No matter what country you’re from or what language you speak, everyone understands a smile.

Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People said of a smile, “It costs nothing, but creates much. It enriches those who receive it, without impoverishing people who give it. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.”

Here are eight reasons why you should make smiling part of your daily routine:

1. You’ll live longer and be in better health. It’s a proven fact that optimistic people are healthier, have stronger immune systems, and live longer. Those with a positive attitude tend to take better care of them selves. They eat healthier, drink in moderation, and exercise regularly. When you smile it also boosts the level of serotonin, which plays a role in regulating mood, sleep, sexuality and appetite. It also releases endorphins which are the body’s natural pain killers.
2. It’s easier to smile than to frown. Someone once said that it takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown. I’m not sure if the numbers are accurate, but you get the point – being miserable requires more work than being happy.
3. It makes you more attractive. There’s a reason everyone makes you smile before taking your picture. Everyone looks better with a smile on their face.
4. Smiling makes you look younger. Not only do you look better, you look younger. Forget the face lifts or Botox injections; just smile more often.
5. Smiling makes you seem more successful. People who smile are assumed to be more successful. If you’re always frowning, people automatically assume that things aren’t going that well for you.
6. People treat you differently. If you are smiling, people are more likely to start a conversation with you. People want to be around people who smile.
7. You’ll spend less time in jail. Studies have shown that judges give lighter sentences to people if they are smiling.
8. You’ll have a more satisfying relationship. Studies show that intense happiness is a key ingredient to maintaining a satisfying relationship.

There are four things you can start right now to put you on track to a happier life:

1. “Fake it till you make it.” Dale Carnegie said it about enthusiasm, but it applies to smiling too. Put a smile on your face and, even when things aren’t going so good, you can’t help but feel better.
2. Find the humor in situations. Who can forget the last scene of Monty Python’s “Life With Brian” when Brian, sentenced to death by crucifixion for his part in a kidnapping plot, joins in with 140 other doomed men and sings “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life?”
3. Smile at least five times a day for no good reason. Make smiling part of your daily schedule. Make a point to smile at yourself first thing every morning when you look in the mirror.
4. Sing a song that makes you smile or listen to a piece of music that makes you smile. There are certain songs or pieces of music that just make you smile. One of the more famous ones is “Put on a Happy Face” from the musical “Bye Bye Birdie.”

No matter where you are, if you are feeling less than stellar, you can’t help but feel better if you just smile. If you have to, fake it till you make it. Your brain doesn’t know you are faking it. Pretty soon your brain will be releasing serotonin and you will really be happy.

Smile! It is so much easier to be happy.

If you want to start your own business but don’t have business experience, a product or service to offer, and limited capital, then direct selling, with its proven system for success, might be the ideal opportunity.

For over 100 years, direct selling companies have offered individuals the ability to purchase products at wholesale prices and earn a profit by selling them at retail prices. Most direct selling companies also allow representatives to earn a commission by introducing new sales reps to the business.

With a direct selling business you can join an industry where business is booming and there is plenty of room at the top. Direct selling, also known as network marketing, is a $32 billion industry in the US alone. The millions of network marketers determine for themselves how much they want to work, what they want to market, when they want to move up the ladder and how far they want to climb.

Direct selling offers a proven sales system. Most companies offer high quality sales materials so there is no need to create your own material. There are many opportunities to start a business for under $500. All you need to do is decide what you are passionate about and seek an opportunity in that area.

For a small sign up fee, new reps receive access to training, marketing materials, discounts on products and sample products to show and sell. You can set up an office anywhere in your home with a laptop and a telephone. Low overhead and minimal inventory make direct selling businesses affordable.

The flexibility to work around a full time job or family schedule is a huge benefit. Because each representative is an independent contractor there is no set schedule or required number of hours. The average part-time representative devotes 5 to 15 hours a week to their business.

Direct selling is a results driven industry. While some in the business earn millions, it is more common for direct sellers to use their business to earn extra cash each month to pay for vacations, private school, dinners out, college expenses, cars, etc.

By building a team of people who are excited about their product and telling others about the opportunity, direct sellers are able to leverage their time and maximize their income. By capitalizing on their whole team’s effort, a direct seller can devote 10 hours a week to their business while 10 other people also devote 10 hours a week to their businesses, the team leader earns commission off of 110 hours of effort. It also means that the business has the potential to grow even while the team leader is on vacation.

Building a team definitely makes financial sense but there are other intangible rewards as well. The friendships developed with team members and the experience of helping others improve their personal and financial lives are often as meaningful as the monetary rewards.

Direct sellers are also faced with a number of personal growth issues. One must overcome daily “comfort zone” challenges in order to grow personally and professionally.

