Creative Genius

So, I've not been here in a week or so. I've been diligently working on my business blog. It's taken some time to make it look not-so-nekkid. Plus, I've been reading some sponsoring books, I've been carrying on with Think and Grow Rich (I bought a hard copy. The audio wasn't doing it for me.) plus I've still got the Zig Ziglar book beside the bed.

My last blog this evening is basically just a TED video that I thought was just brilliant. It made me want to cry (in a good way!)

Have a peek:
http://workwithloripetroff.com/nurturing-creativity-ted-is-awesome

Life is Good. I've been busy.

Be back soon!

Lori

Holy BUSINESS LEADS Batman!

So, I've stumbled upon some information, that has changed my business already. I guess because I already have a solid understanding about how Multi Level Marketing works, I understood IMMEDIATELY what this was worth to my business growth. (I'm recruting between one and five people a month to my business. For many, they'd be happy with that sort of growth. I know I can do MORE, and help more families FASTER.)

Leads are everything. This system shows you were the leads are that are ASKING for your business information, instead of having to beat down doors and pester with emails. (yeah, you mlm'ers know what I'm talking about.) This information has given me the power to teach others what I've been doing RIGHT in network marketing, as well as build my own business.

Anyway, I'm going to be setting up a separate blog for it, so this blog won't be crowded out so much with business "nattering". I have no idea about wordpress, but this lead system also provides incredible training, and part of it is showing me how to set up my wordpress! SWEET.

Until then, there might be some "Lori Petroff is incredibly excited about business" stories mixed in with "Lori is dreamy and poetic." Bare with me.

And if you are in ANY multi level marketing business, I suggest you give this a peek too.

Work With Lori Petroff

Happy Friday!

P.S. I've just begun setting up the new blog. You can find it HERE. There's not much to it yet, and I'm just learning how to use Wordpress, but it'll be fun to watch how it develops!

The Waters

Dreamed of cities flooding. Buildings collapsed, people were chest deep not knowing where to go, so they didn't move. A helicopter thwapped overhead. A woman held her naked screaming infant out of the water.

A tall blonde man I know wore his backpack and looked calm. He walked his bike under the water. In the city where was something to walk on, it was mucky. Oprah was on the street with an entourage and cameras.

I watched from above. And then I was in the water with them. Then again, flying overhead, observing all of it. Most of the population was stunned into stillness. Some of the people were moving. Only a few were thinking and helping. I woke before the alarm and lay in bed for a half hour contemplating the dream.

When the alarm went off, the news call rang. A minute in, a news blip about the flooding going on in the world, and a 13 year old boy who died with his mother, because he insisted rescuers save his younger brother first. I had forgotten about hearing about the flooding. Laying there in my safe, warm bed, I couldn't recall where the flooding was. Complete towns being drowned like Atlantis. I wondered if I'd be as brave as a 13 year old boy. I wondered if I'd have strength to hold my infant up up out of the water for hours, watching it cry. I wondered if I'd have the strength to be calm.

Somewhere in the world there are people so stunned they are still. Some moving, some helping. Somewhere in the world there's a mother trying to keep an infant dry and warm and out of the water. There are people who are dying in panic and fear, or in quiet and calmly. All waiting for rescue. All waiting for emotional Mother Nature to cease the waters. All living chest deep in the stuff that "fiction" novels are made of.

A message for me to remember today, when you frown because your Tim's coffee line is long, or you're in overdraft, or you've been laid off, or your socks get wet from the snow... We've got it easy folks.

Toucha Toucha Toucha Touch meeeee

From January 18th...

Yesterday, a well made up lady dressed in a very fluffy blonde fur coat and walking in heeled boots, in full make up and hair stood behind me. Then she moved besde me, waiting on the corner of King and Hugel, to cross to the Valu Mart. She nearly crossed on the wrong light, using the lights audio cue instead of looking at the lights. She looked at me, why was I not crossing, and realized her mistake.

Me, in my blue "kay way" pants, the ripped bottom hidden under my mens green little-too-large coat, red hood/toque, topped with my greenish hat, cream ratty mittens and solid winter-walking black boots. My back pack has been extremely full. If anyone were to judge the cover my book has been wearing... well, the thought makes me laugh.

This perfumed lady started chatting with me. Ofcourse, the language I use reveals me as I am underneath these mismatched layers. She continued to chat across the road. I walked beside her incase she needed catching, in those impractical and no doubt expensive boots on the slick and slippery cross.

She was SO made up. But, I smiled at her first, and I suppose that opened her up. Once we crossed and I was sure she was steady, I picked up my normal walking pace and turned into Valu Mart.

