Business got cranked back up this week after a two week vacation with family over the Christmas Holiday. We hit what seemed like the entire East Coast with stops in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina in our 14 day road trip. One of the best Christmas vacations in recent memory. After our hectic schedule working double time 6 weeks prior – it was a welcome and much need opportunity to just unplug – get away and enjoy ourselves.

While getting back into work mode this week, I was out visiting customers yesterday. I asked if Santa was good to them. One response really struck a chord with me.

“Better than I deserve.”

Aside from being one of the most unique answers I think I’ve ever heard – I loved this response because of its optimism. We hear so much “doom and gloom” and how everyone is struggling with “the poor economy” from the media, it was really refreshing to hear about someone who had a grand Christmas.

I can certainly relate in several ways and I asked if I could use the phrase – I’d even give them credit. The response was once again classic comedy and something Ron Head always kids about as well.

“Just give me credit the first three times. After that – feel free to use it as your own.”

In 2011, it felt like Santa was around all year long. We got the house painted, two new cars, brand new stainless steal appliances in the kitchen and personal trainers to help take our personal fitness to a whole new level. Christmas day wasn’t too shabby either. I’ll be doing a review in a week or so about one of the nicest presents I’ve ever gotten for Christmas. It wasn’t from Santa, but from my wife, who has once again managed to fulfill another dream of mine.

Thing is – we were able to do all this in 2011 because we have several vehicles that are firing on all cylinders right now. And no, I’m not talking about the two new Chryslers sitting out in our garage. I’m talking about business vehicles that gave us the opportunity to purchase both new rides.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is that we create our own reality. In other words, it’s our own thoughts and actions that produce the results that actually show up in our lives at the present time. If you don’t like what’s happening right now, something you’re doing needs to change in order for it to change. The best way to do that is by making a small improvements or adjustments on a daily basis. Brian Tracy tells us that just a small 1% improvement each day can create dramatic effects over time. I can tell you from my own experience, that’s more true than most realize.

If things are cooking and life is really good like it is for us right now – what are the most important thoughts and activities of value that you’re doing to ensure that you keep the good times rolling? As a business owner you need to remember what Jim Rohn taught us – you don’t get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour. The more value you bring to the table, the more income you’ll realize at the end of the day.

And there’s no cap or ceiling. Nobody actually dictates what you’re actually worth “per hour” other than you.

I still see close friends and neighbors who’ve been laid off or downsized that continue to look for another “job”. Why? Because they’ve been brainwashed into thinking that a “job” equates to “security”. Two of those neighbors here in the neighborhood lost their homes in 2011 because they were waiting for that steady – secure “job”. Every time I drive past both homes, I think to myself what could have happened if I opened up my mouth and told them what I was really thinking when they told me they where looking for that “steady income” and “security”.

More than likely it would have ticked them off because they’ve been brain washed into thinking another way. It also would have been seen as cruel and mean – but sometimes the truth can be cruel. I know, I’ve been there. I spent three years bouncing from one “secure job” to another. I got downsized by one company. I got locked by another by another company who got caught cooking the books and reported false earnings to the SEC. I got closed down by yet another company who decided to go they way of big box retailers. And the final straw was the one who filed for bankruptcy. All in the period of about 3 years.

That’s not security. That’s insanity.

I deserved better.

It wasn’t until YTB came along back in 2005 that I actually found something that provided the tools, the information, the leadership and the support system to not only change my thinking, but change my habits and work ethic to be self sufficient. It gave me a sexy product to market that I was passionate about and provided true leaders and mentors who could actually walk the walk – not just talk the talk. I simply took a little from “this” Founder, a little from “that” Director and made my own way to real security. So much security that by the time all the false claims and attacks that where thrown at YTB in 2007 and 2008 – I was more than capable and diversified enough to weather any outcome.

Of course, I was also intelligent enough, with enough business savvy at the time to distinguish between what was real – and what was mere perception.

Today, the false claims and the frivolous lawsuits seem like a distant memory when I look at my YTB business and booking engine today. All the fear mongering and wild speculation that went along with it by a few dysfunctional, self serving loud mouths who thought they had it all figured out.  My how time has a way of dishing out some true reality.

