Failed Dream - Do Not Suffer Alone Any More - Teamwork, Skills, Belief, Success

Failed Dream

Do Not Suffer Alone Any More

Teamwork, Skills, Belief, Success

      Are you sold on the network marketing or mlm concept, but struggling? 95% of those involved in network marketing and mlm make less than $10 in a month. Are you one of them, like I was? There are so many that truly believe in the marketing concept, it should just posper based upon that belief. But it doesn't. Aside from the scams and ponzi schemes there is the general lack of knowledge and skill on how to build this kind of business and further, how to maintain, sustain and grow it.

      In the earlier days of this industry it became clear that personal development plays a role. I think the industry is still pretty immature. Many so called sponsors to this day will retort "Watch this video", "Read this book", or worse, "Buy this program". All without any clear plan or course to follow. Paroting what they were told they basically just "winged it" and got it to sort of work for themselves, so, they reason, you might get lucky too. Too bad that what worked for them, that one nugget or even stack of clues, is likely not to work for the next person. How do you build a business, based on personal development with no instructions?

      How did we get into trouble? Having a lack of leadership in actual leadership training seems to be part of this problem. Much of the personal development that is out there had focused upon Sales and being a Sales Person. This is more of a psychology and personal relationship business than anything to do with product or service sales, or even a company itself. The foundation of personal development can be traced back to books like "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, and, "How to Win Friends and Influence People", by Dale Carnegie. Many of the expansive texts, videos, recordings and other training material today, found in the field of personal development have their basis in just some small part of either or both of these books. Derived from these can be found the masterful teaching of Tom "Big Al" Schreiter, who took these teachings and evolved a system of 25 skills, where we learn exactly what to say and exactly what to do. When things are not going as we'd like, we know why, and exactly what needs to be done to fix it.

      Imagine being able to interview 500 of the most successful people and capture a series of habits and traits that all of them used to attain their success. That is exactly what Napoleon Hill did. Dale Carnegie's book, foundation and legacy continues to inform and teach the skills of true leadership.

Is there a solution?

      Learning the skills that successful network marketers and MLMers use to achieve and maintain their success is the key. Also staying associated and connected with those who have found this out, built a structure, and continue to stay close to the fire of skill building for mutual success. If you are interested in or already involved in network marketing or mlm, I invite you to download this ebook as a gift. It is the mastermind compilation of 36 years of network marketing and mlm success and 26 years of full time income of one man and his team. The goals are simple. Build it once, build it big, and have it pay your children's children. This is truly the dream of network marketing and mlm, is it not? Using the skills we teach and practice live in 10 calls every week, we stay close to the fire of inspiration and motivation for successful action.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

P.S. There is a price to entry. Download and read the ebook, then there are a couple of recorded skills calls to listen to. A couple brief investments of time and the whole system will be made available to you. And, just like the ebook, no companies or products are mentioned at all. No pitch. No credit card. Just a few minutes of your time for some value.

Image credit: CanStockPhoto.com

MLM Rescue for Part Time Employees!

      I get updates from the MLM Watchdog. I have found that this is a great one of a few ways to stay up with news and information in this and related industries. I can learn about ponzi schemes, who's still getting away with it, and who isn't. What constitutes successful compensation plans, policies and ownership mindset. And, consider many other aspects of the pro's. and con's. of what can be a very emotional experience. It is refreshing that when the opportunities are presented for a focus on the positive aspects, over the negative, that I really like this source of information. The editor really likes the industry, is a champion for it, and, is an advocate for the model when it is done right.

      Here's a excerpt from a recent article that is a great call to arms for us:

"One of the MLM Watchdog’s loves of the MLM-NETWORK MARKETING INDUSTRY Is helping people and after the recession workers have taken a beating in, more bad news for hard working Americans. The Affordable Health Care Act demands starting in 2014 that anyone working over 30 hours a week be provided a qualified health plan or pay a 2000 fine. In testimony before Congress. The National Federation of Independent Business testified that this is a new low.

Every employer will be forced to define part-time employment under 30 hours a week, and most will use between 20-27.5 hours. This cut part timers income and leave a hole in employment. The University of Berkely Center for Labor research has estimated that 2.3 million workers or nearly 2% are at great risk of having hours cut below 30 hours a week. ...

What can you and your company do to help these people! ... "

Here is a link to the site and the entire article

      Long term, successful MLM companies usually conform to all of the Five Pillars, but some don't:

• Pillar 1 — Company Management Experience with Integrity?
• Pillar 2 — Timing in the Company and Timing in the Industry.
• Pillar 3 — Remarkable Product.
• Pillar 4 — Compensation Plans.
• Pillar 5 — Proven duplicatable system.

