Overcoming obstacles on the path to success

Does your life often look like this - one speed bump after another? Sure, life isn't always smooth sailing, but as we are all aware, one bump can jar us from our current path and throw us off-course.  While there is no magic formula that will help keep us on the right path, there is one thing key factor, YOU, that can help maintain control as you hit those speed bumps.

You're probably wondering - how can I possibly influence if I stay on-course or not? Simple. It's all about determination. How strong-willed are you, do you hit those bumps (obstacles) head-on and tackle problems as they come at you or do you take more of a passive approach to them and let them derail you from achieving your hopes and dreams?

If you're currently sitting back, letting each bump get your further and further from your goals, it may be time to put on a seatbelt and start to tackle them.

The road never really straightens out - that's why you need to be ready to embrace each bump and take them in stride. By learning to embrace them, you'll become a stronger person in the process, ready to tackle any task that comes at you.

I believe in you.
Andy

How Does Social Media Reflect Our Globalized Culture?

Before we even discuss the global culture, I think social media goes has an even greater effect on the way we do business. It levels the playing fields when it comes to communication, publishing, advertising, marketing and merchandizing. Tie that to blogging and e-commerce merchandizing and you have power. It challenges the old paradigm of mass marketing, mass media, and mass merchandizing, which is a system where you pay huge amounts to blast one message to everyone. It is very ineffective and very expensive and it is difficult to measure the results, because you really do not receive any data on who looked at the advertisement and then bought your product.

Capturing information about who looks and who buys is a revolutionary breakthrough and can be used to enact One-to-One Marketing. People hate to be sold but love to buy. Find out what people want to buy and simply find it for them (connect them to it). Do not bother people with what they are not interested in or pay to send out a message that is not going to be looked at. Allow people to see peer reviews of products, and make relevant recommendations to people based on their interests and profile. Match product to people and people to product. It really levels the playing field; anyone with the right strategy can experience exponential growth without having to spend millions, even when competing with huge companies. The power of connecting with the right people (people who are interested in what you are offering or exposing) and word of mouth is a force that you must pay intention to. The proverbial “tipping point” can happen overnight for practically anyone using digital tools and the right connecting strategies. It is whole new way of thinking. Market America's Unfranchise has an infrastructure, a entrepreneurial community and customer base, an e-commerce shopping platform, an online environment where everything is accessible at one URL, and a monetization system with the Cashback and Paid to be Online programs. All of these features are connected to the MPCP, which allows you to build an ongoing income. Social networking is a powerful tool that can help you build the income stream you desire.

If you think about social networking, you’ll find that it tears down the old paradigms of geography, territories and even government. Social networking, along with the Internet, tears down boundaries everywhere. Even Ideologies, governments and politics are challenged or redefined. When we can instantly communicate around the world and things get done or exposed to us at the speed of thought, everything changes. At our fingertips we have all available knowledge, data and information.  Common interest groups naturally connect and grow. Today we can connect to people who have a common interest or cause all around the world, whereas before we would not know them. The only way we might come across them in a lifetime is by accident, or if they did something major like wrote a book or were in the news.

So the Internet and social networks transcend cultures, governments and ideologies. We can connect with people with common goals or interests. When that is monetized and we have an ecosystem supported by the social media and networks connecting the people, you have the potential for people around the world to make money together or with each other. Causes and economics become more important than ideologies or politics or governments. It is possible for people around the world to be making money together, aggregating huge numbers. Who is going to take up arms against someone in another country that is earning them income? People are not so anxious to take a position against their “check” and certainly do not want to “shoot” their income. I believe the solution to world harmony is economics and everyone’s ability to make money together and experience economic independence by working together. Certainly that is what social media and networking is all about. Additionally, it makes the facts and the truth accessible to everyone and the truth shall set you free!

Stay ahead of the curve, 

Andy Atkinson

Carmelo Anthony featured in the Wall Street Journal

When we teamed up with Carmelo Anthony to launch Isotonix Champion Blend Plus, we knew we had a world-class teammate and the perfect ambassador for our brands and business. Carmelo is an incredible basketball player, but he’s also an extremely savvy entrepreneur who realized the incredible potential of our business.

Melo has a ton of media savvy too, and recently gave a great interview in the Wall Street Journal. He talks about his goals and his life on and off the court. He also mentions Isotonix Champion Blend Plus – which is great exposure for us, considering that the Wall Street Journal is one of the most well-known publications in the world!

Congratulations to Carmelo for being featured in the Wall Street Journal! This is incredible branding for us, so be sure to help get the word out by sharing this story!

