Make Money Not Tears

So, you've determined that you really want to have a home business, you've found what looks like a great opportunity, you join, you talk to your friends and family...and they say something like, "C'mon, that stuff never works." They may even laugh and tell you to "get a real job." You get a sunken feeling in your stomach, your face gets flushed, and you really feel like crying.
If you've been in a business opportunity for any length of time, this is probably the route you started with and you've probably had the unwelcome feeling described above. I know I have. Nothing else can describe the feeling of being hurt like that. Afterall, we were just looking for a better financial status and quality of life. When that happened, the dreams and goals got sunk.

Take a deep breath now, and realize that it's not your fault and it's certainly not the end. What just happened is what I call "proof". It's proof that there are people out there that want more out of life and proof that there are people who just want to be average. There's nothing wrong with being average, but if you are one that has taken the initiative to LOOK for a business opportunity, you're not average. You are proof that there are others out there looking for the same thing. Those are the people you need to be talking to.

When I speak with like-minded people that are interested in getting in this business, I emphasize that we are not in the sales business. If you feel like you're job is to "sell", then you're bound to fail. It's a proven fact! It's about relationships with like-minded people and about mentoring those that join your opportunity. If you teach them to "sell", you're sunk. THEY are sunk. Your organization is sunk. People who see this as an opportunity won't need to be sold. They are there to duplicate what you do.

So, how do go about finding like-minded individuals? If you're reading this, you and I are probably like-minded. I use the internet 99% of the time to build relationships with like-minded people. On the internet, it doesn't matter if you're 18 or 80, black or white, on the East Coast or the West Coast. I have people in my business from around the world. I do not sell my opportunity, I present it and let the person make the decision. If they are not interested, that's fine. Remember, some will, some won't, so what...next! There are a ton of forums, opt-in email lists, and even Google AdWords that you can use to target people. Use these to "meet" people who are most likely interested in what you have to offer. Not everyone will be interested. That's a fact of life. But, with the right opportunity, you really only need 2 people per month and teach those 2 to duplicate...and so on. Do just that for a year, and you'll be making more money in one month than you do in a year working at a regular job.

To summarize, save yourself a ton of heartache and get yourself involved in the right audience. Most importantly, don't "sell", and teach your downline to not sell. Nobody wants to sell and if they feel there is selling involved, they won't join you and you'll just be playing the crying game all over again.

Succeed By Mentoring, Not Selling

Network marketing has been filled with success stories as well as failures in the past 50 years. There are plenty of reasons why there are more failures than successes, but the major reasons are not so obvious.

One reason for a high failure rate is that people join and don't do anything to build it like a business. Network marketing IS a business and should be treated like one. It requires a plan, a system and perseverance. Too many people "try" a network marketing company to "see how it goes." These are the people that you don't want in your organization. You want serious business builders that simply duplicate what the successful people do. The "see how it goes" people are just not serious enough. They will be the ones constantly complaining about it not working and they will suck you dry of time and energy and are often the ones that jump from one program to the next.

Then there are those people who think of all network marketing opportunities as "get rich quick schemes." Sure, the possibilities are there to make a substantial income with network marketing and it could happen faster than a regular job, but nothing is going to happen over night. Just because you sign up for a program doesn't mean you're going to make money. You aren't "entitled" to anything for doing nothing, and that's a fact of life. My experience working in an officer position for a major U.S. bank opened my eyes to the reality of this. My pension plan would pay me about $2,000 per month when I retire from the company. This would be after working for the company for 20 years!! Yikes! With network marketing, I could make $10,000 per month RESIDUAL INCOME after one year if I did it right! After doing the math (which took about a whole 2 seconds), I realized what I really had in my hands.

The third reason for failure that I want to mention in this article is that people try to make it into a sales business. It's not! Stop trying to sell your business to someone else! You are not here to convince people. You are here to look for the one that is looking and present the opportunity. If they are interested, you simply train and mentor. That's it! You train and mentor them to duplicate what you do...train and mentor. The moment you think of it as a sales business, you're sunk.

