The Multi-Level Marketing Dilemma

It’s happened again. I was going about my life as usual, trying to figure out how to make ends meet. I’ve been home with the kids for nine years and now it is time for me to work. I thought seriously about being a teacher, but after a ten week run as a 1st grade substitute teacher, I realized that I didn’t want to sacrifice that much time for my work. I have skimmed the internet high and low looking for home based businesses, but nothing appealed to me. I was just settling into the fact that I could work with my husband since he is the breadwinner and we could earn extra money. This would allow me the extra time to do what I really want to do and that is to write. I felt good. I felt settled. I felt certain.

That’s when it happened. That’s when it always happens. This time it came from my sister-n-law. I knew something was up since she was calling me in the middle of the day. She never calls in the middle of the day. After playing family catch-up, she said what she was really calling about.

“Listen, you know me, I’m not trying to sell you anything. You don’t have to do it, but I’ve found this business...”

Instantly I knew what kind of business it was. There is only one kind of business that has friends and family call you in such a state. I took a breath and continued to listen.

“Now you know, I have never been in one of these before. All the times you and my brother were in them I just didn’t buy it, but this one is different. “

I confess. We have been in one or two. Well actually four or five. We were in Amway. I have to admit it was exciting. We were listening to motivational tapes like one takes vitamins. Each day we would rise turn on a tape and get motivated. The only problem is that we could never quite get over the fact that we were in Amway. We didn’t get money out of Amway but we did get a vision of the dream. The dream of what money could afford us. That’s what led to the next one. Next there was Kevin Trudeau and his miracle Vitamins which was moving along great until he switched to a product that we didn’t feel comfortable working with. Then there was Wayne Pickering and the metals business which we were just on the brink of making the big money when it collapsed. There were a few more misses along the way and as last we got to the point where we never wanted to hear the world Multi-level marketing again. Then she called.

“Really, this is different. It’s about travel….” Here’s the deal. My heart was saying NO, but my head was thinking differently, “What if?” it said. “What if this were the one.” Her enthusiasm took me away and by the end of the conversation I heard myself saying. “Yes, when I come in town I’ll go to a meeting.” What did I just say?

I was soon broken out of the trance when I reported my plan to my husband. “You’re going to do that again? Is that what you really want to do, convince our friends and family to get in this business?” He was right. This was not what I wanted to do. I wanted to write. That is what I really wanted to do. If I do what I love, the money will come. I don’t love multi-level marketing.

When I came to visit my sister-n-law she said the meeting was set for the next day. I told her, “Listen, I’m not interested this is not a business for me.” She graciously accepted my retort and only asked that I be a warm body.

It took ten minutes into the meeting for my heart to start pounding and my head to start spinning. I was not only warm, I was HOT! It took 10 more minutes for me to decide to sign up. This was a good thing. This one was smart. This one was credible. This one makes sense. This one is the ticket. The rest of the meeting I just asked question after question after question. I was pumped. I was going to start my own business. I was going to make money. Lots and lots and lot of money.

The next morning was like a bad hangover. What am I doing? I can’t do that. I don’t have the resources. That’s not me. What did I do?

What is it about these multi-level marketing gigs that get you so twisted up? I believe it’s the possibility of being financially free. What could we do if we were financially free? I can think of long list of things I could do, but is that what it’s all about. I wasn’t willing to be a teacher because it was too time consuming. I wanted spare time for my writing and my family. No matter what anyone says being successful in multi-level marketing takes time. Success at any business takes time. You have to put 100% into it. You have to go to meetings, have meetings, and be a part of the company. Is that what I want to do with my time?

One of the struggles in life is balance. There is an important balance between making money and the making of ourselves. I know in the end all that will matter in life is what I have done, not what I have. If I really dig deep enough I see that what I want money can’t buy, so why seek after money. I think for now, I’ll seek after me.