Since grade school, I knew that I wanted to work with exotic animals. Like so many of my age group, who’s parents are of the ‘baby boom’ generation, the only real way to succeed in life is to attend university, get good grades, find a job within the field of your choice and stay there forever. Not knowing any better at the time, I did just that; I applied and was accepted into Wildlife Biology at the University of Guelph. Within a very short time, I began to feel as though I was only there to please my parents and other mentors, which was exactly the opposite of what I had hoped for. I was spending $6000 a year on tuition, $2000 on residence and another $2000 for living expenses. I was spending all of this money on something that I dreaded getting up each day for. How much sense did that make?! Not to say that University doesn’t have value, it most certainly does, but it is not for everyone. I found myself in a position where I felt that I had chosen poorly. I wanted to enjoy the journey & the process of becoming the person I had hoped to discover; my ideal self.

Once I was in the state of mind of not wanting to be in university anymore, I realized that I needed to move on to something different or else I would be continuing something that was not going to make me happy. I needed to go somewhere I could get the experience I was seeking. The Canadian Association of Zoos & Aquariums (CAZA) offered a Zoo Keeping course, based out of Calgary, AB, was just that. Here, I got the education I had been looking for all my life – EXPERIENCE.

After successfully completing the CAZA course I then realized that it was far from the life I had desired. As rewarding as the work was, it still left me with a financial gap at the end of each month, between what I had and what I needed. I was living paycheck to paycheck in addition to accumulating debt each month just to stay afloat. On top of the financial strain, my health was suffering as well. Attaining financial and time freedom with this career was going to be like stopping the flow of Niagara Falls – just not going to happen.

Entering the world of Real Estate – After deciding to move onto something more prosperous, I chose Real Estate as a good place to get the experience that might lead me to the lifestyle I so desired. Starting out as an office assistant seemed like the right place to start and that’s where I landed. Always knowing in myself that I could accomplish/acquire anything I set out to do, I planted myself right where I wanted. Ready to learn!

Learning the ropes of the life of a Real Estate Agent, I discovered there was far more to it than I ever imagined (office fees, marketing fees, endless hours of prospecting and showing, competition of other agents in office, etc…). In the position as an office receptionist, it was obvious that if I didn’t choose to be an Agent my position was never going to get any more appealing anytime soon, if ever.

It was around this point in time when I was introduced to the idea of network marketing. It was explained in detail and I was overcome with excitement at the thought of helping so many others, like me, to achieve a more balanced, happy and enjoyable way of life. My path had become clear; the opportunity presented itself and I was ready.

Into The Network...

I was beginning to realize that through the years of high school, university and in the working world that what I had been taught by my teachers, parents and mentors (i.e. go to school, get good grades, get a good paying job with benefits and vacation time and you’ll be very successful) was a complete hoax! Yeah, the money was alright (I was getting by), the hours weren’t bad (I had every weekend off and even a few weeks of ‘holiday’ time) and, the people I was working with seemed to be comfortable with what we were doing in our JOB (Just Over Broke) so, part of me felt that I should be ok with it too. Unfortunately, the more I put in my time with different companies, the less time I had for myself, family and friends. I didn’t have any time to do the things I loved the most and I wasn’t even close to making enough money to do and/or have the things I wanted most. All of my priorities in life and true values were being pushed aside for a JOB that I wasn’t even enjoying! Not only did I not have enough time or money to do the things I valued most, but I began to lose myself in the environment of working for someone else and my health started to suffer as a result. I was building someone else’s success, rather than building my own. No matter what JOB I moved onto next, I would still be unhappy with the life of Monday-Friday, 9-5 and a few weeks of holiday each year. I had hit my wall. This life wasn’t going to get me anywhere unless I was to make a change. It was the beginning of my quarter life crisis.

So I asked myself what next? How will I get started? When will I find the time?

Coming from a circle of family and friends that are very entrepreneurial and self-driven, I decided it was time to make a change. I needed to become a student of wealth and success. I reached out to my older brother, Simon (www.simonsays-getrich.com), who had plenty of experience in these areas; his entire career focus is on helping recent graduates and young adults achieve true freedom and success. He introduced me to a few of the greatest books, seminars and online learning experiences available; exposing me to a new age in personal education. Books such as “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napolean Hill, and “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. These were just a few that made sirens begin to sound in my head; getting me to think in a completely different way. Among the ocean of new information that I began to crave, learn and understand was:

1. To change my life, I needed to change my way of thinking. A JOB just is not the answer.
2. In order to achieve the financial success everyone seeks, we need to be our own boss – minding our own business.
3. In order to create financial and time freedom, the idea of ‘leverage’ must be applied. Leveraging time, resources and money.

Putting all three concepts into full force, I began to see a whole new world of opportunity which has led me to the ultimate career – a business for myself, but not by myself. A home based business in the health & wellness industry has afforded me the opportunity to achieve all I have ever dreamt of; time & financial freedom and improved health.

With the opportunity to be trained by the best in the world, in the areas of health, wealth and empowerment, USANA opens the door for motivated individuals to enter a life full of abundance. Endorsed by professional athletes, medical doctors and scientists at the Linus Pauling Institute, USANA Health Sciences produces the highest quality nutritional and personal care products available; whether it’s a complete balanced spectrum of nutrients and antioxidants to protect our bodies from free radicals or science-based personal care products that replenish and rejuvenate skin and hair.

USANA is looking for passionate individuals who would like to share this product with others while receiving the benefits of physical health and financial freedom. You cannot improve your future if you’re not willing to try something new and risk making mistakes and learning from them. Why not take the plunge and, see what you have to gain?! If you would like to get out of the rat race and be part of this new coming of business for yourself, within a solid team environment, please contact me to hear more about the possibilities.

brittany_prentice@hotmail.com

**Brittany continues to share USANA’s vision of True Health & True Wealth, striving to live the life she’s always dreamed of. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario and can most often be found working out at the gym, attending a yoga class or spending time with family and friends**