“The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you’re in control of your life. If you don’t, life controls you.”

—Anthony Robbins

Today, in one of my weekly trainings, I shared about the Pain-Pleasure Principle (PPP) that was popularised by Anthony Robbins. The PPP explains that all decisions and choices that we make in life are motivated by either:

• gaining the pleasure of; or
• avoiding the pain of not

making those decisions and choices.

Think about it. You’ve made the choice of getting into that job, relationship or business at some point in time. You did it probably because of the promises you saw in it. Or you probably did it because of the pain of not having it. Either way, you were motivated by the PPP.

In the training today, I asked the participants what were the motivating factors (pleasure) behind their reasons to want to achieve success in life. Most shouted out the promises of having more time and money freedom, the sense of achievement and the ability to leave a legacy for their generations to come. I then asked them about what were the pain of not achieving success. They shouted even louder this time. “Being looked down at”, “Being criticised”, “Tarnished reputation”, “Being broke”, “Feeling like a loser” etc. were just some of the most common reasons.

“People change only when they hurt enough that they have to, learn enough that they want to, or receive enough that they are able to.”

—John C. Maxwell

Personally, I believe that one of the ways to use pain and pleasure effectively is to:

1. list down in a piece of paper all the pleasure you will gain from making that decision or choice and taking the necessary actions; and
2. on another piece of paper, list down all the pain you will get for NOT taking the necessary actions and thus not having the results you desired.

The first list will be your source of motivation and willpower. Look into this list whenever you feel that you are about to breakdown or give up. These are your intentions—your very reasons for doing what you’re doing.

The second list will be your source of urgency. Look into this list whenever you feel like you’re not fast enough in achieving your results, or stagnant. Many people completely ignore this list because they fear being reminded of the things in this list so they can avoid taking actions and thus avoiding the responsibilities to make things happen. But we all know that we owe it to ourselves to create what we want in life, and no one else.

If it’s to be, it’s up to me.

You only have one life in this lifetime. Own it. Live it. Make it the best life you’ve ever had in this lifetime.

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When you have set the desired thermal range and the temperature in the room approaches the edge of your desired thermal range, the thermostat sends an electrical signal to the air-conditioner to turn it on or off. As the temperature in the room begins to change, the electrical signals continue to respond to the changes and keep the temperature within the desired range.

Eventually, the room temperature always remains at the thermal range you have set.

Your comfort zone works the same way too.

But instead of electrical signals, your internal performance regulator uses discomfort signals to keep you within your comfort zone. In fact, you have an internal psychological thermostat that regulates your level of performance in the world—and governs everything you do, want and have.

Think of your comfort zone as a prison—a large, self-created prison.

It consists of the collection of can’ts, don’ts, musts, must nots and other disempowering and limiting beliefs formed from all the negative thoughts and decisions you have accumulated and reinforced during your lifetime.

As your behaviour or performance begins to approach the edge of that zone, you begin to feel uncomfortable. To avoid the discomfort, you unconsciously pull yourself back into your comfort zone.

• Some people are comfortable as long as they have $1,000 in their savings account. Some are uncomfortable unless they have 6 months’ income put aside (say, $24,000). Still, some are comfortable with no savings at all plus a credit card debt of $25,000!
• Some people are comfortable with staying in a budget inn when they go travelling. Some are only comfortable with a 3-star hotel or above. Some are only comfortable staying in a 5-star or above.
• Some people are comfortable with long hair. Some are comfortable with short hair. There are also some who are totally uncomfortable with no hair!
• Some people are uncomfortable with being late, but we all know there are some who are totally comfortable with being late.

When you are not comfortable with the way things are, you will do something about it. You will request for a better arrangement, demand for a replacement, negotiate, bargain… anything. You will do something about it.

The fact that you have never done something about it shows that you have already conditioned yourself to be OK with what is. For so many times, we have sold ourselves short, tolerated with mediocrity in life, accepted a lower standard than what we deserve… convincing ourselves that “it’s OK”.

Here’s an example:

A salesperson had a goal to present his services to at least 3 prospects a day. If he upheld his thermostat at that level, he would be comfortable as long as he had presented to 3 people on any given day. If he had not presented to 3 people by evening, he would probably go meet people at night just to be comfortable with his goal. Likewise, if he had met 3 people in the morning, he would probably slack off for the entire day.

Let’s say he had a colleague, who didn’t stand firm on his thermostat and accepted mediocrity as his standard. He also had a goal to present to 3 people a day. One day, he was only able to meet 2 people by the end of the day. He then told himself, “It’s OK. 2 is better than none. It’s still not bad.” That moment, he had allowed himself to accept something less than he wanted to achieve. Soon, he would be comfortable with just meeting 2, 1 or no prospects on any given day. When he had been accustomed to that new but low standard for himself, it then becomes harder for him to reset his standard back to meeting 3 people a day as that would become uncomfortable for him for it is outside of his comfort zone.

