I love watching the Olympics – it is literally thousands of people achieving their dreams. What can be better that? Many of them have worked years for little reward and with no expectation of a medal or massive sponsorships – but they had a dream just to be there, to compete with the best, to be one of the best. Then there’s those superstars, the ones that make us simply stare in astonishment. This year there were two in particular, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and USA’s Michael Phelps. Astounding performances. But there’s also heartbreak and drama as well – China and Team Nutrilite’s Liu Xiang’s withdrawal from the men’s 100m hurdle being a classic example.
The Olympics bring with it mixed emotions for me however, because, like many, many thousands of people around the world, being an Olympian was my dream too. In my case, in the sport of rowing (“crew” for the American readers). The 2000 and 2004 Olympics in particular touched a nerve for me – in both years, guys I knew and used to compete with won silver medals in the event I would have aimed for, the men’s lightweight coxless fours … and they came second by the barest of margins. Like most elite level, competitive athletes, I like to believe that if I’d kept training I would been in that boat. Of course, the only way I could have done that is if I performed better than the guys who made that team – and that meant the boat would have gone faster. Only fractions of a second faster would have meant winning.
I could have won an Olympic Gold medal!
Well … in my dreams anyway! The reality is that there is a lot more involved to making an Olympic team than how good you might have been. There were probably dozens and dozens of people in my country who might have been better than the guys in those two crews. Why were those four there and guys like me weren’t?
They didn’t quit.
Those guys continued to train, day in, day out, month after month, getting up at 4:30am for years after I decided I enjoyed sleeping too much. 4-5hrs a day, 6-7 days a week. Year in, year out, in pursuit of their dream.
They didn’t quit, and I did. I quit. Hundreds quit. Around the world, tens of thousands of athletes that were good enough to be there, weren’t – because they quit, they weren’t willing to do what it took to get there.
It’s no different in many fields of endeavour, including the Amway business. Success generally takes years, and there’s lots of down times along the way. I initially quit rowing after my partner discovered he was an asthmatic – by having a severe attack in the middle of a race at the National Championships. I felt the best I ever had in a race, primed to perform, and here he was practically dying in front of me! Disheartening to say the least!
But there’s nothing unique about stories like that. I’m 100% certain that if you randomly picked any 10 athletes from the athlete’s village in Beijing last week, at least 9 of them could have told you worse stories that had them on the verge of quitting – but they didn’t.
Success in business is rarely any different. It usually takes years. Brian Tracy, in his book The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires
Years of persistence and hard work, rarely with much in the way of reward along the way. Years of obstacles and failures, and getting back up and keeping on going.
That’s what achieving success in any field is about. It’s why, out of all the young, talented athletes getting up early to train today, very, very few will go on to the Olympics. It’s why, out of all the small businesses being started around the world, very few will go on to be the big successes their founders dream of. It’s why, out of the tens of thousands of people that start an Amway business this month, very few will go on to be Platinums, Emeralds, and Diamonds or higher.
Today I have different dreams, including to setup a scholarship for young athletes whose families cannot afford to fully support them the way they would want, one of the challenges I had. Unlike with the dream of Mount Olympus, there’s no time limit though. Time takes it toll on our bodies whether we like it or not, as does too much time watching instead of participating! But the Amway business does not go away, and it doesn’t care about your age. And unlike the Olympics, there isn’t just one Gold medal. Anyone can be a Platinum, or an Emerald, or a Diamond, or even a Crown Ambassador. I’ve been in many deep valleys the past decade (stories for another day), but the Amway mountain stays there, waiting for me, and for anyone else who cares to climb it.
We just have to get up, keep learning, keep improving, keep climbing, keep going.
I’m told the view from the top is amazing.
Comment below or Discuss this post on Amway Talk
With respect, exsilverbuilder, how does your upline FORCE you to buy big ticket items? What’s more, why would you allow that ,and blame Amway and N21, when it is *explicitly* against what Jim Dornan and N21 teach – never buy a pin? Colour me skeptical.
Also, care to show your calculations for function profit? Sorry for my skepticism, but every time I see someone do that, they just happen to forget things like taxes, staffing costs, insurance, multimedia, entertainment, travel expenses, legal fees, marketing expenses etc etc etc etc etc.
Yup – do the math indeed – but do it properly and don’t conveniently leave everything out.
