On Speaking, Listening and asking the "Wright" Questions

These are my thoughts for today, my gratitude for today. I wish to dedicate my gratitude thoughts today to all those who I have had the benefit of meeting and getting to know in this journey called life.

Thank you
I appreciate you!

Karen Umstattd
Hakuna Matata
Who is this Karen Umstattd?
Find out at www.greatestnetworker.com/karen

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Jerry Clark, aka http://www.clubrhino.net, said one time that it's all brainwashing, it's just a matter of which kind of brainwashing you want to listen to. And I added to it, which kind of brainwashing has the most potential to take you to where you want to go.

Jim Rohn says, "Where you're at today does not have to determine where you will be tomorrow (or next year)."

In Herbalife, we were always told that your income will never grow faster than you do.

Eleanor Roosevelt said "No one can make you feel inferior, without your consent".

And through all of the audio's and training's I've been through, I don't remember where I've heard it or exactly how it was said but I heard something to the effect of "if you want what I have, you have to do what I do" in the form of personal development. I also heard that to become more than you are, start associating with people who are at where you want to be.

It took me a little while after getting into this industry to be ready to "listen" to this advice and to start implementing it. Probably more than 5 years. And although it took me some time, I was listening to information that I thought would push me in the direction I was trying to go but never seemed to get there.

Until one day, I decided to stop fighting the process and "listen" to what I was being told. And when I did, I finally heard the message. That everything I have created up to this time in my life was a direct result of my beliefs and choices I've made because of my beliefs. And everything I didn't have up to this time was for the same reason.

I didn't like what I was hearing when I was told this, my life and circumstances were "my fault". I fought it, for a while actually. Until I started "associating" with people who were at where I wanted to be. They wouldn't let me fight it. They were my "coaches".

I guess the "transformation" in my being and beliefs has been showing but it's something I don't even notice myself most times. Because "I yam who I yam". This is me, always.

There is so much I've learned over the last few years that have brought me to today. So much that I didn't even know. Some of the best lessons I can say that I have learned is not only in understanding my own faults and weaknesses (that's what a coach helps you become clear on) but on developing "speaking and listening" skills.

Everything we do, every where, and always, is about communication. Before I started this journey, I would think that the people who were at where I wanted to be were different than me. That they were "special" and that I could never do what they do, be like they are. I would put these people so high up on the "special" list that I felt like I could never speak with them, or that they would never listen to "little ol` me", or that I could never be in the same league as them. Until I decided one day to take a risk and "step outside my comfort zone". And believe me, that wasn't an easy thing for me to do, but a choice I had to make.

You see, when I became clear that where I'm at today and where I'll be tomorrow is a direct reflection of what I do and what I believe, I gave in but at the same time was skeptical and stubborn enough to put this theory to the test.

There's so much I've learned since joining this industry. I heard Mark Hughes say something one time that, in my interpretation said, "I can recreate myself". And so started my journey that brought me here today.

I had conversation with someone outside my organization just a few days ago. He said that he just joined the company this month and "it's going to be hard to build a business here". I want to share with you what I shared with him, something I learned along my journey.

Invest "time" and "patients" into your business every day. (I pointed him back to company training here)Remember this. If you think it's going to be hard, it is going to be hard. What you think about, you bring about. No one will get rich over night. If you just keep doing the deal every day, take your products every day, share what you know every day, wear your button or some kind of advertising every day that will get people talking to you, invest "time" and "patients" into your business and you will be successful. Also, and I'm telling you this from 11 years experience with the company. The longer you hang around, the easier it gets. Just like planting a field of corn, it takes time for the seed to take, to grow and to be harvested. If you quit, those seeds you planted, know that some will take and when they do, someone else will benefit from your efforts so either DO or DO NOT but please, don't "try".

And last night, I had a family meeting with my extended family on the issue of an adult family member who is a recovering drug addict. I took my 33 yr old nephew in a few months ago and although it's been somewhat trying for all of us, I have seen progress in him. My nephew has seen who I am and how I communicate with my kids and others around me and has said to me many times "I wish (others) would have talked to me like that".

Before we had this meeting, I told my family I wanted to be the one to do the talking and to present the options because, since being here for many months, I've gotten to know my nephew a little bit better and to understand how and why he reacts the way he does sometimes. But most of all, I've learned how (and why) to get him to talk to me no matter how uncomfortable it is for him.

I know my nephew has huge self esteem issues and stays in a guarded state the majority of the time. And when his mom came in, she wasn't in the best of moods and set a very negative energy flowing in the room. After I addressed her, and it didn't go well, I address my nephew with "What do you appreciate most about what you've done so far this weekend"? (he's used to me asking these kinds of questions) and as the family looked at me oddly, after my nephew answered with a very energetic answer, I explained to them, as I explained to him before that I was looking to raise the energy in the room before we took this discussion further. (and his mom actually calmed down and kept quiet after this)

And as the night went on, and I asked questions ("what" questions, not "why" questions), the family started seeing a side of my nephew they haven't been able to see before. Long story short (this is already long), after asking my nephew if we could offer him help in the areas he states he needs help, in an area away from here like he desires, and in a place that is safe and away from any negative people, would he be open to this option, he accepted. And then, as he started talking about what this could do for him, you could hear his energy going up, you could feel "hope" coming from him. I pointed that out to the family, to notice the change in him now, and they did.

I couldn't have done this without the time and patients I've invested in myself to get to where I'm at today. And although it took every bit of emotional energy I had to have this conversation, it was worth it.

For me, this industry is about so much more than making money. It's about who and what I can become and how I can help others. At the end of the family meeting last night I quoted Jim Rohn to the family by telling them "Help enough people get what they want, and you can have anything you want" and they all looked at me with open mouths and a look of surprise, then shook their heads in agreement.

I just want to help people see the world and the possibilities as I see it today. It's more than I ever knew before entering this industry. It's limitless and limited only by the beliefs you hold inside you.

Karen Umstattd
"Hakuna Matata"

From Weight Loss To Wellness

Herbalife Independent Distributor

http://www.Herbal-Cafe.com