Sunday, January 30, 2011

Vote For Your Favorite Company!


Favorite Company Vote



The voting for the 2011 "Favorite M.L.M. Company" has begun. All votes from 2010 were reset on January 2nd, 2011. Please go HERE and vote for your favorite M.L.M. programs. Keep in mind that, unlike some online polls, this is not a facility where everyone just gang-votes for their own opportunity. You are only allowed to submit one ballot per year (and if you find a way around this restriction and vote more than once, all of your votes will be detected and deleted), and you must vote for at least three, and no more than ten, companies. Also, there are some traps set for those who intentionally vote for two companies besides their own that are not actually among their favorite (there are ways to tell). So although not perfect, this campaign does provide the truest representation as to what companies are the most admired and respected, or at least are the hottest or most popular, for that year. To see a list of all past "Top Ten's", go HERE.

If your company isn't listed on the ballot, nominate it HERE (this does NOT add to the vote count - please only nominate companies that are not already on the ballot). If it is, but is not among the top ten, then vote for it HERE!

Thanks for your support.

Founder & CEO
MarketWave, Inc.





Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Best Network Marketing Companies in 2010


The Best Network Marketing Companies in 2010

 
The MLM Insider is Proud to announce it has made its selections of the Best Companies in Network Marketing for 2010. Countless hours have been spent on these selections and the results are now available here on the MLM Insider website.
I would like to thank Len Clements for participating as a contributing Editor in making the Selections this year. His objective participation along with mine helped to create a definitive list of the Best in all of Network Marketing for 2010.

In addition of course are the results of the year long voting by distributors of various companies in support of their favorite network marketing company, trainers and compensation plan and these results are also reflected on the MLM Insider website.
Thank You and Best of Success in 2011 and remember to vote for your favorites here on the site

Sincerely;
Corey Augenstein
Editor MLM Insider 


Sunday, January 23, 2011

Growing your USANA Business in 2011


Articles on How You Can Grow Your USANA Business in 2011 




      Using the USANA Health and Freedom Solution Presentation - http://bit.ly/9KRAXZ

      What’s Your Problem? - http://bit.ly/dzkPYY

      The Three Questions That All Prospects Have - http://bit.ly/clkp4G

      Do You Know Any “Experts”? - http://bit.ly/9HbWcm

      Two Week’s Notice - http://bit.ly/aYx2lB

      No Whiners Allowed! - http://bit.ly/gjd6sn

      Momentum and The Power Of Sync - http://bit.ly/ank6qI

      Choosing the Right Network Marketing Company - http://bit.ly/byVg1m

      What!?!? You Can Help ME Become a Millionaire!?!? - http://bit.ly/cgnAwp

      USANA Matching Bonus Program - http://bit.ly/bWKKMt

      Building Your Business with a Web Hosting Site - http://bit.ly/d4mK2Z

      USANA Online Business Building - http://bit.ly/b47oEr

      Social Media and Network Marketing - http://bit.ly/9BXXvV

      Tag Team E-Mails - http://bit.ly/bP3XT1

      Team Building with Welcome E-Mails - http://bit.ly/cTrTQr

      Put Bad News to Work For You - http://bit.ly/bB0lLw

      The “WINS” Formula - http://bit.ly/bC3snN

      50 Ways You Can Grow Your USANA Business - http://bit.ly/aFnwlX

      Using Three-Way Calls - http://bit.ly/crBv8r

      Top Ten Actions of Successful USANA Associates - http://bit.ly/dALjOs

      The 80/20 Rule Explained - http://bit.ly/cpXNix

      Do You Choose Abundance or Scarcity? - http://bit.ly/g27DHl

      Planning Your Rank Advancements - http://bit.ly/dAd16z

      Everyone Fails In Network Marketing - http://bit.ly/9rm34P

      Advantages Of 200 SVP Autoship Orders - http://bit.ly/bz4KOi

      Responsibility and Accountability - http://bit.ly/amTZto

      Thoughts on Training - http://bit.ly/byHnSo

      Are You A “USANA Orphan”? - http://bit.ly/aGxXvn

      Are You A Perpetual PaceSetter? -  http://bit.ly/PerpetualPaceSetter

      Goal Setting and Action Plans - http://bit.ly/GoalsAndPlans

      USANA Fact Sheet - http://bit.ly/aE8gx3

      Distributor or Non-Distributor Associate? :  http://bit.ly/ihOPA7

      4 Steps to Calling Your Network Marketing Leads:  http://bit.ly/ecSFD9

Check back often since new articles are added regularly!














