What Do Running And Goal Setting Have to Do With Network Marketing?

Since discovering network marketing a couple of months ago my life has changed in small but measurable steps.  My evenings aren't filled with mind numbing television shows or evenings sipping wine and gossiping with the neighbor or even hour long conversations with Mom which can't really be called a conversation because I think a conversation is what happens when two people talk.  when I'm on the phone with my mom it's more like she talks, I listen.  My priorities are a bit different these days.  I spend my time learning about the industry, reading how the successes became successes, and kicking up all the tips and tricks along the way to my success as I can because let's face it, this is an industry where mistakes can be costly.

One of the biggest small changes for me happened three weeks ago when I decided I had enough of being tired more often than I felt energized.  I read somewhere that fasting is a great way to rebalance the body and clear the mind.  I took a deep breath and began my three day (complete 24 hr days) apple fast.  I will tell you  that this worked very well in clearing whatever was blocking my senses because all of a sudden I could smell pizza baking a mile away and hear the sound of chicken frying even further than that.  I didn't starve or fall off the wagon as I was sure I would.  You see, here is a little known secret about me... I'm a strong starter and seldom a completer in much.  So because I was able to complete the fast and avoid temptation to cheat I felt victorious.  I actually stuck with something to the end.  Yay! Me.

"So, what does a three day fast have to do with running, goal setting and networking marketing?"

The fasting made me feel energetic, the energy made me want to do other challenging things to balance my body and clear my mind.  So, I decided to take up running. More background on me (if you read this article to the end you will end up knowing more about me than most of my friends and family do.  Who knows what else I might feel compelled to confess).  I abhor running, I don't like how shorts always ride up on the inside of your thighs, I hate how there's always dog poo in your path, and I hate how I feel like I look like an idiot running because I really don't know what I'm doing.  But you know what?! I went for it and two weeks into I'm up to four miles; half  of which I end up walking trying to catch my breath or hug a tree but four miles nontheless.

I'm sure you are still wondering what running has to do with goal setting and network marketing.  Here's an epiphany I had after my run yesterday to tie it all together:

Running is hard! You can't really just decide you are going to take it up and instantly be great.  There are certain things you need to know first.  Mainly, are you really fit for running? Also, do you have a safe route, is your gear a disadvantage? Shorts are comfy but not so much when they start riding up on the inside of your thighs... so not cute. I moved onto to leggings, much more comfortable and keeps all the jigglies from jiggling. 

I had a big goal yesterday; run four miles, and I did it but not without struggle and a persistent urge to stop and take the bus back to the office but then I decided to just have fun until it was done so I played little games with myself.  I tapped a light pole and told myself that if I could run and tap the next pole I could walk the rest of the way.  I got to the next pole and tapped that and something really cool happened.  I didn't want to stop.  I wanted to tap the next pole and the fire hydrant beyond that and the construction sign beyond that  and... you get where I'm going with this.

I challeneged myself with these small and reachable goals which kept me motivated to reach the greater goal of completing the run, and I did.  Surprisingly, I wanted to keep going. This desire got me really excited and looking forward to my next run. 

when I was recruited into my MLM company I came ready to make it big. It seemed so simple from what I was told.  "Just get out there and talk to people".  But just as in running, I learned it's hard.  You have to be prepared (know your route), create steps to your success (pole tapping), and have fun along the way.