TEN LESSONS FROM A SURVIVOR! (My First Year As A Network Marketer)

TEN LESSONS FROM A SURVIVOR!
My First Year As A Network Marketer
(©Lee Wise 2002)

I'm not on television. You won't find me
on an island voting someone else off. I
don't even want to be there!

But I am a survivor ... of sorts.

I have survived my first year in the network
marketing business. I've lived to tell the
story and I still enjoy it! I'm either nuts,
persistent ... or both!!

You can decide which of the above I am!
Either way, here are some of the lessons I
have learned during this year's journey.

**THE VALUE OF CONSISTENT EFFORT

Two Big Areas

One: consistent prospecting.
Two: consistent follow-up.

Need I say more?

**THE VALUE OF UNDERSTANDING THE REALITY
OF THE LEARNING CURVE

The Learning Curve Is Real.

You MUST pay the price of time and
effort to learn.

You're sunk if you don't!

Time. It Takes Time!

It just takes time to learn about marketing,
emails, autoresponders, advertising,
prospecting, follow-up, the product, how to
respond to questions, ways to influence your
downline, ideas for helping others, etc.

**THE VALUE OF RESEARCH

"Danger Ahead!"

The danger is too much time in the wrong
places. Spreading yourself too thin.
Not focusing. That's the danger.

"More Danger Ahead!"

I think there is another danger: sitting
and doing nothing. Just getting acquainted
with the industry takes time. I said it
above, and I'll say it again: you have to
pay the price of time!

The "Discipline of Self-Improvement."

By way of example ...

You may review the newsletters of
successful network marketers to see how
they communicate and format their ezines.
(So many spaces for each line for
instance! Get the idea?)

The "Discipline of Gathering Good Ideas."

This is the other side of the coin which
I mentioned above.

Ideas come in all shapes and sizes.
Maybe it's an idea for an ad, a way to
phrase something, how to respond to a
potential prospect, or just an idea to
keep yourself motivated!

It doesn't matter. You need them!
So get 'em, file 'em, and use 'em!

**THE VALUE OF "CONNECTING" WITH YOUR MOTIVATIONS

Why Am I Here?

Your motivations regarding why you want this
business to succeed. The "reasons" that drive
you.

I have had to review them many times this
past year! What's one of the main ones for
me? "Making it" during retirement. I'm 56.

Now *This* Is Me!

I like to help. So what do I find myself
doing? Right. Looking for ways to help both
myself and my downline.

I like "hands on" stuff. You guessed it: I
try to think of specific steps of action that
could, or should, be taken in any number of
things related to my business.

I enjoy creating. I saw a motivational mailing
and said to myself, "I can do that!" So I sat
down and created my own. "A Moment In Time."
You want it? Just write me, and I'll send it!

**THE VALUE OF ASKING FOR HELP

Ask All The Time!

I ask for help all the time. I get help
from my upline, folks I purchase material
from and friends I meet online.

A Tip!

When you can, return the favor. For instance,
Josh Hinds, who writes "Let's Talk Motivation"
has been helped me. I just recently sent
my downline his link. I have other people
who have helped me as well. Write me. I'll
give you their names and links!

It never hurts to be grateful.
Never!

**THE VALUE OF GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE

I Work With People -- Not A Product!

I just talked with a young mom going through
a divorce. She wanted to know more about
network marketing. Frankly, she can't join
my organization now but I told her to use me
for a resource anytime. If I don't know the
answer I'll try and get it for her!

I try to keep people in focus.

And that goes for my downline. It may sound
a bit strange to you but I've said to select
members of my downline many times that I'm
praying for them. And I do!

If I ever lose this focus -- even if I'm
a "success" -- I won't deserve the success
I may experience.

**THE REALITY OF DISCOURAGEMENT

It's Tough!

There just ain't no other word for it.

Expect it. Make the mental adjustments.
And go on.

**THE VALUE OF CREATING WAYS TO HAVE FUN

Is it fun for you to IM? Then get online!
Is it fun for you to talk? So talk!
Is it fun for you to write? Then write!

**THE VALUE OF "CAPTURING THE JOY" OF SUCCESS

Capture The Moments!

Whether it's enrolling someone, getting
some hits on the website, helping a downline
member, or any number of things: "capture"
some of the good times. Don't say, "Well,
it's just one. It should be ten!"

True. Ten would be better. However, one
is still important!

Let The "Highs" Move You On!

Sometimes I like to "use" high moments to
propel me to more action. "Okay, Lee. That
was neat. Now why not call while you feel
this way? You're up. Go for it!!"

**THE VALUE OF ALLOWING MYSELF TIME TO SUCCEED

I'm Not There Yet!

Honestly, am I where I want to be? No.
But I CAN see the value of network marketing.

"Seeing" The Potential!

I work at home. I like what I do.
As others join my downline they are working
for their benefit and mine. Checking your
email and finding that someone has just "come
aboard" in a downline means that "it's working."
There IS potential for growth. Real, solid
growth.

And you know what I've found? Understanding
that potential has kept me going at times.
I can "see" it.

Ten lessons from a first year "newbie." I hope they
will help you or someone you know!

The best of success to you and those you love,

Lee