It's in a Folder that says 2010 on the label.
Then it reads as follows:
- Wyoming $50
- Tylenol $180
- Lotion $75
- Baking $75
- Wine $100
- Tylenol II $90
- YP Study $200
- Radio Station $50
- Dating $85
- USAA $150 Subtotal $1055
- Software $250 Total $1305
Lipstick Communications $1500 Final Total $2805
In September 2009, I received an e-mail about a marathon in Greece. I've mentioned completing the marathon. Here is where it all really began.
A dear friend of mine wanted to go to Greece. We were setting goals together. I was doing research for her. I found the marathon in Greece. Let's go do a marathon. She replies "I want to go to Greece. I hate running". For me though, the idea took over.....
It was the Twenty Fifth hundred anniversary of the original running from Marathon to Athens. If I ever was going to do one, this had to be the one.
Gypsy girl - says "I'm going" - Career Woman/Hockey Mom - says "How are you going to do this??" The practical one of the two of us. Not only "HOW (by running) but HOW (by how am I going to pay for this??)
The running part: Run 1 minute, walk 1 minute; Week 2 run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes, the suddenly it was run a mile, walk a minute. Then somehow, it all came together. I was focused.
Which brings us to: "How am I going to pay for this?" I make decent money. Not over the top. Comfortable, yet I still feel like I'm always going to run out of money. I do budget, and I had year to come up with this money.
The Goal was born $1056 - 5 nights in Athens, transfers, dinner before the race, reception 2 days before the race, extra night.
The of course, let's add a few nights - let's go to Santorini. Spend a couple of nights there. Airfare to get there $1200.
(By the way, I went with a group www.marathontours.com - a travel company whom takes people to run marathons). More on my recruiting abilities for them later......
My total is now close to $2500. New goal. How am I going to raise my money?
As I mentioned, I recruit. I'm a good recruiter. I could have easily said "make an extra placement over your goals for recruiting - and it more than covers it". That would be SOOOOOO boring. Recruiting pays for the real world.
A friend of mine whom lives down the street e-mails one day - she leads/creates market research for different companies. "Would you come to a focus group for 2 hours on Wednesday, the compensation is $50 - and we will provide lunch". Sure, no problem. It will get me out of the house.
Then, I was in a coffee shop - "Tylenol study" - need research participants - cash compensation $180 on the bulletin board. Take a slip. What, am I in college???
Wait, I just spent basically 4 hours of my time, in two different activities and earned $230. Huh. What if I started a list, and tried to see how many studies I can participate in during the next year - use this to pay for my trip??? An the idea was born.
It was no longer about the money - it was a goal to help me reach my other goal.
The really funny thing is - USAA is my insurance company - I was 151 dollars short of my goal and it was August. They called me and asked me - RANDOMLY and asked if I would participate in study reviewing them as a company, they would pay me $150. Really???
Two months out. I was ONE DOLLAR short of my goal.
One more surfaced - from some place in this universe. THEN, the woman down the street. The one whom asked me to participate in the first study? She called. Can you help me out - I have this research project, but I don't want you to participate. I know you are a recruiter - can you help me recruit participants. It will take x amount of time at x per hour- can you get done before your trip? Yes. Yes I can.
$1500 later. I not only surpassed my first goal. I paid for my whole trip.
Most market research companies probably don't want to know I was this active in their marketing research, but I was FOCUSED.
PS - I had a GREAT time in Greece......
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