I read an informative article on the importance of staying healthy on your journey to wealth and wisdom.  What would a billionaire give for even one more week at the end of his life to say goodbye to loved ones?   At John Rockefeller’s funeral someone asked how much money did John leave behind?  The answer given was he left it all behind.  We too will leave all of our possessions behind.  Without getting into the spiritual things of value which I will save for a later post – let’s review the things of value in your earthly world.  Some of the major things of value that improve your quality of life are relationships, health, wealth, and wisdom.   If we look at this list we quickly realize that when we mess up our health, we hurt all of the others.  Without health, it is hard to build relationships because you are hurting and cannot serve.  Without health, wealth becomes meaningless.  Even wisdom is affected because pain and sickness hurt the ability to reason and learn clearly.  

Just as Stephen Covey teaches we need to put first things first.  Don’t wait until you have a stroke, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, or a heart attack to start taking care of yourself.  I love the MonaVie business because my goal has always been to enhance a person’s quality of life.  I can do this by merchandising a healthy product: teaching people how to build the MonaVie business and enjoy the best compensation plan in the business: providing training in the areas of leadership, relationships, and finances to improve a person’s wisdom.  I have never been happier in business because I feel I am able to help others accomplish these key goals faster than I ever did.  Here is the article and several links on why the MonaVie product is the best preventative maintenance plan for your health.  Like the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Do you care enough about your friends to help them be Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise?  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

For the following links - Type in Google for the referrer site to see videos

MonaVie

MonaVie Product

MonaVie Anti-Oxidant Qualities

Without Health, There is No Wealth

By Yap Ming Hui

SINCE young, we are taught by our elders that "health is wealth".

This article, explores the role of health factor in wealth management and how our health affects our financial position.

Since the rising cost of medical care is a concern for everyone, we will look into the financial impact of ill health.

Many wealth management books talk about maintaining good health in retirement years in order to live life to the fullest. I cannot agree more with that. However, in my opinion, the relationship of good health and effective wealth management goes back much earlier than that.

The importance of good health starts when someone is still studying in school. Good health keeps the mind alert and fresh which helps you to concentrate more on learning.

Comparatively, someone who does not have good health will always have various pains as well as complaints of lethargy. This will affect his learning. Even though both persons may graduate with the same degree, a healthier person is definitely more employable.

The relationship between wellness and your personal finance is even more obvious when you start working after college.

When you are in good health, your mind is alert and your body is fresh and strong. You feel more energetic and upbeat physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You address the problems and challenges more positively and effectively. You would require less medical leave.

A sound mind and strong body will help you to perform your job well. When you perform your job well, you not only keep the job, but you also enhance your chances of getting promoted - all of which supply the income for your wealth management.

However, when you do not have good health, your mind lacks the alertness you need to be at your best all day, every day. Same thing happens to your body. When you are out of shape, your body lacks the stamina you need to be in your top form. This will directly affect your job performance.

When you are not able to perform the job well, you not only decrease your chances of promotion and increment, but you may also have difficulty in keeping your job. When that happens, the impact on your personal finance is direct and obvious.

Down the road, your bad health lifestyle may lead to critical illness such as heart disease, stroke or cancer if it goes out of control. The treatment of critical illness could easily eat away your financial reserves or even wipe them out.

In addition, you would also suffer the loss of income for not being able to work during the treatment and recovery period. When that happens, your financial position would definitely be affected. The consequence is that you are forced to adjust or postpone the attainment of your financial goals and dreams.

Even if you can afford all those expenses and income loss, wealth without health carries no value and meaning.

When you are bedridden or housebound, it is difficult, if not impossible, to pursue your dreams. Without good health, you would lack the energy and vitality for an active and fully engaged life.

You only get to fully optimise the value of your wealth when you are physically fit and mentally fresh. "Health is wealth. Without health, there is no wealth."

Even though you are blessed with good health now, you must not take it for granted. You may need to take some action to keep yourself fit. Your good health today does not guarantee you will still be in good shape tomorrow.

I have a client who was a sportsman when he was in school and college. He is always proud to show me his sport achievements. However, he did not continue to keep himself in good health. He skipped his exercises and was under tremendous stress as the business grew.

The last time I visited him, he told me that he had failed the stress test for his heart. The cardiologist told him that he had a minor heart attack that went unnoticed. The doctor put him on medication and warned him not to do excessive work.

Therefore, it is important to realise that our health could change in an instant. We must never take wellness for granted. It is an ongoing commitment, a never-ending series of moment-by-moment healthy lifestyle choices.

The message is clear. Poor health cost you good money, earned and unearned, now and in the future.

Practising healthy lifestyle to keep your body fit is definitely one of the best wealth management practices.

By taking charge of our health today, we can proactively steer clear of the unhealthy lifestyle that guarantees a reduction in quality of life and erosion of wealth.

In our journey to pursue wealth for financial freedom, we must never exchange it with our health. Always remember to watch your stress level and do exercises more regularly.

* Yap Ming Hui is the managing director of Whitman Independent Advisors Sdn Bhd, the first multi-client family office in Malaysia

Learning is critical to your success and is a lifetime activity.  This is why I spend so much time teaching others how to learn.  When a person learns how to learn - their only limit to their success is their hunger to keep learning.  Here are my favorite quotes on learning.

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards. - Vernon Saunders Law

If you take things for granted heres somethings to ponder about...

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare, even in the United States and Canada.

If you can read this webpage, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Take nothing for granted. - Unknown

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. – Unknown

Three lessons that will make you think about the way you treat others...

First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello".

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11.30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.

Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.

I was notified that the above story about Mrs. Nat King Cole is an urban legend and did not happen.  I have kept the story in for the principles taught and to notify everyone who has previously read this story that it is an urban legend.  Thank you, Orrin

Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 -year-old boy entered a hotel

coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

"Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins.

"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. there, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies.. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip. - Author Unknown

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. – Mark Twain

I've Learned....

I've learned - That our background and circumstances

may have influenced who we are,

but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned - That sometimes when my friends fight,

I'm forced to choose sides

even when I don't want to.

I've learned - That just because two people argue,

it doesn't mean they don't love each other

And just because they don't argue,

it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned - That sometimes you have to put

the individual ahead of their actions.

I've learned - That we don't have to change friends

if we understand that friends change.

I've learned - That you shouldn't be so

eager to find out a secret.

It could change your life forever.

I've learned - That two people can look

at the exact same thing

and see something totally different.

I've learned - That no matter how you try to protect

your children, they will eventually get hurt

and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned - That there are many ways of falling

and staying in love.

I've learned - That no matter the consequences,

those who are honest with themselves

get farther in life.

I've learned - That no matter how many friends

you have, if you are their pillar

you will feel lonely and lost

at the times you need them most.

I've learned - That your life can be changed

in a matter of hours

by people who don't even know you.

I've learned - That even when you think

you have no more to give,

when a friend cries out to you,

you will find the strength to help.

I've learned - That writing, as well as talking,

can ease emotional pains.

I've learned - That the paradigm we live in

is not all that is offered to us.

I've learned - That credentials on the wall

do not make you a decent human being.

I've learned - That the people you care most about in life

are taken from you too soon.

I've learned - That although the word "love"

can have many different meanings,

it loses value when overly used.

I've learned - That it's hard to determine

where to draw the line

between being nice and

not hurting people's feelings

and standing up for what you believe. - Author Unknown

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he has already learned. - Anonymous

I sure am enjoying my new business venture with MonaVie!  It is very rare to capture all three aspects of business success in one enterprise: Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.  Let’s take a look at all three.

