Getting criticized, NO FUN!

You know how getting criticized or critiqued by a boss is not always enjoyable. A boss might be very careful not to hurt your feelings and try to be as professional as possible. I've had plenty of those in the work force. It never feels good but you have a chance to go home and get away from the stress. The worst type of criticism though is by your significant other. There are no boundaries as to how you talk to one another and therefore someone gets hurt!

Even though you're trying to work together and have a common goal or at least you think you do, when one starts dumping their thoughts and ideas on the other is no fun! We both have very different personalities, he's calm and mellow and I would consider myself a bull dog when it comes to business so when we have a difference of opinion of how something should have been said or handled things get pretty ugly, FAST!

The horrible thing is you have to see each other even after hours which makes it even worse. I totally understand why spouses shouldn't work together!

I sort of wish I could pack him up and send him away to to his favorite destination, upstate New York..LOL! Just saying I need some room to breathe.

My Experience with Amway and applying it to our Business

 For anyone who is not familiar with this name its a company that was created over 52 years ago as a direct selling business. People would join and go door to door selling back in the day. It's quite a different company these days especially now that there is internet and the company offers a lot more not just soap.

So last year a close friend decided to show us "The Plan" I being of journalistic background was very skeptical and just wanted to be nice and hear him out and save the questions and research for later. Although most of the info was in Russian...all I remember was that he said we can get a refund...LOL I'm the queen of getting refunds and discounts! So to wrap things up I just wanted to get him out and since he assured we could get a refund my hubby and I signed up.

For some reason my spouse saw something that I didn't and kept raving about it. Anyways as time went by I didn't want to do anything but figured hey if this lets me do a little shopping why not...make up, skin care, vitamins, cleaning products and jewelry was what I got no complaints. I did my research tried the stuff and liked being around positive business driven people. My husband was ok with me shopping so I did.

Things got really interesting when my hubby wanted to show plans to our friends. That's when my comfort zone was challenged. "What will they think of us??" was circulating in my mind. So I let him know I want nothing to do with it, but watching him struggle with inviting people made me so sad because I'm soo good at communication and setting up events! And guess who took over!? LOL. Same thing happened when he tried to share the info with people. So, I started doing stand up presentations to our friends. Did I ever tell you how much I love doing presentations. For some reason I would get a high in college knowing I had to do a stand up presentation in front of 300 people. It's such an amazing experience. But I did not feel comfortable sitting down with people one on one. I know my strengths and it felt good to do something that I enjoyed.

This went on for a year. It was great to see the support from our friends as we decided to explore this business.  This company gave me the foundation and the support to share info and teach people about products that I still use today even though I don't do much of exposing the business anymore. I made some money doing it and know its not a scam. If anyone ever asks me for recommendation for products I always give my opinion and refer them to my favorite skin brand Artistry. Do I make money off it? Not anymore but I do enjoy this product!

I didn't really appreciate that experience until my husband and I started moving forward in our own business venture. Starting our business was already costing us thousands of dollars. We hired professional help to get the right advice, and guidance that we needed. Which was so funny because people who judged Amway always complained how expensive it was and how it's a scam but it made me realize how those people are not capable of starting a business and have no idea what the REAL cost of starting a business is. People who can start any business can take risk, can take rejection, can take the good with the bad. I am super grateful for that experience because I am soo much stronger and thick skinned as we move forward into our practice!

Every experience that comes your way is meant to teach you and build you for something greater. You just have to open your mind and let those experiences in.

Trying to stay positive and focus on the goal

When there is too much change happening at once, I start to slowly show wear and tear. On a daily basis I strive for a positive attitude but when things start compounding the ones closest to me see how I start to break down.

For the last 2 months we've been working on a business deal, as we started to see light at the end of the tunnel things quickly fell apart. When we think a great opportunity comes along something goes wrong. It's great to have it go down hill because there is always something to learn from that experience but it also feels like time wasted. In any business transaction there are always negotiations and talks that are held between all parties involved and those talks can either go smoothly or break down. 

We dusted off our shoulders and kept looking kept researching. Found another great opportunity but the broker is giving us a run around. Location is great and it stings a bit when someone is not being honest with you. 

As we go on this back and forth ride of what if and what could be I keep praying that the right place, and the right deal comes along!