Truth is – I deserved better a far better outcome, and that’s exactly what I got.

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I’ve become accustomed to others sharing our blog and newsletter when it comes to YTB. The vast majority of people who use our articles respect us enough not only to ask if they can use what we’ve written, but link to the original source and use our entire article.

It’s unfortunate that not everyone carries that same type of character and moral fiber. Zealots who hide behind an alias in order to gain access to our communication is something I’ve accepted as being completely powerless over. There’s really nothing I can do to control that type of activity – no matter how wrong or unethical it appears to be.

Last week, one of the children in the industry who continues to have issues with YTB and MLM’s took part of last weeks newsletter and posted it on his blog. I’m not terribly upset about this finding because is was the first time I can recall he actually comprehended what was written.

I do however take issue with two points. One, he’s not an RTA or a Rep with the company, and our rules have clearly stated for years that our subscription requires a valid website and Rep number. I’ve been required to do this because overzealous Attorney Generals seem to think that this communication is a “recruiting tool” and existing websites and Rep numbers put the kibosh on that idea. (Kinda hard to recruit existing members – you know what I mean?)

Two, the piece didn’t use or link to the entire article. (Which truthfully, is understandable, because the part that was omitted hinted to his years of bizarre and dysfunctional behavior and outlandish speculation.)

With all the attention and news surrounding YTB Travel the past two weeks, we’ve seen a considerable amount of deflecting, spin and justification from the other side of the fence in an effort to save face. Our featured article in this weeks newsletter covers part of that activity – but also points to how the rest of the travel industry is looking at YTB. This news stings for the other side – and I have a sneaky suspicion that what we’ve written will be twisted and taken out of context out of desperation to keep opposing views and perceptions in line.

Therefore, we have taken our entire article and posted it for your review.

We simply want to provide the entire article – and allow you the reader to formulate your own opinion and view. You have a mind and can think on your own if our view is valid. You don’t need someone else telling you how to perceive what we’ve written.