1. Healthy – How many of us are not eating the right amount of fruits in our diet?  Creating the habit of drinking MonaVie daily is the best preventative method to ensure people are getting the right amount of anti-oxidants.  I am blown away by the number of testimonials from using the MonaVie product.  Do you have a testimonial on how MonaVie has helped you?

2. Wealthy – I have never seen the amount of new people receiving $50, $100, $200 and even $300 and up their first week.  MonaVie has fixed the first circle and allows the new person to progress quickly and get a return on investment in weeks.  That is what we are in business for right?  It shouldn’t take years to make money in your own business.  Dallin Larsen developed the MonaVie Compensation to help people make money and to develop confidence in their new business.  How are your weekly bonuses coming in MonaVie?  I love the Star program, because it is a quick way to qualify for income and the building block of a huge team!

Update: MonaVie has released their new Income Disclosure Statement and it is better than the numbers I quoted!  Read the IDS at MonaVie!  I love a company who under promises and over delivers on a consistent basis.

3. Wise – All the health and wealth in the world will ultimately have no significance if it is not backed up by wisdom.  Wisdom is applying God’s principles to life and my whole focus is to add depth to a person’s life by teaching success and life’s principles.  What other business can you enjoy all three results and build teams of people that will be your friends for life?  I listen to CD’s and read books daily to enhance my ability to lead people.  Are you developing wisdom along with your health and wealth? 

I have personally seen people’s weekly checks be more than they have ever made in a month in other MLM’s.  By my count it looks like there will be 12 or more people qualify for Black Diamond in the next month.  That is an average yearly income of $1.353 million from the MonaVie plan!  That is more than twice the MLM compensation income that any of these leaders have ever been paid before in a year.  This does not include the hundreds of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Ruby’s that are achieving incomes never obtained before.   If you are in MonaVie, please share your success story.  Life is too short to play small.  Leaders have the courage to get their boats out of the safe harbors and into the oceans of success!  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

Several months back I did a post on the power of Six Degrees of Separation.  The concept meant that through any six people everyone knows everyone else in the world.  I put the concept to the test by challenging our blog readers to send an email about this blog to as many other people as possible.  The blog readers responded enthusiastically and blog hits increased exponentially.  This week is the first week that the blog is rated in the top 10, not for a day but as its blog rank period.  This means that out of the thousands of blogs that Ice Rocket tracks that our leadership blog is one of the top 10 blogs.  I figured if we could go from not in the top 100 to in the top 10 then why not go for number 1?  Blog readers out there are you paying attention?  Let’s see if by email, word of mouth, or any other reasonable means possible, we can boost our reader audience to breakthrough into the top 5 and on our way to the top ranking!  I am absolutely convinced that this leadership community reading this blog can do anything.  Here is the chart tracking our progress and below the chart is a list of the countries visiting our site monthly.  Wow!  I don’t even know some of these countries and certainly do not know anyone from many of these countries, but obviously the readers did.  Great job and I will keep you updated.  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Bahamas, South Africa, India, Haiti, Norway, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, Philippines, Thailand,   New Zealand, Netherlands, France, Malaysia, Brazil, Japan, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Romania, Belgium, Korea, Aruba, Hungary, Ecuador, Turkey, Denmark, Portugal, Argentina, Israel, Egypt, Kenya, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Panama, Pakistan, Austria, Kuwait, Iran, Croatia, Jamaica, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Colombia, Bulgaria, Guatemala, Peru, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Dominican Republic, Slovakia, Ghana, Virgin Islands, U.S., Fiji, Lithuania, Taiwan, Latvia, Barbados, Estonia, El Salvador, Oman, Chile, Guam, Costa Rica, Qatar, Venezuela, Iceland, Bangladesh, Tunisia, Jordan, Cote D'Ivoire, Congo,  Morocco, Moldova, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ukraine, Iraq, Guadeloupe, Georgia, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Namibia, Grenada, Slovenia, Monaco, Bhutan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Saint Lucia, Albania, Honduras, Cyprus, Macedonia, Europe, Bahrain,  Nicaragua, Mauritius, Serbia, Senegal, Algeria, Nepal, Bolivia, Malta, Belarus, Bermuda, Dominica, Seychelles, Maldives, Netherlands Antilles, Burundi, Afghanistan, Palestinian Territory, Virgin Islands, British, Cambodia, Zambia, Yemen, Myanmar, Libyan Arab, Jamahiriya, Martinique, Guyana, Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Macau, Anguilla 

Here is a true inspirational story by Jaye Lewis that describes the power for good that teachers/mentors have in a person’s life.  If you are in a leadership role, then you have the platform to make a difference in others lives.  Are you using your leadership to pour belief and love into others?   Many people think leaders do the most work, but I would say leaders do the most for others so they can do their own work.  Your leadership results will be directly proportional to the deposits you make into others lives.  A leader cannot be hid because they are surrounded by others leaders developed by those deposits.  As a leader, focus more on helping people see the greatness in them rather than your own greatness.  Remember, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."  This will make all the difference!   I hope you enjoy this true story.  God Bless, Orrin Woodward  

Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was about to be lost forever, by the U.S. education system. Remarkably, he could read, yet, in spite of his reading skills, Steve was failing. He had been failing since first grade, as he was passed on from grade to grade. Steve was a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a twelve year old, yet, Steve went unnoticed... until Miss White.

Miss White was a smiling, young, beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love! For the first time in his young life, he couldn't take his eyes off his teacher; yet, still he failed. He never did his homework, and he was always in trouble with Miss White. His heart would break under her sharp words, and when he was punished for failing to turn in his homework, he felt just miserable! Still, he did not study.

In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire seventh grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and continued to dream of other things, as the day wore on. His heart was not in school, but in the woods, where he often escaped alone, trying to shut out the sights, sounds and smells of his alcoholic home. No one checked on him to see if he was safe. No one knew he was gone, because no one was sober enough to care. Oddly, Steve never missed a day of school.

One day, Miss White's impatient voice broke into his daydreams.

"Steve!!" Startled, he turned to look at her.

"Pay attention!"

Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent adoration, as she began to go over the test results for the seventh grade.

"You all did pretty well," she told the class, "except for one boy, and it breaks my heart to tell you this, but..." She hesitated, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp stare, her eyes searching his face.

"...The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class!"

She just stared at Steve, as the class spun around for a good look. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.

After that, it was war!! Steve still wouldn't do his homework. Even as the punishments became more severe, he remained stubborn.

"Just try it! ONE WEEK!" He was unmoved.

"You're smart enough! You'll see a change!" Nothing fazed him.

"Give yourself a chance! Don't give up on your life!" Nothing.

"Steve! Please! I care about you!"

Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it!! Someone cared about him? Someone, totally unattainable and perfect, CARED ABOUT HIM??!!"

Steve went home from school, thoughtful, that afternoon. Walking into the house, he took one look around. Both parents were passed out, in various stages of undress, and the stench was overpowering! He, quickly, gathered up his camping gear, a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time...his schoolbooks. Grim faced and determined, he headed for the woods.

The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles! God, she was beautiful! He yearned for her smile to turn on him. It did not.

Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test, and was the first to hand inhis paper. With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart pounding within his chest. As he sat down, he couldn't resist another look at the lovely woman.

Miss White's face was in total shock! She glanced up at Steve, then down, then up. Suddenly, her face broke into a radiant smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just passed his first test!

From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not only could he learn, but he was good at it! He discovered that he could understand and retain knowledge, and that he could translate the things he learned into his own life. Steve began to excel! And he continued this course throughout his school life.

After high-school Steve enlisted in the Navy, and he had a successful military career. During that time, he met the love of his life, he raised a family, and he graduated from college Magna Cum Laude. During his Naval career, he inspired many young people, who without him, might not have believed in themselves. Steve began a second career after the Navy, and he continues to inspire others, as an adjunct professor in a nearby college

Miss White left a great legacy. She saved one boy who has changed many lives. I know, because I am the love of his life.

