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What is your best Time Management Tool?

5:35 PM Edit This 1 Comment »

As I was writing the day and date in my Moleskine notebook today, I realized this is my BEST time management tool of all! 

I declared April theme "Time Management" tips because it is the most often asked question in my coaching  business. 

"How do you balance your business around a busy lifestyle?" is the question.   So, I'm blogging about it and leaving quotes and tips on my Facebook page through the whole month of April. 

My Moleskine notebook goes everywhere with me every day.  I have tried other notebooks, but there really is nothing to compare.  If you're not familiar with them, Moleskine is the legendary notebook used by European artists and writers for the past two centuries from Van gogh to Picasso, from Ernest Hemingway to Bruce Chatwin.  I always imagine EH sitting in that gorgeous streetside cafe in Paris writing "For Whom the Bell Tolls" or "The Moveable Feast."

The notebooks come in various colors and sizes and have a bound cover with rounded corners and an elastic closure.  They have an expandable inner pocket made of cardboard and cloth in the back of the notebook which contains the Moleskin history.  I love this feature and put in special notes, receipts on my trips and even dollar bills for a  coffee if I'm writing at a local Starbucks.  The acid free paper pages are thread bound.  The formats of pages are fascinating.  You can get plain, ruled, sketchbook, memo pockets, info book, storbyboards notebooks. My favorite is squared.  For some reason I love writing on squared paper. 

They fit in every purse, although they do have smaller versions which I've used for writing down my goals.  They are mostly black, but lately they're offering colors in red, green, blue and even pink!!

As far as a time management tool, this is where I keep my every day "to do" lists.  I love the feeling of crossing out and starting a new list.  (My good friend Nicki Keohouhou taught me to draw a smiley face after every cross -out, and I now do that religiously.  An accomplished task:))  I write notes in this book at every meeting or teleclass I attend.  The notes are easily available if I have to review and look back for important ideas.  In front of my Moleskine I have my latest important phone numbers and addresses (in case I lose my Iphone) and in the back are important personal journaling notes.  When I've completed a book, I stack them on my bookshelf in date order for easy reference.

In today's world of technology with Iphones and Ipads, there is still nothing more satisfying than putting pen to paper for me. 

It has probably become a bit of an obsession with me.  I never leave home without my car keys, Iphone, glasses and Moleskine!

Are you a Moleskine lover?  What is your best time management tool?


To read more articles & special tips on time management and other direct sales help go to http://www.mymentorbiz.com/ and download 7 Ways to Maximize your Income in Direct Sales" and you'll receive my free ezine "Mymentorbiz Bulletin"

Living the Good Life

6:45 AM Edit This 1 Comment »
By Gale Bates, Corporate Trainer & Mentor
http://mymentorbiz.com/


How many lives can you live? I was just turning 50 when I first heard about Direct Sales. I had already lived and worked in 4 different countries. I owned a very successful manufacturing and retail business and had my first children’s book published.

At 50, as I emerged into the world of Direct Sales I had no idea that the next 12 years would take me to the top of a world-wide multi-million dollar company and introduce me to thousands of amazing, talented and gifted women around the world. I had no idea I would ride a Private Train once owned by an Austrian Prince from Prague to Salzburg, or I would have dinner at the House of Lords with a Lord in London, or I would be pampered and tended by a butler on a yacht cruising from Bora Bora to Papeete.

It’s been said that career transitions are a painful choice to reinvent ourselves. I believe choosing a career in direct sales at any age is the best and most exciting way to reinvent ourselves, and more than ever, there is a need for people to reinvent themselves.

At 60, I discovered no matter what age you are, the people who have strong reasons to change the circumstances in their life, are the ones who succeed.

At my first direct sales conference, I learned the magic words from the Zig Ziglar quote,
“When you help others get what they want, you get what you want.”

I understood the quote, but it wasn’t until I actually began encompassing this quote into my own thoughts, words and actions did I begin to see my own success skyrocket to the top. Knowing I have helped hundreds of women increase their income through direct sales, has helped me know I’m living the good life. What I’ve learned most from this quote is helping other be successful is all about living the good life. So, what is the good life? The good life is all about living your life on purpose!

There’s a quote from Richard Leider, “The good life is a journey of living in the place we belong, with the people we love, doing the right work, on purpose.”

This couldn’t be more appropriate for today’s world. We are living in the times of reinventing ourselves and if you’re 30, 40, 50 or 60 years old you are not immune to these times. If you’re a sixty year old, or you know a 60 year old who is looking for the good life, ask these questions...

Do you love making connections with other like minded people?

Do you love making new friends?

Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur and never had the chance?

Do you have a lifetime of experiences to share with others?

Are you looking for flexibility to work, have fun and love what you do?

Are you looking to mentor younger women with an amazing opportunity?

Are you looking for extra money to help supplement your income?

Are you connected with many organizations and want to build a business?

The answer to these questions is to reach out! Reach out and join a Direct Sales company and share your experiences, your talents and your knowledge. Be part of an industry that will help you experience the good life! Direct Sales offers you the good life! Direct Sales offers you another life to live! Direct Sales offers you the opportunity to help others and help yourself.

As I have emerged into my corporate consulting and mentoring business my purpose is still to “help others get what they want.” I believe I am living the good life!

I am reminded of the words I read in a recent article from Dara Torres, who was the oldest member of the US Olympia Swim Team at 41!

Dara said, “You don’t ever have to put an age limit on your dreams.”

Love to hear about your "Livin' the good life" in your Direct Sales business.  Leave a comment.