The Enlightened Networker » Personal Development

Are You Sabotaging Your Own Network Marketing Success?

Ilka Flood — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:25:24 +0000

Success in Network Marketing

Success in network marketing starts (and ends) with YOU. Have you ever heard that?

If that is news to you, listen up.

Can you relate to this scenario?

You are doing everything your upline sponsor tells you to do. You are using the tools he or she recommends. You attend all company meetings and listen to every single conference call. Yet, … for some reason you don’t see the network marketing success you would like to have.

What’s wrong?

One important ingredient is missing. Actually, the most important ingredient is missing.

Neither systems , tools and conference calls nor company meetings are building your success. They do help considerably and are very important, don’t get me wrong, but unless you add the most important ingredient you will never see the success in network marketing you could have.

This one missing ingredient is … YOU!

Plain and simple!

It’s YOU and what you are THINKING.

Do you have doubts about your products? The comp plan? The company? Doubts about your own ability to succeed? Fear of failure? Fear of success? Maybe you are afraid of your own courage?

If you have a case of “Stinkin’ Thinkin,” get rid of it. Stop sabotaging your own network marketing success!

I am just re-reading “Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and in the book he states …

“Both Poverty and Riches are the Offspring of Thought”

Think about this for a minute. That’s very a powerful statement!

If this is true, than that would mean that you can think yourself into poverty or you can think yourself into riches. Which would you choose?

Well, I know which way I would go.

In chapter 3, Napoleon Hill talks about “The Law of Autosuggestion.”

“The subconscious mind makes no distinction between constructive and destructive thought impulses. It works with the material we feed it, through our thought impulses. The subconscious mind will translate into reality a thought driven by fear just as readily as it will translate into reality a thought driven by courage or faith.

…If you fill your mind with fear, doubt and unbelief in your ability to connect with and use the forces of Infinite Intelligence, the law of autosuggestion will take this spirit of unbelief and use it as a pattern by which your subconscious mind will translate it into its physical equivalent.“

Wow! Pretty scary stuff, huh? So, be very careful what you think.

I would like to close with a poem that describes the law of autosuggestion very well…

“If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.

“If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will—
It’s all in the state of mind.

“If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

“Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!”

Napoleon Hill, “Think & Grow Rich

Think POSITIVE!

Success in network marketing can be yours if you can adjust your thinking. When you get a case of “stinkin’ thinkin”, which we all do at times, get rid of it immediately and change your negative thoughts into positive ones. You do have a choice.

When I get down and negative thoughts creep into my mind, I get away from it all. I do something fun and uplifting. Sometimes I go for a walk. Doodle a while in PhotoShop or listen to upbeat music. Or I read a few pages in a book. (Hint: Think & Grow Rich is a great one.) Or I take a shower and wash those negative thoughts right out of my mind.

To your Network Marketing Success!

Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker

P.S. Share with us what you like to do to get rid of “stinkin’ thinkin’.” And if you found value in this post, please share it. Thank you!

The “Rinse and Repeat” Formula for A Successful Network Marketing Business

Ilka Flood — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:22:26 +0000

"Rinse and Repeat" Formula for a Successful Network Marketing Business

So, just what is this formula for a successful network marketing business?

It’s been said, that our habits predict our future. I believe that to be true. How about you?

Have you ever noticed that the more you do something the better you get at doing it? You can take anything in life and you will see that there is actually some truth to it.

Remember when you first learned to ride a bike?

You were wobbly. You knuckles turned white because you were holding on to those handle bars for dear life. You prayed that your dad (or mom, or whoever was holding on to the bike to keep you stable and give you support) wouldn’t let go.

You practiced every day and every day you got better. And then came the day when you were practicing again, and you turned around and there was nobody holding on to you anymore. You were riding that bike all by yourself.

At first that scared you and may have caused you into ‘wobbling mode’ for just a few seconds. But then you regained your confidence and you were enjoying the ride. A proud feeling of accomplishment came over you. You did it!

Now when you get on a bike you don’t even think about what you are doing. It’s just automatic.

It can be the same in your network marketing business.

