By Eric Worre
I first learned about the importance of associations from my mentor Jim Rohn. He told me that we are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with … that we think what they think, talk how they talk, read what they read, have a vision that’s like their vision, and earn what they earn.
This is the fastest way to success in Network Marketing … being around people who are focused and productive and not spending your time with people who are lazy, make excuses, and procrastinate.
I always thought I wanted to be the big dog, you know, the biggest earner in the group, but I learned that’s a huge mistake. I need to be around people who think bigger than I do; that have a bigger vision than I do; take more action than I do; that are more consistent, positive and focused than I am; and that are earning more than I am.
Why? Because if I’m able to earn my way into that group, those people will pull me up.
Influence is very powerful. If you’re around negative people, that’s going to rub off on you. If you’re around positive people, that’s also going to rub off on you.
There are a couple things you can do to improve your surroundings..
Limit your association with negative people. If they’re not pulling you up, spend less time with them. If you normally spend 2 days with them, spend 2 hours with them. If you normally spend 2 hours with them, spend 2 minutes with them. You don’t have to tell them that you’re limiting your time with them, just be busier in other directions.
This is sometimes a hard one, but you can always disassociate. You’ve seen movies where the main character is hanging out with someone toxic and you just know it’s a disaster waiting to happen yet maybe you’re doing the same thing! If someone is toxic, you need to stop spending time with them, at least until you’re strong enough to have a positive influence on them.
So how do you spend time with the right people?
Well it’s a little tricky. These people are very busy, and you can’t just come in as a needy person and barge your way into their group. You have to earn your way in. Remember, you become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, so people are protective of their circle of influence because they understand that just like they’re going to bring your average up, you’re going to bring their average down.
Here’s what you can do.
- Attend local meetings held by a very successful person in your company. Be the first person to arrive. Help set up for the meetings. Be the last person to leave. Help break down the room. Carry things to their car. Earn some time. Next thing you know, you’ll have the opportunity to have a discussion with them and ask some questions.
- Find someone in your upline who is super successful and ask if you can shadow them. Attend their presentations, listen to what they say, take notes and model their behavior.
- Visit the home office. Take a tour and meet the people who work there. They will remember you, and you never know, your name might come up when they are having a conversation with someone important.
- Also, you don’t even necessarily have to meet your mentors. They can be your mentors in books, on audio, and video. They can still be part of your 5!
Bad associations happen almost automatically. Good associations take effort, work, focus, and determination, but WOW are they worth it!
Engage with people who want to stay focused and never lose sight of their goals. The community I have created is one I want you to be a part of. The fastest growing Network Marketing group on Facebook: It unites the profession’s hardest working entrepreneurs. It’s a free group where you will receive training, tips, tricks, motivation, lessons and engage with others just like you. Join it today and invite your team members and friends!
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