MLM Talk Online

If your goal is to go full-time in your MLM business by next year, here’s some things you can do to prepare yourself so you can make that dream into a reality.

Reduce your expenses over the next year. If you have debts — start a plan to start paying them off right now — and don’t incur any new debt in the next year. Use this year when you have your salary AND the part-time income to clear the decks and get ready. You also may want to start building up your savings so you’ll have a fall back if you have a down month so you won’t have to worry about how you’ll pay your expenses.

Cultivate and find some real business builders in your MLM business — and help them achieve their financial goals. Let them know what your plans are and find out what their financial business goals are for the coming year. This way you can use the synergy from all your goals to propel yourselves forward.

If you don’t belong to a local Leads club or networking club — join one now. Start to get involved in the club and even volunteer for a leadership position. Networking is one of the best ways I know to increase your business and people that actively give referrals to other members will get referrals in return.

Even though you are still part-time — treat your business as if it were a full-time business. Focus as much time as you can on your business and don’t get involved with any extra outside activities that would interfere with your business goals.

Linda Locke
http://www.mlmtalk.com

If you think that New Year’s resolutions are just a waste of time, here’s 5 resolutions from Suzanne Falter-Barns’ Blast O’ Joy blog that might change your mind this year. Here’s an excerpt:

Five Good New Year’s Resolutions

The New Year is about new beginnings. So let’s make 2006 the year you start “getting a life,” not merely “making a living.”

Have you been waiting for the right time to get to work on your dream? That would be right now … and with the New Year upon us, you’ll have some momentum to keep going.

1. Carve out regular time slots for your dream, and get to work. If you’re a morning person, get up an hour earlier and create as the sun rises. If you’re a night owl, stay up late to get it done. Either way, give yourself a regular shot of at least thirty minutes per day (an hour is better) five times per week.
Read more here.

Linda Locke
Editor, MLMTalk Blog
http://www.mlmtalk.com

Here’s a interesting post from Wanda Loskot’s Attraction Marketing blog about what makes people decide to buy.

According to recent studies, here are the most important factors in the decision making of today’s buyers:

1. Level of Trust in the Salesperson - 87%

2. Level of Respect for the Salesperson: 82%

3. Reputation of the Company or Product: 76%

4. Features of the Product or Service: 71%

5. Quality and Service: 58%

6. Price: 16%

7. Like the Salesperson: 3%

Linda Locke
http://www.mlmtalk.com
Online Profits at the Speed of Light

by Wendy Weiss

One of my new favorite books to recommend to coaching clients is “The Feeling Good Handbook” by David D. Burns, M.D. This is a book about depression. The subtitle reads: “Overcome depression, conquer anxiety, enjoy greater intimacy.”

So why am I recommending a book about depression to my clients? This book is about a type of treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy. The word “cognition” means “thought” and this book is a common sense look at changing the way people think and thus changing their behavior.

In “The Feeling Good Handbook” Dr. Burns lists “The Ten Forms of Twisted Thinking” that occur when people are depressed. These ten forms also exist when people are not depressed and they exist within many, many sales professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners. If you use any of these twisted forms (and most of us do in one way or another) it will negatively impact your sales. I am listing all 10 so that you can judge for yourself. The following list of “Twisted Thinking” is paraphrased from “The Feeling Good Handbook” by David D. Burns, M.D.

1. All-or-nothing thinking

Everything is black or white. If a situation falls short of perfect, then it’s a total failure. An example of all-or-nothing thinking is dieters who have one cookie and then proceed to eat the entire bag since they’ve already blown their diet. Another example would be sales people who because they do not have the time to make 100 calls in a day make no calls.

2. Overgeneralization

Seeing a single negative event as a never-ending pattern of defeat. People who overgeneralize use words such as “always” or “never.” “Cold calling never works for me.” “Prospects always reject me.”

3. Mental filter

Picking out a single negative detail and dwelling on it to the exclusion of everything else. An example: You receive many compliments from your associates about your presentation. If, however, you receive even one mildly critical comment you obsess about it and forget about all of the positive comments.

4. Discounting the positive

You reject positive experiences by insisting they “don’t count.” If you do a good job, you may tell yourself that it wasn’t good enough or that anyone could have done as well.

5. Jumping to conclusions

You interpret things negatively when there are no facts to support your conclusion. There are two categories here:

**Mind reading: You arbitrarily conclude that someone is reacting negatively to you with no evidence to back that up. You arbitrarily conclude that a prospect does not want to speak with you with no evidence to back that up.

**Fortune telling: You predict that things will turn out badly. Before a prospecting call you tell yourself, “They’re not interested.” “I’m bothering them.” “They’ll probably say ‘no.’”

6. Magnification

You exaggerate the importance of your (or your company or product or service) problems and shortcomings. You also minimize the importance of your (or your company or product or service) desirable qualities.

