It has been an interesting time for me over the past few months, as I have been branching out and creating new seminars, such as Networking with Excellence and Integrity. I am very grateful to have acquired the skill set to be able to not only network effectively, but to teach others to do the same. Let me ask you something, what is it that you are known for? What is your greatest strength? Are you a people connector, a creative artist, a talented musician, a great speaker, a gifted marketer? Now – the big question is – were you born this way? Or did you have to practice the skills in order to make it look like you are a “natural” at what you do?

This is something that I have always found interesting.  It is a wonderful compliment when someone tells you that you are a natural at something, yet in order for it to be “natural” for you, you’ve had to put in hundreds to thousands of hours of practice! We are all born with basically the same skills – the ability to breathe, cry, poop and sleep.  That’s about it – all of our other skills have be developed and worked on.  And the amazing thing is that you can start to develop your skills at any time in your life! My aunt became a talent pianist after the age of 60! My mom started a second career as a wine writer in her late 40s. One of my favorite Ironman triathletes, Sister Madonna Buder, became a household name for complete the Ironman in her 70s and continues to race today – she is 80 years old!!

Most of you reading this haven’t known me for that long.  What many people don’t know is that 4 years ago, I was a very different person, with a different skill set and a very different perspective on life. The past four years have been transformational for me, and have allowed me to develop into the person I am today. I am often asked how I became a speaker or a great networker – and the truth is, my experience in network marketing (or MLM) is a big part of how I transformed into the person I am now.  Not only that, I have seen many people I care about also become the best they can be through what they have learned.

Perhaps you’ve looked at MLM before, maybe even worked with a company or two.  Network marketing isn’t for everyone (although there is a place for everyone) because it is hard work and can be very challenging at times, and not instantaneously rewarding. Beyond using products that have been life changing for me, here are some of the skills and benefits I have gained over the past four years:

• The ability to network and prospect in any situation
• Making new friends and meeting new people wherever I go
• Creating and maintaining relationships with people around the world
• Presentation skills and the ability to stand in front of a group with confidence
• Personal mentoring by millionaires and multi-millionaires
• An open door into the world of self-development
• Learned how to meditate and how to visualize
• Remembered how to dream big and without limits!
• More self-esteem and self-confidence
• Disciplining my disappointment (as Jim Rohn would say)
• Attracted my perfect partner
• A better relationship with my family and my in-laws

Ask anyone who is passionate about network marketing, and they will have a similar list of “hidden” benefits to their business. Our profession may not be on the top of your list, but for me, it has been a tremendous blessing and I will always be grateful that one of my best friends, Leanne Grechulk, introduced me to it. We may not work together anymore, but my life has been changed for the better because she took the time to share with me this amazing profession of network marketing.

Perhaps the next time someone you trust or care about, asks you to come to a meeting or watch a video or listen to a presentation, maybe you’ll take a closer look. If you’d like to take a closer look at what I do, just click here for an audio tour of my website. You’ll have to enter your info in order to start the tour – this helps me to keep my contact database up-to-date.

What skills would you like to improve? What are you passionate about that you’d like to turn into a profession? Let me know – and maybe I can help – because that’s what networking is all about!

Have a wonderful day everyone and if you’ve got sunshine like we do – enjoy!!