And that is how most of us stay. Ordinary. Average. Mediocre. Active yet ineffective. Moving… but not toward our dreams.

Being ordinary is a bad plan. Pursuing the path of least resistance means high-grade mediocrity and close-but-not-quite-there results.

Mediocrity is an effecting (and frustrating) villain. It is neither crashing defeat nor breathtaking failure. But a slow, soul-sucking poison. A silent assassin.

One minute you’re standing on top of the world. The next you’re at the bottom of the heap, scratching your head and wondering what happened. You’ve completely lost your mojo. And you’re not even sure how you got to this awful place called mediocrity. And more than anything else, you want your mojo back. You want that confidence, that feeling of control, that ability to perform at high levels.

You want to do more, be more.

There is a word for that. A word to describe something that transcends mediocrity. A word that communicates “more than average.”

Extra-ordinary.

Not ordinary. Something extra.

But how does extraordinary happen?

Extraordinary starts with you—perhaps an ordinary person at an ordinary job doing ordinary things on an ordinary day. No special advantages. No remarkable skills that can’t be duplicated. No large bank account. Just all-around “ordinary.”

Then, you decide to do something extra. To be something extra. Something a lot-a-bit extra. And not just one time. But day after day after day.

And then one day, everyone watching you will notice that “ordinary” is no longer an accurate description for the person you have become. For what you have done. And they will shake their heads and remark that what they have seen is extraordinary. Because it was. And because you will be.

And that’s how extraordinary happens.

By not being satisfied with ordinary. By being vigilant. Being obsessed. No excuses. Just a relentless focus on being better.

It’s deciding to go the extra mile when the last mile was hard enough. It’s controlling your mind in spite of the obstacles ahead.

It comes down to this really simple thought: If you don’t make time to pursue being extraordinary, then you’ll never experience true greatness. All you’ll ever know is mediocrity.

You’re already making time to be average and ordinary.

Why not choose to be extraordinary?

Let me give you a list so you can become EXTRAORDINARY..

Just follow the 100+ list here below:

