My New Job: Mother Hen

Last time I posted, I was saying how I had learned a lot of things from losing each one of my jobs, and how I wasn't going to just settle for a paycheck, right? I wanted to find a job that fit with my personality, that I felt a measure of success at and I wanted to help people.

Be careful what you wish for.

The last few weeks I have been sending out applications and resumes all over the place. I then received an email from an online job finding service listing all the places and positions I should look at based upon my resume. One of the positions was for Vector Marketing. Hmmm. Interesting. Should I see what this is about? Sure, what have I got to lose? I clicked on the link, filled out the online application and it said for me to call the number to set up an interview. Ok. I then decided to do it the next day.

I didn't. Instead, I received a phone call from them. What? I then put it off until it kept bugging me. I needed to find out what this was about, if it was a scam, then no harm done, keep looking for a job. They decided to schedule me for an interview on Wednesday. I went in for the interview, not expecting much. I then was shocked to find out it was a sales position.

I sold Avon years ago, so my idea of sales was less than positive. I didn't want to have a bunch of inventory lying around my house (believe it or not, I still have some Avon in my storage room that didn't sell). I wasn't going to have a house full of widgets or what-have-yous lying around my place and try to find someone to buy them.

But something would not let me say no to this. Suddenly, I was wanting this job really bad. I have bills to pay after all, and even if it didn't work out, I might learn something valuable. What the heck. So, as I sat in the waiting room to be called on or not, I felt myself feeling uneasy. Did they think I was a good match? I looked around the room. These were all college or high school students. I am twice their age, almost. My heart started to sink. I was too old. If this opportunity had come along 20 years ago, I would have totally been in. Now, forget it.

Then my name was called. Might as well get this over with. I walked in and sat down and she said, "We've decided to offer you a position."

Shut the front door! Are you kidding me? If it wouldn't have been totally inappropriate, I would have jumped over there and hugged her! (I did give her a Thank You card, handwritten). I was to start training the next day.

Training has been like boot camp for selling stuff. I have learned more about marketing, prospecting, confidence, attitude, recommendations, closing a sale, then I could have ever learned in a college classroom. I was nervous and scared and worried. I was afraid when they gave us our kit I would do something stupid, but with each appointment, it got progressively easier. Most of my family and friends thought it was really cool stuff (I sell CutCo knives), but they all said, "Um, not right now," or "We'd love to have it, but we have no money, " etc. Since the first 10 days are the most intense and they want you to sell and have the most appointments I wasn't sure what I was doing wrong. I had no sales on Saturday and Sunday wasn't looking good either, until I my second appointment.

Finally! I had a sale! It wasn't huge, but it was something. One of the best things about this job is checking in with my manager, Chris, who is encouraging and asks how things go, offering tips on what to do, etc.

And tonight on my final appointment, I was so excited after training to apply what I learned and to tell my friend, Kathy about this product and the opportunities. She looked at me as I was about to leave, "So, you really like this?"

"No, Kathy," I said, "I love this job!"

I am so grateful I have a job that I control, that doesn't control me. I am in a group of young people that inspires me to do more and to set a good example for. I told Chris, I felt like I was the Mother Hen of the team. Most of them are around my son's age, so I also wanted to know how everyone else was doing, checking up on my little chicks to make sure they are all ok and safe and warm.

Of all the jobs I have ever had in my whole life, other than babysitting, this has been the best job I have ever had in my life. I am very proud to be a member of my team and working for Vector Marketing.

If you are looking for a great job, have a great attitude and are over 17 years old, or are a college or high school student looking for scholarship money, please send me an email : alsmom27@yahoo.com,or call me at (612) 859-3109 for information.

March is Here, and "We Make Our Own Luck!!"

Whew! February is over, and I am celebrating!!

It is now March, one of my favorite months, because of St. Patrick's Day, but also because it is the month I discovered something wonderful.

Want to know what it is?

I'll tell you in a minute.

The quote of this post I have to give credit to my cousin, Nick Kerzmann, Jr., who came up with this motto for his new trucking company called "Thrive Trucking". Great name, hunh? Also a great motto, which shows me that Nick will do whatever he has to do to take care of his family.

Nick originally ran a heating and air conditioning business, but with the current economy, he had to find a way to pay the bills. So, he hit the road and began trucking. It hasn't been easy for him and his family, I'm sure, but then he started his own business again, and here he is out there doing what he has to do.

He is truly an inspiration. I like stories of the underdogs winning despite the odds. I like it when people find a creative way to make a living, recession/depression be damned. I'm hoping to be one of them soon.

It's been shown in a recent study that luck has more to do with attitude than it does with fate. If you feel lucky, and you are in a positive frame of mind, then most of the time you will come upon opportunities the pessimists will miss.

For example, in a recent study, they put two people in the exact same scenario. They put money on the ground, and a "millionaire" in the restaurant and observed what happened. The positive person found the money right away, and went into the restaurant and sat next to the "millionaire" and began a conversation. During that conversation, an opportunity for a job position was presented to the positive person and an exchange of numbers and information was made.

The pessimist, missed the money, sat next to the millionaire, and didn't speak a word. Why? They were too wrapped up in how bad and unlucky they were and felt and missed both opportunities.

Why do I bring this up?

I know the power of thought. I know that when you truly put your mind to something and don't let anything distract you, you can and do create miracles in your life. You find the people, opportunities, circumstances, and money that you need to accomplish what it is you want to accomplish.

I put this "secret" into action 14 years ago.

It was the month of March.

I wanted something to happen in my life.

I wanted someone to love and to love my son, and to find a person that would treat me like I wanted and deserved to be treated. Someone with my warped sense of humor, my taste in music (for the most part), who would get "goofy" with me and be there when the times were not so fun.

I asked for it.

I wrote all of it down.

I was SPECIFIC.

I then said, "If I'm meant to have someone, then please make it quick and if not, then please give me the grace and the strength to go through this life and raise my son to the best of my ability alone."

I SURRENDERED CONTROL. I didn't know if or how this would ever happen. I wanted it, but knew that if it didn't happen, I would still be okay. How it would happen was not my job.

A couple of weeks later, my friend Kathy told me there was someone I "had to meet" and I got goose bumps. My brain was telling me this was crazy, but my intuition was telling me, "This is it, silly!!"

He has been in my life ever since. I have grown to love and cherish and admire him with each passing year. If I win the lottery, or hit the best seller list, that is just icing on the cake. I have already been blessed, and I am grateful for all I have.

But most of all I am grateful he's here to share it with me.

Now, I'm working on that book contract, and a Harley.

I'm not worried about "how" it's going to get here.

After all...WE MAKE OUR OWN LUCK!