There are a lot of ways to skin a cat. Even though somebody else takes a totally different approach from yours, it may well be just as effective … or moreso. You certainly want to encourage that.

On the other hand, it may not work at all. THEN what do you do? It’s important to get them going on the right track, but you can’t publicly embarrass them or put them down. That discourages them. So you must be able to see the situation through the other person’s eyes. You want them to see you as a coach they can learn from. Talk about what they are doing right, as well as what improvements they can make.

You’ve got to do 2 things at the same time - move the person off their “failure-path” AND build them up, so they can feel the joy and the belief. If a person has no belief and confidence, it doesn’t much matter what path they are on. They aren’t going anywhere. So when you coach a person, you must walk that fine line of BOTH bolstering their confidence AND changing their direction. It’s not easy. But that’s why network marketing pays so well.

Your friends for life,

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
1-352-799-8779 Call anytime
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
Success In 10 Steps

And do you know what the height of this lunacy is? They … look at us … and think exactly the same thing!

Since they are so set in their crazy ways, maybe the smartest thing for us to do is to be a bit less bothered by their nuttiness.

One way to do this is to look beyond their behavior and into their soul. The vast majority of associates and prospects and family members aren’t being devious. They are just doing what they believe in. If you can look at the other person and see the innocence behind their behavior, then you can have compassion for them.

One area where others seem to often “go too far” is in their idea of how quickly we should be doing some pretty weird (probably unproductive) action, to help them in their MLM business. To them, it’s urgent. You, on the other hand, have 27 things on your list more urgent and more likely to produce good results. So just think of the frustration you feel when a project is urgent to you and you have to depend on someone else for the next step. That may make it easier to “feel their pain” and not be so bothered by their behavior.

We appreciate you!

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
1-352-799-8779  Call anytime
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
Success In 10 Steps

The logical extension of this thought is, whenever someone does some act that you don’t approve, train yourself to think of them with kindness. If you consider the situation to be truly serious, then advise them how you would handle it. And then let it go.

Nothing is - or needs to be - perfect. “Letting it go” is your best choice because you ultimately have no control over what any of your network marketing partners does. And, believe it or not, there’s always a fair chance you’ll learn something new and useful from how someone else handles a situation.

So observe, and try to understand why. And then either learn or let it go or both. Your MLM relationships always involve other people. You can count on regular annoyances. Long-term, they are meaningless … so don’t let it have any effect on your own productivity.

Your friends for life,

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
1-352-799-8779
Success In 10 Steps

I have driven to New York twice, to help team members when they were ready to move - one to Florida, the other to Kentucky. My son Matthew went with me and helped. I think you, as the leader of your group, need to be Example #1 of bonding and relationship-building. For your people to work well together and to really perform and prosper as a team, they need that example. When they see you walking the talk, how can they do any less?

Not too long ago, I drove 500 miles round-trip to cut down a tree for one of my team. The tree was dead, it was threatening their home, and I’ve cut down a lot of trees in my life. Linda and Matthew came with me. We made a day of it, cutting down the big old hickory tree and cutting it into pieces and hauling it all to their burn pile. We all felt great on that 250 mile ride back home. Do you think an act of kindness like that will create a long-lasting effect? I believe it does. A single act like that can set in motion a series of acts of kindness. Isn’t that a great legacy to give your team?

But trust me, you will get the return. Immediately, your life is filled with strong positive feelings and content. Who knows what future cycles of kindness you may have started? And last, but certainly not least - you have strengthened your network marketing relationships.

That’s definitely not a bad thing.

Your friends for life,

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
1-352-799-8779 Call anytime.
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
Success In 10 Steps

Oh, well.

It’s a simple fact of life, especially business life, but people still struggle with it. They don’t want anyone upset with them. Problem is, if nobody is upset with you, chances are you haven’t given anybody a reason to become a raving fan of yours, either. Being in the squishy middle is NOT the road to fame and fortune in network marketing.

Even our closest family members may have very different ideas from ours on how to evaluate life. It’s hard to accept this fact … but you know it’s true. No one likes rejection or disapproval, but we get them anyway. The key to happiness and success is in how we react.

If a Presidential candidate wins 55% of the vote, they call it a landslide, a mandate. Yet 45% of the people wanted the other guy. That’s how life works. It’s OK. Be happy when they approve, but don’t worry when they don’t. If five and a half people out of ten approve of what you say or do, that would be an historic victory in a Presidential election. It’s a win, period. Take it.

What matters is your principles. Are they sound? Will they logically guide you to success, achievement, and happiness in network marketing and in life? If you answer “Yes,” then don’t worry about the inevitable disapproval. Just focus on and depend on your own inner direction.

Your friends for life.

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
1-352-799-8779 Call anytime.
Big MLM Lies

Some people can get really caught up in a “down” mood. In a good mood, you feel great. Your common sense is in charge, and you see life as it really as, and as good as you can make it become. Problems aren’t any big deal. Relationships are easy. You can handle anything.

But when we’re on the dark side of the moon, life is a lot tougher. We can really beat ourselves up. And we distrust others and take what they say very personally.

Here’s the craziest thing. When you are in that dark mood, it is 100% of the time going to change back to a good mood, even if you do NOTHING! And you can certainly help it along. Good books, good audiotapes, a good listener … all of these can help you with a fast turnaround.

We’ve all seen the swings in others, and we’ve seen them do some pretty weird things when they are in the “low” mood. And then a little later, we see them and everything is right with their world.

