11 Ways To Deal With Network Marketing “Brain Drain”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed then you’re definitely not alone. Instead of Network Marketing “training” you feel like you’re “draining” – it’s almost like the flu.
A New Disease For The Information Age – “Information overload”
You already know you don’t need more information.
You need the right information – right now.
But most home based business owners like you (Yes, even experienced Network Marketing professionals) are too busy dealing with the overwhelming clutter to make any progress at all – they’re spinning their wheels.
It’s almost like every day is like that Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day” where you wake up and relive the exact same day – EVERY DAY.
So Here’s 11 Ways To Deal With Information Overload:
- Pick up the phone instead of answering every e-mail
- Use an RSS Reader to follow your favorite blogs and websites
- Set aside “quiet time” every day even if it’s only 30 minutes
- Get away from your computer and go for a long walk
- Set a timer while you’re surfing the world wide web
- Spend more of your business time with less people
- Skim books and articles before you decide to read them
- Reduce the amount of time you spend watching TV
- Try ignoring newspapers and news – you’ll get it anyway
- Invest your money in training that works instead of “cheap”
- Specialize instead of being a “jack of all trades”
No kidding, I have piles of books, courses, and e-mails and every one of them is promising me the next, newest, biggest, best, most amazing training in the universe! I’m getting sick of it, aren’t you?
“You’re either ripe and rotting or green and growing.” – Ray Kroc
Unfortunately, the moment you stop learning is the moment you stop moving forward.
And if you’re the type of person who wants to move forward, the kind of person who really wants to know what’s working now – then I hope you’ll watch Mike Dillard’s new video – right here.
You can click here to watch this video right away
You might even call it “the cure” for information overload…
-Jason The “Better Networker”
-The Jason Better Blog
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55 Comments
Ilka Flood on March 23rd, 2010
Hi Jason,
Love your comparison to “Groundhog Day.” I have days just like that some times.
But, I’m doing much better. I’m getting my daily walk in and I use some of your other suggestions above as well.
As always, great advice!
Have an awesome day!
Ilka
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
Just noticed #11. I think that’s the most important one of all.
Thank you for adding it!
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:10 am
Have an awesome day too Ilka,
I definitely have those days… that’s why I mentioned the movie… it’s left a big impression on me.
[Reply]
Michael Cole on March 23rd, 2010
Hey Jason,
You hit it on the head, “The Right Information” is key.
Often it’s just that one missing piece that holds you back. Once found it changes the way you look at your whole business.
Mike
ps Thanks for the Instant Sales Letter tip.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:08 am
And it’s funny how simple that information often is…
But I think it’s different for everybody.
[Reply]
Dwayne Huggins on March 23rd, 2010
Hi J
Seems like its similar post day for us.
Setting aside quiet time is essential. It allows the creative juices to flow more fluently.
News, yuck. Waste of time. Its made to hold people in a depressed state and a state of panic. I sure the news is clever marketing poly – (more on that at another time).
80/20 rule, spend more time with less people, make sure they are the 20% who are the most productive in your business!
Investing in training is great advise! Applying what you learn is priceless.
Dwayne
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:31 pm
The 80/20 rule is definitely the way to go.
I’m glad you don’t poison yourself with the news… it’s like having a lobotomy.
[Reply]
Madiba Thompson on March 23rd, 2010
Specialist isn’t that who we go see when we need to take care of a specific need. That is what people must do is find something to specialize in and then you can benefit people in a specific area and learn to outsource if it’s not your cup of tea they want to sip.
Overloading yourself or the prospect leads to frying some circuits thankfully Jason is being the circuit breaker today.
To building your business while having a life…
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
That’s my middle name.
Jason Circuit Breaker Better…
Not really,
But totally digging the suggestion
about outsourcing… that something I need
to do more of. 
[Reply]
Rebecca Geiger on March 23rd, 2010
I hear ya brother!
I was there for three months and hated looking at my computer. It was monolithic in size and weight.
I would walk past the room IT was in.. and I would hide around the corner so it wouldn’t see me…
It wasn’t until realizing that I can choose to have fun with it again instead of being tied to it.. so YAY for WWN coming out because it is gonna be cool!
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
You are way too funny Rebecca.
Yeah, and I’m totally terrified that my laptop will close and “bite off” my fingers.
[Reply]
Tommy DiPietro on March 23rd, 2010
Hey J
This subject was made for me, still working full time I have a backpack that looks like a Ghostbusters EchoPack. I have everything crammed into there, a big ole mess.