Therefore, we must always be aware of the comfort zone we have unconsciously set for ourselves for all areas of our life. If you’re not happy with the way things are in your life, do something about it. Don’t let fear pin you down to inaction. Start doing something… anything. Just get up and get going.

You only have one life.
Make it the best you’ve ever had.

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The real meaning of: Satisfaction

In Latin, the word satis means “enough”. Combine satis-of-action (enough of action) and you get satisfaction. Now you know clearly that enough action ultimately produces satisfaction.

Quit Waiting

It’s time to quit waiting for:

• perfection
• inspiration
• permission
• reassurance
• approval
• acceptance
• someone to change
• something to change
• someone to buy from you
• the right person to come along
• the kids to leave home
• a better feng shui
• a better horoscope prediction
• the fear to disappear
• the risk to disappear
• someone to discover your talent
• instructions
• more self-confidence
• more courage
• the pain to go away
• the right timing
• the next New Year
• your spouse to get in the mood
• the next promotion
• the next increment
• the perfect customer to come by
• your downlines to change
• your siblings to apologise
• the interviewer to call
• your surroundings to change
• someone to understand your situation
• luck
• the next big break
• your mood to change

Just stop waiting and move on already.

Quit waiting for the next raise to afford that downpayment. Start doing something now to get you closer to affording it. Quit waiting for your mood to change to start doing something. Start doing something to get yourself in the mood. Quit waiting for that uncertain promotion from your boss. Ask him/her what does it take for you to get that promotion and start acting on it already. Quit waiting for another New Year’s Eve to start creating your resolutions. Start with one of your biggest goals and start taking actions towards it already.

Nobody says it better than Nike does:

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We must be very careful about the metaphors we allow ourselves to use. Be careful of the metaphors that other people offer you as well.We must take charge of our metaphors, not just to avoid the problem metaphors, but so that we can adopt the empowering metaphors as well.

The scary part is that most of us have never consciously selected the metaphors with which we represent things to ourselves. Where did you get your metaphors? You probably picked them up from people around you, from your parents, teachers, co-workers and friends. Have you ever thought of the impact these metaphors has on you? Have the metaphors just became a habit?

For years, people asked me what it was I did exactly. At various times I tried different metaphors—”I’m a teacher,” “I’m a student,” “I’m a hunter of human excellence,” “I’m a speaker,” I’m a national best-selling author,” “I’m a peak performance consultant,” “I’m a therapist,” “I’m a counselor”—but none of them conveyed the right feeling. People gave me plenty of metaphors. I was known by many in the media as a “guru.” This is a metaphor I avoided because I felt that the presupposition that went with it was that people were dependent upon me to create their change—which would never empower them. Since I believe that we all must be responsible for our own change, I avoided this metaphor.

One day, though, I finally got it. “I’m a coach,” I thought. What is a coach? To me, a coach is a person who is your friend, someone who really cares about you. A coach is committed to helping you be the best that you can be. A coach will challenge you, not let you off the hook. Coaches have knowledge and experience because they’ve been there before. They aren’t any better than the people they are coaching (this took away my need to have to be perfect for the people I was “teaching”). In fact, the people they coach may have natural abilities superior to their own. But because coaches have concentrated their power in a particular area for years, they can teach you one or two distinctions that can immediately transform your performance in a matter of moments.

Sometimes coaches can teach you new information, new strategies and skills; they show you how to get measurable results. Sometimes a coach doesn’t even teach you something new, but they remind you of what you need to do at just the right moment, and they push you to do it. I thought, “What I truly am is a success coach. I help to coach people on how to achieve what they really want more quickly and more easily.” And everyone needs a coach, whether it’s a top-level executive, a graduate student, a homemaker, a homeless person, or the president of the United States! As soon as I started using this metaphor, it immediately changed the way I felt about myself. I felt less stressed, more relaxed; I felt closer to people. I didn’t have to be “perfect” or “better”. I began to have more fun, and my impact on people multiplied many-fold.

—Anthony Robbins

Source: Awaken The Giant Within (Anthony Robbins)

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Today, I had a different experience from all those times I visited the grave in the past years.

As I looked at the huge graveyard, I saw hundreds or tombstones. They are all different in colour, design and size. But there’s one thing that is common. Each one represents a deceased person. Each represents someone who had once lived—someone who had once written a story called “My Life”.

I was thinking to myself: How did they look like when they were alive? What kind of persons were they? How did they live their lives? Did they struggle financially or did they live a carefree lifestyle? Were they once young, ambitious and energetic youngsters too? Did they enjoy what they were doing in life? What kind of dreams did they have back then?

And the question that stood out among the rest that struck my mind was: Did they bury together with them their unaccomplished dreams, their unattained goals, their passion, their ambition, their dignity and their self-worth?

I “saw” a new perspective towards life.

Life indeed is a journey. This journey is unique as it’s a single-way journey. There’s no “U-turn”, there’s no “Reverse” gear (or “Rewind”); there’s no “Pause”, no “Fast Forward”. Life is just that journey. That unique journey. In fact, you have only one chance to live through this journey—no second chances.

