Imagine this.

You arrive at work one day and they make a major announcement. “OK Everybody. Here’s our new policy. SHOW UP WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE IT.”

What would happen? I think they might as well hang a big banner in the front window that says “GOING OUT OF BUSINESS”.

People don’t show up for the job only when they feel like it. You’ve got to show up whether you feel like it or not.

When you are accountable to others, plans can be made. Goals can be established. Progress can be measured. Results can be tracked.

In other words: stuff gets done!

When there’s no accountability, things often just fall apart.

It’s True With Many Things

Think about it. Why do people hire personal trainers to get them in shape? Sure, you could go to the gym regularly and then push yourself when you’re there. But many people just don’t have the internal drive or self-discipline to do that.

However, when those same people become accountable to someone else to show up at a certain place and time, they will nearly always do it. Instead of taking it easy on yourself and giving up after a few reps of a difficult exercise, being accountable to your coach makes you push yourself harder. You get far better results.

Apply This To Network Marketing

So, let’s look at this from the point of view of a network marketer. One of the chief advantages for most people who are working their business on a part-time basis, is that they can work whenever they want.

Oh, wait a minute. Isn’t that exactly like the situation I described in the opening of this article? If your policy is to show up for work whenever you feel like it, then the chances are you’ll be out of that business pretty soon.

You’ve got to show up even when you DON’T feel like it. That only happens when you’re accountable to others.

Being Accountable To These People

When you’re in network marketing you don’t have a ‘boss’. Your upline is not your boss. In fact, when the business is being done correctly your upline works for you, not the other way around.

As a rep, it’s up to you to tell your upline leaders when to make themselves available to provide you with coaching and support. Need to do a 3-way call? It’s up to you to book your upline leaders in advance with a window of time.

When you have a downline, you need to let them know that you’re there to aid and support them. It’s a very good idea to have them tell you when they’ll be available to make that happen.

There’s one more group of people you should become accountable to. That is your spouse, significant other, and your children. Tell your family members when you’ll be working. Have them help to hold you accountable for your revenue generating activities.

Focus On Activities Rather Than Results

Here’s an important point. Rather than setting a goal that specifies a result, you’ll be far better off if you set a goal that defines your activity.

Here’s what that means. Instead of setting goal to recruit 1 new rep a week or enroll 2 new customers a week, set your goals on how many presentations you’ll give.

Ultimately, you have no real control over how many reps and customers you sign up. However, you have total control over how many people you reach out to and connect with.

In truth, if you focus on giving enough presentations, signing up enough people will simply be part of the process.

Let your upline, downline, and family members know what your work schedule is and how many presentations you’ve set as your goal.

Be consistent and accountable. It may not be “magic”, but it sure works like it.