"If You Do A-B-C, You'll Be Successful Just Like Me" (Or Something LIke It)

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a coaching call with distributors from several companies which really hit the nail on the head about this subject. Additionally, I have had some one on one conversations with others in our field that relates. So much so, I've given this a lot of thought.

It is interesting territory to say the least. Call it the "If You Do ABC, You'll Be Successful Just Like Me" approach or something like it. I found it interesting subject matter for a few reasons.

First, because I believe ever so strongly that industries like Direct Sales and Network Marketing ARE a people business. Which is where part of my quandry comes in. I embrace the uniqueness of human individuals, that we are not a one-size-fits-all species, and that our differences make the world go round in many ways.

Secondly, I have seen an increase in these types of claims, moreso in recent times, which would make me (or anyone for that matter) question their validity. As a non-believer of the one-size-fits-all approach to people and success, I have a difficult time swallowing those claims about a System and how it will make you successful when I hear or see them.

Third, it might not make me popular to address this with some, which is okay. I am not in business to win a popularity contest. I am in business to empower and build people. Part of building people is respecting their individuality instead of treating them as a one-size-fits-all being. Perhaps some won't like it. I don't mind being unpopular for the sake of empowering others, affirming to them that it's okay if they are different or to validate that something that works for most everyone else might not work for them, whatever the reason.

My purpose in blogging this post is not to play Devil's Advocate. I am not out to engage argument or upset anyone. However, I am passionate that this needs to be said for those who are struggling with the "If You Do ABC, You'll Be Successful Just Like Me" or something like it concept.

What I am talking about are the Systems being introduced and hyped about by people in the industry who claim they have the newest, surefire way to create success for everyone. It's truly not that I believe all systems are bad. Many systems are good and necessary. They make things run smoother. However on the flipside, I think it would be true to say that a system, in every aspect of life, fails someone. When it does, the individual often feels like a failure instead of what really happened: which was the system failing them.

This isn't a novel concept and can be applied to all areas of human life. From our governmental systems to the smallest system out there, while it may work for the many, there are always some who it just doesn't work for. Someone always falls thru the cracks. Someone is really sincere and yet it doesn't work. In other words, the system fails the person. It's not that the person has done anything wrong. It just happened that way.

So let's talk about these new Systems, or ways of doing business in our industry and really examine if they are a one-size-fits-all solution. Or how do you handle it when the system fails or doesn't work in your case?

Websters provides several definitions for a system. Take a look at these definitions:

1. A regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole

2. A group of interacting bodies under the influence of related forces

3. A group of devices or artificial objects or an organization forming a network especially for distributing something or serving a common purpose

4. An organized society or social situation regarded as stultifying or oppressive

Some of those definitions I found interesting when we talk in respect to this subject matter.

So you've heard all the talk about the newest System to build your business like never before, to take you to the next (fill in the blank) or to make you successful.

That's great! I'm all for trying all suggestions to build a successful business, don't get me wrong. I believe that a group of minds is better than one and in some instances a System can be created that works for the many, the masses, but still is not a one-size-fits-all system.

That's where I believe it's beneficial to look at the root of the new Systems and their origins, the motivations behind them and the possibility that just because it's the newest, greatest System, it might not work for you for various reasons. I don't think anyone can argue there is no such thing as a 100% sure thing.

It's important to look at the way the system came about. Was the system always there but maybe not as hyped about? Is this really something so unique that no one else has ever thought of something like it? Is it a foolproof system or one of those things that are thrown at the wall or out there to the masses to see what sticks? Does the System provide a Plan B?

If the System was so great, why wasn't it always in place and readily available to all? Why is it the newer, better top secret path to success today? Did the person who is sharing it really attain their success that way?

When asking those questions in recent conversations and coaching, that's where my cause for concern came in.

Fact is, in most cases some form of the System has always been around. Therefore it's not new and original. It may be to the messenger or messengers, but it's been there since the beginning. In the beginning, it wasn't a one-size-fits-all answer, therefore it can't be any more so today.

