Quick Tips On Year End Reflection and New Year Planning

It's about that time that all entrepreneurs take this time to reflect on the passing year and begin planning the new year. This time can often be a time for celebration, deep reflection, insights, gratitude, disappointments, and hopefulness. Going deeper into ourselves in looking over our past and present relationships, our spirituality, our lives, and business can often put your physical body into "detox" mode. (As a matter of fact, I'm experiencing a slight spiritual detox in this moment.) Reflection back into the year can take up to a few hours in one day. That's about the time that it took me last year. During the year, I keep everything in a 12-month planner, daily, and weekly, so that at year end, it's easier for me to look back at information kept all in one place. My back office for numbers in business is kept online for reference (which I love) Everything you need to succeed in a home-business is literally at your finger-tips.
If you don't already have your life recorded for 2011, then now would be a good time to start for 2012. It's called "planning ahead."
So what are some of the topics that you can reflect on? I share these topics in the order that I have them as a priority in my life, yet yours may be in a different order too.
1. Your health "The Greatest Wealth Is Health" -Virgil
2. Your spirituality/personal growth "Peace in ourselves, peace in the world." -Thich Nhat Hanh"
3. Relationships/Family "Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep it flourishing and growing." -Jim Rohn
4. Business "When you know what you want, and you want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it."-Jim Rohn
5. Finances "You don't get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to an hour."
6. Community/Giving "Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design." -Jim Rohn

And now when that reflection is over for 2011, start to "create" your 2012 in an exponential way. If this is your first time, then do allow yourself to make "baby-steps." What you don't want to do is disappoint yourself either, but I love what Joyce Meyer says ""I'd rather have BIG dreams and get half of it, then have nothing and get all of it." 



So there are some topics to start planning your year with. It's simple but not easy, and most of all, you will have to honor yourself with that time. I say "honor yourself" because I believe that the greatest gift you can give yourself, and to the world of your influence is your own personal development.
The greatest way to attract all that you want is to become attractive. Attractiveness comes from taking care of your needs and your life in a meaningful way to you that makes you feel vibrant, passionate, magnetic and energetic.
So to leave with you this, out with old, in with the new, finish any unfinished business that you need to take care of in 2011, then this way as we enter 2012, we all have a fresh clean slate!

With much love and light,
Shannon

Reintroducing Myself To The World of Blogging!

Yes, it's been a journey, and this "blogging thing" up until now, has been something I just haven't quite understood. I'm not sure if I've been the only person who tried this thing out and then somehow disappeared from its presence (I'm hoping I'm not). Moving forward with little that I know, I told myself "it's okay."
We start from where we left off and we move from here. It's interesting that when I first started to blog, I just really wanted to use this as a journal, a transparent journey from where I was to where I will be. With today's market, many use a blog to "brand" themselves, and their business. Quite honestly, I still don't get it. But, I'm willing to practice and get better. I love that Wayne Gretzky quote "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
I don't want to miss any shots. Today with a little knowledge of why we blog, is to share some valuable pieces of information with the world. From this stand point, then I can and only will share part of my journey and life's lessons. If I can take what I've learned and shorten the journey for some, then it's worth it. Up until now, I am not a journalist who is perfect at punctuation, or even writing, but that will not limit me...what you see, hear and feel is what you get. In hopes that the emotions of what I experience in everyday life is no different from what you feel. I believe we all go through the same things but at different intensities as my mentor has said.
So here I am...back in the game. When I get to that stage of wordpress, then I'll take it from there. As for now, here I am, right here on blogger. There is no use in feeling overwhelmed that I may not be where others are. I do know one thing for sure, I am exactly where I'm supposed to be and we're starting right here.

So cheers to this awesome journey of how I became a millionaire and how in this 21st century I'm able to share my previews with the world!

Much love and light,
Shannon

Anxiousness Is Unnecessary

Personal Development for today. Most friends who read this probably think I write this for them, but the truth is, I write them for me. I need them as much or more than the folks I write for.

No person can be confronted with a difficulty which he has not the strength to meet and subdue. With this in mind, remember, there is no problem or challenge that we ought to get "anxious" about. Every difficulty can be overcome if rightly dealt with; anxiety is, therefore, unnecessary.-Byways of Blessedness

What this means for me, is that, the Universe can only operate through clear channels of joy and positive energy. Anxiousness is a sign of resistance, therefore creating blocks for the Universal energy to work through me. Anxiousness occupies the minds attention on the situation, taking away precious energy that can be focused on ideas and growth.