7. Emotional reasoning

You assume that your negative emotions necessarily reflect the way things really are. “I am uncomfortable making cold calls” therefore “People do not like cold calls” therefore “Cold calling does not work.”

8. “Should” statements

You tell yourself that things should be the way you hoped or wanted them to be. “I should have made that sale.” “Musts,” “ought’s” and “have to’s” are similar offenders. Should statements that are directed against yourself lead to guilt and frustration. Should statements that are directed against other people also lead to anger and frustration. “My prospect should call me back.”

9. Labeling

Labeling is an extreme form of all-or-nothing thinking. You attach a negative label to yourself or to others. Example: You make a mistake and then say to yourself, “I’m a loser.”

Labeling is quite irrational because you are not the same as what you do. These labels lead to anger, anxiety, frustration, and low self-esteem.

You may also label others. When a prospect does not respond as you had hoped you may tell yourself, “He’s a jerk.” Then you feel that the problem is with that person’s character instead of with their thinking or behavior. This makes you feel hostile and leaves little room for constructive communication.

10. Personalization and blame

You hold yourself personally responsible for an event that isn’t entirely under your control. An appointment with a new prospect is cancelled because that prospect has left the company. You think, “If only I was better at prospecting, this wouldn’t happen.”

Some people do the opposite. They blame other people or their circumstances for their problems and they overlook ways that they might be contributing to the problem. Blame doesn’t usually work very well.

Do you see these forms of twisted thinking in yourself or others that you manage?

Dr. Burns gives terrific exercises that one can use to overcome these various forms of twisted thinking.

Copyright 2006, Wendy Weiss

About the Author
Wendy Weiss “The Queen of Cold Calling” Sales Training/Sales Coaching **Gain confidence, reach more prospects, close more sales and make more money. Visit http://www.wendyweiss.com today. E-mail wendy@wendyweiss.com for a complimentary consultation.

What Are the Key Factors for Financial Success in MLM?

1. Choosing a good long-term company to promote that offers products you love and use and feel good about recommending to others.

2. Being honest, patient, persistent, consistent, positive, full of integrity, truthful, supportive, and never - never giving up (you cannot fail if you don’t quit).

3. Promoting your business in a way that other people can duplicate — in other words — creating a system for success that your downline can follow.

4. Choosing a supportive and successful upline (the person who sponsored your sponsor and so on).

5. Choosing a good sponsor who offers continual training and support for their downline. Don’t be afraid to shop around and interview potential sponsors — it may mean the difference between success and failure for you.

6. Having the unconditional support (and hopefully help) from your spouse or partner.

7. Taking personal responsibility for your success. Remember the old adage - “If it’s to be it’s up to me!”

8. Making a commitment to improving your business skills and your attitude through constant study and training.

Linda Locke
Online Profits at the Speed of Light

If you’re like me and have started to set some resolutions for the new year to lose weight, exercise more, get out of debt, get rid of the dreaded clutter in your house, etc, etc… that pesky little voice is probably whispering in your ear right now, “That’s what you resolved last year too– what happened? And what makes you think you’ll do it this year?”

Well, here’s my answer to that: This year, I’m going to concentrate on becoming the person I need to be to achieve those goals. Instead of going on the latest fad diet or wishing that I was less stressed, I’m going to concentrate on being a healthy person who takes care of herself every day, and being a person who is prepared financially and emotionally to handle the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur.

The truth is that we are often waiting for someone or something outside of us to change, wishing “If only my boss would give me a raise I could buy a house or if only I had more time I could exercise more or be less stressed etc.” and using it as the excuse for why our lives don’t change from year to year.

I call this the Have, Do, Be method — If I had more money, I could do what I need to and pay off my debt, and then I’d be happy. The problem with this method is that you are waiting for something external to happen to you like winning the lottery or getting a surprise inheritance, and letting the course of your life to be set by wishes which may never come true.

Instead I suggest that this year you turn this around and start by making the changes within yourself first by using the Be, Do, Have method. Be the person you want to be and then you’ll do what you need to do to support that belief and you’ll have what you want in your life as a consequence. And you won’t have to rely on any one changing but yourself.

There are two books that I suggest you pick up to help you on the quest to become who you really want to be and to change the negative thought patterns that keep you from achieving your goals.

The first is The Speed Trap, How to Avoid the Frenzy of the Fast Lane by Joseph Bailey and the second, The Book of Mind Management by Dennis R. Deaton. Both are available from Amazon.com online.

Now, go out there this year and become the person you always thought you could be. You might be surprised about what you can achieve!

Linda Locke
Get your daily dose of inpiration at MLMTalk.com

By Michael Angier

Just as important as setting goals is tracking the goals we achieve.

