The Agreement Seekers Blog

Most people have given up without knowing they have given up.  They accept their "lot" in life without challenge or question.  They drone through days and complain all-the-while... and confuse complaining with challenging. Anyone can complain.  It is easy.  Take anything negative and describe it in negative terms.  Challenge, on the other hand, requires taking a stand and doing something about it.  This is not easy to do... for many. Complainers, for the most part, are resigned to and destined for mediocrity.  They hate what they do for a living, they wish they had more resources, they detest the grind of the workweek... but even in light of this, they do nothing about it - save complaining. Peoples' "truth" is what they perceive it to be.  Some people will engage and "get after it" if shown something worthy of "getting after".  These are the people we seek in building our business. It is a very strange paradox that "most" p...

Our Community, for all intents, works on the same premise as a club or a collective.  The idea here is that people are interested in and agree to participate in something.  In this process, we share ideas, strategies, tools... all leading to the outcome of people achieving a similar result:  to create an additional financial resource. As I "grew up" in a small town, the adult "clubs" were the Lions, Moose, Kiwanis - that all served some civic or social function.  Typically, these were predominantly male organizations who all agreed to rally around and participate in "good works".  For example, among other things, the Lions Club sponsored the public pool we went to in the summer time.  They also rented the space in the Club House for community functions.  The proceeds all fed back into doing more good works and to perpetuate their core mission of "service". The similar thread we share with any club is that we agree to and participate in the Go...

Being the best version of yourself entails many things from kindness and compassion informed by a moral underpinning, to a fundamental sense of happiness and self-satisfaction that imbues how you carry yourself through life.  The former is fundamental to one's character and is ingrained as it assimilates over time to express itself in simple gestures.  The latter is more a function of how your choices in life now manifest in your being as a human.  So let me ask, are you happy?  (Note:  my editors encouraged me to ask you to read the preceding as many times as you need to - to connect the dots.) Our Community exists to enable happiness.  It is about the "latter".  It is about making a choice.  This choice is to agree with a strategy and join with a common cause - and sharing a frame of reference with all who participate. In this process, we enable the creation of money.  It is important to understand that money is a tool that fa...

Most people are comfortable with their stable, predictable, status quo lives.  It is referred to as peoples' "Comfort Zone".  Much has been written (by many) about breaking out of this "zone" and progressing toward a goal.  Some are willing to experience the ill-at-ease and discomfort of doing things that stretch and challenge their ordinary, daily routines.   However, most people drone through life repeating the same cylce - as days, weeks and years pass. The whole notion of "making your mark" will only appeal to those with the aspiration to do so.  It will only entice those not satisfied with their lot in life.  Our goal, our "job" is to find these people.  The issue is this:  they are the exception, not the rule.  This is true, even in the context of what we do:  teaching people to make money, and providing the platform to make it happen.  If "the idea" of most people wanting or needing more money is true, then why wo...

We teach the skills to make money to people who want or need more money.  A match made in heaven, right?  I mean, what could go wrong?  It is precisely what everyone needs. You would think. So, what inhibits people from moving too far from the core of their status quo life?  The following are my top five reasons: Skepticism and Lack of Trust - people write us off as "one of those internet things" they have heard about, or maybe even have tried at one time.  It seems shady, like some kind of scheme. Inability to Change Lifestyle and Habits - people are well-entrenched in their lives.  Work, supper, TV, sleep... do it again.  Weekends are the same, just different items.  Finding time in this "busy" life is simply too tall an order for many. Risk Aversion - even if the money required is small, many people will not "float" that amount of money to prove to themselves something can work   Fear of Failure - This is drive...

People in social groups drive commerce, whether it be cars, blue jeans or a particular brand of hot dog.  People "buy in" literally with their wallets - and figuratively with their opinions and behaviors. What we do is no different.  We drive commerce by earning people's trust and influencing opinions. We provide information and act as a guide.  In this process, we talk about aggregating and leveraging resources through a group of people with a common purpose.  This purpose is greater financial security.  All this makes sense to us. Here's the thing... not everyone will be enticed by our offer. Our job is to find and appeal to people who are hungry for change... not everyone is.  In our world, most people are stuck in the status quo and are not "hungry" (enough) to change. Ultimately, your success is predicated on your ability to understand the social nature of our business and "frame" what we do as: Education Helping people with an aspira...

