Merry Christmas! Tomorrow, you’ll open gifts under the tree and enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends. Enjoy the time together as you reminisce on the past and create new memories that you’ll savor forever.  Although this is an important time to rest and take a much-needed break, your business shouldn’t be far from your mind. We suggested in the blog a couple of weeks ago to call your top people on Christmas day to wish them a Merry Christmas. We also suggest taking some time from now until the New Year to work on self-care. 

Self-care for your business

When you think of self-care, what do you think of? Many of us think of spa days and taking a leisurely walk or jog around the block. But, it’s more than that. Self-care also includes improving your mind and skills so you can offer your customers, prospects, and team members the best of you. 

Now we’re not saying you have to take a class on Christmas Day to improve your skills and expertise (though if you found a class online, it couldn’t hurt, right?). There are other ways to pursue self-care and improve your knowledge and skills, including reading a book by or about a successful entrepreneur, reading articles and blogs about your industry specialty, and checking in with mentors in your field. All of the information you learn will not only help you and your business, but it’ll also help others on your team when you share it.

“Your value will be not what you know; it will be what you share.” -Ginni Rometty

Share knowledge

The beauty of sharing what you know is that it’ll help you understand what you learned much better. That’s the truest sign of comprehension – the ability to explain to someone what you just learned fully and accurately. 

Not only does sharing your knowledge help you learn a skill more deeply; sharing your knowledge with your team will help them improve your skills and encourages them to learn more. You set the example of continuous learning – that no matter how successful you are in business, it’s critical to continue to learn and grow so you can stay at the top of your game. 

The network marketing industry is always changing as is the industry you’re involved in. Continuous learning allows you to stay on top of trends and changes in network marketing and your industry so you can offer the best service to your peeps. 

Self-Care in the New Year

If you’re short on time for personal development this holiday season, be sure to plan to make time for it in the New Year. The time between Christmas and the New Year is often hectic and your schedule is likely packed with things to do and people to see. And, if you have kids, they’re likely out of school for a couple of weeks and have busy schedules of their own. Adding more things – like taking classes, reading books, and listening to podcasts – may be the last thing you want to do.

However, it’s important to make time to schedule it into your calendar in the New Year. Once the page on the calendar turns to 2020, your schedule will open up and you’ll be more motivated than ever to achieve your goals. Start looking into and signing up for courses now, such as Elite Business Bootcamp, the 12-week course designed to help network marketers improve their businesses and exceed their goals. Here are some other things you can do:

• Fill your podcast library with business podcasts. Subscribe to the top business podcasts and seek the recommendations of friends. Each week (or however often the show releases an episode) you’ll listen to experts who have grown successful businesses. Listen while you run errands, work out, or on the daily school run.
• Fill your Amazon Wish List with acclaimed books from your favorite business leaders. Treat yourself to a book a week or every few weeks and make time during the day – in the morning or before bed – to read a bit. 

I just spent a lot of money at Christmas; I don’t have the money for classes or professional development now

Although your wallet may be feeling much lighter after the holidays, that’s no reason to scrimp on training. Training is essential if you want your business to thrive. Consider it a critical tool for you business toolbelt, like the hammer of your business. 

Some business owners, including network marketers, balk at spending money on training. They don’t want to spend the money or they feel that they don’t have the money to spend. If that sounds like you, it’s time to ask yourself: Are you a business owner or do you view your business as just another hobby? Hobbyists view tools like training as expenses; business owners view tools as an investment. Continued training is the biggest investment you can make in yourself and your business. If you want your business to thrive, it’s vital to invest in your business.

I just took a training last year; why do I need to take another?

Training and personal development are a neverending process. You don’t just finish one training and say, “Well, I’m an expert now!” If only it was that simple! 

Instead, trends change, your customers’ needs evolve, your team members grow and need something more from you. Training keeps you on the cutting edge of all of this. You’ll learn ways to boost your business and provide sound advice and guidance to those who count on your wisdom. You embody the habits of a true professional.

Plan on participating in at least one training per year, if not more. Business training is important to help you run your business efficiently and effectively. And, industry training will ensure you know your products – even the new ones – inside and out. You don’t have to attend a training program in person; in fact, many trainings are available online and you can learn from the comfort of your home. It’s difficult, especially when you have family, young kids, and other commitments, to get away and attend training in person. Online training makes it easier to learn when you have other commitments at home. 

Learning is better when you do it together

There’s no reason you have to train alone. Invite your team to learn with you. When you learn of an upcoming training event, ask your team if they’d like to join you. Not only will you all learn together, but you’ll also hold one another accountable to the activities you’re assigned. If the training goes on over several weeks, you’ll ensure that everyone makes it to the training sessions to learn. 

Further, you can discuss what you’re learning and how to incorporate it all into your businesses. If someone in the group doesn’t understand something or how it relates to your industry, you can discuss it as a team and find ways to explain it and use it (or not. Some ideas may not work in your business and that’s okay. If you and your team are feeling creative, you can think of ways to change and idea to fit your business).

Teamzy has self-care opportunities available online

Teamzy offers a variety of training options, from the 12-week Elite Business Bootcamp to shorter trainings, like the Art of Creating Conversations that Convert, that allow you to leran at your own pace from the comfort of your home. Additionally, we’re always posting helpful videos on Facebook to give you the tools to serve your customers and team members even better. Visit us to learn more about these opportunities.