes and long term changes. And that is what makes this all so important to me, the long term changes I am going to see for my health

These products will take you on an Global Journey of health

There was a study done on the long term use of undenatured whey protein isolates. Long and persistent uncontrolled diabetes tends to degenerate the immune system and leads to an increased incidence of infection. And most of us in our society are on the borderline of type two, or as Dr. Hyman says we have "diabesity". One in two Americans is suffering from diabesity, and most of them don’t even know it. Why? Because most doctors are not trained to treat the single biggest chronic disease in America. That's right... our doctors and chiropractors. A chiropractor goes through Nutrition/dietetics for 90 hours during the total of almost 4800 hours of training... That's not even 2% of their training time. Nurses go through one 3 credit out class on nutrition. Most MD's don't even go through the recommended 25 hours of nutritional training. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/health/16chen.html?_r=0

On the other hand we are so lucky that our doctors are so amazing!! They get nutrition in a big way! That's why I was so happy that they got it with their fitness products why undenatured whey is so important.

In fact, whey proteins (WPs) enhance immunity during early life (healthy for your kids!) and have a protective role in some immune disorders. In this study, the effects of the whey protein was done on the chemotaxis of B and T cells(T cells are what is so super important when dealing with cancer treatments and immune levels) to CXCL12 and CCL21 in diabetic mice were investigated.  They concluded that this whey protein would be a promising drug candidate for immunomodulation. What is that? Immunotherapy is a medical term defined as the "treatment of disease by inducing, enhancing, or suppressing an immune response". Do you want to use something health to work with your immune system?

Now with weight loss... A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the long-term consumption of this amazingly healthy whey protein was associated with lower body weight and lower body fat mass in overweight and obese adults.

The study subjects consumed 56 grams of either whey or soy protein daily, or an equal amount of calories as carbohydrates.  The participants otherwise consumed their normal diets.  After just 23 weeks of supplementation, the fat mass of those consuming whey protein was 2.3 kilograms (just over 5 pounds) less than those consuming an equal amount of calories as carbohydrates.

Though caloric restriction can facilitate weight loss in the short-term, you have to remember that all of these longer-term studies have shown calorie-restricted diets to be ineffective for sustained weight loss. You can't expect to keep the weight off when you go back to the same old same old way of eating. It’s likely that calorie-restricted diets trigger numerous appetite-promoting chemical signals to compensate for perceived starvation. I listened to an amazing TED talk about the neurons that come from our "immune system" which is our digestive system. These sustained caloric restriction diets are most likely going to cause intense food cravings, and foster the accumulation of body fat when and if caloric consumption is increased.  This has been show by numerous studies, that those that repeatedly cycle on and off of calorie-restricted diets often end up heavier than when their dieting endeavors began. Have you seen this before?

Sustained weight loss, therefore, will likely require the use of foods and supplements that I've talked about, and eating a nutrient-rich diet to elicit the chemical signaling characteristic of a fed state. You need to over power the brain wanting to overeat, but still give your body it's required nutrition.  When these requirements are met, the metabolism is more likely to give you that fat loss even without all of the calorie counting that most of us do these days. That is what these products are going to do for you. It's looking at the long term picture my friends, and not just the quick fix that we often are searching for in our society. As research on undenatured whey protein continues, it appears that its benefits are far greater than many people currently imagine. What a journey... are you coming along?

Creative Marketing is the key to your business success

I think that often the problem is finding the right marketing venue that works for your business. There are so many websites, magazines and newsletters out there that it can be overwhelming to someone new in business and it can be very frustrating even sometimes for those of us that have been in business for quite some time.

Many lower level executives think the advertising/marketing industry holds a poor grasp of the business issues confronting organizations such as theirs, according to the latest study from Forbes.com and Euro RSCG Worldwide. Most of the 9,000 senior executives polled agreed that advertising is an important driver of corporate success. In fact, 72 percent think advertising and marketing can have a substantial influence over the way the market perceives their company; while 62 percent feel their advertising and marketing programs have a substantial impact on sales. But when it comes to effectiveness, the respondents were split -- about 42 percent felt that "the advertising industry seems to have a poor grasp of the business issues confronting organizations like mine", while just under 40 percent think "external advertising and marketing services bring a valuable perspective to our advertising and marketing issues."

You have to remember that there are 2,405,518,376 human beings (up from 812,000,000 in s 2004) are now online worldwide (Internet World Stats) and so online marketing is something that can be really quite confusing.

Electronic advertising is one of the biggest gaining areas that large and small companies are using today. It's a very important feature for any company if it's used correctly. An effective Web Marketing Campaign that would bring the rate of return visitors up, and house sales at an increase. Emitations.com, was looking to efficiently market new products and promotions to her loyal, yet demanding customer base. To appeal to these demanding consumers, she needed a convenient and appropriate communication vehicle. Emitations.com now publishes a weekly newsletter to communicate with customers and prospects. 

The newsletters that I am talking about are a great improvement from the text-based emails that were individually prepared and emailed, as they are now using a great HTML software program to manage their campaigns. Sometimes creating these emails and managing the mailing lists are too time consuming and you don't get the professional look that you want as well. If you can't look as professional then why bother, right? I love how AWeber makes not only my newsletter, but my automated and feature email marketing a breeze.

