If Not Pushing, Then What?

Rosie Spiegel

Publish PostCopyright ©2008 Rosie Spiegel

If you are considering getting involved in network marketing and you are stuck on the concern about not wanting to put pressure on people to join your organization, here is some simple advice: okay, don’t push people. Do something else. That “something else” is the subject of this essay.

For those who understand that networking is a function of serving others, there is no fear of pushing people. You can be assured that for those who are most successful in this industry, the prospecting process is fun, it feels good, and at the end of the day, doing it well causes one to feel terrific about one’s self. We never think about not pushing. It doesn’t come up when the agenda is to serve others. It would be like thinking, “I don’t want to beat my kids today.” We are focused on other things.

Recently at a corporate sponsored event, Tim Sales in his inimitably intelligent manner, spoke about how and where some of the shadowy sides of network marketing became embedded in people’s thoughts. He described some old, aggressive behaviors of unseasoned non-professionals in the business. Unfortunately, people still think of this just as they think of MSG in Chinese restaurants, even though few restaurants still use it anymore. It’s old news, and many people have not flipped on the channel to see what is true in present time. Granted, as in any profession, there are people whose business ethics are not those that you would choose to emulate. But let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. Make sure that you learn how to make friends, build bridges, be genuine, and leave a wake behind you of people who are really glad that they spoke with you. All of these are at the heart of networking.

So, if you don’t push, what do you do? How about becoming the best listener on the face of the earth? How about being so inspired to learn how to help people get what they want that nothing will stop you on this path? Your being bold when it comes to helping people makes the world a better place. If someone looks at you cross-eyed, do you shelf your mission, or continue to explore possibilities, if you knew that your product or service could improve someone’s life? (The products marketed by my company produced a life-changing response in my body with regard to a serious health issue. I thank my friend daily for not giving up on me. He never pushed me, but he was clear in his willingness to not quit on me even though I was resistant.)

Perhaps what is behind the fear of pushing people is just plain fear. It’s the old comfort zone demon, which encourages us to play it safe instead of playing it big. Turn pushing inside out and what you find is love, service, and a passion to help other people. Those of us who are successful are out on the limb where the fruit is. We have stared down mis-perceptions in order to play this game to win. In this industry winning is measured by how many people’s lives have improved because of your ability to see clearly what this is (serving others) and what this is not (pushing.) If you knew how good this felt, you would not be able to wait to join us on this field and have your life be about making a difference for others.

Rosie Spiegel, founder of Manifesting Vision International

rosie@manifestingvision.com

650-573-7177