“Hi, my name’s Nancy, and I’m an MLM Junkie.”
By starting this report with this well-known introduction
from Alcoholics Anonymous, we in no way intend any disrespect for the
AA program and its methodology. To the contrary, we want to make a point
that addictive behavior in the network marketing industry is very real,
very pathological, and must be recognized and dealt with, especially if
the behavior is our own!
An addiction is something to which one is drawn habitually
or compulsively. Networker Dennis Elenburg, in his article, “The
MLM Junkie,” defines the MLM Junkie as “someone who jumps from
company to company in search of a quick payoff.” Michael Duffey,
in “Are You an MLM Junkie?” from Insider Reports, defines it
as someone “so caught up in the big-money dream they can’t see
the forest for the trees…the junkies are too busy jumping from deal
to deal and always looking for the next hot program.”
Upline Magazine’s John Counsel is more eloquent:
"The MLM Junkie is hooked uncontrollably…flitting
from one 'latest, hottest' opportunity to the next in a state of constant
frenzy, emotions yo-yoing up and down between ecstasy and terror...the
ecstasy at having discovered the 'ultimate' opportunity (usually involving
'getting in on the ground floor'), the terror at the prospect of missing
out on the next 'red-hot' opportunity that’s just slipped past them
while they were preoccupied with the current 'big one.'"
Those of us who have been in network marketing for any length
of time have all met people like this. Sometimes, they are the ones who’ve
gotten us into programs, perhaps more than one. Their enthusiasm may be
contagious at first. It is real on their part, and you want to believe
them when they say this is "The Big One," the program that’s
really going to be successful. You may begin by buying into their dream,
but when their spiel remains the same for company after company, it seems
false, and the person’s credibility is strained because you realize
that the addiction has impaired their judgment. Eventually, they lose
not only their credibility, but their self-esteem as well. Some even go
so far as to lose significant amounts of money and their marriage.
As John Counsel further describes, “They become trapped
on a self-destructive treadmill, chasing the elusive ‘ultimate opportunity’
that will finally deliver the riches and freedom they desperately seek.”
Addicted or Just Greedy?
Elenburg distinguishes between the MLM Junkie and the “Big
Gun Junkie,” the latter being more talented at building large organizations
and making money, but totally disloyal to any one company or to their
downlines. He feels these individuals are particularly damaging to the
network-marketing industry’s reputation because when they change
programs, they leave so many people behind or, worse, bring many people
along with them who invest in new starter kits, tapes, and books but never
achieve the success of the “Big Gun” they have followed. These
Big Guns are motivated by greed instead of by Zig Ziglar’s wonderful
philosophy that “You can get everything in life you want if you will
just help enough other people get what they want.”
Just Aggravating or Harmful?
It is certainly annoying to family, friends, and prospects
when someone comes on too strong about their latest MLM program. When
the behavior becomes truly harmful, however, is when they unrealistically
invest hundreds or thousands of dollars in starter kits, books, and tapes
without a plan of action or understanding of what it takes to really succeed.
Quitting a job to spend more time going to rallies or training can be
extremely unwise and hazardous to a family’s financial health. Postings
to the MLM Survivors Website include a fair share of uninformed MLM bashing,
but they also include some heart-wrenching testimonies from spouses of
MLM Junkies such as this one:
Again I am hearing the same old speech, just a different
mlm...He is now 58 years old...a total failure . We are currently separated
due to this. He just gave up another job to make it big in [another company];
he claims this is different and it will work . He claims to have a friend
who grossed $75,000 last year and he thinks he can too. Sick.
When an otherwise rational behavior becomes compulsive and
irrational, there is a pathology that must be dealt with. Professional
help may be needed.
A Bad Rap for First-Time MLMers
The unfortunate thing for new, honestly enthusiastic network
marketers is that their excitement is often mistaken for the jaded, insincere
hype of MLM junkies, and their credibility suffers accordingly. As Elenburg
says, “Their legitimate enthusiasm and good intentions are misperceived.”
It’s important that they be advised by their sponsors and upline
to be straightforward, honest, and sincere. Ideally, they should let their
sponsor or upline help them with their first few approaches or interactions
with others so they can learn and not be directly rejected until they’ve
tasted some success.
Is It Bad to Change Companies?
Counsel reminds readers that they are not MLM junkies just
because they’ve joined several companies. Just as you should date
several people before choosing someone to marry, so a network marketer
may need to try more than one company before she finds one to which she
wants to make a long-term commitment. Different products and different
compensation plans are often best suited for one personality over another.
It’s important to find the right one for you.
Addictive behavior in network marketing is more akin to
promiscuity than to thoughtful or intelligent searching for the right
match. There is no fulfillment or success with shallow relationships that
are the business version of one-night stands.
Is There Hope for an MLM Junkie?
If anything in this report has made you feel uncomfortable,
then you need to take a good, hard look in the mirror and really ask yourself
if any of your behaviors have become addictive. Only when you face the
truth and admit there is a problem can you find and benefit from help.
If you feel you need help with your addictive behavior,
don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance. Your local mental
health agency can suggest counselors. Look in the yellow pages or local
library for mental health professionals in your area. Use the resources
listed below.
Many MLM junkies can turn their attitude around with determination
and self-discipline. In “Confessions of a Recovering MLM Junkie,”
Bill Nieporte reports that he has developed a new plan: to focus on only
one main, carefully chosen MLM and only join other programs that support
or enhance the main business (leads, autoresponders, etc.).
Shop carefully for the right MLM program, and make your
decision based on information, not emotion. Due diligence is critical!
Using the internet, look for non-biased information about a company you’re
interested in. Don’t take anything at face value and separate the
hype from the facts. Look for a product or service that feels right and
to which you can be committed. Once you’ve chosen a company, look
for a good sponsor, one who has been with the company awhile and who has
achieved some success.
"True networking was never meant to be about 'get rich
quick and easy for doing nothing.' It’s about having enough belief
and passion in the benefits of a product or service that you want to share
it with everyone.”
--John Counsel, Upline Journal
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