Have you ever visited a teenage niece or nephew you hadn’t seen in a while? The changes in looks and height were quite noticeable, weren’t they? However, the progress wasn’t as apparent to them and their parents because it was gradual–or so it seemed.

The same things happen to us. We don’t always see the progress we’re making because we’re too close to it. We’re so busy focusing on what we want and what we haven’t yet achieved, we rarely take time to acknowledge ourselves and APPRECIATE what we have.

And when we really appreciate what we have, we find that we have more and more to appreciate.

I find that using a Win List is a good way to remind myself of my progress–and keep me more mindful of what I’m achieving.

It’s just a document in my word processor that I add to often. It’s titled ‘Wins & Events: Good News, Good Decisions, Breakthroughs, Wins and Significant Events.’

Every few days, I update it with things that have happened, breakthroughs, goals achieved, events that impact my life and the many blessings that come my way. Each line has the month (and often the exact date) of the event noted. One line is enough for me to capture the occurrence.

My ‘Win List’ creates a ‘chronofile’ of my life. And it keeps me focused on what’s working. It helps to remind me of how far I’ve come. Reviewing it is a quick pick-me-up–a real confidence booster. It’s also a handy reference as to when and what happened — especially since I’m not always very consistent with my personal journal.

It’s easy to do. It only takes a few moments. And it helps me to be more appreciative. Almost all of the people to whom I’ve recommended this have reported similar positive results.

If you try it, I know you’ll find it helpful–and even fun.

About the Author
Copyright Michael Angier. SuccessNet.org and WorldClassBusiness.com help you and your business grow. Get their free report, 10 Pillars of a World Class Business, by sending an email to wcb@SuccessNet.org No-cost subscriptions, memberships, eCourses, eBooks and more are available at http://SuccessNet.org and InfoPlease@SuccessNet.org

by Suzanne Falter-Barns
www.howmuchjoy.com

There was once a time (and there still is, to a certain degree) when I would say ‘Yes’ to every opportunity, request, suggestion, good idea, and even mediocre idea that came my way. And let me tell you, it was exhausting.

It was like I had this automatic, knee-jerk reaction to accommodate any suggestion that came my way - as if it were my karmic duty. I call this auto-response being a ‘yes-dog’. Perhaps you know the feeling.

When you’re a yes-dog, your entire being is all about making other people happy; you knock yourself out doing it. No task is too small - you figure you’ve always got room in your psyche, your schedule or your soul to squeeze in one more thing that someone wants to fit in. God forbid you should say no … for then that someone would be unhappy. Which would be unthinkable.

Like a lot of creative people, I’m naturally empathetic - so I could literally feel other people’s pain… an experience I simply wanted to avoid as much as possible. For many years, I thought it was up to me to please the rest of the world. I literally thought it was my job to be a ‘yes-dog’.

These days, I’m taking a much more circumspect view. I’ve come to the realization that I simply can’t live my soul purpose AND make the rest of the world happy all the time.

And I realize that being a yes-dog doesn’t always make the rest of the world happy - even in my little corner. The more well known I get, and the wider my reach, the more I can see it. There is always someone, somewhere, who has a problem with what I’m doing. And therein lay the breakthrough.

I’m no longer uncomfortable with other people’s pain. I mean, it’s not like I relish it; but I don’t run to avoid it. I’ve come to realize we all have a path, and a learning process we’re going through. This means my entire job is nothing more than to be authentic, listen to my gut, and act accordingly. Not only will I not make everyone happy … I can’t!

If someone is upset by this, it’s no longer a big problem. Rather, it’s simply the way their path is rubbing up against my path; it’s part of life, growth, and karma. So I have nothing to fear.

My friend Joan Sotkin has a saying, ‘I don’t always have to be the one who’s uncomfortable here’. Amen! Since I’ve given up being a yes-dog, and let go of the need to be ‘the one who’s always uncomfortable’, great things have begun to stream my way. My reach, my income, my productivity and my impact in the world have gone up in quantum leaps.

Best of all, I’ve relaxed as I go about my business. ‘No’ is not scary - it’s empowering. And ironically enough, the world has not turned on me in anger and resentment … it’s actually stepped right up to my door and truly embraced what I’m doing.

Are you a yes-dog? Take my handy quiz below to assess where you are. And may I suggest a step away from that easy little word, to one that can be equally empowering: “No”.

