It's Not Just the Product, it's the Process

Any of you that have followed my blog for any length of time have, no doubt, heard me refer to something that Laura over at the Org Junkie has said, written, or done.  She is probably the biggest online Organizing Icon that I am aware of.

Well, friends, I'm going there again.  As you know, I am a Founding Consultant with Clever Container and we have a few mottos that I am all too proud to repeat.  One is "Organizing Just Got Fun", and the other is "It's Not Just the Products, it's the Process"

Well, ealier this month, Laura went into detail about the PROCESS.  She cleverly uses the word as an acronym and really spells out and clarifies the organizing process in a well thought through way.  Throughout the various steps, Laura provides links to earlier posts of hers in which she delves in even deeper to that particular component of the process.  Brilliant.  Really.  You really need to make the time to read this through.  Follow the link by clicking the picture and go to her site to read through.  Make sure to click through the links and read the details that lie therein.  You won't be sorry.

(http://orgjunkie.com/2012/01/the-organizing-process-is-your-force-use-it.html)

While you are at her blog, check out The Challenge.  I think I'm going to participate.  I think I'll get my laundry room organized.  Let me know if you decide to join The Challenge too!  Post a comment below.

Hurry, though.  The Challenge begins on February 1st.

Welcome Planner Perfect followers!

I'd like to welcome you to my blog.  If you have a chance, feel free to browse around and glean whatever you can from the various posts.  During the last 100 days of 2011, I challenged myself to post one tip each day - and I am pleased to share that I was able to do that!  (LOVE when I meet a goal!)  Those tips can be found by clicking HERE.

I am so happy to have you smart woman that follow Jenny stop by to check out what I have to offer!  I am in awe of Jenny and how well she does the art of homemaking!  I feel so blessed to have happened upon her site, through BlogFrog, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to have a moment in front of her readers.

For my regular followers - you, too, are in for quite a treat.  But, first, let me tell you that Jenny, from Planner Perfect, has done a review of one of my Clever Container products, the Purse Organizer, over on her BLOG, and is hosting a giveaway.  Head over HERE and enter today!  While you are there, check out all the wisdom that you can find on her site - and make sure that you follow her as well.

I have also been given the opportunity to check out Jenny's Planner Perfect, Planner. From the moment it arrived in the mail, I knew this was going to be a life changer for me.  Jenny is really on to something here!  Unlike any other planner out there, this planner is meant to really plan what you want your LIFE to look like - not just another method to keeping track of all of you and your family's activities.  The quality of the binder and the contents are top shelf, and the ebook that comes with it promises to have me doing my life differently.  No, not just differently . . . BETTER.

Over the next few months, I am going to implement the strategy and thought process Jenny shares in her Planner and then, my dear readers, I am going to post updates so that you can see how this has helped shape my upcoming days in 2012!!

I hope you are excited.  I know I am!!

Cleverly Continuing. . . .

It has been a long time since I've updated my readers on my Clever Container business and how it is progressing. Too long. Well, I'm pleased to report that the team is growing. . . and growing . . . and growing. I actually have a fourth generation downline now. For those who are not familiar with the direct sales market, I am an Upline leader and those that I personally recruit into this incredible business are my downline. Anyone that those individuals recruit and in their downline and my second generation. And on and on. So, a fourth line is pretty cool. :-)

I have a few real super stars on my team right now. These ladies are absolutely amazing (and you know how you are). Don't want to single anyone out in print, for fear I might hurt the feelings of others on my team - and the thing is that we are an awesome team! I have been blessed with some super talented individuals, there is no doubt about that. So, team building is great - I think my team is around 33 right about now. :-) Sales. . . well, I'll admit that summer did slow down sales a bit. Both for me personally and for many on Team Garcia. However, I didn't have any trouble meeting my personal monthly sales goals, even with the slower pace. I honestly appreciated the slow down. . . it was good for me and my family as well. Speaking of family, we had a great time at Northland Family Camp in Dunbar, Wisconsin earlier this month. We try to make this a yearly tradition. It is always alot of fun for us all!! If you are up for this type of family vacation, I'd highly recommend it. . . however, this next summer the camp will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, so you might want to make that decision sooner than later!