You see, it's simple, really. A change took place within the heart of one boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.

Here is a super message by Wil Pounds for this Sunday on the deception of sin in a person’s life.  Sin is like a consuming fire and the closer you get, the more you will get burned.  Leadership begins with character & integrity.  Sin warps the character and personality thus destroying the ability to influence.  This only describes the worldly effects of sin and not the separation from God that has eternal consequences also.  Read this article carefully and ask yourself where you are missing the mark.  Turn to Jesus Christ and repent of your sins.  Today is the day the Lord has made - let us live a life honoring to the One who created us.  Paul in Roman’s said, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of the God.”  A Christian is just someone who has been humbled enough to admit the obvious - We are sinners in need of redemption from our sins through God's grace.  Enjoy the article and spend the time to think through your life.  Self awareness is an essential part of life’s journey.

The fascination of the forbidden is the greatest lure of sin.

The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 7:11 that sin deceives the sinner. The end result of course is death.

Sin deceives in such a way that it causes the sinner to completely lose the way. It gives a false impression, whether by appearance, statement or influence that everything is ok. No one ever receives the full satisfaction that the lure of sin promises.

Sin tricks us into thinking that so long as we have not sinned outwardly and visibly everything is right between us and God. The Word of God informs us differently because God discerns the thoughts, attitudes and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12-13). Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9). Our thoughts and attitudes are radically depraved and these lead us to sinful behaviors.

Sin deceives us into thinking that there is no reason for our guilt. Get ride of the "ought," should" and "must" in your life. Our sins are really not that bad, after all everyone is doing it. Besides there are other people doing a lot worse things than we are. Sin deceives us as to the deceitfulness of sin.

One of the greatest deceptions is that sin deceives us into thinking that God is unreasonable. It is impossible for sinful man to live a pure and holy life, therefore God is unjust, not man. If God really loved us and wanted what is best for us He would let us do whatever we think would make us happy. If it feels good, it must be ok is a deception of sin.

Sin deceives the sinner into thinking the holiness of God is unattractive. It deceives by getting people to think holiness is unpopular, unacceptable, odd, etc. Holiness is not a popular topic in today's society, even in church circles.

Sin's biggest deception is the idea that there is no penalty for sinning.  Sin deceives the sinner to believe Satan’s lie, “You will not die” (Gen. 3:4). Sin always calls God a liar. The truth is, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “The soul that sins will surely die” (Ezek. 18:4). 

The Law of God reveals the fact that we are sinners, and that we can never save ourselves. The apostle Paul confessed, “I would not have known what sin was except through the law” (Rom. 7:7). We are reminded over and over again, “There is no one who does good, not even one.” “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Anyone who thinks otherwise is in bondage to the deceitfulness of sin.

Sin deceives us into thinking the law is really the problem and keeps us from becoming what we want to be, and fulfilling what we believe is essential to make us self-actualized men and women. 

The Law points its finger and says, “You are the one. You are guilty before God.” Yes, we are guilty because we are guilty. It is true guilt. It declares that we have sinned against God, and broken His laws.

Sin seizes every opportunity to deceive man and creates a powerful rebellion in our hearts. Because the law says “no,” sin puts forth every effort to go ahead and do it. The Law proves to us just how rebellious our hearts are and how strong sin is in us.

Is the Law sin? Give me a break! “The law is holy, and the commandment of God is holy, righteous and good” (Rom. 7:12). The law proves to us that sin deceives us into thinking the law can save us, or that we are self-sufficient, and very religious. The law could never save anyone. No one has ever been saved by law keeping. The law condemns us in order to point us to God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ.

The law awakens us to our sinfulness and points us to the Savior, Jesus Christ. But sin deceives us into misusing salvation by grace through faith. Sin can get such a hold on us that we have no desire to live a life pleasing to God. Sin says, "Go ahead and sin it up so that grace may increase." Sin deceives by abusing the teaching of grace.

There is only one way to be delivered from the deception of sin, the penalty and power of sin, and that is by the atoning death of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25, NASB 1995). The deliverer is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Selah!

Here is a fantastic article by leadership guru Warren Bennis.  Many leaders on the Team display these qualities and characteristics.  In order to have a learning organization, the top leaders must model: dedication to the cause, magnanimity in success and failure, humility to admit you do not have all the answers, openness to hear different opinions, and creativity to develop new techniques without losing the core principles.  I would have to give the Team leaders high marks on these leadership qualities.  My goal has never been to just talk about leadership, but to lead.  I can write books all day long, but I have the most enjoyment helping someone else develop the abilities to lead and the belief in themselves that they can lead.  The two greatest commandments from God can be summed up as - Love God with all my heart and soul and Love others as yourself.  When we get our own heart right with God then the next most important thing is to serve others and teach everything we have learned.  I love my life because I spend it learning, growing and sharing.   I can mentor people when they have a specific business they are attempting to build and we can confront reality and change what needs to be changed.  I cannot mentor someone who is not pursuing a specific goal with a hunger to achieve it.  Are you leading a team or merely talking about leadership?  There is a MAJOR difference!  Here is the article and please share how you are doing on developing these qualities.  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

Integrity means alignment of words and actions with inner values. It means sticking to these values even when an alternative path may be easier or more advantageous.

A leader with integrity can be trusted and will be admired for sticking to strong values. They also act as a powerful model for people to copy, thus building an entire organization with powerful and effective cultural values.

Dedication

Dedication means spending whatever time and energy on a task is required to get the job done, rather than giving it whatever time you have available.

The work of most leadership positions is not something to do ‘if time’. It means giving your whole self to the task, dedicating yourself to success and to leading others with you.

Magnanimity

A magnanimous person gives credit where it is due. It also means being gracious in defeat and allowing others who are defeated to retain their dignity.

Magnanimity in leadership includes crediting the people with success and accepting personal responsibility for failures.

Humility

Humility is the opposite of arrogance and narcissism. It means recognizing that you are not inherently superior to others and consequently that they are not inferior to you. It does not mean diminishing yourself, nor does it mean exalting yourself.

Humble leaders do not debase themselves, neither falsely nor due to low self-esteem. They simply recognize all people as equal in value and know that their position does not make them a god.

Openness

Openness means being able to listen to ideas that are outside one’s current mental models, being able to suspend judgement until after one has heard someone else’s ideas.

An open leader listens to their people without trying to shut them down early, which at least demonstrates care and builds trust. Openness also treats other ideas as potentially better than one’s own ideas. In the uncertain world of new territory, being able to openly consider alternatives is an important skill.

Creativity

Creativity means thinking differently, being able to get outside the box and take a new and different viewpoint on things.

For a leader to be able to see a new future towards which they will lead their followers, creativity provides the ability to think differently and see things that others have not seen, and thus giving reason for followers to follow.

“Discretion is the enemy of Duplication” – Michael Gerber

I have been studying the MonaVie Office and am blown away by the reports you can access at your fingertips.  I strongly believe in the principle of, “Manage numbers and lead people.”  You must study numbers to ensure your Plan, Do, Check and Adjust cycle is on track.  Based upon the first of many PDCA’s on my MonaVie business I have some thoughts to help duplication.

