Leading By Example: Decisions Determine Destiny

A few months ago I called Elizabeth Lindberg to wish her a happy 93rd birthday. I said, “Happy birthday,” to which she replied, “Chris, you know I wouldn’t be here without my Melaleuca products. I’ve been receiving a residual income from my Melaleuca business since 1985.” If you put a pencil to those numbers you’ll see she enrolled as a Melaleuca customer at the age of 67! Elizabeth is an Executive Director and we’re so proud of her and the thousands just like her who have enjoyed residual income for many, many years.

Like Elizabeth, my years with Melaleuca keep adding up, and as time goes by, I’m so proud to be associated with Melaleuca. I believe everyone who becomes a Melaleuca customer can have a lifelong Melaleuca business, just like Elizabeth Lindberg,  if they put forth the effort and commit to reach their goals.

Decide to do Whatever it Takes to Succeed

So, how is it possible to follow the path that leads to your goals? I’ve found that several things need to happen: The first key is a decision. Decide you want something more; decide that you are willing to do whatever it will take; decide that it’s your job and not the job of someone else to achieve success; decide to take action.

Determine Your Direction 

The second key to getting where you want is knowing where you’re trying to go. It’s easy for men like me to get lost without a map, and our pride keeps us from asking for directions. However, it’s easiest to get proper direction before starting down the trail. At Melaleuca “asking for directions” is called being coachable, or cultivating the ability to take direction and learn from those who’ve paved the way.

A few years ago a friend invited me on a bow-hunting trip to an island off the California coast. It was a very large island, and only four of us would be on it. I was so excited for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This particular island was full of mountains and canyons, a prime game habitat. Each morning we would get up and go in search of mountain sheep.

One morning I saw several rams going up a path through one of the many canyons. Naturally, I was excited and started to follow the herd up the canyon. Slowly, but surely, the canyon started getting steeper and more treacherous. But I thought, “I can do this,” so I just kept going even though the path was becoming more dangerous with each step.

I was so intent on my goal that I stopped paying attention to my surroundings. At one point, I rounded a bend and right in front of me was a giant boulder blocking the path. I saw how the sheep would come to the rock, get on their knees, and crawl under before continuing up the path. As I came to that boulder, I realized that with my backpack and my bow there was no way I could crawl under that rock.

It was just then that I started to look around and I noticed where I was. I looked left and there was a mountain of shale that went straight up. I looked right and there was a sheer drop that looked about a mile deep. I looked down and my trail was only 18 inches wide.

As I looked around I started to do that self-talk: “How did you get here? You can’t do this, you’re going to fall, you’ll get hurt.” I got more worried, more frightened. In my fear I became paralyzed. Here I was, stuck between a vertical wall and plunging cliff, and I couldn’t move.

Think about it: that very thing happens to us within Melaleuca. We spend so much time worrying about what might go wrong. Without action, we find ourselves paralyzed, not knowing what to do.

But there is one answer: Do something. Take action. Action builds courage—do nothing and you will be in the same place next month and maybe next year. In my situation, I didn’t have a choice; I had to take action. It’s no different as you build your Melaleuca business. You must take action.

So there I was, kneeling on this path and I had to take action. I turned to the steep mountain of shale and I had to make a 180-degree turn on a trail that was 18 inches wide. As I turned my feet hung over the cliff! Boy was I scared!

I slowly started to crawl down the narrow trail. I know—it wasn’t very manly. But a funny thing happened: I started to get my courage back. Soon, I discovered I could stand up and walk down that mountain. Action builds courage!

Continue to Develop Personal Leadership 

The third key to achieving your goals is to determine one critical factor: what activities are right for your success.

Understanding how to most effectively use your time is key to becoming an influential leader. Imagine the leader who is constantly checking on his team but failing to accomplish anything personally. The leader who stays personally connected to his business—through enrolling and developing leaders—sets an example for his team. In the end, the degree to which you continue enrolling and developing your own new leaders will have the greatest bearing on your business, and will be the most effective use of your time.

Lead from the Front

The fourth key is to ask yourself this question: Am I the one who has the greatest influence on the results of my organization? If not, how will you become that person? Your success will be the result of your personal activity and your ability to help others reach their goals.

Building a Melaleuca business can be the best decision you’ve ever made. As a leader, what legacy are you leaving? Do you lead from the front? Are you doing the activities that you expect from others?

There are thousands within Melaleuca, who, like Elizabeth Lindberg, have built businesses to last beyond their lifetimes, and each will tell you it was worth the time and effort. Your hard work can change lives! We believe in you, we value you and we thank you for being a part of this mission of enhancing lives.

Chris Nelson is the National Vice President of Sales for the Greater Northwest Region. Prior to working for Melaleuca’s corporate team, Chris built a successful Melaleuca business. He’s now been in the sales department since 1992.

Tagged as: business, chris nelson, success