You may be totally overwhelmed, pulled into different directions. Everybody and their brother telling you what to do and how to do it. (You’re in wobbling mode.)

But when you get really down to it, it’s quite simple. Just like riding a bike. Focus on the basics.

There are certain tasks that you must accomplish every day in order to reach your goal of running a successful network marketing business. Some of them may be new to you and may require a certain amount of practice. But by practicing them every day, you will get better.

“Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.” ~ Zig Ziglar

So what’s the formula for a successful network marketing business?

Identify the tasks you absolutely have to do every day in order to move your business forward.
Do them in order of priority. (Life happens, so do the most important tasks first, just in case.)
Practice those tasks that need perfecting.
Rinse and repeat

Stick to that formula no matter what. Put your blinders on if you have to in order to keep from getting distracted. I know there are many distractions out there. All I have to do is open my email inbox and there are tons of them…But…

Repeating important activities that move your business forward on a daily basis is the key to a successful network marketing business.

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit.

I don’t know how they came up with 21 days but it seems to work. So write down what you need to do every day. Do it for 21 days and see what happens. (Of course keep going after that.) There is power in positive habits.

Just keep your focus right on your target and you will get there.

Bye for now, I’ve got to go do some rinsing and repeating.

To your successful network marketing business,

Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker

P.S. If you found this article helpful please share it with your friends. Thank you!

Can You Make A Difference? | The Starfish Story

Ilka Flood — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:37:44 +0000

The Starfish Story

I thought it was time for another story. I love stories. Do you?

Stories have a way to connect and stay with us like nothing else ever could. They tap into our inner feelings and make us part of it. The reason why we remember stories is because they pull on our emotional strings. … They make us think and they make us feel. And it’s that feeling that helps us remember.

The story I am going to tell you today is one of my all-time favorites.

So… without further ado, here it is…

The Starfish Story

adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley
1907 – 1977

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “I made a difference to that one!”

Great story, isn’t it?

We often think we are too insignificant or too unimportant to make a difference. We couldn’t be further from the truth.

One person CAN make a difference.

Just like there are many starfish out there that need saving there are many people out there who are hurting financially in these tough economic times. We can’t save them all, but we can save some of them and then teach those to save some more. That’s called leverage.

Eventually, together, we can make a difference to a whole lot of people.

Did you know, that just $250 extra a month would keep many people from bankruptcy? A home based business could help accomplish that. On top of that, owning your own business has great tax benefits.

To your success,

Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker

P.S. If you liked this story, please share it with others. Thank You!

Break Loose, Change Your “Employee” Mindset Through Personal Development

Ilka Flood — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:56:25 +0000

If Elephants Could Change Their Mindsets ...

Urban legend has it that elephants are afraid of mice. Well, that’s not really true. Elephants are actually one of the more fearless animals in the world and they also have an excellent memory. However, they are not the brightest creatures or they would realize that they could kick the stake they are tied or chained to (at the zoo or circus) into next week if they wanted to.

You see, elephants are tied to stakes as babies and no matter how hard they pull and tuck they can’t get loose. I already mentioned the incredible memory elephants have. So even when they are fully grown they remember that they couldn’t escape when they were tied down when they were little so they figure they still can’t and don’t even try.

Good thing we aren’t elephants.

We are humans and as such we know better. We know we can change if we set our mind to it.

I wasn’t brought up in an environment where personal development skills seemed important. My husband on the other hand was always reading or listening to tapes to improve himself. If you checked out his library you would find your usual big name personal development authors and trainers.

It all changed when I started getting into network marketing.

I found that I didn’t have the skills I needed to be an entrepreneur. Being street smart is good, but not enough. Now I can’t get my hands on enough personal development training and my own library keeps growing. I realized how important it is to work on “YOURSELF” instead of anything else. You can’t give what you don’t have.

Although network marketing is now taught on some colleges, most of us didn’t have any formal training when we got started. So we had to acquire the skills it takes to become an entrepreneur from somewhere else. And so will you if you want to be successful in this industry.

First and foremost you will have to work on your “employee” mindset.

If you have been working a job for the past 10 plus years, than you probably have the mindset of an employee. You are usually told what to do by your boss or supervisor and you just do it. And when you do you will get paid. If you don’t you get fired. Pretty simple!