That’s called “brain washing”. ;-P

Enjoy…

~~~

We gotta admit…we’re absolutely LOVIN’ all the attention over YTB the last two weeks.

What better way to show the nay-sayers, cynics, and anti-MLM zealots that any speculation pointing to YTB getting out of the travel business, or that the company would just whither away to nothin’ is -

Well…

Wrong – AGAIN!

When news broke week before last and we saw how vague the Press Release and the SEC filing was – we were giddy in knowing that the travel industry simply wouldn’t rest until it figured out the mystery of Sixth Scott, and just who was behind a potentially $7.5 million deal.

Read this industry and these zealots like a book. ;-p

While some remain “stuck on stupid” – grasping at any excuse they can come up with or attempt to deflect attention to something they think could possibly disrupt this wave of positive news – YTB continues to show this industry how significant and valuable we are.

We have to give a shout out to George Dooley of Travel Agent Central. Those who were with us at the 2009 Convention, may remember that name. George interviewed us and posted an amazing article on YTB a year after the California Attorney General set his sights on shutting down the company.

While Sixth Scott was still a mystery to the industry at the beginning of the week, George was kind enough to print our side of the story once again to help educate the industry that what was happening to YTB would benefit everyone.

The most amusing part of the week was how some were certain that the “Scott” in Sixth Scott had some connection to the last name Tomer. Typical of how lazy, and sloppy they are – not knowing who to ask, or where to look – this new deal ended up looking really fishy to the usual cast of characters who ended up looking more like clowns when the real “Scott” turned up.

This news does after all involve an MLM. Therefore, a cynic automatically assumes that it can’t be a legitimate business deal. MLM and business after all, are a bad mix.

Finally, Travel Weekly set the record straight, and let everyone know that “Scott” wasn’t a first name – but a last name. Jeff Scott turned out to be exactly what we said he was. A long time veteran and top executive in the travel industry.

More amusingly, “unrelated third party” actually meant “unrelated”. (Imagine that??!!)

Here’s the thing…And we’ve seen this time and time again. Take a look at Jeff Scott’s comments about the Founders – and about YTB.

“Being a consultant in the industry, I’ve watched as YTB developed over the years and I’ve always been impressed by how they’ve taken all this controversy and changed things and made it effective,” Scott said. “Once you meet the founders and the people running this business, they are very impressive. We thought there was a huge opportunity with the numbers and a distribution channel like no other out there.”

Every single industry veteran who took the time to sit down and get to know our Founders and our people were not only impressed with what we have, they were blown away at what our model could do.

Those who incessantly slam our company and hang their hats on dwindling threads of justification and outlandish speculation have never taken that step. Frankly, they’re either too lazy, too scared – or more importantly, any real and open look at our company (instead of some fantasy swirling around inside their head) would change their perspective and therefore, destroy their identity.

We’ve said it time and time again. Time always has a way of shedding light on the truth. Predictions and speculation to the contrary are always ego driven. (And the travel industry appears to have it’s fair share of overly inflated and arrogant ego’s.)

If you’re smart enough – diligent enough – and have any true business sense (or even common sense) about you – you’ll always come out the other side victorious.

YTB continues to capture the spotlight – even today. But, you may be giving all the credit to YTB – which is only partly true.

Part of this spotlight goes to all the overly emotional and arrogant cynics, anti-MLM zealots, and nay sayers who speculated and predicted a totally different outcome. They picked this fight – we didn’t. A fight based on perception, myths, false claims, and rumors they have mistaken as reality instead of pure fantasy.

Frankly, we can’t think of a better way to say (or better yet – show) “I disagree” than someone like Jeff Scott who just put his money were his mouth is.

Please know those who wish to continue fighting don’t have to agree with it themselves.

They don’t even have to like it.

They do however, have to continue to deal with a travel MLM as part of this industry. It’s not only a very viable – but a very legitimate model that when run the properly and correctly, works in any industry it chooses.

With the news and attention YTB has received the last two weeks, it’s become quite obvious -

YTB chooses travel.

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A couple years ago, I stared swimming laps for exercise. I’ve attempted to exercise off and on over the years, but swimming has been the only form I’ve been able to really enjoy and stick with over time. Our entire family really enjoys the water and swimming’s low impact – full body workout has been perfect in giving me the endurance and stamina I need for work and family life.

In all, I’ve been swimming a mile and a quarter five days a week for the last two years. During the winter I have enjoyed the indoor pools that Gwinnett County offers at a very reasonable rate between Labor Day and Memorial Day. About the only issue I’ve had with this indoor option are the supper high levels of chlorine and the limited hours I’ve been able to get my workout in.