But if you use your tools correctly - you can keep your customers coming back for specials, educational benefits and so much more. Also you don't have to just build your email list online. If you are talking to someone offline why not ask them if they'd like to get your email newsletters. Always put the contact into your smart phone, or address book. As long as you always provide them with an out, if they say yes you could turn them into a customer. Email marketing is one of the lowest cost advertising tools you can use today. 

How many other ways can I connect with my customer base? 

Another great tool is networking with others. Networking is on of the biggest keys to the puzzle of business. Network can be a noun or a verb. It can be a group of people that exchange information or the act of exchanging information, contacts and experiences with others for a professional or social purpose.

Our American society does not encourage individuality as a general rule, and there for it does not teach us how to network. If you were to ask ten different people what networking is - you may get as many as ten different answers. One person's definition of networking probably depends upon their use of this important personal and professional activity or lack of use as I've seen more often. Networking is about making new friends, finding a new job, developing your current career, exploring new career options, obtaining referrals or sales leads, or simply to broaden your professional horizons, as it is important to focus on networking as an exchange of information, contacts or experience. And you don't just have to network in your po-dunk town. With Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, Linked In and many more the networking opportunities are endless. 

In any industry or career level networking helps you make connections in a personal way and build relationships of support and respect to discover and create mutual benefits. It is a skill set no serious professional businessman or women of the 21st Century can be without. The keys to networking are to make sure you introduce yourself, have a purpose for networking, make it easy for others to find you/your business, and of course when appropriate exchange business information and be prepared. Many people jump right to exchanging business information. If you were looking for a top-notch dentist or surgeon where would you look? Would you trust the testimony of a good friend, or the size of a phone book ad? To be able to sell new clients, you must be able to benefit from current clients. To be able to get referrals you must be able to make the connections needed to get the referrals. If you do not engage your networking community – you’ll never be able to gain their support. If you don’t think you can network with others effectively – then you should rethink starting a business for yourself. Poor networking can ruin your reputation. 

Your reputation is your business credit. Your networking partners are your business equity. When you have great equity in your home and you need home improvements it is always much easier to get a loan. When you need business – and you have great business equity in your networking community – it is easy to fill the time slots, to sale the orders, to raise the level of your business success. 
Good networking partners will provide you with referral clients because of the equity you've built with them through time. These supports will be a strong foundation to increase the value of your business. But never forget to send your gratitude to anyone and everyone that you network effectively with, in writing. Personal Communication is the single biggest strategy in building your business. One thank-you is worth a mint. When you get a referral, when a client allows you to use them for a testimonial, remember that in order to continue to grow your business equity you will need to communicate to them the gratitude. 

Learn to improvise and improve. When capital is low, it’s the smart business owner that uses a variety of plans to hold down marketing costs. Share newsletter space with great partner companies. Trade links with other websites that offer services or products that work well with your overall structure, not just to trade links. A good online friend may not be a great marketing partner. Offer great “freebies” on your website to keep your visitor’s coming back. Always offer an opt-in email for news and updates and use this as an effective low-cost advertising tool. Offer incentives to current and prior customers to keep them coming back. Learn to focus on your target market, and only advertise where you’ll hit the bull’s-eye. When in doubt, follow your gut instinct.

How many of you are looking for marketing or want new customers? How many of you do both online and offline sales? Do you consider yourself to be active in networking and referring business to others you meet? Do you feel you use your advertising dollars for the best placed ads? These are some important questions you need to ask yourself today.

How to market your business for success using the right communication tools

blip  (blp) n.
1. A spot of light on a radar or sonar screen indicating the position of a detected object
2. A transient sharp upward (or downward) movement, as on a graph.

You have to shock the system by creating a BLIP Strategy today. That is the push that I'm going through after the Breakthrough series and now at day 8 on the 30 Day Push. {even coaches look to be coached, to get better, to grow!}

B- Blog
L- Lead
I- Invite
P- Promote

By doing this you are going to taking advantage of the top items to build your business. This allows you to be "big business' on the outside, while staying true to and working within the confines of your small business needs.I see this again and again within my coaching business when working with people just like you.

The average business will lose 10% - 30% of thier customer base every year, so keeping the customer base you have is the most effective marketing strategy you have. A fundamental first step in developing that effective relationshop marketing is to leverage yourself as the leader in what you do best.

And effective strategy would be concise, and focus on a single meaningful attribute, rather than trying to be everything to everyone. If you have never tried eating a dinosaur, how do you know what the best place to start is? Do you start at the front, the back, the legs? But if you've made 700 amazing green smoothies, then you have all of the knowledge to share with others on the how and why of how things go together.

And the most effective marketing strategy is to be rated as the BEST in one or more meaningful qualities. If you can't be the best, then you try to better than most or different than the majority. But never settle for second best because your customers never will.

Studies have shown that 30% of all customers make decisions based on price. So don't make price the deciding factor, because it's not. Promote how you are going to be a detected item on the radar that they just can't stop thinking about. BLIP... BLIP... BLIP... and by doing so you are going to be able to overcome most pricing objections because you are giving them what they have been thinking about over and over again.

