Everyone is gifted, but some people never open their present! Once you get in touch with who you are—what makes your heart sing—you can authentically show up in the world and give yourself away. What you send out comes back. When you send out goodness into the world, you attract the same back ten-fold.
Many people entering the network marketing profession today have never been their own boss. Starting one’s own business can feel intimidating and overwhelming. The road to financial freedom can take its toll on your lifestyle if you fall prey to some of the traps common to many business owners. I have been a home-based business owner for 16 years, so I understand from my own personal experience how easy it is to fall into this trap.
In this book, I’ll share some tools that have been indispensable in creating my own financial and lifestyle freedom through network marketing. Whether you are just getting started or have been running your business for years, doing it part-time or full-time, this book will help you enjoy some lifestyle freedom right now … regardless of your current financial circumstances.
Each chapter of the book includes personal stories that illustrate core concepts and provide tools that have enabled me to move from being captive to being free. The Freedom Challenges at the end of each chapter are designed to help you take action on what you learn as you read the book.
This book contains four sections:
Section One provides tools to help you dig deep and get clear about your intentions and your bigger “why” for starting your business. This foundational work is critical to all business owners because there will be times when you feel discouraged or you feel like quitting. Remembering why you chose to do this work–the why that makes you cry–will keep you motivated to continue, no matter what challenges you encounter.
Section Two provides tools to help you identify where your personal and work life is off balance by looking at nine distinct areas of your life. Striking a balance is critical to success in both your work life and your personal life. Once you are aware of imbalances, you can “upgrade” these areas to support the ultimate lifestyle freedom you desire.
Section Three will help you work more productively. You will find tools to help you clarify your priorities and then plan and manage how you invest your time and resources in your network marketing business. As the CEO of your own company (yes, you are the CEO!) you don’t have anyone holding you accountable, telling you what to do or when and how to do it. I’ll share some tools that many other CEOs have used to help them run multimillion dollar companies.
Section Four provides a review of the suggested “Freedom Challenges” — exercises provided at the end of each chapter, which are designed to help you clarify, create, and support your path to freedom so you can be successful in building your network marketing business, live the life of your dreams, and help others do the same.
Accompanying this book is an original song recorded by me. The lyrics to Listen to Your Heart convey the core message of the book.
Who was this book written for?
The Music of Your Heart: Freedom to live the life of your dreams through Network Marketing, was written for all prospective and active network marketing and direct selling professionals who are either considering starting a business, are just getting started in their business, or have been running their business for years. Whether you are building your business on a part-time basis or this is your primary profession, you will find valuable tips and tools to assist you.
Several people who previewed this book have suggested that I market it to all business owners and independent professionals—not just to network marketers–because the principles and concepts I share are universal, regardless of what one does personally or professionally. Some have told me they plan to purchase a copy of the book for family and friends, as well. I invite you to read the excerpts to determine if this book will make a good gift for others you know.
What’s the story behind the book and the song?
In 2007-2008 I participated in several of Jack Canfield’s personal development programs. The first was his Breakthrough to Success basic and advanced workshops, followed by a year-long experience in his Platinum Mastermind program. At the conclusion of Jack’s Breakthrough to Success advanced workshop, he hosted a “Come as You Will Be” cocktail party. Each participant was asked to show up as ourselves five years from then. I showed up as a best-selling author of a book with a recorded song included with the book.
I started to write my book in 2007 and I never got past the outline. In 2008, I noticed that so many of the people in my Platinum Mastermind group were writing books, and I thought I “should” write one, so I attempted to do so again. Still nothing came. I gave up and decided I was not going to write a book. Looking back now, I realize that at the time I was moving through some heavy personal development work, and what I was attempting to write about–especially the life balance topics–made me feel very uneasy and out of integrity. My life was completely out of balance at the time.
Although I had let go of the dream, I continued to read an affirmation I had written in 2007:
“I am a best-selling author of a book and CD containing original music
sung by me, with the lyrics supporting the core message of the book.”
In November of 2010, I felt compelled to start writing, and the words began to effortlessly flow out of me. I finished the first draft of my book in just two months, on 1/1/11. Then I remembered my projected visualization from four years prior at Jack’s “Come as You Will Be” party. That visualization included a song on a CD inside the book cover.
In March I contacted my world-famous composer friend and concert pianist, Kevin Cole, about writing the song. (Kevin was my accompanist 34 years ago when we were both students at Interlochen Arts Academy High School.) He said yes!
In June there was no song. In July there was still no song. In August I was planning to accompany my husband on a business trip to Chicago…where Kevin happens to live. I was also planning to attend my company’s annual convention in Las Vegas right after returning from Chicago. The theme for the 2011 convention was Freedom—a core topic of my book. I really wanted to have some preview copies of my book and CD at the convention.
On July 27, I had contacted Kevin to remind him that I was coming to Chicago and ask if I should reserve a recording studio so we could record the song together while I was in town. He said yes, although there was still no song. I reserved the recording studio for August 12 and paid the deposit on faith. On August 6, I received the song. I learned it in six days and we recorded on August 12! On August 17–the first day of my company’s Freedom convention–the publisher delivered preview copies of the book to my conference hotel, with the CD inside the front cover!
I personally experienced two of the major lessons I write about in this book: (1) the incredible power of repeating an affirmation; (2) let go of the how and simply allow.
Follow your heart,
Author, singer, coach, entrepreneur