There's also another great reason not be anxious about any difficulty we're facing today--it contains a lesson. And once you master it, you will be much stronger and wiser. Again, one of my favorite teachers, Emmett Fox, wrote, "It is the Law that any difficulties that can come to you at any time, no matter what they are, must be exactly what you need most at the moment, to enable you to take the next step forward by overcoming them. The only real misfortune, the only real tragedy, comes when we suffer without learning the lesson."

This is an incredible truth. The bible calls these "mountains." Without learning the lessons we can go around the same mountains over and over and over again until we meet with surrender to asking "what is the lesson here?"
Our life's map in reaching levels of mastery must be clear. What are the skills you need to learn to be successful in your company? What are the foundations to building a solid career that must be built first? You must know these things, because if you don't, this is what causes journeys around the same mountains. I am clear, on the steps I have mastered and I am clear on the steps that I am currently on to gaining mastery. And this I have mapped out. We must also be clear on where we are at with our current levels of personal development so we have a gauge of where we are starting and what areas we must choose to work on.

These are things worth thinking about and then put into a plan of decisive action. I quoted Lao Tzu in which there is a deeper truth to what he said "A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step."

I trust that we are all exactly where we need to be, and when we have learned our lessons and built up our skill, then we meet promotion.

With tremendous love and light,
Shannon

How To Create 7 Days of Awesome-ness!

Hi Friends, I thought I do a quick post on how to create seven days of awesome-ness (this may not be a word in the dictionary, but we live in the 21st century where creativity is welcomed right?) I thought this be a great way to start if you are new to the arena of personal development, understanding the law of attraction, like energy attracts like energy and or co-creating your day. Actually, I should ask you first if this would be okay with you? If you knew that you had the power to create seven awesome days, week by week, would this be good with you? Are you sure? Good. Because let me tell ya, you will meet challenges mid-day, or in the evening, but you must remind yourself what kind of day you have already declared. So are you ready for The Secret? I have imagined putting high energy adjectives before the day to create some of the most amazing days of my life! It works!

Let's imagine it's Monday, most of the world doesn't like Monday's. Personally I LOVE Mondays. (well, after this post, you'll see why I love all the days of the week) Most of the world will wake up on Monday murmuring about how they probably have to go to work or go to school etc. Well, maybe I just described you. I remember every waking day was a murmur for me too. I've come up with some creative solutions that you can use to begin planting in your mind, like seeds. When you read this you will remember, it's simple.

Personally, each day of the week, I call the day. For example, Monday can become Magical Monday, Magnificent Monday, Marvelous Monday, Money Attracting Monday! You get it right? You can include any adjective that is high powered with energy to creating the day. Words are containers for power. Words create our lives. The universe was created with "words." Something to think about...

Tuesdays can become Terrific Tuesday, Tantalizing Tuesday, or it could even become a Tremendous Tuesday! Whatever high energy positive adjective, attach it to the day to describe your intention for that day. Believe it and it works!  

Wednesday can become Wonderful Wednesday, Wealthy Wednesday, or even Wacky Wednesday to keep the hump day fun and extraordinary. Are you getting this?

Thursday can become Thoughtful Thursdays, Thrilling Thursdays, Thankful Thursdays, or even Talented Thursdays, where you declare using your incredible talents to enjoy and live the day!

Fridays can become (no not freaky!) lol! Fabulous Fridays, well..Fabulous has been the only power adjective I could think of. What would you come up with?

Saturdays become Sensational Saturday, Savvy Saturday, Sophisticated Saturday, or even Simple Saturday! You are now getting the hang of it aren't you? Good!!

Sundays for me become Soul-food Sunday! Include whatever Sunday's mean for you...

So now that you have been given my 7 tips to 7 days of Awesome-ness, you will begin to see some pretty amazing and or transformational days ahead! What you call out, you bring forth. And as the words you say bring back to you, like boomerangs all its magnificence, you will then believe you are the co-creator of your day!!

ps: This will also work if you put 'negative' high-powered adjectives in front of those days too.

Have fun!!

Much love,
Shannon

How Do I Make Time?

Well, the truth is we don't make time, we create it! I've been hearing "where do I find time?" We've all heard about time management, but the real concept is learning how to manage "ourselves" in a 24 hour period. Here's a few tips that I can share with you if you're looking to better manage your life. 

