Shake It Off and Take a Step UP – An Inspirational Story
| Posted in Personal Development | Posted on 20-01-2012
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When I first started out in my blogging venture I often shared inspirational stories. I know, I haven’t told one in quite some time. But, there will be one coming today which was inspired by a comment that was left on my last post by one of my regular readers, Tim Singleton. (Thanks Tim for the inspiration for this blog post!)
Tim shared his disappointment about a prospect he spent money and a lot of time on, educating him about his product and then in the end, lost to his sponsor. The prospect’s reasoning, Tim’s sponsor was a “bigger deal.” Huh? Are you for real?
Sound familiar?
If you’ve been in the network marketing industry long enough, I bet it has happened to you too at least once. I know it happened to me before.
Yes it stings. Your ego gets rattled a bit, but you can’t let that get to you. And for God’s sake, don’t let self-doubt creep in. It has nothing to do with you.
When someone passes you by and joins with your sponsor instead, because “he’s a bigger deal” there’s nothing you could have done. Don’t worry, karma will take care of it. What goes around comes around.
Besides, every big shot started out as a little shot that kept on shooting.
But on to the story I was going to tell you….
The Donkey in The Well
One day a farmer’s donkey fell into a well. The poor thing cried piteously for hours as th farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally he decided since the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey. So, the farmer invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed shovels, and began to shovel dirt into the well.
All the other farm animals were very upset about this, because the donkey was their friend. But they discovered there was nothing they could do to help him. At first, when the donkey realized what was happening, he cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well, and was astonished at what he saw.
With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off, and take a step up on the dirt as it piled up. As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well, and trotted off!
Takeaway from this story: Life is going to shovel dirt on you. All kinds of dirt. But each obstacle, road block, and yes, lost prospect can be a stepping stone. What happens to you isn’t nearly as important as how you react to it. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not giving up!
Shake it off, and take a step up!
There will be many more detours on our way to success. Taking the “scenic route” can be a great learning experience. I am a strong believer that everything in life happens for a reason. Sometimes we find out what the reasoning was for certain things that happened in our life, and sometimes we don’t.
So, never let self-doubt creep in. Keep believing in yourself…
and keep on shooting!
To Your Massive Success!
Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker
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Twitter: melissabrumback
said on 20-01-2012
Great story! I’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, No one can make you unhappy without your permission. (or something like that). So true.
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Thanks, Melissa! Btw. that quote by Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my favorites. Yes, so true indeed!
Ilka
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Twitter: adriennesmith40
said on 20-01-2012
I’ve always loved that story Ilka, great example to share.
Maybe this may make him feel a little better. I joined an opportunity and was catered to by a VERY VERY big name guy in this industry. That’s right, he practically kissed my you know what to join him so I finally decided that I would. I mean who better to learn from right! The guy makes millions in this industry and I would be learning from him. Want to know what happened?
In order to learn from him I had to spend $200 a month to invest in his membership training site because he had gotten so big that he no longer did regular team trainings. Oh yeah, that’s what you get for going with the “big guns”. So that prospect he lost may be regretting that decision.
Lesson learned I suppose and a good one at that.
Have a great weekend Ilka!
~Adrienne
Adrienne invites you to read..Why Content Is Not The Only King On The Internet
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Hi Adrienne,
I wish I could say your experience is the exception, but it’s not. Even companies charge you for training now. I hate to say it, but that turns me off completely. If you are promoting their product, company training should be free.
And then there’s the other side, there are companies that give you excellent training totally free and actually throw in room and board as well.
But I’m getting carried away. Back to your sponsor… if someone sponsors you, they should not be charging you for training. They should realize that the more they share with you the better.
I think I shared with you already, that I had joined with someone who was a big shot before, but I didn’t know it. He never called and asked if I needed any help….until I hit the first leadership level. Then he became the best sponsor I could have hoped for, calling me ALL the time and sharing EVERYTHING with me. Of course that paid off for the both of us.
Hey, thanks for stopping by and adding more value to my post.
You have a great weekend too, Adrienne!
