The tortoise and the hare

Remember when you were in grade school and you heard about the tortoise and the hare – the hare always got off to a fast start way ahead of the turtle but the turtle just plodded along, one foot (or is it paw) in front of the other.  Most of us cheered for the turtle knowing that he was going to win in the end because he didn’t stop or give up.

Shaklee is a great business for us turtles.   All we have to do is put one foot in front of the other, week after week, month after month, and year after year – if we keep working, we can eventually build the business we want – BRICK BY BRICK.

Unfortunately, that kind of growth doesn’t often get recognized or applauded.  In fact, much of the recognition you will find when you log on to myshaklee.com, dial into conference calls or attend regional meetings today is focused on quick, short-term growth, such as 30-day Directors.  It takes more than one 180 party where 4 Weight Management packages are sold to be a solid Director – that is not going to produce stability in your business.  Also featured are leaders who are “new” to Shaklee but not  “new” to network marketing and earning over $100,000 in their first year in Shaklee – most of us can’t possibly compare our situation to theirs. 

Don’t get me wrong – I understand and value recognition in our business- it can be extremely motivating and is a demonstration to all of us what is possible. BUT! I have learned over our 43 years in Shaklee that just as often, too much recognition of the same people or of just the “hares’ can be a real discouragement to people.    

Gary and I believe that every one of you in our group is a winner.  You saw the possibilities in Shaklee and made a decision to create your own business through your own efforts.  You invested maybe $5 or $50 and have been earning a bonus for perhaps a year or even 40 years.  Just think, you’ve created something where there was nothing. That’s pretty great.  Most of you have had to push yourselves to do things that made you uncomfortable in order to accomplish your goals.  You had to stretch and grow but you did it!  We hope that you’re proud of your accomplishment because we surely are.

Every month I enter data from our Bonus Statement into a database so I can track your growth.  When I see someone who has made a jump of just 300 to 500 PV more than average, I’m excited for you. Or, how about Terri Hofsommer who lives in northern Minnesota at the intersection of 2 county roads where there is a sparse population, who added two downline Directors last year and in October had her all time high OV last month.  And, Gary just got off the phone with a new Director, Barbara Niss, who is excited and having fun.  We feel blessed to have each of you in our downline and we rejoice in your successes, big and small.

So, please, when you see or hear of the great successes of the “hares” remember underneath their growth are a whole bunch of “turtles” who are building and growing to their own successes.   Let me say it again, be proud of your own accomplishments – we are!

Have Fun,

Faye Burke