Eliminating the Possibility of Encountering Negativity

If there is one thing we who are in direct sales absolutely despise--it's encountering that great big unavoidable, confidence-shattering, direct-hitting "NO"! I don't know what it is about that little two-letter word we have all heard hundred of times from our toddlers, but when it comes from another adult and is directed at our sweet, loveable, direct sales opportunity, we cringe, we take cover, we run, we quit the business!

It's only a "NO"--it is not a direct hit from an unidentified flying object!
It's only the truth today--it may change tomorrow!
It's only the response from someone who has limited information on what we really do--but we run for cover as if we are about to step in a mine-field of a long-deserted battleground.

So let's examine our chief avoidance weapon of defense--it's call prejudice! Oh, my--that is sinful, politically incorrect, abhorant to 21st century highly-educated individuals.

Well, maybe I spelled it wrong. May I should say it's called pre-judging! Doesn't sound quite so ugly and yet maybe it's worse.

Here is how it looks!

"Hmm. I better not call her. She's married to a doctor. She'd never be interested in this business (Guess what we have physician's wives in our business who are among the top income earners in the company!)

"Cross her off the list. She lives in a multi-million dollar home! (Guess what, we have Unit Directors in our business who live in multi-million dollar homes!)

"Cross her off the list. She lives in a high-crime neighborhood! (Did you ever consider she might like to get out of that high-crime neighborhood?)

"Well, I know she wouldn't be interested in the business. She must be 80! (Guess what, we have a Unit Director in our business who just celebrated her 80th birthday and is younger than some 50 year olds!)

Don't waste your time on her. She's only 18! (I remember hearing about the 18 year old who had just left her foster home and her direct sales business got her through those first few years alone--and gave her a direct sales family!)

"Hmm, I should not show her the top of the line product. It would probably strain her budget! (You might be surprised to discover that some millionaires do not reflect their net worth based on their home, car, or clothing!)

"I'll just tell her about the product. She would never be interested in the business. She's retired! (Guess what, we have retired people in our business who for the first time in their lives are getting recognition for a job well done!)

I won't invite her to hear about the business opportunity. Her husband makes too much money--she's too busy--she has tiny children--she has aged parents--she never wears make-up (skin care company)--she never cooks (kitchen ware company)--she never dresses up (clothing company)--she is too shy--she told me "no" a long time ago--she said she would never do a business like this--she intimidates me--she doesn't speak very good English--WHOA!!!!

If you continue to do what you've always done and make decisions about who would be a candidate for your business or your product, you could easily cross off every man, woman, and child on the planet--simply to avoid ever hearing the word "NO"!

Would that make you a success?

What Would Happen if You Were 10 Times More Courageous in 2008?

Recently I heard a speaker open his comments with this question. The first thing that came to my mind was that being ten times more courageous meant that I had to put myself in more vulnerable situations where I could fall flat on my face. Even though I can be pretty gutsy--ask my daughters--I wasn't sure that being 10 times more courageous sounded particularly comfortable for me. 

But then I began to consider the word courageous. I learned that it comes from the French meaning "heart." Hm, I guess that means courage has to come from the heart. That's okay I thought--but I still wasn't convinced I could embrace his question with action.

So I continued my word study only to discover the the word "courageous" in the ancient Hebrew means "alert." Now I could do that.

So let's rephrase the question. What if you were 10 times more alert in 2008?

Would you be more alert as a better listener to your family? Your customers? Your prospects?

Would you be more alert to listening to your heart's dreams?

Would you be more alert to opportunities where you could make a difference in your world?

Would you be more alert to how you could support your friends and family?

Would you be more alert__________________________________?

You fill in the blank. Then go forth and be 10 times more alert this year and see what happens.

For me personally, I am discovering a lot more opportunity than I knew existed. I am seeing walls come down and minds opening.

It is a good thing! Try it! Watch courage rise in your heart!

Money: The Lowest Form of Prosperity

When I was growing up as a preacher's kid, we did not have much money. However, my parents never indulged themselves in "pity-us-we're-so-poor talk." Some months my dad probably didn't have more than a couple dollars in his wallet--if that, but he would go around singing this old song, "I'm richer than a millionaire just because He cares."

I thought it was a pretty corny song and would roll my eyes, but I have since discovered that what my dad was teaching me was a prosperity world view in a world with a poverty mindset.

My dad understood that prosperity comes in a variety of forms.

Prosperity is sensing that you had better slow down to a crawl going around this corner on an icy mountain. Prosperity is getting around the corner and seeing that a semi had jack-knifed across the highway and you didn't hit it! (Spiritual Prosperity)

Prosperity is growing up in a home where my parents loved each other, where we had a large extended family that enjoyed holidays together, and where old friends gathered to share great stories about forty years ago! (Relational Prosperity)

Prosperity is working on repairing the car and you get stuck and can't figure out the problem so you decide to pray about it and you wake up in the morning with the answer! (Intellectual Prosperity)

Prosperity is leaving on a 5000 mile road trip with $5 in your pocket, no credit card and returning home with every need met and no debt! (Material Prosperity)

These are all stories I watched my parents live.

