While I don’t consider myself a “tree huger”, I do believe we have a responsibility to do our part in preserving this home we have while we’re here for future generations. As a family, we attempt to do our part to recycle any items we can, conserve energy, and take a hard look at anything that utilizes renewable energy. I attribute most of this mindset to my upbringing. Growing up as a kid I remember a very large garden which we ate out of year round, a compost pit (which was very new and innovative at the time), and taking newspapers and aluminum cans to a recycling center – unlike having the recycling come to the curb like we do today.

It was never shoved down our throats – it was just the way we did things. My parents have always led by example which enabled us to form our own beliefs and realize the benefits on our own. I’m thankful for that, and it’s a trait that I’ve always attempted to emulate. Look at this blog – in the five years I’ve been writing here, I’ve never once told anyone they “had” to be involved in YTB or MLM. Why? I understand “free will” and our ability to think and act independently as individuals. If what I have to offer appeals to you, then I’m more than willing to offer up more information and support. If not, I respect that choice as well.

You can lead a horse to water – but you CAN’T make them drink. (Especially when the horse acts like an ass.)

As Earth Day has gotten older, I’ve noticed a change in its philosophy of one that use to be more about condemning people and companies for what they’re doing to the environment to one that is actually showing us what we can actually do to make a difference in preserving our home. Depending how old you are, you may or may not remember the huge protests that Earth Day would generate across the country. It was odd to me how a day designed to preserve our natural resources appeared to be so unnatural with rallies, demonstrations, and protests about this – that – and the other. It was partly a sign of the times, and I’m guessing a movement that was adapted from the protests in Vietnam. Thinking back, it was more a message of guilt than it was a celebration.

Even at an early age, the activities shown on the national news never seemed to be natural.

It wasn’t until the 20th anniversary in 1990 that the message began to shift to what we see today. “Think Globally, Act Locally.” Put another way, the movement began to focus more on what we should do, rather than focus on what we shouldn’t. While it’s taken quite some time to make this transformation, it’s my hope that as Earth Day has grown and matured.

A movement that has come full circle. A holiday designed to support rather than spread doom, gloom and fear.

I wrote some time ago about my brother up in Pittsburgh who started a CSA. His Community Supported Agriculture farm has garnered a massive amount of attention in the Pittsburgh area. It’s so successful; he’s turning shareholders away because his young business can’t support the demand. (Yet) This type of business is one that keeps Earth Day in the forefront of our minds every time a shareholder drives into the property.

On a more national level we see commercials like the one below that officially launches tomorrow. We bought our first biodegradable bag of Sun Chips just last week and talked about it as a family during lunch last weekend. Anyone who even picks up a bag of these chips will recognize right away that there’s something different about the packaging due to the noise it makes. (For lack of a better word it’s crunchy and loud!)

It’s yet to be seen if this type of packaging will spread to other products we find on store shelves, but it’s a good first step and from what I’ve seen so far. People are talking and blogging about it and the word is starting to spread about this new packaging.

For me, that’s the type of stuff that turns Earth Day into a movement we carry with us all year long and makes an true impact to preserve our home for generations to come.

It’s taken some time, but at 40, it appears to me that Earth Day has officially transformed itself to be more than just one day – it’s about leading by example to change our thinking and our way of life.

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Think back to last week when we gave yet another example of our exemplary “Travel Professionals” and their bizarre behavior.

Since we spent time highlighting how poorly one segment of our industry can behave, I thought I’d spend an equal amount of time highlighting a perfect example of how another segment can respond. What’s even cooler – it comes pretty close to what I suggested as a viable solution for our “Professionals” last week, and how they should respond to the iTrek promotion about them being – well – “dead”.

There’s a right way to do things – and a wrong way. The wrong way leaves everybody involved feeling bitter and angry – which also leaves the industry exhausted and void of any hope.

The right way is getting some pretty good press with people talking – and laughing.

I first found this story on Twitter from PhoCusWright. (we’ve written about PhoCusWright before) We’ve all seen the “Bags Fly Free” promotions of Southwest Airlines. I’m not so sure you’ve seen the latest in this series of commercials. (I know I haven’t – but I don’t watch that much TV.)