Since your mood is going to change back anyway, what is the point in getting all upset, feeling we live under a dark cloud, that our whole life has fallen apart in the last 45 minutes? Doesn’t that seem pretty ridiculous?

Anytime you’re feeling low, just recognize it as a mood. “This, too, shall pass.” Why let yourself get sucked into a downward spiral? Someone once wrote that people in bad moods tend to come up with permanent solutions to temporary problems. I’ve never heard it said better. YOU are in charge. YOU know the mood will pass. Whatever bad thoughts you have about your personal life or your MLM business at any time, they will soon be replaced by good ones, whether you do anything or not. And the good news is, you CAN do things to speed the process back to a positive state of mind. The more you take charge, the happier you will be, and the longer your “good” moods will last.

Your friends for life,

Michael and Linda Dlouhy
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
1-352-799-8779  Call anytime
Success In 10 Steps

This strategy is quick, simple, easy to do. It makes an impression on your market. But first, it makes an impression on you. You can’t help but have “gratitude” front and center in your heart when you are thanking people. The more gratitude you feel, the more inner peace you will feel. And that certainly puts you in the correct frame of mind for network marketing.

So write down some names. Then write down some categories - family, friends, mentors, team members, prospects, teachers, those you admire but have never met. That’s a start.

I think you’re best to not completely commercialize your gratitude. Sure, you want to thank those who could also help your MLM business in the future … but to get maximum benefit for your own attitude, spend just as much time thanking those who have no connection to your business and probably never will. It just puts you in the right frame of mind.

This is a good “to-do” to start your morning with, to get your mind off on the right foot of “gratitude” thinking. This also bolsters your attitude and makes it much more difficult for you to slip into negative thinking. When you don’t acknowledge the contribution others have made to your success & happiness, it’s a short step to thinking that you have no success & happiness. That declines rapidly into resentment and frustration. And obviously, it’s totally unproductive to go down THAT road, so let’s don’t.

This little exercise helps you start every day by focusing on what is good in your life. And when you think of that special person to thank, and you’re in the “gratitude” frame of mind, other faces will pop into your head. Add them to your list. Plus, you’ll start to think of other things you are grateful for.

How could a day that started like that EVER turn into anything but a great day?

Your friends for life,

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
1-352-799-8779  Call anytime
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
Success In 10 Steps

Just be sure people understand the main principles. Then they can innovate a bit and still get good results. You can’t be one of those “my way or the highway” people, because most of us come to network marketing to get away from that!

That said, it IS important the people follow correct principles. If they go totally off the path, aimlessly wandering the forest, they’ll get lost. When you see that, then you need to assert yourself, because it’s for their own good. Just be sure that the battle you choose to fight is 100% relevant to THEIR success.

Plans rarely go exactly as you would like. People never do things just the way you would. But your step-by-step method probably isn’t sacred. There are lots of ways to skin a cat. Don’t let minor differences in style become a source of unhappiness, frustration, or constant battles.

The crucial action for you is to be certain you understand the principles behind every plan. Your goal isn’t to have your prospect become you … it’s to have them bond with you and follow your lead to build a successful business. If you do something that causes them to feel isolated and pull away from you, then YOU are the one who is sabotaging the plan.

Again, it all goes back to the principles of promoting & building the MLM business. Know what those are, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Your friends for life,

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
1-352-799-8779  Call anytime
Success In 10 Steps

Now yes, it’s possible that some people are so self-absorbed in their own words that they don’t even notice you are paying zero attention. But most people aren’t totally tone-deaf. They can see the glazed-over look in your eyes. Just because you aren’t interrupting them doesn’t mean you are hearing and understanding their thoughts. They’d love to think that some actual communication was going on, but they know better. And they’re more than happy to return the favor.

Some “conversations” are reminiscent of teenagers showing off for each other. If I start talking the instant you stop, it shows that I’ve been preparing while you were talking. Have you ever sat in a crowded restaurant and just eavesdropped on the talking at the other tables? Try it. It’s pretty easy to hear that one person talks while the other thinks … and then they switch roles. No actual listening is occurring.

And that may not be the worst of it. Recall the last time you were waiting to get a word in edgewise. Can you feel the stress? Your energy is spent thinking through a response that will top the speaker’s comments. You could be listening to them, to pick out the value in what they say, maybe to learn some useful stuff, certainly to help build a relationship with that person. You’d feel no pressure. They’d feel safe, because there’s no competition going on.

Bottom line? Listening gives you a way better chance to build meaningful MLM relationships than talking does. Plus, you might learn something really valuable!

Your friends for life,

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
1-352-799-8779   Call anytime
Success In 10 Steps

To start, you’ll achieve a lot more when you focus on understanding others rather than getting them to understand you. For your communication ability to nourish you both personally and in business, you first have to understand and really hear others. Concentrate on understanding the message they want to get across, and you will understand what’s important to them.

Most of us spend our time struggling to get our own message across to others. Here’s the problem - they can hear all the effort you put into having them understand you, and they decide that you are just like everybody else. They’re looking for someone to listen to them. They want understanding. But all you want is for them to listen to you. Result? A big battle of egos. You may win that battle, but you’ll sure never build your network.

To paraphrase Zig Ziglar, “To have what you want in life, you just need to give enough other people what THEY want in life.”

What others really want is understanding. So give it to them. Really listen to them. Really understand. Soon enough, it will be returned. And your personal and MLM network will build effortlessly.

Your friends for life,

Michael & Linda Dlouhy
1-352-799-8779  Call anytime
“Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!”
Success In 10 Steps