However, it’s totally different when you become an entrepreneur.

There is nobody to tell you what to do or how to do it. Now you are the boss and YOU are responsible for the actions you take … or don’t take. If you work your business you will get a commission check and your business will grow. If you don’t work it, …well, then you will soon be out of business. It takes a lot of discipline, self-motivation, consistency, persistence and perseverance to run your own business.

Just simply making the switch from employee to entrepreneur and expecting to be successful just doesn’t work.

You will have to switch your mindset as well. You will have to develop a mindset of a millionaire. (Because, your business has the potential to eventually grow into a million dollar business.) And you will have to pick up some very important business and leadership skills. That’s where personal development comes in.

In network marketing you are not just responsible for yourself but also for the people you sponsor.

You work as a team. Developing leadership skills is vital for your business. Thank goodness there is plenty of personal development material out there. There are books, CDs, videos, webinars, blogs, etc. You just need to make the time to work on yourself and develop the skills you need to be successful. It will be time and money well spend.

You don’t have to be the elephant tied to the stake, you can break loose and reach the success you desire. All you have to do is change your mindset and work on yourself.

“An army of lions led by a lamb will always be defeated by an army of lambs led by a lion”.

I picked up that quote from a post that my friends Ken & Melisa West published about Personal Development. I encourage you to go visit their blog and read it. It’s an excellent post.

To your success,

Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker

P.S. If you want others to break loose from the stake that’s holding them down please share this post on Twitter, Facebook and Digg It. Thank you very much!

P.P.S. I guess I was a little off in my analogy about the baby elephants, but Michael Cole set me straight. So please make sure you read his comment below. Poor baby elephants!

Not Ready to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone?

Ilka Flood — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:16:09 +0000

Stepping Out Of Comfort Zone

You’ve probably heard MLM trainers before recommending that you should “step out of your comfort zone.” Well, I even mention it on a few of my blog posts here at The EnlightenedNetworker.

That’s great advice! But what if you are just not quite ready?

What if you don’t feel comfortable of stepping out of your comfort zone completely and do things you are just not ready for yet. That’s okay! We’ve all been there at one point or another. It’s all part of the growing process.

Don’t panic!

Instead of freezing and doing nothing at all try to just ‘stretch your comfort zone’ a little bit. It’s much better to grow a little than not growing at all.

Build on your small successes and then stretch it a little more.

You will find that with every little stretch your confidence builds a little more.

Success is a great confidence builder.

I remember a few years back when I was asked at an opportunity meeting by a corporate member of our company to get in front of the audience and give my testimonial.

Oh dear! If there would have been a hole in the ground I would have gladly jumped in to it. With every passing minute I was waiting for my turn to speak my palms got sweatier and my throat dryer. I was terrified.

“What if I get stuck and can’t find the right words?” Or, … “what if I accidently throw in some German words?” That sometimes happens when I’m nervous.

All kinds of thoughts were going through my head. (F.E.A.R – False Expectations Appearing Real.)

When I was called to go up there and speak, it took a whole two sentences and I was calm like an old pro. I wasn’t nervous at all anymore, didn’t get stuck, and as far as I could tell no German words slipped out either. At least nobody in the audience seemed to be confused about what I was saying. Everyone just looked at me and really listened. Which by the way, really made me feel good and gave me a lot of confidence.

I stepped wayyyy out of my comfort zone that day. Or should I say, I GOT stepped out?

But I am so glad it happened. I build on that success and started stretching my comfort zone on my own.

It’s important to celebrate our small accomplishments.

Every little step we accomplish on our way to success is cause for a celebration. It gives us more confidence.

Ralph Waldo Emerson says …“A mind once expanded can never shrink back to its original state.”

Substitute the word “mind” with “comfort zone” and the same holds true.

Once you expand your comfort zone, it will never shrink back to where it was.

Are you stepping out of your comfort zone? Or at least stretch it a little bit? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.

To your success,

Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker

P.S. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends. It’s easy to share on Twitter, Facebook or Digg using the buttons at the top.

