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The Presence of Perseverance
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Calvin Coolidge
One of the main characteristics I find in unsuccessful people is that they look at successful people and think that it must have been easy for them to achieve that success. They think that the successful person must have been lucky, or was born into the right family, or somehow hasn’t been plagued with the obstacles that all the “regular” people have.
What they don’t realize is that every successful person faces obstacles, even if they got a head start in life. Every successful person has to overcome hardships, defeat problems and persevere into their success.
Here is something I say in most of my speeches:
“The difference between the successful and the unsuccessful is not the absence of obstacles, but the presence of perseverance.”
Everybody has obstacles. The successful have perseverance. When faced with a challenge, the successful press through while the unsuccessful make excuses and quit.
It takes tenacity to get to the top, no matter what field you are in. This includes Direct Selling. You are going to face hardships. People will disappoint you. You will have setbacks. There will be obstacles. Mountains to climb, rivers to cross and valleys to trudge through. Successful people persevere. And because they persevere they also get to experience the greatness of success. They get the rewards that come from pushing through to the end!
“Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs.” Malcolm Forbes
Instead of looking at pressure and trials as the reason to quit, get tenacious, persevere and see obstacles as the very thing that will make your life the beautiful thing that you desire it to be. Just as we see the pressure on coal turns it into diamonds, see the hard times as your opportunity to learn, to grow, and to be transformed. See these trials as the very things that will make you stronger and allow you to live your dream life!
Trials will surely come. Life will get hard. You will want to quit.
Then you will have a choice: Will you give up? Or will you persevere? The choice you make will determine much of the rest of your life.
My advice? Persevere. That’s what all successful people do.
I look forward to speaking to each and every one of you at ACN’s International Training Event in Los Angeles, both from the main stage and at the leadership event! I have a brand new speech on Transformational Leadership that I am really excited about. See you there!
Chris Widener
Chris Widener is a personal development and leadership expert who has authored over 450 articles and 9 books, Including a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He will be ACN’s Special Guest Speaker at our International Training Event in Los Angeles, CA June 21-23, 2013. To register for the event, visit http://ow.ly/kZy8U. For a special video message from Chris Widener, visit: http://youtu.be/RqF_JrSxk0U
Your Business Assistant for ACN IBOs
Have you subscribed to Your Business Assistant (YBA) to manage your ACN business? Here is an infographic that describes all of the benefits that YBA offers to you to make managing your business a breeze!
ACN’s 2012 Circle of Champions
ACN VP of North American Sales Mike Kane at the International Training Event in Charlotte, NC
When referring to ACN’s Circle of Champions, I often get asked the question “Who are they?” And I love sharing with people the answer of “who they really are”. They are our friends, family, neighbors – the ordinary people we meet and know from everyday life who have decided to do something differently and master it completely. They are the home maker with young kids, the single mom, the stressed out corporate executive, the street side t-shirt vendor, used car salesman, confused high school graduate, volleyball coach, social worker, shopping cart repairman and his wife, the college athlete, frustrated lawyer, unappreciated pharmaceutical rep, debt challenged college student, waiter, optical engineer, door-to-door salesman, and former successful businessman to name a few. It may not sound like this group has much in common, but in reality they make up our 2012 Circle of Champions and are some of the most successful people you may ever meet. They are successful not only in ACN, but also in life and in business.
These are the men and women that represent the best of the best in ACN. Handpicked by ACN’s Co-Founders to represent the company in the field based not only on production, but most importantly on their values, integrity, commitment and consistent support, and they also have a special role of shaping the future of our amazing company. They have gone through every trial by fire you can imagine to get here and have emerged as great leaders, mentors and coaches to tens of thousands of people throughout North America.
This month we are celebrating our 2012 Circle of Champions Members with a Fall Tour of Champions dedicated to them. They have helped shape an incredible year, and now we all get a chance to meet them as they tour North America. You not only have a chance to meet them yourself, but their schedules have been posted so you can get all your special guests and prospects in front of them. Your prospects can hear the message of ACN’s great opportunity straight from the very best in ACN. I am proud to know and care about each of these individuals, couples and their families personally, and I’m sure if you get some time with them over the next few weeks you too will realize just how fortunate we are at ACN to have them.
