yummybytes
Silver Member
- 473
So I went to see Ilene Meckley last week. She was fabulous -- I just love the word choices she makes when speaking to customers, recruits, and new contacts.
One of her major focuses was how to make your buisness work alongside of your family. This was big for me because I have a hard time balancing things with a 1yr old and 3 yr old. I have a hard time making calls. When I get started I tend to focus completely so I needed to set up some limits because ignoring my kids defeats the entire purpose of staying at home. My laptop is a HUGE help because I can be all over the place, watching them, playing with them, etc, but it's right there if I have a second to check email/check CS/etc.
Here are some of the tips she had. Some of them are simple, but things we don't think of doing.
~Schedules office hours with your spouse so you have uninterrupted time to focus.
~Make one call every hour. Keep call to 5-15 minutes.
~Directors -- get 3 way calling to maximize your calling potential. When making host coaching calls or customer care calls, tie a recruit in to listen so they have hands on training. You're taking care of the recruit and the customer in one shot. (I thought this was fabulous)
And finally -- the real reason for my post:
MAKE PHONE TIME FUN TIME.
When you have kids, find something special for them to do when you make those calls. Have a special toy, craft, or activitiy planned for them during the calls. This allows them to be occupied , quiet and content while mom does what she needs to do. Some ideas:
A major thing though is that you have to follow through with promises and set definite limits on what you're doing. Set the kitchen timer so you make sure you're keeping in your limit, but also to let your child know when you're done.
I've been doing calls like this for the past week while my 1 year old is napping or eating and my 3 year old gets the special treats. I've made a lot more contacts than normal, and it's really making me feel less stressed about it. I try to talk to at least 5 LIVE bodies a day via phone and 3 in person. It's really helped tremendously. Answering machines don't count!!
What things have helped you make phone time more fun? Have any activities to share that others can use on their kids? Any tried and true methods for better meshing the work/family union?? Let's share and help each other grow!!
One of her major focuses was how to make your buisness work alongside of your family. This was big for me because I have a hard time balancing things with a 1yr old and 3 yr old. I have a hard time making calls. When I get started I tend to focus completely so I needed to set up some limits because ignoring my kids defeats the entire purpose of staying at home. My laptop is a HUGE help because I can be all over the place, watching them, playing with them, etc, but it's right there if I have a second to check email/check CS/etc.
Here are some of the tips she had. Some of them are simple, but things we don't think of doing.
~Schedules office hours with your spouse so you have uninterrupted time to focus.
~Make one call every hour. Keep call to 5-15 minutes.
~Directors -- get 3 way calling to maximize your calling potential. When making host coaching calls or customer care calls, tie a recruit in to listen so they have hands on training. You're taking care of the recruit and the customer in one shot. (I thought this was fabulous)
And finally -- the real reason for my post:
MAKE PHONE TIME FUN TIME.
When you have kids, find something special for them to do when you make those calls. Have a special toy, craft, or activitiy planned for them during the calls. This allows them to be occupied , quiet and content while mom does what she needs to do. Some ideas:
- Have a special toy that only comes out for phone time.
- Give your child a magazine and ask them to circle everything red, or find all the letters of the alphabet.
- Painting
- When they fall asleep in the car but ONLY on a headset/speakerphone, pllease!!!
- Playing in the sand (I bring my cordless phone outside with me)
- Playdough and creative cutters. (I have a great CHEAP homemade recipe if anyone needs it)
- Go to the park after phone time
- Take your cell phone to practices/games/etc and make calls while you are there. This is also a GREAT time to make connections.
A major thing though is that you have to follow through with promises and set definite limits on what you're doing. Set the kitchen timer so you make sure you're keeping in your limit, but also to let your child know when you're done.
I've been doing calls like this for the past week while my 1 year old is napping or eating and my 3 year old gets the special treats. I've made a lot more contacts than normal, and it's really making me feel less stressed about it. I try to talk to at least 5 LIVE bodies a day via phone and 3 in person. It's really helped tremendously. Answering machines don't count!!
What things have helped you make phone time more fun? Have any activities to share that others can use on their kids?
Any tried and true methods for better meshing the work/family union?? Let's share and help each other grow!!
