I’ve been thinking about when my brother and I were given motorbikes when we were younger and how that experience compares with owning your own online business.
My brother was fearless, he would go as fast has his bike would allow him. I never expected him to wait for me. By the time I was ready to take off all I saw was a cloud of dust. He was totally in his element, confident and enjoying every minute. This is what he had been waiting for all his life.

I wouldn’t say that summed up my riding abilities….

I was scared of anything that moved, I didn’t necessarily want to ride fast and when an obstacle came in my way I would freak out. It would be easy to tell you I just loved dirt bike riding but the fact was, I wasn’t confident period.
Its amusing now because I can relate the different types of motorcycle riding to owning your own business. I now, 15 years later have chosen to go back down ‘the road less traveled’ and this time,

I have chosen this path and that’s the way it will be.

There are people all round the world who are avid motor cycle riders who plan long road trips with their family and friends. They would go through the same process as planning any trip, the resources required, accommodation etc.
The road trip for me represents a ‘nine to five’ type of role.

You and your friends are off, living in the moment, seeing parts of the world in a way you have never seen it before. As you breathe deeply you probably are thinking to yourself, ‘wow’ what an adventure.

Well for me, that’s not an adventure.

Why? Because the road trip comes with its own ‘training wheels’; you have a road, signs, the access to help if your motorbike breaks down etc. Its too safe and people either on motorbikes or in cars have gone down the same road many times before.

What’s the big deal?

How can make your mark onto something that has been done so many times before?

Then there is the other type of motorcycle riding.

Dirt bike riding requires you to have guts, to be ready for whatever your environment throws your way. To above all have faith that you will get to your destination by following this road that has been created over time by the riders before you.

The faith that you will achieve your goals, without know what is around the corner, now that is an adventure.

I have a new found appreciation for dirt bike riding now. It’s a great example of how to really live life beyond nine to five.

To live the life less traveled.

Be bold, take action.

Ally

I want to share something that actually moved me out of my seat the other day, so much so that I have listened to the tracks several times in the last couple of days.
“Its very important you have a routine that your comfortable in. What many people will do is they will set a big goal and have a very average routine or an average habit.” Jeffrey Combs.

Therefore Big Goals = Big Habits.

I thought about that quote tonight as I started to get too comfortable on the lounge after dinner. I jumped up and here I am creating a story for you with hopefully a powerful message (let me know how I go ). Jeffrey in the training clearly understands why people do this, create big goals with average actions but I am going to put my own spin on it. I believe many people are ‘ok’ at creating large goals but don’t believe they can achieve it, that is why the average routine is set up and they tick the box because they feel they are doing what is ‘required’. Not having an abundant mindset limits the time you work on your business and you deem it as this being acceptable.

Why am I bringing this topic up with you today?

I wouldn’t say I have the time management thing sorted at exactly. Sometimes managing my time feels like I am on a runaway horse just being able to hold on to the reins.

I have recently been busy planning my trip to the US and have had several family commitments and it creates this space where my business sits at the end of the list.
But you know as well as I know that this is not an excuse.

Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.

Don’t you think its insane how we ‘have’ to work these undesirable nine to five jobs, because we ‘have’ to make money, to pay the bills.

When we could be working for ourselves, living the life we really want. I think keeping yourself accountable is tough, its one of the hardest things you need to do but its worth it.
Our future starts with what we do today.

Don’t delay what you need to do any longer.

Be the person you want to be today.

How do you help yourself keep focused and stay on track with your daily activities that are required to help move your business forward?

Be bold, take action.

Ally

I created an article recently about my thoughts about the sales pitch and what occurs within this process. I really think its time, people move on and stop using dated MLM style practices.

Please note, sales need to happen in order to make sales and create revenue for your business. (And also one of the highest paying jobs in the world), my focus and concern is in relation to how the sale occurs and what are the disadvantages from the buyer and seller and encouraging people to take a different approach.

Here is the article is called What Should Every Network Marketer Avoid?

I would like to know your feedback, what are your thoughts on the perception of our industry and the dreaded MLM style ‘sales pitch’. How do you believe this approach effects the amount of time the person is committed to their new business if approach and sold in this way.

I would love to hear from home based business owners with all different levels of experience, I am sure everyone at one stage or another has been on the end of the ‘sales pitch’.What was it lie for you? Did you become a loyal customer with that person after that experience?

On another note, I am very excited, I have my first Live Marketing Event happening in Las Vegas in November.
Here is some footage of a previous event.
I look forward to creating a video diary to share with you so you can see what I get up to. I think Viva Las Vegas from Elvis Presley should be the cities anthem. (Or they should play at least at the airport, that would make me happy).

Ahh Elvis, what a cool dude… this is the song I am going to listen to while I am packing my bag )

Be bold, take action.

Ally )

I am always on the search for understanding how I can help others to obtain real success in their business.