This season, with the new business and increased demands on my schedule, I needed to find another option. I just wasn’t making it to the pool for days at a time, and I felt horrible. I’m not just talking about feeling guilty about missing my exercise, I’m talking about just feeling physically drained and worn out at the end of the day. A body in motion tends to stay in motion, and while I was extremely busy and moving all day long, by the end of the day, I was simply worn out without much left in my tank for family and personal time.

For one reason or another, I’ve always felt gym memberships were overpriced and a waist of both time and money. It’s one of those limiting beliefs I’ve had that was embedded somewhere along the line, and I’m not exactly sure how or why it was planted there.

My beliefs about money has changed drastically over the last seven years now that I know I’m not limited to what somebody else tells me what my time is worth. Today, I create my own net worth and I’m paid in direct proportion to the amount of time and effort I put in.

Because money has long been eliminated as an obstacle, I came to the conclusion that I need to change my limiting belief about wasting my time at a gym. A good start was the fact that our local LA Fitness has an indoor pool designed specifically for swimming my laps to get back into the shape and recapturing the endurance I was looking for. A dry sauna also added value to the membership, as I’ve always enjoyed the benefits of opening up my pores, sweating out toxins and increasing my metabolism.

Much like everything else I get involved in, I not only wanted to do this gym thing right, I wanted to take full advantage of my membership. You can’t help but notice all the other equipment as you walk in that are designed to help you get into shape. Problem is; it’s been decades since I’ve used any of this equipment, and much of it has changed since the last time I’ve even seen equipment like this.

I noticed a segment of the members there that appeared to be wondering from machine to machine with very little in the way of results. We all attain this attitude at the age of 2 or 3 that “I can do it myself” – and some just never grow out of that mentality. We think we should know it all by the time we’re adults.

It’s an ego thing.

When I first got involved with YTB and wanted to learn about travel. I sought out the expert knowledge of Carnival, Marc Mancini, CLIA, and Travel Agent University. When I wanted to change my financial outlook, I gathered the expertise of millionaires like Coach Tomer, T. Harv Ecker, Robert Kiyosaki, and Donald Trump. I did the same with this blog. Experts like Yaro Starak, Darren Rowse, and Brian Clark taught me the ropes and enabled me to attain a permanent place on the internet that gets its fair share of traffic.

Of course, we can’t forget MLM, and Network Marketing. Coach and Scott Tomer, Tim Sales, Mike Dillard, Doug Firebaugh, and Len Clements provided great information and resources on building an MLM business the right way.

The point here is that in every instance I acquired the expertise and knowledge of an expert in their respective field. If I’m going to do something, I wanted to make the most of it – I didn’t want to be just average. Nor did I see the need to be so arrogant to think that I could figure it all out on my own. Not when there’s a wealth of information and people who sincerely want to help.

So it shouldn’t be a big surprise that both Ronda and I have retained the services of a personal trainer at LA Fitness to help educate us on the proper way to use the vast assortment of equipment and exercises in an effort to take our personal fitness to the next level. We simply applied the same thought process and willingness to ask for help from true experts like we always have.

There’s a term in personal fitness and training that I’m sure you’ve heard of.

“No pain – no gain.”

I can tell you that right now, that I have muscles I didn’t even know I had. Every inch on my body is feeling a high level of pain right now. While I give certain muscle groups an opportunity to recover and heal, another group kicks in during the circuit training that brings a whole new meaning to the word pain.

It really doesn’t matter if it’s personal training for fitness – or if the pain comes in the form of personal finance, business ownership, or improving your mindset and thinking. It often involves pain or at least discomfort to some extent because it includes change. A change in attitude – a change in habit, or a change from just thinking about it and actually doing it. It’s uncomfortable and rather awkward when you first get started.

If it weren’t, you’d already be doing it by now.

As adults, we often settle for the status quo or just average. Somewhere – deep inside, always wanting to advance and grow to better ourselves. Some never really take the time or energy to achieve that next level. We all talk a real good game, but fewer and fewer it seems actually walk the walk. Limiting beliefs and excuses always seem to get in the way.

It’s just too hard.

That’s why I thought it was wise to find someone outside of friends and family to hold me accountable – to help with this next level. Like I’ve learned in years past, I found an expert in this field who can show me how to do this the right way for the best desired results.

Results.

What a word.

If the result I wanted was pain – I certainly acquired it.

Don’t misconstrue or take this out of context – but I’m loving it. I’m looking past the discomfort and awkwardness right now and focused on the end result. Results  I haven’t seen in years when it comes to being physically fit and in shape. As I’ve learned so many times before in the area of finance, business, marketing, and personal development, this discomfort and awkwardness is a small price to pay on this journey we call life in an attempt to achieve our desired outcome.