This post is about simplicity. Recently, I found myself talking with a 20-year old guy about his future... whether he had a resume... and his frustration with being overlooked at his job for "promotions".  The conversation migrated to what I do for extra money and I found myself talking about our Community, getting into the "weeds" about "how" we make money... about the industry... about the products... In retrospect, I would have been much better off if I just kept it to, "It's a way to make money".  Then I should have said, if you want to know more, go to this website, then if you have any interest in learning more, send me an email at ______. We have many, many websites to point people to - depending on the person we are talking to.  Then, "our system" is to have a Gmail autoresponder message set up that provides information in detail and they have this within 60-90 seconds. That's it.  Keep it simple.  Don't over...

We build things.  On the hub, we build groups of people who share a common interest of greater financial security.  In the spokes, we build other things. We build knowledge and skills which builds self-esteem and self-confidence.  Along with this, we build hope and optimism that people can live a better future by simply participating in a Community Group that exists to steer people in a common direction. We aspire to the good and noble in constructing the elements that form our whole. This whole has every potential to elevate individual lives beyond their current circumstance.  Daily, we lead people to a window and invite them to look outside at a new world of possibility. This cycle simply repeats itself. We build a passion for helping others - with success begetting success - as we grow personally and collectively - as a Community. And, in the manner we approach what we do, we build trust because without trust, none of the rest matters.

One way to look at what we do is simply to get people to agree with us. We have a proposition that involves two components. People work together to leverage money in the context of a Community that is "ours" and something we choose to be a part of. Our foundation is a learning environment where we share knowledge and resources.  Members of our Community are inherently inter- dependent and literally support each other with their ongoing financial participation - all equally, in a "parallel economy to our jobs".  This involves a commitment and responsibility that we all agree to. Our tagline is also our mission statement, "We organize knowledge, people and money for everyone's benefit."   Our goal is to be as simple and straightforward as we can be in describing who we are and what we do.  At the same time, we never want to shy away from the fact in agreeing to participate, each member has a responsibility to grow. Inherent in this growth, you...

Preface:  This title is loosely borrowed from the Bonnie Raitt song, " I Can't Make You Love Me ".  I listen to music when I write for both entertainment and inspiration. Here is what I believe.  Most people are complacent and "satisfied" with their lives, even those who struggle and complain, those who are frustrated with life to wit's end... however, at the same time, the metaphor for the title of this post is that they are living with their eyes closed.  This is the reality we confront in "finding" people to work with... to "join" our business... and who show the initiative to elevate themselves from the drudgery of a job. For whatever reason, they simply won't see that options do exist.  What we offer is simply one... and even though what we do is solid and credible, many may have a look, but stay frozen with their eyes closed.  Why is that? The broadest stroke I can paint to answer this is HABITS. It is about being creature...

Making decisions can be gut-wrenching.  This is especially true if risks are involved.  However, the right decision can change your life and your family's future forever.  So... how do you decide? One of the core statements of our Community is, "Give us 10% or your trust, we will attempt to earn the other 90%".  The thing is, trust is developed over time and through information gathering.  Therefore, we give wide berth to peoples' process in evaluating and integrating new information and judging it on its merits.  The last thing we want is to be perceived as wham-bam closers.  The final result (the ultimate goal of what we do) is a lifelong business partnership.  This is far too important for a"quick hustle". We actively seek thoughtful, careful, measured people, not quick-hit artists.  Our orientation is culture-based and ascribing to values and norms.  Primary among these is respecting peoples' process to question - and to eliminat...

I was in the grocery store recently.  There were two young kids with their mom.  The boy was about 7, the girl 4 or so.  Like most kids in the checkout line, they were wide-eyed and grabbing candy bars.  Even before they could ask, the Mom said, "Put it back, we can't afford it".  With a sunken whimper, they complied and that was that. For me, I just stood as a stoic observer, but inside I was crushed for the kids.  They were just doing what kids do... testing limits and "going for it".  But, the thud of the Mom's authority struck me.  Their budget obviously could not withstand a frivolous candy purchase.  She didn't say, "Not this time" (or) "No, we got candy last time..."  It was like, shut 'em down, drop a rock on their head finality - and they knew there was no sense in arguing.  They were being trained to "not afford it". This simple example is how many people live... on the edge and barely making it.  A $2 make...

