Live Your Best Life

Living On Lack

For awhile now, our country has been spoon feed a theory--one which has served only to broadcast one single, solitary idea.

Lack.

News about the economy, bailouts, unemployment (and the list goes on) have been so deeply penetrating most everyone I talk to subscribes to the idea of America sliding into the 10th level of hell. And soon.

Lack, lack and more lack.

With that eventually, we will most certainly be drawn into the dark pits along with it ... right?

At least,  it seems to be the story we are told time and time again in newspaper articles and on the daily news. But I'll leave the debate of politics and the media to someone who is far more interested in such tedium than I.

This post is not going to be about conspiracy or about how jaded and corrupt the media may/may not be. Today I want to focus on being response enabled. However, the current situation with an unstable economy presents a good example of how we always focus on the things we lack.

In all things we have a choice, we can focus on the perception of lack or we can be response-able and take action towards the resolution of a problem.

Take the past few years I've spent in network marketing as an example. I'm a strong introvert working successfully in network marketing. As an introvert I didn't have the innate people and communication skills that many possess. After spending a year in network marketing (2006) and not making a penny I could have folded and walked away from it all.

Instead, Tom and I focused on finding something which would accentuate the positives within me, and allow me to find my voice. At the time, I didn't have even an ounce of confidence in me but he noted the passion in the emails I sent him recounting the joys of self discovery.

As a result, I started blogging and within a single month I was getting linkbacks to this very blog from high profile bloggers. Next thing I knew, I had a following and a fantastic group of people who were cheering me on. For the first time in my life, people were telling me I had value and a talent, a talent for writing and inspiring others.

As a lost and confused introvert these were very new and shocking statements. It took me that entire first year to even begin accepting their praises because I was so well versed in the idea of lack.

I don't understand why they are saying these things. I'm just an average joe, sharing some thoughts, experiences, quotes and poems which have inspired me to grow.

I'm not a talented writer.

Why are they describing me as a thought leader? I'm not ready for that (Little did I know...)

Blogging was my first success story.

Keep in mind that up to this point I'm constantly at odds with myself. Resisting the drastic rate of change I was going through, fighting to understand the attention I was receiving and ultimately accepting that everything I've ever needed to attain everything I want in life was planted within me at birth.

After a year of blogging Tom would introduce me to my second mentor, Matt Jamieson, who taught me his method of marketing his networking opportunity online.

The three of us were joining a company together and in that 2 hour conversation with Matt, my eyes were opened.

In less than two weeks, my domains were hitting the first page in Google, then Yahoo and MSN on dozens of relevent keywords. In a matter of a few months I went from making no money to having more leads than I could possibly handle alone.

Soon after I would be making enough to qualify me as a traditional home based travel agent--simply from earning commissions on the sales of the product. This doesn't even take into account the money I earned from building an organization of people beneath me who also wanted to own their own business.

Now, lets go back to the beginning for just a minute. Knowing this about my history and the successes I've had... What would have been different about my life if I had decided to give up and walk away from network marketing after a few months?

Would I be as happy as I am now?

Would I have eventually faced the demons who plagued me for the first 30 years of my life?

Would my tendency to talk myself out of a good thing ever be broken?

Would I ever learn to make use of what God gave me instead of focusing on the things I lacked?

Maybe, but I'll tell you what...

Looking back at where I was and how much pain I was in ... that was a real lack. What I really lacked was a complete life. Because I didn't focus on the skills I lacked, I was able to reclaim my soul. The friends, growth and fun I've experienced was worth every bit of struggle, every tear.

This is why it is so important for you to not focus on the things you don't have. It doesn't matter if you don't have the personality, skills, or money. Focus on and be glad for the things you have and a path will be revealed.

Network Marketing Journey: Live Your Best Life has Moved

Please update your feed: I have been talking about it for awhile now and as of today Live Your Best Life has moved.

If you would rather subscribe to the blog feed itself, rather than the feedburner feed above, go to Network Marketing Journey Dot Com.

It is very important that you update your feed if you want to keep up with my updates.

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I have had it!

That is exactly what went through my mind two Saturdays ago. I was making the mile round trip home from a visit to the guy who was designing my new blog. WAS being the key word. I won't go into the messy details but suffice to say that I've been patiently waiting for 3 months.

Three weeks had passed and I hadn't heard from him and not for a lack of trying to reach him.

So, as I walked home, I made a decision I was trying to avoid. I fired him.

The launch of Live Your Best Life's new home is an important step and I was making an effort to help a friend create a portfolio by having him design it. However, I needed to make the difficult decision to move on. And I have.

I haven't found a new designer and I've decided I no longer wish to wait.

However, before I tell you where I will be moving to, how you can find me and whether or not you'll need to re-subscribe I would like to explain a little more about why I'm making this move.