I take this time to thank them personally and on behalf of both our Co-Founders and all of ACN for everything they have done in 2012 to make not only their dreams a reality, but for helping countless others realize theirs as well. Celebrate with them! Get to an event in our Fall Tour of Champions in your area soon. Bring a guest and meet the best of the best as they lead the charge through our final quarter of 2012.
Looking forward to seeing many of you on the tour and all of you in San Jose, which is lining up to be our most anticipated International Training Event of the year!
Continued Success,
Mike Kane
VP of North American Sales
Visit ACN’s Events page on Facebook to find out if a Circle of Champions Member is speaking at an event near you.
30 Day Personal Development Challenge
ACN Circle of Champions Member Leanne Gabriel was recently promoted to the position of Senior Vice President at ACN’s International Training Event in Charlotte, NC
Have you ever sat in an ACN event and been in awe of a leader? For many years, I would attend the international events and dream of being a leader like the ones that I saw on stage. Those leaders were so confident and inspiring – true difference makers. Not only were they amazing, but they had teams packed with other great leaders just like them. I used to dream of being a strong leader and having a winning team like that. I worked hard and followed the system but for many years that leap to the next level just never happened.
So what was the turning point? Personal growth! I had read some personal development books and listened to some audio, but only when I made the commitment to submerge myself in personal growth did I see my ACN career change. It all began with the John Maxwell book “Thinking for a Change.” In the book, John Maxwell tells the story of a woman in a direct selling business that had success but fell short of achieving the highest leadership position. The woman began devouring personal growth books until she changed her thinking and ultimately achieved her goal. After reading this book, I decided to try the strategy and dive into personal development. I made a commitment to do 30 minutes of personal growth every morning for 30 consecutive days. It didn’t matter if I read a book or listened to audio, and it didn’t matter who the author was. I mixed up John Maxwell, Tony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, etc. There were 2 rules to my commitment:
1. I had to do it in the morning so it shaped my thoughts for the day.
2. If I skipped a day, then the 30 day clock would restart.
I cannot begin to tell you how much this 30-day challenge changed my life. Initially, it started to reveal some of my weaknesses that needed attention. I realized I had negative self-talk and didn’t truly believe that I would ever make it big in ACN. I realized that though I desperately wanted to be a great leader and have a great team of leaders, I honestly couldn’t see it happening for me. Slowly but surely, the great daily lessons being poured into my brain started to alter my thoughts. I had better thoughts, carried myself with more confidence and started to believe that I could learn to truly lead. As my thoughts changed, my actions changed and ultimately my results started changing.
The bottom line was that I had to replace my “Stinkin’ Thinkin.”
Please try this challenge and watch what happens. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain
Best,
Leanne Gabriel
ACN Senior Vice President and Circle of Champions Member
To find out if Leanne Gabriel or another ACN Circle of Champions Member is speaking at an upcoming event in your area, visit ACN’s Events page on Facebook.
Consistency Is Key
ACN SVP and Circle of Champions Member Geoff Davis
Throughout my entire ACN career, I’ve had individuals ask me, “What am I doing wrong?” “Why can’t I enroll anyone?” Heck, I’ve even asked that of myself at times. My answer is always the same – we weren’t doing ENOUGH of the RIGHT things at the RIGHT times! I’ve learned a lot about discipline in just about every endeavor I’ve been involved with: whether it was completing my master’s degree program, working my way up the corporate ladder, building our dream home, or helping build our ACN business. The one constant was that I’ve always been disciplined and have had a strong work ethic. But it was never just about working hard. Many people are willing to work hard, but are they willing to work hard at doing the right things at the right time?