The latest installment entitled ‘Battle Cry’ (shown left) highlights the now familiar Southwest baggage handlers who charge another airplane on the apron, only to flash passengers on another airline with individual letters painted on their bellies – which spell out the words “Bags Fly Free”.

It should be noted that the “competing airline” wasn’t blatantly obvious to the average viewer, but it was pointed out that the airline that Southwest baggage handlers “flashed” was Airtran. (The logo was blocked out on the plane in the commercial.)

As thing often do, word began to spread about this new Southwest commercial and questions and rumors began to circulate that Southwest was “dissing” Airtran.

Airtran had a couple of choices here.

They could have reacted like our “travel professionals” as petty and angry to strike an attack on Southwest with a bunch of bad press and move to “out” Southwest for the commercial.

Or respond with its own internal commercial which pokes fun at Southwest.

It should be noted that Airtran has not made any public statement about the commercial – but instead responded on its internal website for Airtran employees to view. (In other words, you won’t see this on TV) It also added this statement with the following video to the Airtran family:

“We’ve heard from many Crew Members from around the country about a funny ad currently running on network TV. We’ve been asked again and again how we planned to respond. Well, we thought about it and thought about it and decided to not respond at all. After all, focusing on running the best low-cost carrier in America is enough to keep us busy.

BUT…if we were to respond, it might look something like this:

Thanks to all of our volunteer Crew Members for donning these costumes and playing along. Your dedication to AirTran and your performance was truly MMMOOOOOOOving.”

It’s obvious that there’s no need for Airtran to get bitter or angry because Airtran happens to have viable service and sufficient market that flies with them. In other words – they’re far more secure in their own product and service than our “travel professionals” appear to be.

Does everyone need to fly with Airtran? No. They also understand that they can’t be everything to everybody. There’s more than enough market to go around, and Airtran isn’t about to take its eye off the ball simply because someone else takes a pot shot at them.

While they did spend some time putting this piece together, it’s all done in good fun and leaves everyone in a good “moooooood”. (Sorry, had to do it.)

That’s what true “professionals” do. It’s called re-framing, and good leaders know how to disarm a potentially volatile situation with grace and humor.

Now if it could only branch out to those who truly need to lighten up. They might be able to attract some positive press like this, and actually attract clients instead of pushing them away.

The only question I have is: Will they figure it out before it’s too late?

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You best stay out of the kitchen.

Being one of the more visible YTB blogs on the internet, I have my share of readership. Most readers are supporters and enjoy my insight and information about our company.

I also have my share of detractors. Some I would safely say detest my existence for one reason or another. If you’re in the public eye, you can’t be everything to everybody and there will always be those who don’t agree with you. What makes my sort of activity and exposure dangerous is when emotions enter into the mix.

Emotions have too many variables. You can’t expect emotions to remain constant over time or from one person to another. Each individual perceives and reacts to each situation differently. Logic and facts however always have a base or a core that remain constant. One of the things we’re finding through our journey together with YTB is that the facts of our business model are able to withstand the misconception, half-truths, and lies that we see from those who use perceptions and opinions as their core defense.

As expected, John Frenaye took exception to my article on Friday and boldly laid claim that I’m the one who “spins”. He added that his blog was more “legitimate” and his was the only viable option where people had to ability to “judge for themselves”.

He’s also a tad upset at what he’s deemed a “personal attack” and eventually, “my lies” will catch up with me.

My – my – my. How easy it is to dish it out.

It’s interesting to me how quickly this group pulls the “personal attack” card when challenged. I’m not sure if they think they’re too pure, or we’re to take pity and look the other way when their blatant misrepresentations about our people, our Founders and our company are created by their hands. I hate to break it to this group – but they leave some enormous “stinkers” out there on the web. Their activities have left some laughing, and others appalled. We DO know right from wrong, ethical from unethical, what is morally right and what’s morally bankrupt.