Imagine if there is a gigantic satellite camera that captures every single moment of your life in great detail, with narrations of what you were thinking at any moment, from the day you were born until today. All these pieces will be put together to compile a movie called “[Your Name]: My Life” with you being the main character. This movie will be broadcasted to the world after you exhaled your last breath. What kind of comment, feedback and/or review would you want to get for this movie of yours? How do you want to be remembered? Would you have made a difference in the world or impacted the lives of the people around you that your movie will be played over and over again to impact more lives, long after you’ve passed on?

Seriously, how would you like to be remembered? How would people describe you and your life? Really, take some time to think about it. How would your “movie” end?

As the famous Dr. Stephen R. Covey put it wisely: “Begin with the end in mind.” And as the saying goes, “If you know how you want to die, you’d know how to live.”

The good news is: you’re still alive and the film is still rolling to capture the rest of your life. In fact, you are the director, producer, main character and scriptwriter of this movie. How will the story go from here?

You take it from here.

Don’t be a “walking dead” who merely exists in this world without a purpose in life. Life—just like any event—has a beginning and an end. What happens in between is up to you to put meaning to it. Give your life one great meaning. What would it mean in the future that you once lived in this world? Are you going to be remembered as a warrior who fights for your own destiny or a weakling who submits to the circumstances in life? You have every right to choose the kind of life you want to live and how it’s going to end. You know you have the unlimited potential to realise your dreams in this life. What’s more urgent is that you get to live this life just once. One life, one chance. All you need to do is to make a DECISION to take control over the rest of the “movie” and start shaping your destiny.

“It is in your moment of decision that your destiny is shaped.”—Anthony Robbins

I wish you true success and freedom; to live life with great dignity and passion.

Be blessed.

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Below are some brief guides for staying big when you’re tempted to use the small approach.

Perhaps you’ll want to put these guides on small cards for even handier reference.

(A) When Little People Try to Drive You Down, THINK BIG.

To be sure, there are some people who want you to lose, to experience misfortune, to be reprimanded. But these people can’t hurt you if you’ll remember three things:

1. You win when you refuse to fight petty people. Fighting little people reduces you to their size. Stay big.
2. Expect to be sniped at. It’s proof you’re growing.
3. Remind yourself that snipers are psychologically sick. Be Big. Feel sorry for them.

Think Big Enough to be immune to attacks of petty people.

(B) When That “I-Haven’t-Got-What-It-Takes” Feeling Creeps Up On You, THINK BIG.

Remember: if you think you are weak, you are. If you think you’re inadequate, you are. If you think you’re second-class, you are. Whip that natural tendency to sell yourself short with these tools:

1. Look important. It helps you think important. How you look on the outside has a lot to do with how you feel on the inside.
2. Concentrate on your assets. Build a sell-yourself-on-yourself commercial and use it. Learn to supercharge yourself. Know your positive self.
3. Put other people in proper perspective. The other person is just another human being, so why be afraid of him?

Think Big Enough to see how good you really are!

(C) When an Argument or Quarrel Seems Inevitable, THINK BIG.

Successfully resist the temptation to argue and quarrel by:

1. Asking yourself, “Honestly now, is this thing really important enough to argue about?”
2. Reminding yourself, you never gain anything from an argument but you always lose something.

Think Big Enough to see that quarrels, arguments, feuds and fusses will never help you get where you want to go.

(D) When You Feel Defeated, THINK BIG.

It is not possible to achieve large success without hardships and setbacks. But it is possible to live the rest of your life without defeat. Big thinkers react to setbacks this way:

1. Regard the setback as a lesson. Learn from it. Research it. Use it to propel you forward. Salvage something from every setback.
2. Blend persistence with experimentation. Back off and start afresh with a new approach.

Think Big Enough to see that defeat is a state of mind, nothing more.

(E) When Romance Starts to Slip, THINK BIG.

Negative, petty, “She’s-(He’s)-unfair-to-me-so-I’ll-get-even” type of thinking slaughters romance, destroys the affection that can be yours. Do this when things aren’t going right in the love department:

1. Concentrate on the biggest qualities in the person you want to love you. Put little things where they belong—in second place.
2. Do something special for your mate—and do it often.

Think Big Enough to find the secret to marital joys.

(F) When You Feel Your Progress on the Job is Slowing Down, THINK BIG.

No matter what you do and regardless of your occupation, higher status, higher pay comes from one thing: Increasing the quality and quantity of your output. Do this:

Think: “I can do better.” The best is not unattainable. There is room for doing everything better. Nothing in this world is being done as well as it could be. And when you think, “I can do better,” ways to do better will appear. Thinking “I can do better” switches on your creative power.

Think Big Enough to see that if you put service first, money takes care of itself.

Source: The Magic of Thinking Big (Dr. David J. Schwartz, Ph.D.)

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Some of these alibis are clever, and a few of them are justifiable by the facts. But alibis cannot be used for money. The world wants to know only one thing: Have you achieved success?

