My Embarrassing Moment

I confess, this is not just one moment but actually an on-going embarrassing moment, especially at the beginning of my network marketing career.  I signed up with a fire in my belly and a belief that Network Marketing really is the pathway to wealth, happiness and the 4 hour work week.  I believed it with all of my heart, and my mouth followed. 

I made my list and began calling.  Or rather throwing up.  I approached each person to whom I spoke with the urgency of a hungry lion.  My results?  You guessed it. Not very good.

You see, I thought that I had to share every single detail, ingredient, story, product and price to let them know that I had the very BEST opportunity they would ever find.  The problem is that I was not a very good listener and I didn't wait for a response, I just expected the sign up.   

One day I was dressed from head to toe advertising my new business. I had bought the shirts, hats, lanyards and was carrying a bag with my business cards peeking through little clear plastic windows with catalogs right behind.  I was so very proud.  A dear friend of mine, whom I shall keep anonymous for her sake, was getting a cup of coffee.  I followed her, said my pleasant hellos, and then jumped into my new business speech. Smiling, I shared how I would love to partner with her, why this was the business for her and I shoved a sample under her nose, which immediately dropped into her uncovered coffee cup.   After she quickly scooped out the sample and conveniently dropped it into the garbage can, I offered her another and then followed her into the ladies room.  All the while I am still spouting the uniqueness of our products, why this is the business for her and how much it costs to get started.  It wasn't until she went into a stall that I realized that she was done listening.  Fortunately, this didn't ruin our friendship.  It didn't create a partnership either.

My embarrassing moment, this one of many, was actually a starting point for my journey of self discovery.  Through my mistakes, I learned what worked and what didn't.  I learned how to listen and the speech and actions that brought results and kept friends. Yes, that is possible!

Now it is your turn. Fess up.  What embarrassing moments brought you to a point of realization in your business? Or, have you not realized that the weakness in your business may be you?