I find it somewhat funny how many men and woman sign on with direct selling firms such as Avon, Amway, Mary Kay, etc., only to sell to family and friends and then to wonder if sales is something one needs to be born with. They go into their adventure with buying new clothes for themselves or new furniture for their homes on their mind. Then, when they got those new drapes that goes perfect with the room, or expensive outfit they wanted so bad, they quit. What people don't realize, and this is the funny part, you are not born with a sales gene. If that was the case then people would be born Police Officers and Judges. You must learn and must master those techniques, which you gain through education and experience. People give up way to quickly and don't give themselves time to be educated and gain experience in order to become successful. Think of it this way... how long does one go to college to be educated in the trade of their choice? I'm not saying it will take you that long, but be patient and work hard at gaining that knowledge and you will go far.

WHAT IS DIRECT SELLING?

Direct selling is marketing a product directly to the consumer with no middleman involved. Most reliable firms are members of the National Association of Direct Selling Companies. They bring to the public fine products that are modestly priced in order to insure mass consumption.

Most direct sales companies require an initial investment in order to begin. Usually you can expect to invest a maximum of $100.00 depending on the product.

Below are just a few rewards:

1. Be your own boss.

2. Set your own hours.

3. Own your own businesses with little or no investment.

4. Pay yourself more than any boss would ever pay you.

5. Give yourself regular raises as your business grows.

Don't get me wrong, there are failures too. There are people who won't work for themselves. They have to wake up with the alarm, their boss to tell them what to do, etc. However, when you're your boss, then you can wake up when you want to, sit in front of your computer enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee while in your bathrobe. These are some things you can enjoy when running your own business from home.

Sounds too good to be true, huh? You need to be disciplined in order to be your own boss. You have to be able to get up and get the things done, that need to be done, at the time they need to be done by. It is when you have discipline that you are able to receive and enjoy the earning potential which comes from direct sales.

TEN STEPS TO ASSURE YOUR SUCCESSFUL FUTURE:

1. SET REALISTIC GOALS: What do you hope to accomplish? Do you want to go on vacation? Pay off your debts? Whatever it is, I am here to say that you can have it! In order to get things you want, you have to do things necessary to get them. Write your goals down. Basically, carve it in stone, it makes it real, and it makes a person feel as if they told everyone their goal and now they have to follow through with it. Give yourself a date as your target. This will give you something to push yourself towards. If you have a date set in stone, then you will be thinking of your deadline. Goal setting is a must in every aspect of ones life. If you don't have a goal and time line then how do you know where you are in reaching that goal?

2. CREATE "TO-DO" LISTS: Make a list before you go to sleep of the things you need to accomplish the next day. In the morning and throughout your day, you will feel organized and better about approaching your daily tasks. As you complete each task, cross it off your list. A daily planner also helps to keep you organized and helps you be certain things get done when they need to be. You would truly be surprised how much you accomplish. Try it, you'll see.

3. BE EXCITED!!! Excitement is essential for salespeople to have. It's contagious and people want to be around you. No one wants to be around someone who is unhappy and working hard to achieve their goals in life. So be enthusiastic and excited that you are working towards your goals.

4. TAKE CONTROL: You are in control of what business you are generating by going out and getting it. Salespeople do not wait for the business to come to them; they go get it themselves. Don't be afraid to ask for something if you need it or to take control of your destiny. Only YOU can determine how much money you make, and how many sales are generated. When you see a buying sign, close them, don't be scared. What is the worst thing they will say? "NO?" If you can't take the word "NO" then you are in the wrong business.

5. EXPECT THE NO'S TO COME: If someone says no to you, don't take it personal. Maybe it is just not the right time for them. You don't know what could be going on in their lives. Be polite and keep your head up, you never know if you meet them again, or if they can direct you to someone who can use your product. You won't go through your entire sales career without hearing the word no. The law of averages (LOA) states that you will receive no's before your yes's. Keep in mind that every no you receive will get you that much closer to that yes. Keep track of your LOA. This will help you get better and better. Education and EXPERIENCE gets you much closer to reaching goals.

6. TIME MANAGEMENT: "Time is money". Every minute you waste, is a dollar you lost. If you manage your time wisely you are less likely to get frustrated or feel as if your day was a waste. Plan your day out and then work that plan, it will assure that you get everything done that needs to get done that day.

7. HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: Attitude is EVERYTHING!!!! Success is 90% attitude and 10% everything else. One must practice, on a daily basis, to have a positive attitude. To me, attitude is more important then the education or experience. It is more important than the goals you have and the money you want to make, and it is more important than skills. It can break up a family or a company. We can't change anything that happened in our life, but we can change the way we react towards things.

8. HAVE A WORK SPACE: Most salespeople work from their homes. That's great, but you need to have an office area to work in which is organized and works well for your sales needs. If you have an office and a schedule, which you are disciplined enough to work, then you are on the right track. Both are very important to be successful.

9. BE AN OVERACHIEVER: Most sales companies offer contests in order to increase their sales and motivate their salespeople to work hard. Get involved in them and include them in your goals. It will give you something else that you can look forward to. Besides, everyone should give themselves a reward when reaching each goal to help your determination for success.

10. FINANCE MANAGEMENT: You are not working for a regular nine to five hourly pay company. It's important that you become an expert at managing your finances. Direct salespeople handle money constantly. So it is easy to spend money without even thinking twice. It is absolutely important to become great at managing money. You should deposit every dollar you make into your bank account so that way you can see all your monies collected and other business expenses on your bank statements. Money saved regularly, which can accumulate interest, soon develops a second income in addition to your earned income. A long-term goal is to be able to retire off of the interest you generate every month.

Ask yourself these questions:

* Am I honest?

* Do I really like people?

* Am I willing to learn?

* Am I willing to work?

* Am I capable of being my own boss?

If your answers are yes, well then what are you waiting for? Find a product for the direct sales market, one you like, one you would use or you believe in and fills the need of people, then go to work for yourself! .Who wouldn't like to make all their dreams become reality?? Good luck and see you on the beaches of the world.