A character analyst compiled a list of the most commonly used alibis. As you read the list, examine yourself carefully and determine how many of these alibis, if any, are your own property:

1. IF only I didn’t have a wife and family . . .
2. IF only I had enough “pull” . . .
3. IF only I had money . . .
4. IF only I had good education . . .
5. IF only I could get a job . . .
6. IF only I had good health . . .
7. IF only I had time . . .
8. IF only times were better . . .
9. IF only other people understood me . . .
10. IF only conditions around me were different . . .
11. IF only I could live my life over again . . .
12. IF only I did not fear what “they” would say . . .
13. IF only I had been given a chance . . .
14. IF only I now had a chance . . .
15. IF only other people didn’t “have it in for me” . . .
16. IF only nothing happened to stop me . . .
17. IF only I were younger . . .
18. IF only I could do what I want . . .
19. IF only I had been born rich . . .
20. IF only I could meet “the right people” . . .
21. IF only I had the talent some people have . . .
22. IF only I dared assert myself . . .
23. IF only I had embraced past opportunities . . .
24. IF only people didn’t get on my nerves . . .
25. IF only I didn’t have to keep house and look after the children . . .
26. IF only I could save some money . . .
27. IF only the boss appreciated me . . .
28. IF only I had somebody to help me . . .
29. IF only my family understood me . . .
30. IF only I lived in a big city . . .
31. IF only I could just get started . . .
32. IF only I were free . . .
33. IF only I had the personality of some people . . .
34. IF only I were not so fat . . .
35. IF only my talents were known . . .
36. IF only I could just get a “break” . . .
37. IF only I could get out of debt . . .
38. IF only I hadn’t failed . . .
39. IF only I knew how . . .
40. IF only everybody didn’t oppose me . . .
41. IF only I didn’t have so many worries . . .
42. IF only I could marry the right person . . .
43. IF only people weren’t so dumb . . .
44. IF only my family were not so extravagant . . .
45. IF only I were sure of myself . . .
46. IF only luck were not against me . . .
47. IF only I had not been born under the wrong star . . .
48. IF only it were not true that “what is to be will be” . . .
49. IF only I did not have to work so hard . . .
50. IF only I hadn’t lost my money . . .
51. IF only I lived in a different neighbourhood . . .
52. IF only I didn’t have a “past” . . .
53. IF only I had a business of my own . . .
54. IF only other people would listen to me . . .
55. IF only―and this is the greatest of them all―I had the courage to see myself as I really am, I would find out what is wrong with me and correct it. Then I might have a chance to profit by my mistakes and learn something from the experience of others. I know there is something wrong with me or I would now be where I would have been if I had spent more time analysing my weaknesses, and less time building alibis to cover them.

Building alibis with which to explain away failure is a habit as old as the human race, and is fatal to success! Why do people cling to their pet alibis? The answer is obvious. They defend their alibis because they create them!

Life is a checker board, and the player opposite you is time. If you hesitate before moving, or neglect to move promptly, your checkers will be wiped off the board by time. You are playing against a partner who will not tolerate indecision!

Source: Think and Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill)

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There are many factors in the equation for success in network marketing. The more of these factors that you familiarise yourself with, the greater is your chance of mastering the equation and achieving success. Network marketing is one of the few avenues through which individuals from all “walks of life” can achieve sizeable incomes and a great degree of “freedom of time.”

During my 32-year career, I have been witness to truck drivers, waitresses, plumbers, clerks, factory workers, the young, the elderly, along with accountants, bankers, lawyers, and physicians that have earned five, six and seven figure incomes in this industry. On the other hand, I have seen thousands of individuals waste time, lose their investments, have their dreams extinguished, and live in the frustration of perpetual pursuit without achievement.

Success by Design

You can aimlessly test one program after another, searching for one that will work for you, or pursue success by design. Generally programs do not work for you. You must select a program with the right dynamics and then learn to work the program. Learning how to be a true networker should be your goal. Articulating effective marketing strategy and learning to effectively communicate the benefits of your program are paramount to maximum success. Understanding the equation for success is vital to the preparation process for achieving maximum success.

One of the most important steps in your journey is selecting the right program. Success at the company level does not always equal success at the distributor level. There are very successful companies that have very high distributor attrition (drop-out) rates. Many companies “waste” thousands of distributors in the process of developing a product user base. Often there are flaws in the strategy of the company leaders that directly affect the distributors’ success.

5 Crucial Factors

You can reduce this risk by carefully examining the dynamics of the program that you are considering. It is not necessary to be in the “best program.” There are thousands of distributors in dozens of companies earning exceptional incomes. What is important, is to choose the program that has dynamics that will best work for you. There are five basic factors that you should examine:-

1. paradigm of company leaders

2. product philosophy

3. compensation strategy

4. marketing strategy at the company level

5. the support that is available to you from your upline and from the company

The security of the program goes beyond the financial realm. Although the financial condition of the company is important, real security is more complex. Having adequate funding available does not tell you how much the founder is willing to lose or risk. Don’t hesitate to ask the right people the “hard” questions. Talk to the company leaders, industrial leaders, competitors, and editors of networking magazines. You will be surprised how many people will be willing to chat with you.

