I first started in network marketing in 1993. (Unless you want to count the summer I played at Amway between high school and college). I had just retired from the Navy and was having a difficult time finding work. What does a former Navy spook and Russian linguist do in Northwest Arkansas? It wasn't like I had a lot of marketable skills. Network marketing seemed like the answer to my prayers. And so I signed up, got my starter kit - and waited. I waited for someone - my sponsor, my upline - anyone, to tell me what to do next. I grew more impatient and frustrated as I waited for the help that never came. I felt abandoned. I felt like my sponsor knowingly took advantage of my need just to sign me up and get his next recruitment bonus. When you're waiting for help and for answers, it's easy to get angry and discouraged. Far easier than trying to move forward on your own. You think that things will never change. So why bother to try?
I was fortunate and did find work, good work for a free health and dental center that served the less privileged in our area. I was doing something that was not only financially rewarding, but also spiritually and emotionally fulfilling. I was making a difference and that was an amazing feeling. But always in the back of my mind was that nagging feeling of failure. And so I eventually stopped talking about my network marketing company. I didn't quit because I loved the products. And if anyone asked, I would be happy to sell them an item or two. But I stopped actively pursuing it. I focused on my new job, telling everyone that I was just so thrilled to be doing this that I had no time or desire to worry about my business. At least that way I could say I had made the choice instead of having to admit that I had failed.
Life was good after that. I left the health center for a series of jobs, each one a step up the pay scale. These didn't have the social impact of a free health center, but the money was good. But when you are not doing what you are called to do, it catches up with you. And some years later it did just that. My heart was not in what I was doing and it showed. And so, once again, I found myself in need of income. And once again I fell into the trap of network marketing. Only this time I had no choice. I had to be able to work from home. Now I had someone depending on me to figure this out. And as I have always said, it's amazing what you can do when you have no choice. This time I had the answer. I had been working with an event planning company and through them I had met many of the top internet marketers of the day. I had the opportunity to sit in on their events and to talk with them and learn from them. And while I did not use the internet to build my new business in the beginning, I did learn some things from them. Persistence. Focus. That success doesn't always come overnight. Sometimes it takes days, or weeks, or months, or even years. But it is definitely worth waiting for.
If you are struggling in your business, feeling frustrated and discouraged, stop. If you are feeling abandoned and forgotten by your sponsor, stop. If you are ready to give up because you've just been struggling for SO LONG with nothing to show, stop. Refocus. Find a mentor - one that will be there for you and hold you accountable for your own success. Learn all you can - about your business, your products, marketing techniques, and whatever else you need. Ask - ask questions, ask for help, ask anyone who will listen. There are lots of us out here who have been where you are and are willing to guide and mentor. Above all, don't quit. Because success will come. And it's definitely worth waiting for.
If you're ready for a mentor and coach who will be there for you, who will set the bar high and help you reach it, then perhaps we could work together. Let's find out!
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