Now if you’ll excuse me – I need more ibuprofen.

Until next time.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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It’s hard to imagine how different life would be without the intuition, vision and passion of a Steve Jobs.

I came home late last night to read about his passing on an instrument he helped define and mold into our everyday lives. You don’t have to own a MAC, an iPod, iPhone or an iPad to realize the impact Steve Jobs has made. A simple computer user will do just fine. It’s something most of us take for granted these days. Something my kids have never known life without. Something that I personally enjoy working on and occasionally get lost in.

There were enough “computer geeks” around back in the 70′s with vision like a Steve Jobs to make the personal computer revolution happen, but technology and computers just wouldn’t look the same without this man. Fast forward to today with products like the iPad, iPhone and iPod and you see his vision still impacting our lives decades later. What’s so amazing about the products and technology he helped create is that they all worked flawlessly.

His first authorized biography is scheduled to be published by Simon & Schuster next month. It’s a book I’m certainly going to read because I love stories like his. I love passion and insight like his. A guy who went against the grain, against the social norms, and against what most told him couldn’t be done – but ended up doing it anyway because unlike everyone else, he believed he could.

You don’t have to own or even use any of his products to appreciate his vision or his passion. All you have to really be is a dreamer.

Any time I get some jerk who thinks they know better than I do, telling me what I should invest my money or my time in, it’s a man like Steve Jobs that provides all the proof I need to keep going. Nor do I get caught up in my mistakes or failures when attempting to achieve a desired result.

Here’s a profound quote from Steve I found on CNN while reading last night.

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future,” he told Stanford University graduates during a commencement speech in 2005. “You have to trust in something: your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

Time and time again, I see people digging up the past trying to fit their perception into the present, and frankly – it just doesn’t work. You can only live in the present, and you can only act on something NOW. Now is all there is. You can’t pick up that phone yesterday. You can’t make that sale tomorrow. You can only do it now. Don’t worry about how it will all work out. It will work out exactly the way it should.

As a student of business and personal development, I’ve understood this quote for many years. It may not have been in these exact words, but the idea is the same.

Before I go, here’s another one from the same article that I just loved.

“If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.”

Truer words have never been spoken. You may never reach the level of success or the impact that a Steve Jobs has had in this world – but you’ll never be happier and more fulfilled if you never settle for what others may tell you to do.

I may not be a MAC Head like some others. But I can still appreciate their passion and love for this man and how he’s impacted an entire industry. Not only can I appreciate his passion, but I understand why his vision was the keystone to his rise and success.

It’s what provided the tools we have today, and why Steve Jobs has changed the world.

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I’ve discovered that being offline has its advantages.

Who knew?

It’s not that I miss being online, but the online world is so much different than the real world. There’s something about people hiding behind a keyboard that turns them into these egoistical maniacs and know it all’s. They can check in and check out on a moment’s notice covering a vast amount of cyber space without having to back up or support anything they say or do. There’s little to no responsibility or consequences to contend with in this vast expansion of bits and bytes.

Life – or the real world – has a completely different set of rules and consequences attached to it. There’s a level of accountability that you just can’t hide from offline. Online, it’s nothin’ to “talk the talk” – but if you don’t know how to “walk the walk” offline I would imagine you’ll find yourself in very compromising and uncomfortable positions in what I can only categorize as bizarre and irrational perceptions.

Offline, you also have the opportunity to kick the tires so to speak. A chance to look someone directly in the eye and ask the pointed questions. Instead of just the written word as a response, you can collect and record someone’s vocal tone, body language, and whether or not they can look you in the eye when they respond to questions you ask.

One of the things I’ve never been able to grasp are these folks who get all riled up over people they’ve never met, or even talked to. They form these opinions and illusions based on a perception that’s disconnected and incomplete. It’s a major reason why I’ve never given credibility to people who have some dysfunctional disdain about me. They simply can’t form a complete picture or accurate opinion about who I am and what I stand for without actually meeting me face to face.

Those that have actually met me have a completely different attitude and perception from what I’ve read here in cyberspace. Remarkably, it would completely contradict the crap I’ve read about who I am and what I do from the cowards who have never personally come in contact with yours truly.