1. I highly recommend the 200 point auto-ship.  First, it qualifies the distributor for the maximum First Order Bonuses.  Second, it is the easiest way to ensure getting the product since it is automatic and you don’t have to remember to order.  Why would someone sign up and not plan on using the product.  To be a team, everyone must play a part in helping the overall team win.  Leaders are driving around the country signing people up into the new person’s group.  They are investing their time, money, and business into the new person’s business and certainly have a right to ask the new person to contribute to the success of their own business also.  Buying from your own business and sharing with your friends and family will help create new distributors and customers.  The benchmark organizations on our MonaVie Team have over 85% of their total group on auto-ship.  Some of our other groups are as low as 40% on auto-ship.  How does your group compare with the benchmark?  I will recognize the top performing groups in this category in a future post.

2. The group has grown over 10% in the last 5 days which is over 2% per day!  I have never experienced growth like this in my entire 15 years in the MLM industry and this is before we have MonaVie specific tools to teach and duplicate with!  I am more thankful everyday that I met Dallin Larsen and joined MonaVie.  How does your growth compare with the benchmarks?  I will recognize the top performing groups in this category in a future post.

3. Our goal is to have MonaVie specific tools in the next 30 days.  I said I had a big surprise announcement and I will share a little teaser today.  We are rolling out a bundled pack of MonaVie specific tools and will reduce the cost by 33% for the MV specific training and increase the duplication exponentially.  MonaVie rewards so lucratively in their pay plan that the MonaVie Executive Policy Council thought it was time to start the virtuous cycle we have been talking about.  Lower prices leads to a better education of the new person on business building techniques and principles.  This leads to faster growth in the MonaVie business which leads to higher incomes for the new people faster.  The MonaVie Team EPC was unanimous in creating a bundled monthly pack and lowering the cost.  More details to follow, but our long-term goal of affecting the lives of millions of people in a positive direction is closer than ever!  Let the Virtuous Cycle begin.  With the MonaVie specific tools priced at 33% below the previous levels, I believe we can achieve close to 100% activation on the bundled CDOW pack.  We have the right business, the right training, the right teams, the right leaders, at the right time!

I will have more thoughts over the next few weeks, but these are some factors to focus on in building the MonaVie Team business to 1 million people!  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

Here are some common questions and answers for people who wish to know more of my thinking.  Laurie and I are experiencing great success in the MonaVie business as it is growing over 1% per day.  At this rate our MonaVie organization will increase over 450% in the next year.  Life is good and getting better!  I have some surprise announcements coming up that will really get the MonaVie Team excited!  Here are the questions and answers. 

1. Why did you leave Quixtar?

I left Quixtar because they would not change their broken (in my opinion) business model.  My original letter to Doug Devos was written in the fall of 2005 and spelled out the issues clearly.  I had been working with Billy Florence and Don Wilson since 2004 to drive change in the Quixtar business to no avail.  It does not take 3 plus years to lower prices, put more income into the plan, and address and fix the business discussed negatively online.  The ability for the new person to achieve success in Quixtar was deplorable in my opinion.  My letter to Doug Devos clearly explains that over 600,000 people who speak English as a first language signed up into Quixtar in 1999 and 2000.  Out of these 600,000 IBO’s (misnomer?) only six achieved Founders Emerald or above by the end of 2004.  This is 4 to 5 years and only 1 out of 100,000 achieved $87,000 annual income from the plan with both the husband and wife working exhaustively.  Out of those six who achieved Founders Emerald by 2005, five were on the Team – Tim Marks (Founders Diamond), Doug Stroh, Mike Foos, Matt Abraham, Kirk Birtles were all founders emerald or above by the end of 2004. (I believe this is the five.)

The business stalled further after 2004 and now all of the above Diamonds (Doug Stroh went diamond in 2006) and Founders Emeralds have all resigned in disgust over the poor business model of Amway/Quixtar.  Can anyone name a diamond in Amway/Quixtar who signed their application after September 1, 1999 that speaks English?  The joke on the internet is that Amway should change their way to Imway (Immigrant Way).  I love and respect all the different nationalities and I believed Amway should provide a business opportunity for all nationalities.   Instead of spending tens of millions of dollars on legal battles to force people to stay in your business through fear and intimidation – why not use that money to reduce prices and provide a legitimate opportunity?  With the DTI Shutting Amway down, Pokorny Lawsuit against the company and tool systems, Hydrabad action in India, Nitro vs Amway, and numerous arbitration lawsuits against former IBO’s and to top it all off the name change back to Amway - I no longer wanted to be affiliated with this legal mess.

I felt it was absurd when I realized that I could not leave with my lifelong friends and family without the risk of litigation.   I thought it was tough getting people into the Amway business, but I never realized how tough it was to leave the Amway business.  Can you imagine a Sam’s Club sending “greeters” into the parking lot to convince you, your family and friends that you are shopping with to come into the store?  You humor them and agree to come in thinking – “what’s the harm?”  They tell you it will be a small fee and then you can save money and make money on any referrals.  You think that sounds good and sign on.  After looking at the prices you come back to the greeter and tell them the prices are not better and you, your family and friends would not want to shop there.   The “greeter” gets irate, slams and locks the doors and states you have agreed to a non-compete.  The “greeter” yells, “After all that hard work to get you in here, how dare you even think of going somewhere else and ruining my business!”  You say “What?!”  The “greeter” responds, “You have a non-compete, it’s in the fine print in a book that you will receive in another week.  You cannot leave with your family and friends, because they are part of our trade secret.”  You raise your voice and say, “But this is my wife, my children and my friends.”  The crack legal team is already issuing a Temporary Restraining Order to keep you from talking to your family and friends.  They would not want anything discussed about their “wonderful opportunity.”   All you can do is apologize to your wife, children and friends and pray the authorities will come and fix this before others get hurt.  

It would be laughable if it wasn’t so truthful.   Amway followed through on their threats to make it hard to leave and sued me and others in Grand Rapids, Confidential Arbitration, Nevada, Texas, and even bloggers commenting on the cases—all of these cases continue to this day.  Let's not forget the IBOAI (The trade association that protects and serves IBO's?) suing for damages the former Board members who said enough is enough.

2. Why did you choose MonaVie for your new MLM?

I had several non-negotiable factors in my benchmarking study that I used in selecting a new MLM.  I wanted the new opportunity to be better than Amway/Quixtar in every major area.  The factors were: Leadership/Vision, Product (Simplicity, Points/dollar value and Product benefits), Pay Plan (Pay for performance), Proven Success (Not new without a proven track record). 

Leadership/Vision:  I have met no owners in the MLM industry that have the vision and drive to make that vision a reality like Dallin Larsen.  Dallin is a one of a kind leader of character who understands that your only security is in your ability to perform.  Dallin has a goal to have a 20 billion dollar company in the next 20 years and my goal is to help him hit this ahead of schedule!

Product:  When I was in Quixtar I studied the tens of thousands of products and narrowed the Team’s focus to the couple of least over-priced products.  We increased our volume by millions of PV and Laurie and I qualified EDC, broke a new leg over platinum, and still qualified as Founders Ruby outside of all of that volume.  Laurie and I finished 2006 as the second fastest growing EDC and above in Quixtar.  Simpler is better when it comes to products.  I don’t mind many products, but a “Just Do This” principle is necessary to achieve duplicatable results.  MonaVie has an excellent “Just Do This” principle in place by drinking the product daily and seeing the results for yourself.  To accomplish 200 points of volume it will take around $260 in US dollars.  Compare this to the $400 to $500 spent monthly to accomplish 200 points in Quixtar and you will see that MonaVie greatly improved the profitability of the new person by reducing the cost to do product volume.  The MonaVie product itself is world class.  Hardly anyone is getting their daily amount of fruits in their diet.  MonaVie ensures a balanced diet and the anti-oxidant qualities help with long-term health by being the best preventative maintenance plan for your body.  This is a product that literally sells itself which is unique from any experience I ever had in MLM previously.

