During my time in Junior High I was part of my school’s track team. One of the two events I was always assigned to was the 100 yard dash. I remember that one of several things that came with that assignment was constantly practicing my starting technique. The coach would set up the starting blocks, he would then position them for my leg length then he would focus on my posture. Hands on the ground, up against the line, head up looking down to the finish line. He would then go through the starting sequence: “On your mark, get set and he then would fire the starters pistol. Over the course of practice we would run that starting sequence as many as 10-15 times.

As a kid, I didn’t fully understand why I had to practice this one thing over and over. I just wanted to run. My coach knew something that I didn’t fully understand at that time. Without a great start, it is difficult to have a great ending. This rule doesn’t just apply to track meets, it pertains to swimming, drag racing and yes.even to your network marketing business.

What my coach was focusing on all those years ago, was technique. He knew that if i would repeatedly practice proper technique, that not only would I personally use this technique in my races, but I would run better and finish stronger as well.

The beginning of a new year is an excellent time to shed the bad habits and excuses you made for yourself in the previous year. It is a time to return to the basic principles of business building and begin consistently applying those principles on a daily basis. So you may possibly be wondering what does this look like?

Each person’s business is a little different, just as every runner has a different running style; however, fundamentals don’t change. In a network marketing business you will find two things that absolutely, positively have to happen each day if you are going to hit your objectives this year. Those two things are selling and recruiting. If you are not selling product and if you are not building your team, you are not going to have a very profitable year.

To ensure that you may engage people on a regular basis to recruit and sell products or services, you must engage in daily activities that make it possible. This means that every day you should be actively marketing. This could be through face to face interaction, blogging, videos or social press. Someway, somehow you have to be connecting with people.

The second piece of this equation is following up with your leads on a regular basis. This is where the contenders set themselves apart from the rest of the field. Following up with prospects goes far beyond sending email through your autoresponder. This is where it is advisable to pick up the phone and place the call. Those who are definitely not serious contenders will always take the path of least resistance. A true champion on the other hand, doesn’t choose what is easiest, they choose what makes them win. The same principle is valid with your business. The things that certainly are a little harder to do are also the ones that make you the most successful. Once you commit to doing these things, they become easier and you should quickly see that you have a competitive edge. Often when people sign up for my business they pinpoint the number one reason for that decision is the point that I called initially.

2012 stands to be an amazing year if you’re willing to work on their starting technique. Stay consistent, continue to work on it and watch yourself pull ahead of the pack at the finish line.

Starting strong begins with proper positioning. Learning your craft is one of the best ways of postioning yourself for a strong start. This includes learning such things as prospecting, lead generation and leadership strategies.

Author: ArtyCull

This author has published 25 articles so far. More info about the author is coming soon.