The Art of Good Business

Amazon may be the world’s biggest online retailer, but according to this interesting article from the Huffington Post, it would seem this retail giant is starting to rub many of its merchants the wrong way! For the past year, Amazon has been increasing fees for its third party merchants – leaving many of them very frustrated.

Increased fees often mean that cost is passed on to the consumer – meaning fewer deals and ultimately fewer third party merchants that want to do business with you. At SHOP.COM, we take pride in the relationships we’ve built with our partner stores – and work hard to ensure that everyone benefits from doing business with us.

Everyone already knows SHOP.COM offers an online shopping experience that is second to none, with Cashback, state of the art search results, the personal touch of a Shop Consultant, innovative shopping tools like SHOPBuddy and eGifts, and features like AutoShip that help ensure you never run out of the products you need – but did you know we also go the extra mile for our third party merchants as well?

Our partner store team does an incredible job working with third party merchants, providing personalized account service to help make sure business runs smoothly. We don’t just see our third party merchants as people we do business with – we think of them as family, and work with them to grow both our businesses – not just collect fees.

We work with them to craft individual marketing programs to promote their products and services, and thanks to our unmatched “People Power,” we have the ability to help promote them in the marketplace and to drive word of mouth marketing to help them sell merchandise.

Better relationships with our third party merchants mean better deals that we can pass on to the consumer, and more ways to help our UnFranchise owners grow their businesses! We believe that we succeed by helping others succeed, and this principle is applied across all aspects of our business – from the consumer to our fellow merchants.

Great businesses have a knack for fostering an environment where deals are mutually beneficial to all parties involved – that’s why SHOP.COM is built to please our customers, merchants, and UnFranchise owners alike! And that’s why we are the premiere global entrepreneurial opportunity!

It's your life,

Andy Atkinson

You're only as strong as your weakest link

You've probably heard this saying before, but "you're only as strong as your weakest link." Having a weak link, whether in business or even in your life, can mean the difference between success and failure.
So how many of you are aware of your "weakest link?"  Is it a friend that's always holding you back from doing things, not having a certain skill, money problems, even yourself? Once you've identified who your weak link is, it's time to then map out a plan to get you away from that weak link.  Here's a brief list of things you can do to fix your weak link and strengthen yourself in the process.
If you're lacking certain skills for a job, consider going back to school, read a book, or network with other professionals who have that skill you're looking for so that you can learn from them.
If your friend is always holding you back, consider spending less time with them and focusing in on YOU for once.
Is a team member always critical? Distance yourself and consider "linking up" with others who share your same passion.
Someone that is always strapped for cash, should take the time to assess their budget and set savings goals to save more.
If you're your weakest link because you can't get off the starting line, reach out to others that were in that same position and got past it for help.
Remember, you can always fix your "weak links." The biggest challenge is admitting you have a weak link. We're all not perfect, we all have weak links. Take the necessary steps to eliminate weak links and build them back with newer and stronger ones. You'll not only feel better about yourself, but you'll also put yourself on the right path, void of distractions that try to hold you back.

Enjoy your day,
Andy

Who Do You Consider The Most Influential Person In Your Life

This is an interesting question and my answer is going to be unusual. Most people treat that question shallowly in my estimation. Most people really do not think about a question like this, but immediately start thinking of people to name that they admire, that are famous, or that made an impact on the world. But seriously, how much of a direct influence did they have on your life or thinking? The bottom line is that your thinking is what influences your life, determines your identity and who you are. Unless someone personally mentored you, trained you, coached you, gave you an endowment, put you through school, or something that directly altered the course of your life, I would doubt that they really influenced your life that much. Now, you may admire them or they may inspire you, but I wouldn't consider that necessarily influencing your life dramatically. I look at this differently and I hope this does not appear to be narcissistic, egocentric, haughty, or arrogant because it is not meant to be and really is not at all that way.

When I think about it, what has influenced my life the most is my own thinking. I attribute my identity, station in life, flamboyancy, accomplishments, and success (or lack of it) to my thinking. We become what we think about all the time. Every accomplishment is a result of an idea or thought. Failures are due to wrong thinking and wrong influences because one is not clear and able to think for themselves. How strong are you mentally? I have listened to audios nearly every day of my life to build my knowledge base, confidence, attitude and creativity and it influenced me! I love that because I can probe the minds and learn from all the smartest people in the world without taking any time. I do it while I run, work out, drive, fly, run errands, etc. It’s the only thing that I have found where you can truly do two things at once without really being on shuffle or rotation from thing to thing. So I am the person who most influenced my life. Sorry, but it’s true and I submit to you that I believe it is true for most people. We need to be careful of what we want because we are sure to get it. Most people wish rather than decide, accept and believe with expectation in gratitude; therefore they receive the state of wishing, but not the manifested reality.