Saturday, January 22, 2011

How Healthy is YOUR Home.....?

Take simple steps to protect your family…

Almost overnight, a toxic world has been built around us, slowly manipulating how we eat, sleep, work, play…how we live. And the consequences of these conveniences have never been documented together in one place, until now.

The Healthy Home isn't only a comprehensive look at the dangerous poisons within your home but is a guidebook of simple solutions that will help you live a life free of the toxic burdens society has created, packaged, and sold to you as necessities of everyday life. As you read, you'll begin to learn about the science behind the positive choices you can make to  improve you and your family's most important resource—your health.

Have you ever considered:
  • Chemicals added to fabrics to enhance durability and stain and wrinkle resistance have been linked to both reproductive and developmental toxicity, as well as cancers of the liver and bladder. But organic cotton contains none of these.
  • Aluminum can induce oxidative damage, which has been linked to Parkinson's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—yet a typical dose of your regular antacids can contain as much as 400 mg of aluminum. A little soda water anyone?
  • Your cooking pans coated with non-stick Teflon can release six toxic gases when heated up to 680°F on a regular electric stove, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and a chemical known to be lethal to humans. Maybe the extra scrubbing of a regular pan is worth it.
  • The air in your home is constantly filled with toxins from the paint on your walls, the glue that holds down your carpet, and the fire-retardant chemicals coating your comfy mattress. You can learn how to minimize your exposure.
With the help of The Healthy Home, you'll learn about the dangerous substances you may be exposed to on a daily basis, and the simple but effective changes you can start making today that will help you and your family reduce your toxic burden, circumvent the risks of the modern world, and live a healthier life.

Make the choice to create a healthier environment for you and your family—pre-order The Healthy Home now and discover the simple truths that will protect your family from the hidden dangers within your very own home.


Learn More Here: www.MyHealthyHome.com 



4 Steps To Calling Your Network Marketing Leads


4 Steps To Calling Your Network Marketing Leads

- Author Unknown





Calling your network marketing leads is one of the most important steps in the process of sponsoring new distributors for your business. 

This process can be the scariest part of our business, and it shouldn’t be.  Especially if you know what you’re doing. 

I think that the fear most people have is not knowing what to say on the phone with prospects. The only way you can get better is just by doing it over and over again to the point where you have so much confidence that it’s like talking to a close friend.

Here are the 4 steps to an effective prospecting call:

1. Greeting - This is where you introduce yourself to your prospect and letting them know you were calling them because they had requested information about a home business. This is where you would ask them what they do and get a idea of what type of person they are and get to know them a little more. Find something in the conversation that you can relate to them. Maybe you have had experience with the type of work they do or you know someone who does the same thing. Find something you have in common because people like people who are like them. If you can find a way to make them laugh! This works every time to break the ice and let’s your prospect put their guard down.

2. Qualify - Qualifying is the next step in talking to network marketing prospects. Most people have this backwards. They think qualifying means if they make enough money to get in your network marketing business. Qualifying is finding a need, want, or reason they want to earn more money with a home business. Find out why they need to earn money from home. I usually ask my prospects why are they looking for ways to earn extra income. Some prospects will get to the point and tell you exactly why they need extra income. Some people will just tell you just to pay bills. You want to explore a little deeper and find out why they really the extra income. Because when you find something that they really want it’s easier to get them motivated to work after that dream or desire.

3. Inviting - After you have found their hot button and why they need the extra income you then move into the inviting portion. Since they have an expressed desire to earn more money with your home business you simply invite them to view information. You can do this several ways depending on how you do things. You can invite them to a conference call, weekly hotel meeting, one on one presentation, website, DVD, or any other marketing material you use to introduce your business. Always set up a time for them to meet with you or to call them back to answer any questions they have about the material they viewed. Make sure you have a time commitment from them. Tell them you will be meeting them or calling them back at a specific time, but make sure that time works for them.

