Losing Focus Will Destroy Your Momentum and Business

Hi! Well it's been a while since I've posted on here. Why? Well, to be honest, I had lost my focus for a while. In this post I'm going to tell you about how I lost my focus and what I have done to regain it.

So many network marketers make the mistake of looking for the perfect business.  The one business out there with the best compensation plan, best products, easy to market, etc.  The truth is... there is NO perfect business.  I have learned this through experience. Here's a short history of my businesses that I have joined and failed.  My network marketing experiences consist of Avon, Mary Kay, Arbonne, Vitamark, and OneX.  These have been within a 3 year period.  The reason I didn't achieve success wasn't because they aren't great companies... it was me. 

In the beginning (Avon and Mary Kay) I had no clue how to market online.  When I joined Arbonne I started to learning marketing.  But I didn't realize how much actual work it really takes. Therefore, I quit.

Being a stay at home mom I knew I had to do something to supplement our family income. So I started searching online again. I found Mentoring For Free and Vitamark.  Great system! I was actually for the first time generating online leads and learning how to get my name noticed. But I still wasn't moving product and bringing in an income.

I began looking for a marketing system. Something I could use to learn how to market and make some money at the same time. I was still in Vitamark but wanted to REALLY learn how to market online.  I was on Facebook making the mistake of posting my opportunity on friend's walls and pitching my opportunity in a private message.

April Marie Tucker (now my mentor) brought this to my attention in a reply to one of my private messages. She was actually quite blunt and at the time I thought rude. But it raised my curiosity. So I started checking out her blog and what she was successful at and how she was doing it. I filled out a form on her website (www.aprilmarietucker.com) for a blueprint on how to succeed.  That's when I was introduced to MyLeadSystemPro. 

WOW, I learned so much.  And there was 19 different strings of income available!  I dove right in and in a short time had over 100 leads and made April's "Team Member of the Month."  Then, due to lack of consistency with my marketing the leads stopped as did the sign ups and sales. So... I decided apparently this isn't for me.  Now what?

Well, another partner of mine, Amber Jones, told me about a new opportunity due to launch in a month but you could start building your team now.  And it's only $5!  I said awesome I'm in!  This is OneX. It's an awesome feeder program and a way to make some extra cash.  I have 45 in my direct downline and it's still growing. But I recently noticed even with learning safe list marketing it had slowed down a bit.

I spent some time recently thinking about all the opportunities I've been involved in and thought about what helped me the most.  MyLeadSystemPro taught me how to brand myself online.  I had forgot the fact the people join people, not companies. I needed to get my name out there again.  So I have recently rejoined the best lead generation, affiliate marketing, and coaching program that I have found and I have regained my focus and found a new energy toward my business.

If you want to avoid losing momentum and being the network marketing "grasshopper" like I have done here's some tips on what not to do...

1.  DON'T try to find the perfect business
2.  DON'T get discouraged if you're not generating lots of money within 6 months
3.  DON'T spam! In emails, facebook, or otherwise

If you want to achieve success on the Internet... here's what you should do...

1. DO find a company and product that interests you
2. DO follow your mentor's advice and tips
3. DO set realistic goals
4. DO build relationships with people in a tactful way and offer value
5. DO learn how to do all of this and more with My Lead System Pro

With that said... I wish you all the best in your networking marketing adventures! Please feel free to leave a comment or contact me if you'd like a free coaching session!

Committed To Your Success,
Margaret Wilson

Professional Network Marketer vs. Hobbyist

People become involved in Network Marketing for many different reasons.  Some people join an MLM because they have lost their job and are looking for income or they want to supplement the income they do have.  Others (like me) are a stay at home parent and needing to still bring income into the home. Income is not the only reason people decide to start a home based business.  Do you have dreams and desires? I do.  I look as network marketing as a vehicle to help me achieve those dreams.  With  all this said, ask yourself "Am I treating my business as a business or a hobby."  All hobbys are expensive, network marketing included.  Today I am going to give you some ways to determine if your business is a hobby or if you are pursuing it in the way you should to achieve your goals and dreams.

When a person has a hobby it is something that they more than likely do in their spare time.  Some people often switch their hobbys throughout the year due to seasons or preference.  In network marketing if you are constantly switching opportunities or looking for that "get rich quick scheme", working only "when you feel like it", or not doing what the average person is unwilling to do you are a hobbyist and more then likely will not succeed.  You have stick with the opportunity that you chose long enough for it to pay you back.  This business takes consistence, persistence, and courage.  You must be willing to fail and learn from your failures, move on, and don't get discouraged. 

If you desire to really succeed at network marketing you must have an effective marketing strategy.  If you do not possess this and take the time to learn the skills you will be wasting your time and money and more than like slip back into the trap of a hobbyist looking for that "get rick quick scheme." 

There is a lot to learn in the business of network marketing.  I compare it to going back to college, only this time you learn from colleagues not professors.  If you find that you are struggling and may be in the mindset of a hobbyist here are a few reasons why that may be happening.

1. You haven't taken the time to learn the skills needed to market your business.  I'm not saying spend your entire day attending webinars and reading. I do highly suggest you set aside 3-5 hours a week on personal development and training.

