* The Internet Marketer:

First I’ll buy 10,000 leads and load them in my autoresponder.

Then who ever comes out the bottom, I’ll teach to load 20,000 names in to their autoresponder and who comes out the bottom of them, we’ll teach to load 30,000 names in to their autoresponder…hopefully someone on the 10th level down will get around to actually changing the dang bulb.

* The Professional Course Buyer:

Sure, I’d love to change the bulb. I can do it! But first, I’ll need to buy the latest book from my favorite guru on how to do it, then purchase 32 e-books of worthless value, just to have them laying on my Hard Drive (someday I may actually read them…), then I’ve got to search the Internet for the best free information on changing light bulbs and buy a 16 CD ROM course on the subject, and I’ve got to get subscriptions to all the light bulb changing magazines…

After I study for a couple of years, I can then go out with confidence and get the job done.

* The Cold Caller

Hey, I can change that bulb, no problem. But first I’d better do a search and find the best leads out there. Then I’m going to buy a couple of “guaranteed opt in lists” that have people on them that have specifically answered an ad for my light bulb changing opportunity.

Then I’ll sort through the lists and delete the ones I don’t think will make it, and then well, next week I’ll actually have 10 minutes to get around to really calling those leads…and for sure, I’m going to find that one right person who is going to make me $10,000 a week changing the light bulbs for me!

* The Conference Call Junkie

Hey, no problem, I’ll get that bulb changed. But I’d better wait until after next Tuesday’s conference call that will show me how to hold that bulb in just the right way to get the most out of the experience.

* The “I’m Getting Ready” to Change The Bulb Guy

It’s on my “to do” list. Right up there at the top. It will get done. But first, let’s see, I’d better re-arrange my desk so I won’t be distracted, and next I’d better take out the trash, and next I’d better sharpen my pencil, and next I’d better get ready to get ready to get ready to change that bulb…

But hey, it’s on my list…

* The Loser

You want me to do what?

Me???

You’ve got to be kidding, and you actually mean I have to spend a dollar to buy the bulb first, man you’re nuts if you think I’m going to really change a light bulb.

I got into this cause “they said” I wouldn’t have to do anything or spend anything…they’d do all the work for me!

* The I Need To Make Money Now Guy

Hey, this sounds great! They told me I could make $20,000 changing light bulbs. Where do I start.

Hey, what do you mean I’ve got to send out a thousand post cards a month and call all these responses and pay for ads in newspapers and call all the responses and …what? You mean I actually have to spend the money for those ads myself?

Doesn’t the company pay for all these ads?

And what? You mean it might take 4 to 5 years of doing that every month?

What are you Nuts? I can’t do that. I need to make money NOW. Hmmmmm, where’s that lottery card I had laying around here?

* The Reason Why Not Guy

Hey this sounds exciting, making money changing light bulbs. But, what would my spouse say?
But, that would actually take an hour of my time…
But, I’ve got to go bowling with the guys tonight…
But, my favorite TV show is on!
But, well, sure I want to make money, but I don’t have the extra $25 bucks to join.
But, the guy down where I work, his best friend’s great uncle tried that and he didn’t have any success so it probably wouldn’t work for me either.
But, this isn’t like Amway isn’t it?
But, this is a pyramid thingy…
But, I couldn’t talk to my friends and relatives about this…
But, I don’t have the time
But, I don’t know enough people
But, …ad-nauseam

* The Triple, Double Diamond Pearl

Done! Give me 144 cases more to change, I’ve got the time and energy and ambition to do it now. I’ll also get a couple hundred more cases for all the active distributors in my downline and have them changed by the end of the week.

(I’m not sure who the author of this is, but I saw it online the other day and got a good laugh out of it

One of the biggest myths about starting a business is that you’re destined for failure unless you have natural skills for business. In other words, if you weren’t born to be an entrepreneur then you are going to be sunk before you ever get started. Needless to say, this is an untrue notion. While there are a number of skills that you absolutely must have to be a successful business person, if you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses there are ways for you to develop those skills along the way.

Here is a list of 3 important skills that all entrepreneurs must harness in order to be successful.

#1 - Perseverance

Starting a business is like the exponential version of working on a project for school. When you are learning a new concept for that project, you are going to have to go slow and steady. If you just start, do it for a bit and then leave it alone you are going to fail the project. But if you start it and then keep at it little by little, you are going to end up with a successful final product. This is what you need to do in business; you need to keep at it until you get to the point of being successful regardless of the road bumps along the way.

#2 - Thick skin

In the business world, you are going to meet a number of cut-throat individuals that would like nothing better than to see you fail so that they can succeed. While it is good to have business relationships with other individuals, what is not so good is hearing anything negative they say as the gospel and letting it take you out of your game. If you do that, then it won’t take very many negative comments before you throw in the towel on your business for good. Consider taking people’s advice if it is constructive, but don’t listen to anyone that is completely negative.

#3 - Ability to deal with failure

Many people don’t posses this ability and easily give up on something after having one unsuccessful try at it. This must avoid this mindset in business because you’re going to fail at things again and again. The most successful business people of today were failures at some point yesterday and what makes them successful is that they did not give up.

