In my last post I made it very clear that many in network marketing who entertain the idea of leaving the business feel a deep inner conflict. In spite of the fact that their business has not produced the income they had hoped for and envisioned, many continue their network marketing endeavors with less commitment than is required for success. With this sort of internal conflict, it’s little wonder that 95% of network marketers don’t succeed.
Is there a logical solution to this predicament? What are so many well intending entrepreneurial spirited folks to do to satisfy their dreams? They must remove the conflict in one way or another, either succeed in MLM or move on.
It is my personal belief that we have been place here by our higher power (whatever you believe that to be) for a specific reason. It cannot be an accident that we are here, conscious of ourselves and endowed with the ability to affect change in the world. It just can’t. We provide value to others in a myriad of ways and each of us has an individual special talent to do that. Our job is to find out what that talent is, what the passion is and put it to work for ourselves and the benefit of others. Some call it destiny.
It may be that you can stick with your network marketing business but only on the condition of removing the conflict. That means playing full out, wanting it badly enough, believing unquestioningly in your ability to succeed to the pinnacle of the industry. Nothing held back, no back door, no doubts. Success! PERIOD! Conflict resolved.
Or, it may be that your commitment to network marketing is not that solid and you choose to leave the network marketing business. You take with you the invaluable knowledge and training you’ve gained to be used in your next venture. You leave with no regrets or doubt, complete in your thinking and your soon to be past, and free to move onward. Conflict resolved.
I’d venture a guess that many stay with their network marketing business because they don’t think there is another way or they are not willing to look. It may be easier to stay in a losing situation than to venture forth into the unknown. We humans tend to remain with the familiar because any kind of change is too painful to face. It’s why people stay in a job they dislike, with people they loath, because to look for a new position is much too stressful and way outside their comfort zone.
Sound crazy? Just look around. Eighty percent of working Americans dislike what they do for a living. Logic dictates that the smart thing to do is find something that you’d love to do. Yet, it doesn’t happen.
But, nested within this situation is a clue, a big, hairy, revealing clue. You see, the subconscious mind will fight for the familiar and protect us from the unfamiliar. It will guard a pre-programmed mind, stand firmly with the comfortable and battle against change, innovation and the unknown, even at the expense of personal satisfaction, mental and spiritual clarity and individual success.
It will take some clear, ordered and uncluttered thinking to get to the bottom of the conflict and then, once there, putting new plans into action. Here’s one possible path to work out the conflict.
Firstly determine what it is that you want. If you must, go back and review your “why,” reestablish your “definite chief aim.” Determine what you want by knowing your passions. Get crystal clear on what you want. (This may take some doing on your part. Remember a confused mind maintains the status quo.)
Next, determine what is preventing you from getting what you want. Be brutally straight with yourself and describe the obstacle or obstacles to getting what you want in detail. Stand tall in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eye and honestly reveal that which stops you.
To reinforce this line of thinking, look at what will happen if you don’t fix this problem. There are consequences involving time, money, family, personal satisfaction and fulfillment and your mental state if you don’t handle this problem. Gaze openly into the future and see vividly the consequences.
Now, look at where you will be in 3 months, 6 months, a year if you don’t address this problem now. If your consequences become real what does that mean to you? Picture yourself a year older still dealing with the conflict, stuck, still doing nothing. How does it make you feel? And, you guessed it…
With this, or any conflict for that matter, the longer you sit on the fence, the more you procrastinate avoiding the gorilla in the room, the longer you prolong your suffering. There isn’t a person on the planet that is afforded the luxury of unlimited time. Every day you put off being honest with yourself is one day less to move in the direction of your dreams.
Some may find this task to be too challenging to go through on their own. Don’t let that stop you. We normally don’t do life alone so why should this be any different? Do what you can but, get some help. Permit someone to be of service to you. Talk to a friend, spouse or colleague. Speak to your spiritual leader or hire a business coach, but seek the assistance you need now to resolve the conflict and move on.
There can be no financial success or personal peace in your life as long as the Network Marketing Paradox remains.
I believe one of the primary reasons for so much heartache and frustration is because so few people take the time to sit down and decide what they really want in life. Most allow themselves to be carried along from event to event in reaction mode instead of being the driver of their own lives. It takes courage to become who you really are.
marquita herald recently posted..Do You Consider Yourself a Leader?
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Rick Reply:
March 12th, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Marty,
Isn’t it amazing? Such an obvious solution to a pervasive problem. Take the time People!!
Hugs,
RICK
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Hi Rick,
I agree with Marguita the first thing that we should do before we decide what job or business sector we will choose is to think what we really want in life and what we really love doing. Without this we will never feel really satisfied from our life even if somehow we make a lot of money…
Kostas recently posted..3 Completely Forgotten Traffic Secrets Revealed
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
March 12th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Kostas,
And the answer to what we truly want is usually not material at all. I think it has something to do with love.