There is a saying in the online marketing space that "the money is in your list".  The assumption is that the bigger your "database" of names is, the bigger pond you have to go fishing in.  It follows that then the more likely you will be able to make money as a function of large numbers.  Then, let autoresponders reach out to people with the latest and greatest offer.  This is not our model.  A large email or subscriber list is one way to go about things, especially for affiliate marketers selling other people's stuff.  However, what we do is more focused on quality than quantity. Said differently, our focus is on humanity.  We strive to build deep and long-lasting relationships... not to interact with "names" on a list and see if the flavor-of-the-day might appeal to them.  Please do not misunderstand, there is value in a large list, but it is not where anyone starts... and therefore telling people to have (or get) a list is fundamentally bad ...

OK.  This is a college (or education) analogy.  If you go to school, you are expected to learn things.  On these things, you get tested and get a grade.  Some people are honors students, some do the minimum and squeak by with C's and some fail. Owning a business is really no different.  The premise here is that you can choose to go to school to learn and apply new things, or you can choose to do the minimum (or nothing) and let the status quo be "your life".  Note that the word "choose" is in both statements. Now, taking this one more step, the tuition you pay (in real dollars) is next to nothing compared to a conventional college... and the education is essentially free.  What you are paying for with what we do is access to a platform that aggregates and tracks people and money.  There are literally thousands of these platforms. The differentiator, the value proposition of what we offer is the culture and community that surrounds the...

Ours is not a "normal" business unless you consider working around-the-clock as normal.  We teach and preach personal branding, establishing credibility and being of value to others and the marketplace.  This cannot be done in the absence of resources that enable people getting to know who you are and how you (we) think. Once you establish a core set of resources (a bio page, an email auto response, a social media presence) these will "work for you" around-the-clock.  But, here's the deal:  they do not just appear.  They need to be created, worked on, and refined.  This is just part of the equation for developing into a business that has "legs" for the long-term. If the person you are working with is not "engaged" in creating resources, you are being under-served.  If anyone has been involved with our Community for more than 30 days and does not have a rough bio page that they can refer others to... their head is simply not in-the-game....

Mission and money.  Hmmm...  What if the mission is money?  Can making money be a stand-alone mission of an organization?  Money, almost universally, is something that just about everyone says they could use more of, right?  So, what if the core "mission" of an entity is boldly stated, "we exist to make money (for ourselves and for each other) - independent of the product or service that "legitimizes" the exchange and flow of it. Well... that is pretty much what we do.  However, in doing so - the more important aspect is (more to the point) of the "impact" creating a new source of income has on peoples' lives. Call it what you will: transformation, renewal, metamorphosis...  What we do does change lives.  Some engage, learn and apply themselves (then) get into profit... then scale their profits.  Some stick their toe in and then for whatever reason choose not to engage. You will know you are "making it" when you feel you are having...

We teach the skills to make money to people who want and need more money.  So, what does this have to do with hot dogs?  Well... not everyone likes hot dogs.  But let me ask, is there anyone who does not need or want more money? We enlist people and encourage them to adopt a common (our) strategy.  We all agree that the "path we take" is sound and well-reasoned.  We choose to be inter-dependent and create a resource by contributing to and participating in that resource.   Some will agree and join with us on our journey.  Some won't give us "the time of day". Likewise, not all people choose to eat hot dogs.  Some frankly, are grossed out by them.  Not all things appeal to everyone.  Essentially, there is a "finite universe" of hot dog eaters... as there is Ford Taurus buyers or Wrangler Jean wearers.  Not everyone goes to the movies or has season tickets to a pro sports team...  In each case, movies continue t...

There is an old adage of the empty vessel.  From afar, it looks fine.  It floats.  It is doing all the things that vessels do... but as you get closer and finally board, you find nothing there. You don't want to be that boat.  Live compassionately, with empathy and generosity of spirit.  There are plenty of hucksters and charlatans in this world.  We need to be at our best and firmly perceived at the opposite end of the continuum from the cons and quick flippers.  This is only possible if you are compassionate in your approach to others - in valuing their needs, understanding their circumstances and helping them understand your goal is to help them. We talk a lot about moral posture.  This includes caring about what we do as a mission, not just a "biz opp".  If you are not invested emotionally, you will be smoked out as one who is disingenuous.  Being honest in all you do builds credibility.  It speaks to your integrity. ...