When I started Live Your Best Life, I didn't have a clue. I didn't know anything about blogging, business, marketing and I really didn't have a clue who I am. As I began writing here I began to discover things about myself and the passion and confidences I once lacked began to surface.

This blog became a sort of telling of my journey as I shared transparent thought, insights and sometimes frustrations. I often spoke of subjects pertaining to personal growth and inspiration because those were the things I was digging into. In affect, I was burying myself in content which ironically would help bring ME out.

So, I talked about those books and materials here as well.

Almost immediately I began making friends through this medium and that has continued on to this day. I'm eternally thankful to them all for their hugs, words of kindness and support as I felt my way through my shell and became an entrepreneur.

Then about 3 months ago I came across a blogging course. I knew about the course for for a time before I actually joined in but once I had, my perspective changed. I realized I was ready to step it up a notch. Enough time was spent on this plateau learning and growing, its time to stretch myself a little further, find an uncomfortable spot and set up residence again.

This time I chose a place a little more fitting to my current journey.

Networking, Internet and Search Marketing have become a part of me. I think its in my blood. With each passing day I become someone bigger, brighter and more alive as I explore these things and ultimately--exploring my introspective nature. Learning about me. I've found my home so to speak.

All at once two years have come and gone, and I felt the need to change course a bit. I no longer feel the crippling weight of so many fears, doubts and frustrations. I've learned a lot about business, networking, internet marketing and search engine optimization. Hugh MacLeod has mentioned me, I've been featured in Mark Sanborne's eZine "The Fred Factor"... and many more blessings. Its my time to give back.

With a new focus on my passions (network marketing, empowering people, and personal growth) I welcome you to Network Marketing Journey.

But before, I give you the link I want to explain that I am adjusting my Feedburner feed, to be pointed to the new location. This means that if you have subscribed to my blog through the feedburner feed, you're already set. If you have subscribed through email, you also will be ready to rock 'n roll.

However, if you have subscribed using this typepad feed, you will have to re-subscribe, so I'm able to keep you updated on the updates and fun to come. I will be configuring my feedburner feed just as soon as I have published this notice. To ensure that everyone sees this post it will be the last post I make here and it will be featured so that is the first thing everyone sees when they happen on upon these pages.

Now, with the configuration of my feeds you will be able to subscribe to my feed here. You will also be able to subscribe using the feedburner feed and email links in the sidebar.

Once again, I am moving to Network Marketing Journey and I don't want anyone to miss a morsel.

Time, Commitment and Promises All Wrapped Into One

Time passes at an accelerated pace these days, doesn't it?

I've been so busy with all my projects that I've fallen behind with my writing and sharing here with you. It is for that reason that I'm writing to you now. Recently I was tagged (sorta) by Terry concerning a promise to stay connected, and in the community. A commitment to staying active.

I have to admit, everything that has been happening in my life has really had me reeling. When I first started down this road towards having more freedom, working from home and finding my core and being happy in my life I didn't truly expect to see things come to fruition.

As time passed, my views changed and the world around me began to respond to those changes within me. I am still amazed by it all. These days I spend each day working my regular job, several hours are put into marketing my networking business and with the remaining time I've been investing time in books, audios and programs which can help me to grow--but in the mix I've lost sight of the promise above.

I realize that one of the reasons you come here is for the words of inspiration (btw your words of encouragement and thank yous are deeply appreciated) you should know that you also inspire me.

By nature I'm far from being an organized person. This is part of my struggle to keep up with everything and be able to maintain my presence in the blogesphere (As a side note, if anyone can offer advice about being more organized, please share them--email me). Anyone who knows me also knows that when I commit to something I give it my all and my heart goes into it.

Because I've always enjoyed sharing my journey with you all I'm going to join Joe in his promise. I will be sharing more with you, taking part in the conversations and reconnecting with old friends--everyone of you.

Terry's post was a great reminder.

Thank you, Terry.

Red Bull Creator Diversifies with Direct Sales and Network Marketing

"The Yoovidhaya family, which created the legendary energy-drink Red Bull, is diversifying into direct sales of food supplements and household products with an ambitious goal to become a global brand within three to five years."

I learned this one just moments ago while thumbing through some of my favorite network marketing blogs. I came a cross a post on Todd Falcone's Blog about this very subject and couldn't help but bring it up here.

There is no surprise in this announcement, at least not for me. I find that more and more accomplished entities/people are realizing the merits of Network Marketing.

An injured and healing industry is finally getting the recognition and credit it deserves.

To read the full blog post, go to Todd's blog.

I Think You are a Scam

Five pretty powerful words.

I received an email stating those very words. No reasoning. Nothing. My response? A thank you for the feedback.

Sharing the possibilities with people can be difficult because many people are running their own scam--on themselves. They haven't learned how to discern between the good and the bad.

Perry Marshall has some thoughts on the necessary skill of discernment.