What makes the concept behind the System new and improved is the hype and claims that they will provide the recipe for success for the many. Again, what concerns me is there is no 100% foolproof system for success. Success is an individual thing. No two people attain success on exactly the same road. It's been said time and time again, there are no "insider secrets", "secret handshakes" etc. meaning the one-size-fits-all system can't meet the needs of everyone, their path to success and their needs.

The sudden change in gears, the tide of the newfangled Systems and all their buildup came about for a reason. If it's always been there, then one must question why the sudden change and the belief it now is a one-size-fits-all answer to success? There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to success by any means. So are people just reinventing the wheel on something that's been there all along or what?

What I've discovered in conversations with many is this: the new System really isn't how the claimant of the "If You Do ABC, You'll Be Successful Just Like Me" really became successful in the first place. That is not company-specific or unique and in every case I've recently looked at or discussed this has been 100% the honest truth.

The invention, or reinvention of the wheel, in it's momentum is in many cases a way to drum up new business in a slow economy. Now that's tough to swallow, but I call it as I see it. It's finding the path to the least resistence in keeping up group volumes, retail volumes, recruiting numbers and all that goes with our business in a flat economy. So in actuality, the new System (which remember we said isn't new or unique in concept) is a way to excite people to keep on keeping on in tougher times. It's no more original today then it was say five, ten or fifteen years ago. What makes it original or new is only the way it's being promoted as the newer, better way of doing business.

So, have you encountered these new systems? Heard about them? What is your take? For me, my take is I'm all for trying new things but wonder to what degree these newer, surefire, better Systems of success might actually set some up for failure. Realizing that a system does not work for everyone, one has to wonder if that would be the case.

Now, in fairness to the System creators, in order for an individual to determine a system doesn't work for them, they must put a sincere, heartfelt 100% focused effort into trying the system to see if it works. You can't just "say" the system doesn't work, you must take daily action steps to trying to work the system.

If along your path, you realize this isn't the system for you, you are not unique or alone. The hype about the System leads you to believe that if you can't embrace and work the system, you will bottleneck your chances for success. You think it is working for everyone else so you do feel alone. Do you give up on your business? Do you feel the failure?

THAT my friends is what concerns me about all these great Systems I'm hearing about that are rolling around and being talked up by many companies and it's leaders!

I contend that people are individuals. My path over the past 5+ years in my current business and your's has been different. My paths, failures and successes in past business endeavors in my 25+ years in this industry don't mirror your's.

What works for me might not work for you. I might harbor a passion for something you might not be keen on doing. You might have a method that would never fit for me, my personality or my way of building a business.

My contention is that all of this is okay! Maybe that's because I still embrace the greatness of individuality, the spirit of creativity and the concept that everyone can achieve success if they set their mind to it. Their path and methods are not a one-size-fits-all system, therefore it's not worth feeling like there is any failure in the fact that the newest, greatest System didn't work for you. That's negative energy best left put aside. If you have felt that in the past or are feeling it today, please put that aside and start on a new path today!

My advice:

Try one of the new Systems you hear so much about. Give it honest 100% effort (really!) for 60-90 days and see what results it brings you. If it works for you, great you are who it was meant for and stick with it.

At the end of 60-90 days, look inside yourself and make an honest assessment of your performance. If you find you have given your 100% to this System and it isn't working for you, I wouldn't fret over it. Obviously, something is not clicking. Please do not take it personally in spite of any hype that this system works for everyone. Again, remember no system works for everyone! Don't feel like a failure! Go back to what works for you, what you are passionate about and build that way. And do so with gusto and don't be afraid to can the System if it isn't working for you. Nothing is one-size-fits-all.

Embrace your individuality, explore your creativity and embark on a path that's in keeping with your spirit and what has brought about success for you in the past, or invent new ways that are more "you" and less one-size-fits-all.

As you grow and prosper, please do your downline one big favor too: Please do not reinvent the wheel and come up with another great duplicatable System that's one-size-fits-all.

Let's not perpetuate a feeling of failure in our industry if something doesn't work for everyone. It's bad enough that we are in a slow economy and it's hard enough to do business today. Let's get back to the day where we are truly building people, not group volumes and recruiting figures. If we are building people, embracing the journey of individuality, creativity and more, the success will come. Forget the Systems and build your people. That would be a great thing in my eyes!