4. Follow Up - The follow up is simply getting back with your prospect to answer any questions or objections they have after viewing the information you presented them. Follow up for one on one and face to face meetings are a little different. If you met with your prospect in person and they did not enroll at your first meeting then you would be following up with them for another reason. If they do not sign up at your first initial meeting you always want to keep following up by either inviting them out to a weekly meeting or giving them material to answer any more questions they might have. You never want to throw away a prospect even if they do not sign up the first time. It might not be the right time for them but keep in contact with them every month or so just to touch base.

Those are the four simple steps to calling a network marketing lead. Always remember to stay in control of the conversation and always be the one asking the questions. The person who controls the conversation is the one in charge!






USANA: Distributor or Non-Distributor Associate?

Distributor or Non-Distributor Associate?
-       by Pete and Dora Zdanis



A question we are often asked by prospects as they go through the USANA online enrollment process is:

” What is the difference between a Distributor and Non-Distributor Associate, and which option should I choose?”

There are very subtle, minor differences between Distributor Associate and non-Distributor Associate status.

Here are the definitions from the USANA “Ask Andy” web site:

“Difference Between an Associate and a Distributor:

All participants in the compensation plan are considered Associates, whether they are Distributors or not. An Associate may elect to become a Distributor or not. The following explains the differences: 

  • Associates who do not elect to become Distributors may purchase products for their personal use only. Associates who are not Distributors are charged tax at the price they pay, either Autoship or wholesale. Associates who do not elect to be Distributors are required to meet the same sales requirements as stated in Section 5 of the Policies and Procedures, but they must do so through the Preferred Customer program.

  • Associates who elect to become Distributors may purchase product for their personal use and for their retail customers. Distributors pay wholesale or Autoship pricing for the product, but sales tax at the suggested retail price of the product. Associates who elect to become Distributors meet their sales requirements through Preferred Customers, retail customers, or a combination of both.”

Our recommendation, unless you plan to make a lot of retail sales (which few people do), would be to enroll as a non-Distributor Associate, since you would be charged sales tax on the lower, Wholesale, rather than Retail, prices of taxable items for your location. Should you decide that  you would like to change your status later, you can do so at any time.

Pete and Dora Zdanis


© 2011 - Zdanis USANA Power Team ®  - www.petezdanis.com - All Rights Reserved

This article may only be copied, shared, distributed or otherwise reproduced in its entirety, including this disclaimer and copyright authorization.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Check Out Updates to USANA eCards & Media Center Pro!

Check Out Updates to USANA eCards & Media Center Pro!






 


At USANA, we are excited to announce the second release of eCards, Media Center Pro, Follow-Up Assistant, and the online Health & Freedom Solution. This update will officially bring us out of the beta testing phase. We'd like to thank all those who have graciously supplied us with feedback and patiently awaited this change.

USANA has been diligently working to incorporate as many of your feature requests as possible, while also patching existing issues. Among other updates, this release includes:
  • The online Health & Freedom Solution in French
  • A new, easy to use eCard builder
  • The online Health & Freedom Solution and Media Center eCards link directly to the content being sent, rather than linking to the eCard in a web browser
  • More context-sensitive help and instructions available with the new applications
  • Increased Media Center usage tracking in Follow-Up Assistant
  • Corrected eCard displays to work in most e-mail clients
  • Updated default data for eCards and the online Health & Freedom Solution
  • Corrected playlist displays in Media Center
  • Corrected video searches
  • Improved data validation and feedback for user information
  • Automatic updates of the screen after categories have been updated or removed
  • An updated e-mail recipients text box that doesn’t flicker while you type
  • More accurate displays of the like/dislike counts in eCards
  • A new notification for users of Follow-Up Assistant that explains the message is still being sent instead of silently displaying no recipients for the message
Now that the new eCards and new Media Center have come out of beta, the legacy eCards and legacy Media Center are scheduled to go offline. On February 1, 2011, the legacy eCards and Legacy Media Center will be permanently retired. We are confident these new systems will exceed your expectations as you continue to grow your USANA business. Please contact distributor services if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for helping us make The Income Maximizer™ the best in the industry!


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Can YOU Carry A Message To Garcia?


