If you're like most of us, as soon as you've paid your fee to become a distributor, the first thing you want to know is: "How do I build my organization and make "X" number of dollars a month?" Amazingly, a lot of big money earners may give answers to that question that bring you no closer to achieving your goals than you were before.

For example: 1. "Talk to people." (Unfortunately, when a new recruit says he or she is not having success doing that, the sponsor or trainer generally says, "You have to talk to MORE people. It's a numbers game!"); 2. "Run some ads." (Without ad-closing training and some experience with your product or service, you or your recruits probably will blow all the leads); 3. "Send brochures or tapes to a mailing list." (This could work with the RIGHT envelope, the RIGHT cover letter, the RIGHT names list, but chances are it will be very expensive and ineffective.) Instead of these ineffective ideas, I want to share my ideas to help you become, "starting today, " the sponsor you wish you had:

First of all, check your distributor kit out carefully. Virtually every company has valuable tips and information in that kit: everything from conference call schedules, product information sheets, audio cassette tapes, and brochures to company videos, buttons, name jogger lists, and information on trainings and conferences. Start there, for those are all legally approved systems for your company.

Next, put in a call to your upline sponsor, and ask questions like: How long have you been involved? What has this opportunity done to improve your health (if you have a health product line) or to cut your communication costs (if you have a phone company), etc? How has this opportunity changed your lifestyle? What are your best ideas for helping me build my business? What books or tapes do you recommend I check out? What can I count on you for?

Ideally, your upline sponsor has had great product success (and therefore, credibility) and is making some significant income already, has upgraded his or her home as a result of the MLM income, and enjoys nice cars, world class vacations, or other lifestyle enhancements as a result of your company's opportunity. If you discover that your sponsor isn't going to be an effective guide, then I advise you to go up the line until you find someone who can be a role model for you.

If you are going to become a Super Star Sponsor in the industry and join us in making really big money (we've made over $8 million with our present company), remember my five best secrets for making your fortune from home:

1. Begin with the end in mind. Visualize how you are going to live and be very specific about it.

2. Become organized. Until now you may have considered organization a housekeeping issue, which of course it is. But it's far more; it's actually an integrity issue.

3. Develop the 21-day-habit system. (If for 21 straight days you repeat something new, then you will build a new habit.)

4. Spend 20 minutes or more each day doing personal development work. In a home-based business, we are really in a "people business" disguised as a "product business."

5. Consider the EverReady Bunny your personal role model. When you absolutely have to make your home-based business lucrative, you absolutely cannot quit. You must develop a persistence that everyone around you admires, and it's imperative that you mentor with people who are going to be a real mastermind support for you.

Finally, with these fundamentals in place, ask yourself exactly what you need in a sponsor, and become that for everyone who joins YOUR organization. Instead of being an "enabler" who does things for everyone, become an "enpowerer" who transfers skill sets to new recruits. Once you become a master sponsor, set up an internship program for new recruits who want to learn at your feet. You can then truly become the sponsor you wish you had.

"Conceive, believe, achieve!" You can do it, and I'm confident that you will be successful beyond your wildest dreams . . . if you don't quit. Remember my husband, Taylor's, longtime motto: "We build the people, the people build the business!" Good luck!