This is best stated in what I refer to as the Entrepreneur and Dream Seeker’s creed:

“You always get what you want. Your subconscious rightfully determines what energies, experiences and the people you attract—therefore the only foolproof way to know what you really want is to see what you have. There are no victims—only students. The length of time of materialization between what you want and what you have is determined by your BELIEF AND ACCEPTANCE, but eventually what you have is the real measurement of what you really want. So, by passionately believing in what doesn’t exist, you create it. And what we call the non-existent simply has not been sufficiently desired!”

  

That being said, let me answer the question quickly more in the way you expected it to be answered. Consistent with what I discussed above, I have to ask myself who most influenced my thinking and positive attitude. I believe this internal circuitry is developed early in life as children for most people. That’s why they need a lot of love! So I would have to credit my father, but really, my mom and Dad for a great childhood, lots of love, reasonable discipline, and encouragement without criticism). My father was a legendary football coach who built championship teams and dynasties and is in the High School Football Hall of Fame. He coached in a high school located in a poor oil refinery town where he would take troubled kids and turn them into winners and responsible citizens. He also was one of those teachers that you remember for the rest of your life because they love to teach and made it interesting, as well as taking a personal interest in their students. I know this because I have run into hundreds of people who come up to me and tell me how he impacted their lives. As a little guy, I would go to the practices, games, coaches meetings and I was even in the halftime pep talks. What an experience to see the power of positive thinking and motivation. It definitely impacted me. I remember he even use to play tapes by Bob Richards in the locker room. Remember him? He was a pole-vaulting Olympic champion, the first Wheaties spokesman, and was also a great motivational speaker.

The point of this article is no matter where in life find a mentor. Tell about your mentor.........

It's your life, 

Andy

Having a plan of Attack

Have you ever tried to start a project without having everything in order? It's pretty difficult, no? Ideas are everywhere, in notebooks, on post-it notes, in your head. And for some reason, you can never seem to get your ideas off the ground. I wonder why that is...

The United States made a valiant effort to rid the world of mastermind, Osama Bin Laden. Do you think they didn't have a plan in place? Of course they did, and it was calculated. Why? Because they wanted to win and wanted to minimize any opportunity for error.

The same holds true for business and also for yourself. In business, it isn't just about having an idea. It's about having an idea and then organizing it into a plan so that you can get from point A to point B. If your notes are everywhere, how do you expect to connect the dots and see your plan through to fruition?  The same holds true for your personal life.  Think about it. If I want to become a Lawyer or a Doctor, there's a plan, it's called a curriculum, that you must complete in order to graduate with the necessary classes to go on to become a Lawyer or a Doctor.

Learn to develop a well-formulated plan for your business. In your personal life, create a goals statement, and stick to them.  If you run into obstacles, know how to overcome them. By having a plan in place, it will also help you learn to minimize risk and help keep you focused on reaching your hopes and dreams (goals).

Remember, every idea starts with a plan. Those that are successful are those that stay focused and stick to the plan, regardless of if things get bumpy along the way.

Believe in yourself,
Andy

Only Time Will Tell: The True Impact of Technology

In today’s modern age, technology is having a profound impact on every industry – allowing the gears of commerce to turn more efficiently. Between mobile devices and social media, today’s technology is also revolutionizing the way we communicate, interact, and shop. While the immediate impact this technology is having seems profound, only time will tell just what type of impact that mobile devices and social media will have on society in general. In the long term, innovations like these can have a ripple effect that lasts decades and even centuries. Many innovations, whether they intend to or not, have the unique ability of impacting other industries in unforeseen ways, and alter the course of progress.

Take the story of the Roman chariot for instance. In an effort to standardize chariot manufacturing, the ancient romans supposedly decided to make all of their chariots the same way, with roughly the same wheelbase – wide enough to accommodate the two horses that would pull it. It is said that this standard wheelbase was later used in wagon construction, which in turn was later used to determine the width of railroads. Some historians say this standard wheel gauge predates even the Romans, as ancient Bronze Age wheel gauges were quite similar in width (about 4feet 8 inches).

Conventional wisdom says these stories are mere legend, and that the width of train tracks (standard gauge) originates with the “Father of Railways,” George Stephenson, a highly talented civil and mechanical engineer from Victorian England. “Stephenson’s Gauge,” which is 4 feet 8.5 inches, is accepted as the world’s standard gauge, and is used in approximately 60% of the world’s railway lines.