I thought about how she decided not to snub me or judge me, made eye contact and smiled as easily as I had, based on my image.

But, I think I may have judged her, based on how she looked. Better than me? Or just a well put together cover??

It was Very Very cold today.

Everyday I look for the magic. Sometimes it comes easy, swooping in like a sky full of black birds, flipping air and feathers into my face. Sometimes not so easily, when I'm frowning and grinding teeth infront of the industrial dishwasher, trying to see beyond the mist it's caused on my lenses.

Today was light.

This morning, I walked to work in the freezing cold. My nose ran, but I didn't freeze.
I wrote 10 double sided pages of the continuing saga of The Romance Novel.
I was excited with it, it came so fast and easily.
I was almost late for my part time waitressing gig at the restaurant I work at, but the waitress in the restaurant I was writing in reminded me it was time to go. I appreciate that they know me by name, know my regular orders, let me sit in the window and write for an hour or two, and especially when they remind me to go to my own job.
The morning was pretty magical.

This afternoon, some ladies asked about our very very single cook, and it made him smile. That was magic. His happiness made me happy. I like him a lot.
It wasn't a very busy shift, but I made some decent tips.
I got to joke openly with some of the regular fellows. We all got to laugh out loud, being the only ones in the restaurant.
Another regular came in at the end of the day, so SO excited for his newfound health and a new business he's starting. It was really nice to see him so alive and energized. There was a spontaneous hug before he left, and that was pretty magical.
The shift went by so quickly. That was nice, too.

This evening my beloved made dinner.
Ground beef mixed with refried beans. Some melted brick cheese on that. A dollop of sour cream on that. All of it on top of FRITOS. yes, the corn chip. The stuff of internet recipe insanity. I'm surprised there wasn't bacon on it. Fritos for dinner has GOT to be some kind of magic. (The pixies thought so!)

Soon, I'm tucking myself into bed. Warm bedding is magical, too.

Sometimes I'm intensly plotting my course. I'm "workin' it." All business and focused on the goals.

Sometimes I'm just in love with every moment. The slippy slidey sidewalk and my breath freezing on my face. The swoosh swoosh of my windbreaker pants. The taste of tea. The smell of cologne. Money to pay the PUC. Homefries. Real belly shaking laughter. Strangers responding to my smile. The public library. Sweeping the floor.

Today was that day. Every moment was magic.

I'll have to bottle this for the future.

Get Busy and Get Going. No More Wishy Washy Wishes!

You have decided on your destination, arrived at the airport, boarded the plane, and taken your seat. You are now ready for the most important step of all: the takeoff, the launch, where you step out in faith with no guarantete of success. this is the turning point in your life and in the life of every successful person.

The plane taxies to the runway, gets clearance for takeoff from the tower, and starts down the runway. This is the critical moment, the takeoff that is the true beginning of your journey toward your destination.

Once the plane has clearance, the pilot gives the plane 100 percent full throttle. The plane begins moving, slowly at first, and then picks up speed, going faster andfaster down the runway until it lifts off into the air. This is the moment that pilots call "wheels up." It is the official beginning of the flight.

Here is the key question: What if the pilot, instead of going full throttle, decided to use only 80 or 90 percent throttle? Any pilot will give you the answer. If the plane went at any less than full throttle, it would never reach takeoff speed. The plane would keep going until it ran out of runway without ever rising into the air.

This illustrates a key difference between success and mediocrity in life. Successful people take off at full throttle when they embark on a new flight toward a new destination. They work full blast at their jobs. They throw their whole hearts into whatever they are doing, especially at the beginning of any new endeavor.

Perhaps nothing is more important in achieving the success you desire than for you to be prepared to work very, very hard for a long time until you achieve your goal.

Average people, on the other hand, never fly at full throttle. They look for ways to take it easy, to do as little as possible. As a result, they never achieve liftoff. They never get into the air. They never really succeed at anything.

Instead of getting angry or depressed, get busy and get going. Make things happen.



****

An excerpt from Chapter 5 of "Flight Plan, The Real Secret of Success."

I've also been listening to an audio version of Napoleon Hill's "The Law of Success", with my Summit Group Team. Flight Plan refers to Napoleon Hills work quite a bit, and it's funny how much other stuff I'm coming into contact with mentions Napoleon Hill. It's nice to have a point of reference, and even better that having listened and taken notes on The Law of Success, I'm understanding and ABSORBING more of what I'm reading.

There's no room for failure. My dreams cannot remain Will-o-th'-Wisps dancing across the highway in the highbeams in the dark. I've put lots of energy into the positive thinking, and into thinking with Love. These things help make life better, and I'm happy to have smile wrinkles rather than frowny ones.

