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SORTING
If you asked me what the ONE most important skill would be in learning to grow a network marketing business business I would say simply "LEARN TO SORT".
Sorting is a talent that requires practice and working on your "listening skills". The words that come out of peoples mouths are not necessarily what they are "saying" or what you hear them saying.
Many times when you're talking to a potential partner, they will say things like "I don't have the time, or I don't have the money to build a business", when those are just surface answers and NOT the real objection.
Most times, if you delve deeper you will find it's almost NEVER EVER time or money that stops a person from joining you or building a business. It's most always lack of confidence or belief, or sometime lack of motivation.
WANNABE'S
Many people are what I call "wannabees". Oh they want their ship to come in, they want that better job, new home, new car or lifestyles of the rich and famous, but they are just not willing to do the things it takes to get them. They have a "lottery" mentality. They usually play the lottery as well, hoping for the magic ticket that will make them rich
WOUNDED EAGLES
Many also will tell you they "tried" before and got burned. They are wounded eagles, and they made bad choices, didn't do their homework first so have turned into skeptical crippled eagles. They may have much talent and if they can get over the emotional garbage and roller coaster they've been on, they could soar to great heights and become strong leaders, however, you must be extremely careful not to let them weigh you down with the problems of the world.
Unfortunately many of them still carry their scars of failure, from the past mistakes. IF they do not have the vision to see past them, and use them as a learning tool to become the be that they can be, they will never make it.
These are the ones that break my heart and also will yours. You can SEE the talent in them, yet they can't see it themselves. SO no matter how hard you want it to work for them, it won't unless they are willing to step up to the plate and do something about it. Learn not to let them drag you down.
TRYING
I do NOT believe in "trying". There simply is NO try!!!! There is DO or NOT DO.
For example, if you want to go to the store today. Do you TRY to go? or do you get in the car and go?
If you are going to make a phone call...do you TRY to do it, or do you pick up the phone, dial the number and do it.
ACTION IS THE KEY
Do not let ANYONE tell you they will TRY. In my book try means NO, and NEXT.
NEXT
Next it the GREATEST word in the world to you in building your business. Do not get bogged down with ANY one person. Learn to sort. Fill up your buddy lists, call lists and phone books with hundreds of people. Learn to listen and develop a talent for looking beyond what they say, but more so, what they DO.
Unfortunately, if you do not learn to SORT thru the surface objections,and get to know the real person beneath them, you will be spinning your wheels and getting discouraged and bogged downyourself.
GET TO KNOW YOUR FUTURE PARTNER
Before you EVER tell a person about your business, or opportunity, FIRST decide if they have a real true desire to make a change in their lives.
Get to know the PERSON first. Ask questions. Find out their WHY. That is 90% of building.
Do they have family? Are they in a dead end job? Do they have a job? Do they have a supportive spouse? Have they tried and failed before?
LEARN ABOUT PERSONALITY TYPES
What type personality are they? If you have not learned to peg a person by "type" , study the 4 personality types and learn which one is the predominate one. There are many classes, books and courses in this subject and it's quite fascinating to learn which you are. (If you've never done this and want to take a simple test let me know and will send a short version to you to give you an idea which you could be)
For example, some people are extremely analytical. They will analyze for months, and study every detail before making a decision. Others make snap decisions and move at lightning speed.
If you are talking to one that is a quick thinker, and go into immense detail, you will lose them in a heartbeat and they will be gone. So in learning to sort, also learn to identify personality types and you'll be lightning years ahead of the masses.
FILL YOUR PIPELINE
By that I mean, have plenty of prospects in various stages of looking at your business. Think of it like when you go out to water your plants.
You go to the hose, turn on the water, and wait a few seconds for the water to run through the hose and come out the other end. If you never turn on the hose to fill it up, no water comes out the end.
Same with looking for new business partners. You've got to fill up that pipeline with lots of "candidates" and then sort thru to see which ones are truly prospects not suspects.
To me, one of the FIRST Things I look for is a person that I can relate to or actually get along with. If you're talking to a person that is rude, or you just do not hit it off with, move on. I look at this as back in my days of Corporate America, I had no choice but to work with anyone they chose to hire and put in spots next to me, but here I do have a choice. This is my business and I get to pick partners that I would enjoy being around.
In the beginning sometimes, you are so anxious to find your FIRST partner that you will take anyone moving and breathing. Later as your business grows and begins to take on a life of it's own, you start to see that it is not something you want to drag people into. No matter how much you want this for those you care about, many times they have no vision and it won't work. Learn to sort carefully, share with everyone but be CHOOSY in who you select to be your partners. Make sure you pick people with goals, dreams and visions. Look for
people that are creative, people that have ideas and are not afraid to dream.
Look for doers, not talkers. Some people will talk forever, and yet never take action. I sometimes kid and call them FM's or "forever maybes".
Once in a great while someone that is in that category will surprise you, and join and blossom and turn into a star, but that's the exception rather than the rule.
Serious people, will truly take time, study what you have and make a decision. Some take longer than others, but they take action. Learn to recognize the difference between the curious and the serious. Serious folks will ask good questions, do their homework and make a decision.
So fill up your buddy list with LOTS of people you know and love and care about. Then work with the ones that are willing to buckle down and take action. Some may not be ready now, but a year or 2 from now, things change in their lives and they may come along. Just don't spend all your time waiting on anyone. Work with those for whom the time is right NOW. Always work in the present with those that see the big picture.
People can make MONEY or EXCUSES. They can choose to be a success or failure. You also have a choice yourself. YOU can chose to have the deadwood drag you down, OR you can chose to find the right ones, by going thru the numbers.
As they say cream rises to the top. Look for the cream and partner up with it and you'll be lightning years ahead.
I can't speak for ANYONE but myself, however, I truly believe you need to find people vision vision and passion.
The Bible says people without vision perish, and I truly believe that. You must find those with real vision.
I've been thru the tough ones, the ups and downs, the empty promises of may others, and found that the past failures have only made me stronger and more determined. IT's also been a blessing because my past it's given me a vision to realize and recognize this diamond in the rough that I've now found and I'm very grateful for hitting this one at the right point in time.
Everyone has to find the company or place right for them and then take the next step to sort.
Look for quality people and sort thru till your find the right ones and then partner up with them NEVER let anyone steal your dreams or stop you from reading them. Sort out the bad apples, and find the right ones and you'll by on your way to the top.
Save me a seat a the top if you get there first!
About The Author
Diane "AKA MLMBlonde" Walker is a professional network marketer
that has build her business using the power of the internet. She has
also developed MULTIPLE income streams and is committed to helping
others reach their dreams. http://mlmblonde.com
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