1. Paradigm of Company Leaders

The paradigm or thinking patterns of the company leaders is very important. Experience in business as well as in marketing is useful. How do they think? What is their focus? How do they handle market challenges? What is their background? What is their marketing philosophy and strategy? Will the company’s strategies compliment your success as a distributor? Are they egotistical or arrogant when put on the spot? What is their perspective of the company’s responsibilities to the distributor? What are their projections and what are these projections based on? You can find industrial leaders who know these founders.

What are the company leaders’ attitudes toward service? Call the company a few times and check out their customer service. A poor customer service department can damage your business. You can’t just automatically believe claims of quality service; you have to check it out. Take time to gain an understanding of the industry in order to avoid wasted time and money. Network marketing is a serious business with the potential to change your life forever. It deserves serious consideration.

2. Product Philosophy

More than 80% of all successful networkers belong to companies that have nutrition products involved in their programs. Network marketing companies with products and services that directly compete with strong conventional markets have a very high failure ratio. Typically, in the conventional market, companies such as GNC and Wal-Mart have tremendous pressure to compete on a price basis. They do not have the personal service available to explain why one bottle of nutrients costs twice a s much as another bottle. Price becomes t h e determinant factor for which product will sell. In the past six years, 80% of all new distributors that have entered the network marketing industry have joined companies that include nutrition in their agenda.

The product philosophy of the company leaders is a cornerstone to success. Growth without responsible product strategy is short-lived. Product philosophy should be balanced between growth and stability. In order to achieve quick and progressive growth at a “grass roots” level, the program needs a flagship product that will open doors. The more unique and exclusive the product is, the easier it is to gain the interest of prospects. Be careful that the company does not hide a poor pay plan behind a “sizzle” product. Success requires a balance between these two factors. The flagship product should be backed up with a number of quality and diversified products. Although many networkers join this industry to supplement their income, history teaches us that the product is generally the primary consideration in determining which program they will join.

A company with an internal research and product development department is more inclined to provide quality, cutting edge products. Product formulas that are backed by scientific research and clinical testing can better withstand the “battle of the hype.” Be careful to examine the claims made by distributors. Often clinical studies quoted do not verify the effectiveness of the actual products being promoted.

An example of this is the recent HGH precursor “wave.” A great majority of the claims being made about the product refer to the research conducted on individuals who had the actual HGH hormone administered intravenously. Very little research has been conducted on precursors. A few years ago another similar marketing scenario occurred with a DHEA precursor. Dozens of mainline network marketing companies were promoting a precursor that supposedly increased the body’s production of DHEA. Research data on the benefits of DHEA was used to promote the precursor. The Life Extension Foundation, an independent non-profit organization, performed a clinical trial on 1,000 individuals to discover if the precursor actually elevated serum DHEA. Not a single individual experienced an increase in blood levels of DHEA. I suggest that you personally study out the science behind product claims. A bogus product will not maintain long-term growth or retention.

3. Compensation Strategy

Another important consideration to your selection is compensation strategy. I suggest that you carefully examine different perspectives on this subject. My preference in compensation strategy is based on balance. There are two fundamental aspects to compensation strategy; the pay structure used and how the commission percentages are arranged. Breakaway, uni-level, binary, matrix, and the Australian two up are examples of the various compensation structures. Each of these structures has advantages and disadvantages. I have found that only a few very experienced networkers really understand the dynamics of these structures and will promote the one that profits them the most. Overall, I believe the uni-level has the greatest capability of providing the best balance in compensation.

There are several considerations in analysing pay plans. It is important for a plan to adequately compensate the part-time marketer within the first three levels. Traditional programs have “stacked” the commission structure in favour of the “heavy hitter,” resulting in excessive attrition. One of the keys to low attrition is to allow the part-timer to get into profit with a small number of customers or distributors. On the other hand the pay plan must adequately compensate the experienced, full-time marketer in the deeper levels. The compensation strategy must be balanced between these two segments.

Part-timer vs “Heavy Hitter”

A successful program must attract leaders who can develop effective marketing strategies and support systems. Without this segment the organization will have a weak foundation and will not achieve and maintain maximum growth. If the part-timer is not adequately compensated, attrition will erode incomes and will begin the unwinding process from the bottom up that can even destroy companies.

The company must balance its investment between compensation to distributors, product development, competent corporate leadership, logistic support, and effective marketing sales aids. If the company invests too much into compensation it may fail to finance other areas that directly affect the ability of the marketer to build his business. As ironic as it may sound the highest paying program is the last program you may want to be involved with. I have existing downlines in several companies and some of the best paying programs have been the most difficult to build.

Programs that compete on the basis of “pay out” alone, generally, do not have enough money left over, after paying out commissions, to invest in product research and development, nor in state-of-the-art marketing materials. In the past six years four companies have each enrolled approximately one half million distributors. In my opinion all of these companies have inferior pay plans but have product focused programs. Not one of the programs with the most lucrative pay plans have approached that kind of growth. When you examine programs look for balance.