Yes, we never had much money--but we were richer than a millionaire! We enjoyed prosperity in four dimensions.

Your direct sales business provides an amazing vehicle in which to experience prosperity in four dimensions. Remember, it is not about how much money you are going to make. It is about how much value you are going to bring to everyone of your prospects, clients, customers and family members. In this business we are paid commensurate with the number of people we encourage, support, believe in, follow-up with, follow-through with, and are there for.

You, too, can be "Richer than a millionaire!"

Repeat This Statement Before Every Phone Call

Rabbi Lapin writes in his book, Thou Shall Prosper, "...the more opportunities people have to interact and to convey information to one another, the more wealth is created for every participant."

So often in Direct Sales a consultant fears calling a prospect because she does not want to appear pushy or sales-y. Selling often has a bad connotation and she does not want to be the agent that pushes the buyer into buying.

NEW MINDSET OPPORTUNITY!

What if every time you call that new prospect you read the Rabbi's statement aloud before you make that phone call? Remember this is an information distribution business. That means every time I pass along some information about my product or this industry I am sharing wealth with my friend. When I chat with her over a cup of Starbucks, I am also listening to her perspective. She will give me information that I may not have considered before that may adjust my approach or help me to be a better listener. She may even refer me to a friend who needs exactly what I have to offer. She may direct me to a magazine article that gives additional information.

If I go into every human interaction from the perspective that I am bringing information that will help another human being create wealth--am I not bringing value every where I go.

I am reminded of a quote I found in my Aunt Charlotte's Bible after her death. It was penned originally on April 5, 1885 by Miss Bella Hults, the mother of my aunt's friend. It says, "Act so that every one whom you meet in your daily life will be happier for having met you."

Meetings Mean Money

I absolutely love Rabbi Lapin's book Thou Shall Prosper. On Friday during our conference call I again mentioned that Meetings Mean Money. I am not eloquent but the good Rabbi is so I will quote him.

"...the more opportunities people have to interact and to convey information to one another, the more wealth is created for every participant." (p. 69)

Tom Barrett in his book, Dare to Dream and Work to Win, says that direct sales is not a selling business but a teaching business. It is not a product distribution business but an information distribution business.

Looking at it that way--each time people come together to convey information to one another--each participant is poised to create more wealth.

Bring people together in your direct sales business and "more wealth is created for every participant."

Wealth--"an abundance of valuable possessions or money. The state of being rich; material prosperity."

Wow! Every time you have lunch with a couple consultants and prospects, every hostess party, business opportunity meeting, convention, or spa day is an opportunity for "every participant" to create more wealth!

Sounds to me like it is selfish to stay home by myself when I could be out helping every participant create more wealth! I'll get my coat and join you at Starbucks! The latte is on me.

More from Rabbi Lapin on Prospering

The good Rabbi, in his book, Thou Shall Prosper, talks a bit about how our modern media and education consider business to be immoral.

Interestingly, in the Jewish tradition, redemption and wealth are linked! Hmmm. That would mean that morality and prosperity would be linked.

He also notes that poverty and death are linked! Hmmm.

Which do you prefer?

King Solomon wrote "The crown of the wise is their________________."

What would be a crown for wise people?
Poverty? Death?
I hardly think so.
Try putting "wealth" in that blank.

I think it is time to re-think what I have thought! How about you?

"If you have a dollar in your hand and you didn't steal it..."

I am currently reading Thou Shall Prosper; Ten Commandments for Making Money, by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, and Transformations, by Ed Silvoso. One is from the Jewish perspective, one is from the Christian perspective. Both discuss how honorable it is to be in business and be profitable!

One of the biggest problems for people in direct sales is that they feel guilty about being in business and bugging their friends! 

I contemplated this concern and then considered a $100,000 river of revenue flowing through my business. This is honorable revenue. Nobody is harassing anybody to spend money they don't have on products they don't need!  So people must be ordering these products on their own volition because NOEVIR PRODUCTS SOLVE PROBLEMS!

I can think of multiple stories from people whose lives have been dramatically improved because of this business and these products!

But what about the people who will never hear about Noevir because I don't want to be pushy? What about the people who will continue to struggle with sore, painful skin, sore joints, achy backs, asthma and fibromyalgia, arthritis and eczema, falling out hair, rough skin--because I'm too embarrassed to share? What about the people who will continue to work under hardships or struggle financially because I am afraid to offer the financial opportunities?

It's a good question to ponder.  As the Rabbi says, "If you have a dollar in your hand and you didn't steal it, then you must have provided a benefit to someone." When Noevir deposits my bonus check in the bank--and, it is sizable--then I must have benefitted quite a few people! Noevir doesn't pay bonus checks just for good skin!