Facing Reality in Network Marketing: A Cautionary Snake Tale

It never ceases to amaze me how many people in network marketing can deny reality -- reality that's as plain as the nose on their faces. This native American folk tale sums it up perfectly.

The group of young men, all in their mid-teens, stood before the tribal council, anxious to make known the chosen challenges that would demonstrate their readiness for manhood -- that rite of passage common to all societies, everywhere.

Little Wolf had chosen to climb the highest mountain in the land of his nation, there to commune with the Great Spirit and to bring back an eagle feather as a token of his achievement.

Setting off on the four-day journey -- a full day to reach the foot of the mountain, another to scale its heights, one more to return to the valley, then the final day to return to his home -- he played out in his mind how he planned to achieve his goal, and the challenges he might face in his quest.

Reaching the top of the mountain at the end of the second day, he shivered from the chill in the thin air. But his first task, after finding a sheltered sleeping place for the coming night, was to commune with the Creator, and seek his guidance in finding the nest of an eagle at first light. Then he ate and slept peacefully.

His steps seemed guided by providence next morning, as a huge eagle returned with food for its young to its nest on a nearby rocky outcrop. Sure-footed, Little Wolf was able to retrieve a superb feather from the nest, and began his descent back to the valley floor, elated at having secured his intended token.

As he reached a small ledge, he froze as an unexpected sound jolted him from his thoughts....

There, inches from his leg, hidden by a rock, a large rattlesnake was coiled, it's deadly fangs bared, ready to strike.

His heart sank. Was this to be the end of his quest? To be struck down just as he'd achieved his dream?

To his astonishment, the snake spoke to him.

"I am freezing and cannot find a way down without falling. If you will help me, young warrior, I will make a pact with you" it hissed.

"B-b-b-but you're a r-r-rattlesnake" stammered Little Wolf, stunned by the reptile's words, and wary lest it strike at him as he listened.

"Ah, yessss..." replied the snake, its tongue slithering in and out, "but I have little choice. If I stay here I will surely die. And if I strike you, you will die, and I will have no chance of reaching the warmth of the valley. So here is my pact, which we will swear to each other"

"You will wrap me around your waist, inside your deerskin shirt, to keep me warm. You will carry me down to the foot of the mountain and set me free. And I will not harm you in any way. It will be a fair trade," it hissed. "But if you refuse, I will strike you now, and we will both perish here on this spot."

Uncertain, Little Wolf hesitated. But, as the snake continued its persuasive argument, he relented, little by little, until, in the end, he agreed. Wrapping the rattlesnake carefully around his waist, inside the warmth of his doeskin shirt, he carefully made his way back down the mountain.

As the sun began to set on the third day, Little Wolf reached the shelter of the valley floor and, unravelling the rattlesnake, he gently placed it on the warm sand beside him.

"Thank you, young warrior," hissed the snake, coiling itself beside his feet. "Your faithfulness and trust deserve an appropriate reward."

At that, the rattlesnake struck, sinking its fangs deep into Little Wolf's leg.

He fell to the ground, shocked and bewildered, as the lethal venom coursed through his veins to every part of his young body. The snake released him and slithered across to look at him.

"B-b-b-but why? You p-p-promised... a sacred p-pact... I d-d-don't understand..." he breathed, as his life slowly ebbed away. "Why have you not kept your word after I kept my part of the pact faithfully?"

The snake stared him in the eye, unblinking.

"But, young warrior... you KNEW what I was when you first picked me up!" it hissed.

Can you see how this applies to YOUR choices in network marketing? You KNOW, from the things that the company and its distributors say and do, what they're really like when you first encounter them.

Do they appeal to fear of loss? Are they manipulative or deceptive? Do they gloss over the high group volume and rank requirements of the compensation plan? Are their presentations reliant on powerful emotional appeals to selfishness, greed, laziness, ignorance or gullibility? Do only a small number (usually less than 10% of the network) actually make good money?

Learn to do your homework. This is a business. Due diligence is essential. Don't let your emotions lead you into denial. You KNOW what it is you're joining. Don't you?

(c)John Counsel is CEO of The Profit Clinic MLM Success Centre, a leading resource for network marketers, and author of two best-selling books on network marketing. Visit www.profitclinic.net to learn more. John presents regular free webinars at www.FREEcoachingonline.com, as well as bulletins and special reports by email. Subscribe at www.profitclinic.net/reports/register.php. Learn to evaluate opportunities at www.EvaluateMLM.com and www.MLMpayplans.com.

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