2017: From Defunct to De-Funked

Turns out this dog I bought, wait, no adopted since he was FREE as air, is a high energy brand of mutt.  Much like a child just when you think something will wear them out, it really doesn't faze.  I was in no way ready for anything high energy at the end of 2017, as I was defunct in many ways for sure.  

What is "defunct"?

-Did not want to be around high energy people, or have a high energy schedule or be physically high energy or mentally high energy.  

-Did not want to be in anything too high emotion either.
-Nothing affected me, music, movies, people.  I was not the same walking well of love/ fire/ conviction I used to love to be. I observed, more than experienced life. 

For someone whose main "function" is experiencing life at its highest, at its edges, in its heart...this was quite a change.

Ever been this kind of "defunct"?

I like to say the year of 2017 was the year of the cave.  I didn't leave the house much and I was kind of trying it on for size.  After years and years of striving (nod to you, Chris Stallings) I found myself wanting to see what it was like not to strive so hard.  

Maybe you've been there.  After a season of increase and where things were going great and greater, something in you just decides to retreat.

Turns out there is no such thing as winning all the time.  Turns out that even when things are AWESOME on so many levels, there is not a way to never experience the valley.  No matter who you are, how hard you work to be right, efficient, work for the right reasons and people and with them.  There will always be peaks and valleys.

Maybe you relate?

I know for me I came into life as a mom, wife, friend and business owner with a set of values and beliefs and a heart so full of love I literally was inside-out with love and a desire to serve.  It was an overflowing. My desire to help and serve and inspire POURED out of me.

But when it pours out of you onto the floor.

Or maybe you pour it to someone who didn't ask for it.

Or asked and decided it wasn't for them.

You begin to measure your pour.

Overtime  you run out of things to pour and can't seem to give anything, even when you want to.  something feels off.  

The well is dry.

And ya girl was lost.

And that was a tough pill to swallow and a tough place to be standing. 

Thankfully, it didn't last forever, and I learned the the valley was not a signal that something was wrong.  The valley is where the water is.  You just have to be patient and stay long enough to refill.

So what am I doing now?

Well I can feel the old fearlessness coming back.  I am feeling (and filling) the well again and now, with the lessons of knowing more about who I am and who people are, I can begin to pour again.

This time with my daughter in the front of the line, not the back.  This time with more wisdom.  This time, knowing more about why I love people and who I want to help and what I can do, should do, and want to do.

What does this have to do with Zeke?  Well Zeke initially charmed, and distracted me from my funk. I went from Defunct to DE-FUNKED if you know what I mean and in this season I am talking to that person who relates.  

Im aware that most people go through these seasons and don't feel the need to write about such mundane-osity on their blog that is all about, ahem, themselves.  But its about that person who resonates.  Well now its about me, that person who resonates...... and Zeke;)

But really this blog is about you.  And the encouragement I find in the story of life and wanting to share that with others so that they see what they need to see in their own life.  

I learned in that season of defunct, that I lived.  I learned that it was necessary and it was good.  It was truly good.  And I had some dear friends who saw me in this state and chose to love me through it and some that needed the invincible Anna and were more scarce.  

In my line of work, helping others be their best, its a tough spot when you are not at yours.  Its just part of the art of what I love to do.  And for over 15 years I felt in a place to truly change lives and love every second.  In that time, some of the scars received slowed me to a stop and made me look back and question doing what I did, given the cost.

So the break was perfect.  It was time to think of those things, decide what I am going to do and how I will do it smarter and with more longevity (15 years is a long time but retirement to me looks like a coffin so I needed a better plan).

It was time for me to experience a valley after such a long time feeling on top of the mountain.  I am better in all my roles, wife, Mom, daughter, family member, friend, leader, and now - Dog Mom.  

With love,

Anna (whose energy is getting higher daily) and Zeke (the high energy poster child).

How to be a "Closer"

Entrepreneurs are so different and yet so similar.  We all share one objective.  To help as many people as possible and build a reputation that draws referrals and gives us not only the satisfaction that causes but hey - passive income.  We are ALL interested in that.  But also - without fail - I've learned we are interested in building something great.  Kind of in an artist-y way.  Just because its in us to built/create, etc.

So we can be an artsy fartsy bunch.

However being a numbers type is where the rubber meets the road.  Add to that enthusiasm, a servants heart, a killer work ethic and you've got some magic.  But ----We must know our numbers and the number-focused people excel for this reason.  So - to increase results, FOR ALL OF US, our equation looks like this:

Results = (# of people reached) X (how effectively we can "Close").

                 Close = Solve their problem, not "convince" or "be a good convincer".

As an entrepreneur that is step one in solving this equation and increasing the results to the left - learned that if you don't take time to learn the problem then you can't close people and that number is ZERO.  Zero times anything (meaning it doesn't matter how many people you talk to) is ZERO.

So, you can do 2 things.
1) Increase the number of people you talk to
2) Increase your closing skills AKA Problem solving skills

I can't really help you with increasing number you talk to.  Truth is, if you want to talk to more people you will.  If you want to find warm market prompts, or ideas for getting leads you will google it and discern the best course and take action.  Nobody can make you.  Lets be honest, you can just take action with that list of people you've yet to talk to or those ideas you've yet to act on.

But lets talk about increasing the chances that those you are talking to will come along with you.  For one, stop selling benefits and features of your product.  Be real.  In my world we are in referral marketing.  Meaning we find a product we love and refer people to it because we love it and then the company compensates us for the referral and for being an advocate and helping them as much as possible.

So for us, its about telling the raw, unedited TRUTH about what we love the products and why we are using them.  And people tend to want to stay shiny.  But in reality, people are attracted more to your grit than your shine.  So if you are reading this and its the New Year and like us you are running a new year promotion... remember, don't promise the moon, or over inflate the 2018 they'll get...just be real.  First are YOU doing what you are promoting?  If so, then all you do is share why.  What would happen if you don't?  What are you looking to get?  Why do you want to bring others with you?

People can read and feel conviction and real talk.  They can trust that.  So be sure your heart is in it.  And then share your heart.  Be fearless in sharing your reality.

Especially if you are using social media.  Flyers are great but honestly its all just noise anymore.

Share whats going on with you.  Share why you are looking to make a change in 2018 and what not making that change will cost you.  Share why now.  And share the REAL reason why you want people with you.  If its the double prong purpose of you have a deep desire to lead people to be in a community and create something together and you also want to .... maybe pay off student loans?  Finance a trip, wedding, car, etc??  Share it ALL.  Your transparency, again your GRIT, is way more attractive than your shine.

And my last tip is to make no excuses to get reading.  Read what speaks to you in the areas of business, time management, purpose, spiritual and personal growth.  Never let a week go by without it.  If you are not, yet are frustrated with your business and looking for answers here or from family, friends, other mentors, colleagues, etc..  You are looking to be fed and misled.

Im here to share the truth with you.  The saying I love is "Chew whats in your cheek".  So before you get back on social media, or go distract yourself from the actionable items in this -  i challenge you to chew whats in your cheek.

-Refine and add to your list and organize it all in one place
-Call and connect and share as I suggested
-Pick your personal development book and read at least 1 chapter today.

Now is the time.  Do this TODAY.  The truth is you have the time.  Now you have the tools.

Go get em,
Anna :)