A Message to Garcia



ELBERT HUBBARD penned his classic essay, “A Message to Garcia" in one hour after a dinnertime discussion with his family. At dinner, Hubbard's son, Bert, claimed that the true hero of a particular Spanish- American war battle was Rowan -- a messenger who braved death by carrying a note behind the lines to Garcia, the leader of the insurgents.

The essay originally ran in Hubbard's magazine, The Philistine, in February, 1899. Inspired by its message, George Daniels of the New York Central Railroad asked permission to reprint and distribute 500,000 copies. Prince Hilakoff, Director of Russian Railways, read one of Daniel's reprints and had it translated into Russian. A Message to Garcia was distributed to every one of his railroad employees.

The Russian military then picked up the ball: each Russian soldier sent to the Japanese front was given a copy. The Japanese found the essay in the possession of the Russian prisoners and subsequently had it translated into Japanese. On an order of the Mikado, a copy was given to each member of the Japanese government.

A Message To Garcia has been made into two motion pictures and translated into 37 languages. It also became a well-known allusion in American popular and business culture until the middle of the twentieth century. According to language expert Charles Earle Funk, "to take a message to Garcia" was for years a popular American slang expression for taking initiative and was used by many people who were unaware of its origins.

Ultimately, forty million copies of A Message To Garcia were published.

THE STORY

In all this Cuban business there is one man stands out on the horizon of my memory like Mars at perihelion. When war broke out between Spain and the United States, it was very necessary to communicate quickly with the leader of the Insurgents. Garcia was somewhere in the mountain fastnesses of Cuba - no one knew where. No mail or telegraph could reach him. The President must secure his co- operation, and quickly.

What to do! Someone said to the President, "There's a fellow by the name of Rowan will find Garcia for you, if anybody can."

Rowan was sent for and given a letter to be delivered to Garcia. How "the fellow by name of Rowan" took the letter, sealed it up in an oil-skin pouch, strapped it over his heart, in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the jungle, and in three weeks came out on the other side of the island, having traversed a hostile country on foot, and having delivered his letter to Garcia, are things I have no special desire now to tell in detail.

The point I wish to make is this: McKinley gave Rowan a letter to be delivered to Garcia; Rowan took the letter and did not ask, "Where is he at?" By the Eternal! There is a man whose form should be cast in deathless bronze and the statue placed in every college in the land. It is not book-learning young men need, nor instruction about this or that, but a stiffening of the vertebrae which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies; do the thing - "carry a message to Garcia!"

General Garcia is dead now, but there are other Garcias. No man who has endeavored to carry out an enterprise where many hands were needed, but has been well-nigh appalled at times by the imbecility of the average man - the inability or unwillingness to concentrate on a thing and do it. Slipshod assistance, foolish inattention, dowdy indifference, and half- hearted work seem the rule; and no man succeeds, unless by hook or crook, or threat, he forces or bribes other men to assist him; or mayhap, God in His goodness performs a miracle, and sends him an Angel of Light for an assistant. You, reader, put this matter to a test: You are sitting now in your office -six clerks are within your call. Summon any one and make this request: "Please look in the encyclopedia and make a brief memorandum for me concerning the life of Corregio."

Will the clerk quietly say, "Yes, sir," and go do the task?

On your life, he will not. He will look at you out of a fishy eye, and ask one or more of the following questions:

Who was he?

Which encyclopedia?

Where is the encyclopedia?

Was I hired for that?

Don't you mean Bismarck?

What's the matter with Charlie doing it?

Is he dead?

Is there any hurry?

Shan't I bring you the book and let you look it up yourself?

What do you want to know for?

And I will lay you ten to one that after you have answered the questions, and explained how to find the information, and why you want it, the clerk will go off and get one of the other clerks to help him find Garcia - and then come back and tell you there is no such man. Of course I may lose my bet, but according to the Law of Average, I will not.

Now if you are wise you will not bother to explain to your "assistant" that Corregio is indexed under the C's, not in the K's, but you will smile sweetly and say, "Never mind," and go look it up yourself.

And this incapacity for independent action, this moral stupidity, this infirmity of the will, this unwillingness to cheerfully catch hold and lift, are the things that put pure socialism so far into the future. If men will not act for themselves, what will they do when the benefit of their effort is for all? A first mate with knotted club seems necessary; and the dread of getting "the bounce" Saturday night holds many a worker in his place.