By The River with Todd Falcone

Last week I posted an article called Like Fishing, comparing the sport to network marketing and Todd Falcone left a comment about a video of the same nature. I've seen the video before and I like what he has to say so I'm going to post it here for you.

Enjoy!

Like Fishing

I'm not at all a fisherman. My dad loves to go fishing but I have never had the patience for it. As a young boy I used to participate but at some point in my youth it occured to me I could be doing something much more productive and satisfying than sitting on my bum in a boat--staring at the water in the hopes a fish will bite.

In fact, I wasn't particularly good at fishing either. At least one fishing pole was lost in the lake because of my butter fingers.

My view of fishing hasn't changed, but oddly enough, as an entrepreneur I've chosen a field much like fishing. Internet Marketing and Network Marketing are very much like fishing. Each and everyday we are casting out lines out into the pond, hopping to hook the big one! Heh, or in the case of network marketing, the one who wishes to start and grow a business of their own.

Fishing takes a lot of patience, something I began to lose as I got older and so does Network Marketing.

If there is piece of advice I could give to existing network marketers or anyone considering a network marketing opportunity it would be to develop patience. Stick with it. Don't get discouraged by the fantastic stories of success in mere weeks and you haven't yet. The pace doesn't matter.

Keep plugging away. Talk to people. If you're an internet marketer like I am keep doing your thing and the day will come when you'll be contacted by more people than you can handle in a day. I know, this is my current situation and I've only just begun.

The fact of the matter is I wanted to quit within 2 months of starting. I wanted to cut my line, go back to my ordinary life and just give up. Its easy to do but I decided to stick to it. My new motto became 'Quitting is NOT an Option'.

Casting my line has gotten easier as the days pass and I love what I do. I guess I don't dislike fishing as much as I thought.

Changing Starts

Recently I've begun digging into Rosa Say's book, Managing with Aloha. I've only just begun but I can already tell her unique focus on values is going to prove to be a great experience.

I knew this from the moment I opened the book as I came across the quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.

This quote got me thinking about one of the things I like about network marketing. As long as the people you are working with have the desire and the want-to for being successful they can be. In network marketing you don't need to be a knowledgeable businessman or woman. You don't have to have extensive sales experience. And you don't need enormous amounts of overhead to start down the right path.

With that in mind, network marketing creates an opportunity for the average person to change their start. Success in network marketing comes when you realize it isn't about recruiting thousands of people and making yourself gobs of money.

You have the opportunity to build those people up, help them to rise up and become the person they want to be--that is the real reward and the money follows.

The relationships I've forged since starting down this road have far more value than the money I've made.

Its exciting to watch people grow, achieve their goals and change their start.

Kim is right ... Again

Last week Kim Klaver wrote a post about ice breakers in Three good ice breakers that are bad for business. This one article has really been on my mind.

In the article she talks about three ice breakers that are inaccurate and mislead people. Taking them down a road thinking something that is absolutely not true. She uses an example for travel companies: "Hello - I market this great travel service where they pay you to travel.  You interested?"

Buzzzzzzzzzz!! Wrong.

Referring travel agents, as the network marketing industry calls them, do market a great travel service but they are NOT paid to travel.

The network marketing industry is littered with statements like the one above. Companies like YTB have so much to offer but when the services and business are marketed in this way we set ourselves up for a fall--especially when the person you've been talking to realizes the statement is false.

It's impossible to police hundreds of thousands of Reps across so many companies.

I've been reading Kim Klaver's thoughts since I started in network marketing and one question has always been in the back of my mind. How can we clean up the network marketing image?

I think a good step in the right direction would be to speak the truth. How about you? Do you have any ideas how we can better the industry? Or better yet, have you had negative experiences that you'd like to share that could shed light on other issues?

I'd like to hear them as I endeavor to be true to myself and my work.

Learn About People and You Will be Unusually Successful

Our universe is characterized by order and harmony, yet we human beings must constantly struggle to achieve the same characteristics in our relationships. In fact, human beings seem to find it unnatural to cooperate with others. Successful individuals are those who have learned to swim against the current, to do the things that others refuse to do. They have learned how to work together for the benefit of the entire group. Achieving harmony in any relationship-business, personal, or professional requires work. Take comfort in the fact that you'll accomplish far more working with others thank working against them. - Napolean Hill Foundation's Thought of the Day

Relationships are a connection to another person and they are often hard to maintain. As stated above, whether its business or personal it requires work but there is also the knowledge that you will be certain to accomplish more.

Understanding peoples motivations or lack thereof can help you to find the core of the problem or situation.

When I first got into network marketing I heard a quote so often it was beginning to feel as if it was being said because it was expected or it might garner respect from people.

Now I understand. Over the last year I've learned many things about myself and about others but I've found that having a sincere desire to help and understand people is what will set you apart from the rest.

Learn about people and you will be unusually successful.