Here's a link to some audios and PDF transcripts: Audios and PDFs. How does your company stack up? Be vocal with your upline and company management to make it so.

      While not mentioned here in the bullets, it is discussed in Pillar 4 - Compensation Plans. One of the key elements has to be the ability of a part-time partner to be able to work the business and get a return on their "time" investment. $1,000 or even $100 a month can really take the edge off initially, and, over time, this will only grow with care and nurturing, even if only part time. That is the promise and goal of network marketing for all of us, is it not?

     

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

Image Credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Just Lead - Everyone Can

     Where can you lead? I believe that leadership is not a single innate ability one has or has not. Leadership is a skill that is developed and honed as a combination of many abilities. First you have to figure out to where or for what you want to be a leader. It is then just a matter of knowing it in your head and moving those thoughts, images and feelings into your heart. Once in your heart, you will be on auto-pilot and nothing will stand in your way.

     So, where is it that you want to go, or, what is it that you want to have? What do you want to say about you? I always thought this was the easy part; answering the question of what I want. But, as I've grown older, experienced more, read more, been mentored and actually taken the time to notice, I've found things other than those I had been focusing upon. I had focused on those things that others thought I should do. I was taking the safe road. It was easy to play the odds. When faced with choices, I weighed things based upon what put me into a stronger position. Things like versatility and breadth of experiences measured higher. It was a matter of not being objectionable, rather than being favorable to me. I've found it is more work to move these goals into my heart. Sometimes it's more risky to go with what you really want. But, that is what makes their achievement all the more rewarding.

     What do they say about you? What do you say about you? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Most of the time we shouldn't care what other people have to say. We want to be popular and accepted, but when it comes to achieving what we want, we want to consider what the mirror and other people say or think about our strengths and weaknesses. When you've identified those people who have the position of rendering an accurate and qualified analysis for you, which in and of itself may be ranked as one of our strengths or weaknesses, you have to exercise that analysis. Once we use these resources successfully, we can use our strengths with skillful precision, build up habits that help to strengthen our weaknesses, or, in the end, realize we shouldn't be doing this alone anyway, and leverage those in our mastermind group who are strong in those areas.

     Moving a single step in the right direction, is one further than someone else has taken. You are then qualified to lead something to and through that step. You then just move one more. And, repeat the process of leading someone else to and through that step. Before you know it, there will be a very long line of steps you have mastered and lead someone to them and through them.
Where can you lead? I believe that leadership is not a single innate ability one has or has not. Leadership is a set of skills that are developed and honed as a combination of many abilities. You don't have to have all of these abilities yourself. In fact it puts you in the best position if you have a mastermind team working with you. First you have to figure out to where or for what you are able to lead. The single goal. It is then just a matter of reinforcing that knowledge in your head and moving those thoughts, images and feelings of that goal into your heart. The more senses you devote to this task, the easier and more installed in your heart it will become. Once in your heart, you will be on auto-pilot and nothing will stand in your way.

MLM Secret - Your WHY - What is a "why", anyway?

Most everyone who is a successful leader in Multi-level Marketing sights their number one secret as having a "why". This is a very important concept and could be discussed at quite a great length, but I'm only going to touch upon a few characteristics, as I've come to understand them. The important thing is to understand what it is, what it isn't, and what it accomplishes in your business.

Your "why" is about you. It's your "why", isn't it? It's not for anyone else. Your "why" could be involving something you want to share with or give to someone else. But, it is still you providing it to them. Perhaps you have a job. It may pay well and even be fun. But you aspire to having more than it can provide. Or, if you are out of work, and trying to evaluate how to contribute so you can not only be compensated for your efforts, but that you can also achieve fulfillment. Things like more free time, more money, providing a lasting legacy for your family, even having a greater ability for generosity or philanthropy, or simply helping others help others achieve their "why"s are all possible items in your "why". It is the reason. It is your self-realized purpose.

Listing your goals, although these are important, are not your "why". Having to keep them written down on a file card, in your coat pocket, may be a good start, but it cannot stop there. Your "why" cannot be formulated or contrived. It has to begin with thought. It then has to be connected to strong emotion. Ultimately it has to reside in your heart. It has to be part of your deep down being. It has to be an integral part of your self.

It serves as the down-in-your-soul reason for defying gravity. You know, that force that tells you every morning to stay horizontal, in your nice warm, comfy bed. It provides the energy and motivation you need to cheerfully face the new day. "Today I am going to make more inroads on the path to achieving my why", you can self-assert.