Likewise, the cowards who spend hours yammering on the Internet attempting to shame and slander the YTB Founders, Coach, Scott, and Kim have never had an opportunity to come face to face with their nemesis either. About the closest anyone has gotten, was going to an opportunity meeting incognito. While they happened to be in the same room, there was never any real dialog because one was standing in front of the room in plain sight, while the other was hiding in the back of the room among a large crowd of faces. The result was about as effective as watching a presentation via streaming video.

Several years ago, another clown was in Florida to check out Funshine. Instead of spending time with the people there, he took pictures of cars in the parking lot. Then while the owners of the cars were in training classes, he sneaked in to take pictures of the empty hallways. If I remember correctly, the pictures of empty hallways were to prove that nobody was there. (Apparently, the owners of the cars left without their preferred form of transportation.)

But alas, it did give the cowards an opportunity to say “I was there” in an attempt to add credibility and confirm their already twisted views and perceptions.

I had an opportunity myself to check out another well known “industry scammer” on the Internet about a year and a half ago. Part of the reason I went to this meeting was to see if the speculation and perceptions online matched what I saw with my own eyes. As it turned out, I had an opportunity to shake hands and introduce myself to this so called “scammer” and actually brought up the fact that they were so well known in the cyber world.

This one very pointed question opened up a rather lengthy dialog over several conversations. The contrast over what I had read and what I had gathered on my own was astounding. I had also gathered information on the cowards who were so head strong at pointing the finger at this guy. What I found out made me realize the cowards themselves had three more fingers pointing at them. In other words, these so called critics who were trying to save everybody from being scammed actually had more problems and blemished of their own that I could only conclude that the ranting and raving they were doing was nothing more than a deflection technique to make themselves feel better about their own miserable existence.

Look – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.

Don’t believe a word I say – unless you can verify on your own to be true.

You don’t have to agree with me – but you do have to do a little more than read and post on message boards and blogs to form a legitimate and accurate perception of what’s going on. These clowns who only lift a finger to do a Google search on the internet to find opinions and perceptions that match their own illusions are a complete joke.

Instead, find somebody who has some real world experience and is capable (or at least willing) to show up in person for a face to face.

Online is a great place for introductions and connections. It’s capable of doing a lot and expanding your influence. However, if you’re not willing to unplug and venture out into the real world – you’re simply not going to get very far. You’ll quickly find yourself without any real knowledge, experience, or credibility.

While online can be great and it has its advantages – don’t mistake the online world as the real world or life experience. In order to grasp what’s really going on the only place to do that is offline.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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Sorry I haven’t been around much lately. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to write before now, but writing has taken a back seat to business the last few weeks. Business has been going much better than expected right out of the gate, although it’s consumed a lot of my time and energy. It was important to me to set new standards and procedures right away, which has been welcomed by everyone that has seen both the old and new version of this business and management team. The new look and feel of the business has really paid off in spades.

When I first wrote about this business, and how optimistic I was about this new venture I mentioned how YTB (or any MLM really) was the perfect proving ground to change ones habits and thinking from being an “employee” to “business owner”. So much of what I was introduced to when I joined YTB wasn’t actually developed for MLM, but for traditional business. It was only adapted into the MLM model because it was sound business.

The lessons learned and the habits created over the last six years with YTB have made this transition from MLM to traditional business a piece of cake.

Don’t misunderstand me. There’s a lot of hard work involved. When my head hits the pillow at night, I’m exhausted. I don’t have a set schedule (like some 9-5) and practically work all hours. That being said, there’s still a nice balance of work and family time. For example, when the kids come home from school in the afternoon, I still take breaks to get them snacks, ask how their day was, and work with them on homework. After they’re in bed, I’m cashing out the daily sales, placing orders, preparing the lineup for the next day’s events, and responding to customer and employee e-mails.

Some of the daily tasks might have been different with YTB, but the work ethic and drive was instilled in me over the years because of MLM.