The Are You a ‘Yes-Dog’? Questionnaire

1. Do you find it hard to say no to your children, even when they’re making unreasonable demands.

a) Always
b) Occasionally
c) Rarely
d) Never

2. Do you long to be able to tell your boss exactly what you think … but you just can’t?

a) Always
b) Occasionally
c) Rarely
d) Never

3. Do you find it impossible to deny yourself ‘forbidden’ pleasures - i.e. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream when you’re dieting - even if you’ve made a decision not to indulge?

a) Always
b) Occasionally
c) Rarely
d) Never

4. Do your friends tell you that you’re a pushover, and advise you to stand firm?

a) Always
b) Occasionally
c) Rarely
d) Never

5. Do you get a queasy feeling in your gut when someone asks you to do something that’s just not a good fit for you … and then inevitably cave in despite your feelings?

a) Always
b) Occasionally
c) Rarely
d) Never

6. Are you uncomfortable asking for more money or more responsibility around your work?

a) Always
b) Occasionally
c) Rarely
d) Never

7. Are you always the person who volunteers even when you don’t want to?

a) Always
b) Occasionally
c) Rarely
d) Never

8. Are there things you long to do in life, but you simply can’t find the time or the courage to get to them?

a) Always
b) Occasionally
c) Rarely
d) Never

Rate your answers:

For every a) give yourself 10 points. For every b) give yourself 7 points. For every c) give yourself 4 points. For every d) give yourself 1 point.

If your score is 60-80, you’re probably saying ‘Yes’ WAY more often than you want to. Consider getting some coaching on how to say no from a good friend, life coach or partner.

If your score is 40-60, your ability to say ‘No’ willingly is spotty … try pausing and counting silently to five before you answer.

If your score is 20-40, you’ve got most situations pretty well in hand. Try saying ‘No’ just a little more often and see what happens.

If your score is 0-20, you’re doing great! Your ability to monitor when to say ‘Yes’ and when to say ‘No’ is truly inspiring.

©2005 Suzanne Falter-Barns LLC.

For information on how to find the time, energy, money to live your purpose in life, check out Suzanne’s free ezine, The Joy Letter. Sign up at http://www.howmuchjoy.com/joyletter.html and receive our valuable report, 35 Guaranteed Time Savers. And get a daily blast of joyful tips from the Blast o’ Joy blog at http://selfhelpsalon.typepad.com/blast_o_joy/

By Michael Angier

Success is simple. Just be clear about what you want and go after it. That and a few million details and you’ve got it made.

Let’s assume that you already know what you want in your life and what it would take to make you feel successful.

But how do you make that happen?

It takes a clear and impassioned focus on your dreams and constant and diligent attention to what you do, how you do it and ways in which you can do it better. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

It is, but it’s not easy.

I remember a conversation I had with a friend awhile back about reaching a financial goal. I was undecided about which of many projects I should focus on–which one should get my limited time and energies. He looked at me very calmly and said, “Follow the money.”

I thought, “Gosh, that’s good advice.”

It made total sense. It was a goal that involved finances, so why not go for the projects that produced the most bucks. It was simple. It was right on. And I wasn’t seeing it because I’d lost my perspective. I was too involved in busyness instead of paying attention to business. I was caught up in the thick of thin things.

It’s not uncommon. It’s easy to confuse activity with accomplishment. Unless we’re really paying attention, we can be very busy doing the wrong things. As we dig our hole deeper and wider, we often find out later that we’ve been digging in the wrong place.

What was right yesterday, what worked last year, what was innovative a month ago may very well be obsolete today. If you can’t pick your head up and survey the landscape once in awhile, you’re going to get beaten by a competitor who does.

Our most valuable commodities are time, energy and knowledge. How we apply these is critical to our success.

Make a list of everything you do and what your intended results are from those efforts. You’ll find the 80/20 Rule alive and well. About twenty percent of your efforts will be producing eighty percent of your positive results. Look for ways to reduce or eliminate the other eighty percent and do more of the twenty.

Some things we do produce no results at all. We just keep doing them because we’ve always done them and didn’t really question their usefulness.

Question everything! If you had to justify your investment of time and energy to a boss or a board of directors, could you? Are you sure?

You wouldn’t invest money unless it was giving you a return.Why should your time and energy be any different?

Persistence is a great virtue, but it must be balanced with the ability to see a better plan and put it into action. Learn to cut your losses.

We’re not entering the Information Age, we’re already in it. It’s not enough to work hard. We have to work SMART. Being a good steward means making good use of the talents and resources we’ve been given. It requires thinking. It requires close attention.

It’s up to us–and only us–to be consistently analyzing our actions and the results they produce. Do it, dump it or change it.

Do what works and stop doing what doesn’t.

Copyright Michael Angier & Success Networks.

Success Net’s mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best–personally and professionally. Get their free report Keys to Personal Effectiveness by sending an email to keys@SuccessNet.org No-cost subscriptions, memberships, eCourses, eBooks and SuccessMark Cards are available at http://SuccessNet.org email: InfoPlease@SuccessNet.org

Is it tough for you to ask for help in your business? How supportable are you really? Take this quick quiz at Suzanne Falter-Barns’ Blast O’ Joy blog and find out.

Linda Locke
http://www.mlmtalk.com