Dear Archive Visitor, Today I received a call from our youngest daughter, Zo‘ (she's a freshman in high school), telling me that school was being canceled because a student had passed on. The young girl who passed on had a history of physical challenges and surgeries. I remember when I first saw this girl, Erin, at the school a couple of years ago. She was very thin and sickly looking, but the thing that I predominantly noticed was how unhappy she appeared. Over the past few years, I've noticed a significant continual change in her countenance. Indeed, just two weeks ago I realized that she actually looked very happy. I can sincerely tell you that I'm not someone who feels confident about what happens when someone passes on. I won't admit much more than saying, "I have no clue." But this much I know - life's moments are tenuous and can be best appreciated and learned from by becoming present. This week's main article will focus on the amazing insights you derive from continually waking yourself up throughout each day, and I'm dedicating it to Erin DeVito, a young high school girl who learned how to fit in with her peers by allowing herself to be happy.

Are You Doing to Be Done? By Tammy Stanley One of the things that never ceases to amaze me is just how easy it can be to think about past events or anticipated future ones. And the corollary of that is just how challenging it is to stay focused on the present moment. The other day while I was in an early morning spin class (in case you haven't been to one - spin classes are NOT for the casual exerciser - if I had only one word to describe them... INTENSE), I realized that I spend a great deal of that time looking at the clock. Why is that you might ask? "UGH, 50 more minutes to go... Oh geez, still 40 more minutes... Ah, half way there... Oh dear, another 20 minutes... Yea baby, only 10 more minutes of this agony." How about that? I've been looking at a clock to see when I'm going to be done doing what I'm doing! Doesn't that sound crazy? I hope you said, "Yes," but more than that I hope you had the insight to realize that you can often be found doing the same thing. As soon as I had that insight at the spin class, I started paying more attention to how frequently I was doing things so that I could get done with doing them and get on to doing the next thing. I've come to the conclusion that's no way to exist. Firstly -- it just ain't no fun! (Sometimes bad English describes a bad situation best) Secondly -- you continually postpone happiness if it's always dependent on accomplishing the next task at hand. Years ago when I started a business, I convinced myself that I'd be on top of the world once I got that business bringing in $3,000 a month. But no sooner than I did that, I heard a voice tell me that $5,000 a month was the magic number. Once I was earning $5,000, it was suggested that $8,000 was a better number. Once I was earned $8,000, I discovered that wasn't a 5-digit check. Guess what happened once I was earning 5-digit checks? You see, when you're doing something in order to accomplish some goal, your mind won't let you be happy once you reach that goal because there will instantly be a new goal in the former goal's place. Now, I'm not saying to forget about goals. I'm saying that the time to be happy is NOW rather than at some appointed time in the future when... When I go to my spin class now, instead of pondering when I'm going to be done, I get very focused on the present moment. What I've discovered is how amazing it feeeels to cycle with such intensity. I'm smiling and loving every moment because I'm actually feeling alive. I'm no longer doing this to be done with it and get/stay in shape; I'm doing it because I have a blast doing it. End of story (that's figurative, I'm not really done with this article yet). For the rest of this week I challenge you to catch yourself the next time you're doing something to be done with it. Then, take a moment to reflect on how you just tricked yourself into thinking that you'll be happy once you're done. The time to be happy is right now, right when you're doing a task, a project, or whatever. Tune into what you are doing and I bet you'll discover that you can feel happy right now. Joy isn't found when "x" is achieved. Joy is discovered as soon as you decide to feel it. Instead of doing something to be done with it, try doing it to see what joy you can feel in the actual doing. WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR ON YOUR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Author, Sales Trainer, and Professional Speaker Tammy Stanley publishes the propelling 'Sales Refinery Insights' weekly ezine for direct sales professionals. If you're ready to jump-start your direct sales business, make more money, and create more value, get your FREE tips now at www.tammystanley.com/ezine/ezine_offer_ds.htm

Tammy Stanley, founded and directs The Sales Refinery, a sales training company that assists sales professionals to generate more business and build long-lasting sales teams through powerful marketing, selling and leadership strategies.

Tammy has been coaching and training since 1994 and has a deep understanding of the challenges and needs of the independent sales consultant. While raising four children, Tammy built a multi-million dollar direct sales organization, reaching her company's Circle of Excellence 7 consecutive years in a row. She earned numerous sales and leadership awards, world travel, and promoted 11 offspring managers.

The Tammy Stanley Sales Refinery
Tempe, AZ 85283
Call Today: 480-775-4866
tammy@TammyStanley.com