Here are two key things to keep in mind when talking to someone about your primary business:

1. You can not say the wrong thing to the right person.
2. You can not say the right thing to the wrong person.

Don't try to "convince" someone they should join and don't worry about messing up what you say. You'll get discouraged and end up quitting yourself. Just present the opportunity. I once had a guy email about my opportunity and he said, "I challenge you to convince me this is the right opportunity for me." I kindly replied to him stating that I don't consider it a challenge. I told him that I GET the opportunity, and if he didn't that's fine. It's not my "job" to convince people. I wouldn't want him to feel he has to convince people as well should he join me.

Realize it is not an event, it is a process. Expecting overnight success won't happen without action. If you change your perspective on network marketing and focus on duplicating a "mentorship", then your chances of success are almost guaranteed.

Discover Your Why

Your "WHY" may just be one of the most powerful tools that you will use in building your business.

You've probably already figured out an income goal. Maybe you want to make an extra $500 per month, or $1000, or $5000 or $10000 or more. But, the question that my mentor asked me is the same one I will now ask you:

Why do you want that income?
What will that money do for you?
What will it allow you to do?
What will you do with it?
Will it allow you to quit your job?
Will it allow you to donate money to a charity?
Will it allow you to travel more?
Will it allow you to spend more time with yourchildren or grandchildren?

You see, a WHY is much more than a number. It is the driving force or reason that you started to look for a home-based business or a way to make extra money from home in the first place.

You need to take a few minutes today to write down your WHY and complete the WHY worksheet I mention at the end of this article.

Your WHY is very important to keeping you focussed on constantly doing income-generating activities.

When times are tough, and you run into challenges with your business, you can simply pull out your WHY worksheet and read over why you're doing this business. Your WHY will always get you through any challenge.

Because your WHY is the most important thing in the world to you. And that is WHY you will succeed in this business.

Need a great format for discovering your WHY? Sign up for my mailing list and you'll receive it instantly along with a reprint of this article. You should print it out or copy it out and complete it now. Be honest with yourself and give it some thought.

As soon as you're done, post it up near your workspace, so that anytime you run into a new challenge, you've got your WHY to get you through it.

Use a business SYSTEM to succeed

Just because you join something, does it mean that you are "entitled" to the great rewards that are normally shown in the compensation plan or the advertising piece? ABSOLUTELY NOT! If your goal is $10,000 per month, do you feel by signing up with a network marketing company is the answer? NOT! Things just don't happen by themselves. "What do you mean, Darren, you're killing my dreams! Do you mean I have to take responsibility for my own success??" YES! It still takes WORK on your part in order to see things happen. It takes using your melon for something else besides a divider for your ears. You have to learn to earn!

When someone talks about what they have/haven't done in something I've been successful with and says, "It doesn't work!" My reply is, "No, YOU don't work!" Too many people don't do what's necessary to run their BUSINESS and blame everything on the system. They have no concept of what it takes to make the business succeed, they try to dismiss what's being taught, try their own UNPROVEN methods and expect to make it work. What ends up happening is that they quit and say it doesn't work.

Think of it this way. When a person buys into a McDonald's franchise, do they go and put a generic sign saying, "Hamburgers" or do they use the golden arches and all the pre-made bags, cups, menus, meals tables, napkins, etc? When someone gets a Subway franchise, do they call it "Mike's Subs" and hope that it works? No!!! They use the system that's already in place and just do what already works for the thousands and thousands of like-franchises! It's that simple!

A franchise is this: "A model of success passed on to others who can duplicate that success."

You need systems, concepts and a plan. You need to learn BASIC business concepts. Do what is already working! COPY what the successful franchise does! COPY what your successful mentor does! COPY SUCCESS!

Be a professional business person and not just a hobbyist that thinks their going to get rich. Learn basic business concepts and copy what is successful.

Once you say, "I can't", you're right!

Henry Ford was quoted as saying, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." This is the absolute truth whether you succeed or fail in whatever you do.

Our thinking is much more powerful than most people give it credit.
Whether consciously or subconsciously, your actions are first determined in your mind before they are realized physically.

As a network marketer, I get hammered by many statements as, "That doesn't work", or
"I tried that before and it bombed." My answer is usually, "Really? Hmmmm, I must be doing something wrong then because my results are the total opposite."

