Taking the Training Wheels Off Your Direct Sales Business
March 26, 2010 by Debra Warren
Filed under Blog Highlights, Family First Lifestyles, Success Powered By You, Tips from the Playroom
It’s been over a year since my son raced into our garage, rifled through the toolbox, pulled out a wrench and announced it was time to shed the training wheels on his bike.
It’s been over a year since grabbing the video camera to document this exciting milestone. And, over a year of watching a young boy’s reckless abandon powered by his new two wheeled freedom.
Oh, the lessons we can learn about life and our direct sales business as we run alongside our children guiding their efforts in learning how to master the balance and skill of the ride.
Here are 4 tips my children have taught me when taking the training wheels off…
Tip #1: Keep pedaling or you’ll fall over. This is not as obvious as it sounds. Thanks to the momentum of your past efforts, you can stop pedaling and your bike doesn’t immediately stop. You coast. Effortlessly. Ahhh, your legs are thanking you for the moment of rest.
Of course, if you continue to coast, you’ll eventually lose all your speed and tip over – ouch! Even if you don’t fall over, the extra effort required to build back that momentum is exhausting and unnecessary. Stay in consistent balanced action!
Momentum in your direct sales business is powered by you!
Tip #2: Focus Forward. Always look ahead at where you are going when riding your bike. If you turn your head to peer sideways or behind you for too long, it becomes impossible to keep your bike from veering off course. With your attention off your target or destination, you begin to wobble, steer off your path, or crash into an obstacle you could have easily avoided had you been looking forward.
Focus in your direct sales business is powered by you!
Tip #3: As new friends join you on the bike trip, communicate with the other riders. Use clear signals and verbalize your intentions of where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. A sudden turn without any warning can leave the other riders confused, or worse, start a chain reaction crash. Have clear intentions, lead, and set the pace for a fun journey.
Purpose in your direct sales business is powered by you!
Tip #4: A fall is not a failure. Yes, the sudden impact of your body hitting the ground can be shocking, sometimes painful, perhaps a bit embarrassing, and may even jolt your confidence. It’s important to embrace the lesson that can be learned from the fall. With care and patience all skinned knees heal. If you’re open to those teachable moments, they will make you a stronger and better rider.
Success in your direct sales business is powered by you!
Enjoy the ride!
Debra Warren
I love the analogy. Gives us something concrete to think about, even if we’re not in the direct sale industry. Life lessons can be tough to learn, but when we accomplish them, watch out!
Deb
Sometimes we just need to embrace our inner child a bit more in life!
It is amazing how much we learn about life and business through our children. I love the examples you gave and the clear similarities business parallels life’s experiences.
Thanks Jill! I appreciate your thoughts. Children certainly give us fresh perceptives. They keep it real and keep it simple!
Debra,
Wonderful analogy – this makes it seem so attainable and simple. I think of the emotions I felt when my kids we’re trying to learn to ride. Intense and then a great feeling of joy with success. The falls and scrapes were so temporary and really kept them determined to keep going. It’s just not that hard – just like direct sales. If we think it’s difficult, it is!
Thank you!