To illustrate how bold and brazen John has become over the years, we’ll reference one of the most legitimate and honorable sources I know – our court system. What was forwarded to me last week clearly illustrates why our Home Office made the decision to turn down his requested interviews and why others have come to the conclusion that John can’t be trusted to “report” anything concerning YTB in an unbiased or accurate manor.

Case in point: This was written by John last week on his blog:

Of course, back in August of 2009, we reported on the story where Coach had a ramshackle home and was able to convince a church to make the repairs in return for a lease. But Coach reneged on the lease and got his home fixed for free.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t call his post entitled “Once Upon a Time” an actual “report” but ironically – a “Fairy Tale”. If you strip away John’s “report” and look at the court documents which are linked in the word “TRUTH” it reveals John’s elaborate web of deception – not Coach’s.

Yes – John’s the one deceiving the flock – pouring Kool-Aid if you will. The “truth” shows that Coach and Chris “donated” the parcel in question to the church for a Minister and his family use as a parsonage. More troublesome; the word “lease” never even appears in the actual court documents, although conveniently inserted by John in his – “report”.

True, the home needed electrical upgrades to meet code, and a gas furnace needed to be converted to propane. There was never any lease however, and Coach and Chris never received a penny for their generous donation to the Church and its family. Consequently, the court concluded:

“the parcel here in issue and the house thereon qualified for exemption during all of the 1998-assessment year either because it was in the process of adaptation for exempt use or because it was actually used by the Church as a parsonage for Rev. Casey.”

I know I’m going out on a limb, but you be the judge here. Which do you find more “legitimate”? John’s “Once Upon A Time” fairy tale – or – documentation from “The State of Illinois“?

What’s so astounding to me, is the man doesn’t appear to understand how anyone could possibly question his “reporting” as wrong or even inappropriate. To question anything he says or does is challenged with a very coy rebuttal and continued claims that HE is the most fair and unbiased source concerning YTB in the land. According to John, he’s proven how Coach has a long history of deception and he’s proud that his flock agrees that Coach should be thrown in jail for doing what he did to this church.

And yes, that type of arrogance is frustrating – even for me.

We can’t forget another court ruling regarding YTB’s business model and claims of an elaborate pyramid scheme that wasn’t just dismissed but tossed out as “redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter“. Again we find John and others on the wrong end of an argument calling the absurd complaint “powerful”.

Here’s how the Honorable Judge Murphy described the complaint:

“The First Amended Consolidated Complaint, filed July 15, 2009, is an ungainly monster of 39 pages containing 133 paragraphs (many of which have subparagraphs) that likely does not pass muster under the familiar federal “notice pleading” standard.”

True to form, John “disagrees” with the court’s ruling, and makes no apologies for his position or opinions. John falls right in line with the type of hideous and outrageous accusations Counsel tried to pull in its second go around, after the first complaint was dismissed. Their answer to the problem – a bolder, more brazen attack.

So which do you find more legitimate? John’s statement, or Judge Murphy?

From John’s point of view, it’s YTB that is “crafty” and “sly”. The only reason why YTB is still around is due to changing our model or living on the very edge of the law. Regardless how much change or how close we “appear” to be, it’s still the right side of the law. YTB’s model has never required “payment for the opportunity to recruit others” from day one. You may not agree with that – you may not understand that – and you may never accept that. But because yours is only “opinion” and not “fact” – you do have to continue to deal with YTB.

Finally, John recently found out that the law is the law, and everyone (including him) must abide regardless of opinions or perceptions. The creation of a fake Zam Zuu fan page to mock and poke fun at our company violated ZamZuu’s trademark causing a confusing similarity. His defense – a space between “Zam” and “Zuu”. (And no, I’m not kidding.)

John, you don’t just stink – you absolutely reek of lies, deceit and a perception that the laws of this land simply don’t apply to you. It’s a double standard that I will not turn away from and I will not make any apologies for in calling you out. We all make mistakes (even me) but there comes a time when you have to stop blaming others or being a victim and take personal responsibility for your own actions.