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: jaynekopp
said on 20-01-2012
Hi Ilka, that was indeed an inspirational story. I too have heard it before.
I can appreciate the way Tim felt/feels… but as you say, it’s only a stepping stone along his journey and he will get over it and onto better things.
Yes, working with people definitely can be challenging at times, but as I have found and Tim will find there are so many real gems you meet along the way who add so much value to your life.
This guy may have been a real jerk to work with as well and been a real thorn in Tims side. He is likely better off without him.
Thanks so much Ilka for the inspiration. I am sure Tim thanks you too.
Jayne Kopp invites you to read..The Law of Attraction | It’s Working For You… Like It or Not!
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Hi Jayne,
Yes, you certainly get bumped and bruised along the way in this business. That’s why only the strong survive. But, as you point out, there are so many “real gems” out there, who make it all worth wile.
Thank you so much for adding more value to my post! I really appreciate it!
Have a great weekend!
Ilka
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Hi, Ilka,
I have the same philosophy as yours – that everything happens for a reason. With that perspective, I have always been able to view the better side of challenges.
When I was little, I wanted to be a detective. Little did I know that I would end up doing network marketing….and having to find solutions to various problems.
Thank you for sharing the donkey story
It is easier to learn from stories. Both success and failure stories are helpful if we can reflect on them.
Viola Tam
Viola tam invites you to read..Network Marketing Success Tips: Brian Tracy (8)
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Hi Viola,
Hmm, interesting, I have never compared network marketing to being a detective, but I can certainly see your point
And yes, you’re right, you learn easier from stories. I can remember things better that ‘paint pictures in my mind.’
Thank you so much for your great comment!
Ilka
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Twitter: harleenas
said on 21-01-2012
Loved the story Ilka!
I have heard this story earlier and have always loved the lesson that comes along with it.
Just as you so rightly mentioned- Take every obstacle to be a stepping stone. What happens to you isn’t nearly as important as how you react to it. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not giving up!- I guess we should never give up and keep trying our best till we achieve our destination.
I too believe in the law of attraction and karma- and feel we should keep doing our best and striving to get better each day. Keep the faith, believe in yourself, and live life to the fullest.
Have a great weekend
Harleena Singh invites you to read..Accept Change & Adjust to Life
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Thank you, Harleena!
Yes, quitting isn’t an option. Only if you quit you have failed.
Nobody ever said it was going to be easy, simple maybe, but definitely not easy.
When we think about it, our whole life has been full of ‘stepping stones.’ We didn’t quit trying to walk when we were babies and got knocked on our bottoms, did we? Why should we quit now?
I really appreciate your valuable comment, Harleena!
Have a great weekend!
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: marketsecrets
said on 21-01-2012
I slacked off majorly at the beginning of last year to the point of almost giving up due to life obstacles and getting put down by offliners until months later I noticed the bloggers I had became friends back then with were now achieving big pagerank and under 20k Alexa rankings mainly because they simply kept going..
This greatly fired me back up as I thought I could’ve been right with them if I’d just used those life obstacles as stepping stones instead!
Thanks for this post, I’ll make sure I share it..
Caleb invites you to read..How To Get The Free Goodies That Keep Piling Up On MY FanPage
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 22nd, 2012 at 11:52 am
Hi Caleb,
Consistency is key with blogging. Those ratings drop fast if you “slack off.” I guess you learned a very valuable lesson —Don’t listen to dream stealers!
But, the good thing is you are back, and as I can tell “rockin it”, because your Alexa rank is very good.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your valuable feedback! I really appreciate it!
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: radu_dascalul
said on 22-01-2012
Hey Ilka,
This is a great story with a powerful message:)
Social proof is not the way to solve your problem. Period. The one who has to solve it is the prospect itself…joining a leader/guru just because you think he/she will make you successful is an illusion. But as you said, you reap what you sow.
The donkey example is remarcable…If we take a closer look we’ll notice two things:
1. The donkey ceased to cry- letting go to complaining and blaming others is the first step for improvement.
2. The donkey use the dirt to get out from the well- when you’re responsible you take everything life gives you and turn it into a blessing, a stepping stone for something greater
Thanks for sharing both examples. If we don’t believe in ourself, nobody will do it.
