If you are part of any kind of internet business, you recognize these names. They are FAMOUS! They are part of the internet marketing elite! And I have had the pleasure of meeting all of them. I even count a couple of them as friends. But I am certainly not one of them. I am not - and probably never will be - one of the "cool kids on the block."
But oh how I wanted to be! I wanted to be on a stage before hundreds of my followers. I watched how everyone at events would push to have pictures taken with these superstars just to prove they were part of "that crowd." And I wanted that. I wanted to be able to say "do this" or "buy that" or "come to this event" and people would...just because I said it was the thing to do. These people lived the good life! No worries. No cares. And goodness knows I have had my share of both. But if I could be like them, all of that would go away. I would have the money and the connections to fix all my problems.
And so I became determined to get it. And I did whatever I thought would help me get there. I promoted "opportunities" I didn't fully believe in because they were making me money. I sold products I knew in my heart weren't as good as we said they were. I left my family behind and spent all my time working on building my business. I exaggerated how much money I was making and what a great life I was living. I hung out on the fringes of the "great ones" circles and pretended I knew them better than I really did. If someone in their circle asked what I did, I gave some lofty obscure answer. I wasn't going to admit I was simply a network marketer! Everyone knew they were looked down upon.
As for my marketing efforts...well they were just as bad. They were all about me. Buy my products. Join my business. Make money like do. Look at me! Pay attention to me! Don't you want to be just like me?
And nothing happened. My business did not grow much. I did not get the recognition I was hoping for. My life was not easier. In many ways, it was worse than ever.
Business cannot be all about money and recognition. If that is all you are here for, you might as well quit now. If you really want to be successful, you need to change your focus. From money and recognition to service and value and passion.
The more people you serve, the more value you provide and the more you are passionate about what you are doing, the more money and recognition you will receive! Instead of focusing on drawing attention to yourself, focus on helping as many others as you possibly can. Focus on drawing attention to the people and things that need your help.
I am a network marketer. That's right....I'm one of those. And I am no longer ashamed to admit it. In fact, it is my passion.
When I get the call that says, "Wow! I love your products. I haven't felt this good in years!", I am thrilled.
When I meet a team member for lunch and she tells me that she will soon be able to quit her job and stay home with her children, I am ecstatic!
And when someone tells me "Thank you! This opportunity, the training, the coaching, has changed my life!", that's when I know I will never quit.
Because now, it's all about you. Let me help you lose weight, look and feel great. Let me show you how you can have more time for the important things in your life. Let me help you change your life.
So no, I am not one of the cool kids. But I am respected by the people that matter - my family, my friends, my team members, my customers and clients. They know that their success is my passion. I care deeply about helping other women, especially women in my age group, be able to live the lives they want. I don't worry about what others think. I don't care if others are promoting the next hot product. If I haven't tried it and can't recommend it wholeheartedly, then I don't. When I do recommend something, my people pay attention. Because they know I speak from experience.
And you know what? I make good money!
Now the decision is yours. The same one I had to make. Are you in business to draw attention to yourself? Is money the driving force in your life? Or will you focus on the privilege of using your skills, knowledge, and passion to help as many others as possible?
Follow your passion, follow your heart. And the money will come. I promise!