While direct selling is a fabulous opportunity there are some common pitfalls to avoid.

1. Beware of the “once in a lifetime” opportunities. A real business opportunity should be there for the long haul. Check out the company with the Direct Selling Association (www.dsa.org).
2. Don’t jump on the bandwagon unless it is going the direction you want to go. It is important to find a business or service you are passionate about. Donald Trump said, “Without passion, great success is hard to come by.”
3. Don’t give up too soon. Building any business takes time. If you want to earn millions, that potential exists but you must be willing to work for it. Direct selling success is about consistent and effective efforts over time.

After all is said, direct selling is one of the best opportunities available for the average American seeking to have a better life. Whether you want to earn an extra $200 a month, $2000 a month, or $20,000 a month, there is an opportunity out there for you. Take time to have a look.

I offer a Mia Bella Candle Business that I think is a fabulous opportunity. Check out my web site at www.LexiaCandleScents.com for all the details. I also offer success training for individuals in any marketing industry. Information on this training can be found at www.MLMExperts.com .

When you take the time to look, you will find that there are opportunities available in almost any arena imaginable.

I wish you a fabulous journey into business ownership.

Are you a network marketer struggling to create your dream life? Want that six figure income, the dream house, the dream car, and plenty of free time to spend with your family? All of this is possible through network marketing but, more often than not, your upline is unwilling to share the real secret to success.

I have two oppotunities you should take a look at. First, if you are with a company you love but are struggling to create the lifestyle you desire, take 35 minutes and listen to this call. It will give you some background on a training program I offer that will guarantee your success. In fact, if you don’t make an additional $50,000 in the next 12 months we will refund your enrollment fee. That is how confident we are that this program really works.

The number for the recorded call is 212-461-2702. If you would like more information, send me an e-mail at sharon.davis7@yahoo.com.

Second, if you are looking for a home business opportunity with a company whose upline will share all their secrets and fabulous training check out my web site at www.LexiaCandleScents.com This is a fabulous opportunity to market 100% natural candles that are healthy to burn and good for our environment. Our clean burning candles are triple scented for a long lasting fragrance. There are several wayas to make money including fundraising, retailing, craft fairs, or building a team. If you enjoy candles, this is the business for you.

Here’s to successful business building.

In today’s economy, many people who thought they had a “secure” position are finding themselves without a job. Companies are being forced to downsize or restructure. No matter what the reason, jobs in corporate America are no longer secure.

People all across the country are beginning to abandon their dependence big business and seeking independence in their own enterprise. Every month, about 1 million Americans are forced into some kind of job change or loss. Increasingly more are deciding to start their own businesses. Sixty one percent of Americans now say they prefer to be their own boss.

Decipher, a Fresno, CA based research firm found that 72% of all adult Americans would prefer to work for themselves than for another company and 67% constantly think about quitting their jobs. More and more people are beginning to take action and starting their own business. The Small Business Administration reports that more than one in eight American households include a home based business.

Why are so many people starting their own businesses? The reasons are many but they can be summarized in just a few:

• Job Security – in today’s economy, working for someone else is risky. By working for yourself, you become the master of your own destiny. People are pursuing options such as consulting, direct selling, and franchise ownership.
• More satisfying lifestyle – we are becoming less willing to sacrifice family time for office politics and late meetings. One of the biggest reasons for the self-owned business boom is that people enjoy the freedom they gain from designing their own prosperity. No commute, no boss. You get to choose when you work, where you work, with whom you work and how much vacation time you take.
• Greater financial opportunity – there is far greater opportunity to make money working for yourself than working for someone else. When you are in business for yourself you write your own success story and your own paycheck. Being in business for yourself allows you to work your heart out for something you love.
• The opportunity to have a greater impact – In the Decipher study 84% said they would be more passionate about their work if they owned their own business. Being an entrepreneur means stretching yourself to new heights. You are driven by a desire to create something bigger than yourself.

Fortunately, starting your own business doesn’t have to happen because of job loss. Most businesses are started part time while their owners continue holding down traditional jobs. Leaving the rat race is not as daunting as it may seem. You’ll look back, years from now, at how easy it was and how much you gained for so little cost.

So, what does it take to start a business? Many of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time began with no advanced degrees and hardly any startup capital. However, what you save in cash capital you make up for in sweat equity. The major investment in a self owned business is an investment in your self. You don’t need to be a genius but you do need a burning desire, determination and passion.

Are you ready to step out of the confines of being an employee and step into the arena of business ownership? What are you passionate about? How can you make that passion work for you and your future? Now is the best time to become the designer of your destiny.

