September 23, 2020

I’m Not Talking To You – A Mindset Shift

When I used to hear people say that starting a network marketing business is a personal growth journey (or any kind of business really), I would always think it was so cliché. But I get it now.

Anyone who has a business of any kind or a side hustle probably has this one thing in common: we were all surprised by who chose to support us and probably by the relationships we lost along the way.

I’m going to tell you a quick story that brought me to my “Aha!” moment that I’m here to talk about today…

For years… YEARS! I said I would never join a network marketing company. It wasn’t for me. I don’t do sales-y. I didn’t want to be that girl sending out DM’s like “Hey girl! Don’t know if you remember me but you lent me a pencil in 3rd grade and now I’m wondering if you’d like an opportunity to work from home”

So when I found a line of products that I absolutely love and it just so happened that it made the most sense to sign up as a Market Partner (hello, huge discount on products I love!) I made a promise to myself that if I’m working this business, I’m doing it with integrity. I want to be a reason people change their minds about this opportunity that so many are missing out on simply because of it’s reputation.

SO… here’s what happened…

For over 2 years, I was on Instagram as an extension of my blog. Sharing all my favourite things… most of which was skincare. If you look through my posts, I have more posts on skincare than anything else. (40+ to be exact).

But ALL OF A SUDDEN…

I start losing followers and friends. Friends who I’ve never once mentioned the company too. In any of our conversations, I have never once brought up the products, my side biz, nothing.

But I hear “All you talk about now is your skincare” or “I have a hard time supporting someone talking about things they make money off of”

OKAY!

OH. FUCKING. KAY.

Mindset Shift

(^ Me prancing through the gardens as my mindset shifts)

Here we go…

First of all, I was always talking about skincare. You, apparently, just weren’t listening.

Second of all, if you see anyone with any kind of following or online brand or blog, chances are, they are making money off of the things they talk about.

So, right there, we’ve got a bit of ignorance. But that’s okay.

Here’s what I want to get to…

For whatever reason, people think that if we’re sharing something they don’t want to hear about, that we should stop. Like “Umm hey so yeah all of our friends were talking and we don’t like that you make a commission off your skincare so you should really only talk about the skincare companies that don’t pay you or else we can’t really be friends”

[Insert eye roll and a large sip of wine here]

I have to admit… for a time this truly bothered me. There were thoughts floating around in my mind like “Should I just give up?” But what would that look like? I would still be using the exact same skin and hair care line because I freaking love it. It just happens to come with a network marketing business model. So, okay, I guess I could stop being a Market Partner and just be a customer? But then I’m just paying higher prices with no chance of making money, which I’m already doing…

That’s when I realized I needed one helluva mindset shift.

The Mindset Shift

Whenever I would hear the negative comments or see the unfollows, on thing would always run through my head: “I’M NOT TALKING TO YOU”

That’s it. I’m not talking to you.

I’m over here, sharing what I love by a company I love on a platform I love. Simple as that. It helps people, a lot of people love it, and it’s contributing to my family. If you don’t like hearing about it or seeing it, then it’s simply not for you. And that’s okay.

If someone was posting about say… parenting tips and you’re 22 and in college and loving the party life, would you tell that person to stop posting about parenting tips because it doesn’t relate to you? NO. Fucking no. Because they’re not talking to you.

If you are someone who is in any kind of business (and I know network marketing can get this a lot, but it goes for anyone trying to build anything that simply makes them happy), remember this mindset shift if you ever start to feel discouraged.

Not long ago, on Instagram, I posted about friends not supporting their friends in business and SO many of you reached out to me with similar stories some of which also included: leaving relationships, leaving university, career changes… If you’re going through any of those things and you’re receiving backlash from people close to you, it fucking hurts. I get that. But they can’t relate. It’s your story, not theirs. And if what you’re going through doesn’t strike a chord with them in some way, you’re not speaking to them because they’re not even listening.

And, for the record, there’s a difference between constructive criticism and a lack of support. But overall, if you’re doing something for you, and if what you’re doing/saying/sharing, is making you happy and is adding to your life in any way, and impacting others, than those who it’s not resonating with are simply not your audience. And that’s okay. Let them go! Weed them out. Make room. Because what you are doing will reach the people it is meant to.

Kay? Got that?

Practice this mindset shift because it truly does take practice. They are not your audience. They are not your client. They are not on your team. They are not paying your bills. So speak to those who are.

Also, those who are supporting, may be silent. But they are there and you never know when they may show up or how you’re impacting them daily. I’ll speak more on my experience with this soon. But know they are watching and cheering you on. Because they are the people you are speaking to.