My Top 5 Tips For Going It Alone.
A lot of what he covers is totally relatable to the MLM/Network Marketing industry. So being inspired, as I was, I thought I would write my own take on this as I have been going it alone for many years and I have learned what works, but more importantly what I would change if I had my time over again. So here goes …
I must preface this list with a disclosure – I am utterly subjective about this. Clearly, going it alone is a very, very personal decision and many factors need to be considered extremely carefully. Like Lars mentions in his blog post, this is purely my interpretation of what I have discovered through experience. This is not a “how you can quit your job and work for yourself tomorrow” kind of list. That would just be reckless. I want you to read this as part of your ongoing research into when you are ready to make the step. I hope it helps.
1. Discipline.
This goes without saying. However, you can be financially ready as much as you like, but if you don’t have the discipline to work certain hours at certain times of the day and control your urge to do the dishes or do the washing or go out to lunch with your friends, you will lose all of your money overnight. Simple as that. Momentum is only created through consistency. And consistency is only created through discipline. Jim Rohn has some awesome philosophies about this and I encourage you to read up more on them (www.jimrohn.com)
2. Networking.
Recently I wrote a blog post about the “Rise and Rise Of Meet Up Groups”. Isn’t it funny how about 10 years ago, we were too afraid to leave our front doors and yet now we just cannot wait to get to the next Meet Up Group? I find it a strange and yet refreshing phenomenon. Many people do still find this challenging, however it is a must in your marketing arsenal. Think of it as it being in the same small percentage of people actually calling their leads (in the minority) which really stands you in strong stead if you really are concerned about being competitive in your niche.
People tend to only trust you if they have met you face to face a few times. It is very difficult to build trust in a 5 minute phone conversation to someone on the other side of the world. That’s not to say it can’t be done, but let me tell you this, every single Networking/Meet Up group I’ve attended has had a very strong representation of MLM/Network Marketers. Success leaves clues. I know some attend Meet Ups and nothing else – they build their entire businesses that way. So why leave it all to them? If they can do it, so can you.
3. Guard Your Time.
Time management is a massive issue for many who crossover from J.O.B. to home based entrepreneur. It’s pretty easy when you’re working under a boss who has given you deadlines to adhere to. When you’re on your own, it’s only you. I use Google Calendar and my phone for appointments. Calendar for everything and my phone for purely appointments. I colour code personal, business, non-negotiable time, workout time and kid time. But do whatever works for you.
If you still like the good old paper diary, then go with that. This goes hand in hand with discipline. Without time management, you’ll find yourself doing one of two things, either not being productive enough to pay the bills or your family hating you. Either way, they are not positive scenarios to be in. Include your kids and spouse in this and gain agreement. Balance really is everything.
4. Brand Yourself.
The ideal scenario to be in is when someone says “I have always wanted to work for myself from home. I’ll call Fiona – she’s the expert in that.” I mean, wow! What if everyday we got a call like that?? That is what branding is all about. It’s about getting yourself out there via blogging, doing presentations, hosting opportunity meetings, organizing a Meet Up group, utilising social media correctly and offering generic training over a long period (the average is years to be honest – it does take time). It places you as the expert in your field, the “go to person” if you like.
Find a niche and start blogging. Share your experiences and knowledge. You know more than you think and there is always someone out there who is either going through something similar who needs the impetus to keep going or is motivated to work with you. Either way, there’s something special about affecting people knowing there is no direct reward in return, aside from the fact you have impacted them in some small way.
5. Earn Double From Your Passive Income.
I’ve left the best for last. Believe me when I tell you – MAKE SURE YOU ARE EARNING AT LEAST DOUBLE YOUR J.O.B. INCOME BEFORE YOU QUIT IT. Are you listening to me??? I’ve seen too many people jump in, rely on their spouse to keep their marketing budgets going, live on credit card debt – you name it, I’ve probably seen it. And it rarely works out.
I personally love their optimism and drive, however you are fighting an uphill battle. And who needs the stress? You need to build the income first before you say goodbye to that pay cheque. There are a few reasons for this. First, it ensures that mentally you have made the transition from left side of the quadrant to the right side (read more about what this means at www.RichDadPoorDad.com ) If you don’t sit in the right place from a mindset point of view, you are going to struggle because you will be desperate to pay your bills and trust me on this – your prospects can smell that.
Secondly, you have to factor in marketing and costs of running your business. You need a budget for that and clearly your J.O.B. income isn’t going to support you and your marketing budget for an extended period of time.
Thirdly, you will have tax to pay. You don’t have a boss taking care of that anymore. And fourthly, like Robert Kiyosaki says in his brilliant must read “The Business School For People Who Like Helping People”, you need to put aside enough of your business income in order to invest in assets. That’s why most people who work for an employer will never become rich – because they don’t have enough money leftover to invest in assets that will produce income.
As I said earlier, this is by no means a definitive “how to” of leaving your J.O.B. but include it in your research to ensure you really are ready to ditch the pay cheque forever. If done correctly, you should never have to rely on it ever again. So together, let’s transform the world by doing what we can to work from home permanently. It’s great for the environment, great for the economy, great for communities, great for families and best of all, it is brilliant for our lifestyles and in re-discovering who we really are. When we are caught up in the “9 to 5 grind”, we lose sight of that and it is probably the single most important thing to know. Have fun!!
Fiona is the CEO and Founder of “The Networking Formula” and is regarded as one of Australia’s leading MLM/Network Marketing business transformation and training experts. She is a seasoned Networker with over 22 years’ of experience with several companies and is passionate about the industry, calling herself an “Evangelist”. Fiona combines a unique mix of Life Coaching processes and Law of Attraction philosophies in empowering other Networkers to transform not only themselves and their businesses, but those of their teams and communities.
When not coaching clients, blogging or writing, Fiona can be found on her 50 acre property in the Victorian High Country with her partner Lars – an IT Architect and Microsoft MVP – sons Jordan and Christian, German Shepherd Zara and two rescue cats Boots and Paddy, swimming, playing tennis or motor racing.
Currently, Fiona runs her MLM/Network Marketing business, a media & personal development agency and Life Coaching practice – www.SerendipityLifeCoaching.com – from home and is proprietor of a boutique retreat venue and luxury B&B – www.MittagongHomestead.com.au For more hints, tips, tools, strategies and free resources to transform yourself and your MLM/Network Marketing business, visit her site www.FionaJLindsay.com
