Network marketers have to learn the art of delayed gratification in order to build a successful business. It just doesn't happen over night. It takes time to build a solid and profitable organization. One of the main reasons for the high turn-over rate among new affiliates can be attributed to most people's expectation of seeing immediate profit. They are expecting a paycheck as if it's a job, and when they don't get paid early on, they quit.
Delayed gratification isn't only a problem at the early stages of a business either. Once a modest profit starts coming in, many affiliates make some very bad financial decisions. They may decide that they need a new car or a new house before they can really afford it, and will go out and buy these things putting themselves in serious financial difficulties.
There is also a tendency to want to keep up with other people in the business who are showing initial signs of success. This "keeping up with the Jones" mentality can often bankrupt an otherwise viable business. The affiliate has no way of knowing what is really going on with another couple in the business, or what their personal finances are like. Following another affiliate's example of ostentatious purchases can jeopardize both businesses.
Another common mistake is for affiliates to quit their job before they are financially ready, or before the network marketing business is capable of covering their expenses. Sometimes the reason the affiliate got into the business in the first place was to create an alternative to their job. Most of us are dependent on our job for more than just the security of a weekly or bimonthly paycheck coming in. Retirement is a huge financial undertaking that must be carefully thought out. It's certainly a viable long term goal, but should be approached with caution.
Premature retirement can be a very costly mistake. When major decisions affecting the business and our personal lives such as this are being considered, upline coaching from someone at your level or above can be extremely valuable. Once you are successful in the Network Marketing business, and have built up a large organization, you are acutely aware that a single mistake could affect a multitude of people.
Thus, delayed gratification is an essential part of a network marketing business at all levels. You never want to do anything that will potentially negatively impact you or those people downline from you.
