Dodging the Depression Torpedo

(The following information is taken from Your First Year in Network Marketing by Mark and Rene Yarnell.  I am providing you highlights in the next several blogs in hopes that you will be equipped to survive and thrive in your hardest year of your network marketing business – the first one.  Here are the highlights from Chapter 3.)

The depression torpedo is one of the most difficult challenges facing both the new and the seasoned network marketer.  Depression can come out of nowhere and sink a person quickly. 

A depressed person cannot survive in MLM.  So, it is essential to prepare our new associates by alerting them to the most common causes of depression.  An enthusiastic attitude must be maintained and be clearly evident to new prospects.  No one should prospect in a negative frame of mind, because contacts will perceive it and runaway. 

Common Causes of MLM Depression

It can be very depressing to have friends refuse to hear about our MLM business, or worse, not show up as promised to our business presentations.

When valued associates become apathetic, change MLM companies, or quit our MLM business, it can lead to depression.

Attrition is inevitable.  This can account for as much as a 75% dropout rate, and is a fundamental reality of MLM business building.  Knowing that this is inevitable can sometimes help soften the blow.  Successful network marketer, Ron Higgins, holds the following philosophy about attrition:

“The sooner someone quits who isn’t serious about the business, the sooner he knows with whom he need not waste a lot of time…. Let people do what they want to do with their business and not what you want them to do.  There’s a place for any and all levels of participation in this business….Work with the leaders.  And do whatever it takes to protect your mindset.  You must stay focused for this business to work.”

In order to avoid being hit with the depression torpedo, we must choose to focus on the positive people who are active in our business.  We must choose to view ‘No’s’ as one step closer to ‘Yes’s’.  When someone quits, we must choose to view it as a relief that we didn’t waste any more time and effort in them.  The cure from attrition is recruiting new coachable associates.

When You’re Down, Go Upline

When struck by the depression torpedo, we need to call our upline.  They are more experienced and have invested in us.  They will offer us encouragement and show us how to overcome the harder aspects of MLM. 

Never Convey a “Down” Attitude to Your Downline

Sharing a negative attitude with our downline can prove catastrophic to our business.  The Depression torpedo will launch at all of our downline members.  We should always be up when we talk with them.

A Case for Optimism

Depression can hit white collar professionals who join an MLM business and then encounter negative reactions from their peers.  These folks are used to respect, and rejection is often perceived as disrespect.  To be successful in MLM, professionals must be willing to use their reputations and credibility to their advantage.  They need to be provided with a clear vision of why MLM is a remarkable industry, how it will enable them to help others get out of the ‘rat race, and how it can lead many to a much more healthy lifestyle.  An optimistic outlook will help us overcome depressing events and succeed in MLM.  Why should we be optimistic:

• We have the only entrepreneurial home business with literally no downside.

• There is literally no ceiling or limits on our earnings.

• Time freedom is directly commensurate with wealth and prosperity. 

• There need not be any stress at all in MLM.  If you pay the price in the first few years, stress need no longer exist in your life.

The Four Year Plan vs. the Forty Year Plan

The Forty year plan is the best that people in traditional business can hope for.  Work for forty years and hope to have enough money to retire and enjoy life.  However, out of 100 people at age 65, 5 are still working, 36 are dead, 54 are dead broke, 4 are well off, and only 1 is wealthy. 

The Four year plan is when we work diligently for one MLM company for four years, build an income based on honest movement of products or services, and we’re set for life.

Controlling our Attitudes

We are solely responsible for our attitude; we choose how we react to the people and the circumstances of our lives.  Therefore, we must endeavor to maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude toward our MLM business and our associates.  Remember, enthusiasm is contagious. (The authors recommend taking a 6 month break from watching all news programs…that would send me into withdrawal.)

Create a Positive Environment from the Inside Out

Putting positive information into our brains is essential to success.  This can be done by reading uplifting books and articles, listening to inspiring messages, and practicing positive daily affirmations.  The moment you feel yourself spiraling downward, check your thoughts and choose to reset your mind on something positive, listen to music that brings your thoughts back to the positive, or verbally declare your positive affirmations.

Too frequently, people limit their goals by basing them on their present reality.  However, breaking out of those limits allows what seemed impossible to become possible.  Focus on the end result instead of just focusing on the ‘How.’ 

If you believe in the value of your goals, you will find the means of making them happen.  So, set big goals and then strive to meet them.  Don’t ever give up on your goals; rather, change your attitude.  When you focus on what’s coming, you will affect change.

Using Affirmations

Affirmations are trigger tools.  They are statements of belief, written and repeated as if they were already accomplished.  They are an effective weapon against the Depression Torpedo.  When affirmations are assimilated into our daily routine, creativity, positive decision making, and goal setting flow freely from our minds.  Here are some examples:

“I feel supported, working with a team of positive people who share my values.”

“I clearly communicate my business vision to others in such a way that they are inspired to join me and become part of it.”

“I am proud to be building an MLM dynasty as I recruit dozens of excited people who rapidly duplicate my success.”

Charles Swindoll stated that, “Life is 10 % what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”

Just Believe and Keep Going!

The key to survival is simply to not give up; the way to avoid despondency is to keep the faith!  Believe that you can duplicate the success of your mentors.  Keep watching winners.  Negative beliefs about ourselves are the only barriers to our success.  Failure cannot handle persistence; persistence always wins in the end!

Statistically speaking, an enormous percentage of people quit the business in their first year.  What’s even more interesting is that 95% of those people who remain in MLM for 10 years or longer reach the highest pay levels in their respective companies. 

Whatever you do, don’t quit!