Are You Truly Committed To Your Network Marketing Business?

Ilka Flood — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:43:13 +0000

Developing Leadership Skills Can Be Learned

Or are you just going through the motions because you are not ready to quit just yet?

So, how about it? How’s your commitment to business?

For your network marketing business to give you the success you desire it takes a 100% commitment from you. Don’t treat it like a hobby. Treat it as a million dollar business because that’s what it really is. Even if you paid a low entrance fee and your monthly commitment (autoship) is very low. Eventually your business - if you treat it in a professional manner – will become a million dollar business.

If you are truly committed, trust me, you will reach your goals.

Okay, so right now you may have hit a snag and you really have your doubts.

I know how it feels. I’ve been there. The key is not to give in. Doubts can stop you right in the tracks and they can even kill your business if you let them. If you are having doubts, get to the root of them and find out why.

Why are you doubting? Do you think you just can’t do it?

Take a look at the top leaders in your company. How do you think they got there? Are these people so very different from you? If you really look at them, I don’t think they are so different. They just posses more leadership qualities and skills than you do right now. But that can be learned.

I bet if you had a chance to meet them and sit down and have a chat, they would give you several reasons why they got to where they are.

They have a “Can Do” attitude.
They surround themselves with leaders, with successful people who walked the path before them.
They have a library of self-development books and actually read them.
They are not afraid (or too proud) to ask questions.
They stepped out of their comfort zone and said good bye to F.E.A.R (False Expectiations Appearing Real).
They learned everything possible about their company and products so they can talk intelligently to prospects.
They have built great relationships over time and have a list of people they can draw from for referrals.
They have a plan and work it.
They know that in order to succeed they will have to fail.
Quitting is NEVER an option for them.

Developing leadership qualities can be learned.

Think about it … Do you believe in your heart of hearts, that if you did the same exact thing as your top leaders; if you had the same type of commitment to your business as they have; do you believe that you could achieve the same kind of success as they did?

If your answer is “YES” then what’s stopping you? GO FOR IT!

To become a good leader you must first become a good follower. Start by finding a great mentor and then really start listening and implementing what he or she teaches you.

To your success,

Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker

Can There Be Success Without Gratitude?

Ilka Flood — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:02:18 +0000

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude!

Hmm, I wonder.

I’ve been reading quite a bit about “developing an attitude of gratitude” lately.

Taking things for granted is never a good thing.

Have you ever noticed that when you loose something you suddenly (and sometimes painfully) notice its value to you?

I try hard not to take anything for granted, but this morning when I sat down on my computer I noticed that I had taken for granted the very things that are KEY to my business success.

Here are just a few things I had totally taken for granted …

My computer
The very first thing I do every morning after getting out of bed is turn on my computer. Without even thinking about it, I expect it to turn on and to hear that familiar humming sound.

I never gave thought to the many people who were involved in creating the parts and putting it together. Nor have I ever thought of the genius who was able to figure out that a bunch of zeros and ones somehow could make a computer in the first place.
The Internet
Again, I totally expect it to appear as soon as I log in. Should it go out (usually right in the middle of me working on something – like would you believe it – right now as I am writing this) I kick and scream (sometimes) and get very upset.

The internet is the life line to my customers, my team members and prospects, my online friends … well to basically everything. It’s the heart beat of my business. Without it I am dead in the water.
Email
I took it for granted (until right now) that I can send an email to someone half-way around the world in seconds and that I can get a response back just as quickly.
Skype
I can call friends, family and prospects all over the world and don’t have to pay a penny to do so (if I call from computer to computer) or very little if I call from computer to a land line or cell phone.
The Telephone
The ultimate credit goes to Alexander Graham Bell for inventing it in the first place. But look how far we have come since then. I’m not tied to a wall phone but can call people from anywhere and can be reached anywhere with a cell phone or mobile phone.

Someone had to invent all these tools I’m using on a daily basis to build my network marketing business.

Someone had to make all this possible. But have I ever thought about those people or thought about giving thanks to them? If I’m really honest … no, not really. I’ve totally taken all that for granted.