Pay Plan:  This is where MonaVie blows the doors off any other legitimate business opportunity on the market and what accounts for their over the top business success.  Any legitimate business must be able to point to numerous success stories of people who are accomplishing results today.  I am proud of the performers in the MLM industry who accomplished results in the 60’s 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, but we are in the new century and this is not your father’s MLM.  Any cursory look at the MonaVie Income Disclosure Statement (MVISD) and it is obvious why MonaVie is blowing the doors off the older MLM’s.  MonaVie started in 2005 and the 2007 MVISD has 185 people that have already accomplished a minimum of $96,667 per year.  This was starting from zero people in the entire MonaVie business in 2005.   MonaVie started from zero in 2005, (No system, no established groups, no product) to 185 people accomplishing a minimum average of $96,667  in less than three years!  The MonaVie business has an order of magnitude difference in the work index level compared to the other similar MLM business.  Progress for the new people is an essential criteria for looking at any MLM to have sustainable growth and large bonuses for the high end performers is essential to reward the engines that move the whole train.  Dallin Larsen is referred to as a Distributor CEO because he understands that keeping distributors happy and growing keeps the business growing and profitable. 

Proven Track Record:  I was not interested in investing the time into a start up business that made incredible claims but had no results.  I had as part of my non-negotiable criteria to find a business that had proven results.  Anyone can make claims of “The Best Product”, “The Best Pay Plan”, “The Latest Technologies”, but when it comes down to it—the proof is in the pudding.  Is the company growing?  Are the distributors making money?  Is it legal or will it be shut down in six months?  Just like John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership”.  MonaVie is growing because it has proven leadership and a three year track record of phenomenal growth.  No fly by night operation, but a plan for long term growth.   If this isn’t the fastest growing MLM in the industry, it certainly is one of the fastest!

3. Why didn’t you just build the Wal-Mart of the Internet after leaving Amway/Quixtar if that is your dream?

I love big dreams and I do maintain a clear long-term plan to see how far we can take the MLM industry.  I believe with the right leadership and character that we can take MLM mainstream in the future.  But that is the key word, in the FUTURE.  All of the giants of industry today that have made it big and stay big think long term.  Can you imagine going to MicroSoft’s first board meeting.  They were a scary looking group!   Can you imagine walking into the first Wal-Mart in Bentonville Arkansas on opening day and announcing this enterprise will be the world’s largest corporation?  They would have escorted you off to the insane asylum.  Twenty to thirty years is a reasonable time frame for this type of high level success.  We are not even close on the type of numbers in a community we would need to accomplish something like that.  It takes millions of people and hundreds of millions of dollars to be able to compete with the Wal-mart model. 

My vision hasn’t changed at all and it is closer today than it has ever been.   I have given talks for years dreaming about my long-term vision, but never said we would do this in a month, year, or even ten years.  I believe that teaming with Dallin and MonaVie is a big move in the right direction, but it doesn’t change the Lou Holtz’s WIN principle.  WIN stand for – What Important Next?  The most important thing for people who desire this vision is to build large communities and increase leadership levels in all of our communities.  When we are closing in on a million people—I promise that this will give Dallin Larsen and the Distributor Advisory Board more leverage for future planning.  I appreciate everyone talking about the big dreams and believe strongly in having a big dream, but there is another principle that needs to apply also.  Ann Landers said, “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.”  I see the opportunities and am going to work in the present utilizing the WIN approach while keeping my eye on the future.   God Bless, Orrin Woodward

Dexter Yager, "If you tell lies about me, I will tell the truth about you."

Jim Dornan Amway

Dave Dussault Amway

Joe Markiewicz Amway

Bill Britt Amway

John Crowe Amway

I have had a very productive week developing a MonaVie Team specific tools and pattern.  I had the new MonaVie Team Executive Policy Council  down which includes Chris Brady, Tim Marks, and Randy Haugen.  (Bill Lewis just qualified also!)  These are top leaders who qualify for two business centers in MonaVie.  I also asked a few other top performers to come down and round out our working group to develop a world class training program for the MonaVie business.  I had great expectations coming into the meeting, but I have never been involved with a group that had better synergy!  We had plenty of ideas, but I feel the final product was better than any one of us could have come up with on our own.  There will be official roll outs on all of this in the near future, but I will share some of the basics here.   We have a plan to have MonaVie specific training in the next 30 days.  You will have to check with your MonaVie upline to get more specific questions answered as this is a high level leadership blog and not a forum for me to mentor everyone individually.  Here are some miscellaneous thoughts from my productive last week.

1. During times of chaos – true leadership shines.  Relationships and love will hold groups together until the pathway is clear.  I have seen excellent examples of emotional intelligence and poor examples also.  Like the old saying goes, “You can tell the size of the person by the size of the things that get him upset.”  Great leaders can handle adversity and overcome it, without losing their emotional intelligence.  I have been blessed to be surrounded by leaders with phenomenal emotional intelligence.

2. MonaVie is a product that sells itself.  My superstar wife Laurie shared a plan to Susan.  Susan tasted the product, watched the The Power of You DVD, reviewed the Income Disclosure Statement and said she needed to talk to her husband.  Laurie gave her some material to study and she went home.  Laurie and I used to think it was a negative to ask friends and family for their opinion in our previous MLM experiences.  But with a great company and product, it is a positive.  Susan asked her friends and family and received positive feedback with some wanting to join.  Laurie then invited her to an open. What a simple process!  Drink this, Watch this, Look at this, Sign this, Study this, and Attend this.  (I recommend 2 cases of MonaVie initial order and 2 cases for auto-ship.) You really don’t need to follow through with people anymore.  They are either in or out.  If you do get a “no” for the business – you can still sign up a customer.  Susan went out and now has 5 people who want in her business and 2 who want to be customers.  Susan read the Success at Home magazine that features MonaVie and shared the The Power of You DVD.  There is a principle called KISS – Keep It Simple or we are Stupid.  The Six-This method - Taste, Watch, Read, Sign, Study, and Attend is so duplicatable that new people are going out and signing new people like I have never seen in networking before.  You don’t even need to dress in business attire to introduce the product.  House meeting can be casual and more product focused to introduce MonaVie.  Just call them up and ask if they have 20 minutes because you have something that you need to drop off to them.  Drive over and start the Six-This process.

3. The whole goal of signing someone up is to get them started.  The most important thing to do with your new people is to get them to an Open Meeting.  Let them see the MonaVie Support Team who will be helping to get them off to a great start.  At the Open, the new person will meet the leaders, meet their upline, see the plan again, and learn how to get started with Power Player.  The one on one was product focused with the product being the star.  Why?  Making the product the star is the most duplicatable way for any new person to introduce the MonaVie business to others.  It doesn’t require an MBA level training to describe all the business details.  We can have the top leaders do this at the Open Meeting.  Of course, the people representing the business at an Open will be in business attire.  The prospects and new members are coming to learn more about their new business.  The attendees can dress the way they dress for work.  We want to spread our arms wide open and welcome everyone.  From Ditch Diggers to Doctors – they all should feel welcome and not out of place.  The principle is to dress a little better than the best dressed person in the room.  At an Open that means the speaker should be in business attire - dark suit and red tie for men.  Why?  Because if a top lawyer, doctor etc. comes to the open we will communicate that we have a professional business.  You will see anything from flip-flops to wing tips and we welcome all.  The only requirement is an open brain to listen and learn. The plan was simplified to keep the product the star in the Content and Commerce stages.  When we get to Community, this is where we can share the magic of the community and being part of a team that will help people accomplish their goals and dreams.  Michael Dell said community was the key to the internet.   I would add that the key to community is building a team of people who love and support one another. 