Advertise for a stenographer, and nine times out of ten who apply can neither spell nor punctuate - and do not think it necessary to.

Can such a one write a letter to Garcia?

"You see that bookkeeper," said the foreman to me in a large factory.

"Yes, what about him?"

"Well, he's a fine accountant, but if I'd send him to town on an errand, he might accomplish the errand all right, and, on the other hand, might stop at four saloons on the way, and when he got to Main Street, would forget what he had been sent for."

Can such a man be entrusted to carry a message to Garcia?

We have recently been hearing much maudlin sympathy expressed for the "down-trodden denizen of the sweat shop" and the "homeless wanderer searching for honest employment," and with it all often go many hard words for the men in power.

Nothing is said about the employer who grows old before his time in a vain attempt to get frowsy ne'er-do- wells to do intelligent work; and his long patient striving with "help" that does nothing but loaf when his back is turned. In every store and factory there is a constant weeding-out process going on. The employer is constantly sending away "help" that have shown their incapacity to further the interests of the business, and others are being taken on. No matter how good times are, this sorting continues, only if times are hard and work is scarce, this sorting is done finer - but out and forever out, the incompetent and unworthy go. It is the survival of the fittest. self- interest prompts every employer to keep the best- those who can carry a message to Garcia.

I know one man of really brilliant parts who has not the ability to manage a business of his own, and yet who is absolutely worthless to anyone else, because he carries with him constantly the insane suspicion that his employer is oppressing, or intending to oppress, him. He can not give orders, and he will not receive them. Should a message be given him to take to Garcia, his answer would probably be, "Take it yourself."

Tonight this man walks the streets looking for work, the wind whistling through his threadbare coat. No one who knows him dare employ him, for he is a regular firebrand of discontent. He is impervious to reason, and the only thing that can impress him is the toe of a thick-soled No. 9 boot.

Of course I know that one so morally deformed is no less to be pitied than a physical cripple; but in your pitying, let us drop a tear, too, for the men who are striving to carry on a great enterprise, whose working hours are not limited by the whistle, and whose hair is fast turning white through the struggle to hold the line in dowdy indifference, slipshod imbecility, and the heartless ingratitude which, but for their enterprise, would be both hungry and homeless.

Have I put the matter too strongly? Possibly I have; but when all the world has gone a-slumming I wish to speak a word of sympathy for the man who succeeds - the man who, against great odds, has directed the efforts of others, and, having succeeded, finds there's nothing in it: nothing but bare board and clothes.

I have carried a dinner-pail and worked for a day's wages, and I have also been an employer of labor, and I know there is something to be said on both sides. There is no excellence, per se, in poverty; rags are no recommendation; and all employers are not rapacious and high-handed, any more than all poor men are virtuous.

My heart goes out to the man who does his work when the "boss" is away, as well as when he is home. And the man who, when given a letter for Garcia, quietly takes the missive, without asking any idiotic questions, and with no lurking intention of chucking it into the nearest sewer, or of doing aught else but deliver it, never gets "laid off," nor has to go on strike for higher wages. Civilization is one long anxious search for just such individuals. Anything such a man asks will be granted; his kind is so rare that no employer can afford to let him go. He is wanted in every city, town, and village - in every office, shop, store and factory. The world cries out for such; he is needed, and needed badly - the man who can carry a message to Garcia.




Monday, January 17, 2011

Keeping a Journal: One of the Three Treasures to Leave Behind

Keeping a Journal: One of the Three Treasures to Leave Behind 

 

 

 

 

- by Jim Rohn

If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured and unique individual, keep a journal. Don’t trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down.

I used to take notes on pieces of paper and torn-off corners and backs of old envelopes. I wrote ideas on restaurant placemats. On long sheets, narrow sheets and little sheets and pieces of paper thrown in a drawer. Then I found out that the best way to organize those ideas is to keep a journal. I’ve been keeping these journals since the age of 25. The discipline makes up a valuable part of my learning, and the journals are a valuable part of my library.

I am a buyer of blank books. Kids find it interesting that I would buy a blank book. They say, “Twenty-six dollars for a blank book! Why would you pay that?” The reason I pay 26 dollars is to challenge myself to find something worth 26 dollars to put in there. All my journals are private, but if you ever got a hold of one of them, you wouldn’t have to look very far to discover it is worth more than 26 dollars.

