An inspiring CD

After yesterday's message a few people asked me what CD I listened to that was inspiring. The CD I listened to was by Jim Rohn who is probably the most effective teacher/speaker I have ever heard. The title of this CD is Building Your Network Marketing Business.

I have many excellent presentations of the Shaklee opportunity.  But this is without question in my opinion the very best I have heard. Jim Rohn was in the network marking business as that is how he got started in the business world. It is simple, extremely accurate in how he describes what actually happens and how to grow. I wish every person would have the opportunity to listen to Jim Rohn tell his story. By the way, I have heard Jim Rohn speak on several subjects over the years and this is the first time I heard him talk about the experience he had in this industry.

For those of you who understand that investing in yourself is part of personal growth, I strongly suggest you get this recording and listen to it several times.   Your understanding of what we do will be broadened greatly.

How to order:  

(1) Go to www.amazon.com  and write in search: Jim Rohn Network Marketing business.  You can order the CD or you can get a digital download to have on your computer and listen that way.

or

(2) Go to iTunes and purchase there - link is https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/building-your-network-marketing/id284231307

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Success is predictable and measurable if...

I want to follow up on yesterday's message about the book The Compound Effect.  While driving to our lake place yesterday I listened to a CD and was very inspired. I started thinking about those people who read some of these messages and truly would like to grow their business to levels they have not reached yet.  

Building a business and a future isn't always easy. I certainly recognize that.  But it is a simple business and there are principles to learn that if worked at make the building process very predictable. I want you to read the excerpts I have selected from the book and I would ask that you stop and think about what this is saying to you. 

"The Compound Effect is predictable and measurable - that's great news!   Isn't it comforting to know you only need to take a series of tiny steps, consistently, over time, to radically improve your life.  The most challenging aspect of the Compound Effect is that we have to keep working away for a while, consistently and efficiently, before we can begin to see the payoff."

At times when we're working and taking these tiny steps, it can seem like nothing is working. I know that for a fact because that is exactly what I have experienced many times over the years. I developed the attitude that every day can't be the best day of my life so just keep on doing the right things and good things will happen. The right things (or the tiny steps) are: be bold, keep talking to people, get appointments, tell the Shaklee story, follow up, and of course, stay positive even though things don't seem to be working as fast as we want them to work.

We have to be diligent with our efforts, keep learning and getting better every week. The only way to get better is by taking action. No one gets better just listening to conference calls or webinars week after week after week. You will see the payoff as long as you're out there trying and doing the right things. You will get better over time and that is the major point - over time are the key words in this message. 

Think about it.  Take action.  Over time you're going to get better and better and you and your business will grow.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

I attended a seminar about productivity in San Diego on September 29th with Darren Hardy doing the presenting.  Mr. Hardy is currently in charge of publishing Success magazine and also wrote the excellent book The Compound Effect, which I highly recommend.

"The Compound Effect is the principle of reaping huge rewards from a series of small, smart choices.....Most people get tripped up by the simplicity of the Compound Effect.  For instance, they quit after the eighth day of running because they're still overweight.  Or they stop practicing the piano after six months because they haven't mastered anything other than 'Chopsticks.' Or they stop making contributions to their IRA after a few years because they could use the cash.

What they don't realize is that these small, seemingly insignificant steps completed consistently over time will create a radical difference. 

Small, Smart Choices + Consistency + Time = Radical Difference"

The small steps in our business are talking to people about what Shaklee offers. What do you think could happen if you talked to two people a day in the name of Shaklee? What could happen if you were consistent at sponsoring people every week/month. What could happen if you promote the Shaklee annual conference to new people and took four new people every year to that conference? What could happen if you did regular meetings? What could happen if you got determined to build one to two new first level Directors every year for the next five years?  

Our commitment was to develop two new first levels a year.  I know many people think that's kind of slow.  But we did develop two per year for eight consecutive years. Our growth was slower than many others, but we were consistent with our thinking and our effort. We currently have 17 first level sales leaders who produce over 725,000 OV every month. Small, smart choices with our consistent effort paid off and it will for you as well.