If you are a new reader and aren't sure what business I'm referring to, please take a minute to check us out!! My web page is www.CleverColleen.com and I am a Founding Consultant with Clever Container - the only DSA approved company that markets incredible organizational products to help solve the most common organizing issues in your home, your car, your office, and your life!! Check us out today.

Cleverly Continuing. . . .

Well, things have been steadily growing along with my Clever Container business. I currently have 22 active consultants on "Team Garcia" It has been such fun to see how it seemingly has a life of its own.

While it has been challenging for me to find the time I'd desire to work my business as I'd like, I still have managed to keep plugging away. While April was sadly void of shows, my May has been alright and my June seems to be shaping up to be amazing! I'm currently working on booking shows into July and August! :-)

Organizing is really a need that most, if not all, people struggle with! I have been working very hard on getting more organized myself. My friend, Colleen, with Organizing for your Peace of Mind (www.peaceofmindpo.com) has been helping me with my "Laundry Process" (how many of you think of laundry as a "process"?) and will also be helping me with my bedroom closet. I really desire to have this spring and summer be the time that I finally get a handle on things. Now, I realize that I will constantly be in the process, I would love to find the point where I feel more in control. I'm getting there.

What about you? Where are you at in your organizational journey? Would Clever Container be able to assist you in taking a step or two forward? Let me know. I would love to help! :-)

Team Growth and Website

Today I was on the phone with a former consultant that was asking about how things were going with my business.  She started talking about my blog and asking how large of a team I had now.   I told her and she couldn't believe it because she remembered when I'd post on having my 3rd or 4th team member!  I felt so proud of how great of a team I'm leading, but at the same time, I felt guilty because I haven't continued to post each time I added another team member.  Some might think that I've become less grateful and/or excited.  That isn't true.  I'm so excited about my team.  We rock!  I have, however, been very neglectful about my blog.  Things have been busy, and I've allowed the blog to take a back seat to other things that need to get done. 

This blog was originally started with the idea that it would chronologically show the steps that I've taken in my Clever Container career.  I wanted it to be able to be something that people who are considering a career in direct sales (with us, of course!) could look at to gain a very honest look at what it is like.

Therefore, I'm going to do better in relaying business news through this venue.

I know have 16 people in my direct downline, and in my team in total I have 22!  (this includes my downline's downline)  Amazing!  There seems to be such steady growth for my team lately.  Currently, I have team members in Connecticut, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Minnesota, California, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Missouri.  With this incredible team of ladies, I am closer than ever to promoting up to Director.  My goal is to achieve that before the end of the year, but am secretly hoping to have it in the bag this summer!

YOU can help me get there, if you care to.  I'm all about referrals and I really LOVE my hostesses.  Wanna get involved?  Pass on my information to anyone in your circle of friends and family that would benefit from getting more organized (like me, I am earning while I'm learning!), OR are a very organized person.  Anyone who needs to make more money to meet their monthly obligations, OR someone that needs to save for something: college, a car, a bigger house, whatever.  Of course, if you live in the Chicagoland area, CALL me now to get in on my extra incentives for my May and June hostesses.  Now is the time ladies!!  You can help me get Clever Container into all of the various Chicago neighborhoods. 

Finally, stop by my website when you get a chance.  I've got my 'store' up and running!!  :-)  Very exciting.  You will love all the incredible products we have.  You can browse all the products, or search for something you know you want.  You can also look for products for a specific area - like auto, office, kitchen, etc.  www.CleverColleen.com  Check it out!!

Clever Colleen. . .the song

SING ME A SONG

Well, I have been told a few times that my phone number is published with 4676 as the last four (for those who may have thought so, its actually 4675), and I was trying to find out where that might be, so I googled my tagname, Clever Colleen, and I found a song. . . yes, a song.  How fun.  There is a song for Clever Colleen.  I think that is so neat.

Curious?  You can view the notes here:  Clever Colleen, the song.

Just for fun, here are two precious pictures from Mikey's second birthday.  (Happy Birthday, my li'l guy!)

with Gramma Garcia and Bianca (below)