One of the things that I absolutely love about MLM is a genuine desire to learn and grow.

Since my introduction into this industry, I’ve been exposed to more author’s, speakers, and mentors than I can shake a stick at. Some, like Dale Carnegie, Brian Tracy, and Earl Nightingale were in my library long before MLM. Since my introduction into MLM however, I’ve been introduced to more great – wealthy – inspirational minds in the last six years than all my prior years combined.

A new book I was introduced to last week – provided a number of amazing revelations I wanted to share with you.

The author is Robert Shemin and he’s pictured here on the cover of his New York Times Best Seller “How Come THAT Idiot’s Rich and I’m Not?”

Just the title alone makes you want to read this thing. (It’s brilliant!) I don’t know about you, but I’ve known my fair share of “idiot’s” in my day. The vast majority are miserable and broke, and not actually happy and rich however. But I get the gist of what Shemin is trying to convey here, because there was a time when I looked at some rich people and thought, “What do they have that I don’t?”

What I found out, in other books and from speakers like Shemin was there was plenty I didn’t have in regards to mindset and attitude. It wasn’t until I got involved with MLM that I really began to study and eventually understand what it takes to be successful in business. Sure, I made plenty of mistakes. I also had my share of so called “failures”. Each mistake or failure turned into valuable learning experiences that changed my thinking and my actions. Washing away all the crap that cluttered my mind and kept me from taking the proper action to attain success. It took a number of years, but I eventually replaced enough beliefs and actions with powerful thoughts and valuable tools that I now own and operate a number of businesses that has me well on my way to the type of lifestyle and net worth I desire.

Shemin’s book is centered on real estate. That’s his area of expertise. But true to that vast majority of smart, successful business minds that I’ve read both from and about – most support and promote MLM as a viable business model to get involved with. (Especially as a model for getting started in business.) The level of support and tools found in MLM far exceed anything else I’ve seen in the business world.

Shemin’s no different – but with a very nice promotion of a very specific MLM and industry.

Now I know you all don’t have this book handy, and I’m not going to bombard you with what the entire book says. (Besides, it’s mostly about real estate and not MLM.) But there’s one page that I’d like to highlight, because it’s a real eye opener.

For anyone who wants to check out the page for themselves, you can on Google Books. (Here’s the link to the Page 101) I also wanted to use this link just so there’s no doubt about what was printed in this New York Times Best Seller.

Becoming a travel agent is simple. I signed up for something called Your Travel Business, or YTB, and presto! I became a travel agent. You can too. Just go to my special site, www.ytb.com/robertshemin, and sign up. Now you’re a Rich Idiot, too.

So book that trip and live rich now. By the way, I should tell you that when you sign up, I get benefits for introducing you. That makes me an even bigger Rich Idiot. But wait – you’ll get the same added goodies when you share your travel agent site with your friends and family. Remember, Rich Idiots want others to be rich, too!

Imagine that? Here’s someone who’s already rich – promoting YTB as a great way to get rich yourself. No special training involved – no requirements or classes. Just sign up and start telling your friends and family.

Now I know this kind of promotion drives the travel professional’s nuts. (Makes the hair on the back of their neck stand up with disgust and anger.) What these travel professionals have never really grasped is that travel isn’t rocket science. In fact it’s so simple that 4 of the Top 10 travel agencies today are do it yourself type agencies. (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Priceline.) If the average person can book their own hotel, cruise, and airline ticket – there’s no reason why someone like you and I can’t sign up and point people to your own site.

Also note, there’s full disclosure here. Robert makes it very clear that he benefits from introducing his readers. Broke Idiot’s call that “profiting” – as if there’s something wrong with making a profit in business. For anyone who takes issue with Robert, me, or anyone else making a profit from introducing others about all I can respond with is – “Duh?!”

In other words, profits are a major component in owning and operating any successful business. Just because it has “MLM” attached to it – doesn’t make it any different. It’s business.

Moving on – and you’re going to love this.

At most resorts or hotels, there are better rooms and bigger rooms with more interesting views, concierge floors with special services, and even luxury suits. When checking in, simply ask if you could be upgraded. Here’s how I empower the staff. I say, “If anyone can make this happen, I know it’s you.” Then I offer them a gift (I often carry chocolates with me), not to bribe them but to brighten their day. You’ll be surprised how often a hotel will oblige. Presto! You’ve just become a Rich Idiot for the duration of your stay!

Now wait just a cotton picken’ minute here! You mean to tell me after all these years that all I really needed was a box of chocolates? What about the all-powerful and necessary IATAN that I’ve been whacked over the head with more times than I can count? Here – I’ve been soooo concerned because I’ve been told by so called industry “experts” that IATAN was the be all and end all for upgrades!

