Life...Family, Work, and Everything that Fits in Between Including a Half - Marathon!

As we come to the end of October you may be getting your fill of spooky ghosts and wicked witches...although my girls choose to be less scary characters, Sara is Elsa...(what 7 year old isn't?) and Lydia choose to be a 50's girl! As you can see below they are quite charming!  We had the opportunity to attend our churches Trunk n' Treat last Sunday and they were pleasantly pleased with the vast amount of candy delivered to their little trick or treat bags!

Lydia 9, Sara 7

This past weekend my husband, Chad and I participated in the half marathon that we have been training for since this past July.  We weren't necessarily in the best shape of our lives but still managed to finish the race in a fairly good time (considering we did nothing but run up hills).  The race took place on Mackinac Island - it was a beautiful place to host a race and I believe that we will return next year but will definitely stay on the Island!

 My Friend Katy, me and my wonderful husband, Chad.

 Prior to the race, smiling and excited...

 With one mile remaining...I wanted to be done and over! 2:14.20!

 Prior to race still smiling!

We spent the day on the island with some friends, Chads mom and our two little girls Lydia and Sara.  

It was a great experience and so looking forward to doing it next year!

Although I have had a pretty eventful last couple weeks my Arbonne business has been a little slow.  I guess that is part of life though you choose what is important and those things that must take a back seat.  No, I am not having Arbonne take a back seat but I did commit to this race and this time with my family prior to entering into this business.  I was feeling a little blue last week because I didn't have any parties scheduled last or this week and I truly believe that God knew I needed a break!  So, I ran, recovered and now looking to get some more momentum for the upcoming holiday season!  I am so excited about where this business is going to take me that I am developing ideas and finding items that inspire and motivate me.  

I believe that this type of venture takes time, patience and continual prayer.  If God chooses for me to be successful I believe that I will, however I can't sit back and wait for God to do the work...He gave us free will for a reason - we have to do the physical labor in order to be successful - I am all in and hands on!

Looking forward to the next month and the next time I check in :)

I almost forgot I am starting my first round of 21-Day Fix on Friday and will be posting pics and sharing recipes using the Arbonne protein shakes.  I done this program last year and loved it (when the cold weather creeps in and the days are shorter I have to find something to do on the inside and this is it)

God Bless and until next time - Aimee

Month 3 Feeling Confident but Also Realizing MLM is Way Different than Healthcare!

Here I am 3 months into my new adventure and I am feeling good but not as good as I hoped! I am still super excited because I know that this business works it is a matter of finding the perfect recipe for individual success.  I did receive my last months pay which was double what my month previous was - yeah! However, I have had more ladies turn me down and many a naysayers explain to me why THEIR opinion is the RIGHT one.  I find this funny because when I am confronted with people like this it makes me wonder is it really well given advice or is it an internal part of themselves that feel they would never be able to succeed at something like MLM and they want to make sure that others share the same feeling.

That leads me to this point.  Proverbs 13:4 comes to mind when I reflect on some of things that have been said and displayed.  Solomon wrote "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied".  Do I believe that some who have made ill comments to me to be sluggards? No.  However, voicing negative thoughts and discouragement displays their inability to be supportive even if they don't believe in your actions.  The bible mentions that iron sharpens iron and that we should call out our brother or sister when they're in need of lifting up or drifting astray.  It is important to have those in your life who will lift you up when you're down and those to bring you to reality when you need an epiphany.  Being accountable goes a long way.  I am accountable for my own actions...if I were to tear someone down because they decided to get in shape and run a marathon am I directly responsible if they fail? Were it my negative comments that filled their mind? The mind is a powerful tool and keeping that in mind it can make or break you NO matter the task, goal or success one is seeking NO ONE CAN DETERMINE YOUR PATH BUT YOU.  The ability to differentiate between those who are creating negativity and those who truly have your best interests at heart is necessary to be personally successful.

I have chosen to do this venture because I believe in the Arbonne products, I am a user of the products and they work for me.  Why is it wrong to share the natural excitement I have over these products with those that surround me? I am happy with the results that I personally have seen with my skin and as we move into November I will be coming more involved with the health and fitness component of Arbonne.  I truly believe that I can be successful in this business and the only one who can determine my success is me!

I pray that if you're reading this blog that I am able to inspire you to choose your own path and let your mind block out negativity and to realize that accountability is realized in how you react and respond to others.  Are you someone who INSPIRES?  Are you motivated by positive feedback but question yourself when negativity shows it's face?  Are you equipped to be the best you can be at whatever you choose to pursue?

In this venture I am blessed with an incredible upline who has INSPIRED me to pursue something that many believe can't be done, I am MOTIVATED by my family and a desire to be something more than I am now and I have been EQUIPPED with the resources and tools that I need to be a successful Arbonne consultant.
For those who say it can't be done; this month I  moved into District Manager for Arbonne - yes one step above the label of consultant but a step that many say can't happen...So I will keep looking forward, being a product of the products I promote and will continue to seek those who desire the same goal as I!  

I believe that Arbonne was way ahead of it's time considering that in 1975 who thought what we put on our skin and ingest should be PURE, SAFE AND BENEFICIAL?  I believe that my testimony and my proof will assist in relaying the message that Arbonne is a magnificent company that offers products that work and opportunities for people like me can be successful as long as you keep your mind clear from negativity, rely on accountability and always seek God.  

A Learning Curve...Keeping an Eye on Your Direction and Giving it to God!

October...entering into a season I am not fond of...winter...I do like fall weather but I know with the cooler and shorter days ahead is a lead into the season I dread the most.  Are there any of you out there that feel the same?

Enough complaining.

So I am starting my third month of Arbonne and have found it to be as exciting as the first couple months...but am realizing that I need to listen more to podcasts on the products and listen to the training calls.  It is just like any other business you must educate yourself in order to do the best job that you're capable of!

I have 4 parties this far planned for October and I am praying that I will be able to book a few off of the parties that I already have scheduled.  I believe the biggest road block for any business is the person who is the business owner.  As a person who has always worked for someone else and in the healthcare field I find selling and promoting products that are not necessarily a "need" can be a little daunting.  However, with that said I am also learning more about the difference that Arbonne is about.

I think about the fact that this company was founded in 1975 on creating products that are pure, safe and beneficial...who was even thinking back then that some of these chemicals still in use by other companies were harmful?  Peter Morck the founder of Arbonne was truly ahead of his time by developing a fascinating company that stands firmly on producing products that are free of chemicals and dyes, soy and gluten free and free of mineral oil...along with multiple other "things" that have been proven harmful to humans.

I am in awe that I have the opportunity to pursue this venture and want to thank my amazing husband, Chad for supporting my endeavor and keeping any negative thoughts to himself.  He believes in me and in doing so it helps ME believe in ME.  Again, I can't say it enough, the biggest obstacle to success is YOU. Your Often Unsure.  I do find myself being unsure of my choices and decisions especially since I don't have the vast amount of experience like some ladies and gents.  However, that pushes me to research and understand more about what Arbonne will offer someone that has no clue what it even is!

Identifying a persons needs, desires and wants will assist in determining what product to promote and offer.

I am looking forward in documenting my success and sharing my experience.  One of the items I did last month was a fundraiser for the Traverse City Swim and Dive team.  This was my first experience doing something like this and learned a lot!  Although there was a good turn out for the event we had roughly 680$ in orders - that could of been better BUT it is our first year and I am looking forward to doing it again!

These are pictures prior to the event starting.  We had make-up, facials, hand-washing, protein shakes and a variety of items!