I have to be honest and be thankful that it’s the only medicine I ever take – and I’m not sure if my dark chocolate is the reason for that.  OK – I say that tongue in cheek – I know it isn’t ONLY the dark chocolate that keeps me healthy – but I do rest my belief on a single study supported by Dove Chocolates.

Several years ago researchers finalized a study which indicated with some statistical evidence that people who ate dark chocolate received enough  flavonoids and phenols   to gain positive cardiac health benefits.  So, being the chocoholic that I am, I took it to heart – literally.

As a Nurse Practitioner I am all too familiar with the manipulation that can be done with statistics so they say exactly what what researchers want them to say – especially when the study is supported by a company who holds a stake in the results.  It is one of the reasons that all studies must be duplicated with similar results before doctors are willing to change their medical recommendations.

But, in this case I compromised.  At the time I began this habit there were no other studies that confirmed the results – but I didn’t care.

We all make decisions based on emotion and justify with facts.  I am emotionally tied to dark chocolate and anything that can justify my addiction is good for me.

TIP: Remember your customers needs, wants and desires – sometimes decisions are made for silly reasons but if you can justify them with real facts you’ll have a very happy customer!

Mountain Dew was easy (and still is easy) to become addicted to.  It’s like coffee.  Once you get used the buzz from the caffeine to get you through the day it doesn’t feel like you can get there any other way.

“Coming off” Mountain Dew was another well known problem.  It wasn’t only the person who drank it who suffered but also the people around them.  I can attest to that.  When the children’s father and I were first married he made the decision to stop his 5 can a day habit of Mountain Dew.  He did it cold turkey.  I think I’ll just say that he was a bear to live with for over 2 weeks and over 22 years later I still remember it.

But their advertising has always been stellar.  You WANTED to drink the stuff because of their advertising.  It’s like the Sham Wow.  You may not need it, sometimes you aren’t really sure what you’d use it for, but you KNOW you WANT IT.

A couple of weeks ago I had the copy rewritten at PLR-Health-Wizard in preparation for some new marketing.  I hired a copywriter who came highly recommended – and he earned it!  After reading the copy the first time even I wanted to buy it – and I WRITE IT!

TIP: pay attention to your advertising and copy.  Even on the littlest ads or the longest letters copy makes the difference between readers and buyers.

My mother drilled into me that if I REALLY wanted it (whatever “it” was) then I could work hard enough to get it.

She told me, in the years before it was fashionable, that if I wanted to be a doctor, or a lawyer or a business owner that I could.  Nothing could stand in my way if I worked hard and smart enough.

The trouble was that I didn’t always WANT it hard enough to give my all-time best effort.  And my casual effort received a casual response.

Today I am faced with challenges that a mere five years ago I didn’t anticipate.  But, true to my mother’s advice – there is a WILL and I have found a WAY.

Get involved with any network marketing company and you learn to seek your “why” to get you through the hard times – and there are usually hard times.  Understand goal setting and you know you must find the reason behind the goals (your why) to drive you through your actions.

Your WILL is driven by your WHY.  Do you know what your WHY is?

It took me a long time to answer that question fully.  At first I thought my reasons were my children or my desire to be financially free.  Now I realize that what really drives me is my desire to help others in what ever way possible – whether that’s giving to mission trips, helping people learn how to work independently or giving my time (that is freed up by my work).

Ok, I shared my why – what’s yours?  Leave me a comment – I’d love to hear!

I’m forever talking about clearing distractions – whether it’s interruptions from the kids, email, phone or neighbors – it’s important to clear away distractions and work productively on a project for at least an hour a day to make any headway at all.

Email is usually my bottomless pit.  Lately I seem to be able to ignore the persistent call of Outlook but get really panicked when I see how many emails I have yet to respond to.  Worse, there are emails that are waiting replies or those that I want to wait to address.

And they clog the email system.  Today my box has over 45 emails that must be waiting on one thing or another.  Daily I look through to be sure I haven’t missed a deadline.

I found a resource that has made all of that go away.  HitMeLater.com lets me load an email to their system and send it back to me on a predetermined date.  Now the box can be cleared and I don’t miss a deadline.

If you’re looking for a way to help clear the clutter on the virtual desk then give it try.  Simple, easy and just what the doctor ordered.

It’s important for all of us to realize when we’re in a jam and can’t get ourselves out – but need to rely on the expertise of others – whether it’s outsourcing a project, calling a banker, asking a friend for a hand or just acknowledging that we aren’t able to do everything for everyone at all times.

While Humpty Dumpty was a character in a poem and not real – we are made of flesh and blood.  WE can be injured, have problems, failed businesses, marriages and relationships.  Instead of waiting for those failures to happen take proactive action.  Recognize when you DO need help and take it.  You are only hurting yourself when you don’t.

Another piece of the picture is action, action, action.  You must be willing to take action on your belief or idea before anything will happen.  Sitting on a chair, visualizing your goal and internalizing what you want will NOT make the universe manifest it in your apartment!

Visualization is the first step to acheiving a goal but a trip of 1000 miles STARTS with single step – it doesn’t END there.