Shifting Paradigms is the Key to Success: Network Marketing Success

Shifting paradigms is the key to success. If you have the right paradigm, there is no such thing as a physical, mental or emotional limitation. Nothing can stop you. I am sure if you thought about it you would see that there are many examples of this in your life.

In my life I can give you one very good example. I grew up extremely poor. My paradigm was that you lived hand to mouth and always worried about money, here is one for the network marketing success. As the oldest of seven children in a 900 square foot house I witnessed this behavior for my entire upbringing. Consequently, when I went on to break out of the mold that was set for my family for generations and actually fulfill “what I thought were” my dreams, I eventually became a CFO for a major segment of IBM. However, I STILL lived hand to mouth. Throughout my corporate career I kept earning more and more money but even when I was earning a strong 6 figure income I kept attaining more and more debt through cars and homes and furniture and clothes so that I continually ran out of money before I ran out of month. I had stretched my earning potential over the years you see, but I didn’t change that subliminal belief that I should always have to worry about money. It’s a subtle but very important distinction.

It wasn’t until I became involved with network marketing success and started being around much broader thinkers that I was able to open my mind to changing many of the money worry thoughts that were embedded in me from birth. This shift in thinking allowed me to blow the doors off my income and set me free. During this personal growth I came across a story told by Mark Yarnell, a legend in network marketing. It’s a true story and I thought I would retell if for you. I have told it many times because it is so pertinent to helping us see how we limit ourselves. You are going to LOVE this story. Enjoy:

Every year, Australia hosts a 600 kilometer foot race from Sydney to Melbourne. It’s a long, tough race that makes marathons look easy. It takes five days.

In 1988 a guy named Cliff Young showed up to run in the race. Nobody there knew he was planning to run, because after all, he was 61 years old and showed up in overalls and galoshes over his work boots to join a group of 150 world class athletes. This is a big race…I’m talking about Nike sponsorships and 18 to 20 year old men and women who run these endurance races all over the world.

As Cliff walked up to the table to take his number, it became evident to everybody he was going to run. They all thought, “This must be a publicity stunt. Who’s backing this guy? He’ll drop out in 30 minutes. He’s 61 years old. He’s wearing rubber galoshes and overalls. This is crazy!”

But the press was curious, so as he took his number 64 and moved into the pack of runners in their special, expensive racing gear, the media moved their microphones into Cliff’s face and asked, “Who are you and what are you doing?”

“I’m Cliff Young. I’m from a large ranch where we run sheep outside of Melbourne.”

They said, “You’re really going to run in this race?” “Yeah, “ Cliff nodded. “Got any backers?” “No” “Then you can’t run”

“Yeah I can.” Cliff replied. “See, I grew up on a farm where we couldn’t afford horses or four wheel drives, and the whole time I was growing up (until about four years ago when we finally made some money and got a four wheeler) whenever the storms would roll in, I’d have to go out and round up the sheep. We had 2,000 head, and we have 2,000 acres. Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. It took a long time, but I’d catch them. I believe I can run this race. It’s only two more days. Five days. I’ve run sheep for three.”

When Cliff Young started the race with all these world class athletes, people shouted, “Somebody stop him, he’ll die. He’s crazy.” They broadcast it on the news immediately, and all of Australia was watching this crazy guy who shuffled along in galoshes.

The existing paradigm for the Sydney to Melbourne race was to run 18 hours and sleep six. But Cliff didn’t stop after the first 18 hours. He kept running. Every night he got just a little bit closer to the pack. By the last night, he passed them. By the last day, he was way in front of them. Not only did he run the Melbourne to Sydney race at age 61, all 600 kilometers, without dying, he won first place by nine hours and became a national hero!

When he finished the race, the media asked him what he thought enabled him to win: Cliff didn’t know you were supposed to sleep! His paradigm was chasing sheep, trying to outrun a storm.

Cliff Young, with every conceivable limitation against him, changed the whole paradigm of that race. Now, nobody sleeps. To win that race, you have to run all night as well as all day. And you know what’s really funny? The last three winners of the race have used the “Young shuffle,” because it’s more aerodynamic than the way the world class runners were running before!

If that can happen to Cliff Young, in a physically demanding 600 kilometer race, what can happen to you in your life and business if you have the right paradigms? …

Always remember, you are powerful! Have the Network Marketing Success!

 

 

 

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