4. Marketing Strategy

When you examine a program, study their marketing strategy. Does the company have marketing “tools” in place that will support your strategy? What is your personal strategy? Are you going to work this business from a warm market perspective? Are you going to “work the phone,” advertise, build through the Internet, or use direct mail? Does the company have videos, cassette tapes, a strong Internet presence, toll-free message support, or effective literature? Building a successful business requires more than a lucrative pay plan or a “sizzle” product.

5. Support Available

When you are introduced to a program, shop around for the right upline support group or sponsor. Even an experienced marketer can be more successful if they have the right upline support in place. Your organization will need all of the support they can get. You are not obligated to join under the first person that prospects you. This is a business not a hobby or game. You have a responsibility to yourself and your loved ones to make a good business decision. The company and upline you select will, to a great degree, determine the boundaries of your success.

See you at the top!

Mike Akins

About Mike Akins

— “The Greatest Networker In The World”
Click here to find out why Mike Akins is known as The Greatest Networker In The World

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In this most recent issue of Personal Money (The Edge Magazine on Managing Your Finance), editor Celine Tan’s cover feature shows that there are practical ways to build up income streams so that you won’t always have to trade your time for money. This cover story features 6 ways to create Passive Income Streams and how to make money while you sleep. On page 66, it states that the lowest cost of all the 6 ways to start creating and maintaining a passive income stream is the one shown by Cheanu Chew—thru his trademark automated system, Passive Resources.

Read on for the full interview.

Full Interview with Personal Money editor, Celine Tan:

Celine: I’d like to have some introduction about you… How should I address you? And how old are you? And please tell me more about yourself.

Cheanu: My name is Cheanu Chew Kheng Yew—my friends address me as Cheanu. I’ll be 28 years ‘young’ this year. I was a financial auditor by profession. During my college years I was awarded The Star Education Fund Scholarship to pursue my ACCA course. I completed my ACCA course and graduated in 3 years. In 2001, I began my first financial auditing career in one of the top accounting firms in KL. The best-selling book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki had a very great impact on my perception about my financial destiny—thus creating a turning point in my life. I left the financial auditing industry in 2003 and went on to acquire my skills in the corporate world, mainly in leadership and personal development and eventually pursue my dreams of financial independence.

Celine: My article for the August issue would be about generating passive income. It’s our cover story for the month. May I know how long have you been in the passive income-generating tool and how long does it take you to generate passive income?

Cheanu: I’ve been involved in network marketing with a clear intention of not only creating a source of passive income for myself, my family and my next generations, but to also help many others to achieve their dreams along the way. I started my own business with 4Life Research in 2005. It took me 3 months to start enjoying some passive income. Since then I’ve never turned back and went forward to create more passive income with 4Life Research. Today, I’m a public speaker, author, business entrepreneur as well as a personal development coach. I’m enjoying every single minute of my day now, working in the comfort of my home.

Celine: What is the cost or investment needed before it becomes a passive income-generating tool (in money terms and time)?

Cheanu: The amount of time needed to start generating passive income would be very much depending on your own commitment and effort. I’ve seen people generating passive income as soon as 2-3 months from starting their businesses. During this period, the cost in money terms would mainly be your phone charges, transportation costs and some food & beverages expenses as you will be contacting and meeting up with people.

Celine: What should they know before they embarked in investing in tools that could provide passive income?

Cheanu: Before anyone embarked in starting their own network marketing business, they should do some preliminary researches on the background of the company, the products or services the company is carrying and its marketing plan. Nowadays, information can be easily obtained over the Internet; and because of that, we need to be aware of the source of such information. One more thing that I personally look for besides the company, products and the marketing plan, is the support system. This is particularly important as the key to success in network marketing is the ability to duplicate your work easily. I have founded Platinum Networkers, an international team of profesionnal entrepreneurs dedicated to empowering ordinary people to become inspirational leaders. Our team is well known for its strong duplicable system. It is because of such a strong support system that works both online & offline, that I’m able to enjoy passive income faster and have my business cross over to other parts of the world without having to be physically travelling places. In fact, we’ve developed an automated system that supports our people to enable them to achieve greater height faster and easier.

Celine: What are the main sources of income and expense?

Cheanu: In the long-run, the main source of income from network marketing doesn’t come from the sales of products or services you’re involved in. Initially, you may earn only from your personal sales before you secured a source of passive income. But there’s only so much you can sell in a day. By duplicating yourself in terms of your skills and leadership, you will be building a network of distributors as well as consumers in your organization. Eventually, the overriding commissions earned from this network will eventually form the main part of your income. The main source of expenses, however, would remain the same as they would mainly be your phone charges, transportation costs and some food & beverages expenses.

Celine: How to maximize the best returns?

Cheanu: The only way to maximize the best return is hard work. Follow the advices of your successful upline leaders and put into actions what you’ve learned from them. Treat this as your own business, because it is. Never get lazy just because you’re not reporting to anyone and you get to control your working time and the pace of your own progress. If your support system comes with a tool that helps you promote the business automatically, sort out interested prospects and capture their contact details, don’t hesitate to use it. This kind of tool could generate income for you faster than you could personally.