Once you say, "I can't", you're right.
Once you say, "It won't work," yep, you're sunk.

When you want to accomplish a goal, start a new venture or just trying to decide what to do, what is your mindset? Is it positive or negative? Guess which side of the fence successful people falls on? Guess what thoughts run through their heads when the little light bulb comes on? Do you think it's a positive thought or a negative one?

Here's a complicated equation for you to absorb...are you ready?

Negative = Sinking Yourself

The fact of the matter is that opportunities are presented to everyone. It all depends on how you react. You have the choice as to what you read, who you listen to and the direction you move toward.
Are you going to listen to the person that always says, "I tried that and it didn't work", or the one that is successful at it?

Think positive instead of negative. It's as simple as that. However, change doesn't happen overnight. The decision to change DOES happen instantly, but it takes time to filter out the bad and replace with the good. I call it "Positive Repetition." Every thought needs to be held captive (yes, that’s even stated in the Bible). Out with the old, in with the new. Once you say, "I can't", or "This sucks", or "This will never work", guess what? You're right!! Don't even talk negative about other people. Negative thoughts should not even be a part of your mindset. It isn't rocket science. This isn't a concept that was just thought of this morning.

When things don't go as expected, don't dwell on it. When the car gets wrecked unexpectedly, don't get all jacked out of shape. When a plan doesn't quite work out the way you had planned, don't get frustrated and quit. Think positive! "Let's get it fixed," should be your first thought. Don't focus on the problem. Focus on the future or the positive.

People who ask about the network marketing opportunity involved in often come out stating, "I've joined this stuff before and I didn't see anything happen. What's going to be different?" NOTHING! With that kind of mindset and a negative attitude, nothing will be different. You need to work and get positive. It's not the program that didn't work; it's YOU that didn't work. You didn't work mentally or physically. Positive thinking begets positive actions which begets positive results.

Everybody has issues that come across their daily paths. How you react will determine whether you fail or succeed. If you're positive, there are no frustrations and life is much easier to deal with.

Make a conscious decision to change your mind and make a difference. It all begins within. Take action now to change your mindset from negative to positive and the results will be different.

Focus on the Compass

In days past when mariners would set out on a sailing mission,they didn't have GPS systems to guide them through the high seas.They made use of a map, the stars and a compass. In the middle of theocean, there are no landmarks or reference points which to use to make their way around. Without these essential tools, they could have spent years tossing about the waters and going around in circles.

When starting a home business or a network marketing business working athome, it's essential to use the tools given in order to duplicate thesuccess of others. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Just focus on thecompass and the direction it's pointing (your goals).

As an online network marketer, I once found it was so easy to not takemy business seriously and slack off here and there. It's an easy valley to slip into and sometimes a hard hole to climb out from. By implementing just3 "secret" actions, you can make your home business grow in leaps and bounds.

These "secrets" are:
1. Focus
2. Take Action
3. Consistency

Focus: When using a compass, the first thing you need to know is your destination.Where are you going? Point your compass in that direction and move toward it.You may not know when or how you're going to get there, but without knowing which direction you're going, you're already destined for failure and eventuallyquitting. Set your sights on the finish line.

Take Action: Don't be one of the "frozen chosen". Get moving! You know where you'regoing and unless you start heading toward where the compass is pointing, you'll never get there. You have to consistently ask yourself,"What can I do TODAY to move my business forward?" Don't just take action on anything. Make sure it's in line with where your compass is pointing.

Consistency: there are two things about consistency. One, you can consistently dothe wrong thing. Or two, you can consistently do what's working well. Which onedo you want to do? It's not rocket science and the one thing you'll always seechampion athletes and successful entrepreneurs do is what works and they do itover and over and over again.

Every day is a fresh start. It doesn't matter what happened yesterday.The "secret" is placed in front of you now. It's a DAILY exercise and all youhave to work with is the "NOW". It's been proven time and time again that if youfocus on the results you want and on the directionyour compass is pointing and you will reach your destination, guaranteed.

Over Thinking, Under Performing

I've studied many top performers in various lines of employment,and have looked at several over achievers, and one of themajor commonalities amongst them is the ability to not onlydo what they need to do, but also to take action!

