Realtor Gift Baskets

I had a overwhelming response to these baskets at one local event. It is paying off in big profits.
I packaged up one of our cream color electric simmer pots in a nice baskets filled with elegant paper shreds and two bags of our Mia Melts. I usually put together two scents that compliment each other like Hot Apple Pie and French Vanilla and on the hang tag I type up a cute elegant "home like" tag that has a fresh cut slice of hot apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. So on the tag I type "No need to turn on your oven, enjoy the scent of hot apple pie Ala mode compliments of" (Add the Realtors name here) I then attach a apple cookie cutter, rolling pin or something like this to add to the novelty. These are a HUGE HIT.... You can even price them up to $50. Or add some kitchen merchandise that is functional like a dishtowel in a neutral color (rather have no themes) and some out of the ordinary kitchen gadgets that deal with baking pies. As a rule of thumb I never price up the cost of the tools in my baskets. I charge what I pay for them only.

Stephanie Blaker
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com
"putting our scents to work for you"

ABCDE Method

We have learned so much in the last 5 chapters. In chapter 6 Tracy introduces the ABDCE method. How does this work?

1. Start a list of everything you have to do for the day.
2. The go back and list them in order of importance. For example, the A item should be the most important and so one. He tells us if you have two items of major importance then number them A1, and A2. Eating the biggest and ugliest one first.
**For those of us familiar with the Franklin Covey system it is very similar to that.
3. A "B" task is defined as a should do, but only has a mild consequence if left undone. And you should never begin a "B" task if an "A" task is incomplete.
4. A "C" task is one that would be nice to see done but has no consequences. This is similar to phoning a friend or having coffee with a co-worker.
5. A "D" task is something you can delegate to someone else. Delegate everything someone else can do to free you up for more important things.
6. An "E" task is something you can eliminate altogether and not make a difference. Maybe a task that is no longer relevant.

NOW GO TAKE ACTION!!!

Stephanie Blaker
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com

Practice Creative Procrastination

Make time to get big tasks done each day.
Plan your days workload.
Start out and gather those small jobs to get them done and out of the way quickly.
Finally go to the BIG FROG and pursue them to completely complete them.

Start with the very worst task first. But being a creative procrastinator is one of the most affective's performance techniques. Have you ever thought, I got a lot done today? Or looked up at the clock and were amazed how fast time flew. You accomplished a lot did’t you? You got those small tasks under control, only to spend some quality time on that big ugly frog did’t you. What you did was ate the tadpoles and got them out of the way in order to focus on those FROGS..

The one most powerful word in time management is one few have the ability to say. It is a mere two letter word. “NO” So say it politely, say it clearly, so that it isn’t misunderstood. Say it regularly and use it to take control back of your time. We don’t have to do everything in life all at once. We usually spread ourselves too thin.. This is not healthy.

Continue to review your life and work to find those time consuming tasks. Be sure to do this and take back your life. Cut down on TV and instead spend time with family, read a book, exercise or do something that will make it more enjoyable.

Begin this today and take back your life…

Stephanie Blaker
Gourmet Candles 4 Cash
“Putting our scents to work for you”
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com

Consider the consequences

In this chapter we are to look at our actions and consider what will happen if we do, or don’t do something on the list. After reading this chapter I realized that so many people do not take the time to do this. Recently I attended a conference on people’s spending habits, here we learned that millions of people are facing large amounts of debt, and have no savings. I believe that it is due to this one step Brian Tracy is talking about.

He says that the mark of a superior thinker is his or her ability to accurately predict the consequences of doing or not doing something. He goes on to tell us that there are three questions we should consider to maximize productivity.

1. What are my highest valued activities at this moment? What will make the greatest contributions to the organization?

2. What can I and only I do that if done well will make a real difference? This is something you can not choose to delegate. Only you can contribute this and make a HUGE difference.

3. What is the most valuable use of my time right now? What is the BIGGEST FROG now on your plate? Accomplish that.

Will we ever accomplish it all? The answer is that we all hope so. But the truth is NO. We have chosen to procrastinate all of our lives, think of the number of books you have on a list that you wanted to read someday. If there are only a few moments a day you can dedicate to reading how will that list ever go away if you do not work at it each day, and will that list of books ever stop growing? Probably not. So how will the list completely vanish. The fact is that each day we add to the list. This is why I believe that so many of us so often feel overwhelmed and even helpless at times. Have you ever used the phrase, will this (day, moment) ever end? The answer to that is yes, but you have to be willing to EAT THAT FROG…

Remember: You can not eat every tadpole and frog in the pond, but you can eat the biggest and ugliest one, and that will be enough a least for now……….

Stephanie Blaker
Gourmet Candles 4 Cash
“Putting our scents to work for you”
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com

Apply the 80/20 Rule to Everything

We would definitely have enough time to do the things we want to do if we just do it right!