4. The night owl is an opportunity to share the Six-This concept and Power Player.  The Six-This process is Drink this, Watch this, Look at this, Sign this, Study this, Attend this.  Power Player is building your binary legs 10 levels in depth and the other binary 5 levels in depth.  You track the binary growth from all the personals you have in each binary leg.  IE: If you have 3 personals in binary left then if the 3 personals add 10 people with 4 on system then you have qualified the left binary leg.  If the right binary leg has 5 personals and adds 5 people with 2 on system then you qualified the left binary and you are a new power player.  You can do the 10 levels in either the left or right binary leg depending on which one you are building at the time.  The key is to add people from your personal registration tree to get 10 in one binary and 5 in the other binary with the appropriate system counts for power player to develop leaders. 

5. Products bring them in and the training system keeps them in.  If we lead with product we will sponsor a higher percentage because it is the most duplicatable way for the new person.  The Work-Index for results in this business is the lowest I have ever witnessed.  People can get results so much quicker!  MonaVie’s bonus schedule pays more money in a week than some MLM’s pay in a month.  Just 10 people in each binary leg (Your upline MV Team helps build one with you) doing an auto-ship of 2 cases (200 points) and you have 2000 points per leg.  You receive a check for 10% of the lesser leg.  That is $200 for 20 people in one week and if volume is maintained for four weeks that is $800 per month!  Dallin wanted to ensure that the new people can make money if they do the work.  If we follow up with CD’s and seminars we will build leaders which generates long-term, duplicatable, sustainable growth.  Products and training go hand in hand to develop a business with a Leadership Engine producing sustainable growth!  The Open is the key because it is the doorway into the training which cannot be replace if we are going to 1 million people.  Products can change the body, but the CD's/Books/Seminars can change the mind.  We will change cultures by changing the thinking of the people.  The more people we bring in - the more opportunity to help people think - the more we will change our cultures.  Focusing on product without a system or a system without a product will sub-optimize your results in the MonaVie business and leadership in my opinion.

6. I have thoroughly enjoyed the MonaVie product.  I have many sports injuries from my youth and I feel so much better with a daily dose of MonaVie!   Who has the time or schedule to eat the recommended amounts of fruits?  Many times we throw away the fruit because it was not eaten and now is rotten.  No worries about that with fruits in a bottle.  I look at MonaVie and the anti-oxidants as the best preventative maintenance possible to maintain my health.  I could share many testimonials from friends and families, but I encourage you to try if for yourself.  I am amazed at how many people were customers of MonaVie already.  Many of my leadership partners were using MonaVie for the health benefits as customers and paying retail.  This product will sell itself if they will drink it for one week.   Dallin Larsen and MonaVie have the right product at the right time.  The Baby Boomers desire a healthy and wealthy retirement and the younger generations desire to maintain health while creating increased wealth.

7. I talked with Bob Dickie the CEO of Team and he stated the LLR series CD’s will always be general leadership and available for sale to the public.  Many corporations, sales organizations, churches etc. are utilizing the leadership principles to grow their organizations.  The LLR series will be available to purchase as a monthly pack for direct fulfillment.  Four CD’s and a book will be sold monthly in a package.  This will improve the leadership and help keep America and Canadians competitive in the world markets.

8. I have a dream to affect culture and make a difference in the world.  I truly feel we can do this by going in stages.  It took Wal-mart over 20 years of work to be recognized by the business pundits.  In the mid-60’s no one had heard of them and it wasn’t until the mid-80’s that other businesses stood up and took notice.  We must have the same long-term thinking.  Dallin has an incredible plan for MonaVie and I believe that teaming with Dallin was one of the better decisions I have made.  Dallin has proven to be a man of character and vision.  Dallin understands my goals and dreams and is willing to help me achieve them.  What more could I ask for?  I have stated many times that every great leader must be willing to be a great follower.  I am looking forward to following Dallin’s lead and developing the future of the MLM industry together.  I have always believed in partnership and I have found some true partners to dream and accomplish big things with! 

These are some miscellaneous thoughts on a Saturday afternoon.  There will be more details to follow when completed.  I wanted to share some thoughts so people would know the development plan for MonaVie support!  I want to thank my friends and family (Laurie should receive a gold medal!) for the encouragement and support.  You all have been an incredible group of leaders and I feel truly blessed.  We have a legacy to leave and it is never too late to begin the journey.  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

Here is an excellent article by Brent Filson on leadership feedback.  I believe it is of the utmost importance that you listen to the feedback from those that you lead.  Without feedback, you run the risk of leading people into irrelevancy.  I may not like the feedback, but I don’t like irrelevancy at all.  It is important for the leaders to get the truth from the troops so they can make accurate decisions based upon the facts.  So many leaders cocoon themselves around yes men and straighten deck chairs while the titanic sinks.  What type of leader are you?  Do you act like you have all the answers or are you humble enough to seek feedback.  The leaders of today must know that no one person can have all the answers and only a team will win big!  I am so excited about the meetings at my house the last couple of days.  We had an incredible discussion on the future of leadership support to build a 21st century community that will make a difference.  I believe we are on the verge of something revolutionary and can't wait to share later this week!  Enjoy the article, seek feedback and get ready to grow.  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

Dave Dussault is one of the top up and coming leaders in the Amway/Quixtar training organizations.  He is mentored by one of the best mentors in John Crowe.  John also happens to be his father-in-law.  Dave Dussault is developing quickly into a great leader by his hunger to learn and grow.  Here is my favorite quote from Dave Dussault.

Dave Dussault - "Success in life is not free and you must be willing to work hard and pay the price." 

Amway/Quixtar's - Joe Markiewicz

Amway/Quixtar's -John Crowe

Amway/Quixtar's - Bill Britt

Amway/Quixtar's - Jim Dornan

Amway's Jody Victor

Jim Dornan has always been one of my favorite leaders of the Amway/Quixtar training organizations.  Jim Dornan is the leader of Network 21 which has operations around the world.  Jim's humor and leadership ability has drawn people to him for the past several decades.  Jim is a fantastic teacher and has also co-authored a leadership book with John Maxwell called Becoming a Person of Influence.  Here is one of my favorite Jim Dornan quotes on conflict and the need to resolve conflict in teams.

Jim Dornan - "When elephants fight, grass dies."

Amway/Quixtar's Joe Markiewicz

Amway/Quixtar's Dave Dussault

Amway/Quixtar's Bill Britt

Amway/Quixtar's John Crowe

I read a fantastic article from John Fischer on Francis Schaeffer’s book The God Who is There.  I am reading this book for the second time and it is incredible.  If you like thinking, philosophy, theology and culture, then you will want to read this book.  It will make you think deeply on the current condition of post modern man and your own soul.  Enjoy the article and have a blessed Sunday.  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

I have always considered myself fortunate to have been in the formative years of my life when Francis Schaeffer was having his greatest impact on evangelical Christianity. His visits to Wheaton College, two of which I witnessed as a student there during the last half of the sixties, became the watermarks of my college experience. It was during those visits that Schaeffer presented the material that was to later become his most comprehensive philosophical work, The God Who Is There.

Almost 30 years later, in an issue of Christianity Today that celebrated Schaeffer's influence in an article by Michael Hamilton, I noticed a coincidental ad for a book by Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, titled,The God You're Looking For. The similarity of these titles made their key differences stand out. Something about these two titles speaks volumes about the way thinking has changed over the years that separate their respective releases.

The God Who Is There

Francis Schaeffer spoke to a generation that cared enough about the concept of God to despair over its loss. In Schaeffer's analysis, drug use, pornography, existentialism and even madness were not merely sin and debauchery for the fun of it, they were the logical conclusions of philosophical ideas that had been crossing the ocean from Europe for decades and surfacing in the works of American artists, writers and film makers. Piece by piece, the old ways of thinking were being stripped away by philosophers and theologians until God was nothing but a memory. And yet a memory was more than nothing, and it was that memory of God and propositional truth that Schaeffer was always seeking to retrieve.

