One of the biggest challenges that we have in this industry is that too many people are told they can get rich very fast.  You know, “If you get in the deal right now you will be rich in no time.”

I see it daily on Facebook and other social networks, “If you don’t get into this opportunity that you will be missing out!”

Novice networkers buy into the belief that they can make $200,000 a year and not do ANYTHING! My response is…yea right!

Well, my friend, hopefully you don’t buy into that garbage.

It is well meaning people like that who give our industry a bad name.  Too much hype is never attractive.

The truth is if you want to become a success in network marketing, online marketing and social media (or for any business really) it takes time and training.

It takes time to learn marketing skills.
It takes time to build relationships.
It takes time to develop as a leader.

What skills do you need to become a success in social media & network marketing?

The number one skill is marketing.

Interestingly, we are in the industry of network marketing but 99% of the distributors have not been trained how to market.  What are they told?  You guessed it.  Go make a list of 100 friends and family members.

What a relief it is when you learn the skill of marketing and copy writing.

Next, having an automated online system for your marketing and sales funnel is critical for success.  Ideally, the system should have pre-tested lead capture pages and prewritten auto-responder messages (these are basically prewritten emails).

Education is vitally important.

This system should train you and your team to become a successful online marketer.  Learning how to market using twitter, facebook, youtube, forums, articles and pay per click.

And lastly, and this is really important, is to have a coach and tribe (a group of peers) who will get down in the trenches with you and help you on your journey to success.

To see an example of what I am talking about checkout  The Online MLM Mastermind

There is an old personal development and business expression.  It goes like this: “You can tell a lot about the character of an individual by the people they hang out with.”

Here are a few of my tribe members that I have partnered with, who help me grow while I help them grow both personally and professionally.

Chris Kilber Content Syndication Expert

Beverly and Dr. Bill Monical Wellness Experts

Michael Feil Social Media and Marketing Champion

Gavin Mountford Social Media Expert

Debbie Wood Internet Marketing Coach

Who are you hanging out with?  Do they help you to improve your game or hold you back?

Constant And Never Ending Improvement

I know for me it wasn’t always easy learning all this new stuff.  In fact, more times than I would like to admit I felt like I was sinking in the education quicksand. It was a new language.  I felt frustrated at times because I spent so much time learning and my business wasn’t growing.

Here’s what I have learned. See if this makes sense to you.

No skills create desperation.

Skills create confidence.

In the end, we must take responsibility for the growth of our business and our income.  We must learn the proper way to promote and market our business and ourselves.  We must learn proper etiquette as we join social networks.  And we must be patient with our growth process.

Developing a six or seven figure does not happen overnight. It can take years.

One of my mentors once told me, ‘Terry, your business and your income will grow as fast as you do.” I didn’t really understand it at the time but now it makes so much sense.

My recommendation to you is simply this…enjoy your journey.  Know that where you are right now is perfect.

Remember, you control where you spend your time.  Will it be the TV or a book?  Will it be a day at the beach or a day at a seminar?  Will it be a new toy for yourself or a new Webinar?

And get this my friend.  Your lifestyle right now, like it or not, is a reflection of the choices you have been making.

If that makes you uncomfortable…good.  Maybe the time has come to makes some shifts in your life.  Perhaps the time has come for you to get comfortable being uncomfortable.  Personal growth and skill set development is not always easy.

When training for a 26.2 mile marathon it’s called hitting the wall. Everything in you says stop. You second-guess yourself and you REALLY want to quit.

You have to learn to push yourself physically and mentally.  It is the only way you will cross the finish line and feel the glory of accomplishing your goal.

You can do this business and become a success.  How do I know that?

It is easy; you are still reading this and you know deep inside that you can.  Sometimes it is just that you are not sure if you want to work that hard because the payout is not guaranteed.

This business wasn’t always easy for me.  All I can tell you is learning all those skills (and I continue to learn new skills) has changed my life more than I could have ever dreamed.  And the same can and will be true for you if you persist and have a vision for success..

I’m 52 years old now.  I started running marathons because someone told me that between ages 50 and 60 is when your body declines the most but, if you are in good or better health during that time that you will actually extend your life by 20 + years.

For me that was a no brainer. I’m willing to do the work and I know my desired outcome.

You must know your desired out come for your business.  If you don’t, please figure that out right away!

Hopefully, this makes sense to you.  I want to hear from you on what some of your biggest challenges have been and what you did when you hit the wall?

I believe in you!

Terry

The Practice of Discipline

By: Brian Tracy

Discipline yourself to do what you know you need to do to be the very best in your field. Perhaps the best definition of self discipline is this: “Self discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”

It is easy to do something when you feel like it. It’s when you don’t feel like it and you force yourself to do it anyway that you move your life and career onto the fast track.

What decisions do you need to make today in order to start moving toward the top of your field? Whatever it is, either to get in or get out, make a decision today and then get started. This single act alone can change the whole direction of your life.

Seven Steps to Success

There is a powerful seven step formula that you can use to set and achieve your goals for the rest of your life. Every single successful person uses this formula or some variation of this formula to achieve vastly more than the average person. And so can you. Here it is:

1. Decide What You Want

Step number one, decide exactly what it is you want in each part of your life. Become a “meaningful specific” rather than a “wandering generality.”

2. Write it Down

Second, write it down, clearly and in detail. Always think on paper. A goal that is not in writing is not a goal at all. It is merely a wish and it has no energy behind it.

3. Set A Deadline

Third, set a deadline for your goal. A deadline acts as a “forcing system” in your subconscious mind. It motivates you to do the things necessary to make your goal come true. If it is a big enough goal, set sub-deadlines as well. Don’t leave this to chance.

4. Make A List

Fourth, make a list of everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. When you think of new tasks and activities, write them on your list until your list is complete.

5. Organize Your List

Fifth, organize your list into a plan. Decide what you will have to do first and what you will have to do second. Decide what is more important and what is less important. And then write out your plan on paper, the same way you would develop a blueprint to build your dream house.

6. Take Action

The sixth step is for you to take action on your plan. Do something. Do anything. But get busy. Get going.

7. Do Something Every Day

Do something every single day that moves you in the direction of your most important goal at the moment. Develop the discipline of doing something 365 days each year that is moving you forward. You will be absolutely astonished at how much you accomplish when you utilize this formula in your life every single day.

Action Exercises

Here are two things you can do to put these ideas into action immediately.

First, decide exactly what you want, write it down with a deadline, make a plan and take action – on at least one goal – today!

Second, determine the price you will have to pay to achieve this goal and then get busy paying that price – whatever it is.

Spring time is the perfect time for your to re-evaluate your goals, action plan and the results that you have gotten so far this year. Most people find themselves working their fingers to the the bone, and what do they get? Boney fingers! (haha) I couldn’t resist that one.

Most people find themselves frustrated and the result is they let go of their dreams and goals. Don’t let this happen to you…