Why Your Sister Failed

This is a classic. I have had someone tell me more than once, that they do not go for these "money-making schemes" because some friend or relative tried it once and got taken to the cleaners. Interestingly, it seems like it is always a male, and the person getting scammed was always the guy's sister.

One of my best friends has given me this retort. And I presently have a very talented member of the team, whose two brothers are giving her some real grief about allowing herself to "get scammed."

Your sexist impulses notwithstanding, let me give it to you straight, brothers. Your sisters' failures (past or prospective) have more to do with you than herself. Your sister is a smart person, willing to take risks, like the Apostle Paul eager to "believe all things," open to new ideas, able to go outside the box, with enough self-esteem to work hard for something that will most likely benefit you and others in the end.

If your sister fails, it is not because her partner company (ies) has sold her a bill of goods. Chances are she has researched it well, found the company to be reputable, the program legal, the compensation plan reliable and generous, and she has surrounded herself with people that have something you do not have: the ability actually to help her succeed.

If your sister fails, I want you to pat yourself on the back, for you more than anybody is the cause of her failure. It is hard enough to go against the grain in life. Anybody with lofty goals will always find people nearby that are ready to take them down a few notches. It is particularly hurtful when those doom-and-gloom prophets are family, or worst yet, siblings that we have always trusted.

You will prove yourself right. You will pursue her relentlessly, mock her, belittle her, tell her she has been brainwashed, until she finally gives up. You have given her enough trouble just managing your reactions to her courageous decision, that, yes, of course, she will fail - and you will have the satisfaction of making a sound prediction.

And everything will go back to the status quo ante, with one exception: she will be less likely to take a similar chance in the future. She will settle into the 40-40-40 plan that you have accepted for yourself (work 40 hours a week, for 40 years, to make 40% of what you couldn't live on in the first place). She will never take a chance like this again, which raises the question: who brainwashed whom? But, you are back in control, so who cares?

Your sister failed, or will fail, thanks to you, brother.

Or how about this . . .

Try helping her, encouraging her, working with her, giving her ideas, helping her improve her skills, buying her product, partnering in her business, praying for her, supporting her.

I have brothers, and am a brother. I am a father. Let it never be said of me, that my sister or brother, or kids, failed in anything, because I failed to encourage them!