I must admit, if you got a glimpse of my journals, you’d have to say that I am a serious student. I’m not just committed to my craft; I’m committed to life, committed to learning new concepts and skills. I want to see what I can do with seed, soil, sunshine and rain to turn them into the building blocks of a productive life.

Keeping a journal is so important. I call it one of the three treasures to leave behind for the next generation. In fact, future generations will find these three treasures far more valuable than your furniture.

The first treasure is your pictures. Take a lot of pictures. Don’t be lazy in capturing the event. How long does it take to capture the event? A fraction of a second. How long does it take to miss the event? A fraction of a second. So don’t miss the pictures. When you’re gone, they’ll keep the memories alive.

The second treasure is your library. This is the library that taught you, that instructed you, that helped you defend your ideals. It helped you develop a philosophy. It helped you become wealthy, powerful, healthy, sophisticated, and unique. It may have helped you conquer some disease. It may have helped you conquer poverty. It may have caused you to walk away from the ghetto. Your library—the books that instructed you, fed your mind and fed your soul—is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind.

The third treasure is your journals: the ideas that you picked up, the information that you meticulously gathered. But of the three, journal writing is one of the greatest indications that you’re a serious student. Taking pictures, that is pretty easy. Buying a book at a book store, that’s pretty easy. It is a little more challenging to be a student of your own life, your own future, your own destiny. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal. You’ll be so glad you did. What a treasure to leave behind when you go. What a treasure to enjoy today!


Thursday, January 13, 2011

Availability of New USANA Loofah Gloves Estimated for Mid-March 2011

Availability of New Loofah Gloves Estimated for Mid-March 2011

USANA.com
The Sensé body polishing glove just got a makeover and is now made out of 100 percent natural materials. The natural loofah sewn into the Sensé glove provides the same great gentle exfoliation but is no longer manufactured with any man-made or artificial materials.

The estimated availability of the new body polishing gloves is mid-March 2011.* Our original Sensé body polishing gloves will no longer be manufactured and are no longer available to purchase.

If you have any questions or would like to change your Autoship, please log on to www.usana.com or call Order Express at 1-888-950-9595.
*Please note, this date is subject to change

Seven Lies That Will Keep You From Starting Your Business

Seven Lies That Will Keep You From Starting Your Business

 - by Travis Robertson





There are a lot of people who talk about “one day” owning their own business. Yet, very few people actually end up even trying it. Why?

Usually it’s because they’ve chosen to believe one or more lies about starting a business. There are 7 common lies that people are telling themselves right now that will keep them from changing their dream of entrepreneurship into a set of goals they can accomplish.

Lie #1 – It’s Too Risky In Today’s Economy

Without a doubt, our current economic situation sucks. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start a business. In fact, starting a business during an economic downturn may be one of the best things you can do.

Why?

    * Your job is likely not as safe as you think it is. After all, layoffs increase during times of economic uncertainty. Right? Why not put yourself in the driver’s seat rather than depend on someone else for a paycheck?

    * It will force you to prioritize your spending. If you can operate a profitable business in an economic downturn, you can do it during times of economic boom.

    * Competition decreases during crappy economic times. It’s sad but true. A lot of companies go out of business in a downturn. Regardless of the reason, this creates opportunity for someone who is talented and willing to work hard to take on clients from failing companies.

    * It’s cheaper to start a business during a downturn. With so many businesses going under right now, it’s a great time to pick up needed items at an auction or on Craigslist. You can also negotiate better deals with potential vendors right now.

Here’s a fun fact: roughly half of the Dow Jones 30 were started during a recession. Now may be a great time to start that business you’ve been talking about.

Lie #2 – I Don’t Have Enough Time

How was last night’s episode of Gossip Girl? How insane was that Yankees game? OMG…did you see the preview for the next episode of Glee?

    * The average American watches nearly 4 hours of TV per day.
    * 49% of Americans say they watch too much TV.
    * 98% of households in the US have at least 1 TV.
    * 34% have 2.

You have the time. You just have to claim it from the other distractions in your life. If TV isn’t the problem, you may be working too many hours for someone else doing something you hate. This was my problem for too many years. I made a lot of money doing work I didn’t enjoy so that I could buy stuff I didn’t need.