I have made improvements and I would suggest this to anyone who needs extra time, invest in a smartphone. I have a Blackberry and it has been a lifesaver over the past 2 years. The prices have been dropping and they are great. I would prefer an iPhone but Verizon Wireless still has not released their version 
.
In December, I purchased a Netbook, fits right into my bag. The Blackberry added an extra hour and the netbook added another hour.
This give me extra time at night to go through other important areas of my business where I was never to fit into my limited schedule.
Another possibility is hiring a virtual assistant. My wife has started to become more involved with the business opportunity side since we are members of our Chamber of Commerce and very active (I explained Attraction Marketing at the last meeting, they were eating out of my hands). Trying to take a page out of Derrick and Monique’s book with working with my spouse, it has been almost three years and we are still happy (the old saying is Happy Wife, Happy Life )
I know what you mean about Jack of All Trades, I felt like a freshman in college trying to figure out a major. I am going to work on my videos and using them for my blog, 1-2 videos a day, everyday for the next 30 days.
Last suggestion, I think Eric also mentioned this, I can not give up TV, I know it’s tough. I did cut my TV time in half. Plus…invest in a DVR and cutting out commercials with the FFW feature cuts TV time in half again.
I suggest everyone click on some of the regulars you see commenting, I like to call them the “Better Bunch”, tons of great content, thats why Jason is the Better Networker.
I think I said enough ,
Tommy D.
“YOUR Prospecting Hero”
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Here’s the full comment…
But with DVR don’t you miss the infomercials? That’s the best part about television.
I was actually thinking about getting a netbook but man… I already spend enough time online as is… so cutting back for now.
Definitely not touching the “crackberry”. You’re a braver man than I am. Or a stronger one.
[Reply]
Twila Jacobs on March 23rd, 2010
Hi Jason!
That is some great advice. It is starting to feel like ground hog’s day lately.
It’s like a catch 22; if I don’t post comments on blogs, then I don’t get much traffic since I am not up on SEO, but will get there thanks to Eric.
But in doing so, it takes time out of the day when I could be focusing on learning SEO.
I too like number 11, specializing in something specific.
Thanks for the advice!
Twila
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Totally,
SEO rocks for saving your time.
As long as you don’t spend five hours a day picking keywords for your articles… It’s so easy to get distracted.
[Reply]
Eric McMillan on March 23rd, 2010
Hey Brotha Man,
My favorite is numero diece? Maybe that is the right spelling, been a long time since my Espanol classes.
Anyway, I learned the hard way that you get what you pay for. You could buy a whole slew of $40 courses and not know anymore than you would by searching the internet for a couple of weeks. The real value is being involved in mentorship where you can interact with leaders and get questions answered that you wouldn’t otherwise in those Buy One Get One Free Courses.
Also, I haven’t watched TV since college football season was over and man I have a ton more time to get stuff done!
Another Goodin’
Eric McMillan
[Reply]
March 24th, 2010 at 8:15 am
I have to agree, it’s tough finding quality marketing education at a low price.
Most of the cheaper courses are cheap for a reason – because they totally blow.
[Reply]
Jeff Faldalen on March 23rd, 2010
Hey Jason,
I think this is one of the most important topics for home-based business owners
I didn’t realize how easily I was distracted until I started paying attention to it
I was blown away, but what a difference it makes in productivity
Like Eben says, work in 50 minutes increments
Wishing you all the success,
Jeff Faldalen
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I take it even further if I absolutely need to get more done. I will break it into thirty minutes intervals… and word as long as it takes. Works miracles.
[Reply]
Jerome Ratliff on March 23rd, 2010
Hey J -
Specializing rather than be a jack of all trades was a big for me.
That has reduced the information overload feeling. However, there is still room for important.
I guess it’s about making incremental changes over time.
Jerome Ratliff
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
It’s the fastest way to get where you’re going. I used to think I had to “know everything” so I wasted a lot of time reading every book there was on everything about marketing. Now I spend a lot more time on a few skills like copywriting.
[Reply]
Chris Owen on March 23rd, 2010
Hey Jason,
Great advice and a great video. I think I was number 347 on the comment thread.
Note: Mike gives follow links to his comments for you SEO guys. Which everyone should now since Google changed the policy. You no longer conserve page rank by using no follow links. Moving on.
I am really interested in Mikes solution. What’s Working Now. Sounds like the name of one those Sunday PBS shows.
I definitely get the quiet time. Way too much. I drive for hours and hours every week. 7 hours yesterday, 6 tomorrow. You would think I was a truck driver instead of an engineer.
I feel like I am constantly behind, and when I do get time off, I haven’t seen my family in weeks. So I still don’t get caught up. It’s a never ending cycle.
