Success

After watching this video, I have come to realize that if I died today, I would die having no regrets, even though I feel I have failed in everything I have done most of my life.

I am reminded that my blessing is that I am able to try.

I am reminded that the worst regret in life is to know you had the opportunity to try, and failed to do so.

Even if you try and fail, where ever you end up is ALWAYS better than what you left behind, even if you have nothing to show for it physically or financially.

Every situation in life is training for the mountain that you haven't arrived at yet. When you finally arrive at that mountain, you should never not try to get to the other side. No matter how you have to accomplish it -- because just accomplishing it makes you stronger, better, and more able to master the next one.

I have done so much in my life. I look back on my life and see that, even though I have nothing to show for it, I have seen and done things that not many people I know have done. I have accomplished quite a bit more than most can say they have.

I have succeeded in becoming who I am.

The true definition of success is not in accomplishing, but trying.

Rule # 6 in Direct Selling: Be Consistent

I worked at a restaurant one time with an older lady who was well beyond retirement age. I was no spring chicken, but still had quite a few years left in me. Most of my co-workers were very young people just starting their journey in life on their own. Energy was rampant with them.

One of the complaints I heard often was that the older lady was "so slow." Younger people tend to not have the patience that I had learned in my experienced years already. Yet, before she finished her shift every day, the older lady had all of her work done. Always.

She was also dependable and on time every day.

We knew that we could always count on her because she was "consistent". And, consistency is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than speed.

In direct sales, this rule is no different. Your customers want to buy from someone who can be depended on to deliver. They want someone they can trust -- and that takes consistency.

So, whenever you are having a bad day and a regular customer calls you to make an order, you should ALWAYS present yourself with the same energy that won them over to you in the first place.

This builds trust and nurtures the relationships you grow to have over time with your customers.

Keeping Busy

I have been REAL busy lately, especially since I started back work at The Pitt Grill.

I like the hours there, but it's taking some getting used to, since I am still used to being awake at night hours.

I created a page so I could sell my Avon on Facebook, and I invested in some Facebook ads to see how it would do. It's safe to say that the ads have paid for themselves. I am planning on investing in more soon.

I've done some news gathering from press releases which I have posted at The Ponder News group, as well as a few newslinks, and updated my The Ponder News blog on blogspot as well.

I've done some advertising on traffic exchanges -- and some surfing to gain credits there...

My Avon sales are not slowing down, but they are not picking up much, either since I started working back at The Pitt Grill -- but at least my paycheck is steady right now. And, my bills are getting paid.

You know what they say, "it takes money to make money". Nothing can be further from the truth.

And, I've updated my website at The Ponder: Come Grow with Me! with some affiliate links I thought visitors might enjoy. I've added more pages to the website for easy navigation.

All this in just the last few days...

Oh, and I've made good use of my new burn barrel that my "imaginary friend" brought me. (I call him that because I never see him in person).

I've also visited with my mom and step-dad. I had some empty 5-gallon buckets to donate to them for use. They fish a lot and do a lot of charity work.

Well, guess I'm going to go and try not to do anything for a little bit and relax.

Have a blessed day!

About Internet Relationships

The internet is a cowardly way of having a friendship. I want friendship with substance. I want to be able to look in someone's eyes when I'm talking to them. I want to be able to hug them if they need it physically and not just with an emoji. I want to see a genuine smile.

And if I accidentally hurt someone, I want to know it right then by the look on their face. I want to immediately respond. I want courageous honesty.

There is nothing more honest than face-to-face. And there is nothing more fulfilling then actually spending time with someone you care about.

if someone doesn't want to spend time with you off the internet, all it means is that they don't value you.

There is nothing more hurtful than realizing that you put more value into someone then they put into you.

You cannot build great memories over the internet.

Rule #5 in Direct Selling: Display Your Authenticity by Wearing a Uniform

People love authentic.

It is hard, in these evil times, to know whether someone is safe and authentic. In direct selling, this poses a problem.

People today are wary of strangers who knock at their door. You don't know if the person knocking is a bill collector, a homeless person asking for hand-outs, or someone casing your home for a possible robbery.

As an Avon sales person, I have experienced very suspicious people; even when I tell them I sell Avon.

So, I have remedied the situation. I made T-Shirts that display that I am an Avon Lady. I carry products and sales tools where they can be seen visibly. When they come to the door I say, "Hi! I'm Shonda. I sell Avon. Do you need an Avon Lady? I have Skin-so-Soft today!" (I have a basket of Avon brochures and SSS in one hand, and I hold up a bottle of the Skin-So-Soft in the other). There is no doubt that I am who I say I am. The look of "suspicion" is virtually non-existent.

I display confidence in myself, friendliness toward the customer, and loyalty to my product.

I have noticed that more people are willing to buy from you when they know you are serious about your business.

Nothing says serious like having a uniform on!

Heat, Shrimp, Advertising and Avon

Hello, World!

I am up, showered and ready to go out and sell some Avon and meet some new friends! I have already delivered all of my orders for the last campaign (except one...can't seem to get her to answer her phone...but I will!)

Yesterday, I took a break from the heat to work in the hot house and do some much needed cleaning. I took advantage of the opportunity to have some of my customers drop by and pick up their Avon,

I also created a page on Facebook for Shonda Ponder Enterprises, in which to post some ads and distribute my information better through Facebook. If it works out, I may be doing more in the future where it counts.

I have totally revamped my website for entrepreneur stuff. It's what I need and all I have time for now.

And, I played a little bit of Fallout NV. Got to do something enjoyable at times or it isn't a balanced life. Besides, shooting bad guys relieves stress.

I have until the 14th to pay my internet bill. Then, my next bill after that is due on the 24th, 26th, 30th, and then the cycle starts over on the 1st.

Praying I can do this.

Oh, and yesterday I was gifted with some fresh shrimp to eat. We cooked and ate that last night...Thanks, Jody!

Looking forward to seeing what today brings me!

Have a blessed day!

(And don't forget to visit my Avon Store!)

I Am YOUR Friend, Even When You Aren't Mine

If I am your friend, I will ALWAYS be your friend, even when you are not mine.

I might go away when I feel I am not wanted.

I might tell you things you don't want to hear, because it is the truth.

I might even tell you when you stink, or if that dress is ugly, or when I think you are messing up...

But I will NEVER stop being your friend.

I may not agree with something you are doing, but I don't stop being your friend. I just sit back and wait for you to finish what you are doing (and yeah, I like saying, "I told you so")

I believe in real love. I believe in TOUGH love. And I believe in lasting love.

If you ever find yourself in need of someone to talk to, someone to hug you, or just hang with and be quiet and enjoy the air...

I'm that kind friend.

ALWAYS.

My Independence Day

Today is my Independence day. Today, I am letting go of everything that drags me down. I am letting go of everything that makes me unhappy.I am celebrating my life and determined to live a life.

I refuse to mourn over those who don't want me in their lives. I welcome those who do.I refuse to be sad over declined invitations and unfinished business. Instead, I will invite those who won't turn me down.

I am cleaning out the crowded areas of my life where I have placed importance where it ought not be. instead, I am focusing on things that are good and profitable for me.

It's a new day, it's the first day of the rest of my life. And, today is my Independence day.

Happy Fourth of July! Have a safe weekend!

... Oh, and have a nice life!