1. Open the door for a stranger.

2. Say, “Thank you.”

3. Learn from your mistakes.

4. Stop whining.

5. Fear less.

6. Be kind.

7. Let yourself be inspired.

8. Lead someone.

9. Pay off debt.

10. Choose a side.

11. Pay more for quality.

12. Lend a hand.

13. Let past mistakes go.

14. Be invincible

15. Be more efficient with your time.

16. Stop playing politics.

17. Plan to be succesful.

18. Be an expert.

19. Stop defending yourself.

20. Decide to take action today.

21. Fight mediocrity

22. Laugh at life.

23. Go to bed tired.

24. Ask what you can do better.

25. Give a stranger flowers.

26. Hold the elevator door.

27. Compliment a great idea.

28. Work on being patient.

29. Create what’s missing.

30. Stay in mental shape.

31. Practice getting back up.

32. Shake hands while looking the other person in the eye.

33. Assume the best in others.

34. Try something new.

35. Listen to your critic.

36. Get into financial shape.

37. Donate time to charity.

38. Teach what you’ve learned.

39. Give an opinion when it’s hard.

40. Care about others.

41. Pay attention to the details.

42. Be a friend.

43. Do physical labor.

44. Brag on someone else.

45. Share more.

46. Love someone

47. Have a dream

48. Get up an hour earlier.

49. Write down your thoughts.

50. Apologize more.

51. Stay mentally strong.

52. Put yourself in tough places.

53. Cry when you are hurt.

54. Have a purpose each day.

55. Don’t stop until you finish.

56. Be passionate about others.

57. Pay attention to the conversation.

58. Appreciate differences.

59. Be less selfish.

60. Ease someone else’s pain.

61. Image the possibilities.

62. Smile at those around you.

63. Care enough to cry.

64. Make a call because “you’re thinking about them.”

65. Be a mentor.

66. Fail gracefully.

67. Practice being vulnerable.

68. Decide to be optimistic.

69. Ask more questions.

70. Read a new biography.

71. Do something outrageous.

72. Think for yourself.

73. Put in more effort.

74. Ask for help.

75. Tell the truth.

76. Get some exercise.

77. Decide not to get angry.

78. Explore new ideas.

79. Be more effective with your talents.

80. Slow down when necessary.

81. Pursue your goals each.

82. Make a list of tasks to get done.

83. Live with honor.

84. Feed your inspiration.

85. Avoid the crowd.

86. Stop being passive aggressive.

87. Find answers to your questions.

88. Be accountable.

89. Work on your biggest weakness.

90. Replace “No” with “No thanks.”

91. Let someone else get the attention.

92. Listen with your eyes.

93. Say what’s on your mind.

94. Defend your friends.

95. Shake off the straws before they break your back.

96. Offer encouragement.

97. Meditate on your goals.

98. Don’t do anything halfway.

99. Do good things for the right reasons.

100. Get help for your head.

101. Demand brutal analysis of your actions.

102. Put in the effort you expect of others.

103. Share a good example.

104. Offer to buy dinner or dessert.

105. Decide to learn from everyone.

106. Make a big deal of small wins.

107. Let life happen around you.

108. Have a big vision for those around you.

109. Enjoy others’ success.

110. Inspire others quietly.

111. Deliberately invest in healing.

112. Welcome diverse perspectives.

113. Don’t go to bed angry.

114. Anticipate the success of others.

115. Value your own time.

116. Ask others to “pay it forward.”

117. Write a kind note.

118. Offer to help for free.

119. Have a plan.

120. Overlook immaturity.

121. Care less about being right.

122. Schedule time to invest in others.

123. Give away your best idea.

124. Stop being offended so easily.

125. Remember the good times.

126. Decide that caring is more important than winning.

Want to be a mega-earner in network marketing? You’ll need these three qualities: Leadership, Innovation, and Commitment.

Network Marketing rewards its leaders handsomely. The leaders are the ones who are willing to hold conference calls, offer their homes for meetings, or become corporate trainers. Leaders help and teach others how to be successful (regardless if they are downline, crossline, or in another opportunity).

Leaders will always have a home in this industry, because every single company CEO, and every top producer, wants a leader in their organization.

Network Marketing rewards innovators handsomely. I remember when Dale Maloney (a leader in this industry for over 20 years) scared up a few dollars to buy a mailing list, some stamps, envelopes, and paper to send out some sales letters to recruit others into his opportunity.

I remember the first national ads in the newspaper USA Today, the first toll-free recorded information lines, mailing audio tapes (even before Dead Doctors Don’t Lie), email marketing, and flash presentation lead capture websites. The innovators who used these marketing breakthroughs made small fortunes.

The next innovation is just waiting to be brought to the market. History has shown that if you are innovative, you will be richly rewarded.

Network Marketing rewards commitment handsomely. If you plan on giving up after hearing no a couple of times, or if you feel you’re done recruiting after you get your first couple of people in (like the average person), then quit now. The average person in this industry does not make money — they lose money. Why? They are not committed to being successful. They are not willing to do whatever it takes. And being committed to doing whatever it takes is what is necessary to be successful in this industry.

There is no such thing as “Fast Money” in network marketing. Have you heard any of these? “No cold calling.” “No selling.” “Work a couple hours a week..” “Retire in two to three years.” All Lies!

Lifetime residual income is not built over a few months. It takes years to build a retirement income. Hard work. Polished selling skills. Consistency. Persistence. You must be committed to these basic values to achieve success.

So pick your poison, or embrace all three. The qualities of leadership, innovation, and commitment are paramount to your success in network marketing and life.

Whether you are using online MLM strategies, or you are building your MLM business completely offline, the most important part of your business is people. It is not enough to just be aware of the four personality types, but to understand them fully.

Many people think because they use online MLM marketing strategies that they do not have to talk to people. However, understanding the four personality types is vital to your success, because after you generate targeted leads, you still need to communicate with them.

I have read many books and studied many courses on the subject of the four personality types, but the simplest explanation of how it is applicable to network marketing can be found in Jerry Clark’s course,  The Magic of Colors . I will base this article off of that audio collection.

The Magic of Colors describes the four personality types using colors. I have also heard some network marketing training that teaches this concept using animals that relate to the personalities. For visual purposes, I will use colored sea animals.

You have the Red Sharks, Blue Dolphins, Yellow Whales, and the Green Urchins.