Celine: What is the maintenance works needed?

Cheanu: As network marketing is well known for its low cost of operation, there’s not much maintenance works needed. Anyone can join a network marketing company and start building the business. Perhaps the only maintenance works needed are self-improvement and personal development. Although anyone can start a network marketing business, not everyone can succeed big time in network marketing. One needs to have a strong personality and mindset, which comes with a right attitude, to achieve great success in network marketing. Most companies and support teams will have their own self-improvement and personal development trainings that you can attend periodically.

Celine: What are the risks involved?

Cheanu: The risk of venturing into a network marketing business would be the lowest as compared to any types of conventional businesses as we don’t need to pay for rental expenses, salaries, EPF contributions, logistics and product deliveries. The financial risks involved would depend on the network marketing company you venture into. As for me, the risk involved in the network marketing business I’m involved in is only the cost of 2 product items and a business kit, which totaled less than RM540. Some companies require large bulk purchases of their products for you to join. For such companies, the risks involved would be the high financial risks if you fail to build a source of passive income from this venture. One acid test is to determine if the products are “easy to buy but hard to sell”. If they are, then the risk would be higher if a large bulk purchase is required.

Celine: How to handle hassles from such work? What are the skills needed?

Cheanu: To succeed in network marketing, you need to have very good leadership & people skills, as we’re dealing with people and helping them achieve their dreams in the long-run. However, the beauty of network marketing is that you don’t need to learn everything before you can start building a business that lasts. If your support team is strong and experienced, they will be able to guide you along step-by-step and have you learn the skills while earning at the same time. I personally mentor my people along when they started their business and then coach them personally to identify their strengths and weaknesses so they can learn about themselves and improve themselves progressively. If you join a team who leads with their hearts, then you should be fine.

Celine: You mentioned that your team has developed an automated system to support your people. Is there a cost to this?

Cheanu: We’ve developed an automated system that runs online for us, and it costs only RM15 per month as cost to the web host. We don’t charge for our support, as we believe in building people by giving them full support to enable them to achieve greater height faster and easier. You can take a look at how it works at Passive Resources.

Celine: How to identify opportunities?

Cheanu: Opportunities are everywhere, and can only be seen by those who are open-minded and ready to embrace them. Everything has changed nowadays as compared to 30 years ago. If our mindset is still stuck in the 1970’s then we would not be able to identify opportunities that come around in the 2000’s. Network marketing has evolved throughout the past 30 years. Some people still have an old-fashioned mindset and relate network marketing to direct-selling or MLM and that it’s meant for only housewives or people with no education and experience. If you research on the industry itself, you’ll be surprised to find that many leading Fortune 500 companies in the world today are embracing network marketing as a sound business model. Many professionals, like me, are passionately involved in network marketing today.

Celine: How to research the market?

Cheanu: The best way to research the market is to determine what the fastest growing trend is. The fastest growing trend today is the Internet. But the Internet is just a gigantic marketplace that sells everything under the sun. So we need to identify which product is the highest in demand. According to Paul Zane Pilzer, the health and wellness industry will exceed the one trillion dollar mark within the next few years (Paul Zane Pilzer was the advisor to two past US Presidents and won the Nobel Prize for Economics). As you might know, the baby boomers are those who were born between the year 1946 and 1964. They form 1/3 of our world. Every 18 seconds, someone turns 54 years old. What do they need? They need to look and feel younger, healthier and more vibrant. So the next biggest trend is something that can fill their needs. The health and wellness industry is the next biggest boom. If you could combine the Internet and the health and wellness industry, you’re tapping into the next trillion dollar industry.

Celine: How to know if a tool is going to provide passive income?

Cheanu: To find out if a network marketing business model is going to provide passive income, do your own calculations according to the marketing plan. If the main source of income comes from selling of products or services or from sponsoring new downlines, then it is not entirely passive. Some companies sell one-off items with very low repeat sales, therefore the distributors need to keep looking for new customers or keep sponsoring new downlines in order to maintain their income. Look for companies that carry consumable products, with repeat orders at least once a month. On the other hand, the product must be unique and effective so that customers will keep repeating their orders without being asked. Besides being unique and effective, one key point to note here is if the company has a worldwide patent for its unique product. If yes, then the passive income source would be almost guaranteed. If the product has a strong science base and an extensive independent researches being done on it, then it should be safe.

Celine: How to not fall onto unrealistic promises?

Cheanu: Beware of unrealistic claims by over-enthusiastic distributors. Some tend to over-exaggerate their income claims or product claims in order to convince others into joining the business. Do your own due diligence. Research for yourself (but don’t over-analyze) the background of the company, the science behind the products, the marketing plan (if it’s workable) and the support team you will be attached to. Calculate for yourself after understanding how the marketing plan pays, how much earnings you will make based on your expected, realistic effort. Never compare your own progress with others. Everyone will earn at a different level depending on their skills, effort and commitment.