I think I have found a gem I can’t wait to share with you.

I have been told about a book called ‘Start With Why’ by Simon Sinek and I believe the simple concept of the three circles he has created is quite powerful.

Here is a great video of Simon discussing this topic.

Simon recently teamed up with one of Carbon Copy Pro’s co founders on a training call. The message was quite profound, I have heard the call twice and plan to listen to it again.

So I have created my ‘why’ for Live Beyond Nine to Five to represent what my core values are and for the reason I want my business to succeed.

This is Why Live Beyond Nine to Five Created;
To support independent, entrepreneurs on a global scale who are looking for more out of life than a normal ‘9 to 5’ job.
To prove to the ‘corporate world’ entrepreneurs are dynamic, creative, bold risk takers that can create an extraordinary income and live fulfilling lives.
To ‘turn’ every day people into successful entrepreneurs to add truth behind the quote “Entrepreneurs are made not born’.
Empower entrepreneurs with current and relevant training to breath new life in their struggling home based business.

Now its your turn, share your ‘why’ with me by leaving it in the comments, this will help me learn more about you and your why.

Be bold, take action.

Ally

Do you get tongue tied when on your talking to potential prospects? Does the aim of inspiring and empowering a potential customer turns into a conversation whereby your struggling to finish a sentence like your learning a second language and second guessing every word you say?

Does this create frustrated for blowing your chance to connect with that person after you spend so much time and effort trying to get the leads for your network marketing business in the first place?

Does this sound familiar?

Well it pretty much sums up my previous experience.

Obviously there is no way to convert leads to sales by going down that road, so it was time to make some drastic changes!!

Lately I have been studying ‘Black Belt Recruiting’ by Mike Dillard and Mark Wieser.

In summary this is some of my biggest learnings;

• When calling a prospect, you need to convey a sense of confidence and trust when on the phone. Not only is this for your own sanity but because subconsciously you will be seen as a leader by your prospect. This gives you the ‘power’ within the conversation because you come across as being detached from the outcome not being needy or pushy.

• If a prospect has objections, it’s not all bad. Your prospects use this questioning as a way slowing down the process so they don’t make a wrong decision. Other prospects may have objections while conversing because they are seasoned professional network marketers and are testing YOU to see how cool calm and collected you are while answering their questions.

• There are certain objections that if they surface in a conversation, its time to wrap up the call and be on your way. Some people are not cut out to be entrepreneurs, the quicker you identify this, the less time you will waste on tire kickers.

Do you think I am being Captain Obvious here or are these things you may not have known in this sort of context?

Here is a three part series on this subject I have created just for you…

Part 1 Live Beyond Nine to Five’s Guidelines for MLM Network Marketers Handling Objections on the Phone

Part 2 MLM-Network Marketers – Handling Objections on the Phone

Part 3 MLM-Network Marketers – Handling Objections on the Phone

Its easy to complete training on the things you like, I wouldn’t choose calling prospects one of my top three things I love but what’s important is you need to access your business and list all the sales generating activities and ensure you are very competent in these areas. Talking to prospects and customers is a big one!!

Let me know if there was anything you are concerned about when dealing with potential customers over the phone that hasn’t been covered in the articles provided. I would really like to learn more and be able to source that answer with you.

Be bold, take action.

Ally

Hi,

here is a new video I have created for you, an amusing little story about a girl and her stubborn pony. Which helps to raise a valid point about how effective the valuable content you (and I) are providing to our readers.

Are we offering what our potential customers (or stubborn pony) really want?

Ally

What is the actually aim of the sponsoring process? Is a call to a prospect purely to make the “sale” or is their something else more valuable lying under the surface? It would be understandable to think that the sale is the basis of call. Avoid the assumption that the “sales pitch” is the best approach and look a little deeper.

“Prospecting, sponsoring, and recruiting is all about psychology.. Specifically, the psychology of leadership and human group dynamics”. Black Belt Recruiting by Mike Dillard and Mark Wieser.

There is a big problem that is a contributing factor to why people fail and the best you can do to avoid the approach the more longevity you will have in your network marketing business.
The problem is people want to just sell, sell, sell. They want to hit their targets so the focus is to hit all their prospects “hot buttons” and get them signed up asap.

This is where the problem lies, the prospect was in a certain emotional state and when it wears off and they realise the amount of effort, training, and resources and overall commitment they need to become successful they drop out. It gets to hard.

The network marketing industry is not like retail stores. When someone becomes a part of your team your looking for several years’ worth of commitment to his or her business.
Many will go on to achieve success because of the vast majority of people they sponsor and naturally some will stick.
What’s the price of this approach? Long hours and hard work.It’s a constant battle to fight people’s natural urges to avoid being sold too. They want to avoid being ripped-off. There is so much that needs to be overcome each time because there is no trust and established relationship.

