Listen, Learn and Succeed

What a simple concept, listen, learn and succeed. It seems somewhat obvious but it is easier said than done. There may be some misconceptions about about how easily our lives can change if only we would listen. Listen to who? Why would I say this? Most people, even the most intelligent among us become married to a particular set of ideas and way of doing things regardless of how dated the information might be. I have a perfect example of this in my own life.



I've been involved in network marketing for about seven years and have seen the methodology of doing things stay the same and completely change simultaneously. When I started we were taught to make a list of everyone we knew and begin contacting them systematically. So then began one of the most painful journeys of my life. Not only the list but the dreaded three foot rule. What is that you ask? If someone was within three feet of you, you were obligated to share your life changing opportunity with them. This one rule became the bane of my existence. I felt like I couldn't go out to eat with my wife without interrupting someones dinner, movie or evening in general to tell them how the business changed my life. These method have definitely worked for some within the industry but did not for many many more.

The truth is, each person brings a different skill set to their own business along with varying resources and personal connections. This fact seems to be ignored altogether and never truly addressed for those poor saps that join and have no connections, no family, no resources and no idea what they are getting into. This is a business and no one tells you to take a good look at trends of successful brick and mortar businesses or online businesses. Fast forward to today and you will find that these same methods are still being taught by some of the gurus and motivators of the network marketing industry in their perspective fields. Why? Because all of these methods worked for them 10,15 even 20 years ago and they swear by it. This is done even with the explosion of true Internet marketing on the scene.


Now we have search engine optimization, blogs, video and interactive websites to sell our products and not a word about it. Google, Yahoo, MSN, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and Blogger.com are the present not the future of this industry. This is the direction that network marketing is headed but you will rarely hear it taught in any network marketing seminars or conferences. There are many leaders out there that still teach about writing a list of family members, friends, coworkers and just about anyone that you know while they have a blog, website and first page ranking on Google. I would never tell you to stop doing anything that is working for you but please step into the Web 2.0 world and incorporate it into your business. I know how it is when you get into a company and you submerge yourself in their philosophy. You've been taught to work their system, their way and don't deviate from it or you will fail. Please remember this, it is your business to push toward success or failure. Enlist any information available that will help your business succeed and don't listen to anyone that will tell you otherwise.

Next week I'll follow up this thinking with the art of learning.

Best Regards,

Steve Griffin