So here today is my official expression of gratitude to everyone who has anything to do with me building my online business. Thank you for making this possible for me!

The only ‘thing’ I haven’t taken for granted are you, my readers. I truly appreciate you stopping by and reading my posts and leaving me your thoughts. Thank you so much!

So again my question … Can there be success without gratitude?

In my opinion, no, there can’t be success without gratitute. Because expressing gratitude for the things you have opens yourself up to receiving more. And the power of gratitude goes a very long way.

What are your thoughts?

To your success,

Ilka Flood

P.S. As always, if you got something out of this post please don’t forget to share it with your friends on Twitter or Facebook…or Digg it.

Words of Wisdom to Live By and Apply to Your Business

Ilka Flood — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:17:28 +0000

The following 30 Words of Wisdom don’t just apply to life itself, but can also be used in building your network marketing business. Or any business for that matter.

(Feel welcome to add as many of your own words of wisdom in the comments below.)

Words of Wisdom to Live By

1. Nobody can ruin your day without YOUR permission.

2. Most people will be about as happy, as they decide to be.

3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.

4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have.

5. Success stops when you do.

6. When your ship comes in…. make sure you are willing to unload it.

7. You will never “have it all together.”

8. Life is a journey…not a destination. Enjoy the trip!

9. The biggest lie on the planet: “When I get what I want I will be happy.”

10. The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.

11. I’ve learned that ultimately ‘takers’ lose and ‘givers’ win.

12. Life’s precious moments don’t have value, unless they are shared.

13. If you don’t start, it’s certain you won’t arrive.

14. We often fear the thing we want the most.

15. Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you have to say. Best friends listen to what you don’t say!

16. Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.

17. Look for opportunities…not guarantees.

18. Life is what’s coming….not what was.

19. Success is getting up one more time.

20. Now is the most interesting time of all.

21. When things go wrong…..don’t go with them.

22. Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.

23. God can mend all broken hearts. You just have to give him all the pieces.

24. A person who asks a question might be a fool for five minutes, but a person who doesn’t ask, is a fool forever…

25. A best friend is like a four leaf clover… hard to find, and lucky to have.

26. A friend is someone who reaches for your hand but touches your heart.

27. A coincidence is when God performs a miracle, and decides to remain anonymous.

28. You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.

29. Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace… and your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.

30. Our eyes are placed in front because it is more important to look ahead than to look back.

I don’t know who wrote these “30 Words of Wisdom” up originally, but I’m sure glad they did and I thought they were very well worth sharing with you all.

Let us know which ones are your favorites. I actually love all of them, but my absolute favorites would be #s 1,9,15, and19.

I also love #22. Honestly, how many times has that happened in online marketing? A program comes out that promises the moon and every fool on the planet falls for it. A couple of months later you read that the program has been shut down.

Online marketers beware!!

So, which ones do you like best? Share them with us in the comment box below.

To Your Success,

Ilka Flood

P.S If you want your friends to get a piece of wisdom, please share this post on Twitter and Facebook.

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Failure Is Not An Option? – It Better Be If You Want To Become A Network Marketing Pro

Ilka Flood — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:28:52 +0000

Just think about it … If failure wasn’t an option we would never have heard of any of the following individuals. They all failed. Some of them miserably before they reached success. For all of them failure WAS an option!

Walt Disney …. Was fired from a newspaper because he “lacked originality and had no imagination.”

Lucille Ball … had been dismissed from Drama School with a note that said, … “Wasting her time. She’s too shy to put her best foot forward.”

Harrison Ford … was fired from Columbia Pictures and told he “was never going to make it in the business.”

Michael Jordan … was cut from his high school team saying he “wasn’t good enough.”

The Beatles … were turned down by Decca Records saying, …”we don’t like your sound and guitar music is on the way out.”

Abraham Lincoln … failed in business twice, had a nervous breakdown, his fiancé died and he was defeated in eight elections.

Thomas Edison … was told that his inventions were of “no practical use.”

I could keep going but I think you get the point.

All these people failed. But they never gave up trying. And because of that, all of them eventually succeeded.

Think back to when you were a baby…

When you first started walking, did you give up after falling on your butt a few times? No, of course you didn’t. You got right back up and tried again to the cheers of everyone around you.