If you're just getting started on your journey to becoming self-employed, I've learned that we must become the best CEO and the best employee. And if you're like most people who join the adventure part-time, this usually means that you already have a job, other activities, or caring for your children and families or all of the above.
My mentor taught me that there are 3 full-time jobs in a day. 24 hours divide that by 3 and there you have it! So if you're building a business part-time, you'll see that after you schedule the most important things that "have" to get done daily, you'll be able to find some "nooks and crannies" of time to take action. One of my mentors built her business from 3am-6am in the morning, not that you have to this today, but she was willing to give up sleep and at that time could not risk losing her job. My other mentor built her business part time in the "nooks and crannies" of her lunch break. Both are home free today.

One tool that comes in handy is having a day, month, and yearly planner. I'm still a little old school when it comes to being organized. I still push paper, and write everything down. This has worked the best for me, but find what would work best for you, especially because you'll have to look at it everyday and check things off. Franklin Day planners are great. I use the At-A-Glance scheduler which gives me everything I need. The trick is to find one that's large enough to write in, and keep all your appointments and priorities for your life.

Now look at the week, you want to fill in the blocks of time that you go to work, drop off the kids, pick up the kids, feed the kids, sports, etc. You want to fill in all those hours that are a must or a priority. You also want to include business conference calls, team calls, product calls and anything related to the building of your business. For example, if I look at Monday, my schedule has the hours from 7am to 9pm. Every hour can be scheduled and used. The key here is to find small blocks of time to be productive for your home-business or wellness coaching, or whatever vehicle you're currently in to designing your life.
The point is, is that anything can be accomplished, if it's written down. Being responsible for our time is crucial and it is precious commodity.

My priorities are scheduled as such and always in this order: 1. Spirituality (God, prayer, personal development, visualization, connection to Source) 2. Family 3. Herbalife (or company or business)

I may be bias to this but I strongly feel that scheduling time for yourself should be the first priority. I'm a strong believer in the principle of "you can't give away what you don't have." And so often, we neglect this part. Imagine our energy units given for the day. If we start the day empty by lunch time, we're already pulling hairs, losing our tempers and so forth. Again, in my opinion, connecting with something bigger than you will be vital in being whole and complete "daily." I wake up earlier just to get my time in. Discover and ask yourself what could fill you up emotionally and spiritually to start the day. 

The most successful thing I've done is to make the upfront decision that I was going to create my life using a schedule. I decided that I wasn't going to major in minor things and spend minor time on major things, especially because the industry we're in can be life-altering and destiny changing forever. My mentor also taught me that "Our business schedule is 'flexible' but NOT optional." By the end of the week, those goals better match up! Having a tough coach and mentor is wonderful because they know your goals and have the desire to see you succeed. 

Another thing to keep in mind, is that if this is a "new habit" for you, then you must begin now, and keep at it. Every week, you must fill in your schedule and follow it! Once I began doing this, I found that I had lots of time in a day. Believe it or not, I even have time to schedule a power nap. 

So are you ready? I know you are! Get your planners and work it. A schedule is like magic! 

Much love,

Shannon

ps: I'd love to hear how this is working for you

YOU Can Be a Generational Blessing

I have been so inspired lately by the books of Joel Osteen only because I believe I am always connected to a Source of Power that is much greater. I was intrigued by this reading and wanted to share this with all of you. It can apply to every choice we make in our lives, in our businesses and all aspects of becoming a better you for future generations to follow.
What is a generational blessing or curse and how can you break free from the patterns?

I read of an interesting study done in 1993 by the United States military. They were curious about what traits get passed down from one generation to the next. We know that our physical traits do. What about emotional, mental, and spiritual characteristics? What about bad attitudes, and addictions? Or what about good qualities such as integrity, compassion, and godliness? Can they be passed down as well?
The researchers extracted some white blood cells from a volunteer and they carefully placed them in a test tube. They then put a probe lie detector machine down in that test tube, to measure the person's emotional response.
Next, they instructed this same volunteer to go a couple of doors down and watch some violent scenes from an old war movie. When this man watched the scenes, even though the blood that was being tested was in another room, when he got all uptight and tense, that lie detector test shot off the page. It was detecting his emotional response even though the blood was no longer in his body.
The experimenters did this with person after person with the same results. They concluded that the blood cells seem to "remember" where they came from! Fascinating!
So, this means that sickness, addictions and wrong mind-sets can be passed down also, but so can other good habits.
We need to understand that the generations are connected. You are sowing seeds for future generations. Whether you realize it or not, everything you do counts. Every time you persevere, every time you are faithful, every time you serve others, you are making a difference; you're storing up equity in your "generational account."

With this information, it makes it clearly to see that we all have "inherited" some generational curse AND blessings from our forefathers or mothers from the past. I can see in many areas of my life I carry out things that my parents did whether good or bad, and I can in many areas of my life where I carry out many positive things that I have inherited from the good my family has done and left me with.
Maybe you weren't raised by parents who set you up for success by planting positive characteristics in your family line. Possibly you've inherited attitudes of defeat, mediocrity, addictions, and negativity. But thank God, you can start a new family line. YOU can be the one to set the new standard!