I agree with you 100% rocket. I built the business for 2 years, went to every meeting, listened to every cd I could get my hands on, sponsored a heap of family and friends and cold prospects i met around the place. I went 20k into debt in 2 years. Forced to buy ‘big ticket’ items by my upline so that I could move up to the next level and be ‘recognised’ as a leader in my group, if you buy one, you sell eight, right, ha ha not so. Then there’s the 100pv thats expected of you each month, another $400 in groceries. I did it all because like so many dedicated people we think it’s our chance. If they can do it we can do it, right? Once I came out of the Amway/Network 21 coma I was in I saw it all for what it was. I can actually go on a holiday to Hawaii now and pay for it myself rather than trying to qualify for an ALS. Work out how much you’re currently paying for CD’s, seminars, functions, product, time on phonecalls, showing the plan, counselling etc and add it all up. With some planning you can have a great lifestyle without all the crap of going through rejection and the stigma. I value my time in the business, I learnt a lot, especially reading between the lines from my upline, like any ‘boss’ in the end they are out for themselves and will happily make you feel like the most talented, special person in the world if it will feed their PV. If Amway is such a fantastic multi billion dollar worldwide organisation why do they charge so much for products? why don’t they put out their own cd’s on how to build their business? gee wouldn’t want their diamonds missing out on the dollars they earn from you buying your CEP every month and all the money they make from seminars. A nice little understanding they have isn’t it?? if a duplicate CD costs 50c to buy why sell it for $8.00, why not sell podcasts at a reduced rate? diamonds have the lifestyles they do largely from the cd’s etc. Work out how much they make from seminars, call the place where the function is held and get a cost on hiring it, then add approx costs and work out how much they make from every WES. I was astounded. Like what I say or not, you do the math. MS
mijinjax,
That was a very well put comment above! I especially related to your statement about there being “many different levels of success”, or different ways to define success. One of the ways I define success for myself is how much healthier I feel since I discovered the Nutrilite supplements and XS energy drinks.
UCLAexpose and mijinjax, thanks for your comments. I agree that the tit-for-tat arguments can be nauseating. And, against my better judgement, have had more than one myself, resulting in nothing of significance.
However, I do think its important that people like yourselves contribute your thoughts and opinions about this business. A fairly new site you may want to check out is http://www.amwaytalk.com. Its another IBO-run site that offers open comments about Amway Global. If more current IBOs voice their opinions/experiences about this business, it will only help the online reputation over time. 🙂
Interesting point brought up that if there is more negative blogging than positive about Amway/Quixtar, then it means more people had negative experiences. Perhaps it means that those of us with positive opinions are happily living our lives and not trying to discourage other people from trying to make their lives better.
I am trying to be a more rational voice in that I do not think the business is perfect, along with everything else in this world. (With the exception of cats – well, not even them – a poopless cat would be perfect!)
This business can be many things to many different people, but one thing I have learned over the years is that there are many different levels of success. I have had years where I made a lot of money and years where I didn’t. The money is not the only measure of success. I have consistently worked to try and be a better person and to treat other people better.
I use the products that I feel are a good value, and that is about 95% of them. Some I use just for the convenience. It is convenient to have a case of toilet paper (for instance) in the garage rather than buying it package by package every week in the store. Not everyone feels that way, that is their privilege. I have no idea if the toilet paper is “competitive” or not pricewise, but it is of value to me not to have to lug home the packages of TP and a host of other products from the store. My time is worth something and I love having it delivered!
I’m not going to enter into flaming wars because there is no doubt I would be burned to a cinder. I just want to offer my opinion that the Amway business has a lot to offer, is a good business concept and does not deserve the vitriolic attacks that I see. If a person has harmed you, deal with that person, don’t try and ruin the whole deal for everybody – especially someone who may be pinning their hopes on a new business concept to them.
Goodness… It really boggles me how long these flame wars can go. Being a *very* techie guy, it’s no surprise to me why in the past, these wars have been dominated by negativity.. because those for the business would rather practice what they preach, (shut up and do it). On the other hand, I also understand that those against the business and what it stands for feel that they are doing a service by exposing their negative experiences.
In any case, I got tired reading this thread less than half way through it. These types of flame wars are found ALL OVER THE WEB, in such stupid topics as someone who misspelled a word or someone who loves their iPhone.
Anyway, i’m done!
Amthrax,
I do want to thank you for being reasonable in your comments!
Amthrax,
While I see your point regarding Scott and IBOFB. Your logic is flawed. As Bridgett pointed out, Scott’s motive is make money by attempting to topple a corporation. Often times with little regard to the law. As has been demonstrated on several occasions.
IBOFB, to my knowledge has not had lawsuits against him, nor has he tried to bring down a corporation or individual for that matter. He simply puts out information, attached with his opinion (based on his experience) for the rest of us to discuss. Also, to my knowledge he has not selectively left posts out simply because they went against his opinion (the perfect example is you and rocket). I am not lumping you two together as similar critics, only that you represent the opposing viewpoint. You are much more pleasant to converse with.
That is my opinion.
Bridgett – No confusion at all. What I was trying to point out is that Scott and ibofightback are the same person figuratively, except on different sides of the spectrum. For instance, critics have said the same about ibofightback’s methods as you have said about Scott’s. True or not depends on your point of view.
At any rate, we’ve moved far beyond the original topic of this post. I will stop now.
Maybe my misspelling caused some confusion for you?
“mean-spirited AT worst.”
😉
Amthrax,
I encourage you to read and digest entire comments.
