Network Marketing... is it a gamble? Are you just tossing the dice and hoping for the best when it comes to owning a home based business? Are you taking risks and putting your money on the table only to lose? Is succeeding in MLM just the luck of the draw?

I was visiting the Casino, at the Atlantis Hotel, while vacationing in Paradise Islands, Bahamas. I was feeling a little unsure about throwing my money on the tables and into the slot machines.

 I had thought to myself... how is this any different than the money I am 'Investing' into my MLM business back at home? Am I just flinging that money out the door?

For every slot I throw a coin into... and losing when I pull that lever... it's like those daily rejections from prospects. I think... am I sinking my dollars into a business only to be let down when somebody says... "NOPE!?"

Or how about tossing that little white ball into the roulette wheel and having to cross your fingers in hopes that it will land on your colour or number... "Damn! Nothing!" ...It's so much like those cold calls and thinking that they just might land your opportunity or take an interest in your product or service. Instead you hear... "Sorry, Not Interested!".

For all the hands I get dealt with at the poker tables... and then having to fold... it reminds me of those individuals from our down-line marketing teams who decide they want to call it quits and give up before the game has even started.

So there I am... wandering around the tables and the machines and watching the people. I am a little hesitant on where I should play next... Just like we do with our MLM business... but you know what? I decided to just watch. Heck! If I play anymore I would lose!

Sure... There is a good chance that I might win! Would I come out on top? Or would I just break even? But what if I still come out short...?! I ask these same questions when I am Networking.

As the minutes pass... bright lights are flashing and the sounds of bells and Whistles go off. A woman jumps up and down in excitement as a waterfall of coins pours out from underneath a machine while filling up a bucket. She is screaming... "I won!" Then off she goes... only to dump her money back into the slots.

Crowds break from the boards and tables and a voice from the distance yells out... "We have a winner!". A man grins from ear to ear while raking in his tower of chips from the playing area. His arms are over filled with his coloured pieces. He then strolls over towards another dealer only to become empty handed once again.

They throw it all away

These people work so hard for their money and then throw it all away. Why...? We get the winning fever! We see these people win and we say to ourselves..."Hey... this could happen to me!" Is this what Network Marketing is all about? "If I play my cards right... maybe I will get lucky...!"

I see individuals becoming successful in their Network Marketing franchise, just the same for the people through out the casino room, who are winning and losing.

You can feel the tension... it's so thick. There is so much emotion you can almost smell it! You can sense the determination, and the will to win! You can see the tense anxiety and disappointment and let downs through out. Those dollar signs reflecting in the eyes of the hungry... from the visitors and guests... and from the owners and staff.

But then I realized something... watching these people lose and win... something had dawned on me. Those that are lucky enough to trade in their coins and cash in their chips... these people win... but they only win once!

I guess I found myself in the habit of only concentrating on the rejections and losing and failing. In marketing, I was so focused on those 'Nos', that I forgot about the 'Yeses'.

You see... this is the thing... In business... every time you get a YES... you win! Sure... you hear more Nos than Yeses... but the yeses DO come and they WILL grow your franchise. I get a Yes... and win over and over on it. Then I play the game again... looking for more Yeses.

I don't win at Poker and go home and keep collecting funds from the game. The slot machines will eventually stop dumping coins onto your lap. Then what do you do... do you replay your winnings, or walk away. Eventually, that money will be gone... and your right back to where you started from. Doing it all over again.

In the game of Network Marketing... You play, and then you eventually win... continuously. That is what they call... Residual Income... you do the work once and get paid over and over again for it.

The exchange of VALUE is in place. If you are a prospector or the prospected... both parties win. What value do you get from a Casino...? I quote a friend of mine I worked with, Jack... he had said... "Casinos are given a license to steal". When you think about it... there is some truth to that.

So... I will ask again... Is Network Marketing a gamble? In my opinion... no. There is no risk involved. It is an opportunity. There is so much to gain in multi level marketing... and so very little to lose. You lose if you fail... and you fail if you quit!

I mean... the cards are in your hands. When it comes to residual... you can only win.

Here is to happy prospecting and winning success.