No Excuses from Helene Bernicoff

words of wisdom from Helene Bernicoff
Manager, Sex in the City, Reprintt 2003

For everything that needs to be done, we are great at coming up with a dozen excuses for why we didn’t do it. Doubt and fear can limit you if you let them. Every challenge is an opportunity…so “stop” your excuses by committing to forge ahead. Your goals–your dreams–are too important to be stopped by excuses. The next time you feel an excuse coming on, fight back with this list of EXCUSE STOPPERS:

•I don’t know how–Ask for help and start to learn today.
•It’s too hard–if it’s worth doing, it’s worth the effort. Nothing is more satisfying than accomplishing something you didn’t think you could do!
•It will take too long–“The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.” Think about how long it will take, then think about what you’ll be doing at the end of that time if you don’t start today.
•What will people think–Sometimes YOU need to come first. If it’s the right thing for you, don’t worry about what others think. Be true to yourself.
I’ll do it as soon as I get back on my feet–Remember the saying” “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” Little baby steps lead to bigger steps. Look how much further along you can be by starting today.
•I might fail–True…but if you don’t try, you’ll never know if you would have succeeded. Don’t let yourself down by not trying.
•I’m too busy–Where are you spending your time? Is it helping you reach your goals and dreams? If not, rethink your priorities and take action accordingly.
•I don’t know where to start–Start at your planned end result and work backwards step by step until you discover something you can do immediately, and start from there.
•I have too many commitments–Be true to yourself first. Fulfilling your own needs and responsibilities first enables you to then offer help to others.
•These things never work out–Every situation/person is different. Treat each with a positive outlook and take advantage of every opportunity.
•Remember…you deserve the best from yourself–NO EXCUSES! Spend your energy taking action rather than thinking up excuses!

Once upon a time, in 1984, a woman named Rina Valan was frustrated about the limits placed on women in the business world and in their personal relationships. Back then, you literally had one choice: raise a family or have a career. In addition, if women complained of lack of pleasure with a partner, it was just assumed she was ‘frigid.’ Those choices were just not acceptable to Rina, and so her mission because clear to be that champion for the financial and personal well-being of women and their partners. With a $10,000 loan from her mother and drawing out all her cash advances on credit cards, in August 1984 Rina started Fantasia Home Parties in a small dusty warehouse in Elizabeth, NJ. She loved her 3 year old daughter so much that she could not bear to leave her with a sitter, so she took her to work every day. In the evenings would train new consultants so they could sell at home parties and be able to support their families AND be there to take care of them too. Today, Rina and her daughter, Emily, still work side by side. So 30 years later, Fantasia Home Parties stands as the pioneer and leader in romance home parties. As one of the founding member of CAHPA (Certified Adult Home Party Association), Fantasia continues to forge the trail and we make it possible for women to be equals in matters of the heart, personal pleasure, or providing income for themselves and family. Some of us do it in pink high heels or sneakers, some are single or married, some are single moms, or some of us are even taking care of own moms. With over 33 years of executive experience in the Home Party and Direct Selling business, her personal attention and real life experience is the backbone of our team. It is not unusual that she shares her working experience daily by coaching and with personal support with both new and experienced consultants.

Rina Valan, President and Founder of Fantasia Home Parties