The Enlightened Networker » Personal Development

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

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!

Holy Cow!! – I Really Feel Like A Big Shot Now

Ilka Flood — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:15:37 +0000

Yep, I feel like a million bucks today.

What a difference a day makes, because yesterday I certainly didn’t feel anywhere close to that. More like a nickel maybe.

Sometimes life, circumstances or people drop a boulder in your way and then sheepishly watch in the woods to see how you handle it.

Well, you have two options …

You either climb over it, or find a way around it. But… under no circumstances do you let that boulder stop you from moving forward.

Besides, …tomorrow is another day. And who knows what it will bring.

I could have gone to bed last night, sucking my thumb and feeling sorry for myself, …

Instead I decided to shake it off and move on.

The last thing I did last night before going to bed was submitting my first article to BetterNetworker.com. It’s been on my “to do” list and last night it felt like it was the perfect thing to do to end the day on a positive note.

This afternoon, when I checked my emails I found quite a surprise.

As I opened an email from BetterNetworker, to see what’s new over there … to my amazement, my own article headline caught my attention.

If it wouldn’t have been past noon, I would have thought I was still dreaming.

Great things happen when you step out of your comfort zone!

If you are not yet a member of the BetterNetworker, then you definitely should go check it out immediately. When you do, you will find that it is a community of highly respected network marketers and industry leaders. You will also find some of the biggest names in network marketing training there.

It is quite an honor for me to find my article in this week’s issue of– The Best of Better Networker.

I couldn’t have done it without my friends.

So, a BIG thank you goes to, Jason Better and the “Better Bunch.” Thanks guys for helping me believe in myself and pushing a little harder to bring out in me what I didn’t even know was there. And thanks for making me feel like a big shot today! You guys ROCK!!

A quote from the “Great One” (Wayne Gretzky) comes to mind… “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

So, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. Take that shot. And watch what will happen! I dare ya!

To Your Success,

Ilka Flood

P.S. If you’ve ever felt like a big shot (or hot shot) please share it with us in the comments below.

Success: Even Eagles Need A Push

Ilka Flood — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:23:03 +0000

One of my “Better Bunch” friends challenged me to write a blog post every day this week, Monday through Friday.

I’m always up for a challenge, but let me tell you, that was not easy. I had to put some things on the back burner, make some sacrifices and really stretch my limits, but in the end I did get it done.

“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines practiced every day.” _ Jim Rohn

When I told my husband about this challenge on Monday, the first words out of his mouth were …“Are we getting dinner this week?” (That kind of reminded me of when he received a surprise phone call on a Sunday and went off to Saudi Arabia Monday morning during Desert Storm. The first thing I could think of was, … “who’s going to do our taxes?”)

But anyway … Yes, I still fed my family this week.

What did this challenge accomplish?

For one, it made me grow as a person. I gained more confidence when I stepped out of my comfort zone. Oh, wait a minute. Did I step out or was I pushed? =) In any case, the results remain the same. (Thanks so much for the push!! It’s very much appreciated.)

As an added benefit, my Alexa ranking dropped quite a bit this week and I gained quite a few new visitors as well.

By the way … I wrote a post a little while ago …“Why You Should Surround Yourself With Successful People.”

Well, that’s EXACTLY why. When you hang out with successful people, they lift you up to their level. They help you stretch your limits and they will also give you that much needed push.

I couldn’t have accomplished this challenge this week without the loving support of my husband. So here’s a big hug and thank you for always believing in me even if I don’t.

Here’s one of my favorite motivational movies. I invite you to watch Even Eagles Need A Push. It is only 3 minutes long.

Yes, indeed, even eagles need a push. They need to learn to spread their wings and fly.

Challenges are nothing more than stepping stones to help you grow. Are you stepping up to the plate?

Can you relate? Has anyone ever helped you stretch your limits or even pushed you out of the nest? If so, we’d love to hear your story below.

And, as always, if you liked this post, please share it with your friends of Twitter and Facebook.

How To Become A Better Network Marketer … In Less Than 30 Days

Ilka Flood — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:06:26 +0000

Productivity Advice from Jerry Seinfeld

We all have certain tasks that we should be doing on a daily basis. But for some reason or another we don’t.

Deep down we know that doing these tasks would not only help us become a better network marketer but they would also greatly improve our business skills.

There’s a great story about a young comic who met Jerry Seinfeld.

He asked him if he had any tips on how to improve his jokes as he was still learning the ropes.

The answer Seinfeld gave him was genius, not for the fact that he told the young comic to write every day (which he already knew), but because he told him to write every day, even if he didn’t feel like it.

Seinfeld then went on to reveal his own secret technique that he uses to stay motivated and pressure himself to write every day.

