My Business Development Advisor made the mistake of asking me to type up "My Why"-- my motivation for what I do. I sent her this book the following week.
"I used to say it was just plain FUN that kept me going with Stampin’ Up, but now I know that’s not true. Because there are times now when it’s not so fun—when I have a headache, when I get a cranky customer, when an event tanks, when I have a touchy or needy downline member. And I still keep going.
"I used to say it was the incentive trips that kept me motivated, those fabulous vacations with my husband that we could never ever afford on our own. But his schedule has caused him to miss the last three out of five, and I still keep working.
"It’s not the money, although what I bring in every month is about what it takes for our two kids to go to private school. I love having the funds to buy pretty much whatever I want for papercrafting, being able to travel to conventions and spoil my downlines, and patronize my friend’s home businesses without that money coming from the family budget. I could definitely make more money if I chose to work outside the home, though; so money, while nice, is not my “why.”
"So if it’s not the tangible things, maybe it’s the intangible. I do get a rush out of achieving goals I set for myself—guess that’s my competitive nature. And I love the rewards and recognition I’ve received climbing the ladder, working towards promoting, building my downline. Who doesn’t love seeing their name in print or hearing it called out on stage? I love striding across the airport in some new city, feeling like a successful businesswoman, having mapped out all my own travel plans, paid for my own arrangements, conquered another hurdle unthinkable just five short years ago.
And let’s not forget the stress relief—when you are a mom, especially a mom of kids with special needs, or a mom with really little ones, getting out of the house and around adults is a must. I know I’d cheerfully swap the stress of prepping for a stamp camp for 60 for the stress of a single dental visit and accompanying bill. While we know in our heads there is no more worthwhile job than motherhood, it’s really, really nice to escape to a hobby/job where your efforts are verbally appreciated and visibly compensated. Where you can sit down and in ten minutes make something so darn cute you just have to base a stamp camp around it so all your friends can make it, too.
"I guess Stampin’ Up is just so rewarding on deeply personal levels, that it is a combination of many things that keep me going when things are not fun, when my best friend can’t come, when I lose money on a workshop. Maybe no one thing by itself is enough to get me over those tough times. Sometimes at various stages, one aspect seems more important than the others, or another aspect suddenly becomes less important--but in the end it is an amalgam of reasons that make up my motivation.
"My “why” is not a nice neat sound byte. But when you condense it all down and try to get a fix on my motivation, the bottom line is—I can’t quit. I just can’t imagine stopping. Stampin’ Up is so fulfilling to me that I cannot imagine a time when it would not be in my life.
"Maybe the day will come when other dreams fill my vision and I will be willing to move into a different place. But I do know this—when and if that day comes, the things I have learned, the better and stronger and more fulfilled person I have become, because of the blessing of Stampin’ Up in my life, will never leave me."
What's YOUR "why?" What's that one thing that you hang on to, that keeps you trucking? Whatever it is, I'd like to challenge you this week to give yourself a tangible reminder of that why. If it's your kids' lessons or tuition, put a photograph of them on the light switch of your stamp room. If it's a vacation, buy a piggy bank and label it "getaway fund." If it's new carpet or a new couch, cut out a picture from the advertisement and stick it to the bulletin board. If it's going towards paying off a bill, schedule a little celebration every time you make a payment. If it's the incentive trips, print off the tracker and fill it out.
Keep that "why" in the forefront so that as soon as you're tempted to become discouraged or get negative, you'll be reminded of how important what you are doing is, to yourself and to your family. Dream BIG, friend!
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