Let me say it again,
“The guy’s trying to make a buck. Can’t blame him for that. But his methods are dubious at best and mean-spirited as worst.”
Bridgett – Please look on the side of this website. You will see Amazon Affiliate ads and a tall Google AdSense widget. Like it or not, Scott and ibofightback are two sides of the same coin.
Has anyone considered that Scott has an Internet presence, and a captive passionate audience, in order to make money?
He has affiliate programs set up to sell stuff.
Please. The guy’s trying to make a buck. Can’t blame him for that. But his methods are dubious at best and mean-spirited as worst.
Just a thought.
I cannot figure out why people reference Scott Larsen and his website as reliable sources regarding this business.
Simply baffling.
He doesn’t even understand the Sales and Marketing Plan!
LOL.
Amthrax, a year or two ago I analysed 6 or 12 months of Larsen’s feedback (I don’t remember which). Roughly a third was positive. A third were people with no experience and making judgements based on his website. Only a third gave negative reports.
I suggest you look again at YOUR hypothesis.
And that analysis was done in the knowledge that Larsen did not post my positive emails – something he inadvertently confirmed when he “outed” me. How many others did he not post?
ibofightback – I encourage you to read Scott Larsen’s visitor feedback page and look again at your hypotheses:
http://www.amquix.info/feedback/
It takes a certain kind of person — critic or supporter — to come here day after day to post about Amway. Others are more content with leaving their feedback once and for all. Judging from Scott’s feedback page, I would say there are more negative or critical voices on the business than there are positive voices.
Look, we can go on and on about this, and neither of us is going to convince the other of his or her point of view. I’ll cede the floor and let you have the last word.
Doing some historical googling, it’s a true story! Though it appears, which many retellings miss, that though he was in a wheelchair for a while he eventually recovered.
amthrax,
I agree that we are two sides to the same coin, but here is another example of how infrequently a positive experience is reported.
In 1860 the steamboat, the Lady Elgin was struck by another boat and sank. Over 400 people died. One man, Edward Spence rescued 17 people by swimming to them from the shore. On the 17th time, he lost consciousness and consequently became paralyzed from the waist down.
50 years later he was being recognized for his bravery. When asked what he remembered most about the incident, he replied that none of the 17 people had ever contacted him to tell him thank you. He had saved their lives and they never even tried to get in touch with him!
I heard this story from a Pastor so I assume it’s true.
let’s outline the facts
(1) there are far far far more former IBOs than current IBOs
(2) people are far far more likely to report negative experiences than positive or neutral experiences
from this we can make several hypotheses –
(3) if there is an equal number of positive and negative experiences, then there will be more “negative” people expressing their views than “positive” people
(4) if there are more people with “negative” experiences than “positive” experiences, then there will be far far more “negative” people expressing their views than “positive” people
(5) if there are more “positive” people than “negative” people then it is reasonable to conclude that there are far fewer people with “negative” experiences than there are with positive or neutral experiences
Now lets look at the evidence –
(6) there are extremely few formal or official complaints about Amway
(7) there are currently more pro-Amway people than anti-Amway people making their thoughts known on the internet.
The evidence supports (5)
QED
The fact of human nature is that we are more vocal of a negative experience than a postive one.
As an example, I’ve written letters and made phone calls to companies where I feel that they’ve fallen short on the products and/or services they’ve provided.
With those same companies, I’ve told all my friends, aquantainces, and relatives of my “horror” stories with such companies.
But rarey, VERY RARELY, have I done any of those things when I’ve had a neutral or positive experience.
So I don’t think that the quantity of positive vs negative on the Net (or anywhere in life, for that matter) is a good indication of reality.
ibofightback – I’m sorry, but that argument does not hold water. In fact, if I were to subscribe to it, I could easily say the same about the supporters:
Let’s face it – given the millions of folk who have been IBOs at one stage or another in the US alone, if a majority had thought the experience “positive” then there’d be an awful lot more than the half dozen or so active supporters on the ‘net.
Supporters and critics are really two sides of the same coin. My hypothesis is that people in the business are spending their time building the business instead posting online. People who have been hurt by the business don’t want to be reminded of it so they avoid the online forums and blogs. It’s takes a certain type of critic and supporter to go online.
To that end, we are more alike than we’d like to think!
🙂
Yup, clearly rocket *is* in the minority and his opinion *is* out of whack.
Let’s face it – given the millions of folk who have been IBOs at one stage or another in the US alone, if a majority had thought the experience “damaging” then there’d be an awful lot more than the half dozen or so active critics on the ‘net.
rocket,
Sorry, your opinion is out of whack.
“Rocket, you will not find one person whom I have sponsored or worked with who had a bad experience and thinks it was “damaging”.”
That doesn’t say it doesn’t happen, but it suggests that I’m in the minority when clearly, I’m not.
BTW Bridgett, I have seen recent price lists.
They’re out of whack. Sorry.