Helplessly Hoping.  Not much as a life strategy, would you agree?  I was in a store the other day and heard a guy with all due earnest optimism say that his time to hit the lottery had to be near.  Again... hanging one's sense of optimism on the lottery... go figure. As many of my generation know, Helplessly Hoping is a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song.  If you will allow me to borrow randomly from the song, one line of the lyrics is, "confusion has its cost".  Frankly, I am not certain whether it is confusion, lack of knowledge, lack of trust... but I am certain that there is a lack of something inherent in people not taking charge of their financial destiny. Confusion presupposes that are different aspects to be confused over, right?  As I think about it, it may be more apt to say "ignorance has its cost".  This is not meant in a negative way.  This is simply to say lack of knowledge about any subject can be costly. As marketers, our...

This applies to people starting a home business who do not have a group of people with whom they are currently working.  If this describes you, please read on. Everyone needs an anchor - a home base - a primary program. This has to be what you build your brand on - what you are known for - and what you unflinchingly support as your foundation.  It is what you "lead" with to new prospects who are considering joining you.  We recommend strongly that it is not "this or that"... but it is ONE THING that defines who you are, what you do, why you promote it - and is the expectation for anyone who joins you that this program is what your business and community are built upon - at its core. This is not to say that in time you can not add things to your earning portfolio.  It is simply to say that "out of the gate" you are consistent with your primary offer when engaging new people. Obviously, you do not need to follow this advice, however, if you are looki...

So, what does iteration mean?  One definition could be doing something over and over until you get it right.  Another could be successive approximations.  Another could be the process of continual improvement or refinement. A part of what we teach is to have an "About Me" website.  This is a brief bio that enables people to get to know your story.  It is the beginning of building your brand as someone worthy of trust and being followed.  For some, this is a difficult task.  Understood. Here's the thing.  It does not need to be perfect.  As you refine it over time... it inherently evolves.  This is a work-in-progress.  Remember, you are "paid" in direct proportion to the value you offer.  If you have a weak bio, your earnings are a reflection.  This is the same as not having the skills to teach... but if you never set up the tools to use, you will never be able to teach someone else how to use them. The point is this:...

I once worked with a guy in a retail environment.  He was about 40, had 6 kids... was articulate, knew his job and was good at what he did.  At the same time, he was literally drowning in frustration and hated what he did. Although he uses computers all day every day at work, he defined himself as a computer illiterate outside of the confines of the tools we used.  I always found this irony interesting. I have a pretty strict guideline of not mixing my home business with those whom I associate with on a daily basis.  Nonetheless, when I have written different pieces for this series, I have naturally mentioned some of them to him.  His lack of interest has always puzzled me. This brings me to the question of this title.  "What would you do to save yourself?"  I mention my co-worker simply because I think he represents many people who hate their lives and what they are obligated to do (go to a job they hate) in order to meet their bills.  It i...

Do this exercise.  Put yourself on your death bed.  Let's assume you have lived a long life.  Will it be important to you to have made a difference?  How will that be defined?  Will you have had a positive impact on the world, or did you simply and complacently exist; conforming to what was "normal" and expected? We are a Community of difference makers.  At the most fundamental level, our goal is to make a difference in peoples' lives.  We are driven by this purpose and are united by common values of competence and credibility, honesty and integrity, candor and accountability, and this is just some of what is at our core. Do you care about being exceptional, or about distinguishing yourself in some way? There is no higher calling and no greater honor than to lift people up and enable their new beginning.  We offer one viable and realistic path... not the only path, but a solid one to consider if one is seeking change. People in our Communi...

This post can quickly devolve into what many would describe as class warfare.  OK, so be it.  Let's call out oppression for the sake of profitability - and - the lack of conscience corporations and the economic elite demonstrate.  Not much joy in talking about this, but here we go... Let me ask a fundamental question this way:    Do you think your employer is looking out for your best interest, or their own?  Some would say yes, my employer understands positive culture and rewarding performance.  These are the lucky ones.  Most laugh at the question as preposterous.  Why is that? In the Fortune 500 culture, shareholder value takes precedence over everything.  At the end of the day, if a company is not growing and increasing profitability, Management is forced to squeeze what they can control to maintain their "numbers".  The first, most obvious and easiest thing is to cut labor... or to repress labor by short staffing, increasin...

