Say the term MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) to anyone who has been involved with the industry and you are certain to get a reaction. MLM is the process organizations use to get their product into the marketplace. Rather than hiring a sales force and all the "stuff" that goes along with corporate America, MLM companies have independent contractors market their products directly. These organizations choose to give the reps the money it saves by not incurring the costs that go along with all that "stuff." It is actually a very generous compensation for those people willing to stick it out for the long haul.

That is the key. Many people go to an "event" that a friend or acquaintance invited them to. They get all hyped up about buying a Mercedes and vacationing year round, but lose sight of the work that goes into the dream.

There is no such thing as get- rich-quick. In order to be successful at MLM or any business for that matter, you need to be diligent and have a positive attitude. People will also use the word "pyramid" when talking about MLM. They mainly say this because most of the compensation plans look like a pyramid.

MLM's are not pyramid schemes because pyramid schemes are illegal and have no product associated with them. The irony to this is that the biggest looking pyramid is corporate America. You have the CEO at the top of the pyramid, a number of vice-presidents, middle management, sales reps all the way down to the janitor.

Nobody is allowed to make more than the person above them. In the MLM world, the janitors can make more than the CEO. But because their Uncle Bob and Aunt Susie failed in MLM, they think it doesn't work. How many people have been downsized or had their job shipped out to another country? How many times have you heard of someone receiving a promotion and another person was more qualified for that promotion? Corporate politics are cruel. Corporations care about the bottom line and little else (Do we need to mention Enron at this point?) The beauty of MLM is that you are in charge of the rest of your life.

You will get out of it exactly what you put into it. Most of the people I know that are free have been freed by MLM. I don't mean people who make millions and still have to go to work. I mean people who do what they want, when they want and with whom they want. If you focus on a 2-5 year plan with MLM or any home business the odds of your success are great.

If you want to really motivate yourself not to end up like 95% of Americans at age 65 ask yourself this question everyday: "What will happen if I do not succeed?" The fear of failure will move you to do great things. MLM can be the vehicle you use to vacation, see your children more, tithe to your church more and raise your quality of life.

Sam Crowley is a best-selling co-author and motivational speaker. You can see Sam's home business at www.collect7keveryday.com. Sam's mission is to create ten millionaires in the next five years