But It's time for action. I'm enjoying making it work, and it's nice to have a solid support system to fall back on with my team mates.

The REAL Secret of Success

This is a wonderful time to be alive. It has never been more possible for more people to accomplish more of their goals in all of human history. and if anything, it is only going to get better in the months and years ahead. Your job is to fully participate in what economists are calling "the golden age" of mankind.

In our world, everyone wants to be happy, healthy, thin and rich - preferably, as quickly and as easily as possible. Throughout history, in response to this almost universal demand for immediate gratification, countless people and organizations have offered enticing formulas, special techniques, esoteric strategies, and secrets for achieving success and happiness without effort.

Every year or two, someone comes along with a book liek The Secret, suggesting that there is a quick and easy way to be happy and make a lot of money. According to The Secret, all you have to do is to think and visualize positive thoughts and you will attract into your life all the good things you want. This idea appeals to people who are unwilling to do the hard work that is necessary to achieve anything worthwhile.

The real secret of success, however, is that there are no secrets. There are only universal principles and timeless truths that have been discovered and rediscovered throughout the ages. Happiness, health, and prosperity do no occur by accident. They are the result of deliberate design and are subject to the iron Law of Cause and Effect.

This law says, "For every cause, there is an effect." It also says, "For every effect, there is a cause or causes." This means that if you do certain things, you get certain results. The Bible Says, "Whatsoever you sow, that also shall you reap." Sir Isaac Newton wrote, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

Here is a simple rule: If you do what other successful people do, over and over again, nothing can stop you from eventually getting the same results that they do. Conversely, if you don't do what other successful people do, nothing can help you. Success is not an accident. It is not a matter of luck but of design. It is simple a matter of cause and effect.

** From "Flight Plan - The Real Secret of Success"**

I picked this book up, after receiving a chinese cookie fortune on Jan 4 that read:

"Depend not on fortune, but on conduct."

I just haven't had a chance to blog about it since then. I've been busy MAKING things happen, with all the energy and teachings that I've been absorbing over the last few months, and more intensely over the last 2 weeks.

I took a good look at my business successes, and reminded myself of the reason why I have done so well (everyday eco friendly products, a proven system to follow, the business is 142 years old, I love helping other families do what I do) and I've jumped back in with new purpose.

Happiness, health, and prosperity do no occur by accident. They are the result of deliberate design and are subject to the iron Law of Cause and Effect.

If you want to learn to do what I do, you can have the same successes I've had the past year and a half. You can have the same successes I'm gearing up for in the next year, too!

Happiness, Health and Prosperity with your own business!

Books for Winter

I'm in Love with Winter this year. I don't recall any other year I've loved it this much, except maybe that one when I was 15, falling into snowbanks and watching the night sky. I digress. (It's sort of what I do.)

Last year, winter was easy. Love was focused sharp and intent on my sweetheart. Learning every little thing - the curve of his face and the way his hands move and the things that bring out that silent smile.

This year, Love emanates from this core. The centre we've become. So, I suppose that must touch Winter, also.

Today, on a friends Facebook status, one of her friends posted:

How do you know they are the one? Because with them you feel empowered to be the person you always thought you were inside. Your spirit will be free.

And this touched me as a personal truth. And in being free, I'm just in love with every-little-thing. Thankful for every little thing. Right down to having warm clothing for my children (even if we aren't fashion magazine material when we walk to school, we're all very very warm.) Right down to all those things that some so easily take for granted. I put laundry in my old machines, and I'm thankful I can wash clothing at the house.

I shovelled the driveway this morning and thought about how thankful I am that I have the physical ability to do so.

I intended to come here to simply report what I've been reading lately. Posting the pic of my latest embroidery took me elsewhere.

What I'm reading:

• Another Roadside Attraction - Tom Robbins
• Top Performance - Zig Ziglar
• Different Seasons - Stephen King
• Now Write! - Sherry Ellis
• Gone with the Nerd - Vicki Lewis Thompson (a gift from my sweetie. ehhe.)
• The Everything Creative Writing Book - Wendy Burt-Thomas
• Flight Plan - The Real Secret To Success - Brian Tracy
• Book of Dreams - Sylvia Brown

Another reason to love winter. It affords me the ability to read. These are the books in the last 10 days or so that have been following me around. In my backpack downtown, in the library, in the bath, on the couch, tucked in bed. There are a few other ones that are up on the shelf beside my bed that I turn to, but these are the current in -my-face ones. Crafty books and instructional sort of things.

Now I've an inability to wrap this one up prettily. Because Roxy Music is on the turn table, and all I want to do is curl up with a book.

Life is Good.