What do you think would happen if you had an entire room of people and the lights suddenly went off? 

Turning off the power will not only gain you the most attending {turn back on} but it allows you to zero in on your clients as they collect outside to figure out what you are doing! You are inviting them to come on over and check you out. So what are you doing? Do you take the time to turn off the power? Or do you bombard them with heavy neon lights all day long?

The ideal way to market your product or service is to lead with the most compelling functional "need" you offer. and then appeal to the psychological needs of your niche market. If you can do this in a way that shows the primary differences between you and your competitors - then you have covered all of your bases, and you are see that graph start to move on up.

Now, you may just be choosing the wrong customers. This costs you in several ways. These customers are short term... they were never really into it in the first place. If you are building a team of people that want to be there, you are on track. If you are building a team of people that just said yes because you are that good... you are going to find that they are going to be very labor intensive. They will cost you time, money and in the end future referrals because you never should have sold to that customer perhaps in the first place. It's best to avoid those customers and release yourself from focusing on those people that will never be happy with what you are offering.

When creating your marketing strategy you want to stop, think and ask, "So what? It helps you to translate the features of a promotion to the benefits. This will help you to develop how you will approach your customers when the time comes. It's not going to always happen, and most of the time won't happen the first time someone sees your post, your blog, your promotion, your website. The research has shown that the majority of sales are carried out after SEVEN exposures to your product. So you have to develop a way to keep bringing them back.

Blip... Blip... Blip... 

The average marketing communication must gain the interest of the consumer in 2 seconds. So you have to be quick, consise, yet make them want to come back? Pictures say more than words, and you can share that in your own image more than using someone else. Pull them in, and help them to continue to pay attention to your marketing message.

So take that moment in time where you get it... let this click! Watch the next Breakthrough with Anthony Robbins and start to take the shift to create  the quality of life that you deserve, and start thinking about your business in the way that your customers do. If you get the answer for this question in this video, you will figure out your niche. I promise. The decisions you make without targeting, what do you get? You don't get the change you want. You have to be concise. Listen to the beginning of you journey, and start to develop those BLIPS!

You may not realize how all of this works together right now, but I hope that you watch the video, and then come back maybe later today, or in a week and re-read what you need to do and that's when it will all really click.

Why The Beachbody Family Means So Much To Me, and Why It Fits My Lifestyle

I really love the Beachbody Family... and there is nothing like it. No where else in the MLM universe do you have access to the top minds like this with #askChalene I love being a holistic life coach, a trainer, and I love sharing the very best of the best with all of you!! I love being a part of not only the Powder Blue family, but the Beachbody family because we are a family. Watch the video, and see why I do what I do, why I am part of this company, and what it could bring you in 2013.

What being a Beachbody Coach mean

How to use SMO to drag user's attention towards your site

Promoting your business on the web is a low cost marketing strategy and employing social media in your publicity is one of the cost effective and results better outputs. Optimizing company website to social media sites help in increasing a website’s visibility. The following instructions show how to promote your website using SMO to grab reader’s attention.

• Step1: Join a few appropriate social networks to your business, you must be careful while selecting social media outlet. Know your target market and evaluate how to reach them through social media. 
• Step2: Understand which social media platform is best suited for your business. Some businesses that are related to entertainment category can easily get benefited from Facebook while business related to technology can receive huge website traffic through Twitter and other social networking channels. 
• Step3: So, before you begin working with the particular social media channel, determine how you can get benefited from it. At the time of joining an online community especially for business, identify your target customers and start your plan.  
• Step4: Post content on these networking channels; make sure to develop social media optimized content. This will allow you to widen the exposure of your content across social network channels.  
• Step5: At the end of every post, don’t forget to provide bio information, this information should include your business purposes, contact details and should consist of a link to your company website.
• Step6: Ensure to have an active presence in the social community. Commenting to posts on social networks is a good idea; this will prove how active you are on and make you share your ideas to others. 
• Step7: Drive traffic to your website from social networking channels, this is possible when you interact with people in the social community. Use social channels for business promotion only after reviewing basic rules to follow. 
• Step8: Promote more information on your business products and sales to users in your subgroup. Make sure to include accurate contact information for your customers so that they can contact you.
• Step9: Design a business page that doesn’t focus only on business, be sure that this will provide useful information to users. Try to implement something fun on your website such as adding games along with the products and services of your business. 
• Step10: Your customer should not feel that they have been bombarded with promoting business sales. This could turn them away to somewhere else. To make your customers visit again, update business pages regularly with recent updates and latest information.
• Step11: Write content for social media press release, this helps in bringing massive potential customers. This offers a great marketing platform for advertisers who want to market their service, product or events. However, many businesses fail to get benefited from the press release as they typically follow traditional approaches. 
• Step12: Come up with a great headline for your press release, this can grab attention of many readers. Make sure to focus in the right way and create value for it.  

Author Bio: The guest post was contributed by Lucy, financial guest blogger from Manchester, UK. Wrote many articles on ppi claims . Find out more about her blogs @financeport