Network Marketing Journey

“Once in class, in the rush to get two classmates set up to hold a couple of boards for a jump sidekick, I made a mistake. A big one. In the rush to break the boards, I handed my boardholders two boards at once - but the one board’s grain was vertical while the other board’s grain was horizontal. When I kicked those boards - they didn’t move. At all. It was like kicking a brick wall two feet thick - the boards didn’t break, but I thought my foot had.” -Storyteller Unknown

Avoid Making My Mistake

When I was younger one of the most frequently repeated statements was “You can’t always have what you want.” Nine times out of ten this was in response to me expressing the my desire to get involved in a career I enjoyed. I was tired of the hum-drum experience of going to work, putting in my time and then going home. After awhile I actually began to believe this–at least on the surface.

I spent a large part of my life NOT seeking to fulfill the need to do rewarding work and now that I’m eagerly correcting that error, I want share some observations from my experiences.

I am willing to bet most people feel ’stuck’ because they are not pursuing the career or events they feel passionate about.

What Should I Do?

First of all, take inventory.

I mean that literally. Set aside a block of time so you can start writing down a list of your wants, dreams, successes and failures. Doing so will help you to pinpoint the direction you will take your life.

Secondly, after you’ve got all of these things down on paper ask yourself some questions:

• Am I on the right career path?
• Is procrastination decreasing my efficiency, and if so, to what extent?
• Have I improved my personality, and if so, in what ways?
• Have I been guilty of any conduct not approved of by my conscience?
• Have I been unfair to anyone, and if so, in what why?

Ask these questions of yourself in terms of the list you just created and allow them to expand on themselves. For example, the question of being in the right vocation might balloon out into more questions. If the answer was ‘no’, you might be asking what job would allow you to draw on your passions. Allow your mind to wander and bring visual representations to the answers of your questions.

The idea being that you should explore your current situation for the cues may have missed.

Be Aware of Your Feelings

The next thing you need to be aware of are your feelings as you work through these questions and begin to brainstorm. I’m not talking about emotions here. Feeling excited, anxious, angry … these are all emotions. I am referring to the physical manifestation of those emotions within you.

• The tight constricted feeling in your chest–anger, anxiety.
• The sudden shiver sometimes associated with an epiphany.
• The positive flow of exhilaration one feels when we are happy, or excited.

The key is to take hold of the things which create a positive flow of energy in you and find ways to bring them into your life. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed. Don’t bury your passions and dreams. Bring them out into the sun where they can flourish.

Make Use of the a New Understanding

Finally, there is but one step left. As always, you must take action. At this point you have an inventory of things which spark a passionate response in you, and you’ve also taken note of the responses each of the questions sparks.

Taking action means actively seeking out each of the items on your list and the environments suited to them. But it also means resolving any anger, frustration or guilt you might be feeling as well. The road you want to be on, the one filled with passion, doesn’t tolerate ill will and those negatives can and will hold you back if you let them.

Recognize the past to be exactly what it is; a starting point to a new beginning in life.

Also keep in mind: This entire exercise will have no value if you don’t begin to explore the possibilities and draw on the activities and skills which excite you. Once you have targeted your passions don’t hesitate to act on them.

photo credit: italiangerry

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