Here’s an example. I wrote “Jason Better Sucks” on a 3 x 5 notebook sitting in a 200 foot tall boiler at a paper mill.
I wrote “Fear is The Spirit of Failure” in Taco Bell.
The list goes on. Thank you for taking the time to try and give us ways to be more productive with the time we have.
Maybe one day, I won’t have to try and write a best seller from a table in a fast food franchise. Though I do love Tacos.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Now that’s crazy…
And I thought I had it hard here in my “cushy” office with the journalists banging on my doors 24/7.
I admire your persistence Chris.
Gosh, you’re motivating me now.
[Reply]
Tracey Hausel on March 23rd, 2010
My two favorite ones above are 5 and 7. I’ll surf and play all day if I don’t set my timer. I get sucked into the internet vortex and lose all sense of time.
I have wasted more money than I care to think about by buying books on Amazon without checking them out first. I learned the lesson of skimming before buying the hard way.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:39 pm
I’m the same…
I won’t read a book without skimming it first. Sometimes it’s
not worth a full read, but usually I follow recommendations
to save that problem.
[Reply]
Gayle Buchanan on March 23rd, 2010
Morning Jason
Fantastic post – as a parent ‘ground hog day’ is very familiar – 2 teenage boys with selective, short memories! However, I thank them for teaching me leadership skills (less whinning from mum, as in telling them what, where, why etc and more directing so they develop and I keep sane) so using that same skill helps me get efficient. PS, water,me time, exercise and breakfast every week day morning no matter how tired – makes me a better person to be around PS every weekend – what ever I wanna eat and do is the prize I give myself. Focus like a laser – switch off skype, email, phone – get it done …. See you tomorrow
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Two teenage boys?
Wow, I hope you have a second fridge and freezer. 
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:15 pm
LOL, yes!! Bit like the dog, never far away from the food source!!
see you tomora
[Reply]
Mary Thayer on March 23rd, 2010
Ok, I just have to ask, Do any internet marketers still watch TV?
#8 Reduce the amount of time you spend watching TV
That seems like a no-brainer. Honestly, When is there time for the TV. (OK I must be honest my TV is on occasionally when Dora or Sesame Street is on for my little ones so I can sneak some work time in:-)
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Mary,
I think the problem is, most successful Network Marketers do not. But it’s the ones who are not successful that I’m most worried about.
I got a chuckle when you mentioned Dora and Sesame street.
You should write an article about how turning your TV on is a huge time saver.
[Reply]
Tommy DiPietro on March 23rd, 2010
Hey J
I have learned the hard way especially still working full-time I had to think of effective ways to gain an hour here and there.
This Is What I did:
• Installed a DVR system
I’ve had the DVR for around 5 years but now use it more than ever. It does cut TV time in half (I know Eric mentioned this last week). I also cut my overall TV time down, makes life easier.
• Purchased a Smartphone
This definitely added at the least an hour back into my day. My Blackberry is like a (not-so) silent partner. Has an organizer to schedule appointments, email, Internet to access my site, blog, able to research and check up on all of you . Hopefully the i Phone will debut for Verizon soon.
• Purchased a Netbook
Just like the Blackberry, the Netbook gives me full Internet access and a few extras that the BB didn’t allow. This adds another hour of productivity to my day.
As far as Jack of all Trades was a good stamp for me. I was trying to learn as much as possible but nothing was sinking because I would jump over to another topic. I recently committed recording 1-2 videos everyday for 30 days and working on my blog.
From The Port Authority Waiting Patiently For My Bus,
Tommy D.
“YOUR Prospecting Hero”
[Reply]
Jay Dyson on March 23rd, 2010
Jason: You’ll nailed it! Especially about being a “jack of all trades”. That will definitely overwhelm you.
I only read emails that I know are worthy of my time. A predominate number of emails are nothing more that sales pitches anyway and really not worth reading.
I do like the RSS idea. I shall implement that one straight away.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:08 pm
RSS is simple… but man o man it saves time… and the e-mail pile up too.
Love it.
[Reply]
Rhonda Miller on March 23rd, 2010
Hey Jason,
This is a great post for new people learning network marketing. I remember when I was new, I thought I had to learn every single thing that came out. Talk about brain mush. Whew!!!
I just watched Mike’s video for the 2nd time and my comment was similar. Can’t wait for WWN.
Thank goodness I’m becoming wiser. It’s a lot easier to master 3-5 things you enjoy rather than trying to master 20 different things and you hate 15 of them which is going to make the learning process even harder.
I love #4. I’m just getting ready to do that. It’s a beautiful day outside.
