I don't think Babe Ruth could have said it better!  I have spent the last six months viewing social media sites and postings by people in the home business world.  It's been exciting, appalling and embarrassing all at the same time.
Exciting?????  More and more people are realizing the advantages of having a home business.  People are either utilizing a home business for tax advantages, financial growth or fun!  The home business world is growing rapidly and new companies are popping up every day!  If you buy it there is probably a direct sales company for it!  
Appalling?????  I was shocked to see how many direct sellers abuse the social media system... How? By spamming, by harassing, by falsifying...... you name it!  This is what causes distress in people when they hear the words "DS", "MLM", "Network Marketing", etc.  Rest assured not EVERYONE is in it to profit off you but a majority are in it to PROFIT WITH YOU.  
Embarrassing?????  Yes I am embarrassed by the actions people take and the stigma that some have caused to be placed on the home business industry.  But I can tell you it's a great industry to be in if you are in it for the right reasons.  My mission is to change the stigma!

Here's the low down:

1.  If you join a home business make sure it's with a company and product you can stand behind and have a passion about.
2.  You are more than likely going to struggle, it's pushing through the struggle that will make you successful.
3.  Don't be so quick to blame.   I see the comments and posts with reps bashing their sponsors and the companies.  In most cases neither was to blame, it was the reps inaction or expectation for the money to just fall off the tree.  I challenge you to question and write down the negativities you have in one column and the next column write down what action you took to reverse it.
4.  Treat everyone with respect.  No matter what is thrown at you try your very best to put a positive spin on it... Sometimes a the pitcher's curve ball turns into a home run!  If you see unprofessional behavior, posting, etc. in a social media site you have two choices..... Close it down or be a model for others that may see it...  Respond positively, professionally and educationally.  What you put out in the www is a reflection of who you are and how others will perceive you.  They may even perceive the company and product more positively too!
5.  Get to KNOW people first...... Yes, ask questions ABOUT the person you are talking to.  It's so frustrating when you are talking or chatting with someone and the conversation in one-sided on their part.... People respect your interest in them and enjoy the relationship.

The best thing about home business for me has been meeting so many wonderful people.  You turn on the television and the news is all negative....it's depressing...  But the world is not filled with just negativity...   Expand your horizons and know in home business you're going to strike out before that home run.  Accept it, embrace it and carry on.  People will value your resilience, trust me.  You have to build a brand and product first to gain respect and popularity... No matter what your home business is you are the brand and the product.  Once you realize that you will see more hits than strikes! 

The idea of starting a business is extremely intimidating to many.  The top three reasons people avoid entrepreneurship:

1.   I don't have the money.
2.  I don't have the time.
3.  I don't know anyone.

Let's break it down....

1.  Who ever really has money?  I bet we all find the money for that coffee fix, right?  Or that afternoon stop at a WaWa for a sandwich or snack?  What is that coffee or sandwich worth to you?  It is going to go down to that bottomless pit in our stomach.... There's no lasting reward just instant gratification that the caffeine push you just ingested will give you a quick lift to get you through the next 8 hours.  What happens at the end of the 8 hours?  Not much except the thought of starting the next day with that caffeine push all over again.

2.  Time, hmmmm.. Time....  Everyone has time somewhere... If you have 10 - 15 minutes to jump on Facebook and post you just found yourself time... If you have an hour to watch a television show, you just found time!  Stuck in traffic on the commutes to and from work?  You just found time!! Time exists in the places we don't look.  

3.  I don't know anyone?  We all know someone.... right? If you didn't know anyone why are you posting on Facebook or going to a job or going out for a drink....  The only "one" I don't think people know are themselves.  You don't have to ask the people you know to join in your venture but you can ask the people you know for referrals or introductions!  By not asking those you know, you will create a need to know.

Within all of us exists a superhero.  What needs to exist is the power to unleash the superhero within us!  Take those top three excuses and break them down.   What will you find?  You will find they are simply excuses on why you can't.  Turn the can't into I can.  I can find the money to start a business I would love to do, I can find the time by organizing my days and I can contact the people I know! 

Summer is the time when families vacation, are on the go and just simply don't have down time.   I've been hearing from a few who just began their home businesses in Direct Sales how they are "no good at it", "my sales are few or none" or "I failed at it".

Success comes from a positive attitude and positive actions.  If you went to work everyday at your "job" with a negative attitude and actions, it reflects back on you... Whether it drifts and your co-workers become negative, your pay or promotions never increase, etc....   I can say I have been there thinking those same things until one day I decided I couldn't let negativity control my day to day routines.....  Within a short time of changing my attitude and actions people started to gain in interest in me and what I did on my done time, etc.  

With this change I followed four simple rules that I now call the Four P's...

Preparedness:  Make sure you evaluate, investigate and understand the product and company you are looking to represent.  Many "just sign" when they here hype... Before you join and I ask my prospects this.... is this a product/company you can stand behind, is this a product you enjoy yourself and is this something you see creating a long-term residual income for yourself.

Patience:  We all know how long it takes to climb a corporate ladder, start a traditional business or even get a degree...  What we have in the age today is a huge advantage with Direct Sales/Network Marketing!  The advantage is we have the ability to control our destiny but we should not expect it overnight!  When you sit back and say "You know what, I can do this, I will do this, I will succeed and I know it will take time" the difference will be seen.  Yes, there are those who, just like gambling, got lucky and had what I would call overnight success, but to keep it they still have to work hard at it.

Positivity:  Your attitude reflects on the people around you.... Think about this...   You are in a room full of people who are laughing, getting along and having fun.. Uh Oh! Here comes Mr. Boss with that look!! Notice the room suddenly quotes, peoples' heads go down and well the nerves are rattled.. Bye Bye Fun!  But if Mr. Boss comes in smiling, laughing and joining your fun the spirit stays... Well you are Mr. Boss. Which one do you emulate?  The frowning, negative, sad faced one or the happy, smiling, laughing, uplifting one.  In all negativity there is positivity... Choose the positivity even in the most negative circumstances and you will again, see a positive change.

Perseverance:  I'm simply going to put the definition.... 
1.  Steadfastness in doing something despite difficult or delay in achieving success.
2.  Continuance in a state of grace leading finally to a state of glory.

The definition speaks for itself and reverts back to preparedness, patience and positivity.

This is a practice I have found useful and thought others might be able to draw inspiration from in their businesses and daily life.