The point is, whoever established the standard gauge, be it George Stephenson or an unknown ancient craftsman thousands of years ago, did so without every imagining the possible impact their innovation would have on society. As it would happen, NASA transports all of their rocket boosters by train, and for that reason they are designed with the standard width of railroad tracks in mind. So in essence, the person(s) who established the standard gauge, inadvertently altered aerospace designs hundreds (if not thousands) of years later.

To be sure, the impact one technology has on another can be profound, but can also take a great deal of time to fully manifest. While predicting what technologies will have a profound impact is a tremendously difficult task, the important thing is to keep your mind open to new things – because you never know where the next game-changing innovation will come from. The question is will today’s technology, namely mobile computing and social media, have an impact on the world that reverberates for hundreds of years? Only time will tell.

As Others Give Up, Create Your Own Economy

January saw a record low in unemployment numbers, with the average time spent unemployed down 2.8 weeks. A dip in unemployment numbers normally indicates a turn for the better, however, CNN Money shows that these numbers are actually a sign for the worst.

Already at the start of a new year, people are giving up, unable to find work. As unemployment seems to decrease, the job market and employment numbers still hover at the same depths, meaning that the only thing changing is the number of citizens eligible for unemployment benefits. An unemployed citizen must actively seek work as part of the labor market in order to receive benefits. Several states experienced a shift in benefits as people abandoned their search after living in financial desolation.

The startling fact is that the job market and economy are so upside down that the odds are against the American people. Unemployment benefits last up to 73 weeks and more and more, the jobless find themselves taking home less benefits without any promise of better days.

Create Your Own Economy. The time is now and the numbers are here to prove it! The government and the job market are failing hard working Americans every day. Americans are spinning their wheels but going nowhere and no one is helping them find their way. How do hard working people who deserve a chance at a future change their destiny in an environment that is forcing them to quit? We have the solution!

As UnFranchise® Owners, we have the power to create our own economy and control our future. While Americans drop their time and effort into a bottomless piggy bank that the government says they can’t open until their late 70s, their retirement and peace of mind drifting further and further away, we are bringing the bright future into the present.

The difference between the life of a 9-5 and the life of an UnFranchise® Owner is between those who work hard and those who work smart. The road may at first feel uncertain, but with the experience and tools that have come to fruition after 21 years of success, you have the power to change the game www.afa-global.com.

Sharing Success with these Incredible Power Profiles

Committed to helping hard-working entrepreneurs achieve their goals and make their dreams a reality. The Unfranchise Business has helped thousands of people around the world unlock their potential and discover entrepreneurial success! In fact, we believe that we succeed by helping other succeed!

Helping others attain success and build residual income is what we are all about! It’s amazing what can happen when you build your own economy! Have a look at these amazing Power Profiles – which show the tremendous life-changing potential of the UnFranchise Business!

CLICK HERE to access these amazing Power Profile videos!

It's your life, 

Andy Atkinson 

Americans See Largest Income Drop in Twenty Years

In January, Americans experienced the largest drop in income levels in twenty years! Average income dropped 3.6 percent, which represents the largest dip in a single month since January 1993.

Much of this has to do with the fact that new tax hikes went into effect at the start of the year, putting addition strain on families already struggling to make it in this tough economy. Plus, when you consider the rising cost of gas and food, millions of Americans are adjusting their budgets and working hard to make ends meet while coping with smaller paychecks.

This is your wake-up call! It’s so important to make sure that you and your family are on stable financial ground – that’s why the UnFranchise Business is such an incredible, life-changing opportunity!

Real Results

As of March 31, 2012, Shop Consultants and UnFranchise owners have earned the following since the companies’ inception:

Total retail profits earned: $1,265,058,282

Total commissions earned: $1,257,468,708

Total Distributor earnings: $2,522,526,990

It’s time to wake up and take advantage of this incredible global opportunity! It is time to treat the Unfranchise like the incredible business it is, and for you to start leveraging it to help you build financial freedom!

Payroll Tax is Taking a BIG Bite Out of Your Incomes

With the new year came new changes to our nation’s tax code – and the new burden being shouldered by taxpayers is really starting to become clear. In 2013, some 77% of Americans will have to pay more of their income back to the government thanks to the 2% increase in payroll taxes. In this economy, it’s hard enough to get ahead, and with higher taxes it’s making the situation even more difficult for American families.