What has changed?

So alright, maybe nobody is cheering you on anymore. (But maybe you’re wrong about that one. Your peers are watching and they want you to have success. Especially if you are part of the “Better Bunch.”)

Maybe FEAR has set in. Fear of Failure!

But think about what F.E.A.R really means … False Evidence Appearing Real. Do you think FEAR of failure stopped any of those people above? They were not even thinking about that. Not for a split second. They failed and they pushed on.

So, is failing in Network Marketing an option?

Absolutely! It better be! But only if you let failure stop you from trying again have you really failed.

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” _ Henry Ford

Maybe you have heard of the failure rate in network marketing being 97%. That’s 97% of the people who join network marketing who give up because they failed at one time or another and didn’t push on. They quit. And that made them fail permanently.

So, are the 3% that made it just lucky? No, luck has nothing to do with it. They succeeded because they didn’t let failure stop them. They used it as stepping stone, pushed on and never quit.

What would have happened if Thomas Edison just would have given up in his efforts to find a stable filament to make his electric light bulb invention work? He tried thousands of different versions and none of them worked. His comment: “I have not failed. I’ve simply discovered ten thousand ways that don’t work.”

So go ahead, embrace failure!

Because, for one, it’s going to happen anyway. Unless you stop trying all together. And two, it’s the only way for you to get to where you want to be. And if you persevere then you will write your own network marketing success story someday and people will know your name too.

There is no success without failure. The only time you have really failed is … if you quit. Then failure becomes permanent.

To Your Success,

Ilka Flood

P.S. Let’s make some noise and share this post on Twitter, Facebook or Digg. Thanks!

Just 10 A Day Will Set You Free

Ilka Flood — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:24:45 +0000

Just imagine how different your life – or your network marketing business – would be 5 years from now if you made a few simple changes today and stuck to it. If instead of watching another episode of CSI you would pick up a personal development book and read just 10 pages every single day. If instead of reading novels and living someone else’s dream, you picked up Napoleon Hill’s “Think & Grow Rich” and build your own dream.

Do you think this would change your life? I betcha!! They say it takes 21 days to break or make a habit. I dare you to try it out.

Reading 10 pages a day doesn’t take a lot of time. Maybe 10-15 minutes? But just think within a year you will have read 3650 pages. Let’s assume the average personal development book has 200 pages. That’s about 18 books a year. 18 books with powerful messages that can totally change your life.

Within the next 5 years you will have read almost 100 books. Feeding your brain with valuable information that you can apply anywhere and at anytime … in life as well as in your network marketing business.

It’s easy to do and it’s easy not to do!

Just imagine how much you will have grown as a person. You will never, ever be the same! If you were to lose everything, your job; your house; your business; whatever; …you would still possess that knowledge and you could start anew anytime you wanted to.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A mind once expanded will never shrink back to its original state.”

Just for a second close your eyes and let that sink in … “A mind once expanded will never shrink back to its original state.”

Do you realize how powerful this statement is??

That means, whatever happens in your life, that knowledge you gained from reading those 100 books will be forever engrained in your brain. It’s knowledge that you have access to anytime, knowledge you can use it to better your life.

If you don’t know where to start, here are some reading suggestions. A small sample from my own library of personal development books…

“Think & Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
“Lessons From Great Lives” by Sterling W. Sill & Dan McCormick
“Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki
“Why We Want You To Be Rich” by Donald Trump & Robert Kiyosaki
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R.Covey
“Your First Year in Network Marketing” by Mark Yarnell
“Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Eker
“The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg & John David Mann
“Go-Givers Sell More” by Bob Burg & John David Mann
“Beach Money” by Jordan Adler
… and one of my all-time favorites … “The Slight Edge”, by Jeff Olson

That’s my message to you for today. Turn off that tube and reach for a good book. Feed your brain!

I love this quote by Jim Rohn … “Rich people have libraries. Poor people have big screen TVs”

To Your Success,

Ilka Flood

P.S. As always if you liked this message, make some noise and share the love. Post it on Twitter and Facebook or Digg it. Thank you!