When I probed into what was actually being looked at by those individuals regarding their daily activities it became clear that they may have been busy, but it wasn’t busy being productive. I never expect anyone to be working ACN from 8 to faint. But I would expect someone who is serious about building a massive ACN business to have ACN on their minds 8 to faint. In other words, if someone says I can devote 8-10 hours per week working ACN, work 8 -10 hours every week – not 8 -10 this week, nothing next week and 16 -20 the following week. Be consistent with what you said you would do and do it. And because we work at ACN in 5 minute increments (very few people sit down and work ACN for 8 – 10 hours at a time,) ACN will be on your mind around the clock and you’ll then be primed to act on each and every opportunity that comes into your life. It might be a waiter or a waitress that gave you good service. It might be a service contractor that comes to your home to fix a problem, or it might even be someone standing next to you in the check-out line. If you worked hard enough at perfecting the right things, you would have two or three very short, piquing scripts you could call upon to ask that person if they’d be interested to hear about something you’ve been involved with that could possibly improve their life. If you don’t have those scripts, a great place to learn them is at your Saturday training events.
If people don’t have the mentality to always be looking to add to their prospect list, I realize that for many the ACN business never grows fast enough. When you start out, it could appear to some that there’s a great hurdle to get to the Team Coordinator position. (Side note: Isn’t it awesome that the founders have made that journey so much easier with the potential of financial rewards through TCAB bonuses?) But for some it could feel quite daunting to get to TC level while balancing their personal life. I’ll share with you something that has helped my wife, Debbie and me tremendously in every endeavor we’ve been faced with. When the road seems so very long and you feel overwhelmed with what’s needed to be done to get you where you want to go, we’ve always held to a simple thought: “Don’t think, just do”. Don’t think about how much is needed to be accomplished, just do enough of the right things at the right times and it’ll come. If you count every step along the way, it probably looks daunting. But if you keep the high goal always before you and not be concerned with whether a given person gets in or doesn’t get in the business, you will find your path a lot easier to handle.
Mr. Tony Cupisz, ACN Co-Founder and one of the finest trainers in the entire industry once told me something that I’ll never forget, and it just took all the pressure off me in building the business. He said, “There are only two things that determine whether an individual gets involved with ACN – timing and circumstances.” And here’s the good part: “We can’t control either one of them.” The right thing at the wrong time isn’t necessarily the right thing. As good as ACN is, if it were presented to me as I was just starting out in the working world – full of hope and grandeur, before I had been ‘beaten-up’ in the corporate arena, maybe I wouldn’t have been as receptive to getting involved. Who knows? But it did come at the right time for us and there is a right time for all of your prospects, but you won’t know what that time is unless you’re doing enough of the RIGHT things at the RIGHT times – being consistent with your work ethic and having ACN on your mind 8 to faint.
Wishing you all the best,
Geoff Davis
Circle of Champions
ACN Senior Vice President
Your Past Does Not Have to Determine Your Future
“Why be a prisoner to your history when you can be a master of your destiny“- Dr. John Demartini
Max Knowles is an ACN RVP and Circle of Champions Member
I love this quote because it inspires me to create my future the way I want it, the way I see it, and the way I feel I deserve it. I see a lot of IBOs who struggle in the business, not because the business is difficult, but because “life” is difficult. Most people are living their lives based on either experiences that have happened to them in the past, or a set of limiting beliefs that they have bought into. Until someone can cut the chain of the past and start focusing on creating and owning their future, they will never be free to achieve their full potential.
ACN is a vehicle that will pay you exactly what you believe you are worth. So the question becomes: how much are you worth? What value do you give yourself? It is time to stop being a victim and start being a victor. Take ownership of your life by making a decision NOW. Your past does NOT have to equal your future! It is choices, not chance, that determine your destiny.
Max Knowles
ACN Regional Vice President & Circle of Champions Member
Stake Your Claim at ACN
Danny Volonino is an ACN Senior Vice President and Circle of Champions Member
I woke up this morning feeling so grateful to be part of ACN. Here we are in the middle of a global financial crisis, and OUR great company just posted its STRONGEST MONTH EVER in its 20 year storied existence. As we strive towards the multiple billion dollars a year mark, it is imperative to understand that ALL of this revenue will be driven by ACN IBO force by sheer definition. However, none of this truly matters unless you capture a piece of the pie for you and your family.