In Chapter three of "Eat that Frog" The author tells us that we miss use this 80/20 rule. We don't get the things that should be done first thing done. It is better to just jump it, instead of dipping our toes.

The Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto first wrote the Pareto Principle. He noticed that people seem to divide up into two groups. The top 20 percent seem to have more money, are more successful, and more influence. The bottom 80 percent seem not to have any of this.

Have you ever heard that 20% of your activities will account for 80% of your results, or 20% of your customer's will account for 80% of your sales, or how about 20% of your products or services will account for 80% of your profits. Fact is that 20% of your tasks will account for 80% of the value of what you do.

It is a sad fact that 10 or 20 percent of items that are the most valuable and important, the "Vital Few". They busy themselves instead with the least important 80 percent, the "Trivial Many" that contribute very little to the results.

We need to focus on the activities, not the results. Didn't your mother ever tell you to just try! As a mother of two myself, I look at this chapter and value them. I look at them each day and see them making lists, trying it all, even if they fail, head high and seem proud. But I see myself not following that same rule. As adults we tend to be valued on the accomplishments don't we. Not many of us have bosses that say, Nice try, or Get them next time. If we fail we fear what comes next. Downsizing and not making the cut.

As I read this chapter I figured out why I have chosen the path of being the boss. I also noticed that I am not doing everything I can to make my career and my income level what it can be.

Discover this chapter and tackle this big fish. You will feel good about it.

See you tomorrow,
Stephanie Blaker
Gourmet Candles 4 Cash
"Putting our scents to work for you"
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com

Plan every day in advance - The Six P's

Chapter 2: Plan every day in advance.

As usual Brian Tracy began with insight on eating an elephant. We have all heard that analogy. Anyway he goes on to tell us in this chapter how to step by step write down specific plans for the day, week and even the month.

He mentioned that if you do this at night before we fall asleep than we think of ways in our sleep to get more productivity out of our day. I believe our dreams are powerful uses of our unconscious energy. If I can develop a way to dream of making my work easier or can dream great insight that I think this could be true. Usually I dream of becoming someone famous, or coming into a lot of money, never stopping to think that it was one of the last things in my mind before bed.

In case you have not ever heard of the six P’s here they are. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. We just need to plan to promote productivity to increase performance. So few of us practice this daily.

Okay so put the 10/ 90 rule into action. What is this rule you ask? Well Tracy tells us that the first 10 percent of time that you spend planning and organizing your work before doing it will save you as much as 90 percent of the time getting the work done. He encourages us to try it just once to know this is true.

So become unstoppable today and the rest of your life. Make a plan, give yourself purpose and prove that you are productive.

See you tomorrow.
Stephanie Blaker
http://www.GourmetCandles4cash.com
“Putting our scents to work for you”

Eat That Frog? How to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time.

I started my week reading a new book by Brian Tracy titled "Eat that Frog". I thought that I would journal in my blog what I am learning as I read this book. I hope that you enjoy and learn along with me.

Chapter One..........
First I must tell you that reading this book is fun and funny! Brian Tracy begins this book by introducing us to his own fears and how he has researched to overcome them.

The first chapter is titled, Set the table. He goes on to explain that this is one quality we must possess to win, give us purpose, and desire to achieve our goals.

Think of a frog as the ugliest and most annoying think in the world to you. This is one thing that you just hate doing, and hate to think about. Everyday you are faced with this FROG. We discover that we must have clarity in our own personal productivity. If we do not overcoming this FROG will possibly not happen. We need clear minds and be clear about our goals and objectives.
I learned that the major reason we procrastinate is due to lack of motivation, confusion, and cluttered minds.

He offers us hope by telling us we just need to write down our goals on paper. Did you know that only 3% of us do this? I thought that number would be higher I guess. Here are his seven simple steps to setting and achieving goals.
1. Decide exactly what you want. If you can not decide for yourself talk this out with someone who knows you well or a boss.
Stephen Covey says... "Before you begin scrambling up the ladder of success, make sure that it is leaning against the right building"
2. Write it down. Writing down your goals makes them crystal clear, and gives it tangible form.
3. Set a deadline on your goal. Set sub deadlines if necessary. A goal or decision without a deadline has no urgency. Wow! So true, for years now I wanted to write a book and I have written this down but never gave myself a deadline. It has not been finished yet so look for this on my website in a month.
4. Make a list of everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. As you think of these activities write them down. Keep adding to this list. This is a visual picture of the larger tasks and objectives in which you will need to overcome. Mine for my book was time.
5. Organize the list into a plan.. List it by priority and in order in which you need to do each step. Use visual aides to do this and point arrows to put them in order.
6. Take action on the plan immediately. Do something, anything but work on it. Don't stop.
7. Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your goal. Build it into your daily activities. Keep pushing forward.