I also remember a time when commissioned sales intimidated the hell out of me. I never thought I was very good at it. One of those limiting beliefs I had about myself that just never served me very well. Sales always equated to being pushy for some reason – and that’s never been something I’ve been comfortable with. It wasn’t until YTB that it became a sheer numbers game of just asking and collecting an answer. Then it began to click. Not everyone gets (or wants) what you have. While most spend time trying to convince the wrong person for all the wrong reasons, I simply offered up features, advantages and benefits and collected an answer.

As Jerome Hughes has always said – “Tell me “Yes” – Tell me “No” – but tell me quick, I gotta go.”

I also liked what Rick Ricketts has always said – “I get up every morning and look for people who are looking for me.”

This idea of trying to convince family and friends is probably the biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard about MLM. It’s not that you shouldn’t ask, but if they simply don’t want to – your time is much better spent looking and asking someone else who will say yes. It’s not that I, Jerome, or Rick are any better at recruiting than anybody else.

We just asked more people.

In addition, when you have the right mindset and attitude, the right circumstances and people fall right into place. Part of my responsibility with the new business is new business development. I’ve since recruited someone who will focus on that aspect of the business in the coming months, but it’s my responsibility to get that ball rolling. One of those new areas is an entire county that was always part of the territory but never worked. A large task for sure, that I really wasn’t looking forward to cultivating. (Especially when I’ve got so many other responsibilities that I’m trying to manage.)

While out pounding the pavement in another territory, I got a lead from one of my other customers. I come to find out that this new lead happens to be in the very county I’m responsible for cultivating. While traveling, I make an immediate call to the new lead to introduce myself. Turns out, this new lead not only wants what I have, but thinks others could benefit from our services as well. There’s a meeting with a small group of 30 or more coming up in September that this new lead would like me to come out and do a presentation for if I wanted to.

If I wanted to?

Are you kidding me? The chance to present my business and services to 30 plus who could not only use my services but benefit from it in one fell swoop? It was just the shot in the arm I needed to get this new county and territory off the ground – and a lot quicker and easier than I had ever imagined.

I have no idea is you believe in or even know about “The Law of Attraction”. Most, I would hope have at least heard about the movie “The Secret”. I’ve heard both pro and con from others concerning this idea about attracting what you want into your life. Those that are pro know like I do that this “law” is an actual “law”, just like the “Law of Gravity”. You really don’t need to understand it or even except it – but it IS a law all the same. It works whether you want it to or not. It works whether you understand it or not.

Some of my readers are Faith based and “The Law of Attraction” actually parallels faith and belief. It’s not that I don’t have faith in God or a higher power – but my logical mind grasps the scientific aspects that everything we see, feel, and experience is “energy”. Some consider it “new age” or a “gimmick” and that’s fine. Truth is, there’s nothing “new age” about it. The idea and concept has been around for thousands of years.

Having this one person show up in my business out of the blue when my energy and thought levels have been so extreme and positive just adds more proof to me that we are all connected by this energy.

That energy stems from the fact that I’ve attained practical – real world business experience through YTB and MLM. It’s gone past the point of just knowing what to do and how to do it. It’s become habit for me after all these years.

I’ve tried reading books, attended seminars, even tried starting a few businesses prior to YTB without much success. Little did I realize that YTB and MLM would provide the tools and the habits necessary to get my MoJo on and find true business success.

If your serious about changing your circumstances and creating your own future and success in business, you need to not only take a serious look at MLM, but take MLM seriously – not just some hobby. There’s a wealth of information – and a ton of successful, motivated individuals who are more than happy to share and help you along the way. Take it from someone who not only knows, but has experienced it.

It’s real – it’s true – it’s practical. More so than any college course, seminar, or some know it all who thinks he or she has all the answers.

Want Business MoJo? Find a good MLM.

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A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that ignorance and injustice has never been something I’ve tolerated very well. It’s not that I expect everyone to know everything – people make mistakes (including me) all the time. But – I do expect people to be capable of learning. These “mistakes” are the lessons learned that helped people like Edison invent the incandescent light bulb. I’ve heard that he “failed” anywhere from 1000 to 10,000 times before he figured it out. The actual number of times isn’t important – but the concept that you adjust and correct with each mistake made to end up with success is.

It’s that type of thinking and determination that has helped YTB return to the original name – better, stronger, and with more conviction I’ve seen in a long time.

I’ve had more subscription signups to our newsletter in the last few weeks than I think I’ve had all year. I also had to create a separate category in my Outlook for the private YTB Facebook pages and the notifications that are coming in. My inbox became flooded with YTB posts. (There’s some really useful information there, and it’s always needed a special folder.)