What a rip! ;-P

Truth is guys. I’ve really only used my CLIA once way back when for a trip to Sandenstin for a FAM. Other FAM’s and Seminars at Sea were offered via YTB without any such requirement. Likewise, I’ve never owned an IATAN because contrary to what’s been said about YTB and IATAN, there’s no possible way YTB could actually “sell” their IATAN to a third party. There’s only one way to attain that credential, and that’s earning it from IATAN directly with proof of $5000 in commissioned sales. By the time I was able to earn mine directly, they pulled the plug with this nonsense YTB was selling the card.

All these years, all I’ve really needed was a smile and the guts to simply ask for an upgrade. If it was available, I usually got one.

If not, here’s the next tip that I’ve also done.

Here’s one thing I do at least once a year. I put together a group of my friends for a trip or a cruise. This vacation strategy also works very well for school groups, churches, and civic groups. If enough people participate, the airline, the hotel, the resort, or the cruise ship will often give me my trip for free. Not only do I get a fantastic vacation, but I get to spend it with all my friends and I get it for free – just for having the idea and putting it together. By the way, Rich Idiots take a portion of the price of the ticket they would have paid for but didn’t and donate the money to a worthy cause.

Soon after my trip to Sandestin, Royal Caribbean launched Freedom of the Seas. I really wanted to get on this ship but there was just no way RCL was going to kick some full paying customer off this ship just to put me and my family on the ship for a fraction of the cost.

So I did what other Rich Idiot’s do and got a small group of eight of us together. Granted, the group was so small at the time that there wasn’t any “freebie” for us, but because everyone booked at full price, yours truly did earn over $1000 in commission to recoup some of the cost. In addition, when I got back I posted pictures and wrote a really nice review of our experience.

Note: no lime green t-shirts were required with “I got here free, ask me how”. No shenanigans about recruiting everyone on board. Instead, before RCL pulled their little stunt, several people saw our photos or review, and booked full fair cruises with us on BandBVacations.com earning somewhere in the neighborhood of $13 million in the first nine months of 2007.

And Royal Caribbean is demanding that we change our tune in order to have the “privilege” to sell a cruise with thier company? What the hell for?

Makes you wonder who the Idiot is don’t it?

It’s entirely up to you which “Idiot” you want to be. You can be rich – or you could really goofy and be broke. My experience with both (or at least attaining wealth and net worth) is it’s much easier and more fun being rich rather than broke.

Broke as we’ve seen time and time again, leaves you angry and miserable.

Being rich however, takes all those people who want to call you an idiot and makes it incredibly easy to just flick them off like flies. ;-P

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Temperatures are expected to hit 100 degrees in St. Louis as a long list of vendors showcase their products to YTB and ZamZuu Convention goers in the America’s Center today. A small handful will be conducting seminars this morning for both shopping and travel. Most of the seminars on the shopping side will be new products. Others on the travel side will be old favorites who have been with YTB Travel Network for years.

I really like how the company gets the newer guys up in front of our people with these vendor workshops. Obviously, not all the vendors present could do a workshop, but some key vendors with a definite niche market will be introducing themselves this morning in St. Louis.

This year’s theme is Calling all Heroes.

See, truth be told – Network Marketing is about helping people. The more people you help mentor and achieve success, the more successful you become as a result. These people who lay claim to MLM’ers who pick people’s pockets and bottom feeders for the top echelon of the organization don’t have a clue about the true value or purpose of this industry.

That’s not to say that I haven’t seen an example of these so called “sponsors” leaving people high and dry after they sign up for one MLM or another. It does happen. But what I really like about this company, this year’s theme and the direction Coach appears to be taking with his mentoring program is how to do it right. How to become successful by helping others be successful. That’s how he made his millions in this industry.

The real work started after they signed up. Do it the other way – and you’ll be doomed to struggle and most likely leave the industry frustrated.

It’s a real life lesson. Think about it – have you ever met a selfish hero? Those that are selfish and only looking out for their own best interests are looked upon as arrogant jerks.

On the contrary, the most successful people in the world give of their time, their talent, and their knowledge. And we’re not just talking about MLM here. Look at the Bill Gates of the world, who donates billions. The Oprah Winfrey’s who do the same. It’s a universal trait for the most successful, financially independent people on earth.

Think about that as the awards are passed out Friday and Saturday during the general sessions. Ask yourself what they’ve given of their time, their talent, their knowledge. You’ll see plenty of it in a Juliet St. John on the recruiting side, and a Jeanie Sharpless on the travel side. It’s a major contributor to why I personally give of my time each week in the Newsletter.