Written goals motivate you into a clear way of thinking. His analogy is that goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement. Think about your goals daily and review them.

I will end by saying that this book is great and easy to read. He even has tasks to help you better understand each chapter at the end and I suggest that doing them will help you greatly as they have helped me. The exercises he gives you, alone will change your life!

Tune into tomorrow for more.
Thanks,
Stephanie Blaker
Http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com

Procrastination

Have you ever put off doing something just for the day to doing something else?

You are not alone. Millions of people everyday have a list of tasks they will never complete. Procrastination is one of the biggest issues that add stress to our everyday lives. So what can we do to overcome this?

First we need to write down a list of tasks. Don't start with the smallest. Start with the biggest task and overcome it. Take control of this task that just seems to get put to he back burner.

Then work down the list until it is complete. Along the way new tasks will pop up and that is okay. Just simply add them into the pot and be sure if it is a priority that you are sure to put it on the top of the list.

Getting into this habit will help you overcome this procrastination that seems to overwhelm all of us.

If you are up for a good book, that is short and easy to read I would suggest picking up "Eat that Frog" by Brian Tracy. It is fun, has activities to help you oer come procrastinating and how to gain control back. It is full of helpful tips and examples and is not very long. It is a good book.


For more information on relieving stress visit my website.
Http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com
Complete aromatherapy page will help relieve some tension without having to do much. Be sure to check it out.
Thanks,
Stephanie Blaker
Gourmet Candles 4 Cash

Home Parties

Fall seems to be the best season for Home Parties. Why?

Many experts tell us that Fall is a season that calms people and puts the into a spending and giving state of mind. The colors turn warm and many people begin to feel better about themselves and their lives. The earth has a natural glow of warm reds, yellows, browns and soft greens and we just shine with radiance.

Home Parties are a great way to get products that you use this season into the home and not break your budget. It is a nice way for many to begin shopping for the Holidays with out spending much.

I sell candles and this time of year is one for the records. I host on average 20-31 a month during this time of the year. I bring bath products into the home for guests to "Try before they buy" and with over 100 scents in our everyday collection it is no wonder my company is fast on its way to reaching record sales this year. We add new scents each month and August is "Pumpkin Cheese Cake" a warm soft pumpkin mixed with a light creamy scent to awaken the taste buds. If you would like a free sample you can visit my home page and request one by contacting me. If you would like to purchase one you can also shop with me online for safe, fast service. Be sure to fill out the preferred customer shopping page so that I can mail you the next new scent in future shipments. Your information is NEVER SOLD and is safe. No billing information is saved with any transaction.

Home Parties are a fast growing trend in today's way of life. Companies pop up over night with a product line and recruit reps to sell for them. They are offered a commission and many require a minimum monthly sales. However some don't require this. Be sure to shop around companies since they are not all the same.

If you would like more information on finding a home party company feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help.

Thanks for stopping by my site.
Stephanie Blaker
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com

CANDLES

Candles have sure come a long way. Now a days you can go shopping anywhere and find a scented candle line. But how do they really compare? What makes one better than the other? And why can some sell for such low prices?

If you are wanting to know the answer to these kinds of questions than you should probably talk to a board of men and women who do nothing but test candles.

Personally I like a natural candle line better because it offers less residue and usually more true fragrance. Be sure to read the lables to know what you are burning in your home.

Want to know more you can email me and I will be happy to send you some information.
Stephanie Blaker
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com

Pumpkins:

It is gearing time again to begin seeing the aisle at the local shops filled with bags of candy and lots of ghosts and goblins. Halloween is one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year, next to Black Friday or as many might know it as “The Day After Turkey Day”.

This season wouldn’t be complete without the candles glowing inside pumpkins and windows to make things seem more eerie than they really are. If you love a pumpkin scented candle why not try one of ours. We have a traditional Pumpkin Spice and a NEW… Pumpkin Cheese Cake. Try one today by ordering online. Or how about a Black Liquorices scented pillar candle.

http://www.gourmetcandles4cash.com/
Stephanie Blaker

Pick an Apple:

During the fall we may think of cooler temperatures, taking a trip to an apple orchard or sipping on some homemade apple cider. Whatever the thought you may want to capture your season by lighting up your favorite apple scent to get you in the bliss. We offer scents like Muller Cider, Apple Berry Cobbler, Apple Cinnamon, Apple Peaches, Caramel Apple, Fresh Apple, & Hot Apple Pie.

Cleaner burning candles that offer a full body fragrance to fill your home with pure scented bliss. Try one of our candles today and you’ll know why we are on our way to being number one in customer’s choice.