We all have a little bit of each the four personality types in us, but one is our dominant way of being. When you hear these descriptions, you may say something like “That sounds like me, except for that part.”

This is normal because it is rare that a person fits a description completely, but one of the four personality types will describe you more accurately than the others. That color is your dominant personality. The second closest match is your secondary color.

You might have such an even mix that you may be confused as to which is your dominant color, and which is your secondary. On the other hand, some people are so extreme that you know their personality type beyond a shadow of a doubt.

A  Brief Description of the Four Personality Types

1.       Red Sharks- These people are direct with their communication and closed about their relationships.  A general description of a Red Shark can be summed up as money-motivated. Some of their natural strengths are self-confidence, ambition, and leadership potential. Some natural weaknesses are impatience, arrogance, and rudeness.

2.       Blue Dolphins- These people are direct with their communication, and they are open with their relationships. One word to describe a Blue Dolphin is fun. They are motivated by having a good time. Some of their natural strengths include being outgoing, motivation skills, and the ability to tell a good story. Some natural weakness include being unorganized, unreliable, and whimsical.

3.       Yellow Whales- Yellow Whales are generally indirect with their communication, and open with their relationships. They can be characterized by their desire to help others. Some of their natural strengths are being dependable, patient, and good listeners. Some natural weaknesses are lack of assertiveness, being easily taken advantage of by others, and lack of self confidence.

4.       Green Urchins- Green Urchins are indirect, and closed. They have a strong need to know, and to be right. One word used to describe Green Urchins is factual. Some of their natural strengths are being very organized, great planning skills, and usually being very neat and detail oriented. Some natural weaknesses are procrastination, being critical of others, and struggling with depression and insecurity.

It is worth the time it takes to learn and understand the four personality types, because it will lead to more harmonious relationships and better productivity in both your personal and business life.

The greatest presentation in the world is to no avail if you are not able to get a prospecting/recruitment appointment. Unfortunately, the least taught skill in network marketing or MLM is the ability to set up a prospecting or recruiting appointment.

When you cannot get someone to listen to your presentation, your chances for success in your home-based business are not good.

All it takes is a little proper training and practice. You can power recruit just like the pros, then watch your income soar.

There is an easy and a hard way to go about this. If you are like me, you want the easiest way and one that works.

You can get most people to attend a network business meeting, listen in on a conference call or meet in person with this approach. All you need is a little practice, experience and knowledge of the magic words.

First, start every day by inviting someone to something. Then be brief, be casual, be specific and be enthusiastic!

If someone says no, ask for a referral and move on to someone else. Since people do change their minds, put the prospect in your tickler file and call back in a couple of months.

Here are the magical, proven words necessary to get a YES to your invite:

1. I know you are planning to purchase ______. This week the featured speaker at my (business breakfast, business meeting) is an expert on the subject. Can you come with me to hear the speaker? It may help you make the right buying decision.

2. I know you have been looking for information and options to help you solve (or find) ______. I am going to a business meeting tonight with someone who might be able to help you with that. Are you interested in joining me?

3. My evening business meetings often make me think about you. You would enjoy meeting and knowing several of our members and learning about their skills. If you join me for the meeting this week, I will introduce you!

4. I am looking for a guest to take to my business breakfast (or business dinner meeting or noon business luncheon). It is less than two hours; there will be two interesting presentations, and a whole room full of business associates for you to network. Can you join me?

5. I am having lunch (breakfast, dinner) with a group of people who helped me grow my business by more than ______ percent last year. I will bet you could benefit by meeting some of them. Are you available on _______?

6. I know you are a people person that enjoys meeting and networking with people. Would you like to join me and meet a room full of new business contacts? It will be an interesting meeting and a bunch of great professionals will be there. When should I pick you up?

The most important thing you can do is invite successfully. The second is to teach inviting to your downline. Pick one or two of these magical invites out and master them.

You can have a horrible presentation and still succeed in network marketing when you can invite successfully. You can always get your upline to do the presentation when you are not that good at it.

It does no good to give out information packages if no one listens to your CD or reads your materials. It is truly discouraging if no one listens in to your conference calls or attends your meetings either.

The key, therefore, is learning to invite successfully. That is the message. Learn to invite and teach your new recruits the same techniques. These techniques work. However, only you can make them work for you.