Recently, someone pitching for a multi-level marketing scheme posted on the LinkedIn.com Construction Marketing Ideas group (you can join by clicking the link on the sidebar), with a seemingly innocent but perhaps important question: “Have you ever achieved your dreams?” Initially, I took the message at face value, and answered “Yes”, describing how my early dream of becoming a foreign correspondent evolved into a life-changing African experience.
Intrigued, I decided to investigate, and visited the poster’s well-written blog. The writer has lots of useful and articulate insights, but something didn’t seem right. I asked a simple question: Why is he here? And then, as I dug further, I came across the links to the multi-level marketing program he is promoting.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with MLM programs, providing they don’t head down the path to illegal pyramid schemes. But the fact is these programs, otherwise known as network marketing systems, generate little but headaches for most participants, while only a few at the top earn the wealth and “satisfaction” extolled in the vision: “You can achieve your dreams.” In any case, the marketing program this person represented doesn’t have anything to do with Construction Marketing Ideas.
I decided to treat the MLM marketer as an intruder. I removed his discussion, and banned him from the group.
But what about his original question: “Have you achieved your dreams?” I suppose the marketer’s intention is to appeal to the people with unfulfilled dreams and hopes, looking for someone to guide them to their ideal place in the world — while pitching overpriced products in a hard-sale environment!
But the question can be seen, and answered, in a much more positive and honorable light. Yes, we can achieve our dreams, and if you are feeling trapped in a place you don’t want to be, you should make changes to move forward in the direction you wish to go.
I’m satisfied that much pain in life is self-inflicted. (I realize that sometimes health, family, or economic issues outside our control restrain our freedom, though many problems, health especially, are caused by our choices and inaction.) The key to breaking free is to discover and connect with your passions and sense of joy and excitement in whatever you are doing, at activities where you are capable of success. One clue, if you are uncertain, is to look back to your middle childhood and remember the sorts of things you really enjoyed and loved. Translated to adult activities, these may be the seeds for your happiness and accomplishment.
I believe your marketing activities should relate your passions with your clients and if you can’t capture the passion and excitement of dream-catching, then you may be doing the wrong thing. You can make your work much more than a job to earn money. When you reach that stage, you are virtually assured of marketing and business success.