We are all free to make choices.   However, many times, jobs are not chosen but are more a function of circumstance.  As a result, many stay stuck in their lives, relegated to a job they have by default and then rely on the relative safety of the status quo in the 40 hours a week for 40 years grind. This is the expectation set by societal norms - and the value system that is most prevalent in public schools.  It is the worker bee mentality of doing your job, doing it well, earning a wage or salary and making a commitment to this as an expression of "responsibility". There is no arguing this, except in the context of alternatives and the right to choose.  We do not recommend or encourage "dumping your day job".  We strongly encourage doing our "side thing" as a means to earn extra income and offer a strategy to first equal and then exceed your current full-time income. What we do is measured, calculated and predictable.  The financial...

The reality is this.  Most people are a dried, brittle canvas.  In terms of life experience and expectation, the oils have hardened, the acrylic is set, or... the water is dry.  Their futures seem certain as long as they continue to conform to what is expected and stay in their safe-zone of a job and benefits. Most people feel "set" financially in meeting their bills and saving for Christmas and vacations.  No value judgment here, I am simply describing reality.  Most are "comfortable" with their lot in life and not seeking to rattle their status quo.  We wish them the best. In keeping your colors wet, it enables moving around the mix on your canvas.  It maintains the possibility of the next brush stroke.  We are a community who are malleable to opportunity, wherever it may arise.  As such, we do/will not appeal to brittle canvases of the world. We seek to attract artists wanting and willing keep adding depth and color to their can...

No, not the spies in Washington DC... the CIA in our world is an abbreviation for the words Competence, Integrity and Analysis.  Stick with me here.  These three words encapsulate most of what we do, so let's take a look at how they apply; and, why you will want to understand (and use) these words when describing yourself and how they form a part of our moral foundation. Competence  If you don't know already, we are a "skills pay the bills" organization.  There is no faking it.  We talk about providing service and value - and - being paid has a direct correlation to the amount of service and value you provide.  Competence means that you have made the transition from student to teacher and you possess (have earned) the skills to teach others.  Competence means you consistently engage in business building activities as a part of your skill set on a daily basis.  Competence simply means you are capable of transacting a process from ...

This article is about tone.  It is about how we present ourselves to people evaluating what we do.  It is about "access" to an off-ramp on the highway of life.  Some people will choose to read the road sign, turn on their blinker and pull off to have a look.  Most will keep moseying on down the road without a thought of attending to what is passing by them. Yes, we have something to offer.  Ultimately, it can be transforming in terms of income, lifestyle, and options people have.  Our ethos and values dictate that people understand that we are simply one of many options.  We feel no need to impress others in a showy manner but allow the overall "tone" of what we do carry-the-day, followed by responsible, descriptive information. We don't want to be perceived as the latest, greatest, whiz-bang deal that you want to jump on and get rich with.  It is simply not that easy and does not work that way.  Therefore, our focus is the fric...

My view is that everyone should have a "side" something to make money.  It could be painting rocks you find - and selling them at a flea market... it could be anything... When considering what we do, we would be foolish to not embrace casual "lookers" who are at the tinkering stage of getting involved with something.  Once we have their attention, it is our job to demonstrate that there is "meat on the bone" that is worthy of cooking and eating... (and) that can be a sustainable food source for years to come. Going from tinkerer to Titan is an evolutionary process.  Evolution inherently means transformation over time.  In our terms, time means weeks and months, not eons.  It is about things learned, tasks completed and moving up the knowledge and competence food chain. Skill acquisition and then being able to pass along these skills is the heart of what pumps life into the success we have.  You must embrace being a learner with an eye to bec...

Yes, everyone wants what we have.  The trick is to enable them getting it. This begs the question of defining the "what" in what we have.  Ultimately, this is financial security that has the potential to migrate to prosperity, then with time, legacy and generational wealth.  And boy... does this presuppose a lot! The nitty-gritty of getting there is explained in the posts in this series.  If the math works... if the marketing makes sense... if the vibe feels right... if the people associated with your "thing" seem genuine and sincere... (and) if you are committed to doing what you need to do on a daily basis to make-it-work, then success should be a certainty, right? It is just a matter of applying effort doing specific things.  It is about finding people who may be interested in "what we have" (but/and) are willing to take the steps necessary to "own it".  It is simply a matter of 1) time spent, 2) applying effort, 3) doing specific things...