Not everyone appears to be on the same page in sharing the excitement and passion for success that we do. Make no mistake, they certainly see it – and they know exactly what it all means. Our passion and excitement unfortunately gives them a nervous twitch.

From the day it appeared on my blog, (which I can still recall) one guy has produced an entire comedy of errors, missteps, and mishaps. This self-proclaimed “expert” decided to make it his personal mission to pick a fight with me, you, or anyone else associated with YTB. John Frenaye got more than he bargained for when he came trolling onto this blog to pick on what he assumed was just another “lowly MLMer”.

Instead of cowering or avoiding, I responded to both him and his illusions. His perceptions of MLM and YTB simply don’t match my reality or experience. I did see John’s charade as a valuable lesson in exactly what not to do, and how not to think. His so called “problems” with MLM, gave insight into what to avoid. Although by doing this you couldn’t avoid his pessimistic rants, which helps tremendously.

Although John never mustered up enough courage or strength to sit down with YTB face to face to discuss his “issues” with the company and our model, his Internet persona and constant bullying in every nook and cranny associated with YTB did provide insight for not only myself, but YTB to look at the perceptions and adjust accordingly.

I have no idea how this whole thing has worked out for John, but I don’t think it’s been all that pleasant. Nobody likes to be made the fool like I’ve highlighted and documented here. Not that it’s been a bed of roses for me either. Personally, and for others who have gone through this battle with me in YTB however, it’s been a great experience and lessons learned because unlike John, and others like him, we actually know how to learn and adjust from the mistakes we all make.

It makes us stronger, more resilient, and better than ever before.

John on the other hand, just doesn’t make them. “Mistakes” I mean. He’s still just as stubborn and bull headed as ever. Sticking to his illusions that MLM and its people are inferior to him or anyone outside of the “cult” that hasn’t been drinking the Kool-Aid.

And that my friend is exactly why this personal crusade of his and this battle that’s waged inside his head has been going on for at least the last four years. He hasn’t learned a blessed thing.

You might be thinking to yourself, “If an old dog like TravelPro can learn a few new tricks, certainly someone like John can – couldn’t he?

Not exactly.

I’ve heard it said from more critics than just John, that cynics think we MLM’ers are so caught up in the cult and drunk on the Kool-aid that our identity becomes attached to it. Without a YTB or another MLM to hang on to, we’re lost without any meaning. Truthfully, I think that concept speaks more about themselves than it does about any of us.

See, the whole idea of MLM is to teach the average person how to change from an employee mentality to a business owner mentality. The heart of MLM, what makes it tick and beat, is ground floor access to a business that will teach anyone who is willing how to become a real true entrepreneur and business owner. The problem as I see it, isn’t actually the MLM business itself, but the actual person running the business.

I look at the traditional business I came under contract with a couple weeks ago. The territory was run into the ground, and the old manager is filing for bankruptcy. If it were MLM, critics would be yammering about how the model failed. Now that I’ve been working this new business a few weeks and have done a couple P & L’s – I can’t for that life of me figure out how he couldn’t make this work – other than the fact that he didn’t know how to control expenses, and honestly was just plain lazy.

In other words, the model and the territory are just fine – it’s the business owner who didn’t put the proper time and effort into it that landed him in bankruptcy.

Network Marketing is not different. There’s a reason why the word “work” is in there – it takes “work”. This idea that you pay money and just sit back and collect checks is the most absurd notion there is in the MLM industry. You’re paid based on activity and results. No activity equals no money. To put it another way, you get out of it what you actually put into it. How it’s perceived by some as any different than any other business is a big red flag that they actually don’t know anything about business or what it takes to succeed.

For critics and cowards like John or the folks in the Class Action who have an average of 6 months of business experience among them, it’s just easier – or rather more comfortable to point the finger at MLM. They never notice the three fingers pointing right back at them.

I know commissioned sales can be a real drag – even overwhelming. It used to create its own nervous twitch inside me way back when. You have no idea how lucky you are to have a company like YTB, a product like travel to sell, and a mentor like Coach, Scott and Kim to learn the ropes and overcome that fear. And, yes, you’re even lucky to have someone like John to show you exactly what not to do and how not to think as an added bonus.

Considering where I’ve been and where I am today, I wouldn’t trade any of it in. I feel nothing but confidence and success because I knew who was right and who was dead wrong.

You too can rid yourself from that nervous twitching when you know who and what to join up with.

Ain’t no doubt about it for me.

It was Y-T-B.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

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