BACK TO SCHOOL: 12 Lessons from Grade School (That Even Apply in Your Network Marketing Business)

Everybody Gets Picked for Something! Just when you think well I am going to stop sponsoring, calling, attending you need to know that people are watching, whether you know it or not. They are sizing you up. It could be just to see how things turn out for you or maybe how they want to be. There are those who may just want to associate with you, or to take advantage of your skills. Even if you're chosen last keep going, no matter what and do your best along the journey. No matter how rugged the journey seems, we are paving a road for others to follow. You are chosen whether you realize it or not.

Mothers ALWAYS Hit Alarm Clocks. Despite all the technology in the world and the advancements all around and the development of social media, there is nothing greater than to have a concerned person's interaction, intervention, and inspiration in your life. The leaders that are blazing the trail and dedicating the time, energy and effort toward a commitment to seeing their teams succeed is highly needed. I am a believer that iron sharpens iron and just as we had loving parent’s to cheer us on in school to succeed, everyone needs someone to believe in them, encourage them, and hold them accountable. That is why I believe that Network Marketing is the greatest industry ever because we depend on each other and need one another to experience success.

You Always Hate Your Best Teacher, Until...There is always that one sponsor or person in our lives who seems to be demanding, relentless, and seemingly cruel task masters. They are either obnoxiously annoying or disciplinarians who push performance standards and us to the limit. Yet these are the very people we remember and cherish for instilling in us the drive to excel and achieve, often beyond our own imagination. Know that these are the individuals who want to see you succeed probably more than you want to see you succeed and that is why they do what they do.

Learn It Anyway. How many classes did you sit through, thinking all the while that you'd never need the knowledge? How much of that subject matter has come in handy—when you least expected? The same goes for seminars, webinars, conferences, book-of-the-month, weekly meetings, daily calls, you name it. You may feel that you have all the knowledge that you need to hit the ground running. And that may be true to some extent. But I have come to realize that when I am new to any environment there is always something that I can learn even if it is just to understand the culture. We never know what the future holds, what will be demanded of us, what skills we’ll need. So do and learn everything possible especially about your business. Business, situations, and opportunities change and the more knowledge you have, the better you are able to adapt to those changes.

She May Be Cute, but Is She Right? Her name was Donna and she was the object of ever 8th grade boy's dreams. So one day I asked her if I could call her, I just knew because I was a star jock "yes" would be the answer. She was totally rude, obnoxious, and loud and her objective was to make sure I was thoroughly embarrassed and that everyone in the school knew it. From that point on, I realized that the “substance” of people has nothing to do with their looks or even my finesse and accolades. Many times we size up a person as to whether they are someone we should introduce our business to based on what we see. What we fail to realize is that type of barometer is always faulty because it has no merit. There is simply no way of knowing who will and who will not get involved in your business unless you ask. Whether they live in a million dollar home, drive a $300,000 car, vacation every 6 months to exotic places that should never register in your mind as to what someone will do.

You Can't Get Beat-Up If He's Laughing. There's always a bully. I remember this skinny little kid who could not fight. One day he was being bullied and I realized that he used humor to defuse the situation. I learned that day how powerful a tool humor was if used properly. Now I was not a skinny kid in fact I was quite the contrary so I did not have to worry about bullies but I did want to be well liked and social in my environments. So, at that point I began to use my wit to diffuse tense or difficult situations. I have come to realize that the person with a good sense of humor often rises above downturns. The optimistic, witty, happy individuals seem to overcome and their life difficulties seem lessened with the infusion of joy.

Being the Smartest Kid in the Class Isn't Everything. I wasn’t at the bottom rung nor was I the kid with all the answers, but I can tell you that my life has been more incredible than most. What I lacked in straight As, I made up for in other ways. Things like creativity, diversity in experience, adaptability, opportunities, and the ability to work well with different kinds of people trump the “brainiac” every time. Even Bill Gates needed more than good grades to become "America's richest man" and to make Microsoft a legend.

Recess is the Coolest Part of the Day. All work and no play makes Will a dull man. I have to say one of the most enjoyable parts of school for me was recess. There were some of my friends who said it was reading, while others said math class, but no matter how much they may or may not have enjoyed studying, learning, and tests, playing in the schoolyard were always fun for everyone. There's an old adage, "Do we stop playing because we get old, or do we get old because we stop playing?" It does not matter how intense the reward you receive from working, you have to realize that balance is the great elixir and fun and play time is need for all.

Heads Down for Naptime. I often times underestimate how being well rested contributes to having a balanced productive day. Just as important as showing up on time, working hard, and getting along with others, getting a little rest is always a good thing. You are worth it and so are others because you are better when you have gotten rest. So get a good night's sleep, take a vacation, and take about 20 minutes and close your eyes every day just to meditate, cool down and relax. You'll reenergize and have a new vigor and vitality.

When You Fall Off, Get Back On. I am sure we all have experienced a time when we were children where we fell at something and had to get back and continue. It may have been riding a bike, shooting free throws, or the like. Whatever it was you did not cry, quit and never to do it again even if you skinned a knee or an elbow. You dusted yourself off and got back to it especially if that something happened in front of friends. Well, that resilience and perseverance are still necessary in your business. Those two traits are great to have in your business. If you develop and nurture them; they will be the very things that separate the winners from the losers.

Bad Boys and Girls Are Fun, but...As much as it appeared that those that bucked the system had more fun and those who followed the rules were boring. It only appeared that way. We all remember those boys and girls--the ones who defied the rules. Everybody thought they were cool, but they all ended up in trouble eventually. Taking short cuts, not following the system, going at it alone are sure routes to trouble, misery, loneliness, and often times failure. So, for goodness sake, be good and follow those that have made it. The rules are there to help not hurt or hinder.

Perfect Attendance may not be everything… Having perfect attendance was a good thing to strive for because you got to go across the school auditorium stage and receive a certificate from the principal and a coupon for a free ice cream cone. Receiving the accolades was great but it was the showing up part that was most important. During the years that I did not have perfect attendance and I had to miss a day it always seemed to be on a day that the class did something spectacular. Or if I had to be out for an extended period of time I would have to make up a lot of work. Perfect attendance allows for consistency. When you are consistent even when you do not want to, you do not fall behind or get frustrated. Although I really did not put much thought into why I needed to be in school every day, all I knew is that if I missed a day, I would probably miss something good. The same goes for business, you MUST show up.

#lessonslearnedfromgradeschool