Happiness = Attitude + Gratitude

Have you ever asked yourself how some people can be happy all the time? No matter what happens in their lives, nothing can shake their unwavering happiness and contentment?

Happy people always see their glass as half full as opposed to half empty. They focus on solutions rather than problems. Instead of worrying and complaining, they concentrate on the good in a situation and on improving it.

Although happy people have the same fears, pains and disappointments as the rest of us, they tend to keep their hearts and minds open to new possibilities in their daily lives.

One aspect of this is focusing on gratitude. People who are happy for no reason don’t necessarily have more to be grateful for, they simply focus on gratitude more often throughout their day.

Happy people also tend to believe in something larger than themselves, regardless of religious beliefs. They are able to live with uncertainty; they don’t need to always be in control. They live in the “flow of life” trusting a higher source of wisdom to guide their actions.

Happy people also have, and know how to seek, a positive, nourishing support system. They find ways to incorporate their passions into everything they do. Also essential to happiness are your physical and mental well being. The right combination of exercise, nutrition and getting enough sleep are key. Most importantly, one must have a positive attitude.

Happy people maintain a positive attitude. They choose to always see the good in a situation and see their difficulties as life lessons.

So, the equation for happiness….

Attitude + Gratitude = Happiness

Be thankful.

Have a positive attitude.

Be happy!

As a culture we are aching for adventure. We spend our time on roller coasters, extreme sports, and action movies. We create drama in our lives by engaging in careless spending, wrong relationships, meaningless arguments, or by choosing addictions of one sort or another. Infusing our life with healthy adventure is a way to make sure we don’t “borrow trouble.” It is also a way of making us feel courageous.

To decide what kind of adventure is best for you, take a look at your personality. Are you the kind of person who would rather jump out of an airplane or is riding in an airplane adventurous enough. Determine where you fall on the adventure spectrum. Are you providing yourself with enough challenges and opportunities to push your boundaries?

First, recognize your boundaries. What are your fears? What kind of activities will expand your boundaries, help you face your fears, and make you grow as a person? I read a book many years ago called Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jaffers. This is an incredible book that teaches people to understand their fears, look them in the eye, and take action in spite of being afraid.

Many of our fears are self created. We frighten ourselves by focusing on negative outcomes. Therefore, we hesitate to move into new activities for fear of failure. The key to overcoming our fear of failure is not to focus on outcomes. Stay focused on the process.

Successful people also feel fear. Yet they don’t let it get in the way of anything they want to do. They are the master of their fears. They trust that no matter what occurs they are strong enough and smart enough to gain something positive from the experience.

Whether we like it or not, the universe has a way of making us face our fears. We can make fear busing an adventure or a struggle. Choose adventure and have some fun.

Sometimes we find ourselves dissatisfied with the experiences in our lives. We feel bored. I used to find myself in this situation all the time. I thought, “if only I lived someplace interesting.” Because I wanted to be “anywhere but here,” I couldn’t see all the adventures and excitement happening all around me.

Imagine that you are a tourist in your town. You only have three days to experience all that your town/city has to offer. Go exploring. Find the best coffee house, the best book store, a historic building, a museum, a quaint little store. Because you’re on vacation, you expect to find things of interest.

Wherever you go on vacation, you know you won’t be there forever. You know there are things that you don’t want to miss. Everything becomes vibrant and exciting. You don’t want to miss a minute of it.

Think of your life as an extended vacation. Explore all of the possibilities. Take the long way home, explore a side street, visit that little shop you have always wanted to go to, take a stroll in the park. Be a tourist in your own hometown and in your life. When you do this, even every day events can become exciting.

Try it! You’ll be amazed.

I’ve started applying the Vacation Principle with my daughter as well. Whenever she says she is bored I pull out the community directory that lists all the activities in our town. If we look hard enough, there is almost always something happening. If not then there are the craft shops. At one store she can paint pottery to give as birthday or Christmas gifts. At another she can make jewelry. We discovered a mine just outside town where she can search for jewels. We discovered so many things to do in our area that it will take us the rest of the year to do them all.

It is truly amazing what we will find within our field of vision if we just open our eyes, minds, and souls to all of the possibilities that await our discovery.

Here’s to your journey, and ours.

Begin each day with this question: “What am I going to do today that will make the best use of my time and energy, and lead me a step closer to reaching my goals?”
During the day, each time you are faced with a decision, ask yourself: “Does this action substantially help me toward achieving my goals?”

