Brainwash to Sell or Research to Care
Today I’m going to expose one of my weaknesses to help you avoid the pitfall I’m climbing out of right now. While talking with a good friend yesterday I realized something so profound and revealing about myself that I just had to share it with you. I’m not sure if anyone else has ever done this but I know I did and don’t want to do it again. Looking back on the way I looked at the business so naively is pretty scary. (tweet this) Hopefully, you’ll understand the lesson and avoid the pain and years of frustration I endured.
Employee to part-time business owner
The first thing that popped into my mind while talking with Beth was that when I first started my home business I was still a bank employee. I knew my job, how to provide great customer service and exhibited my loyalty daily. The extra work after hours didn’t bother me because I knew one day I would be able to walk away from that banking job for good.
What I didn’t realize at the time was building a part-time business was not the same as working at a job. There is more to being a business owner than simply performing the tasks of secretary and customer service. Not realizing the infrastructure was already in place at a job I took for granted it would be the same when I worked from home.
Tip number 1 – working from home is fun, allows you freedom from a boss and set hours; but, you must work regularly, set a schedule that works for you and don’t allow anything or person to interrupt your money-making efforts.
On-going training is essential
To solve that problem the company provided training seminars. Unlike at the bank, these seminars taught us a little company history, a little product training and a little of the “how to market” training. When we left we knew a little more than when we arrived yet not enough to really build a business. Excitement helped me to attract my first customer and distributor all by itself. Would that be enough to set me free from my job?
It didn’t take long to realize that on-going training was essential. After three years of regular company-sponsored trainings, I felt confident enough to share the business and product with others in a professional way. The problem was that I overheard one of my friends talking with another saying “I could never do what Carla does, she knows about all the products and the compensation plan like the back of her hand”.
Great! All that training, time and money invested – for what? It seemed hopeless and I felt like a failure. Over the next fifteen years, the product sales continued but my business flat-lined and so did my paycheck. What did I do wrong?
Tip number 2 – learn to satisfy your own curiosity by researching before choosing your new supplement, business or friend. You are not the focus of your business – your prospect is. It’s not about you it’s about them. (tweet this) Keep it simple so they can see themselves doing what you do.
Brainwash to sell or research to care
None of us like to admit we’ve been duped, I certainly don’t. But, after being introduced to a new company and concept in helping others I learned that I had been brainwashed to sell.
The company training had done its job. The product was good, a quality nutritional supplement line of products that got results. The compensation plan was fair, yet not exactly easy to duplicate.
However, it never dawned on me that I had not done my own research before buying, joining and sharing with my friends and family. It wasn’t like we were robbed; but it did shed light on why we all were building our business like a robot, simply driven by money without heart.
By taking ownership of my own research now I know I’ve got the right information to share with everyone. Now, I look at everything in life differently, through the eyes of a self-educated businesswoman rather than a brainwashed salesperson.
Tip number 3 – take ownership of your decisions. Ask questions to satisfy that nagging voice inside you. When you research for yourself your life takes on the direction you want it to go. (tweet this)
Research builds responsibility for decisions
Now it’s time to ask some tough questions to you. I’ve opened my heart and mind exposing the mistakes I’ve made. Do you ask yourself those tough questions before making decisions? Questions like:
- What are the side effects of the medicine/drug my doctor is prescribing
- What are the ingredients in the immunization my child is having injected into their body
- You’ve heard about GMO’s do you know what it is and why you don’t want it in your foods
- What can I do to get my health back like when I was younger
- Is it time to start researching a way to make more money
- Why consider working with Carla to redefine success versus other women over 50
When you do your own research, take ownership of the information gathering process you are not led like sheep to the slaughter. Now, when you make a decision you will be able to sleep at night knowing you’ve dug as deep as you can. You can make an educated decision that makes for a solid foundation in your finances, business, and even your relationships.
By using these tips and avoiding the pitfall I’m climbing up out of you can begin building that home business the right way. Knowing you did your own research thoroughly will allow you to share what you have with those you love and care about openly and honestly.
If you’ve had an experience like this I’d love to hear your story. Leave your comment below and please share this with others who might benefit, too.
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Tip number 3 is so very important about taking ownership of your own decisions! I cannot agree more!:)
Thank you Daniele. That tip, number 3 was a BIG, rude awakening for me. Glad someone else agrees with it’s importance.
I totally agree with you Carla. Kudos to you for sharing this and helping others too!
Thank you Anita and thank you for helping keep me on track, using time effectively and providing tools to aid in that time management. So appreciate your expertise.
It is tough to transition from taking orders from others to being in charge. It is fun and freeing. I enjoy choosing what I want to do each and every day.
It sure is tough, Christy. Many think it will be easy. What they, like me don’t realize is that YOU are now in charge of EVERYTHING…and sometimes that’s more than one person can handle if they aren’t prepared for the load of responsibility.
Excellent advice and tips, Carla! This is the way to build an honest home based business! Love it! Thank you!
Thank you Alexandra. Appreciate that you agree with the advice and business tips, too.
I like Tip #2!
Thank you for sharing that you like tip #2 – researching on your own. My hope is that I can lead others to feel the same way Natalie.
You nailed it! Working at home is wonderful but you DO have to work! LOL I always make money-making tasks my first priority when I start my day. Everything that comes after that is exciting because I’ve started the money rolling 🙂
Thank you Martha. Over the years I’ve adopted this thinking “the worst day in the office working from home is better than the best day working at some dead end job for someone who could care less about me, my family or my goals”. It’s all work, just have to keep in mind what you want, how badly you want it and then go for it.
I think allot of people do not want to take ownership! for me i want it..
Good for you Rob, you’ve taken ownership and it’s paying off.