You are in the public eye and there will be those who will disagree and oppose you. There will also be those who will hold you accountable for your actions. If you don’t like it, either toughen up or stop what you’re doing and go back into hiding.

As it stands right now – you have proven to me, our company, and several outsiders who have no beef one way or another with YTB that you should not be trusted due to your attitude and your actions documented above.

For every action, there is a reaction. So if you don’t like my reaction, stop acting the way you are!

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I don’t know how many actually remember reading “The Scarlet Letter“, nor how many have actually read this classic Nathanial Hawthorne novel. It takes place in Boston in the seventeenth century. A woman named Hester was sentenced to wear a large Scarlett Letter on her breast after it was discovered that her child was conceived from having an adulterous affair. She was deemed a sinner, and was publicly displayed as such. As a result, the town would hurl insults to humiliate her for having sinned.

Hester was publicly shamed – socially isolated and alienated for her indiscretion.

Three centuries later, most of us would consider such a public display barbaric – or at the very least uncivilized. I still see plenty of examples, mostly from my kids experience in school with one child’s attempt to shame another in front of their peers. (Remember seeing the “Kick Me” signs on the back of the class nerd?) As adults, we develop a higher sense of self-worth and self confidence in our own abilities that such behavior is no longer necessary.

The act of shaming another person is an attempt to gain power over another. The desire is to alter and shape another’s behavior or belief. It’s a way to communicate who is the outcast and who are the elite. Who is down-and-out and who is one-up. It produces an immense sense of power and control for the person dishing out the insults – using the other as a punching bag – while deflating the self-esteem and self-worth of the person being shamed.

I’ve never bought into shaming another person as a form of control – it’s just not something that I believe is effective or worthwhile. My recovery from alcoholism 20 years ago enabled me to develop a higher standard of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence. My recovery also changed my perspective when dealing with individuals who attempt to shame others.

It was during that time I found they were the ones who are weak and insecure – not the other way around.

Think about it – if your position and confidence resided where you felt secure there wouldn’t be a need to fill any type of void by stepping on someone else to prop yourself up. Likewise, there wouldn’t even be a need to respond because your own experience and beliefs override any outside attempts to change that belief.

You’d already be whole or complete.

Seeing random acts of humiliating and alienating has increased for me over the last few years. In part, because I’m involved in a very emotional industry which provides average people an opportunity to run a home based business. On the one side, these same average individuals see an opportunity to get themselves out from under the bottom of the pyramid known as traditional business. (Starting at the bottom and never finding a way to work their way up the ladder, or pyramid.) On the other side, you find those who have either failed themselves in a short stint with MLM, or have bought into all the myths and stereotypes they find from reading.

A simple observation will quickly form the conclusion that those who have the least experience on either side are by far the ones who are the loudest and most obnoxious. Why? They don’t have enough experience or documentation to fall back on to support their beliefs or convictions.

Look at Coach, Scott, and Kim. All three have been extremely successful in MLM and their experiences extend back to the early 1980′s with A.L. Williams. Attempting to insert any of the myths, rumors, or stereotypes about MLM into their belief system is like trying to tell YOU the sky is purple. The opposition can jump up and down – scream at the top of their lungs – provide example of others who also think the sky is purple but you’re not going to budge. All those years of looking up to the sky and seeing blue simply can’t be overwritten or changed.

Think that example is oversimplified or outrageous? Possibly – for you. But those of us who’ve been a part of this industry and work it the right way know exactly what I mean. It’s something you can’t explain – like how kids will change your life. You have to experience it to realize the importance or relevance.

I was talking with my father last week about all the egg tossing and mudslinging that I see others get so wrapped up in. He told me he sees it all around us, and is thankful that he’s somewhat isolated now with my younger brother on their farm up in Pittsburgh. While my father is now retired, he still writes and teaches to keep himself occupied during the winter months on the farm. He sent out a publication to his subscriber base yesterday (of which I am a part of) and this one paragraph struck a chord with me after our conversation last week.

