Is there life after MLM? Of course.
While many of you know I am a HUGE fan of our amazing industry and hope to do it the rest of my life, I also understand that it is not for everyone.
Assuming you are one of the people who “tried” MLM and then decided it wasn’t for you, it’s not the end of the world. We are all on a different journey. There are many “paths” we can take to fulfill our purpose and destiny. Do not think of yourself as a failure if you didn’t succeed in MLM.
Most people who join MLM quit. This is a fact. About 90% of the people who join our industry each year QUIT, for a variety of reasons. If you’re one of the 90% of people, don’t fret.
I’ve found that most successful people, in every walk of life, failed several times BEFORE they had their big breakthrough and discovered their calling.
What matters most is if you can step back, put your emotions aside (without playing the blame game), and objectively evaluate your experience, so you can learn from it.
Start out by asking yourself these six questions. Write down your answers. And then take some time to reflect on each answer. This will give you perspective and insight you can use moving forward with your career decisions.
Life After MLM: Questions to Ask Yourself
# 1: What Did You Learn?
Every experience should be a learning experience. Maybe your network marketing business didn’t go exactly like you planned. That’s okay. What did you learn from the experience? Was it a new skill, a new way of thinking, new relationships, or something else?
Be objective. Write it down. These “lessons” can give you some solid perspective for future endeavors.
For example, maybe you learned that you aren’t cut out to work for yourself. Maybe you learned your horrible at time management. Or maybe you learned you don’t like selling.
# 2: What Parts of the Business Were You Good At?
What parts of the business did you enjoy and were you good at? Honestly? Chances are there’s something about the business you liked. Write these things down. This list can give you a good starting point for your next career.
# 3: Did You Enjoy Being Your Own Boss?
Did you honestly enjoy working for yourself? I know the idea sounds sexy to a lot of people, but when push comes to shove, entrepreneurship is not for everyone.
Some people need to be managed and told what to do. Some people need the structure of having a boss and a set work schedule. Some people prefer a steady paycheck and health insurance over a good opportunity.
# 4: What Didn’t You Like About MLM?
What didn’t you like about the industry? What didn’t you like about the experience? Be as specific as possible. These insights will be extremely beneficial.
# 5: Did You Really Give It Your Best?
I would argue that if you didn’t sponsor at least 20 people, you never even started your MLM Business. Most people that join our industry will talk with less than 10 people, not get the results they desire, and then quit and say the business doesn’t work.
If you haven’t given at least 100 presentations or signed up at least 20 people, you haven’t even started your business (in my opinion). If you haven’t worked your business, on income producing activities, at least one hour a day, six days a week, for one YEAR, you haven’t even started your business.
If this describes you, you might want to rethink your decision.
# 6: Was it The Company?
Before you decide to leave the industry for good, was the company you joined a good fit for you, or did you join based on hype and excitement? There are hundreds of good companies in our industry. Sometimes we must go through a few companies until we find the right one.
Additional Insights
Doing MLM is a lot like dating. Sometimes you have to date a bunch of different people to find the right one for you.
Most entrepreneurs fail in several business ventures before they have their big breakthrough.
You’re not a failure if you learned something from the experience and you keep pursuing your dreams.
Life After MLM
So, if you’re done with MLM for good, this is what I recommend you do now.
- Find something you love that resonates with your soul.
- Don’t chase money, chase your passion.
- Do not carry any baggage with you from your previous experiences or dwell on your MLM failure.
- Keep an open mind to ALL opportunities, and then do your research and trust your instincts.
- Even if you decide entrepreneurship is not for you, consider having some type of side hustle in addition to your “job” career (for the tax benefits).
- Continue to work on your personal development.
- Check out these good alternatives to MLM.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these are my thoughts about life after MLM.
What do you think? How has your experience in the industry been? What did you learn from it? Do you agree or disagree with my advice on life after MLM?
Leave a comment below to let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.
Suggested Reading
- How to Get More Referrals
- How to Deal with Difficult Prospects
- Edward Ludbrook Top Quotes
- Top MLM Success Tips
And here a couple books on Amazon you might enjoy:
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Sincerely,
Chuck Holmes
Network Marketing Professional (21+ years)
Top Recruiter & Top Rep
mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
Great post. You are right everything we face in this industry and in life should be learning experiences. Always getting great insights from your posts.
Absolutely. If you learned from it, you didn’t fail. As long as you take that new wisdom and do something with it.
This is an eye opening article that can make them, who quit MLM, to think a lot. People go through several struggles in such fields and face many difficulties and discouragements when they don’t get their expectations fulfilled, that results them quitting. I agree with all your advices and it would absolutely help those people to think about it more, they will find their answers for sure. I can’t imagine what would happen to me if I ever quit the industry I’m in, but after reading all your questions and advice, I started to feel there is not much to worry about, following your advices will definitely be helpful.
Most people quit everything they do. It’s quite normal. I simply tell people to make each experience a learning experience. Reflect on what went right and what went wrong so you won’t repeat it again in the future.
“Do not think of yourself as a failure” man that hit me hard. I feel so inspired and understood after this. Thank you !
Even if it isn’t what I’m going through, I can absolutely relate to it, with university. I don’t want to drop out but most of the time I do feel like it’s to much for me. I do have my own small business that I hope to grow! And this was helpful in that area too so, thank you !
We should make it a point to learn from every experience in life, both good and bad.
Chuck I think your blog offers so much value. As someone who accepted MLM wasn’t for me I moved on but still find your blog interesting and insightful, it still in my favourites and I continue to check back! I decided to embark on some training with Wealthy Affiliate, which I think you quite like also?
Yes, Wealthy Affiliate is good. MLM is not for everyone. No business is for everyone. If you can find something that aligns with your goals and skills, you have a much higher likelihood of succeeding.
I personally can not see myself leaving the MLM industry. There are just too many positives about the industry for me. I am a single Mother of 4 children. This allows me to be available for my children, and their needs. I also like knowing that if I am sick, or unable to work my business for a time period, that I will still have residual income coming in. Also, I love being my own boss!
That’s how I feel, Jessica. However, I know the industry is not for everyone. That’s why I wrote this post.
I love the industry for the residual income, personal development, leverage, and friendships. I’ve never found all four of those things in a different industry.
I appreciate you stopping by to leave a comment. Thanks.