That my friend is how you become a true hero not just to one or two – but to thousands of people who not only know you, but respect and admire what you do.

If there’s one thing I could impress upon you this week in St. Louis it’s that. It’s a great theme, and one I wish more people would not only understand but catch this great theme.

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I was working on another article yesterday, and decided to bump it for a video I wanted to share. It’s an attitude that I’ve seen all too often over the years.

Pick your subject – whether it’s politics, religion – even Network Marketing. You’re bound to run into someone who’s all bent out of shape and offended by what you say or do. While this can be bothersome and uncomfortable hearing someone else rant about being offended by something you appear to have caused, the responsibility doesn’t lie with the accused – but rather the accuser.

I learned a long time ago that when it comes to feelings and emotions – they’re yours and yours alone. Everything we look at in this world is neutral and nothing has any meaning except for the meaning that you give it.

What really cracks me up about these “issues” is that most of the time, instead of moving on and spending ones energy and time on something more productive (and healthy) I’ve seen cases where individuals will engross themselves in the very subject that offends them. All in the name of trying to rid themselves (and others) of the offensive subject or thing they find offensive.

Does that really make any sense?

Now I’ve read about this peculiarity from several authors, and have heard about how it all works and what to do about it in various seminars. I’ve yet however, seen anyone explain this anomaly in such a clear, coherent way before. I really don’t know that much about Dr. Gary Daniel, but I do know a thing or two about NLP. That’s short for Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

I’m sure some will get this – and others will find a way to be offended by it.

Just realize that if you are offended, he’s talking about you. ;-P

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If you’re into learning and personal development (which we all should be – unless you’re one of those who think you know everything) the name Jim Rohn is probably a name you’ve heard of in a long list of teachers and philosophers during your journey. If your lucky, you have one of his books, tapes, CD’s, or DVD’s in your collection. If not – you most certainly should.

I just got word that Jim passed away on December 5th after an 18 month long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

I was introduced to Jim many – many years ago just after I dropped out of college and started to break into the radio industry. After landing an internship with a local Top 40 station in Pittsburgh, a 20 year veteran took me under his wing in the industry. It was this same veteran that not only helped me master the craft of radio and audio editing, but this mentor was also responsible for introducing me to a company called Nightingale Conant. It was Nightingale Conant that turned me onto Anthony Robins, Earl Nightingale, Brian Tracy, Dale Carnegie and yes – Jim Rohn.

Jim Rohn has produced dozens of books, audio tapes and CD’s, videos and DVD’s and seminars. I still have some of his old tapes around the house. Many of them have since been torn up or broken because I flat out wore them out. Because I chose to listen to these tapes in the car while transporting myself to remote stations to polish my craft, I found myself being offered and breaking into larger and larger markets. Jim was instrumental in my journey and progression in the radio industry. Jim was even partly responsible for my decision to go back to school years later, when I was older, wiser, and ready to study. (Thanks to what he taught.)

It wasn’t until I got involved with YTB and the MLM industry back in 2005 that I actually saw the impact Jim had on so many lives. One of the reasons I appreciate the Network Marketing industry as much as I do is because just about everyone you come across in this industry also absorbs personal development and professional growth books like Jim’s. Many not only know the name Jim Rohn – but often quote many of his classic one liners and teachings that are so practical from this highly regarded and loved “Business Philosopher”.

Thing is, Jim Rohn didn’t really teach MLM, marketing or sales stuff. Although the foundation of MLM is helping other people either achieve or get what they want is a philosophy that Jim taught. His words however, were more common sense approaches to making yourself a better person. Jim was also really big on increasing your value in the marketplace. Those involved in MLM appreciate how important it is to learn and grow – and the industry certainly supports those who take the time to educate and learn on their own.

“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”
~ Jim Rohn

Jim has helped millions set their sails with knowledge and understanding. When the winds appear to pick up or change direction, the ones who have learned to stay the course are usually the ones who succeed in this life.

Jim had five major “Pieces To the Life Puzzle”.

• Philosophy – how you think
• Attitude – how you feel
• Action – what you do
• Results – measure often to see if you are making progress
• Lifestyle – the kind of life you can make for yourself out of the first four pieces

Master these and watch your life change drastically – for the better.

I’m still a work in progress, but thanks to Jim and his teachings – I’ve accomplished far more with being introduced to him than I would have without him. His words and ideas make me a better person – and for that I am grateful.

We lost a good one this weekend. Although I never actually met the man, his tapes enabled me to learn much about him and I felt like he was a friend. I’m sad to see him gone, but his books, CD’s and DVD’s will live on forever.

He left this world a far better place because of it.

Thank you Jim. You always led by example that helping people was were it was at – and you certainly helped me in more was than you will ever know.

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