I know that rancor and incivility has existed before in the history of this nation’s politics. But seldom if ever has it been in the ugly stalemate we now experience. Neither major party will allow the other party to press any part of its agenda. Senators who argue vociferously on the floor of congress no longer later sit down to lunch or dinner with their other-party colleagues. The scene is ugly and disappointing.

Ugly and disappointing is something our entire Country appears to be trapped in right now. Incivility certainly isn’t reserved for critics of YTB or MLM. It’s a trait that’s been learned and developed throughout the years that frankly, like my father, makes me sick to my stomach. How humans can treat other humans in this fashion is deplorable and unconscionable. For someone to demand respect or a voice by using these tactics goes beyond any boundaries I’ve ever known. It’s a big reason why I have the rules that I do on this blog.

I’ve spent years documenting about my experience and what I know to be true about YTB and MLM here on this blog. You don’t have to agree with it or even read it if it bothers you. But it does have boundaries for those who are incapable of being civil or rational. It’s simply not a trait I’ve been willing to tolerate since I started this blog – and I’m certainly not going to change that position now.

For the life of me, I can’t think of a single example of how insults or humiliation changed or resolved anything. All it did was heighten emotions, not logic. You’d think some would get that. But as we’ve seen – even the brightest, most talented, most promising of individuals fall woefully short of reaching any resolution because they’re just too wrapped up in their own egos.

We can only hope (and pray) that someday they might grow up to become confident, respectable adults.

You never know…it could happen.

In the meantime, just put these people aside and focus on the things you can control and find enjoyable. There’s no pleasure or knowledge in reading insults.

If I can do it, so can you, and you’ll never know how much better life can be until you actually let it all go.

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As I think back to my early childhood, there are a couple of events that I can recall. One of them was watching Armstrong land on the moon. The other was a year prior. The day Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. I think one of the reasons I remember the faint flicker on the television, was because the news interrupted the celebration of my fourth birthday.

April 4, 1968

I don’t really recall anything else growing up as a child concerning the Civil Rights Movement. The now famous “I Have A Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was 8 months before I was even born. Nor did I have any knowledge of the type of segregation or prejudice that existed in our Country. It wasn’t until I reached my Middle School and High School years that I became aware of the Movement as a history lesson – not experience.

I always think about that flicker on the television this time of year. How peaceful Dr. King was. How violent others were. And yet, how he was able to change history. Two score and six years ago, there was a peaceful march in Washington to speak up and say:

“We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.“

Nineteen sixty-three was not an end, but a beginning. There was neither rest nor tranquility in it’s pursuit. Because of one man’s undeniable dream, others followed long after he was gone to produce a true American Triumph for this Country. 

I took some time to read Dr. Kings “I Have A Dream” speech yesterday. How the Civil Rights Movement challenged “that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” – and realize how he had won.

At the same time I read the text, I couldn’t help but think of the prejudice and bigotry that exists for those of us who work in the MLM industry. How people I know and love are ostracized, ridiculed, and spit at with insults simply because they work in MLM. I looked at Dr. Kings words and could feel the frustration of knowing what is right and just – yet the power within him to deny the frustration and insist that there could be change.

Peaceful change.

Along with being a student of the Travel Industry the last few years, I’ve also become a student of the Network Marketing industry. What I’ve come to know without a doubt, is MLM is full of theories and myths. Theories are great, but they don’t mean a thing if they’re not practical.

Or even worse – dis-proven.

One of the best “theories” I know of is this myth about running out of people – that MLM can’t be sustained. I can’t tell you how many times this graph showing the “unsustainable exponential progression of a classic pyramid scheme” is thrown up in my face.

True, the math is correct. Also true, the theory exceeds the world’s population.

Therefore, it should also be true that we should be able to find an example of when it’s actually happened.

But where?

Not only has it never happened, an MLM that’s been around since 1886 is STILL able to sustain itself by sharing the business with friends, family, and acquaintances. You just might have heard them. They changed their name in 1939 to AVON. Then add in an Association that supports and defends the Network Marketing model that’s celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this year. (Created in 1910 as the DSA.) The Direct Selling Association protects and serves another 200 companies who use Direct Sales as a model.

So why do so many use theory that’s not only never happened but proven invalid?

