Any successful network marketer will tell you that you must set aside a portion of your business' budget every month for personal development. That includes books, CDs, conferences and also casual dinners with leaders and mentors. What is the purpose of all this stuff? It is continuing education. A CPA or a doctor or a teacher is required to earn a certain number of continuing education credits each year to renew their license. If network marketers want to be viewed as professionals, shouldn't we do the same? If you want generate the type of "walk-away" income that the leaders have, you too need to continually invest in your people skills, mindset and posture.

As part of my continuing education, I was given Jordan Adler's book Beach Money by one of my mentors. Who can resist the cover image of Jordan reclining on the beach with his laptop unfurled? I'd like to summarize for you the key teachings that I took away from the book. While this is no substitute for reading it yourself, it will paint a picture of Jordan Adler's life and key success principles. After you read it for yourself, share it with your downline.

Most Thought Provoking Ideas in Beach Money

1.The Road to Success Has Many Potholes.

From Beach Money: Jordan Adler failed or quit at 11 network marketing companies before becoming a legend in his current company.

What I took away: Success was always inside of him. Success requires resolve and dedication. The skills of network marketing take time to acquire and master. Perserverance is the only way to acquire those skills. After all, most entrepreneurs in 'traditional' business fail the first time. Nine out of 10 start-ups fail. Most venture capitalists won't even fund an entrepreneur that doesn't have a few potholes behind them. Facing, learning from, and moving past adversity is a crucial trait in a leader.

2.Network Marketing is an Investment.

From Beach Money: If your life is yardstick, the time you spend building your network marketing business is only a few inches.

What I took away: This comment made me thing about a single day in my life. The time I devote to reading, listening to CDs, and talking to leaders in my lifetime is very much like the time I spend reading with my kids in any given day. It is a small percent of my full day, but it will have a lifelong impact and no one can ever take it away from me (or them). Education is always an investment (not a cost). Stop looking at the cost of that book, cost of that conference, cost of that training package and start thinking about how rapidly you can apply what you will learn to get the best return on your investment.

3.Don't Just Build a List; Nurture Your List

From Beach Money: With some basic math, Jordan shows you that each business card in your rolodex is worth $100 - if you treasure it in that way. Your success it determined by two things…the size of your rolodex and the strength of your relationships with people in that rolodex.

What I took away: My husband summarizes this point exceptionally well. He says, "It's not about WHAT you know and it's not about WHO you know. Instead, it's about WHAT you know ABOUT WHO you know." So true. Just knowing people is not enough. You have to know ABOUT them - their hobbies, motivation, dreams. If you've ever needed to ask for a favor and thought to yourself, "I can't call that person because…", then you don't have a two-way relationship with that person.

4.Go DO Something…Then Do It Better Next Time

From Beach Money: Jordan's tip #9 is "Act and Adjust; Don't Analyze."

What I took away: My education and early training is in the physical sciences where logic, analysis and precision are heavily prized. Remember measure twice, cut once? It is essential that network marketers with this tendency become self aware about it. When you do something new will it be perfect the first time? No. Perfection is not the goal. The goal is to constantly be improving. Without a first action, there is nothing to improve upon.

5.Be Grateful for the Pessimism from Friends and Family

From Beach Money: Jordan colorfully relates a Thanksgiving dinner that ended abruptly after a shouting match with his Father about his latest network marketing company.

What I took away: Family and friends mean well. They are trying to shield you and in the process don't realize the damage they may do. I'm a parent. If my sons were involved in something I thought was shady, dishonest or a waste of time, I would try to steer them away from it. It is human nature. It is also human nature that the more they persisted that more I would try to counter. Parents flock and hover to safeguard their young. So, the next time someone in your direct family criticizes your choice to pursue network marketing, look at it through a changed lens. See these comments as an expression of love. The best way to love then back is simply to express gratitude for their concern. Try something simple like, "Thanks Mom, you are always looking out for me."