The Mind of Vatke
Thoughts, Musings and Advice by Andre Vatke

“If people only knew how hard I work to gain my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.”

- Michelangelo (1475–1564) Italian painter and sculptor

Too many times I have heard people express their envy at the success or appearant talents of others. “It’s easy for them,” or “I’m not like so and so,” they say as an excuse to why they shouldn’t try as hard.

An even worse trap is to assume that anything you want to master or accomplish must be easy. I’ve seen many people end dejected, confused or even blissfully ignorant of the work-mastery paradigm. This causes them to frequently switch companies, training methods, products, all costing more and more money yet delivering little tangible progress in return.

One rule I have found nearly constant in almost 40 years on this planet is that things worth having don’t usually come easy. The skill or talent to build a business, build relationships or even just create a work of art don’t just fall from the sky. They must be nurtured, honed and exercised to get stronger and this takes a certain amount of personal discipline.

Personal discipline is one of those things we hate to talk about but in all reality it probably the most important skill we could master. It’s personal discipline that’s the driving force behind all personal growth and any mastery of skill. What others see as natural and easy is often the result of pushing ourselves when no one was looking.

“A Black Belt is not invincible, but they won’t go down without a fight.”

- Julian Vatke (Age 11, Black Belt)

My son recently earned his Black Belt. As part of the process he had to write a short essay about what a Black Belt means to him. I love this quote because even as others see a Black Belt in an almost mythical superhero light, he recognizes that anyone is vulnerable. Having a Black Belt simply represents years of dedicated training.

It’s this training that allows a person to face a dangerous situation with confidence. Knowing that you are not invincible, in fact, knowing just how vulnerable you really can be, is something most people don’t really appreciate. This knowledge brings with it a certain humility and respect. As Julian put it, it’s easier to treat people right than it is to fight.

In business and in life, we are not immune from the effects of the world around us. By learning necessary skills, understanding the nature of our business, the keys to it’s success, we empower ourselves to win. And even if we cannot win, we know we won’t go down without a fight. It’s that very attitude that permeates every fiber of every successful person I have ever talked to. It’s never too late or too early to stoke that ember within our soul.

If you want to see a short 3 minute video compilation of his 2+ hour test - including the disarming of a grown man with a knife - visit his YouTube posting.

In our most recent marketing study, we found an alarming trend - success rates for network marketing are going down.

Now there are plenty of guru’s and trainers that will conjecture as to why this may be and even those who would deny it altogether. But it’s real and we know why it’s happening…

Looking at the data we find tangible clues as to what’s happening.

Those with the greatest amount of success – sponsoring the greatest number of people – were the ones that had the most balanced marketing approach. They included both online and offiline activities. Interestingly, those with the most people sponsored rated connecting with their warm market as one of the most important elements.

On the other hand - those with the least success – often not having sponsored anyone in the previous six months – were the most optimistic on new media tools like social networks and web sites. They tended to rate as important the very things the successful rated as less important.

It would be dangerous to construe this as a problem with the tools when it’s really an issue of understanding what makes network marketing work in the first place.

By focusing on getting visible, network marketers have taken up mainstream business tactics without the advantages a mainstream business brings with it – such as an exclusive product, a specific geographical location or even complete control of their product message.

The advantage of network marketing – its core strength – is in a business model that’s duplicatable by many. High-visibility marketing methods may work for some but by the very nature of network marketing they don’t work for most.

The key then in using technology, web sites, social networks and the like is in viewing them as you would any other communication tool. Look at them as a way to communicate with your existing prospects (both warm and cold market) rather than a way to generate leads or attract prospects. The latter may come in time and practice, but it’s the first that’s actually duplicatable.

The focus on duplication hinges on the ability to communicate. It’s not about forcing every conversation into a prospecting situation – that’s more of that typical advice that doesn’t work. Instead, learn how to recognize prospecting situations and then connect with the prospects specific wants.

To help you learn how to do that – without investing a lot of money – we’ve created a brand new 7 Day Plan. In it you’ll learn over 2 dozen specific strategies and techniques that will enable you to quickly create a profitable and duplicatable network marketing business. You can check it out for just $1.

Learn more about or 7 Day Plan for Network Marketers

It’s easy to underestimate the value of knowledge.

Warren Buffet was asked not too long ago what investments were the most important during this economic recession. His response was that the most important investment you could make was in yourself. Looking at the 48% decline in my mutual fund portfolio since 2001 his point becomes all too clear.

But how often do we take for granted what we know or get lazy in developing our minds?

Knowledge is so powerful and such a good investment because it has no expiration date. You can’t get taxed on it and no one can take it away. Therefore any knowledge that empowers you to improve business, build connections, communicate better, or develop a valuable skill is something that has the power to continue to pay off even if you lost everything.

Here’s a prime example…

On Saturday my 11 year old son will be testing for his Black Belt in a Mixed Martial Art and Self-Defense System. He’s been training for about 3 years. And I can’t say that he’s been eager for every training session. Like most 8 to 11 year olds, his enthusiasm waxes and wanes with his attention span.

But he’s learned a valuable lesson - a lesson I wish I would have had at the same age. And that is that you won’t always be motivated to go after goals. In fact, I overheard him tell his sister that, “It won’t always be fun, but if you stick with it, it will be fun again.” That’s a lesson a lot of adults haven’t learned – that the pursuit of a goal isn’t always fun – that you have to give something up to gain something but in the end you do it because it’s MORE than worth it.

He’s also learned another valuable lesson…

That in pursuing a Black Belt, it’s not the belt that’s valuable; it’s the knowledge in his head and the skill he’s gained by repeatedly applying that knowledge. And there’s no shortcut for that. Buying a belt at a martial arts store won’t get you the knowledge or skill – only years of training will. You only get there by going through the process – cheat and you only cheat yourself.

Don’t hold back on gaining knowledge. Because once you have it, no one can take it from you. Apply it, and it can be worth gold.

“To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind.”

- William Hazlitt (1778-1830) English Essayist

Life doesn’t always work the way we’d like it to. If we had our way life our be fair, easy and a lot more fun. But it doesn’t usually work out like that. Life is a journey and it’s continuously changing. Our options seem to be to get good at changing (growing) or get good at complaining.

This quote made reminded me of how important our relationships are. I know people who have few lasting relationships. Few friends that have lasted through time. It’s a clear sign that something is wrong.

When you look at your lasting relationships you realize that to have them you have to swallow a bit of your pride and ego. You have to be able to compromise, care about the other persons thoughts, situation and feelings. And you have to be do this in the face of the possibility that it may backfire of you - with the other person using your kindness as leverage against you. (We cross that bridge when we come to it.)

The same personality and communication traits that allow for lasting personal relationship are the same ones that allow our leadership ability. Good prospectors, marketers and leaders are able to empathize with others and communicate that with them.