Any good network marketer will tell you that you must set aside a portion of your business’ budget every month for personal development. That includes books, CDs, conferences and also casual dinners with leaders and mentors. What is the purpose of all this stuff? It is continuing education. I’m sure you are aware that teachers, doctors and CPAs all need a certain number of course credits to renew their license each year. If network marketers want to be regarded as professionals, shouldn’t we do the same? If you want generate the type of “walk-away” income that the leaders have, you too need to continually invest in your people skills, mindset and posture.

As part of my continuing education, I was given Jordan Adler’s book Beach Money by one of my mentors. Who can resist the cover image of Jordan reclining on the beach with his laptop unfurled? I’d like to summarize for you the key teachings that I took away from the book. While this is no substitute for reading it yourself, it will paint a picture of Jordan Adler’s life and key success principles. After you read it for yourself, share it with your downline.

Top 5 Lessons Learned from Beach Money

1.The Road to Success Has Many Potholes.

From Beach Money: Jordan Adler failed or quit at 11 network marketing companies before becoming a legend in his current company.

What I took away: Prosperity was always inside of him. Success requires tenacity and dedication. It takes time to aqcuire and master the skills of network marketing. Perserverance is the only way to acquire those skills. After all, most entrepreneurs in ‘traditional’ business go out of business the first time. Nine out of 10 start-ups fail. Most venture capitalists won’t even fund an entrepreneur that doesn’t have a few potholes behind them. Facing, learning from, and moving past hardship is a crucial trait in a leader.

2.Network Marketing is an Investment.

From Beach Money: If your life is yardstick, the time you spend building your multi-level marketing business is only a few inches.

What I took away: This got me thinking about a typical day. The time I spend reading, listening to CDs, and talking to mentors in my lifetime is very much like the time I spend reading with my kids in any given day. It is a minor percent of my whole day, but it will have a lifelong impact and no one can ever take it away from me (or them). Education is always an investment (not a cost). Don’t fixate on the cost of that conference, the cost of that book or the cost of that training package and start thinking about how rapidly you can act upon what you will learn to get the greatest return on your investment.

3.Why Build a List if You Don’t Intend to Nurture It?

From Beach Money: Did you know that every business card in your rolodex is worth $100? Jordan will show you that it is with some simple math. Do you treat each card as if it is a $100 bill? Your success it determined by two things…the size of your rolodex and the strength of your relationships with people in that rolodex.

What I took away: My husband summarizes this point best. He says, “It’s not about WHAT you know and it’s not about WHO you know. Instead, it’s about WHAT you know ABOUT WHO you know.” So true. Just knowing people is not enough. You have to know ABOUT them – their hobbies, motivation, dreams. If you’ve ever needed to ask for a favor and thought to yourself, “I can’t call that person because…”, then you don’t have a two-way relationship with that person.

4.Go DO Something…Then Do It Better Next Time

From Beach Money: Jordan’s tip #9 is “Act and Adjust; Don’t Analyze.”

What I took away: As a former scientist, almost all on my early training taught me to analyze and study before taking action. Remember measure twice, cut once? It is essential that network marketers with this tendency become self aware about it. Will you succeed the first time at everything you try? No. Perfection is not the goal. The goal is to constantly be improving. You have to take an action before you can improve upon it. A classic example is generating network marketing leads. You’ll be terrible at first, but will improve rapidly if you get started.

5.Be Grateful for the Pessimism from Friends and Family

From Beach Money: Jordan colorfully describes a Thanksgiving dinner that ended suddenly after a shouting match with his Father about his latest multi level marketing company.

What I took away: Family and friends mean well. They are trying to protect you and in the process don’t realize the damage they may do. I’m a parent. If my sons were involved in something I deemed shady, dishonest or a waste of time, I would try to steer them away from it. It is human nature. It is also human nature that the more they persisted that more I would try to counter. Parents flock and hover to protect their young. So, the next time someone in your immediate family criticizes your choice to engage in mlm, look at it through a different lens. See these comments as an expression of love. The best way to love then back is simply to express gratitude for their concern. Try something simple like, “Thanks Mom, you are always looking out for me.” Then seek at an accomplished MLM Mentor to teach you the ropes.