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Think Like A Second Grade TeacherRemember the movie "Philadelphia" with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington? Denzel played a lawyer representing Tom. During the trial scenes, Denzel would ask the witnesses to "explain it to me like I'm a six-year-old." He used that line a number of times. There's a lot of wisdom there. Let me share a story with you. One of my dear friends and downline distributors is a lady who teaches second grade. She's a great distributor who is getting better everyday. She's also a wonderful second grade teacher. She's loving, she's kind, and very good at explaining things slowly and clearly to her children. Now she needs to use this skill in her home business. This lady tends to contact new people in her organization and provide her new distributors with instructions that are kind of on the vague side. Her instruction to her new folks is very good in some areas, but unclear in others. I know the parts that are not so good are the parts in which she herself is not clear. And of course, it's OK to not be completely competent in every aspect of your business at a given point in time. But it's not OK to stay that way. And it's not OK to confuse your new people with your own lack of knowledge. Interestingly enough, I have the feeling that the fact that she is a second grade teacher has something to do with her difficulty. Although she knows how to teach very clearly, and make sure her students understand, she's teaching stuff she knows like the back of her hand. So that leaves two possibilities for the less that perfect job she does as a teacher in her home business... First, she is afraid of talking down to her new people by speaking to them like second graders. Having been in this business for a while, I don't think many folks have a problem with that. Putting myself in the position of the new person, I'd want to make sure I have everything about my home business clear to me, even if it meant going a little slower than I'm ready for. I can always tell my mentor to speed it up a little. Second (and I think this is more likely), her confidence in her own business knowledge is low and this holds her back from speaking with clarity and authority. She is used to KNOWING what she teaches, and when she feels unprepared, it sticks out like a sore thumb. So what's her solution? Do I even have to say it? Get clear on the things she needs to know about her business and bring your skill level to the point where you can be a good teacher. Do you see yourself in the same boat? Bet you do! And here's the interesting part about home businesses. There's nothing really complicated about running one. They're built so that the average person can do it. That's how people make the bucks. There's no tough stuff. But there is NEW stuff. And some of that new stuff asks people to take on more responsibilty than they're used to doing. That's the biggest obstacle for many. And I bet it's the biggest obstacle for my dear friend. Maybe it's an obstacle for you as well. The answer: get clear on your stuff. Then teach it like a second grade teacher, and explain it to a six year old! Keywords: home business, network marketing, MLM, personal development About the Author Larry Hochman, The Guidance Guy, Bristol, Connecticut 06010 http://EarnAdditionalIncome.com Larry Hochman is "The Guidance Guy" and the author of NINE SECRETS TO COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS. He is an amateur juggler who uses this skill to teach people confidence and healthy risk taking. Learn more about the Home Business that Larry has chosen to secure his family's future at http://EarnAdditionalIncome.com ...
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