My advice to you is this. Please refrain from living vicariously through the success of others and stake your ACN claim. I choose to show my gratitude through work ethic and strive to be a true servant leader. Help others be successful and you’ll be successful. Help others be blessed and you’ll be blessed. Remember that we are in the business of successful home meetings, and your ACN success is directly proportionate to your determination to be in living rooms and to share the ACN story! Be expectant and make it happen!!
Dan Volonino
ACN SVP and 2012 Circle of Champions Member
Protecting the ACN Business Opportunity
Bob Stephan – ACN Legal Advisory Committee Chairman
When I was a boy in Wichita, Kansas, every Sunday my family would eat a meal fit for a king with my grandparents, who were from Lebanon. When my grandparents first came to this country they could not read English, so I would read the newspaper to them. My grandfather was so impressed he would often say I would be the President some day. I never ran for President, but I did serve as a judge for 13 years and Kansas Attorney General for 16 years, and that made him very proud.
Through those roles, I learned the importance of the judicial system and the necessity of compliance with the laws of the land. There are many reasons why America is great, and one of the most important ingredients is compliance with the law and justice.
When I left the office of Attorney General in 1995, I commenced a career as a consultant to direct sales companies. In 1998, a friend of mine referred me to Robert Stevanovski, one of ACN’s four Co-Founders. Most of the time when I was hired as a consultant to a direct sales company, it was because they were in trouble. As a result, the first question I posed to Mr. Stevanovski was, “What kind of trouble are you in?” He replied that they were not in any trouble, and they didn’t want to be. He wanted to make sure that ACN was in compliance with state and federal consumer protection laws.
After meeting with Mr. Stevanovski, I met with Greg Provenzano, Tony Cupisz and Mike Cupisz. After the meeting, I concluded that all were committed to putting forth a business opportunity that complied with all legal requirements.
As a result, I agreed to be a legal consultant to ACN later that year. As a consultant I proceeded to organize the Legal Advisory Committee (LAC), which would consist of other former Attorneys General. Today I serve as Chair of that committee, so I am at the ACN World Headquarters every month – it’s actually where I’m writing you today. In addition to meeting with the staff, I review the Independent Business Owner Agreement, Policies and Procedures, Compensation Plan and all video and printed materials. Upon review I refer relevant issues to the LAC for their legal opinion.
This review ensures that ACN complies with all of the Federal Trade Commission Rules and the consumer laws in the various states. It is crucial that ACN monitor the activities of Independent Business Owners (IBOs) to make certain they are complying with all legal requirements. If an IBO conducts business contrary to ACN and existing laws they are subject to deactivation. Strict enforcement is the key to protecting the business opportunity for all IBOs and for the continued integrity of ACN.
I continue to appreciate the opportunity to be a consultant to ACN and to have dedicated Co-Founders who conduct business within the parameters of the existing law.
Thank you for building your business the right way!
ACN Legal Advisory Committee Chairman
The New ACN Direct Online Storefront Changes Everything
Tony Cupisz is Vice President and one of the Co-Founders of ACN Inc.
What if I told you there was an online store where customers could go and get great deals on Telecom & Home Services…would you go to it? Would you recommend other people to it? Of course…even better, what if YOU were the online store and every time someone signed up for a service through it, you got paid a percentage of their monthly bill? This is ACN’s latest enhancement and everyone is more than just excited about it.
Less than 24 hours after ACN launched the online store concept, the ACN Direct Online Storefront, more than 5,000 ACN Independent Business Owners had activated their sites… and since then, tens of thousands more have as well, and it’s growing every single day!
