“I have tried it before, it doesn’t work!”

This is a common phrase people who have failed at something in the past say because that is how they have conditioned their mindset.

The generator at home was always shutting down after few hours of running. We noticed that the engine oil stops guaging because it was short. The mechanic came and advised changing the piston and ring. It brought back memories of how we had an old generator that had similar problems and after the repairs it permanently shut down.

Due to the previous experience, we decided to keep managing it. It cost us N500 oil every 3 days to keep the generator running. For over a month, that was our routine and it then went to N500 oil every two days. It was getting worse but we kept managing.

We were obviously stuck on our old experience and was not willing to take the risk. Then it struck me.

I have been involved in network marketing in the past because I always wanted to work from home and earn in 6/7-figures. I joined two companies in the past and failed woefully. I ventured into other MLM’s without physical products and even though I did better in it, I still failed. This journey started in 2007.

In 2013, I attempted yet another and failed woefully. I then decided that it’s obviously not for me. All over the internet was success stories of network marketers, I just scoffed. My response to invitations was always “It doesn’t work”, “It’s not my thing”, “I don’t like the fact that I have to refer people”, I actually felt the recruiting aspect was the bane of my problems.

At the end of 2015, all over the internet was success stories of network marketing and MLM business opportunities. What struck me was that people were still at my old companies and doing well. I thought to myself, “Hmmmm, something is not right and it seems I am the cause”. I decided to give it a final shot.

This time around, I decided to do a research on what successful people in the business were doing. The scales fell out of my eyes after my findings. I started reading books on network marketing. I finally decided it was time to give it a second shot now armed with the appropriate tools and skills needed to succeed.

In 2016, I joined my current company and my life was turned around. That mindset of “What if it doesn’t work” held me captive for years. My mindset shifted to “What if it works” so before I take a concrete decision, I will try, try and try again. This mindset has changed my story in different aspects of my life.

Back to the generator, I eventually called the guy to come and fix it. The cost of fixing it was only N10, 000. Guess what? The generator is working as good as new again. I held on to the negative mindset for almost two months due to past experience. What did this guy do differently? He obviously had better tools and skills.

What is that think that you failed at in the past and you said to yourself, It doesn’t work for me. For some people they hold on to other people’s bad experience without wanting to give it a shot. You or that person probably failed due to lack of tools and skills. Why should that be your determining factor.

Go back to the drawing board and do an assessment of why you failed in the past. At first if you don’t succeed, dust yourself up and try again. Don’t give up until you do it with the right tools, skills and mindset.

The mind is a powerful tool. If you think you CAN’T you are right, if you think you CAN you are right. It’s all in the mindset.

Get up today and arm yourself with a positive mindset and see how things quickly change for you. Keep digging until you find gold, it’s all in the mindset.