Maximizing Personal Incentives: Achieving Goals Beyond Just Money

[pchefinski]

I've been having a hard time motivating myself to meet my "goals".. I mean, I did HAVE goals.. "I want $300 in extra money.. we could use that for budget help, date nights, etc." Thats a good goal, don't get me wrong. But it just wasn't cutting it for me. At least that's the revelation I had today. Instead of setting my goal as "earn $300 extra money in August", I split my goals into what I'd do with each show's $100 commission (my show average has been $500).

1) part-time in-home daycare for 2 year old son: with this I can do PC related business, run errands, clean my house, or take a nap! -- it's ME TIME! (cost: $80/month + $20 gas for travel)
2) supplies/advertising for the month
3) fun money for family (dates with hubby, pool days with 3 of us, occasional pizza for dinner, etc)
4) extra necessities fund: doctors appointments/prescriptions, car maintenance, haircuts, glasses, etc.
5) me and hubby fun money: hubby -- video games, me -- nails/hair/clothes/etc.
6) paying off debt/adding to savings

and on and on.. now I can see how many shows I'll need to hold (at $500 minimum) to attain each of these wants/needs that I have. Some months may be different -- Christmas, birthdays, anniversary, vacations, etc.. But overall, I've given myself a "visual" of how important each of my shows is to my overall goal, and when I put a value on my shows, just as the host puts on her shows, I'll certainly try harder and reach farther.

 

[pamperedalf]

Amanda,

That is the best way to list IMO. I have a list just like that sitting on my wall at home next to my computer. I am out of town right now(I know I am bad, on chef success), and my aunt went to go get a pedicure. I wanted to go, but next extra $$. So I decided that if I recruited 2 more consultants that want to at least 3 shows a month, with the overides that I earn from their sales I can pamper myself twice a month w/o my 2 year old. Yeah!

Here's to your goals and goodluck, I know you can do it.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

Amanda C -
Congrats on setting goals for youself! Those great instead of generic, broad goals! I need to do that myself.

 

[ihavethetools]

Amanda, you have inspired me to do that for myself. Write down those things specifically WHAT to do when you make that money.
Thanks!

Kris

 

[cmdtrgd]

Me too! I'm great at long term goals...where I want to be in 5 years, but it is so far away and such a huge goal that I'm not sure what to do next. I need to find concrete goals that will get me where I want to be in 5 years, but will also get me what I want this month.

 

[AlowayFamily]

I also set goals for myself like "book 3 shows for next month" or "talk to 1 person about becoming a consultant". These little goals help your business grow and keeps those checks coming.

Although, I am not doing so well for August with my goals. Only 2 shows and no prospects at this point. I'll keep making the calls, tho.

 

[gilliandanielle]

I heard on a audio CD to go through your consultant planner and write the number of shows you want wach month at the top of the month in big marker. I also fill out the goals in the left column in the planner. It really helps me see in one place the next three months of specials are, how many shows I am trying to hold each month, and any incentives in any given month.

 

[pckimboyers]

Wow! I love your ideas girls! Right now I put away 20% of my check for taxes (just in case we end up owing in) then I give my business what ever supplies I need or just want then I pay down my credit card as much as I can while still giving myself a "buffer" in my checking account--right now that 2200.00 credit card debt is all I'm thinking about.....after that... well, I'm sure I'll have that figured out by the time I pay off the card. My goal is to do 4 kitchen shows a month with 2 catalogs if I can get them. I really like the idea of writing down on the top of your planner how many shows you want to do! That I will start today!