Wish you a fantastic day,
Radu
Radu invites you to read..10 business success tips from “The Psychology of Selling”
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 24th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Hi Radu,
Absolutely, I totally agree with you. It’s an illusion to think joining with a guru or great leader will make you successful. You will have to do this all on your OWN.
Love the way you dissected the donkey story. You are right on with both parts.
Thank you so much for sharing your great feedback and adding more value to my post! I really appreciate it.
All the best,
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: marcus_baker
said on 23-01-2012
Hi Ilka,
Great to be back commenting here and what a lovely story to be reminded of again.
Sometimes it’s a challenge to embrace circumstances that come our way which we don’t like but as we learn that everything that comes our way whether we like it or not, comes to teach us something, then we are far better off replacing the “Why me?” route with what “What am I being taught here?” one.
When people and circumstances that we’d like to come our way don’t it’s because they were never intended to and we are one step closer to steppping out of our own holes!
Very inspiring – thank you!
~Marcus
Marcus Baker invites you to read..A Focus Tweak Guaranteed to Help You Achieve Your Goals
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 24th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Hey Marcus,
Great to ‘see’ you!
You’re right, there’s a reason everything happens in our lives. Often though we don’t see the lesson in it because we are too busy complaining
Thanks so much for your great feedback!
Hope you’re doing well. Have a great week!
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: DianeAksten
said on 23-01-2012
Ilka: thanks for sharing Tim’s story; I’m sure he didnt think so at the time but he’s probably MUCH better off in the long run without this guy!!
Diane
Diane Aksten invites you to read..Ready to Get Off The Fence and Prosper with Cash Gifting in 2012?
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 24th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Hi Diane,
My pleasure. I just felt compelled to share it, because I know he’s not alone in this. It happens more often than people think. …And yes, absolutely, he’s much better off without this person.
Thanks so much for your feedback!
Be blessed,
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: THEEarthtiger
said on 25-01-2012
Thanks, Ilka. I shared this post of yours to my Facebook profile.
The story about the mule is particularly apt. Thanks for that!
I doubt we have discussed it, but I am 49. I have kept a journal since I was 13. Going to make a note of how aside comments can have ripples, often positive ones, too.
So, LLAM, (Laugh Like A Mule, a new shorthand!) my grandkids will know you if my journals make it to them the way some of my greatgrandfather’s writings made it to me…
Regards,
Tim
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
January 25th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Hi Tim,
Thanks for sharing this post to your FB profile! I appreciate it
Wow, you’ve kept a journal since you were 13?! Good for you! Bet it’s interesting to go back in time and read some of the stuff you wrote in it. Must also be very interesting to read some of your greatgrandfather’s writings. Oh, and by the way, thanks for immortalizing me in your journal as well. Cool!
All the best,
Ilka
[Reply]
Hi Ilka,
Shake it off and step up. What great advice. That applies to anything in life. It’s not what happens to you, but how you react. Everyone experiences setbacks and challenges. The most successful people simply learn from the experience and keep pressing forward.
Thanks for sharing.
Chuck
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
February 8th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Hi Charles,
Welcome to my blog! It’s very nice to meet you. (Oh by the way, did you know that you can link your photo to your blog comments very easily through Gravatar.com ?)
You are absolutely right! This principle can be adapted to anything in life…and yes, it IS how you react that matters most.
Enjoy your day!
Ilka
[Reply]
Amazing story Ilka,
The story of the Farmer’s donkey has been circulating lately. It’s been such an inspiration to loads of people. I’m trying every day to remind myself of the donkey’s story. If I have trouble I remind myself that I can climb to the top and achieve something.
Thank for sharing.
Make it a great day,
Daniel
Daniel Lombardi invites you to read..Inspirational Books: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Hi Daniel,
Yes indeed, it’s a very inspirational story one that I remind myself of as well when things don’t go the way I would like.
“When GOD hands you lemons – make lemonade.”
Thank you so much for stopping by and for your great feedback! It is very much appreciated.
Have a nice day!
Ilka
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