And #8. Very seldom. There are several days per week, I don’t even touch the TV. I’d have it shut off except that I do enjoy my HGTV occasionally and my husband would go into withdrawal:)
Have a great day
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
You’re like Mary then…
She turns on Sesame Street for the kids… you do it for your husband… I think I sense an article about using TV’s to boost your Network Marketing business to the next level. 
My big one is the net… because I spend so much time online… it’s easy to get distracted.
[Reply]
Peter Grimes on March 23rd, 2010
Jason,
Yepers, we are certainly in the information age. Not sure it was all meant to come this fast upon us, but there you go.
For me, it’s daily quiet time, walking the dogs and laser focus when i am working. Also being selective in what activities I permit to get my attention.
Cheers, Peter
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:11 pm
It snuck up on everybody…
Kinda like Josh and his first comment of the day every day.
Haha
[Reply]
shirland on March 23rd, 2010
Reduce the amount of time you spend watching TV is a key thing. TV could take away your precious time thirty minutes at a time and before you know it, 3 hours have passed. Bejeweled Blitz a minute at a time could distract you also.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:12 pm
bejewelled!
I know somebody who spends four hours a day on games like that and wonders why she can’t get a job… it’s such a shame…
I’ve known so many people who let little things like that hold them back from living.
[Reply]
Wayne Vassell on March 23rd, 2010
Hey J,
Some sound advice there, I think I will definitely follow this point:
“Get away from your computer and go for a long walk”
I have been spending far too much time behind the screen and no exercise.
Thanks for the post.
Wayne Vassell, signing out…
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Wayne,
I second that… this is the last comment I’m answering. I need to stretch my tiny little legs and go for a walk.
You totally snapped me out of “comment trance”.
[Reply]
Marcus Baker on March 23rd, 2010
Jason,
Taking a break is my favorite there but I have also learned to be ruthless with information as it presents itself in floods. I keep nothing for “in case” – if I can’t look at it right now then out it goes and seldom have I missed anything.
Cheers
Marcus
[Reply]
Jason on March 23rd, 2010
Who you gonna call?
Tommy…
Not sure if that rings but now I can’t get that them outta my head.
[Reply]
Timothy Willan on March 24th, 2010
Hey Jason! you hit another home run when it come to Internet overload! and email too! How do you deal with it all! I find that it’s overwhelming at times, I can’t keep up, Great post!
[Reply]
March 24th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Hey Timothy,
Honestly, I don’t know.
Everyday there’s more and more to learn.
I really don’t know how anybody can hold down a job, be a parent, and still be an online marketer too.
At least, not without restricting what they consume.
[Reply]
Mary Lou Kayser on March 27th, 2010
Jason, This is the line that really struck a cord with me: “No kidding, I have piles of books, courses, and e-mails and every one of them is promising me the next, newest, biggest, best, most amazing training in the universe!”
If you came to my house, you would see that I, too, own a zillion books, courses, you name it…and what’s interesting is how after awhile, they all seem to blend together into one big mish-mash of the same tried and true principles. Staying focused on what is most important to US is one of the biggest challenges all of us living in the “Information Overload” Age have to contend with. With posts like this one, we can come back to center and ground ourselves in our main goals.
Like Henry David Thoreau said while living at Walden Pond: “Let us spend one day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito’s wing that falls on the rails.”
Good stuff!
~Mary Lou
[Reply]
March 28th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Mary,
I love your quote.
I’m going to have to spend some time reading some Thoreau because people have been throwing insightful quotes from him at me for years now. It’s about time I look at the source.
And so very true too…
It’s easy for our reptile brain to get distracted by the moving and shiny objects.
[Reply]
Matt Cassity on March 31st, 2010
Hi Jason,
i like the part about not following the news. A year ago, I would spend over two hours following the news everyday, until I decided that this was a big waste of time.
[Reply]
Hey Jason,
My favorite is the RSS reader. This is how I get to read all of my blog very quickly. Since I spend a lot of time in front of a PC. I do like to step away an exercise. To refresh the mind.
Chat with you later…
Josh
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
Secrets Of The RSS Comment Ninja Revealed At Last!
Hah, love it Josh. I’m a huge fan of RSS readers too.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:33 pm
The Comment Ninja, I mean Josh, finally revealed his secret, huh.
Jerome Ratliff
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Haha! The secret is well kept!
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Don’t let him through you. It’s all smoke and mirrors with this guy.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Sorry, that was supposed to say “throw you”
That thought was just weird.
March 24th, 2010 at 8:12 am
No worries, I think it was understood.