He told the young man to get a calendar that shows a whole year on one page and hang it on a wall where he can see it. The next step was to get a big red magic marker.

Then he told him that for each day he does his task of writing, he should put a big red X over that day. After a view weeks he’d see a chain and that chain would grow longer and longer. He said, “you’ll like seeing that chain especially after you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is not to break that chain.”

“Don’t break the chain.”

What a great psychological motivator. It get’s you keep going because you start to like seeing that chain unbroken. And so, tasks that may be difficult for you (or boring) but beneficial for your business will get much more exciting and the chances increase that you’ll actually do them.

I will try that out. How about you? There are a few tasks I should be doing on a daily basis. But for some reason it’s more like a hit and miss.

Oh, in case you are wondering why I titled this post “How To Become A Better Network Marketer … In Less Than 30 Days.” Because I don’t think you would like to break your chain of X’s after a couple of weeks, would you?
(You can download a printable calendar. Just google printable calendar.)

If you like this post don’t forget to retweet it and share it with your friends .

The Entrepreneur’s Prayer

Ilka Flood — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:10:24 +0000

The Entrepreneur’s Prayer

As I awaken with the gift of yet another day and prepare for the tasks at hand, I offer up this most ardent prayer.

I pray for continued clarity of purpose so that I may hold my vision steady and keep my focus on the needs and success of others, which in turn shall bring me success.

I pray for the wisdom to epect abundance in my life, that it surrounds me and is available for the taking and to be shameless and unapologetic upon its receipt, for I deserve abundance.

I pray for a cheerful countenance, be it clear or cloudy skies and that I may radiate and infect others with my positive attitude.

I pray for the trust of others that they may recognize my sincerity and true intentions so that we may move forward together.

I pray for the strength to fend off adversity and use my desire and determination as both weapon and shield.

I pray for the courage to carry forth my convictions during the battle of business and to resist temptation to a quicker monetary result when such temptation compromises things for which I stand.

I pray that I may be used as lightning rod to collect the amazing ideas already present in the universe and when blessed with such inspiration, that I may be able to apply my talents and abilities to turn the power of thought into measurable advancement of my goals.

I pray to retain my childhood wonder so that I can recognize and revel in the small miracles of each day that others may miss.

I pray for an infinite supply of self-confidence for it alone fortifies faith, strengthens my resolve and conquers the largest enemy I will ever face…fear.

I pray for a compassionate spirit and the patience to offer those who seek my advice and my help, my full and undivided attention.

I pray for good health and a feeling of well being, and the continued desire to improve those areas of my physical life I may be neglecting in the name of my spiritual and entrepreneurial advancement.

I pray that today is a day of excellence and at its conclusion I can acknowledge and be grateful for the forward motion I have made and the growth I have experienced.

I pray most of all for the understanding and support of those closest to my heart, my family, that they will equate what may seem like endless hours of apparent pre-occupation with affairs of business to what is at the very core of my being, that which drives me, for once I achieve what I have set out in its fullest, I will become that more complete being I strive to be.

It is for these things I pray, for I am an entrepreneur.

Change is Good…You Go First!

Ilka Flood — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:55:15 +0000

21 Ways to inspire Change
By Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein

Read on, or just watch the 3 minute movie:

Change What Needs Changing, Not What’s Easy

SUCCESS

“Before we build a better mousetrap, we need to find out if there are any mice out there.” _Yogi Berra

RE-RECRUIT YOUR BEST PEOPLE

“You get the best efforts from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within.” _Bob Nelson

FORGET FOR SUCCESS

“It’s easier for companies to come up with new ideas than to let go of old ones.” _Peter Drucker

FOCUS ON STRENGHTS -

“Focus on the critical few…not the insignificant many.”

REMOVE BARRIERS

“When you’re up to your rear end in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your purpose is draining the swamp.” _George Napper

It All Starts with BELIEF

“A good leader inspires people to have confidence in their leader. A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.” _Anonymous

SIMPLIFY YOUR MESSAGE

“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple – that’s creativity.” _Charles Mingus

LET YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK

“You can’t teach culture. You have to live it. You have to experience it. You have to share it. And, most importantly…you have to show it.” _Brent Harris

CELEBRATE SUCCESS

“The greatest management principle in the world is ‘the things that get rewarded and appreciated get done.’” _Michael LeBouef

MEASURE RESULTS

“What gets measured gets improved.” _Peter Drucker

SET THE STAGE FOR INNOVATION

“The best way to get a good idea is to get lots of ideas.” _Linus Pauling

STAND WITH THEM NOT ABOVE THEM

“The measure of a truly great man is the courtesy with which he treats lesser men.” _Anonymous

REINFORCE, REINFORCE, REINFORCE

Because…”When patterns are broken new worlds emerge.”