Read the formula above again.  If you're wondering how to be more successful in this business, your answer is in that simple but powerful formula.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Is this opportunity vital to you?

The following is a short story and very strong example of when something is important enough for a individual or a group, how things can change.  Something is "vital" if it is viewed as necessary to live the quality of life we would choose to live.  This comes from the book Hearing God by Peter Lord. 

"Jamaica, where I was born and reared, was once a British colony and used the British monetary system of pounds, shillings, and pence. After Jamaica received its independence, the system was changed to dollars and cents. The new government faced an immediate dilemma, however, because a good percentage of the population was illiterate.

Officials wondered, "How are the people going to learn to change from the pound to the dollar system? Must we hold classes to teach them?" A wise man answered astutely, "It won't be necessary to have formal classes.  Money is vital to the people. So they will learn the new system quickly and learn it correctly." And so they did. The principle he expressed is true. People quickly learn what they consider vital to their lives."

Is the Dream Plan vital to you? How about learning how to prospect? Follow up? Are you in a situation where it is vital that you earn an extra $3000 a month?  $8000 a month? Is it vital for you to reach that higher level of achievement? Is it vital to you that you live a life without financial stress? Just think, a country made a major change of its monetary system and because of a simple principle its problem was solved because it would be vital to the people.

We have an opportunity. All opportunity means is that if people decide to take advantage of the opportunity it has the potential to change their lives. Yes, there will be challenges and setbacks to face.  Yes, it's not always easy. Yes, it will seem uncomfortable for a while but it will get easier as we develop the needed skills. Think about this over the weekend.  Talk about it with your spouse or upline or someone who would be an encouragement to you. Is a new future vital for you? If it is, you can learn to do whatever it takes.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

How to improve your earning potential

A couple days ago Cindy Jacobson sent me a article called How to Increase Your Earning Potential. Someone wrote in and outlined their financial problem...thus the title about earning potential. I thought it was worthwhile to send it to you - it's fundamental and certainly applies to us in our business. The following is what I lifted from the article:

I would advise you and your husband get on a five-year game plan to improve his earning potential. Sit down with him and let him know he can be anything he wants to be. Then help him decide what he wants to be in five years, what he wants to be making five years down the road, and the steps he is going to take educationally or in terms of training to achieve that goal.   Today's culture doesn't reward hard work alone. You have to engage the gray matter a little, and boost your brain power. You make more money when you plan to make more money.

Major points:

What do you want to be? 

How much do you want to earn five years from now?

The steps it will take - education or training to achieve the goal.

Engage your gray matter....THINK.

You make more money when you plan to make more money.

Does this remind you of a message you've read recently, or a meeting you've attended, or having the same thoughts about how can I boost my earning power? When I read this my immediate thought was that is exactly what it takes to be successful in our business. In all walks of life we have to make the same decisions of what our future will be like.   If you have that desire to make your future be more than it currently is, I suggest you might take some time to ask these same questions of yourself.   Why not do it today.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Credit: http://m.cbn.com/finance/dave-says-increase-your-earning-potential.aspx

Are you getting experience?

Most of us come into this business with little or no experience with the skills it takes to build this kind of a business.   Very simply, most of us have a lot to learn. In the beginning we do things we don't know how to do very well; that means we often hesitate and get nervous, which is normal.  

"Change is the end result of all true learning." - Leo Buscaglia

We learn by using the products, attending meetings, conference calls, and webinars, watching/listening to DVDs and CDs, attending the annual conference, reading e-mails, asking questions, and most importantly, by putting what we've learned into practice.   Taking action is the major key for true learning. The only way change happens or skills are developed is through experience. 

Most people crave information. They listen to calls and attend webinars weekly, maybe even 2 or 3 a week. They are learning, there is no question about that. But are things changing? Are appointments getting on a schedule?  Are presentations done every week? Is monthly PV going up? How about you? Are you earning more this month than 3 months ago?  All these things will happen as long as a person is learning and then applying what has been learned.  If we're out there just collecting information and not using that info or teaching it to others, what's the point?