It is important that you fully understand this MLM secret. It provides the focus to keep you on track with your philosophical foundation for all of your goals. This is important, not only for your business in particular, but it could also provide focus for your life as a whole. It is fundamental in avoiding distractions, in this world of ours, where appeals are being made, of our thoughts, constantly, but for the objectives of others. It is also crucial to walking through the obstacles and downright heart-ache that life can throw at us all. The best leadership model involves service to others, but you have to be satiated yourself, first, and serve the universe with the abundance that overflows your cup. This can only be accomplished, long term, and with lasting impact, if you have a "why".

Wait a minute, you can do that tomorrow, can't you?

The mastery of procrastination

Organized planning

I've heard it said many times, if you enjoy what you're doing, you'll never work a day in your life. As many, many, many people take a day and recognize some event, like TGIF, the weekend, or even a holiday, they are possibly giving up a little bit of their plan. I'm not saying that I don't coordinate my activities with others. I do make plans together, so we can accommodate each others schedules and desires. But I live my life like everyday is a special event. I weave all of the positive emotions throughout my day as much as I possibly can. And, the sweetest times are those spent helping others do the same, and, greatest yet, when theirs is much greater than mine. Oh what a lift it is to feel their joy!

But. I have to have a plan.

My Daily To-Do List = ordered list of have-to-do's (just for example):

1. self-talk,
2. write lesson plan,
3. self-talk,
4. call prospect

• .
• :
• - one habit-making or habit-breaking exercise.
• .
• :
• - eat (ok, those sounds I've been hearing should be quieted, I think)
• .
• :
• - sleep (or am I sleep-walking again? maybe I should have had food earlier than I did, so I'd have more non-adrenalin energy?)
• .
• :
• - breath (yeah, sometimes I actually have to think about this one - it helps me relax, when I take a couple of deep breaths)
• .
• :
• - etc

I try to "Manage yesterday's decisions daily". I'm "all in", so this is a quick process:

1. on track,
2. not-so-much

• Easy, #1. on track.

But, if I stop too long to evaluate the situation, I need to go back and assess my why.

Distractions - see habit-making / habit-breaking (ok, so this habit-making / habit-breaking list is wa-a-ay too long, already; I'll just have to settle for being perfect, just the way I am, and move on, now)

OK, life happens. You just have to "... pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again ..." Everything happens for a reason. Next.

Multi-tasking - who are we kidding? I can only, really, do just one thing at a time. FOCUS!

If the radio station in MY mind is tuned to the "you suck" channel, _I_ have to recognize this NOW! _I_ have control over the ONLY dial. _I_ can switch it to the "you rock" channel. NOW!!

I have already layed-out the organized plan. There is no time to put anything off until later, or tomorrow. I am counting on me. People are counting on me. The world is counting on US.

My desires are DESIRES. They're not fanciful or unimportant wisps of thought. I already have them fulfilled, in my mind, and I WILL have them in my hand and the hands of those that I love.

in gratitude and service,
Tony Koker

Pique through freedom illustration and picture-words

A picture is worth a thousands words. Most of us have heard that before. An interesting take on this concept, however, is that it doesn't necessarily take a thousand words to describe a picture.
Contained within the many wonders in this world of ours are the seasons. We all can relate to the weather, and, ultimately derive it from the current season, for the most part. Living in New England, however, we have become accustomed to frequent, perhaps even non-seasonal weather changes. This year we seemed to suffer from a perpetual cool and rainy spring. Not cold, but not really warm either. A darkness that seems to evoke gloom and hunkering down is present. Sounds, of rain drops in a pitter-pat in puddles, of splashing foot-steps, as people want on their way, of cars seemingly surfing on stream-like waterways, with their wheel-splash glide and then of cascading waves of whoosh and crash of foaming walls of water all permit us to hear the effects of the rain, we also feel and see. A natural cleansing cycle, where dirt and grime are actually washed away. An chance in contrast without equal to observe the brightness inside. The light of our inner self, keeping us on course and cheerful. Casting off the gloom, we can also embrace this as a refreshing change; a chance to enjoy the shower (To join our Master Mind and experience a life-changing process, start your own 30-Day Cleanse. You need it more than you need oxygen. The only cost is your commitment to yourself. You’ll get a download of the unabridged “Think and Grow Rich”. To get started, first download your free copy of Michael Dlouhy’s “Success In Ten Steps” by clicking HERE. I will send you the link to get started with your mental cleanse.).
This picture-painting, with words, is one way we can present the freedom opportunity that network marketing represents to those we meet and interact with; welcoming them to join us in our success journey, ever growing our numbers, and spreading all the positive emotions, leading us to accomplish.

A note to anyone who's considered MLM ...