We often think of the fight against prejudice when we think of the Civil Rights Movement. I looked up the word last night and here’s the definition:

an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

More times than not, that’s exactly what we see when it comes to MLM and Network Marketing. Some were shown this unsustainable graph and without any knowledge of the history behind Avon, Fuller Brush, Tupperware, Mary Kay, and a host of others, they accept it as fact instead of just a theory. Most all staunch critics or cynics of the industry merely come from prior programming like this. And because prejudice comes without thought or reason, it can be extremely difficult to extract the weeds that are now overgrown and choke the sunlight needed to help them grow.

Another word we often think of concerning the struggle of the Civil Right Movement is bigotry. And yes, I looked for a definition of this word as well.

stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.

I don’t know about you…but boy does that strike a cord with me when you look at the insults, the spitting, the dirt digging and the childish pranks that critics and cynics have pulled over the years. If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard that I need to find another host, what a scammer, a liar, and not so proud member of the dumbass den I am – I wouldn’t need MLM.

I’d be independently wealthy.

Yes, it’s frustrating to read the words of a bigot, especially when you’re the one who has the relationship with their subjects at hand and not them. But remember these words when you see the emotional outburst and anger that are evident on the various blogs and boards concerning our company, our Founders, and our people.

In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

Some try to confuse and muddy discipline with bigotry. It angers and frustrates a bigot that their differing views and opinions have boundaries – that they can’t be heard or express their intolerance everywhere and anywhere. A big reason why I am the subject of much of bitterness and hatred they have.

I fight intolerance and differing creeds with silence. And that’s the worst thing you can do in the eyes of a bigot, because their self worth is tied to their beliefs which need to be heard in order to be valid. Otherwise, like the theories they spit out become invalid.

I’m no Martin Luther King – and I don’t have the fraction of the following or voice that he had. But I can pass his message on, especially on a day like today to help us continue the fight “that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

For me, that includes a dream that I have a right to pursue and promote my YTB business without ridicule, insults, or slander.

Sounds like a long shot I know. But so did the Civil Rights Movement when Dr. King spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial having no idea that 45 years later his Dream would realize a true American Triumph.

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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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Not the way you would like to start the year.

Earlier in the week news of a civil lawsuit came out against two time Super Bowl Champion of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger. Just weeks before he heads to St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Ben finds himself the center of media attention accused of rape. Ben and the Steelers will be defending last years Lombardi Trophy going into the 2009 season. (Make that SIX Lombardi Trophies.)

A 31-year-old Nevada woman filed the civil lawsuit alleging the Super Bowl winning quarterback raped her in a hotel penthouse last year. The woman was working as a VIP casino host at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe at the time, and claims in the lawsuit the rape took place in Roethlisberger’s room after he called her saying that the sound on his TV was not working.

I read a news report that said that Ben was the one who made the bogus complaint, (that being the sound not working) but after a full year of silence, and this woman not even filing a police report makes me question which complaint is bogus. Roethlisberger made his first public statement yesterday afternoon and vowed to fight what he called “outrageous allegations.” Clearly agitated about the fact the he is in the public eye over something like this he spoke these words yesterday at the Pittsburgh training facility:

“The allegations against me are reckless and false,” Roethlisberger said. “As much as I’d like to answer everyone’s questions I’m going to respect the legal process and I’m confident that the truth will prevail.”

Roethlisberger’s attorney, David Cornwell, released a statement also saying the charges were false:

“The timing of a lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct,” he said.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of stunt. Back in 2002 “The Bus”, (Jerome Bettis) was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Westmoreland County. When police went to investigate, about two dozen people and learned of a plan by the woman’s Uncle to get money from Bettis by manufacturing a sexual misconduct charge.

The charges against “The Bus” were soon dropped.

While I don’t personally know the two time Super Bowl Champion, from what I’ve read about him, seen of him, and the leadership I’ve witnessed over the last 5 years on the football field, I’m betting that this case will be dropped as well.