It is important to have information and learn - education should be ongoing.  But the people who are growing themselves as well as their monthly volume and earning more are out there getting experience. After you do 5 or 10 presentations you're going to get better.  Practice, improve, progress, activities, confidence, fun all comes with experience. 

Think about it: are you just collecting information week after week, moth after month, or are you out there getting experience and making progress towards your goals?

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Let's make a difference

Yesterday in church I was moved by these words in a song:

Greater things are yet to come, and greater things are still to be done....

I guess I'll always be future-driven.  When I hear words like above they kind of get me into a frame of mind to think, "OK Gary, what's next? What greater things are still to be done by me?" I was a dreamer in the 5th grade and still am, so what's next for me?   

I believe we have many, many people in our downline who really want to grow their businesses. I wonder what we can do to encourage that to happen? One reason I started writing these daily messages a few years ago was to try to encourage and challenge people to reach out and work to their potential. It's been a challenge to write each day, but I believe part of our job is to encourage people to become what they are capable of becoming.

Faye and I are talking with Don & Pat Simecka, Sr. Master Coordinators, about doing something together that could have the potential to help people in our downlines to get inspired to move themselves to higher levels of achievement. It's fun to plan ahead to do something that could make a difference.

What are the next greater things to be done by you? Do you want to triple your monthly PV? Is there a specific rank you have always wanted to be at? What is it?   What challenge are you ready to accept for growing your business? Just think what could happen if multiples of people in the Shaklee field, people like you and me, would stop and think about doing more and start reaching for higher levels of achievement. I will tell you what would happen: explosion!   

Think about renewing your commitment to work harder and to set an example for other people. You will never regret it because it will renew your excitement and enthusiasm for your future.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Pitfalls and distractions are the enemy

I read the following yesterday in my daily devotional:

As you journey through your life, there are numerous pitfalls along the way. Many voices clamor for your attention, enticing you to go their way.

It struck me that we all face the same potential pitfalls to get us distracted from what we really want for our lives. I don't know about you, but I know that I have had many voices attempt to get me off track from where I wanted to go. I would have to say that I have been my own enemy at times because I have talked myself out of doing some things I knew I wanted to be doing, such as making calls, approaching someone, getting appointments, not following up because I didn't want to be pushy, negative thinking at times (especially in the early years), trying to get myself doing the right things...it goes on and on.

Distractions come from all directions in today's world - e-mails, texts, Facebook, Tweets, the mind wanders, interruptions,  a phone call. Probably a major skill in today's world is learning to control our attention and focus.  Just imagine for a moment how your business could explode just by learning to focus better and fight being distracted - and becoming more productive.

Try this...turn your phone off for one hour. No texts, no e-mails, no phone to answer, just focus for one hour on making calls or following up, or just making your plan for doing what you know moves your business and yourself forward. Why not do this for one week? Focus for one hour a day on moving your business forward. Think about it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

What is like oxygen for your soul?

An experiment was conducted years ago to measure people's capacity to endure pain.  Psychologists measured how long a barefooted person could stand in a bucket of ice water. They found one factor that made it possible for some to stand in the ice water twice as long as others. Can you guess what it was?  It was encouragement! When somebody was present giving support and encouragement, the sufferer was able to endure pain much longer. Encouragement is like oxygen to your soul; without it you die, but with it, you can overcome incredible obstacles.

Most who come into this business come into it without the skills it takes to make it work. We had much to learn and would be doing things we've never done before. That isn't always fun; in fact, it can be scary, but because we want what Shaklee offers as an opportunity,  we were willing to start to do those things we didn't know how to do.

Everyone needs encouragement. Everyone needs oxygen for their soul.  We all want to grow our business and create a future for ourselves and our families. I always felt encouraged after attending a meeting and hearing someone tell their story in just 3 to 5 minutes. That was a major way for me to get the encouragement I needed.....Meetings! I also get encouragement from reading books.  Another source for me has been hearing a good sermon at church. Some movies have inspired and encouraged me.   Many individuals have encouraged and inspired me just by who they are and what they have done.

So, for me it's meetings, books, music, church, movies and various individuals. Where do you get your encouragement?   How about the people on your team?   Do they have meetings to go to too hear someone tell their very simple but inspiring story? What are you currently reading?  I believe our job as leaders is to create an environment that encourages people. Think about it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Who sets the limits on what you can achieve?