So how can we change some of the curses and turn them into blessings for your future generations?

Somebody has to be willing to pay the price. Somebody has to step up and clear the leftovers on the table. Negative things may have happened in your bloodline, but they don't have to stay in your bloodline. All it takes is for one person to rise up and start making better choices. Every right choice you make begins to overturn the wrong choices of those who have gone before you.
Don't take the easy way out. Keep doing your best even when it's difficult. Keep loving, giving, and serving. Your faithfulness is noticed in heaven. You are storing up equity for both yourself and generations to come.
Indeed you may have good reason for feeling the way you do. But you can still choose to take the high road. Don't give in to negativity! That stuff will get into your blood and be passed down.
I heard somebody say, "Your blood always speaks." What they meant is your blood is "charged" with your experiences. It remembers, as was illustrated by that military study. A hundred years from now, your blood will still speak to future generations. In some way, either positively or negatively, your bloodline will affect others in your family line.
What will your blood say? Defeat? Mediocrity? Unforgiveness? Bitterness?
No, I believe with all the resources that are available today, Your blood will speak: Determination.
Compassion. Persistence. Integrity. Godliness. Generosity. Favor. Faith and victory!

I am forever grateful to my grandmother who has passed down those powerful bloodline traits of forgivness, godliness, compassion, generosity, and to myself who will pass down the rest!

Thank you so much to Joel Osteen, who showed up when the student was ready to hear such insightful wisdom to apply into my everyday thinking and life.

With love and light,
Shannon

We Become What We Think About

Ahhh..."The Work." This is THE work I tell ya!

To make it simple: If we think negatively, the mind has nothing to work on but negative thoughts. When we project problems, ill health, poverty, or the like, the mind works overtime to create these things.
Accept for a moment that our mind is our "Genie." It will do exactly what you tell it to do. Now, recall some of the directions we have been giving the Genie, such as: "I'm coming down with a cold... "I won't be able to pay these bills this month", "I just can't stop smoking",  For me, it's "I get a tummy ache when I eat bananas", "I'm not good with numbers", "This time of the month, I usually get tired and cranky", or "When will I ever get this" used to be a favorite of mine.. whatever it is! Say these things out loud. How does it feel? Not to good right? When I say what I'm thinking negatively out loud, I feel pretty junk!
What other things have you said today that are for your harm and not for your good? Strangely enough, after I have given this much thought and took an inventory of what I was saying to myself daily, I was absolutely amazed at the negative programs I possessed! Even after believing that I am quite a positive person, there was still a ton of negative, self-sabotaging thoughts that were constant companions!

After looking at my personal life, there is one thing that I am sure: People get what they want in life when they reach the point at which they can see themselves having what they seek.

When I was a young girl, I wanted a pink freestyle bike so intensely that I just couldn't think about anything else. I came from a divorced family and the only way I knew I was going to have that bike was if my dad bought it. I seen myself having that bike, I knew which brand, model, everything! I even knew where we would go to buy it. I seen myself riding down the street with my friend in the back on the freestyle bars having a great time, before I even owned it! At Christmas, the bike was behind the tree with a ribbon on it.

Everything we are, and everything we have, started as a thought in our mind. Our body is merely there to manifest physically that which the mind tells it to do. Everything starts with you telling the mind what you desire.

Lets all take hold of that Genie within, and start to program it for our good and for the good of humanity. Begin to get excited about YOU. Do not waste precious time on your faults. Change those faults and make them disappear. See the positive images instead. Only think of the fault once; then cross it out and see the image of the "new" YOU. Every minute, every hour, visualize the way you want to be. Get excited about that new YOU.

Having Accountability To Yourself and To Your Growth

The journey to "awakening" began in 2004 when I had reached the lowest part of my life. Having been abandoned when I was three years old, leaving my home and out into the world when I was sixteen, I felt I have lived a pretty rebellious life. I was doing bad things to get attention from the world which makes me a pretty good candidate to becoming very successful in life. (and if your life has been pretty dysfunctional up to this point, then congratulations you make an awesome candidate as well)

I joined Herbalife in May of 2004 while I was working as a bartender. I had no direction in life, pretty miserable, was sick and tired of repeating the same mistakes, hanging out with wrong crowd, hated my relationships, I felt like a BIG LOSER. I was really good at hiding behind a beautiful face, bubbly personality and the I can take care of myself kind of attitude, I dressed well and for the most part had no problem attracting money.
My ego protected me well, but on the inside, I felt lost, hurt, pain, resentment, guilt, hatred, disgust, blame, anger, revenge and rage. I was crying for help on the inside. I needed to feel loved and I wanted to be loved. I WANTED TO CHANGE.