Francis Schaeffer spoke to young people from families that still prayed to God, in a nation that still pledged its allegiance under Him. Many of these students made the long trek to L'Abri, Switzerland, to find if there was any validity to their childhood beliefs about God and the meaning of human existence. So when Schaeffer gave credibility to both, and even a historical context as to why they had doubted God in the first place, many were persuaded to believe.

Thirty years ago, it was enough to prove the existence of God and the reliability of the scriptures. Belief would follow the evidence. The God Who Is There assumes that people care enough to do something about God should it prove to be a rational thing to believe in him.

Reading Schaeffer again today makes one long for such a mind-set. It also makes despair seem almost attractive when compared to the moral relativism and self-absorption that characterizes most of western culture in the nineties. Would that people cared enough today to actually despair. Would that truth meant enough for people to lament its absence. Would that proving the rationality of the existence of God would assume the embracing of that God as its logical consequence.

The God You're Looking For

We now live in a generation that lies beyond the rational boundaries of Schaeffer's day--even beyond despair. Hope is fantasy. Truth is whatever anyone wants to make it. God is a concept to be used only when useful. Religion is a preference. There is nothing beyond self to appeal to; only the subjective desires and felt needs of human existence are left. The God Who is There is about as relevant to today's thought processes as Francis Schaeffer's knickers. Not that the truth is no longer true, it is just that the postmodern mind does not possess the thought-forms necessary to grasp truth as absolute. Announce the God "who is there" today, and people will want to know which God you are talking about. On which channel? Representing which ethnic group? Which religion? And if he is "there", just where is he? Is he out on video? And before anything else, people would want to know what this God could do for them, for whether God is or is not there, the operative question is, what can belief in God do for me?

In this context, The God You're Looking For is a fitting title. There is simply no other way to address a postmodern mind except by way of the expressed needs, longings and desires of people. And the churches who are adopting this approach are currently finding much success. But in doing so, are we not now facing a new dilemma for ministry?

Schaeffer himself has stated that each generation of the church "has the responsibility of communicating the gospel in understandable terms, considering the language and thought-forms of that setting." [Escape from Reason, p.94] But what if the language and thought-forms of a generation are inept at holding the kind of belief systems necessary to sustain a relationship with God over the long haul? Then we will have to teach people to think in thought-forms that are foreign to them‹that are outside their cultural experience. To some degree then, in teaching people how to follow God, we must now teach them how to think all over again.

For instance, we keep hearing how the postmodern mind cannot grasp the idea of absolutes. Well then, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the postmodern mind is incapable of grasping the idea of God. Something has to give here: either the postmodern mind, or the God we preach, and I don't think God is very interested in making too many adjustments in his nature or his character in deference to our inadequate minds. People, in order to grow in their understanding and relationship with God, are going to have to somehow graduate from a God they once met on one level, to a God who demands they stretch their minds in order to meet him in ways they have never thought of before.

Actually, this process is not unlike one common to all believers. We all begin a relationship with God on a subjective level through our own personal salvation. But our growth (or sanctification) is the process of discovering that God does not exist for us; we exist for him. "True worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth (John 4:23)"--speaking not of my truth, but of his truth to which I adjust myself and my thought processes. New believers have come to God because he has met their need; mature believers come to God regardless of their need. They come because he is God and he is worthy of their worship and allegiance.

The Current Task

If I am right about this, then the current task that faces the church is a difficult one that poses some rather ticklish questions. Having convinced people to embrace a God who is relevant and contemporary, will Christians still love God when they find he can also be irrelevant and old and sometimes difficult to follow? What do we do when the God who is there is not the God anyone wants? Do we still preach him? Will we be tempted to continue giving people a God they are looking for when the God who is there no longer holds their interest?

One can readily see how addressing this generation with the truth about God is a more formidable task than it was thirty years ago. If people no longer have the thought-forms to grasp absolute truth, then we have to teach and challenge them until God forms in them a new mind. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2)" takes on new significance in this regard. It will take a new mind to even believe.

In reality, both these titles are true and necessary. The God You're Looking For is a good way to start people thinking about God today, but at some point, the God you are looking for has to become The God Who Is There--the God who was there all along, and the God who will be there forever. He is the absolute we will all eventually bump into, regardless of our ability or inability to conceive of him. This is the God who deserves our praise whether or not he fits our description or meets our needs. Somewhere in me, I hear God saying to us all today, "If you are looking for God, I am the God you get, because I am that I am."

May we not shrink from telling the whole truth.

Bill Britt leads one of the largest Amway/Quixtar training organizations called Britt International.  Bill Britt is a challenging speaker who brings out the best in others.  I have many quotes that I like from Bill Britt, but here is my favorite.

Bill Britt - "I'm not looking for the mouse of the house, but the man of the house."

Amway/Quixtar's John Crowe

Amway/Quixtar's Joe Markiewicz

Amway/Quixtar's Dave Dussault

Amway/Quixtar's Jim Dornan

Amway's Jody Victor

The criticism of Dallin Larsen’s announcement by the IBOAI is contrary to the wisdom and principles of Rich Devos, Jay VanAndel and Joe Victor.  Rich and Jay founded Amway after leaving Nutrilite with their group and selling competing products while still promoting Nutrilite.  Yes, this actually happened in 1959 when companies believed in service to keep customers not non-compete clauses.  Joe Victor built the largest networking community that supported the Amway business and served the people faithfully.  They were able to build their businesses without the non-compete rules, data management rules, arbitration provisions, etc.  They knew that true success came from serving the customers and they did this successfully - without the need or desire for a non-compete clause.  The IBOAI needs to learn from General Douglas Macarthur’s statement, “Your security is in your ability to perform.”   All great companies and business people know and follow this concept, including the original founders of the Corporation and Board.

Bob McEwen, a fabulous speaker who has spoken at nearly every LOA associated with Amway/Quixtar is a strong free enterprise advocate.  In many of his talks he jokes about the communist/socialist systems.  Bob teaches that the rhetoric of the communist is that their system is superior to the free enterprise way.  Everyone is guaranteed a job and security.  Bob will then crack a smile and ask, “How many walls have they built to keep people in the United States?  Communism is the only system that claims to be superior, but has to build walls to keep the people in to enjoy the benefits.  As you read the current press releases, remember to think about why they need a wall to keep people in to enjoy the benefits.  I am shocked the rest of the board would allow their names to be associated with a letter that is taken out of the playbook of Karl Marx. 

I am still shaking my head that an advocacy group for the IBO’s would promote a system of top down control and promote guaranteed security by building walls to keep people in.  I have attached the article and will make a few comments after each paragraph.  It is this type of thinking that led the free enterprise portion of the board to make a stand.  I will never condone a system where customers freely go into a store and then the doors are locked to keep them in the store.  Can you imagine shopping at Wal-mart and then being told you must always shop at Wal-mart because they worked so hard to get you into the store in the first place?  This thinking is absurd in my opinion!  I encourage you to think for yourself.  Who is the Board truly representing?  Enjoy the article.  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - (Business Wire) The Board of Directors of the Independent Business Owners Association International (iboai.com), the primary advocacy organization representing hundreds of thousands of independent business owners (IBOs) powered by Quixtar/Amway Global (quixtar.com), today issued this statement in response to an initiative announced by MonaVie, a direct selling organization that competes with Quixtar/Amway Global.