2. You are not as committed to your business as you could be.  Success in anything takes sacrifice. This may mean 2 nights a week your spouse may have to tuck the kids in bed because you have a webinar.  Or it may mean paying the entrance fee to a seminar which you know you will benefit from in the future.

3. You have no plan of action.  What is your daily work routine? What is the one thing you want to accomplish today, this week, this month, or this year?  These are very importance goal setting questions to ask yourself.

4. You are not using your support system.  There are tons of people in this industry and if you have a question or a problem most are more than willing to help you. The best support and marketing system I have found is My Lead System Pro.  The network marketers here truly care for each other.  We are not simply business partners ... we are friends. For more information on what this system has to offer please visit http://www.workwithmargaretwilson.com . I would love to help you overcome your struggles and travel the road to success with you.

If you start changing some of the points you can avoid the trap of becoming a hobbyist and start down the road to success. 

My Road To The Life Of Network Marketing And My Reason Why

"DON'T EVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING...NOT EVEN ME." (from the movie The Pursuit of Happiness)

When I first became involved with Network Marketing in January of 2010 I was just fired from my job in the nursing field (which I loved), pregnant with my 3rd son, and down on life.  I knew I needed to find a way to make money from home because daycare would be too expensive for 3 children.  So I found Network Marketing.  My mentors would always be asking "why" did you choose network marketing?  My reply was "I need to be able to stay home with my kids and make money."

I'm going to share with you my story on why this is no longer my reason for choosing networking marketing as a career.  I first need to give you a little background about me. So if you don't REALLY want to get to know me...stop reading now.  On the other hand if you want to know someone who grew up with everything a child could ask for, has lived with nothing, and is now realizing her purpose in life....read on. (This may get a little long, but is all needed to get my point across.)

I grew up an only child and spoiled.  My parents were fairly well to do but with good work ethic.  I grew up showing Arabian horses (not a cheap hobby).  At the age of 16 I was given a car and a $15,000 horse, had a nice house, parents that loved me.  After high school I went on to college...flunked out.  After coming home I began to hang with the wrong crowd of people and my parents gave some tough love and said "you want that lifestyle....go live it."  So I did and I learned "the grass isn't greener on the other side of that fence"!  Moved back home.  Got my life back on track..a little. That was at age 23.

Fast forward to age 24.  I was working in the nursing field, married to an abusive husband when I met my best friend and 2nd husband.  I divorced my first husband, lived in a friend's basement until me and my best friend could afford our own place.  During this time we got married and were able to get our own place in Des Moines Iowa only to learn we were living way above our means and got evicted.  We moved in with a relative of his, no jobs, my Ford Ranger Truck got repossessed, and I was pregnant.  This was the time of my life where I had nothing and had lost my sense of self.  I'm not sharing this for sympathy, just to give you an understanding of where I came from.

Fast forward to age 29.  We moved to a farm in Cedar Falls Iowa where I could pursue my dream career of training Arabian horses.  During this time we welcomed our second son in the world.  We lived there for 3 years until the good situation went bad and we decided to move closer to family.

We moved to Carroll Iowa where we live now.  Horses have always been a part of my family's life and I miss them horribly. I realized shortly after moving here I wasn't the only one missing the "farm life."  My 7 year old son was really down one day and I asked him what was wrong.  He said "I miss the farm."  As mentioned above I started network marketing in 2010, and after seeing my son's tears and hearing that one sentence I knew what my "why" was for network marketing.  It was to make enough money for us to live the "farm life" again.

This past weekend my "why" showed up right before my eyes, totally unexpected, and twice.  I was on my way to Wal-mart with my 7 year old and 2 year old, having a bad day, and really needing something to lift my spirits on this Easter weekend. Then, as I turned the corner there it was.  The Carroll County Saddle Club was giving pony rides.  My son's face immediately said "can we stop?" Of course, I did. It was my 2 year old's first ride. The smiles on their faces were priceless.  I have promised my son within the next 5 years we will have our own farm.  Then, today I was sitting outside with my kids thinking of yesterday's events. Just as I was thinking "Why I am a network marketer isn't about the money, it's about my children's happiness", a family riding horses came right down our street! Honest.  There we were again around what we want more than anything...the "farm life."

The reason I am a network marketer is no longer about the money that can be made.  It is SO MUCH MORE! It is about having the ability and the knowledge to help others achieve their dreams (not a million dollars) and what they REALLY want to experience in life.  It's also about having the ability to give my children whatever it is that makes them happy.  Sure it takes money to give them the things that make them happy, but it's no longer about how much money. Money doesn't buy happiness.  With my success in network marketing we will have the "farm life."  My BURNING DESIRE to succeed has turned into a bonfire after this past weekend.

With all this said, here is what I want you to think about.  Your reason "why" you are a network marketer is actually disguised behind the amount of money you desire.

This was a very personal post and I hope you enjoyed it.  If you are interested in learning more about network marketing, me, or my primary company please email me at margaret8302@gmail.com.  I look forward to your comments.

To Your Success,
Margaret Wilson