Celine: Cheanu, thanks for sharing your experiences and knowledge on this issue. The magazine is out and should be at major newsstands by end of July.

Cheanu: Thank you for your time. It is a pleasure meeting up with you today. I deeply enjoyed our conversation. I hope you do as well.

For more information on how you can join Cheanu’s team, take a look at www.myunlimitedincome.com and take your free test drive. Everything will be presented to you, with pictures and explanations along the way.

Plug your business in to this trademark automated system that ensures that you will not be involved in personal sales or direct distribution of products like you would do with any MLM/direct-selling businesses. You will be attached to a comprehensive automated system that will take care of the distribution and even presentation of the products. In fact, I’ve never sold anything to achieve success and retire at age 25 with passive income. I didn’t even need to deliver anything for that matter. My business has gone to various parts of the world even without me being physically there to expand my business. So if this business requires personal sales or direct distribution of products, that wouldn’t have happened. All you need to do is to build relationship and cultivate your leadership skill along the way with your people. Of course, trainings are provided online too.

Plug in to an existing, proven system today. Learn about my Simple Success System & Strategies that will allow you to have Continuous Income and Cashflows for Life… Guaranteed!

www.myunlimitedincome.com

Be different. Be respected.
Be a Platinum Networker.

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However, in the past few years, Network Marketing (or MLM) has gained a bad image that is ill-deserved. Many people associate MLM as an illegal business, scams, pyramids and other undesirable elements. However, the truth is that MLM is one of the best ways to generate income if performed correctly.

Truth be told, the only reason MLM has descended in its desirability is because too many people get involved to make a quick buck without really knowing what it takes to build a good MLM downline organization and how to approach the business correctly.

Many people actually think that an MLM business entails making money without even working. There has been a bevy of unethical distributors in the MLM business. Many try to make money by misleading other people. And many other people drop out after investing in an multilevel marketing business due to frustration and lack of persistency.

These people, often think they can relax and earn money just by doing nothing. They will surely be disappointed when they find out that they are not earning much at all. They therefore badmouth the MLM business as a whole.

Unfortunately, their failures are their own doing. However, if you approach an MLM business with the right mindset you are sure to gain a great degree of financial success. And the key to obtaining financial success in the MLM business is duplication.

Duplication means that you’re supposed to create a downline organization that is growing. Every member of your downline should be able to create his or her own downline. This means that every single member of your team is able to sponsor other people in return.

If you can create a downline that is as successful as you are, then you can have a downline that will continue to generate income and make you become more successful.

But how do you a accomplish this? Here are a few tips:

1) Enroll like-minded people

If you want your downline to be successful you have to find people who are hungry for success. If you enroll people who are not motivated and are just in the business for the short term, then you are in serious trouble.

You are supposed to enroll people who are aggressive and persistent—just like you. If you can enroll people who are just like you, then they in turn will go on to recruit people who are built for success. This will build a veritable gold mine of enrollment agents.

2) Help others to become successful

The objective here is to build a downline where not only you are successful. Make sure that everyone and every single distributor of your team can succeed and can make money. If everyone can have success, they will be excited to continue building on that downline you started.

It is sad that some people are selfish and care only for their own success. In Network Marketing, this cannot be, and can never be. If you only care for your own success, you’ll find that your downline will steadily decrease since you are only thinking of your own success. Remember, in Network Marketing, everyone’s success is your success. If they succeed you earn.

If you learn how to inspire others and how to lead and spur them on towards success, you can build a strong organization, which effectively invigorates them with the energy needed to continue persevering in their own business.

3) Good leadership

Think of your downline as a valuable resource and not just an object just to earn money. If you learn how to value every single distributor of your team, you are sure to have a downline that is capable of accomplishing great success and unlimited income.

Duplication depends on the mindset of each and every member of this team. They should have a mindset just like yours—eager and raring to build their own organization.

Only then can you have duplication and success in your MLM business.

Conclusion

Don’t be satisfied to just to be able to assemble a hodgepodge menagerie of recruits. Make sure that each team member is built for the kill. With this you have duplication in your downline. And only then can you have success in your Network Mraketing or MLM business.

Solution

Plug your business in to this trademark automated system that ensures that you will not be involved in personal sales or direct distribution of products like you would do with any MLM/direct-selling businesses. You will be attached to a comprehensive automated system that will take care of the distribution and even presentation of the products. In fact, I’ve never sold anything to achieve success and retire at age 25 with passive income. I didn’t even need to deliver anything for that matter. My business has gone to various parts of the world even without me being physically there to expand my business. So if this business requires personal sales or direct distribution of products, that wouldn’t have happened. All you need to do is to build relationship and cultivate your leadership skill along the way with your people. Of course, trainings are provided online too.

Plug in to an existing, proven system today. Learn about my Simple Success System & Strategies that will allow you to have Continuous Income and Cashflows for Life… Guaranteed!

www.myunlimitedincome.com

Be different. Be respected.
Be a Platinum Networker.

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