I've been doing MLM for about 25 years, but it had never become more than a resource sink, until recently. It's very easy to spend your money on tools, or leads or products, or to spend countless hours (really your MOST VALUABLE ASSET) and go nowhere.
It certainly is NOT get rich quick, even for the super stars, who tend to have bursts, then lulls of growth. It is, certainly, about hard work, and a good (healthy) work ethic.
I think the secret is NOT about companies OR products, but about PEOPLE.
Building a spider-web of real contacts is the key, and, the current explosion in social networking, and how traditional marketers are trying to target it is just one piece of evidence.
Having part of your spider-web contain a mastermind mentoring group, where you can balance your primary personality against others, complimenting your effectiveness is crucial.
Download Michael Dlouhy's (my mentor and very successful MLM'er) FREE ebook, that discusses MLM in general from here http://tkoker.successin10steps.com, and the 10 hours of additional training that is made available for FREE (audio, live phone calls, eBooks, too), I can provide (all free, no strings at all), if you're interested.
This is really free, no spam, no hidden agenda, no companies or products, just heart-felt mentoring.

Specialized Knowledge

Re-reading Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich", "Chapter 5 - Specialized Knowledge (personal experiences or observations)" puts a floodlight on an area in my recent personal development, allowing me to see with great clarity and focus a major course correction that was needed in my life. I am a practising Computer Systems Engineer. So, clearly, having a specialized knowledge of technology is required. And, although I have had a reasonably successful journey, somewhere along the way I succumbed to a narrow focus on the knowledge and lost sight of the bigger picture. I had allowed my mind to become distracted and stimulated physically (stimulants, yes, like coffee and alcohol) and through events, rather than the ideas that set me on the path in the first place. I had stopped dreaming. I had stopped focusing on the goal. I stopped to savour the accomplishment, but forgot it was supposed to be just one more piece in the puzzle. I had unwittingly traded a position, part of a building master mind group, and instead had become swallowed up as someone else's staff employee.
With wide open eyes (mindful thoughts, renewed desire, faith and a resurrected auto-suggestion habit-building), I am moving again on a path with even greater goals. I have found that we each have our own abilities, strengths and weaknesses. I'm piecing the puzzle together again, finding additional sources for specialized knowledge for which I lack, staying mindful that together we will be rebuilt. We will accomplish goals we have yet to even conceive. The clouds are evaporating from the sky, the sun is shining bright and our convoy is picking up speed.

With Enthusiasm and Gratitude

Auto-suggestion

Since I was very young, I recall visualizing thoughts being planted, like seeds thrown over a wall to the other side. To complete the picture, however, I also experienced thoughts being returned, more like a tennis ball, over a net. Unlike tennis, however, the balls sent over the net (to the subconscious), don't come back, for a time, but seem to allow many more to be sent over, before a new creation is returned. It's not clear that these pictures were entirely about the subconscious, but may actually have been influenced by Infinite Intelligence as well. I also discovered that thoughts planted at night and first thing in the morning, somehow, had more significance. Similarly, those planted, at the end of focused activity, like work on Friday, may lie buried, until dug up, with effort, at the resumption of the activity, like work on Monday. Often my weekends were spent, free from cares, dedicated to anything but work; the rest and refreshment we all need, but rather than being balanced throughout, were binged and squandered.
As I evolved, I found myself desiring a better continuity, from the Friday burial, to the Monday rediscovery, and that forced me to become more of a workaholic, focused on the next thing, over-scheduled, overworked, and under-refreshed. Pride heralded "super man!", but the tangle was building, becoming a strangling weight. It then took greater effort to find ways to rest and refresh.
At each different stage, I found myself planting specific thoughts, but, in retrospect, find that I neglected the weeding. My garden became overgrown, and an under-brush of tangled wannabe trees strangled by all manner of undesirable growth.
I ended up in a mode of auto-pilot; doing what had to be done, rationalizing detours of flight as needed breaks.
Then a wake up call. I slid my car, on black (clear roadway) ice, into a telephone pole. Thankfully I was the only one in the car. I awoke to find myself in the hospital, for the next 30 days, and then, for 7 more months, at home, recovering. This forced me to spend time with myself, like I had never found the time to do before. I began a self-guided mental-cleanse then, but the overgrowth was too deep and tangled. I found myself back on the wheel once more.
Another wake up call. Slowly being strangled by an out of control addiction, headed for certain death, I was again shaken awake. This time, with outside help and guidance, I slowly began actually clearing the unwanted growths in my garden. Calling out to the Infinite Intelligence, I was able to focus on those things I am grateful for in my life. This became my first daily auto-suggestion list. This list has also evolved, over time, but remains the foundation of the garden-clearing upon which the tallest, strongest and forever expanding new growth flourishes.