I have always been amused by the kinds of excuses that block many folks from the income they could create in MLM network marketing.

When excuses are holding you back in your opportunity, there are actually two things you can do...walk away from the business or quit using the excuse. Assuming you have a big "why" for being in your MLM opportunity, and it is something your are committed to long-term, it just makes sense to clearly identify any excuse that's in the way of your success and find a way to get past it.

Although I have heard probably hundreds of excuses being used to cover a lack of success in MLM network marketing during my career, all of the excuses revolve around a few common ideas. These are the most frequent excuses networkers fall back on and how to overcome each of them.

Time. Networkers complain they can't find adequate time, their local time makes the business difficult, or their work schedule interfereres. The challenge is not the lack of time, it's lack of direction. Remember that network marketing is a business. You need to have a set work schedule, whether you are working 10 hours a week or 25. The only time in our business that is well-spent is used for exposing new prospects to the opportunity, following up with them, and enrolling and teaching them to duplicate the process. Stop wasting time on other tasks.

Prospects. The excuses networkers use include not being able to talk to people they know about the business, not knowing enough people, getting poor quality leads, or not being good at sales. The reason for lack of growth in MLM network marketing is not having a steady flow of quality prospect looking at your business daily. There are a variety of methods to generate top quality prospects, both on the Internet and offline. Every networking company and team provides training on prospecting. Learn it.

Sponsor. Most used excuses are that a sponsor left the business, the sponsor isn't as skilled as he or she said, or that there are no leaders in a local area. Take it upon yourself to learn what you need to know. Become a leader. Many very successful networkers were orphaned years ago. Contact your up-line for assistance. Go cross-line for help. Something I have always loved about networking is the readiness to help others. Ask for help.

Downline. The usual excuse is that the downline is lazy. Face it, some people will quit, many never get started, some won't even answer your emails. Any time a business partner tries to use any of these excuses, my answer is always the same...go out and sign up more new business partners and help them win. Focus on the winners on your team. Do not waste time or worry about the losers.

Economy. This is probably the poorest excuse of all. Fact is, the recent recession has actually been good for interest in network marketing. More top-quality people than ever are searching for another source of income. I love the fact that it offers a chance to recruit up to better prospects, and that nothing will grow your business faster than recruiting up.

If you are not having the success you were hoping for in MLM, take an honest, objective look at yourself. When excuses are holding you back, identify them and take the necessary action to overcome them. Don't let excuses block your income in MLM network marketing.