It is an almost must to set aside a portion of your business-building budget for personal development. You might spend that in any number of ways from CDs, to books, to conferences, to dinner invitations with mentors. Why do you need all these things? It is continuing education. A CPA or a doctor or a teacher is required to earn a certain number of continuing education credits each year to renew their license. If network marketers want to be viewed as professionals, shouldn’t we do the same? The serious network marketer continually invests in their mindset, their posture and their people skills.
As part of my continuing education, I was given Jordan Adler’s book Beach Money by one of my mentors. The cover photo of Jordan Adler and his laptop on a tropical beach is enough to draw you into the book and I finished it in one sitting. I’d like to summarize for you the key teachings that I took away from the book. Make sure you don’t stop with this review, but rather put Beach Money on your continuing education list and share it with your downline when you finish.
Top 5 Lessons Learned from Beach Money
1.The Road to Success is Filled with Potholes.
From Beach Money: Jordan Adler failed or quit at 11 network marketing companies before becoming a legend in his current company.
What I took away: Victory was always inside of him. Success requires resolve and dedication. It takes time to aqcuire and master the skills of network marketing. The only way to acquire those skills is to keep going. After all, most entrepreneurs in ‘traditional’ business go out of business the first time. Nine out of 10 start-ups fail. Without a few ‘learning experiences’ behind them, many venture capitalists won’t even fund an entrepreneur. Facing, learning from, and moving past hardship is an essential trait in a leader.
2.Multi-Level Marketing is an Investment.
From Beach Money: If your life is yardstick, the time you spend building your multilevel marketing business is only a few inches.
What I took away: This comment made me thing about a single day in my life. The time I spend reading, listening to CDs, and talking to leaders in my lifetime is very much like the time I spend reading with my kids in any given day. It is a tiny percent of my full day, but it will have a lifelong impact and no one can ever take it away from me (or them). Education is always an investment (not a cost). Don’t fixate on the cost of that conference, the cost of that book or the cost of that training package and start thinking about how rapidly you can apply what you will learn to get the greatest return on your investment.
3.Don’t Just Build a List; Nurture Your List
From Beach Money: With some basic math, Jordan shows you that each business card in your rolodex is worth $100 – if you cherish it in that way. Your success it determined by two things…the size of your rolodex and the depth of your relationships with people in that rolodex.
What I took away: My husband summarizes this point best. He says, “It’s not about WHAT you know and it’s not about WHO you know. Instead, it’s about WHAT you know ABOUT WHO you know.” So true. Just knowing people is not enough. You have to know ABOUT them – their hobbies, motivation, dreams. If you’ve ever needed to ask for a favor and thought to yourself, “I can’t call that person because…”, start giving to that person, not just taking.
4.Go DO Something…Then Do It Better Next Time
From Beach Money: Jordan’s tip #9 is “Act and Adjust; Don’t Analyze.”
What I took away: As a former scientist, almost all on my early training taught me to analyze and study before taking action. Remember measure twice, cut once? If you have a similar tendancy, you must become aware of it so that you can activly manage it. Will you succeed the first time at everything you try? No. Perfection is not the goal. The goal is to always get better. Without a first action, there is nothing to improve upon. A classic example is generating Network Marketing Leads . You’ll be awful at first, but will improve quickly if you get started.
5.Be Grateful for the Pessimism from Friends and Family
From Beach Money: Jordan colorfully relates a Thanksgiving dinner that ended suddenly after a shouting match with his Father about his latest multi level marketing company.
What I took away: Family and friends mean well. They are trying to protect you and in the process don’t realize the harm they may do. I’m a parent. If my sons were involved in something I deemed shady, dishonest or a waste of time, I would try to steer them away from it. The more they persisted, the harder I would try to counter. This is human nature. Parents flock and hover to safeguard their young. So, the next time someone in your direct family criticizes your choice to engage in multi-level marketing, look at it through a different lens. See these comments as an expression of love. In return, express your appreciation for their love and concern. Try something simple like, “Thanks Mom, you are always looking out for me.” Then seek at an accomplished MLM coach to teach you the ropes.
More awesome info about Jordan Adler’s Beach Money and other top recommended MLM Training Tools Network Marketing Skills Training~MLM Downline Training Courses~MLM Training Courses~MLM Training Courses~} available through this link.