Higher payroll taxes will reduce disposable income by an estimated 120 billion in 2013 alone – with lower income families feeling the pinch the hardest. Millions of Americans have been struggling to cope with this tough economy, especially when the restored payroll tax is taking a noticeable bite out of their paychecks.

The expired payroll tax is a taking a big bite out of the economy, but you can offset this situation by building an UnFranchise Business! Don’t become a victim to a struggling economy – build your own instead!

It's your life, 

Andy Atkinson 

Energize Your Savings with Residual Income!

We are facing one of the toughest economies in years, and as a result a staggering number of Americans are simply not saving enough. According to this recent article in the Huffington Post, nearly half of Americans have less than $500 in savings.

I think this data is a clear indicator that Americans are desperate for new ways to generate income and survive in a brutal economy with high unemployment and rising costs of goods and services. In fact, what complicates matters is the fact that January saw the largest dip in US income in twenty years!

The point is - relying on the 45 year plan will never help you find the success you seek, especially in this tough economy. Americans are barely keeping their heads above water, let alone getting ahead of the game financially. Now is the time to join us and help forge a new economy, where everyone benefits by turning spending into earning!

We are a global entrepreneurial force, and we are changing the lives of entrepreneurs around the world, by helping people develop a business that generates residual income. And in this economy, who couldn’t use residual income!

Visit AFA-Global today, to learn more about our secret weapon for any economy – The UnFranchise® Business.

It's your life, 

Andy Atkinson

It's your money, keep it.

Basic rule of finance "Keep the money you earn". If you are only submitting a W2 for your taxes your are paying 15 - 25% more taxes than someone with a home-based business. Find out how to keep your money at www.afa-global.com

Programming Yourself for Success

“It takes 7 positive comment to erase 1 negative”

Albert Einstein

•       Our programming determines everything we say, think, and do (success or failure).

•       Our programs are formed by repetition – we act on the programs that are the strongest, whether they are right, wrong, good, bad, helpful, or harmful.

•       In order to create a new mental program, it must be repeated naturally and often.

•       By listening to repeated positive new messages, we can replace the old, negative programs.

•       Each time a new message is repeated, the new neural pathways created in the brain become stronger.

The 7 Habits of Business Success

Habit 1. Cultivate Inner Networks: Entrepreneurs practicing the art of business success know the power of networks. They take the time to identify and build relationships with key peers, mentors, and advisors. This inner network provides support, direction, and an increased number of people to assist. Having an inner network of five people who have a network of five more, grows the network exponentially.

Habit 2. Customer Centric: Business success requires an unwavering commitment to the customer. This commitment encompasses a mindset of understanding the customers' world. Understanding the customers wants and needs provides the business with a greater opportunity to earn a loyal customer base. Focus away from business and profits, and toward what you can do to improve the life of your customers.

Habit 3. Humble Honesty: Business success requires the ability to know your strengths and weaknesses. Being open and honest about yourself and your business creates growth as an individual and as a company. Don't spend time developing weaknesses. Find help for weak areas, enabling you to focus on strengths. In the book, "Now, Discover Your Strengths", Gallup Organization reveals that building our strengths instead of fixing our weakness is the path to mastery and success. Take the time to know yourself and business.

Habit 4. Adaptability: Business success requires the ability to adapt to changing situations. Nothing ever goes as planned. The world of business is full of surprises and unforeseen events. Using the habit of adaptability allows business owners to respond to circumstances with the ability to change course and act without complete information. Being flexible allows us to respond to changes without being paralyzed with fear and uncertainty.

Habit 5. Opportunity Focused: Problems are a regular part of business life. Staff issues, customer misunderstandings, cash crunches- the list is endless. To achieve business success, look at both sides of the coin. Every problem has an opportunity. Being opportunity focused makes the game of business fun and energizing.

Habit 6. Finding A Better Way: Productivity is the cornerstone of business success. Formulate the habit of finding a better way to make your business more productive. This will create more time to focus on the critical issues that drive sales and profit. Productivity can be enhanced by technology, automation, outsourcing, and improving business processes.

Habit 7. Balanced Lifestyle Management: A business can consume an owner's time and energy. It's easy to allow the business to take control of your life. Business success requires the habit of balancing all aspects of your life. Separating time for daily business tasks, profit driven tasks, and free time is a habit that will make your business and life more enjoyable. Take the time to plan each week.

Advice

Learning and instilling new habits in your daily business life can have a dramatic effect on your level of success. Review each of the 7 habits. Choose one habit to focus on for a month or until you achieve mastery. Gradually incorporate each of the 7 habits of business success into your life and attain your business dreams.