Dreams can come true.  It starts with a decision to get going.  Then, a commitment to keep going... until attained.  It is not a fantasy, but something earned. "Pity the fool" who thinks it does not require effort, overcoming setbacks, handling the sense of being overwhelmed, getting stuck and then unstuck... and all of the peaks and valleys that are an inherent part of growth.  Nothing is a straight linear progression, but in many instances is two steps forward, one step back.  It all good - this is when and where the learning takes place. Decide.  Commit.  If you join us, you will be in a good place, however, it does not need to be with us.  Find something you are comfortable with and get going.  The clock inexorably ticks, however if you are not motivated to excel or exceed your current circumstances the weeks and months will turn into years and decades. Waiting for the time to be right?  It never will be - and might as well be ...

OK.  One night a week you have to plan.  Well, you don't HAVE TO, but if you want to increase the probability of your success, you will. This goes hand-in-hand with making a schedule and generating a task list.  It takes a bit of effort at first... to get to know Google Calendar and how you make the actual schedule and identify all of the big chunks of time that are already committed.  That is the easy part.  Where success is driven is in all of the "uncommitted" hours.  This is where the work gets done for your business. I recently wrote a post, and in it I said:  "If You Don't Know What You Are Doing, You Don't Know What You Are Doing".  This gets to the heart of a schedule and task lists.  This defines daily activity and taking the steps necessary to build your business.  It makes you focus and apply conscious effort. My planning night is Sunday.  I typically know what my fixed commitments are for the coming week by that ti...

Let me be clear.  We build a network through marketing.  This inherently qualifies us as Network Marketing.  However, Multi-Level Marketing (typically) infers percentages of group volume at different levels that are (many times) termed in stones (diamond, sapphire, emerald, ruby...) precious metals platinum, gold, silver, bronze...), organizational or geographical titles i.e. National Director, Regional, Area, and starting at some entry-level inferring "Representative".  There are many, many more.  However, in some form, they all infer "rank". Most of these models require successively larger organizations or group sales volumes associated with a group size.  With size and volume, you "rank advance".  Also, with each, the higher levels get larger and larger pieces of "the pie".  These pie pieces (again, typically) are percentage-based. Again, we do not shy away from being network builders, organization developers or community organize...

I understand caution and holding on to the reins as tightly as you can.  I understand a conservative approach to life and having all of your bills met.  I understand not "acting" on something because it is beyond your current world-view and does not match with the current status quo. There is fear of loss (financially, time, credibility).  There is a fear of self (can I do it?).  There is fear of not knowing what to do.  There is fear of others (said differently, can I trust the person or thing has my best interest in mind?)  And actually, there is fear of success (for example, if money is not a concern, as a couple, then do we really don't need each other?).  There are many more examples. Fear is the driver that prevents people from moving forward.  (I am budgeted so tightly, I can not rob Peter to pay Paul to come up with the money to get started).  This is many peoples' situation, and it keeps them stuck. Our role is to provide a saf...

Ponder this for a minute:  You don't know what you are doing if you don't know what you are doing. This gets to the core of the daily discipline of being organized and getting stuff done.  Chances are if you are not keeping yourself accountable to things written on a list, you are being far less productive than you could be. It can be an app or a software program... if you use the list function in Gmail or Outlook (which is what I do)... or if you have a notebook and pen... or the back of a napkin... you are robbing yourself of productivity if you are not crossing things off of a list as you get them completed. Having a list is the same thing as knowing what you are doing.  It inherently forces intentionality... i.e., "what do you intend to get done today?"  I am not going to extend this discussion to objectives and goals, but they are all related. Write things down.  Execute on the things.  Then, cross the things off when completed. ...

The title here is about your income in a home business being directly correlated to the value you offer.  I encourage you to think about the people you enroll in your business as clients and investors.  They have paid you (invested in) your services.  Clients (can and should) have expectations that you will "deliver" by attending to their needs - by being a good mentor and role model.  No different than an Attorney, Accountant, or any other professional who are retained for their expertise and the results they deliver. Service and value are at the foundation of the Law of Compensation.  You will reap what you sow.  Our community is built on a foundation of norms and values and primary among them is that you build an organization based on quality and competence. If so, you will build an organization that will last and your future security will be on much more solid ground.