There is a new approach that is more rewarding for the network marketer and still a win/win situation for the prospect.

Make it the potential customer’s idea to buy from you.

With the amount of competition, choice and access to information available to everyone on a global scale, I believe this type of new way of selling is the only way a network marketer will have longevity in the industry.

be bold, take action.

Ally

Hi,

here is a video about calling prospects and suggestions on how to handle certain objections. Its part of a three part series so there is more to come )

Be bold, take action.

Ally

Hi,

I’ve noticed my time in the Corporate Finance industry that there are many approaches to leadership. Its interesting how some get results be intimation and others by mutual respect and open communication.

I have found a great post from Richard Branson called ‘Nice Guys Can Finish First’. Click this link to read the article.

I really enjoyed Richard’s response to a question that was raised by a person in relation to being aggressive to get results. The more I read about Richard, the more impressed I am with his style and his approach.

If you have read the article, let me know what you found in your experience as an entreprenuer? Do you think certain industries are more aggressive than others?

Be bold, take action,

Ally )

Hi,
I don’t expect people outside of the internet marketing world to understand how seriously we on the inside need to take our business. We may not have buildings with our names plastered in neon lights(not yet hehe) but our personal brand is something we can ever take off, we ‘wear’ our brand through our words and actions 24 hrs a day 7 days a week.

This post comes from Ingrid Elfver about how encounter with Don Johnson which I thought was amusing, a great read and Ingrid has shared some great action steps to help you get focused on your personal brand. Enjoy…

“My “Fight” with Don Johnson (Miami Vice)

Years ago I was with one of my girlfriends at the world-famous club “Vertigo” (owned by my friend Victor). Vertigo has been referred to in the media as “possibly the most successful, celebrity-packed nightclub ever in Los Angeles”…where the likes of Princess Stephanie of Monaco and other superstars have been seen hanging out.

Anyway, my girlfriend (Michelle) started talking to Bruce Willis and he invited both of us to sit down at his table with Don Johnson (whose television show, Miami Vice, was huge at the time). So we followed Bruce to their roped off, VIP table (with body guards). Michelle sat next to Bruce and I sat next to Don (the table was big so we weren’t really close to each other).

As soon as I sat down, Don looked at me and said, “What the #@$% are you doing here?” Bruce was paying lots of attention to Michelle (this was before he got together with Demi), so he didn’t notice what was going on. I was on my own. Being my Swedish self (strong and outspoken), I told Don that I was invited by Bruce, but he got livid. Don stood up and started shouting swear words at me.

I asked Don to speak nicely (at this point, Bruce was also aware of the situation and doing his best to get Don to behave also), but it was all downhill from there. We simply weren’t going to get along. Don was being so rude and irrational that I excused myself thinking… “WHO NEEDS THAT?” And, “WOW, what a power trip he is on.”

Now I’m not holding a grudge (although I must admit, it took me several years before I could watch a movie or TV show with Don Johnson in it without wanting to change the channel)! But I’m also not going to make excuses for him like… “It’s not his fault, maybe he’d had a bad day, or, maybe he had too much to drink (because nothing justifies that kind of behavior)”.

But I do see things a little bit differently today. As I continue to become more well-known myself, I have more understanding and compassion for celebrities. It’s hard to be out in public and relax when you’re always getting recognized and people are trying to get something from you. Yes, I get that from time to time as well (I actually had someone follow me into a public bathroom once, introduce herself, and try to get me to work on a project with her).

So, why I am telling you this story? Well, I learned some powerful things from the experience (that I thought YOU might find helpful also).

Here’s what I learned from my “fight” with Don Johnson

1. As you become more of a SUPERSTAR in your own life and business, always remember where you came from. Don’t let your ego get too big. Don’t surround yourself with people who only agree with you or say “yes” to everything you say. If you allow that to happen, you might start thinking that you can do no wrong. You can get so far removed from reality that it becomes damaging or dangerous to you and other people.

2. You never know who you have in front of you, what kind of power or influence they have, and who might eventually hear about how you acted in a situation (me writing this article is a perfect example)! So always do your best to be nice, be professional, and not say anything you might regret.

3. Don’t take abuse from anyone. I don’t care who they are, or how important they might be to your future. Be willing to walk away. There are lots of other people out there who also have power and influence… and good manners.”

© 2010 Ingrid Elfver. All Rights Reserved.
Originally from Sweden, Ingrid Elfver is founder and CEO of My Muse, helping heart-centered entrepreneurs around the world increase their income, build an irresistible business, and make a greater difference in the world. Over the last 20 years she’s worked with thousands of people from all industries including celebrities, creative artists, and small business owners. Get Ingrid’s free audio program Create Your Own Reality, special report Inside the Superstar Mind, and weekly ezine at www.myMuse.info.