MLM Lessons from the High School Gridiron

Written By: Cathy Mahady

My 17 year old son is a junior, attending a high school that hasn't had a ton of success in football over the years. They are a fairly small school in comparison to the big football schools that surround us.

Those other schools have a huge pool of really good athletes to pull from. In fact, some students attend those schools because of the reputations of the athletic programs that are offered.

Lesson #1: This is similar to how Multi Level Marketing (MLM) is a numbers game. The more leads you have, the better your chances of finding prospects; the more prospects you have, the better your chances of finding quality partners; the more quality partners you have, the better your chances to find real leaders in your organization. This better prepares you to play the "game" when you have a larger pool of candidates from which to find your best performers.

Prior to last night there were four teams in the conference that were undefeated – my son’s team being one of them with a record of 4-0. This was great success for the boys and they were excited about the accomplishment. But "others" belittled the success saying they hadn't really played a key pivotal team yet. Thus, suggesting that the wins really didn’t mean anything.

Lesson #2: This is similar to how some think only the Big Leaders in MLM can play the game well. And unless a distributor has recruited a Big Leader, then they aren't really having true success. But MLM is more about finding a lot of people who will have little successes that add up to big successes as a team.

Well last night, my son's team was to play the #1 rated team in the State, a team that has a reputation for winning and winning big. Ask anyone their record and they'll tell you they have only had four losses in the last five years.

Now I attended this opposing High School, we’ll just say, many years ago. We rarely won football games back then -- in fact, I clearly remember we lost our Homecoming 54-0.

Lesson #3: This is similar in that it's easy to think the Big Leaders in MLM have always been at the top -- it seems their success is just natural. But the Big Leaders weren't always that way -- they paid their dues, worked hard, got the tools, studied the industry, and persisted in doing what was necessary to make it happen!

But this opposing team had developed a superior attitude that they were unbeatable -- and lost sight of their humble beginnings. They came into our community complaining that things weren't good enough for them (the locker rooms were too far from the field, the field was not groomed to their specifications, etc).

They are a very affluent community, with only the best in facilities and coaching. In fact, the coach of the football team is the son of a legendary NFL coach.

Lesson #4: This is similar in that people think you have to have all the best resources to be successful in MLM. Many believe that those that reach the top must have gotten there because they have “something” we don’t have. But determination and a desire to succeed is actually far more important than having the best resources. If you want it bad enough, you'll make it happen from where you are and with what you have to start with.

This was to be THE game of the year. There has always been a friendly rivalry between the two close communities. But this year would be different – both teams were 4-0. The whole community turned out, the press, the youth football teams, people who had never attended a football game before, everyone!

The question was --- Could the underdog beat the big dog?

The “others” said NO WAY! My son’s team thought otherwise. They listened to the press give them no chance to beat the top rated team in the state. After all, the other team WAS the top rated team in the state, for many years --- and his team simple was not.

Lesson #5: This is similar to MLM in that how many times have you had friends and family tell you, “You can’t be a success in network marketing. There are only a few who really make it and they get rich off of the rest who try.” But MLM is one of the most ethical and fair marketing structures that exist. In the corporate structure, the line worker will never make the income that the CEO is "entitled" to, no matter how hard he works. That's not the case in MLM, the downline has every opportunity and is encouraged by the upline to work hard and reap the financial rewards--- even if it means the bottom earns more than the top.

My son’s excitement didn’t begin game day. In fact, it began during the summer months when they practiced hard and dreamed of having a winning season, something the school hadn’t had in a long time. He was so pumped days before the big game because they had been building toward this goal with all the little successes along the way.

He excitedly commented on the excellent coaching and inspirational motivation they were receiving. The coach was instilling a belief in the boys that they COULD do this. They had their WHY clearly placed before them -- and never lost focus on how badly they wanted to win this game.

Lesson #6: This is similar to the importance that MLM places on continual Self Development and the Motivational Coaching that one receives from their sponsor, their team of business partners, as well as professional coaches and mentors in the industry.

We are taught to know why we are building our businesses, to clearly see the vision of where we want to be, and this helps weather the downturns that will come. But when we know we can do it --- the obstacles are seen as challenges that just motivate us forward.

Well, as you probably imagined, my son’s team WON the game -- in double overtime.

All week, I saw incredible belief in my son, an enthusiasm, and an attitude that they will not quit until they get the job done.

It took DOUBLE OVERTIME to get that job done. But they didn't give up even with the frustration of two failed field goal attempts, two interceptions, and two fumbles.

They didn't lose the belief even when it was tough going and the odds were against them.

Lesson #7: This is similar to MLM in that you will lose if you have the attitude that "I'll just try this and see if it MIGHT work." You will lose if you think, "Well, of course SHE can do it -- but I have this to deal with ... (fill in the excuse)." You will lose if you don't maintain your belief through the frustrations and SEE yourself stretching and crossing that goal line.

Figure out what it is you want, believe it is already yours, and create an action plan to achieve it. Wanting it, wishing it -- that's not enough, you have to KNOW and BELIEVE it's your destiny to HAVE IT.

My son's team had everything against them: the opposing team was larger in numbers, stronger in experience, had a better long term record, was better equipped, better funded, better reputation, better press from the media.

BUT my son’s team had heart, an unstoppable BELIEF they were just as good. They had a DESIRE to show the state and the press that it could be done -- IF you just believe and don't give up!

Final Lesson: This is similar to MLM in that there will always be those leaders who appear to be better educated, better funded, have more experience, etc. But those things don't matter. If you commit to never quitting – it’s just not an option, then you too will come to find the success and benefits that are associated with MLM. Let your WHY drive your BELIEF that even the underdog has the same opportunity to succeed in MLM.

I am so proud of the boys -- it's the talk of the town today. And a memory they will carry with them forever. If fact, my son said this morning, "THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME.”

Let your Multi Level Marketing Business be the "Best Thing to Happen to You."

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Delight in the Possibilities!
Cathy Mahady
Home Business Coach