The following is from a book titled Train Your Brain:

"The only limits we have are those limits which we put on ourselves."

When I read this last week the thing that came to my mind is what my hope was when I first saw the Shaklee opportunity over 40 years ago.  I feel I have to start there, at the beginning, so as I've said here before, basically I had 4 questions:  

1.  Is it true about the products?

2.  Is it true about the company?

3.  Is it true about the system...network marketing?

4.  Is it true that people are earning the kinds of income my sponsor talked about?

It took approximately 3 to 4 months for my belief to be really strong.  I asked questions, and attended meetings and that is where I learned the answer was "yes" to every question I had.

My big picture goal was this: if we could ever earn $3000 a month in this business it would be incredible.

That became my goal.  As time went on and we reached various levels of income I raised my expectations.

Once we got to $3000 a month, why not go for $6000 a month? Once we got to that level, I recalled a meeting I had attended where Al Hegerman held up a $10,000 check they had just received for the previous month's business, and my thought as I sat in the last row was, "If they could do that, so could we." So the goal became $10,000 a month. We continued to set new levels of achievement as we reached our goals.

Here is my point for today: I know that in order to be a Director it takes 2000 PV.  But please allow me to suggest that once you reach a new level, re-set your goals.  Don't sit at 2000 PV for weeks or months.  Why not 4000 PV? Why not 8000 PV? Why not earn $3000 a month, and when you make that, re-set to earn $6000 a month, etc.

All you have to do is the same things that got yourself to that first level of Director.  Stick with the fundamentals, keep it simple and reject complexity.  You followed a process to get to Director, now keep following that same process and I guarantee you will be consistent at making progress.  Remember the above quote....  "The only limits we have are those limits which we put on ourselves."

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's about possibilities - it's GrOw time!

I hope you had a great two weeks doing the things that you know will help to move yourself and your business to new levels of success. I did a lot of reading, took notes, and gave a lot of thought to our business and what we will be doing in the coming weeks and months. It's always fun and exciting to get ideas for making progress - "new thinking."

I understand failure because I've experienced it many, many times - I know you have as well. Failure isn't something to try to avoid; it's part of the process for progress. Failure always leads to success - I feel I have a healthy understanding of that fact, but what I don't understand is not trying. What happens with new thinking is that many of us are afraid of what might happen if we do try. 

Here is a principle I've learned: it's kind of a risk to think big and have that desire to get out there and give our best shot at making things happen. Thinking big means we have to reach out for new possibilities. I'm willing to bet that everyone reading this has at one point or another had new thinking about exciting possibilities for future business and personal growth. Are you willing to take step out and take some risks?

What challenges are you facing for this week? Write them out, then decide that no matter what, you're going to do your very best this week to step out and reach for those possibilities you want for yourself.

Make it happen. Don't allow distractions to get you off track. Have a terrific week.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's always a challenge

In a recent sermon I heard a pastor talk about being an inspired person.  He said that inspire means "to breathe new life."   That really struck a cord with me because what most of us need on a regular basis is new life, new thinking, new activity, or just to be out doing what it is we want to do. When a person does have new life and new thinking, things can get exciting.  

It's easier to accept challenges once we're inspired, and inspired people make things happen. We're all faced with challenges on a regular basis. Change comes when we accept those challenges, and it's vital to know what inspires us.  I know what inspires me: music, movies, books, ideas, there are even certain people I truly will go out of my way to be around because I always feel good after I talk with that person. 

Going to Shaklee meetings has also always been inspiring to me. Not every meeting, but I usually feel better when I leave a meeting than when I got there.  Maybe I heard the same thing for the 100th time, but I still listen and love to hear the success stories. Make sure you know what has potential to inspire you and to invest the time in reading or listening or attending those things that have potential to give you the new life.    Think about it.

This is the last message I will be sending out for a couple weeks.  Faye and I will be on a journey that will be very relaxing, fun, and inspiring for us.   I will be sending you the next message about October 15th.      Stay inspired....do what it takes.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke