What I DON'T like about MLMS

HELLO!!!  I just got back from an incredible trip to AZ where I got to meet so many of the top Coaches in our company and one thing that really stood out to me was... nobody has it all figured out.

Tbh, that was my biggest takeaway and more than a few of them said the same things.

"I grew my business the wrong way."

"a lot of people quit on me.."

"I'm rebuilding right now."

Quite a few of them said they dove into this business because they were trying to use it as an escape from the hard times they had going on in their personal lives.

It got me thinking...is THIS what it takes? Does it take time away from family to build a business? Does it take so much sacrifice that you end up forgetting why you are doing this? 

I was often asked, "Do you have a big team?" which instantly categorizes you into a "successful" or "unsuccessful" entrepreneur.  What about that question feels good? 

I for one have never liked titles or being "categorized". I remember once doing an event with an Exercise Specialist/Master Trainer and someone asked if we were both Master Trainers. The girl I was with looked at me and said, "She's just an instructor."

I remember thinking, "Wow, thanks for belittling me so much," although I could tell she regretted it as soon as she said it. But isn't that what happens not just in fitness or MLMS but also everywhere!? 

Anyway, back at the AZ retreat, I caught myself saying, "I'm "only"  this rank of a Coach but I changed it after day one because I didn't like how I felt when I belittled myself. Instead I started to say, "I'm really happy with my team and my business and that's what matters to me. I'm moving slow and steady and having fun with it!"

I kept reaffirming this to myself and thought "It's ok, you can do this YOUR WAY." 

While I think a lot of MLMS want to encourage "good behavior" and reward those that work hard, I think it also creates a huge divide. 

You earned THIS bracelet, but this person didn't. 

They earned THIS seat, but you didn't. 

You earned THIS trip, but they didn't. 

They achieved THIS rank, but you didn't.

The list goes on. It reminds me of high school all over again. 

There is no one better than anyone else and as soon as we start putting people on a pedestal or belittling ourselves we instantly feel like this success is unattainable.

Screw that. We all poop, people. Just because someone makes a certain amount of money does not mean they are happier! I for one, would like to change this belief system and I can because the way I run this business is the way I like.  

You won't see separation or me sitting "Somewhere I should" because of my rank. I'm not trying to win a popularity contest here, I'm trying to live a healthy life and encourage others to do the same. That's the freaking point!

Sure there were times in my business when I thought that mattered but now, I don't aim for a team "rank" because I don't like the type of person I become when I do that. Back then, I tended to look at the person as a number rather than a person with hopes and dreams and goals and that just isn't right. I'm truly sorry if you felt I ever treated you that way. 

Is there a right or wrong way to do this business? Yes, but it's specific for each individual person. You have to really know why you are in this business and ask yourself, "Do I like who I am when I do this business? Am I doing this authentic to me? And if not, what can I change? How can I better myself and better the lives of others without sacrificing what's important to me? What self limiting belief is holding me back? What is in my control right now?"

Those are things I often ask myself and I encourage everyone to dig a little deeper when it comes to goal setting and finding what really matters to them. 

I for one am deciding to run my business differently. It might not be the way most people run their business, but to me, I WANT to stay happy in this and I WANT other people to know they can be a rebel like me and do it the way they WANT to as well. 

I am a leader for those who want to be appreciated not because of their title but because of who they are. 

I am always learning and willing to grow but not at the expense of time with family.

I will not let self limiting beliefs hold me back. I am worthy to learn and grow and become more accepting of myself everyday.

I am enough and so are the people I link arms with. We are LIFE CHANGERS and not GOAL ACHIEVERS. 

If you relate to this at all and have had a disappointment with MLMs or other businesses that made you feel less than who you are, I so get it. I also want you to know you don't have to get caught up in the goals and rewards and things you feel are unattainable that you aren't worthy of. 

I for one am not setting a goal to be the top Coach... or the top 10... or even the top 100 in this company! I got out of the "regular job" because I didn't want to be in a rat race. 

What you will see from me is having fun and helping other people love what they do, by also helping them to make it fun for them. That's what living a happy successful life is to me. I know I used the word FUN a lot, but really, if you aren't enjoying it, then why the heck do it!? 

Your job is 1/3 of your life! I think it MUST be something you enjoy and brings you purpose. I take that back, it won't bring you purpose, instead YOU MUST BRING THE PURPOSE TO IT. 

That's what Coaching has taught me. 

I know that was a long rant about what I don't like about my job, but tbh, I have found you can create a life that is full of purpose when you focus on the right things and I for one am so freaking thankful that I am here after 100 months of Coaching! I have grown so much since April 2014 and I have seen so many others create a life they are proud of too. 

At the retreat our Coaching CEO Carl Daikeler showed a pic of a gym that had a saying across the wall and it said, "Proud but NEVER Satisfied". He then went on to say, "What's the freakin point!?" He said you SHOULD be proud of what you do and yes, you should be satisfied by it too!

It's just another reminder of being present in this life. There is so much to be grateful for. Don't let another day pass you by wishing it was something else. 

I am grateful. I am happy. I am present. I am enough.

And so are YOU if you decide to be it, too. 

Btw, If you want to see what Coaching is all about, feel free to join my 'TRY COACHING' week. We start next Monday. Click HERE    

Whatever you decide to do with the time you have left on this earth, I hope it doesn't bring you joy and purpose, but instead, you are brave enough to create joy and purpose in your own life.