Squirrels, Nuts, Network Marketing and MLM

A humorous look at the similarities between squirrels, nuts, and the activities of network marketer and MLM'ers.  Amazing what we can learn by watching nature.

Strange title I know but I want to get you thinking about this.  Have you ever “really” watched squirrels and what they do day in and day out?  Well, it’s actually quite interesting.  At least I think so.

Squirrels seem to have a genetically innate sense of what to do in life.  They get up early in the morning and until dusk they are out foraging for nuts.  Not unlike those of us in Network Marketing and MLM.  We too are always looking for the quality “nuts” available to us.

Oh!  You say.  But squirrels don’t have to deal with rejection like we do.  To that I say ah ha!  But they do experience rejection.  How many times have you watched a squirrel foraging around in your yard, hopping from one place to another, and always digging their little holes?  They are of the positive mental attitude that they will always find a nut in just the next hole.

Watching the squirrels you will see them dig their little holes, stick their fuzzy little nose in the ground and come up with………………….nothing!  What do they do?  The same thing we do when prospecting.  They disregard the outcome and move on, optimistically; to the next hole they will dig.  OK Craig!  What about rejection after talking with a prospect?

Well I’ll tell you.  Many times the squirrel will actually find a nut in the ground, probably buried by themselves earlier or by another squirrel.  They pull the nut out all excitedly, sniff it a few time, chew on it a little bit and realize………………….this nut is no good anymore.  Blah!  Been in the ground too long!

Now that is real rejection from the squirrel’s point of view.  All of that work hunting, digging, sniffing, and chewing, for what, a smelly no good rotten nut.  Bummer!

We are not unlike the experience of the squirrel in Network Marketing and MLM.  Always searching, prospecting in our many ways, only to talk to a promising prospect/lead and they won’t answer our next phone call or email.  They just disappear into the “Prospect Protection Program.”

How many holes does a squirrel have to dig to find a “good” nut?  I don’t know.  I do know they don’t whine; go back to their nest and quite.  They just keep on going, day in and day out, constantly looking for that “good” nut.

Our outlook should be as positive and optimistic as the squirrels in your own yard.  Day in and day out we should prospect and talk to leads.  Examine each as and unique individual and determine if they are a “good” nut or “bad” nut.  And keep taking positive forward action.

As with the squirrels, we will even need to place nuts and prospects back on the follow through list as they’re not ready for what we are looking for in a “good nut.”  So the next time you’re prospecting or calling leads, think of your neighborhood squirrel and don’t quite.

 Article written by Craig Mattice.  Craig works his network marketing business out of his home office in Richmond, Virginia.  His works include personality, quality content, humor, and are personally written.