When will it happen?  When will you make it happen?  If you are a generally busy person, you need to nail down segments of time.  Let me provide an example. Writing this piece takes time.  I have an appointment at 11:00 am.  It is now 9:15.  I need a half hour to shower and get dressed.  That gives me 45 minutes or so to write this and then I am out the door. So what? (you may ask).  Here's the deal.  I am consciously jamming productivity into my day.  I am being mindful and intentional.  I am taking action.  This has been the case for the 100+ posts I have written for my readers, in addition to all the other things I do to grow my business. Now, apply this snippet to your own life.  How can you best-utilize bits and pieces of time?  It starts with understanding the big picture of what your firm commitments are (work or going to class, sleep, personal hygiene, eating, walking your dog...) then all the rest ...

Bake a cake, put together a bookshelf that comes in a box, learn how to operate your new remote for your TV... you simply read the instructions and do as they say.  What we do isn't quite that simple, but almost.  Whether we call it instructions or principles, let's get to the point. There are core things you need to understand in managing a home business. Everything hinges on you having a way to get "what you have" in front of people for them to evaluate.  We specifically target types (or groups) of people and use methods that are low cost or no cost.  If you are not telling people about what you do, you are not in business - and your business will not survive, let alone grow.  This has to be done with regularity and consistency.  Initially, it is all you do.  Then, you need to apportion chunks of time to teach others what you do. Inherent in doing #1, requires a commitment of time.  This time will replace old patterns and habits.  We w...

There is a quote by the WWII General Omar S. Bradley: "This is as true in everyday life as it is in battle: we are given one life and the decision is ours whether to wait for circumstances to make up our mind, or whether to act and in acting, to live." If you are waiting for the stars to align... or for the perfect moment to pull the trigger that will initiate change... you will stay stuck.  Decisions are a function of information.  The formula is this: d=(f)i.  What our Community does is educate about a path, then educate about a process.  We do not compare ourselves to others... but pose just one option that hopefully "feels right" to people.  We know we are different.  People recognizing this difference is our basic value proposition. The quote above speaks to living a life of quiet desperation.  Circumstances will not change unless you do.  I saw this attributed to Bill Gates recently:  "Learn to drop the L."  The no...

The title of this article helps us define the working poor.  If you have a mortgage or are paying rent, you are captive to this monthly obligation.  As a result, obviously, you have a job to meet this primary expense.  For most, it goes without saying, that if this expense did not exist there would be a world of possibilities of where to direct this money... whether it be savings, travel, toys, better food choices, giving to charity... how many ways can you think of to use money? The bottom line here is that (given a choice) most would welcome eliminating their mortgage (or) having their monthly housing expense covered by a predictable stream of monthly income.  This is the goal of our Community.  What we work toward is the creation of residual income that will exist over time. The glue that holds it together is a commitment to the concept of inter-dependence and people buying into (literally and figuratively) the notion that we can create our own ...

This is a lighter post.  Some say you get to know people by the choices they make.  I want to share a video that is one of my favorites... for its groove and sophistication. "I kicked the habit.  Shed my skin.  This is the new stuff.  I go dancin' in." This is what our community is all about.  Shed your skin.  A crustacean (a crab, a lobster)... sheds its shell to grow.  Vulnerable for a while - but bigger and stronger as a result. "You could have a steam train if you just lay down your tracks." Anyway, I love this performance.  Hopefully, you will too!  Got headphones or earbuds?  Enjoy... Credit goes to my friend Shirley who introduced me to this singer, Morgan James.

There is another post I had written recently talking about an alternative to the job economy.  The majority of people are "wired" to have a job with benefits... and the job paying for a portion of health insurance and matching a portion of your 401K contribution... This is the reality.   This is the pool of people who are future business partners.  This then begs the question of "how" we are able to transform the circumstances of people - to enable them to start to consider breaking free from "needing" a job. The bottom line is money, right?  If you have enough money to pay for your living expenses, buy your own health insurance and put chunks of money aside... then you don't need a "job"... or, am I missing something? A good place to start with all this is understanding the math, both in terms of dollars and people participating in your business.  You need to articulate a number.  What will it take for you to comfortably and confidentl...

The worst advice I ever received is "fake it until you make it".  Here's the thing.  If you fake honesty, you are lying.  If you fake being genuine, you are being disingenuous. While our role is to be optimistic and ambassadors of goodwill, please understand that being truthful about who you are, where you have been and where you are in your home business journey is critical to your authenticity.  Ultimately, we help people elevate themselves through enhancing their finances.  This alone has skepticism written all over it.  Most people are jaded and negative.  Some are outright hostile, especially if they have been burnt in the past. Our goal is to wade through the masses and find the ones who "see it".  Then, when someone shows that they are open and receptive to learning more, the last thing you want to be is a "tail feather fluffer" and appear to be bigger than you really are. Your genuine self is all-that-you-are.  Your genuine self...