Lie #3 – I Can’t Afford To Quit My Job

Who said you have to quit your job to start a business? Most businesses are started during nights and weekends. Feel like you don’t have enough time on nights and weekends? See Lie #2 above.

Oftentimes, it’s not an income problem that people have – it’s a spending problem. Their cost of living has risen to – or more likely above- their income.

So how can you prepare for being able to quit your job? Here are some things you can do to get ready:

    * Save up 6 months of living expenses in a money market account.

    * Create a budget for both the business and your household. Figure out how much money your business will need to make in order for you to survive.

    * Get out of debt and stay out of debt. It’s a lot easier to start a business if you don’t have to worry about creditors knocking down your door.

    * Practice living on less before you have to start living on less. It’s a habit you have to learn. There is not magic “live within my means” pill.

Lie #4 – It Takes Too Much Money To Start a Business

There are a lot of businesses that can be started on less than $1,000, $5,000 or even $10,000 dollars. You just have to start thinking differently about how you’re going to do it.

First, start small and then scale up. You don’t need to go lease a storefront just because you want to own “the best hotdog joint in town.” Instead, start by renting a cart and setting up shop on a busy street in the financial district downtown. Try out different recipes while minimizing exposure. Figure out if people even like your hotdogs.

Then, if things are going well, begin planning for expansion into a bigger market. Figure out how much money it will take to purchase your own cart. Start saving to buy one without financing it. Once you own your own cart, begin socking money away to buy another cart (in cash) and hire an employee to run it. Keep up this process until you own enough carts that you’re making enough money to open your storefront without going into debt.

Too many people use borrowed money such as credit cards, home equity, and personal loans to finance the opening and/or growth of their business. This is stupid. Figure out how to start smaller with less exposure and risk. It will keep you making smarter decisions because you won’t be able to buy things you can’t afford.

Lie #5 – I Don’t Know Anything About Running a Business

Neither do a lot of people when they start a business and it shouldn’t stop you from starting one.

Don’t get me wrong – you need to learn about running a business. But there are a lot of free or low-cost resources available to you:

    * Ask friends and family who have started a business to act as advisors and mentors.

    * Contact SCORE. They offer free small business advice and mentoring in-person and online.

    * Visit your local library and become and avid reader of business books.

    * Find and read blogs on business development, sales, marketing, freelancing, etc.

If you’re starting small and part-time as I suggest, you’ll have time to learn about running a business as you do it. It will take a lot of the pressure off of having to know it all up-front.

Lie #6 – I’ll Go Out on My Own When …

…my kids are out of the house.
…I retire.
…I blah, blah, blah.

No. You most likely won’t. Excuses like these are generally made out of fear. Starting a business can be a frightening thought. So rather than admit the fear and confront it, people mask it behind “sensible” statements such as these. They tell themselves that it would be unwise to do it right now.

These statements meet two needs:

    * We don’t want to admit we’re scared, so we tell ourselves and others that we’re going to do it…just…down the road. It keeps the dream alive – even if only on life support.

    * It makes us sound reasonable in our fear. After all, who doesn’t want to sound reasonable? Nobody wants to be seen as rash or foolish. This type of excuse enables us to lie to ourselves and others while maintaining a bit of self-respect.

Lie #7 – I Don’t Know What Kind of Business to Start

I think that most people have an idea of what kind of business they would start, they just don’t want to admit it in any other capacity than as a fantasy.

What do I mean by that?

Have you ever played the game with friends where you answer the question “What would you do if money weren’t an object?” Of course. We’ve all done it. And it’s fun because it’s “safe.” It’s all fantasy because, of course, money is an object. So we talk about our fantasy of starting our own sports memorabilia store, wedding photography business, bakery, PR agency, non-profit, etc.

The problem is that when we relegate our passions to the world of fantasy, we no longer see them as potentially viable businesses. We assume that something we’re passionate about can’t possibly make money. It just seems too good to be true that we could actually do something we love and provide for our families.

If you know how to answer that question in a cocktail party setting, then you know what kind of business to start. Now, granted, the business may take on a different form than in your money-is-no-object fantasy. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the above steps to make it happen.