Nike coined the phrase, "Just Do It," and that simple quote,although so simple on it's own, can make or break a person'ssuccess in life.

How many times have you thought to yourself, "If only I had...",or "Why didn't I...?" Many times it's either we chose thewrong option or we didn't choose one at all. Most of the time,it's because we didn't choose one at all because we over thinkwhatever it is and we don't end up doing anything. You becomeone of the "Frozen Chosen."

Leaders and successful people are able to act fast when needed.They don't sit back and over analyze all of the what-ifs.Doing that will let the opportunity pass you by. You can't possibly have all the answers without knowing all the questions,and the only way to know the questions is just by doing itsometimes.

In whatever you're trying to accomplish, there will alwaysbe an inherent risk. Risk is a part of life. As children,we accomplish so much because we are not afraid of risks.As adults, we've been bombarded by negativity for yearsthat we're afraid to take risks. We over analyze everythingbecause we want to assess ALL the risks. It's impossibleto move anywhere in life without taking risks and you'llnever achieve anything unless you stop over thinking.

Over Thinking = Under Performing

If something you want to accomplish has been proven bysomeone else, follow in their footsteps. Do what they do.You don't have to reinvent the wheel. You can improveon things, but you'll never get anywhere unless you...Just do it!It's so easy to think yourself out of accomplishing yourgoals, whether it's to start a home business, succeed in network marketing, become a super salesperson, or improveon any area of your life. If you sit back and over thinkyour dream, you'll never accomplish it.

The only way to win a race is to get running. Don't stand at the starting line and try to figure outhow to turn the corner a mile down the road. Cross thestarting line! Put one foot in front of the other. Soon, the finish line will be within reach.

Starting Off Successfully With an Online Home Based Business

The internet has opened a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs to make a substantial income working from the convenience of their home. At no time in history has more millionaires been made since the internet was born. If you feel a strong desire to start your own online business and work from home, here are a few tips to help you from going broke before opening the doors.

Tip 1: Discover your "Why". Before you even sit down at your computer and hack away at a plan and mockup, you need to first figure out WHY you want to have an online business. Your "WHY" is unique to you and should be as specific as possible. Saying something like, "To make more money," is not a strong enough "Why". Your "Why" should take an emotional stronghold on you and really make you want to go the distance that's required to succeed in your online business. "I want to be debt free by December 31st" is a stronger "Why" and sets a specific date much like a goal. "I don't want to ever worry about being fired again," is another example of a specific "Why".

Tip 2: Make a place in your home to work. Along that line, let people in your family know that when you're in your place of business that you are "at work". This is part of taking your home business serious. By working at home, it's all too easy to sit in front of the television with a laptop and not do a thing because you're more tuned into the latest celebrity scandal then turning an income.

Tip 3: Do something you're passionate about. I happen to have a passion for network marketing and helping others (hence writing this article) and have a successful online business doing this aside from my fulltime career. If you don't wake up each morning with a strong desire to "get to work", then you may either be overworking or you need to re-evaluate your actual business. If neither of those are causing you not to be excited, take a look at your "Why".

Tip 4: If you desire to get involved with network marketing and do not want to spend a ton of money and/or bother family a friends, get involved with what is now termed "a funded proposal" program. A funded proposal allows you to develop a list of like-minded individuals that become a part of your downline without costing you a ton of money. As your downline builds, you have the multiple chances to present your primary business to these individuals. You need to build the list in order to market to people that are already interested in what you have to offer.

Tip 5: Do some due diligence and learn, learn, and never stop learning. The internet itself is the information highway loaded with millions of pages of information. Never settle and think you already know everything about your particular business. Continue to think of yourself as "green". When you're green you grow, when you're not, you rot. Always strive to learn more and more each and every day. Make it a part of your daily action plan.

Tip 6: Don't quit. If you truly desire to succeed in your own home business, don't quit. If things are not necessarily going well, you may need to make adjustments such as, rechecking your business purpose, checking your attitude daily, not spending money without it having a purpose that BUILDS your business, recheck your learning resources to ensure they are fruitful and in line with your "Why".