There, I think lies the crux of this issue. This isn’t about rape, but about Ben’s status. Like the money grab that was thrown out of court filed against YTB earlier in the week, this too is about taking unfair advantage of a situation in search of an easy buck. From what I’ve seen in some reports, the allegations in the suit filed against Ben are so flimsy that it too could be thrown out by a Judge when the time comes to put it on the docket.

Call it jealousy, bitterness or anger over someone being more successful than you are. People find all kinds of creative ways to bring someone down to their level, and it doesn’t have to be about money. Because of my status here on the internet, and doing what I love to do, people poke at me all the time. This week is a perfect example.

I broke the story here on the internet about YTB’s class action being thrown out, and admittedly rubbed it in the face of all the critics who had been yammering for almost a year about how this would crush YTB. While we in YTB have been celebrating that the truth finally coming to light, critics have pulled the egg off their own face and are attempting to throw it back in mine.

I read late last night in amusement a day long dialog concerning my inability to support my wife and my family. The claims of being an embarrassment to children for being an MLM junkie and that my wife of 12 years is ready to throw me out of the house surrounded the conversation. In addition, I found out that I’m also broke.

Apparently being open about participating in an MLM and writing about my experience, makes me powerful and important enough that some spent time and energy digging for anything they could find to convince themselves and others that I’m not worth listening to. (Ironic I know.)

What they dug up was a credit card battle we are entangled in to anger and feed the illusions and myths surrounding MLM’ers. In 2008, two of our credit card companies decided to jack up our interest rates to what we felt was excessive, and were unwilling to lower their rates. After seeking legal counsel, the only way we could get their attention was to cut all the cards off, and stop paying them. What resulted was a list of law suits from every one of the credit card companies demanding their money. While this has been unpleasant and time consuming, we are in fact making settlements on amounts that we mutually agree upon to resolve the debt owed. Under the advisement of counsel, it was the only way we would be able to pay only the amount we owed for the purchases we actually made, and not the exorbitant interest that the banks wanted.

But alas, the pitch is that we got in so deep that we couldn’t get out and are now putting the burden on them (as taxpayers no less) so it can feed their anger and resentment towards yours truly. None of these spineless weasels would realize how to stand up for ones self or how to take personal responsibility if their life depended on it. It’s never about them and how they can spend an entire day posting on the internet instead of being productive and providing income to put food on the table for themselves and possibly their families.

And through it all, not a peep surrounding a reckless and false class action that was just thrown out which previously was thought to be a “powerful” lawsuit by the same group. Misguided as it is, none of them dare call out the Judge who spanked the Plaintiff’s in their redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous class action lawsuit.

Instead, yours truly is called out for “pimping”, while others see value in what I’ve done switching over to WordPress for their own business blog, and not only using Aweber for their own newsletter, but using a similar look and feel with the same logos I have for Twitter and Facebook.

Me thinks thou dost protest too much.

Angry? Hardly. While they do say one thing on the internet slamming me, the actions of following my lead show signs of respect for which I am flattered. Not to mention the attention and time spent obsessing and talking about little ol’ me. The lesson learned here is that if you don’t like the heat, you need to stay out of the kitchen. Being in the public eye, and being open about who you are and proud of what you do will attract pot shots and blows below the belt from people who need to focus on someone else’s faults so they don’t have to look at their own.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s perfect and doesn’t have a few skeletons in their own closet. I’ve been very open about my alcoholism for example. The difference is, I’m able to use it as an advantage after 20 years of sobriety. I wrote a piece yesterday on my Examiner column about using credit cards responsibly. Personally, I think taking my own experience, good or bad, can be used as a lesson for someone else who might be in the same boat. Of course that’s why so many appreciate what I do here and on my newsletter because I inform and educate those that are willing to grow both personally and professionally. Those that aren’t spend their time as some anonymous screen name on a message board picking apart someone else’s life.

Sad and disappointing to be sure, but that’s the life they choose. The key however is not to give them the same power and control you apparently have on them. Correct it, disarm it, and let it go so you can move on. Those that are able to see the truth for what it is will follow, and those who don’t…

Thanks for sharing.

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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