Here's the reality.  There are many, good, reasonable ways to make money.  As well, there are many great mentors and systems to follow.  Most lay claim to be plug-and-play... just join and follow the system... what we do is really not all that different. The point of this post is to simply choose.  Do your homework. Make some assessments about your level of trust in the process, the people, etc... and then jump on whatever horse and ride it at a gallop. The system is important.  Our differentiator is that we espouse that learning, teaching, relationships, and community are as equally significant variables in managing a successful home business. All of this is preceded by trust.  Unless we are able to establish a baseline of trust that is earned from providing honest and real information and a plausible path forward, nothing will happen. Our job is to help people choose us - then, get after it with gusto.  We help people change their l...

This post is about hope - seasoned with realism.  The Working Poor No More Community exists to help people elevate themselves financially.  While this is a worthy "goal statement", it presupposes a great deal in terms of how to get there. There are a number of different (competing?) schools of thought in regard to what is important to understand in the home business arena.  Many people package and sell this information in their own "system", not all that different than what is done here in the WPNM Community - the difference being is that we do not attempt to make money from our information.  It is free and open to anyone given its universal truth - intended (again) to help people regardless of their business affiliation(s). The notion of out-earning your self-concept has everything to do with mindset.  Some preach that this is the "all important" first step to success.  I am inclined to agree - to a point.  The other major school of thought is "...

After years of pondering, this statement may be the best characterization (to date) for what we do.  We organize groups of people and encourage them to use a portion of their money that we then aggregate and leverage through the use of online money-making platforms. Organizing involves finding and educating, and these two things are defined by specific marketing methods and tools use.  There is no mystery.  It is all about applied effort doing things that will put information in front of people for them to evaluate.  The more people you get to evaluate what we do, the more money you will make (if you are a good mentor). Then, long-term, the way you engage the people who join with you... the leadership you provide... will determine if you will have built a sustainable business. That's it.  Find.  Educate.  Engage and support for the long-term.  Build on the habits, values, and sense of community that we talk about on this blog.  It ...

Early on in the evaluation process of joining a business, it is prudent and fair to evaluate your enroller.  This is why we "preach" to anyone considering joining us is that you have to work hard at establishing your credibility and be worthy of being followed. One lens to look at this is through in the title of this post.  It is fair to consider how two people can "contribute to each others' success".  In this context, please understand, you need to make a commitment to entering a relationship.  You are "joining" a person and a community... not a "deal" to make money. It is completely fair and reasonable to judge how you will "click" with the person who has introduced you.  Hopefully, in them, you will glean a sense of integrity and truthfulness with a bit of an edge (a disclaimer) that what we do is not easy and is not for everyone.  Otherwise, everyone would be doing it. Our business is about the interdependence of a large ...

What is security?  To many, it means having a job with benefits.  Going to work every day, having a predictable paycheck and getting two weeks off a year.  All play a role in defining how most people view "security". There is a movement going on in the home business industry that suggests you "create your own economy" that is independent of the traditional economy.  What this means is that you have control of your finances (such that) you can/could live independently from the eight-hour-a-day slog. Forget about the lifestyle considerations this will afford you.  Forget about ALL of the creature comforts of toys, travel and being a big tipper.  Simply reflect on the underlying, fundamental baseline of what it will feel like waking up every morning knowing that your bills are covered - and will be for as long as you can rationally see into the future. This is what our business model offers.  This is the goal.  Getting there does not happe...

Most people have jobs.  Understood.  All good. For most, this is not a choice - but is a function of how they have been taught to think and then adapting it to their role in life... to have a job with benefits... being a responsible, productive member of society... yadda, yadda, yadda...  Still, all good.  This is the way the world works for most people. The WorkingPoorNoMore Community exists to pose an alternative.  We propose (in addition to your current job) that you take the time to understand a different and more personalized way to make a living.  The common sense aspect deals with your ability to control your future by controlling your income. Under the WorkingPoorNoMore umbrella, we have a variety of marketing sites that focus on different target markets.  We introduce people to a specific online businesses that is progressive, ultimately building into full-time residual income that enables people to consider leaving the world o...