Not Enough Paycheck for the Good Life?

I have been so fortunate over the years to have so many wonderful jobs. I'm a quick learner, easily adapting to new environments and procedures, and one of my strengths is finding and delivering a solution to problems. I dropped out of college, just because I couldn't see a clear career based on my current studies, so I started in low paying administrative positions like receptionist and secretary. My bosses quickly saw my ability to solve problems, promoting me to office manager, bookkeeper and business manager. These jobs led to positions I loved in manufacturing and broadcasting as business manager and assistant comptroller.

After the birth of our second child, our daughter, we had a Parent-As-Educator visit our home to assess her development and give us parenting ideas. One of the things we were told is children whose parents have not graduated college are less likely to graduate college themselves, as compared to kids whose parents are college graduates. I will always do anything possible to help my kids succeed in life, so I returned to college to complete my degree. The quickest path to graduation was a degree in Management, with an emphasis in Human Resources.

About the time I graduated, we moved to Little Rock, where I decided to be a stay-at-home mom for a while, but my husband, Roger, pressured me to find work when he realized the UPS man was avoiding our house, because I wanted to talk a while every time he dropped something off. Since I had just graduated with a degree specializing in HR, I felt like I should try that. Roger warned me that I wouldn't like that after all my years as a top level manager, but I moved ahead working in HR in a couple great companies in Little Rock. I did not love it. It was a lot of menial work on a daily basis, with very little input to upper management - which I was really accustomed to, and with only occasional higher level responsibilities.

In 2005, Roger said, it's time for you to be your own boss, so you can travel with me when I leave on business, so he bought me a travel agency franchise. I quickly learned the travel business, and I promoted my agency everywhere I went, and I love what I do still today. But ... my earnings are still based on the number of hours I can personally work the business, or I need to hire staff.

As much as I love what I do, I need a residual income that keeps filling my bank account based on my efforts as well as others working with me. I need that to truly free my time ... so I can travel when I want  ... so I can play with my grandkids when I want ... so I can have a play day with my daughter, my mother, or my girlfriends when I want. And, an extra income will ease life's pressures, allowing us to live debt-free, be generous givers - not just tithers, but givers to great charities that we can only marginally support now, and providing for our needs as we near our retirement years. Seriously, I doubt we ever retire, but I simply want to choose when and where I work as I get older.

So, I'm still working the travel business I love, and I'll always have my hand in that, because I love travel. But, I'm also growing my network marketing business, because those earnings are not dependent on the number of hours I work daily. Once I've built the business, I'll still have to help others achieve their dreams, but I'll be able to work when and where I want.

I'm looking for people who can relate with my story in some way to be those dreamers working along side me in my business. If that's you, let's talk. There's lots of great network marketing companies out there, and there's one that's right for everyone who's interested. I'm looking for someone who'd love to work with me, because we're going to succeed! Dreamers, believers, visionaries, let's talk.

And, for those of you wondering, my son has graduated college, and my daughter isn't far behind. Love my kids!

What's your Motivation?

As a businessperson, my goal is to make a profit, and I'd like those profits to increase over time, so my business will grow. My Christian values are all about relationships. I am called to love people, all kinds of people. I even strive to love those who don't love me ... sometimes I do okay with that, but other times ... not so much. Here's the question: Are my Christian beliefs at odds with my business goals? I constantly check my heart by asking the question, what's my motivation?

Currently I have two businesses, my vacation planning business and a network marketing business. As I started my vacation planning business ten years ago, I was encouraged to share what I do with everyone I meet. I quickly found that folks loved receiving my card, but quickly moved on to the next person, unless we engaged in a meaningful conversation before exchanging cards. So, I've learned to be a good listener, smiling, laughing, and sharing before swapping cards, and those friendly folks who are well on their way to becoming my friend are quick to call when they need my services. And, I do the same.

While I'm working to earn an income to pay my bills and enjoy life, both my businesses are really about my relationships with others. When I'm helping others achieve their goals and dreams, whether it's a fabulous luxury vacation or an extra revenue stream, my goals and dreams are met as well.

My goal is to grow financially successful businesses, and my motivation demonstrates my values. If I'm focused primarily on the dollars, I feel driven and obsessed, and I lose my peace. When I'm focused on my new friend's dreams, I'm having fun building the bridge to their dreams - in both businesses, and I wake up excited and joyful, ready to hit the ground running every morning.

I've found that as I follow Jesus in serving others, all my needs are met, and my dreams come true. For me, it requires daily checking my motivation to make sure my actions align with my heart. If you've lost your joy and/or your peace, check your motivation. Blessings!

"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,

even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,

and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26 - 28

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Judy Best is a successful entrepreneur and work at home business coach, living the dream in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband of 35+ years and her kids and grandkids. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Facebook.