As you can see, these skills can be learned over time. The important thing is to be aware of what skill sets you need and then grade yourself on where you’re at today and what you need to do to improve tomorrow.

From a hammer to a table saw, tools are things you can use to build something magnificent or misuse them and end up hurting yourself. Credit is also a tool and although you can’t cut off your finger from misuse of credit, the repercussions of using credit poorly can be felt in many other ways.

So how are most American’s using credit these days? Unfortunately Americans are using credit to make themselves poorer instead of putting money back in their pocket. The truth is that all uses of credit are not created equally and it’s important to understand that there are several different types of uses for credit. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Over the next few minutes I’m going to cover the different uses for credit and lay out a few simple guidelines so you can figure out what side of the spectrum you’re currently on.

#1 - Using credit as a convenience.

Let’s face it, pulling out that Visa or MasterCard for day to day purchases and all the bills that come with today’s lifestyle is an awesome convenience and time saver. Especially when you have a 30 day window to make that one credit card payment without costing yourself any interest. By paying purchases and bills with you credit card and paying off your card every 30 days your cost of using credit is absolutely nothing and actually saves you time in the long run. Believe it or not these types of people do exist and are using credit in a beneficial way.

#2 - Using credit on long term purchases with little or no lasting value.

At some point or another we’ve all been guilty of it, spending money on meals, impulse purchases and frivolous things that have no lasting value and carrying a balance on our credit card for several months. Heck, there are even people out there who are thousands of dollars into credit card debt and can’t remember a single thing they spent that credit on. What’s even worse is now the original cost of those items has increased simply because of the interest rate. It should be no surprise that this is a negative way to use credit and when you use credit this way you are essentially pledging your future earnings to pay for things that have already been used up.

#3 - Using credit on purchases that last as least as long as the payments.

A good example of this type of credit is a car loan on certain conditions. Let’s say you currently don’t have a car but need to commute. You are spending $15 a day on transportation such as bus fares, taxi cabs, etc. After finally getting sick and tired of this type of commuting you decide to purchase an economical used car for $3,000. You find a low interest loan and figure you will actually be saving money on your car payment and fuel costs in the end. This would constitute a good use of credit because the benefits of the purchase you are making will outlast the payments. Notice though that I didn’t say you go out and buy a brand new hummer on credit for $60,000. Obviously something like that would be frivolous and would not be a wise use of credit.

#4 - Using credit to invest.

Credit also provides us the means to access certain investments that wouldn’t be possible without it. By using credit to invest in wealth building assets such as real estate and business opportunities we are using other people’s money to start building our own long term wealth. So if you have a well thought out business plan or spotted a great deal on a prime piece of real estate, using credit to acquire these entities would actually be a wise use of credit. These types of purchase are different than the other categories we spoke of above because the items purchased for investment are expected to increase in value over time.

To wrap things up, credit can be dangerous or beneficial depending on how you choose to use it. Unfortunately financial education isn’t something that is stressed enough in today’s education system and that is why so many people use credit the wrong way.

So the next time you owe $1,000 on a credit card and are about to pull it out to pay for that pizza and beer, think again. No matter what credit use category you are currently in you’re end goal should to increase your financial education, use credit wisely and eventually use credit to put money back in your pocket.

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Networking events take place all over the country. From small towns to big cities, networking is a part of any business model on the planet. Perhaps the biggest part of networking is convincing yourself to be social and not just a wallflower. The next time you attend a networking function consider the following tips to help you become more successful and bring in more business

What to do before a networking event.

Before you attend the event write down what your strengths, attributes and special skills are. This way you will know exactly why someone should be interested in what you have to offer. Keep these strengths in your head in order to boost your confidence and remind yourself of why people should be talking with you and listening to what you have to say.

Another great idea is to picture the room in your mind and picture yourself shaking hands and talking with people. By visualizing everything you will be doing it can really help even they most shy individual. Visualization is a powerful tool used by many successful people whether it is in business, sports or entertainment.

What to do when you arrive at a networking event.

When you finally show up make sure you have a confident posture, a controlled walk, a smile on your face and a firm handshake to those you meet. And never forget to make lots of eye contact. Then be sure to use the immediate environment to start a conversation such as the venue or the host. This will help you to find a common bond and to keep the conversation going. Always start with small talk before you get down to business.

What to do during a networking session.

When you need to get down to business have some questions prepared to ask people in order to find out what their needs are and if your services will help people. You don’t have to be pushy, rather soft sell yourself and build interest. This will make people more receptive to be helped by you.

Talking is only half of the event. When it comes your turn remember to repeat the individuals name back to them, actively listen to what they have to say and keep a mental database of as many details you can about the person to whom you are talking. If possible always get a business card and don’t be afraid to ask for it. The best time to ask is usually after they have talked about what they do and then you can offer yours in return.

What to do after a networking event.

Then when you return home be sure to write out information on the back of the card or a sheet of paper that can be stapled to the card. This way you can maintain and build and rapport for a future meeting, email or phone call.

Everyone likes a person who remembers them. Within twenty-four hours be sure to email everyone you met and say you enjoyed meeting them. It’s also good to mention a detail you remember and suggest that they keep in touch with you.

By incorporating these simple tips and strategies into your next networking event not only will you enjoy yourself more but also bring in more customers to your business.