How to become financially independent? It all seemed so simple, the way the system was explained to me.

The system is called multi-level marketing, or network marketing. But it could be any kind of marketing or selling. In fact, it could apply to many types of work or careers.

Wealth can come faster when you duplicate your efforts through others. That could come through franchising, through hiring people to work for you, through setting up a sales force, through royalties.

About fifteen years ago, I learned a possible way to do so - through multi-level marketing. Why...I could reach financial independence within a year or two! Three at the most!

And then - FREE! Free to do what I wanted to do! No more money worries. And, as a writer, free to write what I wanted to instead of writing what others wanted.

What a dream! What freedom! What hope! Just recruit a dozen or so other people who also wanted financial freedom. And my income would grow to unbelievable heights.

After all, others had done it. Why not me?

So, I dreamed. And worked. And hoped.

One year later...two years...three years. Six years later, I was still hoping and dreaming. Those first six years were ones of struggle and discouragement and glimmers of success. But then,the dream started to become reality. The financial freedom started to form feet. Step by step. It started to happen! Glory!

But - it could not happen until a vital change occurred within me. A change that so many of us wait for, long for, search for.

A new company that is the key to our success?

A new idea in recruiting?

A sponsor who will help “make it happen”?

A “hot, new product”?

No - none of these “secrets” was the change that
had to happen to me.

Well then, perhaps a change in my thinking, since I’ve never been what is called a “positive thinker.” A change in my speaking so that everything I say is roses and champagne. A change from my logical, thoughtful approach to one of ENTHUSIASM and rah-rah blah-blah.

No - none of those was that electrifying change I needed.

THE CHANGE . . .

. . . happened slowly over a number of years. It happened as I dug into the reasons behind the success of many other network marketers, those who were earning over $100,000 a year. Some had reached over $1,000,000 a year!

To discover it, I often had to probe beyond the simple answers that others gave me. I’m sure you’ve heard many of those “answers” too.

“Just be enthusiastic! Enthusiasm wins every time!”

“Just talk to people every day and in every way!”

“You got to be in the right place at the right time!” (Try to arrange that sometime!)

“Associate with successful people!”

“Live and breathe your product and program!”

“Keep doing what works!”

“Be positive!”

‘BELIEVE!”

You recognize these as all pat answers that give no consideration to the many other principles needed for success.

On the other hand, some leaders will give you a comprehensive list of what you must do to reach success. You check out some of these lists - with 50, or 100, or more “Things You Must Do to Be Successful.” To follow those plans, you realize you must not only devote full time to your spare-time business, but you must also hire a full-time secretary.

So, what is the key to success - that simple, all-encompassing principle that organizes your plan, your time, and YOUR MIND?

Most network marketers, even some of the most successful, have not really thought through what they’ve done or should do. Rather, they’ve latched onto an incoherent mixture of snatches they’ve heard or read here and there. They’ve borrowed supposed success principles from others, who in turn borrowed from still others, and so forth. They’ve adopted the easy parts of the “Think and Grow Rich” principle and ignored the harder parts.

The “think and grow rich” mentality for many has become one of “think you’re thinking and growing rich.”

Too many people deceive themselves that they’re delving to the depths of “mind power” when in actuality all they’re doing is skimming the surface. So, they stumble through life, muttering the self-assuring phrases from people like Napoleon Hill and his book, Think and Grow Rich . . . or other speakers and writers who lull their followers into a false sense of easy achievement.

The point is this. We must test each principle in the laboratory of life and come to our own conclusions. Or, we must trust someone who has already tested those principles, and not merely quoted from other sources. Principles of truth do not merely arise out of “positive thinking” sayings but out of positive action.

The change within me that I spoke about earlier happened because I started questioning those oft-repeated platitudes of success. I found that often my interview subjects quoted those easy phrases. But as we dug deeper, there was much, much more. Their actual experiences often ran counter to generally quoted “success principles” that we’ve accepted so long without question.

For instance, take enthusiasm and self-belief. Very often we’re told how important these qualities are in achieving success. Some place them at the top of the list. Yes, these qualities are important. But actually, they are not primary qualities. They arise from something much deeper, something that is the “best-kept secret to multi-level success.”

A THOUGHTFUL QUESTION FOR YOU
What do you feel is the key to success in marketing? Don’t repeat something you’ve heard or others have told you. Give this question some prolonged and reflective thought. In fact, it would be good for you to write your answer here.

I feel that the key to success in marketing is
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________

Now, in the light of your answer, we can examine some of the supposed “secrets to success” that many people hold, especially marketers and entrepreneurs. We can start taking them apart, examining them under a clearer microscope, and then put them back together into some concepts that mean much more to us. So, don’t short yourself by skipping the above question. Work on it until your answer clearly expresses your present understanding.

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