Before you leave your workplace or before you go to sleep at night, make a list of your most urgent priorities for the following day in order of their importance. You might consider dividing your activities into A, B, and C lists:

A is for action immediately
B is before the end of the day
C is can wait until tomorrow

Become aware of interruptions and distractions that block your success. Constant telephone calls are the most common. Spending too much time reading and answering personal e-mails is another problem. Chatting with co-workers eats up more time. Messy files, disorganized scheduling and cluttered desks are roadblocks. Take an objective look at your routines and habits. And then take action!

Until next week, keep following your A, B and C’s!
– Denis Waitley

I have been laid up with an injured foot for the last couple of days. During this time I have been reading the stack of books I have purchased over the last couple of months — Think And Grow Rich, The Secret, Change Your Thoughts Change your life,  the list goes on and on. I have come to the conclusion that this injury is Gods way of allowing me the time I require to develop some much needed clarity.

While reading Think and Grow Rich I suddenly had an aha moment that, for me, validated everything I am doing to achieve my definate major purpose. My mind suddenly started replaying all of my lifes desires from the time I was a teenager. This is my attempt to verbalize all that was being played out in my minds eye.

In Think And Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill instructs people to write out a statement of how they will give back once they have received their definate major purpose. Before I share what I wrote down you have to understand some of the desires I have had during my life. When I was a teenager, the first thing I ever wanted to be was a psychologist. Because of events in my life that I didn’t understand, I began to research the human mind and world spiritual systems. This research actually lasted intensely from the time I was 13 until age 21. It continues to this day but those years were strictly devoted to understanding the “why” of life. I wanted to understand my own life and help others discover the “why’s” in their lives.

In my 20’s I shifted to focusing primarily on spiritual understanding. I left mainstream psychology for a while and focused on world religion and philosophy. I made a trip to the India in search of enlightenment. My desire during these years was to help others find the peace and contentment that I was experiencing myself.

During my 30’s I again moved back into psychology, returning to college to complete my BA and continue on to graduate school. I obtained my BA in psychology but, along the way realized that there was so much more to truly understanding people than just the mind. I was gently tugged into a second major in cultural anthropology. I began to read a lot of Margaret Mead’s work in psychological anthropology or how different cultures understand human behavior.  I began to appreciate anthropologies understanding of psychology and changed my graduate study plans from psychology to anthropology — looking at the psychospiritual aspects of culture.

I have to make a special note here that one of my underlying desires has always been to help teenagers understand life better and make wise choices. For this reason, while in graduate school I took a job at a boys group home. Most of the boys were either sex offenders or gang members (keep in mind these were children ages 10-18). These boys touched my heart in ways that no one else ever had. While working this job I decided that these were the children I wanted to work with and was led into special education.

I spent a few months working at a school for severely emotionally disturbed children (again, psychology and helping children maximize their potential was a key ingredient during this time). After a few months I was offered a job as a special education teacher for a local school district. I spent a few years there before deciding to get my credential in regular education. This is the only decision in this stream of decisions that seems a bit out of line to me. Yes, I’m still working with children, and the children I eventually end up with are in much greater need than my special ed kids but the move was not a pleasant one.

At this point, I took a couple of years off to play mommy. When my daughter was about a year and a half I decided to go back to graduate school and complete my training in Marriage and Family therapy. My thoughts kept returning to the boys at the group home. I had also done a lot of research on the issues facing adopted children. I adopted my daughter at birth and was saddened to realize that even children adopted at birth have attachment and loss issues (I’ve seen some of these in my daughter even though she has a good relationship with her birth mother). Anyway, my goal when entering the Marriage and Family Therapy program was to work with children in the foster care system as well as counseling adopted children and their families. I never quite finished this program as many of the issues faced by children in our foster care system were so horrendous that all I could do was cry. It was devastating to me that I couldn’t even truly “help” these kids let alone solve their problems. The fact that they were stuck in situations beyond my control to remedy was just soul crushing to me. It led me back to my origional teen question of “why.” Why these seemingly innocent children?

I soon found my way into a home business. I didn’t even think about how this might be related to all the other events in my life (but I see the connection now).

OK. Fast forward to today… As I was reading Think And Grow Rich and completing some of the exercises I answered the question “How will you give back” as follows:

1. I will teach others to have the life of their dreams; to be all that they desire to be (kind of what psychologists or life coaches do).

2. I will give abundantly to childrens charaties.

3. I will help children coming of age in the foster care system to be successful – in life and in business.

After writing these down and returning to my book I was shown how all the desires of my life are wrapped up in my desire for an extremely successful home business. Everything I have ever thought about doing, all that I have wanted to give, it is all still my goal. The vehicle for accomplishing all my desires has been given to me. I am now applying all the secrets I have been taught to create all that I have ever dreamed.

WOW!

Poppit! Stress Buster