RICK
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Important lessons here, Rick.
It’s nice to try to get a job doing something you like if you’re an employee.
It’s absolutely critical to be doing exactly what you love if you are an entrepreneur.
As an employee, you can survive with half-hearted efforts. As an entrepreneur, total dedication, commitment and effort will only be possible when you love what you do. Otherwise, you’ll never get past the serious obstacles that will stand between you and success.
David Merrill recently posted..The Internet As An Evolving Communications Medium
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Rick Reply:
March 12th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Hey David,
And, those obstacles will absolutely appear to throw you off. Kind of sneaky of Mother Nature to put our biggest obstacle within us in the form of the subconscious mind.
Best,
RICK
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Hi Rick!
I am so thankful you have written this article. So many people do sit on that fence because their subconscious is in control. And that my friend keeps them in the box.
I am in agreement with you that we must WRITE THINGS DOWN!!!
When doing this action, one gets a clearer picture of what they really want.
Looking and reviewing what is written down does cause the person to see what is important, what is not, and the main thing, what is keeping them from crossing that threshold of being themSELVES!
Thanks for this killer post.
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..LinkedIn – My Secret Weapon
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
March 12th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Donna,
Appreciate your words. What it takes to be ourselves is the challenge of letting go. But, that’s for another post.
Many thanks,
RICK
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Sad that most Americans don’t like what they do. Conformity has taken place and media has taken control of people’s lives. The happy ones are the ones that think outside the box finding their passion and asking questions.
Jacob recently posted..eCosway Company Unbiased Review
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Rick Reply:
March 15th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Jacob,
We agree. We’d love to see people think outside of the cubicle, unleash their power, spread their wings and soar.
RICK
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HI Rick,
I understand where you are coming from here. With 15 years in the industry, I have seen many highs and lows.
I think for most it can provide a very good part time income, while the 6 and 7 figure levels take a huge effort.
As MLM companies have control over your future and business, and apply so many rules and regulations, I am moving to have at least part of my income from a business I have total control over! Just my thoughts.
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[Reply]
Rick Reply:
March 15th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Hi John,
That’s what we want people to take a hard look at, being responsible and in control of their lives. Congrats on your realization of that and taking action.
Regards,
LnR
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Rick, this is such an important article. I remember when I was first starting out in the home business industry. For the first few months, I tried hard to convince myself that the two companies I had chosen were the ones I needed to be in. Finally, I ended up getting tricked into purchasing some products in exchange for leads. The leads were horrible, but the products were great. I’d found my home business home – by accident.
For me, the paradox was that I needed a company that lined up with my personal values. Products aside, I needed the right company with the right ethos. Thanks for encouraging people to look at themselves honestly and make the right decisions so that they can start heading in the direction the have dreamed of for so long. People absolutely don’t HAVE to fail in home business!
Christi Johnson recently posted..When Your Public Person Doesn’t Match Your Private One – What Then?
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Christi,
You are fortunate to have found a company with which you resonate. Most will just tough it out thinking they must make their situation work regardless of what their gut and heart tells them.
Much success to you,
RICK
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Rick,
Your amazing in finding the right topic within the time most need to get clarity.
Yes, most do not take time to really think about their passion and make this the focus point of their business. They go through the actions needed to be seen as having their own online business. Hey, they even show others their expenses and tell them that they understand this industry. It may be their third attempt with yet another project. Being honest with themselves is the first step, as you point out.
Getting with others who have done what your making an attempt to do is the point to start. You do not know what your doing or you would love what you do. That is the first thing to be aware of. Love what you do as a business. It is not about products or services.
Your business is your passion and sharing it with the world. Just you need to know how to get paid while only doing what you love, sharing your passion. That is what only a few of us realized and created real lifestyles.
So, next time you want to be honest, think of finding out what is your true passion. Then find people who share theirs and have created a real lifestyle for just sharing it. They would be honored to show you how while keeping themselves and their accomplishments out of the equation. That is how you get real support that will have you on your way to achieving everything your heart desires.
Rick, you have a countless record of sharing real content that will help all if they only stop and think. I am honored to have been in you presents with you sharing valued information. I pray you continue so we all may stay the path. This is a journey and not a race. Once we all get real and stop with all the hype. Others will appreciate our great industry and all will be better.
Thanks again Rick for being a person with true character.
William Amis recently posted..Balancing Persistence and Patients
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
William,
You always touch me with your responses. Many thanks.
RICK
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[...] This “ask” addresses those who have been unable to find it within themselves to quit network marketing in spite of all the obvious signs that the business is not working. (See The Network Marketing Paradox and Resolving the Network Marketing Paradox) [...]