But, lets step back for a second. I want you to understand that anytime Greg, Mike, Robert and I introduce a new idea into the ACN Opportunity, such as the ACN Direct Online Storefront, there’s always a purpose behind it…and that is to help you find more success throughout your journey. No matter how excited we were when talking about ACN, there was always a few questions and concerns many new people had. This enhancement clearly helps everyone address those concerns, making building your business easier than ever. The following are some of the questions and concerns many of you hear: “What do I get for $499,” “Do I need to know all about the services before I start building my ACN Business,” or “Wow, there is a lot to know…How am I going to be able to teach all of this to the people I introduce to ACN?”
Now with the ACN Direct Online Storefront, it clearly helps new people have more confidence in many ways. It takes the pressure off all Independent Business Owners or IBOs by not needing to know and TEACH all the details of all the products when acquiring customers or recruiting new IBOs into your business. Also, the storefront offers more value to the ACN Opportunity than ever before. A new IBO can clearly see the value in the ACN Business when they get started. Just imagine what it would cost someone to try to replicate what the ACN Direct Online Storefront offers you. When a new IBO starts with ACN for $499, it includes: 1) A personalized online store website already built and fully functional, 2) one that’s hosted every month, 3) a staff of people working that update your online store DAILY with the latest products, pricing and promotions, 4) live operators standing by to help sign up your new customers on services that require more attention and, 5) live operators standing by to service your existing customers. The question going forward is no longer going to be, “What do I get for $499,” but “How is it possible that ACN can do all of this for just $499?”
You see, when this idea was born, to all of us it made complete sense. Before we launched the concept to all of you during the San Jose International Training Event, I began testing the idea by introducing it at some meetings that I attended. The feedback was incredible and proved what the other Co-Founders and myself had in mind: It eliminated questions and instilled confidence and belief.
There are so many positives in this new storefront. First and foremost, we all know the benefits of the site from putting it to use when you’re interacting with potential customers to simplifying ACN’s product portfolio and streamlining the ordering process. Secondly, by all of ACN IBO’s using this storefront, it alleviates the burden to learn all the ins-and-outs of ACN’s expansive product portfolio. If someone has a question about any of the services we offer, all you have to do now is just go to your online store, click the service, and all the information you need is right there.
Your role as an Independent Business Owner with ACN is simpler and more streamlined than ever. All you need to know is your online store website domain and how to direct people to it. Assist your customers in learning about and signing up for the services, and get your team to do the same. Let the site work for you and watch your customer points soar.
ACN Vice President and Co-Founder
Tony Cupisz
The Celebrity Apprentice Episode 2 – Leading Your Team to Success
Mike Kane is ACN’s Vice President of Sales in North America
As I watch this season of The Celebrity Apprentice unfold, I can’t help but get drawn in. The tension, personality clashes and drama continue to build. Last week’s episode really showcased the importance of leadership: Lisa Rinna’s reluctance to embrace her leadership role as project manager ultimately undermined her team’s success.
The cast of celebrities all have different backgrounds, and although they are experts in their respective entertainment fields, they all have the potential to be good leaders.
Tapping into your leadership skills now is more important than ever before. In addition to leading by example, it is imperative that you stay in Phase 1 to grow your business. It’s easy to become complacent and delegate to your team while you sit back in a management role. But it is better for you and your team if you are working alongside them with the same enthusiasm and sense of urgency that you had when you first started your business. Circle of Champions member and SVP Jeremy Rose summed all this up all in one statement on a recent leadership call, “You can’t be in Phase 1 and not be talking to people.” It’s true. The more people you reach before the show begins, the better it is for your business. Jeremy’s philosophy toward ACN’s encore appearance is this: “It’s great that you are inviting people to The Celebrity Apprentice, but what are you doing today? Are you sharing the opportunity or are you waiting for that day?”
So as we approach the final countdown to ACN’s encore appearance on The Celebrity Apprentice, I challenge each of you to ask yourself: Am I leading my team to success? Am I the one organizing my ultimate PBR night and talking to everyone I can about the upcoming appearance? Or am I the one continually talking about what I want to do, but haven’t actually started?
Start today. Now is the time!
Mike Kane
Vice President of Sales in North America
If you missed the second episode visit http://www.nbc.com/the-apprentice/.