You can find us online for your shopping convince at http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com just click on the shopping cart. Quality you can TRUST!
http://www.mymiabellacandle.scent-team.com for more information about our company and products.

“putting our scents to work for you”

Don't forget to shop with us online at http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com
New scents released every month.
Thanks for Stopping by.... Be sure to register for FREE 16 oz Jar given away weekly.
Stephanie

Debt Free?

What does being debt free really mean? We as a society have never been taught to budget, we live in a day and age that everyone lives in debt in some form. Credit cards, Student Loans, vehicle payments, first, second and various home improvement loans. It is no wonder that our country is so in debt.

Just turn on the television these days and watch as some lady skips down the road with shopping bags on all arms, new dress, new shoes, and just about everything she is wearing and holding is paid for on DEBT.

Not only that but credit card companies strive to make their ads more and more over the top. How about the one ad that tells you to round up each purchase and have that money go into your savings. This is credit card debt, as you get pennies they get hundred of dollars more each month.

Not to mention that as we go deeper and deeper into debt, bankruptcy cases go up and up. And it is getting harder and harder to get those debts forgiven. Someone has to be held accountable for these campaigns to just go in and raise rates. If the government doesn't come in an cap this then I suspect that we will see more people loose everything, families distrot and displaced, and more and more foreclosures.

I have to comment on one add that is being aired right now that just hits me the wrong way. As my husband and I have paid off all our debt and begin to save for retirement we have learned that society doesn't like it when we pay cash. One commercial on right now is when a man is in line paying for a donut and everyone is paying with a credit card, and he gets looked at "as if he has done something wrong" when he chooses to pay in cash.
WOW! What a slap in the face to us Americans who value our debt free lifestyles.

Turn on the radio and listen to talk radio once in a while. Learn what credit card companies are doing to us. Think about that "What If" factor. What If I lost my only income? Could you survive? How would you pay all your bills? Have you ever totaled up your monthly spending? What dollar amount would you need in order to keep your necessities? If you don't know these answers you will get burnt. Doesn't matter, once in a lifetime you will experience devastation in some form. It could be bankruptcy? Death? But for many of us it is that we loose our "JOBS" and have no means to keep afloat. So stop right now and figure it up, don't wait till it is too late, have a plan.

I have been writing a book for the past month that steps you through a process of being debt free. I plan on releasing this book within the next month. I plan on making it so affordable that everyone no matter what their income level is can afford it. It will include forms and instructions on planning a household budget, setting up a savings for a "rainy day", college and retirement. This book will be easy to read, and not take a lot of your time. It will be worth every penny.

You can pre-order your book by contacting me here; gourmetcandles4cash@msn.com Email me your name, address, phone, number of copies, email address and once it is available for release I will notify you on the facts. (Cost and how to get your copy) These will be available before the holiday so that you can give them as a gift to a family member or friend. I ask that you spread the word on this book, because I am not going to advertise it wide spread. I like that word of mouth built my business to what it is today and I value that basis. So to get your copy, email me and I will reserve it in your name.

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to tell a friend.
Stephanie Blaker
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com
"putting our scents to work for you"

Debt Free?

Scents that pull us back to childhood:

Do you remember those days when you came home from school and smelt the cookies baking in the oven? Or what about the cobbler that grandma made in the morning to take to church? What ever the scent we pride ourselves on making that exact scent fill your home this season. Try one of our signature scented candles. With over 100 to choose from we are sure you can find one scent to bring you back to a day from your past.

Visit our website to order your jar today. You may also want to share a jar with a friend.

I can remember that when I started school it smelt of pine cleaner and sharpened pencils. And when I came home from school it smelt like homemade cookies for an after school snack. What are some of your memories of childhood smells?

Stephanie Blaker
Http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com
“Putting our scents to work for you”http://www.MyMiaBellaCandle.Scent-Team.com

Let the Fundraising Season begin!

It is time for the weather to change, the colors to get vivid in orange, reds & browns. Yes, it is FALL.

This is my favorite time of the year. The weather gets cool, school is in session, the smell of pencils sharpened in the classroom, and warm apple crisp baking in the kitchen. It is also prime fundraising season. If you don’t have an idea on what your organization can make selling candles you will want to call and set up a time to talk.

Candles seem to be a multi-million dollar industry. Selling candles has been a financially sound decision. I love the people that I meet everyday who come in search for those scents that take them back to a special time in their lives. We sell candles to men and women from all walks of life. That is why a fundraiser selling our amazing scented candles is a good choice.

Visit my website today to learn how your organization big or small can earn some BIG money selling our candles this season.


Stephanie Blaker
http://www.GourmetCandles4Cash.com
“putting our scents to work for you”
http://www.MyMiaBellaCandle.Scent-Team.com