Go to http://mysteryshopcoach.cjb.net. At bottom of that page is a link to "Mystery Shoppers Resource", a great site for mystery shopping leads almost exclusively posted by schedulers. The webmaster, Julie Moreau, will even e-mail you each time she updates page (e-mail to jmoreau1@aol.com, please mention I referred you). When you see a job posting in your area, simply follow instructions and apply. There's a lot more to being a professional, top-earning mystery shopper than just this, but it's a way for you to dabble and get a feel for what is possible.

Summary: Despite what others may say, biggest mistake you can make as a newbie shopper is wasting your time applying directly to mystery shopping companies. You wouldn't look for a job in "real world" this way, and "mystery shopping world" is no different. Learn to work with schedulers and you'll have started your mystery shopping career right way.

Make it an adventure and do it! If one of my clients is having a difficult time getting started on their plan, I ask what they've done that hasn't worked and then we discuss other options. Try these options for ideas: ~~Be creative and have fun. Design most creative vision you've ever dreamed about! Design your first dreamboard. www.coachmaria.com/articles/dreamboards.html ~~Start a planning box. For "x" months, everytime you get an idea of what might be in your plan, put thought on a piece of paper and put it in your box. Pick a date you'll put your ideas into a plan.

Take a good look at your current beliefs about life you're creating. Pick up a copy of Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. It's a small book jam-packed with wonderful information on beliefs. Make sure what you believe is really "you". Don't get stuck in someone else's vision.

Purchase book I use with my business clients The One Page Business Plan. It's a fun, tips-full, fill in blanks, clouds, answer-the-questions type workbook. Use it to create your business or personal plan. Go somewher serene for a weekend and complete 5 parts of your plan. Or you can close your house for a day by quieting phone, using pre-made or order out meals, etc.). Spend a self- caring time creating your plan. Take a look what Jim Horan, author, writes about business plans. "Writing allows others to participate in your dreams and give you feedback" Writing is a tool to help you ... ~~see what you're thinking ~~turn your dreams into something "real" ~~go for clarity you desire ~~stay focused ~~get prioritized ~~take immediate action ~~help you remember what it is you wanted to do

Once you write your vision, try it on for size. Learn to stretch, "act as if", make small changes, or make some big changes to your vision. If it feels good, keep it. If it doesn't adjust it further. Main thing is to be comfortable with it. Remember quote about insanity that goes like this "insanity is doing same things over and over again expecting different results". "Try on" new concepts, new ways of doing things, and recommendations from others. Coaches are especially good at assisting you as you s t r e c h, s t r e c h, and then s t r e c h some more! So stretch right into your vision!

I bet that once your vision has been formalized, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner! And you'll be amazed at time it takes to do vs. time (and energy) you've invested just thinking about doing it!