Although already a year old, I just found this fantastic article from Forbes magazine contributor Robert Laura. His article titled, Would You Join A Multi-Level Marketing Company For Retirement Income?, remains very relevant and hit close to home with me because of the "regular everyday people" Robert chose to interview for his presentation, but mostly because of his shift in perspective and transformation of attitude towards Network Marketing as a REAL solution for our times, Mr. Laura no longer perceives these types of opportunities as money-making pyramid schemes.
I was once at a very closed-minded place about this life-saving business model myself. I recall conspiring at the kitchen table with my Grandmother on how we were going to get some of our family out of the cult they had fallen into. (Seriously.) Thank goodness I can report, I have since had the grand "aha moment" when the bigger picture of this model of capitalism made itself clear to me - that was over 20 years ago. I haven't looked back on Network Marketing since.
You can read Mr. Laura's original article that inspired this post here:
Would You Join A Multi-Level Marketing Company For Retirement Income?
My Notes & Thoughts...
As a result of our "digging in", Robert Laura and I have come to the same conclusion,
Yes it is a bold stance and a bold statement, only because many are still trying to figure out if this is all legitimate or not (including some of our globe's government agencies.) From the perspective of one that has lived the lifestyle MLM promises for 10 years, it's becoming quite ludicrous given the indicators, statistics and growing numbers - not to mention the tremendous need for a "systematic solution" that works for anyone willing to implement it.
Our economy "was what it was", the old ways are not returning again, it is up to each of us to adapt to new ways of thinking, being and doing.
My involvement in Network Marketing has allowed me to make a transition of least resistance into "the new". Most (of course me too) get into the business because of the money it promises, but money isn't the main reason why some of us stay with it. Many of us [read: baby-boomers] are moving into a phase of life where we are becoming "unemployable" for various reasons. Retirement is more about psychology and spirituality than the pursuit of commerce.
I consider myself an esoterically-oriented person. After 20 years of being asked, "What do you want?", I arrive at words such as "congruence", "simplicity", "peace", "abundance", "contribution", "more than enough". Too "woo-woo" for you? Used to be for me as well, yet when these nouns become a foundation for how we live our life, well let's just say the reality of what all of the above looks like might not look or be what you or others around you expect.
"As retirees begin to realize they need activities that keep them busy, relevant, in good health, and connected to others, the time, energy and cost to participate in these kinds of companies make them very appealing to large segments of the population caught up in these dynamics." ~ Robert Laura
I have come to realize as I look around me, I can't tell who actually has money without being their accountant, but I can tell when someone is happy and a personal rule of mine: the money always follows the happy, and the fun.
Friends I hear you as you collectively say to me, "I don't understand how this works."
And I have to ask, "Do you want to understand?"
I am one of the "everyday people" of Network Marketing. There are a lot of us out here doing it and waiting for you to join us. The article above tells some real stories.
Keep digging until you have your aha moment.
Need a shovel?
I'll gladly dig with you until you get there...
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