This desire to live a better life, to change, to love myself burned within me, almost like my spirit crying out for help to do something.

You may be asking yourself "So what does this have to do with the title Shannon?"
You see everyone who is awakening right now needs to see that we all begin with some kind of disaster in life or pain or something that really gets you to decide enough is enough.
I felt it would help to set a foundation for you because you must first accept that growth is "a process" not an overnight success. You must be willing to see your life as it is now, we must stop pretending that it's good and great when your inner voice or inner child is screaming for love and attention.

When I joined Herbalife I was introduced to personal development. The first book that was suggested to read was Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy. It's almost like the book saved my life. For a whole year, yes a whole year I locked myself up in my house and worked on myself. I read and devoured personal development almost 24 hours a day. I was reading, listening, and de-cluttering my life from all "the noise." I'm not saying you have to do this, I needed to do this.

I'm sharing a simple concept. Some of you will do it and some of you won't. That is why the title of my blog is "Having accountability to yourself and to your growth."
In 2004, Kellie Hosaka, President's Team member, who later became one of my mentors and still is, created what we call a Personal Development Log.
It is an accountability habit that we found created "responsible" leaders. Leaders and people who no longer came upline or sideline or downline to complain. We found that this log developed people into taking responsibility for their actions and their words. It created "maturity" in the individual. If you are serious about growing, then we must not only digest a few quotes here and there and be able to spit em out when called on, but truly learning how to integrate growth as part of your life then you must be willing to commit to yourself.
I will be honest, it can be a painful process. Because when you decide to grow and be challenged, the mirror is always in your face. I've seen dozens of people quit because they can't handle the pain or the ugliness we first see when we begin. I know I've been there. I had to learn how to forgive all the ugliness and let it go.
See, it's easy to quote, but to actually "live, breath, and sleep" it is a whole new ballpark where your integrity will be tested.

Okay so back to the log. It's important to first start off with basic success principles. Maximum Achievement is the best in my opinion because they are exercises after each chapter that will guide you to do the work. If you've finished basic principles then great.

Everyday you spend at least 30 minutes to an hour reading or listening to personal development. When you're done, you create a journal. I have all my logs saved in my computer in a folder labeled pd logs from 2004. You will put the date, the name of the book and how long you've read. (pretty elementary but it works)
You will write a couple of sentences or paragraph what you learned without using the book. Now here is the "stickability" part. In the second paragraph, you will write a couple of sentences of "how" you will implement what you've just learned the next day and into your life and business.

This is a lifelong process until. The simplest way to keep yourself on track with your growth. It works. You are continuously expanding your mind into thinking about new ways to get better.
This has been one of the greatest secrets to my success.

With light & love to you always,
Shannon

Personal Insights

Wow, I really feel that I've made it! (I'm celebrating my victory and cracking myself up with how easy this really is) All this time I was creating some false boogy man in my head that I just couldn't find the time to do this! With each milestone in discovering new and innovative ways to publish myself, my purpose, and my mission I have also created an intense joy within me that is unfathomable. For the girl who once said that technology wasn't for me a short 3 years ago, I've realized that I've taken on a sense of responsibility to learn what seemed to be so scary and now finding that this new ride is quite exhilarating. I believe most things we have an opinion for is because we really have no idea about the subject. Therefore our opinions are just that and not fact.
Now that I am here, my intention is to bring value to the table. Here I will share everything. My journey to becoming a millionaire, the mindset, the shifts, the challenges which are (opportunities in disguise), the inspirational stories that come out from my network, people's lives who have been changed, the mistakes, my attitudes, my history, the distorted views I once had, everything I can share to be as transparent as possible. This is a new world. Our new world of sharing and being exposed. It's the end of the facade, the ego. No more hiding.
The truth will always prevail and the good will always prevail.
I will also share the things that helped me along my journey. Affirmations, authors, books, all of it. I will share testimonials and information on Herbalife's nutritional products. I will share what I get out of our trainings.
With the intention that I will provide you an inspiration. An opportunity for you to discover yourself from within. This is where it starts...within YOU!
I believe you are amazing and you will find tremendous JOY when you allow yourself to come from a place that is deep within you.

Let's begin..we will now journey on the road less traveled!

With love & light,
Shannon Tecson