“The so-called ‘Global Free Agent Initiative’ announced by MonaVie on April 2 is, we believe, nothing more than a publicity stunt, as they cannot actually expect to overturn scores of Court rulings that support the concept of short-term non-compete agreements for independent contractors. Independent contractors in direct-selling organizations such as Quixtar/Amway Global possess unique knowledge and networks that they have built with the extensive support of their parent organization. The parent organization, and other independent contractors who do not wish to change their affiliation, deserve a degree of protection when any individual wishes to resign or is terminated from his business.

The ‘Global Free Agent Initiative’ announced by MonaVie sounds to me like a clarion call for free enterprise.  I cannot imagine the Major League Baseball Players Union fighting for a salary cap and against free agency.  Look at the history here!  Baseball player were grossly underpaid until the reserve clause that forced players to stay with the same team was eliminated.  Once the reserve clause was removed the salaries of all the players increased greatly.  Who is doing the work to build the communities in Network Marketing?  If it is the field, then reward the field or allow them to go!  Isn’t the IBOAI position more in tune with communism than Rich Devos’s talk Selling America.   I believe the apple has fallen a long way from the tree!  Freedom is the ability to have choices and free enterprise is the ability to freely choose who and when to do business.  If a company cannot satisfy the distributors, then they should be allowed to go where they will be satisfied.  The advocacy group should read Adam Smith and learn that Amway/Quixtar would quickly increase their bonus plan and reduce their prices if forced to compete. Joseph Schumpeter called the process of free enterprise – Creative Destruction.   Creative Destruction meant that the non-competitive enterprises, ideas and process would lose to the newer better companies, ideas and processes.  Building walls around struggling companies will not improve the company anymore than quotas on imports will improve struggling companies in the US.  The only answer is to learn to compete!  Rich Devos and Jay VanAndel knew this concept and were able to successfully grow the Amway business for over 40 years without a non-compete clause.  I suggest the IBOAI board take a remedial class on free enterprise and stop drinking the perfect water unless it can improve the elasticity of their thinking!

“There is also no coincidence in the timing of MonaVie’s announcement, coming on the heels of their being joined, with great fanfare, by terminated Quixtar/Amway Global distributor Orrin Woodward. Woodward, along with certain associates, is already the focus of a lawsuit alleging that he has encouraged thousands of independent contractors to violate their non-compete agreements in order to join with him at MonaVie and in his other business enterprises. MonaVie is also the target of a similar complaint. Starting with the day of his termination, Woodward has orchestrated an Internet-centered propaganda campaign which has hurt those to whom he was previously loyal, including thousands of Quixtar/Amway Global independent business owners.

I appreciate the IBOAI taking the time to do a press release promoting my new MonaVie business venture.  When over 50 former diamonds pack it in and climb over the proverbial prison walls to obtain free enterprise away from Amway/Quixtar - it has to make the discerning individual go ‘hmmm’.  The Alticor family of companies has taken the last eight months to attack me personally vs. fix their antiquated business model.  Now the IBOAI has taken up the banner for the company!  I guess they believe in the thinking, “Tell enough lies long enough, something will stick.” The Amway/Quixtar Corporation has sent threatening letters to tens of thousands of IBO’s.  The IBO’s were taught free enterprise principles for years and that they owned their own business.  One of the basic rules of business is to not offend your customer.  Amway did offend their customers by sending threatening letters and reaped the consequences of this foolish action.   Instead of accepting responsibility and realizing they have much to learn about leadership, they are improperly attempting to make me a scapegoat.  I am not sure how many sites were spawned by Quixtar’s threats and intimidations, but I can assure you that they do not need my permission to blog on the internet.   There are thousands of qualified and competent writers and thinkers that were threatened and Quixtar should be thankful it wasn’t much worse.  It sounds to me that many people who were damaged by Amway/Quixtar’s actions practiced forgiveness.   The more I see the actions of the legal team the more I think of how the communist countries attacked the dissidents who ‘insanely’ believed in free enterprise and freedom.  The Board statement even uses the words “targets” to label MonaVie and me.  I would encourage the IBOAI and Quixtar to target your remaining customers and participate in free enterprise - not the repressive practices and name calling.

“It is no coincidence, we believe, that MonaVie is not a member of DSA, the Direct Selling Association (dsa.org), and will likely never be while they take this stance in favor of improper and damaging behavior. We are sure that the DSA itself and Quixtar/Amway Global, the company to whom our independent business owners are contracted, will make their own statements on this matter, but we felt it was critical for us to speak up quickly, and forcefully, so that our marketplace understands what is really happening. We are not going to let MonaVie, or Mr. Woodward, pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.”

MonaVie does not need titles and positions to feel secure.   People who are willing to serve are not impressed with titles, but are more concerned with testimonies.  I find it interesting that a company that has blocked my free speech rights for nearly 8 months, sued the former board members who called them out, locked up all of our documents with outrageous confidentiality claims, and disparaged the Team and me non-stop - would now say that MonaVie and I are pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes.  Only someone who is hiding the facts and punishing those who have stood up for truth could be accused of pulling the wool over people’s eyes.   The spinning never stops.   IBOAI, please go back and read you’re the founders initial principles and learn the lesson of, “It is more blessed to give than receive.”   Instead of building walls, start building bridges and serve your communities.  In free enterprise, it is not your last name that counts, but the commitment to serve the needs of the customers.  If people are treated with dignity and respect, they will be loyal to that company.  The MLM industry is big enough for some competition and competition is what makes free enterprise the best system in the world.  Dallin Larsen has a right to say what he believes in.  He is a true leader and I am proud to be on his MonaVie team.

Here is another one of my favorite quotes from the Amway/Quixtar training organizations.  This one is from John Crowe formerly of the Britt training group, but now the leader of UR Association.  John Crowe is an incredible speaker and overcomer.  He was one of the biggest influencers that helped me understand how communities can have a positive impact on culture. 

John Crowe - "Build depth until you find the next leader and then help them become profitable.  Building leaders in depth that are profitable is like building firewalls in your business.  This ensures your long-term security."

Amway/Quixtar's - Dave Dussault

Amway/Quixtar's - Joe Markiewicz

Amway/Quixtar's - Jim Dornan

Amway/Quixtar's - Bill Britt

Amway's Jody Victor

I learned some of the best motivation and leadership quotes from the Amway/Quixtar training companies.  I will share some of my favorites with everyone.

Joe Markiewicz - "Anyone can succeed in life.  It's not easy, but it is simple."

Joe Markiewicz is a powerful leader on the Leadership Team Development (LTD) organization. 

Amway/Quixtar's Dave Dussault

I have stated many times that leadership makes all the difference in any enterprise.  The reason MonaVie is one of the fastest growing MLM's in the entire industry is the forward thinking leadership of Dallin Larsen.  As a best selling author on leadership, I have studied leadership for over 15 years on a daily basis.  True leadership focuses on what is right for the people the leader serves.  Dallin Larsen is a true leader because he focuses on what is right for the community first.   Dallin understands that his rewards will follow by ensuring that his community is winning.  MonaVie and Dallin Larsen represent the future of Network Marketing and I support the Global "Free Agent" Initiative one hundred percent!  The MLM industry was founded upon the principles of free enterprise and personal business ownership.  All free enterprise begins with the right to own property.  No one can own a business if they are "owned".   I never agreed to be property of anyone and am an independent businessman.  I am proud to be associated with visionary businessmen like Dallin Larsen and the rest of the leaders of MonaVie.  If you feel the same way then go to the Open Door Campaign Blog and take the pledge.  We are revolutionizing the MLM industry and MonaVie is leading the way!  God Bless, Orrin Woodward

MonaVie Launches Global “Free Agent” Initiative

“The Open Door — Network Marketing for the 21^st Century”