The Time Factor

Q: I wonder what the general consensus is on overcoming the "I DON'T HAVE THE TIME" issue. For me, this is the most difficult one to overcome while still remaining 100% ethical and honorable in my response. I have a problem with telling someone that they don't need time to work this business; that all they have to do is hook me up with some of their key contacts and I will handle the rest. Baloney, I am the first to admit that if you want to make it big in anything you're going to have to work hard (make time) for it. I'm always looking for people who are already successful because those are the ones who will most likely succeed in anything they put their minds to. The catch-22 is that these same people typically "don't have the time" because they are so focused and devoted to what they're already successful at. Furthermore, as I have now made this my full-time business, people look at me and say to themselves, "there's just no way I can devote the kind of time and effort that he's giving this".

A: Successful people will realize, better than anyone else, that you can't get something for nothing. Yes, there is no question that it takes time and commitment to build a network marketing business. You should never attempt to hide that fact from a prospective distributor.

The most important and time consuming part of network marketing is talking to people. The thing is, even busy people have plenty of opportunities to talk to others. If someone is already busy, that means that they are likely coming into contact with a lot of people on a daily basis. If they're already talking to people anyway, it doesn't take much extra time to ask if those people would be interested in a product or opportunity.

Even busy people have spare moments: waiting for a fax to come before leaving the office, waiting for an appointment to show up, waiting for a flight, commuting, getting the oil changed in their car, etc. Network marketing is a perfect opportunity to turn these spare moments into productive time. With a mobile phone, you can work your business no matter where you are. I often use my driving time to do quick follow ups with people. (There's nothing better than the "wind noise" on the freeway to create a sense of urgency for the business!) And what about things like getting your oil changed? Which would you rather do? Sit in the waiting room and stare at the floor, pretending not to be interested in what's on "Geraldo" or strike up a friendly conversation with that other person and find out if she might be interested in your product/opportunity?

The key, of course, is to have a product and company that you truly believe in. If you honestly believe in your heart that you are doing people a favor by introducing them to your product and opportunity, then it is to talk to anyone, any time, about it.

A great advantage of network marketing for busy people is this: you can do the business at your own pace. If you spend a week or two working the business, and then have to ignore it for a few weeks because of some other project, it will still work for you. It's not something that you have to do every single day, though obviously the more time you can spend at it, the more successful you will be.

Finally, I wouldn't limit myself too much by looking only for people who are "already" successful. Many times, successful people are not trainable, are too content to commit to the business, and think they can buy their way into the business without doing the "dirty work" of prospecting, selling, and sponsoring. Some of the most highly motivated people are those who are not successful, and to whom network marketing represents a realistic opportunity to turn their lives around.