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Focus to leave rules I had envisioned. I've seen my family, friends and
acquaintances post things they would never have said
uptightness behind previously in public.

Conversations have devolved. If I took everything on these
social networks seriously, I'd curl into a little ball and go
to sleep. Based on a simple political comment I made on
an old friend's website, people I didn't even know blasted
me and called me all kinds of names. Their hostility was
palpable.

I concluded thereafter that I had to limit my exposure
and turn off the media somewhat to be able to turn on my
enthusiasm. What is going on in our country is significant,
but I realized I needed to disengage from the fray of
traditional and social media before starting my work day.

So as someone who is typically very involved in the
world around him, I figured this wouldn't be an easy
task. Obviously, escaping the world's events just doesn't
work. But, as a salesperson, it's absolutely necessary that
I be positive. So how does one remain upbeat in order to
drive success in business while encountering the current
By Steven Feldshuh craziness at various junctures during the day?
Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions East
Tried-and-true tools
ately, I've listened to a lot of negativity coming
from all corners: the news makers on TV and First, I have to thank the founders of Amway. At one point
radio, the White House, Congress, Facebook, or another, many of us in the baby boom generation were
L Twitter, and friends and family. It seems I can't introduced to the Amway business model. Though I lost
avoid reading something that portrays our country, our interest in selling soap, I did learn a lot from attending
administration, our government, our press and our neigh- the company's conferences and listening to tapes made by
bors in a negative light. some very successful people.

I have years of sales training and have taken courses on In the Amway approach to business, focus was paramount.
personal development; I believe I'm a levelheaded person. Being tired or not finding prospects was no excuse. You
I've tried to be unfazed by today's environment, but I spent the time prospecting until you achieved your goals.
often wake up with a knot in my stomach. Proliferating If it meant not sleeping, you didn't sleep. Since I do enjoy
disruptions are affecting my level of work and the manner my rest, that part didn't work for me, but I did learn an
in which I conduct my work. When you are blitzed daily enormous amount about success from this organization.
by what you hear, read and talk about, it has a tremendous In particular I learned the key to maintaining a positive
effect on the outcome of your days. attitude was listening to the tapes, yes, tapes (probably
CDs and MP3 recordings now) telling stories of how
Time to pull back people succeeded in a very difficult business.

At home this past weekend, I realized it was time to So my first suggestion is if you can order any of the
pull out some old tricks I had used early in my career Amway success stories on CD or however they distribute
to build books of business. Yes, today's news does seem them today, do it. They are true life stories and very
overwhelming no matter which side of the fence you stand inspirational. Amway preaches a strong work ethic and
on, but it doesn't have to be that way. The difference with continually reminds people to not let any noise get in your
the negativity today is that it comes from every conceivable way to success, a message that is highly applicable in these
direction. To calm down in the past, I could simply walk times.
away from the TV or turn off the radio.
Yes, preparing yourself to embark upon each day with a
Now we are all faced with disturbing postings on social positive mindset is ever so important right now. At Barnes
media, which I thought would be a nice way to connect & Noble over this past weekend (yes their brick-and-mor-
with old friends, post pictures and potentially grow my tar stores still exist), I did a bit of digging and found an
business. Instead, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other entire section devoted to the power of positive thinking.
platforms have become forums that don't play by any It contained hundreds of print books, audio books and

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